Josh Jacobs is a proven bell cow and three-down running back. Since being drafted, he has handled substantial offensive workloads. Jacobs is a slashing runner with quick footwork and lateral agility to knife through the defense. He has the play strength to finish runs and punish defenders. Can't forget about his value in the passing game out of the backfield. Jacobs isn't an elite running back, but he is a well-rounded back and starter.

Madubuike is a tough evaluation since he only played in two games last season after suffering a neck injury that was considered career-threatening. Fortunately, he's reportedly on track to play this season, but it's difficult to assess how the issue will impact the two-time Pro Bowler's on-field effectiveness. In 2023 and '24, Madubuike made a name for himself as a pass-rusher, showing the quickness and strength to work the edges or push through an offensive lineman's chest to generate pressure. Those traits stood out during this past season's small sample size, too.

Setting career highs in receptions and touchdowns, Dallas Goedert was an impressive part of the Eagles' inconsistent offense last season. Maximizing his impact as a red zone target, 10 of his 11 touchdowns came inside the 20-yard line, and he was still a threat to get open deep down the field. Goedert is one of the smartest tight ends in the game and consistently found where the defense wasn't and made them pay. Whether it's finding soft spots, running routes with pace and intention, or knowing where the pursuit defender is after the catch, Goedert's brain is the biggest weapon in his arsenal. Blocking isn't why he's on the field, but in Sean Mannion's offense, he'll need to bring it and show that he can hold his own. Goedert set the stage for another impactful season, and without AJ Brown around, he'll still have an important role in this passing attack.

The development shown from Coby Bryant going from slot corner early in his career to a do-it-all safety has been fun to watch. That he's pulled down seven interceptions and 13 passes defended in the last two seasons is a testament to that. His range is helped by his instincts and ability to get an early jump on where the ball is going, and he is an excellent zone defender with the awareness to pick up routes and buzz down underneath. While Bryant will miss tackles with aggression, he's a smart run defender who takes good angles, and that shows in his coverage game, too. He'll help shore up the defensive issues the Bears faced last season.

Returning to the team that drafted him for the 2025 season, Minkah Fitzpatrick helped turn around a defense that was struggling through the first few months of the season. He makes plays based more on his football IQ than athletic ability at this point, but he still offers free safety and nickel flexibility. Fitzpatrick knows how to recover, identifies plays quickly, and gets to the football quickly. He missed more tackles last season due to poor pursuit angles, but the physicality in the run and screen game still allows him to be impactful. He suffered a calf injury at the end of the season, but will be fully healthy for his first season with the Jets and hopefully will return to his turnover ways in New York.

Sieler is one of the NFL's best defensive tackles who has yet to make a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team. He's such a well-rounded player, showing the physicality and strength to make tackles near the line of scrimmage as a run-defender, while also racking up 25.5 sacks over the last three seasons. The 30-year-old veteran did get off to a slow start as a pass-rusher this past year, leading to a dip in production after two straight 10-sack campaigns. However, the Dolphins started using him on stunts and line games more often during the second half of the season. All of Sieler's sacks (5.5) occurred during Miami's final eight games to build some momentum heading into his ninth season.

Travis Kelce isn't the athlete he used to be, but he's still the best space finder at the tight end position in the NFL. He looked much better a season ago than in 2024 in terms of movement, and he recorded his highest yards-after-catch-over-expected (+34) since 2022. The mind is always working, and that's why he and Patrick Mahomes have created one of the greatest connections of all time. The future Hall of Famer handled over 100 targets again last year, gained over 800 yards, and probably should have had more. Kelce's snaps should decrease as the Chiefs manage his workload heading into what we expect to be his final NFL season, but one thing remains true: he'll find a way to get open.

Having a unique athletic profile to weaponize in a defense is a cheat code for someone like Mike Macdonald, and Nick Emmanwori embodies that. He's a "nickel" defender but plays a ton in the box and even down around the line of scrimmage from time to time. A force multiplier against the run, he allows the Seahawks to appear in nickel defense while playing the run like they're in base. He's still figuring out the finer aspects of coverage; tight ends gave him trouble last season, and playing against quicker slot receivers can be problematic, but as his football IQ grows, he'll become an even bigger difference-maker.

