With 2025 NFL training camps just around the corner, league insiders have weighed in on who stands above the rest at each position. ESPN reached out to more than 70 executives, coaches, and scouts across the league, asking them to identify the top 10 players at 11 critical positions – from quarterback all the way to cornerback. Now in its sixth year, this comprehensive ranking captures the ebb and flow of player performance, showing who’s climbed the ladder and who’s taken a step back.
How These Rankings Come Together
Each participant filled out ballots naming their top 10 at every position. From there, ESPN crunched the numbers using vote frequency, weighted averages, in-depth interviews, and film breakdowns from analyst Matt Bowen. When ties emerged, extra voting rounds and follow-up conversations settled the debate. The goal wasn’t to predict tomorrow’s stars or celebrate yesterday’s legends – it was about pinpointing who’s playing at the highest level right now.
The reveals rolled out over 11 days in July, covering running backs, defensive tackles, edge rushers, safeties, tight ends, interior offensive linemen, offensive tackles, quarterbacks, off-ball linebackers, wide receivers, and cornerbacks.
Running Backs: Building on a Banner Year
After watching players like Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry tear it up in 2024, the running back rankings showcase both the veterans who keep delivering and the younger guys making their mark. The position’s gaining more recognition across the league as these dynamic playmakers prove their worth in shaping offensive success.
Defensive Tackles: The Elite Few Stand Apart
When it comes to defensive tackles, there’s a clear separation at the top. The battle between Dexter Lawrence II and Chris Jones sits at the heart of the rankings, with Jalen Carter and company right behind them. These guys earned praise for the havoc they create up the middle, disrupting game plans week after week.
Edge Rushers: Big Money, Bigger Impact
The dollars tell the story here – names like Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, and Danielle Hunter are all pulling down north of $35 million per year. T.J. Watt, Micah Parsons, Trey Hendrickson, and soon-to-be free agent Aidan Hutchinson keep climbing the ladder, with front offices already planning their next big investment.
Safeties: Kyle Hamilton Sets the Standard
Kyle Hamilton ran away with the safety vote, collecting more first-place nods than anyone in what turned out to be a tight race for second place. Competition stayed fierce throughout the rankings, and somewhere in Michigan, one team’s sitting pretty with what might be the league’s best safety duo.
Tight Ends: Changing of the Guard
The George Kittle versus Travis Kelce debate that dominated conversations for years? That chapter’s closing. A new generation has stepped up, with Brock Bowers now wearing the crown as the position’s top player. The old guard remains dangerous, but they’re no longer alone at the summit.
Interior Offensive Linemen: Fresh Faces Take Control
Retirements cleared the way for younger talent to shine, and boy, have they delivered. Five players between 24 and 26 years old landed in the top seven spots. Three fresh faces cracked the list for the first time, claiming the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 5 spots in the process.
Offensive Tackles: NFC Powers Clash
Veteran departures opened doors for several tackles, including one AFC player making his top-10 debut. The real drama sits at the top, where two NFC playoff-caliber tackles are locked in an ongoing battle for supremacy, each showcasing the kind of talent that transforms an offense.
Quarterbacks: A Golden Era at the Top
The 2025 quarterback class boasts something special – a loaded top tier that stands well ahead of the pack. The four highest-rated signal-callers are all hitting their prime, collectively holding five MVP trophies between them. They’re steadily chasing Patrick Mahomes’ championship success, making for compelling storylines ahead.
Off-Ball Linebackers: Depth Without Clear Hierarchy
Beyond the top two spots – which stayed the same from last year – this position group lacks consensus. Thirty-two different linebackers earned votes, showing the depth available but also the uncertainty about who truly belongs where. Mix of newcomers and a returning veteran who’d been absent adds to the intrigue.
Wide Receivers: LSU Connection at the Summit
Last season saw 21 receivers cross the 1,000-yard threshold, while the rookie class showed real promise with several players breaking into or challenging the elite ranks. At the very top, two stars who grew up practically neighbors and later starred at LSU are locked in a tight race for the No. 1 spot.
Cornerbacks: Youth Movement Takes Hold
The cornerback rankings tell the story of a position in transition. Most players are 24 or younger, with half still playing on rookie deals. Several former top performers have fallen off entirely, a reminder of just how physically demanding it is to cover the league’s elite receivers week in and week out.
These rankings capture where the NFL’s talent stands right now, giving fans and analysts a clear picture of the league’s elite performers as the 2025 season approaches.