The Bears' secondary has so much talent, and Jaylon Johnson is the best of the bunch, even while he missed parts of last season due to injury. He's a physical player at the line of scrimmage, a savvy technician, and plays longer than his measurements with great timing and feel at the catch point. He was excellent in the postseason and began to look like his former self, with the awareness and football IQ to pick up routes in off-coverage and read plays quickly. He's the veteran in the Bears' secondary, and with some of the additions to that defense, Johnson should have a strong year in 2026.

Chris Olave's coming off a career year in 2025. Finding a cleaner bill of health was a key ingredient, along with rookie QB Tyler Shough. Olave played at a high level for the Saints' offense. He ran great routes with intent and little wasted motion. His speed set up cornerbacks, creating vulnerable angles for him to attack with his route stems. He had 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns. Every defense knew he was the Saints' primary target, and he continued to produce with a first-year QB at the helm.

While Greenard's sack production took a significant hit last season, the downturn can be explained away since he battled a shoulder injury that caused him to miss five games. He's still a high-motor pass-rusher who can win with speed around the edge, turn speed-to-power and utilizes a nasty inside-spin move as a counter. The 2024 Pro Bowler does need to improve at finishing plays, though, as he's had tackling issues throughout his six-year career. That weakness partially contributed to his low sack total a year ago. Regardless, Greenard is a good all-around player who can set the edge against the run, too.

After four pedestrian years in Seattle, Brooks has blossomed into a very good run defender in Miami. He has the combination of instincts and lateral movement skills to sift through the trash and constantly make tackles near or behind the line of scrimmage. The 2025 first-team All-Pro isn't much of a space player and is susceptible to getting beaten in coverage, but he can make up for it when blitzing by being a productive pass-rusher.

Jackson reunited with coach Ben Johnson in 2025 after a disjointed one-year stint with the Los Angeles Rams and quickly reclaimed his status as a quality starter. Chicago's run-first, play-action-heavy structure was an ideal fit for Jackson's skill set, but he still maximized the environment with high-level, well-rounded play. His game is built on light feet, urgency and explosive intent, giving the Bears a movable interior piece that could pull, climb and create displacement on combination blocks. He formed a physical double-team pairing with Darnell Wright, generating movement in the run game, while allowing Johnson's scheme to lean into angles, timing and misdirection. In pass protection, Jackson is sturdy and active, using independent hands to jolt, stay attached and keep rushers from accessing his frame cleanly. The limitations show up when he gets caught flat-footed with a wide base against stutters, delaying his anchor, or when he overcommits to penetrators on stunts and is late redirecting to loopers. He is also more effective on combinations and movement concepts than isolated angle-drive blocks. Jackson is not a dominant physical presence, but his pass-protection competence, run-game urgency and familiarity with the system put him back into very good standing.

He didn't look the same in his first week back from injury in the Wild Card round, but Quentin Lake rounded into form quickly for the Rams in the next postseason games. Playing nickel requires a different demeanor in today's game, and Lake has it in spades. Unafraid to take on blocks from offensive linemen or fullbacks, he gives as good as he gets and keeps coming for more. He racked up a career high in interceptions (1) and PBUs (10) in only 10 games played before his injury and was one of the best defenders for the Rams. Lake's safety/nickel versatility is a big part of how Chris Shula wants to call his defense.

Still one of the best tackling players in the NFL, Antoine Winfield Jr. was not a defender offenses looked to test in the passing game. Five targets were the most he faced in a single game, and that happened only once last season, but he didn't entirely look himself. Winfield played more reactively than anticipatorily, and his yards-per-reception allowed were higher than at any point since his rookie season. It's possible his leg/knee injury from the 2024 season lingered into 2025 and hampered the former All-Pro. However, he still found ways to impact games with eight passes defended, two interceptions, and 16 quarterback pressures, the most in his career.

De'Von Achane has defied the odds set against smaller-framed running backs in the NFL. The Dolphins leaned on his playmaking ability as both a runner and a receiver. He has established himself as one of the league's premier playmakers. Achane accounted for 1,838 total yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns. His game is built on vision, acceleration, change of direction, and elite open-field speed. He finished the year second in outside-the-tackle rush attempts behind Bijan Robinson. The Dolphins' star is dangerous from anywhere on the field. He is a big-play waiting to happen. In the passing game, Achane is a threat on screens or aligned as a wide receiver running routes into the play concept. Pass protection reps were limited to 34 snaps; he ran more routes than stayed in the pocket.

Fautanu moved from left to right tackle as a rookie before a post-Week 1 knee injury ended his season, then returned in 2025 to start all 17 games, while establishing himself as one of the league's better young tackles. Fautanu is an explosive, aggressive blocker with good length, high-end movement skills and one of the league's best snatch-trap techniques, allowing him to steal leverage and knock rushers off their feet when they lean into him or are lazy with their hands. His attacking style creates some volatility, because he will take risks with heavy-handed strikes and early commitments. That same temperament is central to his impact. In pass protection, his quickness, recovery ability and strike-power keep him competitive even when timing is not perfect. In the run game, he is effective on both the front and backside, with the range to reach landmarks and the play personality to finish once attached. This fall, Fautanu is expected to move back to left tackle and accommodate first-round pick Max Iheanachor. His background on the blind side makes it reasonable to project a similar level of play. Regardless of side, Fautanu's explosiveness, leverage-stealing tools and competitive urgency make him difficult for defenders to attack with clean, repeatable plans.

Dotson remains one of the league's most physically imposing right guards, continuing to thrive inside a Rams system that fits his power-oriented game. Los Angeles' heavy play-action usage, downhill run menu and Matthew Stafford's quick trigger help reduce the burden of true dropback protection. Even so, Dotson's individual value remains clear. He is a stout, tone-setting guard with elite play-strength, firm anchor and the ability to halt rushers or uproot defenders once he establishes leverage. Dotson is not a high-end mover, but his footwork, angles and understanding of landmarks allow him to create sound positional leverage in pass protection and intersect targets on the move. In the run game, he is at his best covering up, displacing and caving defenders in tight quarters, giving the Rams a reliable source of interior force. His profile is not as recovery-based or expansive as the top-tier guards, but his size, power and scheme fit keep him entrenched as a very good right guard.

Jones is a Hall of Fame-caliber pass-rusher and still applies pressure on quarterbacks even in the late stages of his career. The 32-year-old's quickness remains evident, and he combines that burst with veteran savvy to beat offensive linemen when lined up on the edge or working the defensive interior. However, Jones has been steadily declining as a run-defender over the last few seasons. Part of downturn is effort-based, as he will take plays off or produce reps where he seems disinterested. Those concerns push the seven-time Pro Bowler down the rankings, even though there's no denying that he's still one of the NFL's better defensive tackles.

As a pass-rusher, Verse's game is rooted in his ability to turn speed-to-power. He can collapse the pocket against offensive tackles, with a few nice counter moves off his primary approach, using his hands and quickness to keep tackles guessing. Additionally, the second-year pro is effective on stunts and can rush from a few different alignments. Verse was more impactful against the run as a rookie, but he still showed the strength to set the edge and be a plus-run defender last season. The 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year has a bright future and projects as a high-quality three-down player for years to come. He does need to clean up his tackling, though.

The Colts' plan for Tyler Warren is simple: get him the ball in space and target him down the field. He's a special player with the ball in his hands, and he showcased that early on for Indy with 505 of his 817 yards after the catch last season, with physicality and quick feet to get upfield. The former top-15 pick uses his hands well away from his frame, but contact in the catching window forced more incompletions than expected. He's a versatile playmaker and will line up all across the formation for the Colts, bringing his work ethic with him. The offense changed after Daniel Jones' injury, and his role didn't have the same impact as earlier in 2025. Warren will be a focus of the offense again this season, and the connection with Jones will only get better.

Being a rookie on a defense like the Ravens is already full of different pitfalls, and the injuries sustained across the board early put even more on his plate. After the early-season inconsistencies, Starks found himself and was a big part of allowing Alohi Gilman and Kyle Hamilton to rotate down and around the box when needed. He handled tons of rotations, was a good run defender, and quickly identified routes developing downfield to take away big plays. He finished the season strong for the Ravens and set the table to truly break out for the new defensive-minded head coach, Jesse Minter.

With multiple knee injuries last season, David Njoku's impact after the catch and in route running took a hit. He couldn't get up to speed as quickly, and the Browns wanted to shield him from further injury by involving rookie Harold Fannin Jr. more in the passing game. He made up for what he lacked in explosiveness with physicality and ball skills, coming down with nine of 12 contested catch opportunities and turning three into touchdowns. Njoku is an excellent and versatile in-line blocker with the tools to be an asset in the run game for his new team. If he's healthy, Njoku could be looking at one of the best seasons of his career with quarterback Justin Herbert.

Xavier Watts deserved a stronger push for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2025. He makes up half of the best safety duo in the league with Jessie Bates, allowed Bates to roam closer to the line of scrimmage, and helped unlock the defense and create turnovers. Watts had five interceptions and 11 passes broken up as a rookie, was a plus run defender from depth, and, while there were some lapses, he showed the ability to recover not just physically but also mentally. He didn't look like a rookie out there; he handled more rotations, living on top of the defense, and the NFL stage like he was meant to be there.

Look for Cooper to burst onto the scene as an up-and-coming NFL linebacker this season. Against the run, he has a good combination of instincts, range and athleticism to get to the right spot and make tackles near the line of scrimmage. While the Texas A&M product still has some room for growth when taking on blocks, he's already shown improvement from his college days. Cooper's athletic ability also shows up in his coverage skills. He has the speed and acceleration to click and close, and he's made a handful of plays on the ball with eight passes defended in two seasons. The 2024 third-round pick wasn't as productive and impactful as a pass-rusher this past season, but he did have four sacks as a rookie.

DJ Moore is an underrated, versatile, and athletic playmaker. The veteran receiver is an impact player with how diverse his usage has been. Moore is a good, reliable route-runner with a strong feel for leverage and spacing. He is a physical receiver before and after the catch. He powers through tackles and deploys a good stiff arm in space. Moore took handoffs as a traditional running back for the Bears last season and had success. His hands and ball skills are outstanding. Moore attacks the ball with the aggression that gives quarterbacks confidence to target him. He does a lot of things well and deserves to be mentioned as a tier 2 receiver in the league.

One of the more underrated corners in the NFL, AJ Terrell is a technician on the outside who forced tight-window throws at the fourth-highest rate in the league last season. He mirrors well, attacks the catch point consistently, and is a willing and able run supporter. Bigger route-runners with a good catch radius take advantage of the space he gives them in off coverage, but he closes and uses leverage well. He doesn't create a ton of turnovers, but still gets his hands on the football a lot.

The most impressive aspect of Murphy's second NFL season last year was that the Seahawks asked him to play nose tackle a lot, and he was still very productive, collecting 62 tackles and seven sacks during the regular season. The 2024 first-round pick can split double teams and combo blocks to make tackles near the line of scrimmage, and he can widen out to a 3-technique and get pressures on third downs. Murphy has impressive versatility for an interior defensive lineman and can shoot up the ranks with another strong performance this fall.

When the Colts' secondary is healthy, it's got some of the highest potential in the NFL, and the one that makes it all work is Camryn Bynum. He might not be the rangiest safety to live on top of a defense in the NFL, but he does a great job staying on top of deep routes, taking advantage of overthrows, and turning them into interceptions. Bynum was on the field for 661 coverage snaps and was targeted at a 4.8% rate, and was still able to create eight passes defensed and four interceptions. He's a playmaker for the Colts defense.

Linderbaum will enter the 2026 campaign as a very good, scheme-dependent starting center whose value is driven by rare movement skills and high-end run-game impact. He is at his best in zone concepts and working on the move, where his quickness, range, leverage and angle control allow him to reach landmarks, create displacement and unlock second-level access. Linderbaum's athletic profile remains among the league's better center-specific traits. His processing, balance and natural leverage help him punch above his weight class. Pass protection can be problematic, because his smaller frame and compact build create a thinner margin when isolated against high-end interior rushers. He can be compressed by power and presents softer edges when forced to anchor without guard help. Despite those concerns, the three-time Pro Bowler has the leverage, balance, recovery athleticism and functional strength to keep him from becoming a liability. Linderbaum is not the most physically imposing center, but his movement skills and run-game range give him clear high-end starter value.

One of the rising stars at the wide receiver position in the NFL, Nabers' 2025 season was limited to four games due to a torn ACL. Pre-injury, he was an explosive route-runner who changed directions suddenly. Nabers moved around the Giants' offensive formations and served as a coverage indicator with pre-snap motions. He displayed springy athleticism, rising over defensive backs and making circus-like catches down the field. Everyone's in wait-and-see mode regarding his recovery from two knee surgeries and an unknown timetable for his return. If he returns to a fully healthy and athletically explosive version of himself, Nabers will be higher on this list.

A part of the best corner tandem in the NFL, Lassiter burst onto the scene in a big way and has used his junkyard dog mentality to be a chaos-creator for the NFL's best defense. He can be overly aggressive at times and get caught out of position, but he loves being physical as a run and screen defender, and it shows up on the field and in the stat sheet with 11 stuffed rushes last season. The ball production continues to be a bright spot as well, with four interceptions and 17 passes defensed in 2025. Lassiter might be a little boom-or-bust, but he's booming more and more for the Texans' defense.

Jaylen Waddle is one of the league's most dynamic receiving threats. He is alignment-versatile and can hurt opposing defenses from anywhere. When Tyreek Hill went down with an injury, Waddle stepped in and filled his shoes as the Dolphins' WR1. He accounted for 42.8% of the Dolphins' air yards this season per Next Gen Stats. Waddle's speed and route-running will stress defenses vertically and horizontally. He is a smaller-framed receiver, and he's battled nagging injuries over the years. When healthy, he is a stick of dynamite that can blow up with a quick light of his fuse.

Bonitto is an explosive pass-rusher who can win in a variety of ways. He has an incredible initial burst to win with speed around the edge, can turn speed-to-power and possesses the quickness and change-of-direction skills to take advantage of oversets by beating offensive tackles on an inside path. The two-time Pro Bowler blends in as a run defender, though. He can use his speed and athleticism to take advantage when he's unblocked or cause an offensive lineman to miss and occasionally make tackles near the line of scrimmage. However, Bonitto struggles to take on and disengage from blocks.

Mailata remained a very good left tackle in 2025, but his play dipped slightly compared to his career-best '24 performance. Some of the downturn was tied to the Eagles' left side losing a bit of its usual force with Landon Dickerson playing through injuries. Mailata remains a rare mover at 6'8" and 360-plus pounds, with the mass, range and force to cave edges, displace the front side and cover space in Philadelphia's run-heavy structure. In pass protection, his size and improved patience allow him to engulf rushers when he stays square and gets his hands fit. Conversely, his low hand-carriage created more issues in 2025. Late hands exposed his chest, invited pocket compression and made it harder for him to control rushers before they built force through his frame. He can still be stressed by inside counters and late redirects, but his size, movement skill and play-strength give him a wide survival margin. Mailata remains a high-quality starter with rare run-game impact, though the pass-protection hand timing and slight year-over-year dip prevent him from joining the upper-tackle tier.

Kyle Pitts had some truly lofty expectations to live up to coming out of Florida, and 2025 was an offensive explosion for the fifth-year tight end. He set career highs in targets, receptions, and touchdowns while playing over 200 snaps more than any previous year of his career. Pitts showed growth in nuance in route running, using more speed dilation and deception to get into space while still showcasing his top-tier athletic ability after the catch. He's a true three-level weapon, and the Falcons use him as such to maximize their passing attack. While Pitts isn't a game-changer as a run blocker and doesn't show the effort all the time, his power at the point of attack has improved, and on the move, he can be useful. But he's out there for one reason: to be a match-up problem.

Sam Darnold went from seeing ghosts to lifting the Lombardi trophy in 2026. He has revived his career over the last two seasons and proved that 2024 was not a fluke season. Darnold helped lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship. He played with confidence and poise, complementing Seattle's elite defense. Darnold is a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback with the arm strength and accuracy to win games at times. He is best suited to be accompanied by a strong run game. Although he won a Super Bowl, that does not vault him to the top of the quarterback pyramid. Darnold has thrown 26 interceptions in two seasons. His decision-making under pressure and lack of ball protection are holding him back from leapfrogging his counterparts.

The Patriots' secondary was one of the most complementary rooms in the NFL, and Hawkins had his best season ever in year two of his stint in New England. Showing off his range, Hawkins came down with four interceptions and six passes defensed while playing 75% of his snaps at free safety. While he wasn't bad as a man coverage player, he was excellent in zone. According to NFLPro, "Jaylinn Hawkins was targeted on 3.8% of his snaps in zone coverage, the 5th-lowest mark of any player with at least 200 snaps in zone, and allowed seven receptions for 62 yards on 16 targets while recording four interceptions." He'll be taking his talents to Jesse Minter's defense in Baltimore, where he could have another fantastic season.

Buckner's body is starting to wear down, missing five games in 2024 with a high-ankle sprain and nine last year with a herniated disk that required surgery this offseason. On the field, he's still a well-rounded defender in both phases of the game and capable of winning multiple ways, particularly as a pass-rusher. It will be interesting to watch how effective the 32-year-old continues to be after this past season's neck injury.

It's hard for water to get where it's going with holes everywhere along the pipe, and that's how it felt for Amani Hooker last season. The secondary was riddled with holes, and he was tasked with covering as many as possible. His versatility is outstanding, showcasing the speed and route recognition to come down on short throws and recover over the top. He takes some aggressive angles in run support, but sees the plays unfold and has the effort to track the ball carrier across the field to make a tackle. With a new staff and renewed energy in Tennessee, there's room for Hooker to rebound in a big way.

Marcus Jones is one of the most versatile chess pieces in the NFL thanks to his secondary usage and special-teams impact. He's an electric punt returner with house call ability and brings that juice to the secondary in New England. While he gave up more touchdowns in man coverage last season than at any point in his career, he still took the ball away three times and had 11 passes defensed. He also added another pick and four passes defended in the postseason. It wasn't an even playoff showing for Jones, but he remains a high-effort player in every phase of the game.

Wagner is toward the end of his career, but make no mistake about it, he's still a top-tier run defender on the second level. He operates like The Terminator pre-snap, constantly scanning the offense and taking in information to consistently be in the right spot and around the ball. Also, the 11-time All-Pro is still an elite tackler with his combination of range and rare misses. In coverage, the 36-year-old's age shows up. He isn't as comfortable operating in space as he used to be and had a few coverage breaks last season. Wagner can provide value in the passing game as a blitzer, though, beating running backs to record 4.5 sacks last season.

Elliss is the pinnacle of what a hybrid linebacker should look like. He's the jack-of-all-trades, Swiss-army knife type of player who uses his athleticism to slip blocks in the running game, click and close or make plays on the ball in coverage, and get after the quarterback as a pass-rusher. The do-it-all backer also has the versatility to line up on the edge and cashed in during the offseason, as the Saints gave him a $33 million contract to return to New Orleans.

Film study shows up every Sunday for Delpit, and his instincts take him to the football quickly and often. He's an aggressive downhill player who isn't afraid to fit any run, wants to punish the ball carrier, and ties underneath routes to the quarterback's eyes quickly. Willing to man up against tight ends and make life tough for them, his coverage toolbox varies, but he is a much better player closer to the action than on top of the defense. Delpit flies around the field and brings a ton of energy to the Browns' secondary.

Being a twitched-up athlete with great length, ball skills, and coverage versatility at the cornerback position is tough to find, and those players stick around in the NFL. Jaycee Horn is all of those things. He plays with a great understanding of route concepts and film study on where quarterbacks want to go with the football and how receivers win. He's a poor tackler and falls off ball-carriers more often than he should, which creates more yards after the catch, but he set a career high in interceptions (five) this past season. A few slips in coverage led to giving up touchdowns, but he's one of the best in coverage around the league.

Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner had one of the most interesting seasons of any NFL corner in 2025. He dealt with injuries, was traded to the Colts and had an uneven performance throughout the season. He played a ton of man coverage and forced tight-window throws at a high rate, but allowed the sixth-most receiving yards in the NFL through Week 13—when he suffered an injury and only appeared once more during the season in Week 17. Gardner is at his best as a Cover-3 corner who can drive down, anticipate route breaks, and disrupt the catch point with his superb length.

Jalen Hurts is one of the more maligned quarterbacks in the NFL. You either love him or hate him, but one thing's for certain: you have to respect him as a football player. Mentally, Hurts is built like an armored truck; it is difficult to get him off his game. Last season, he was great when facing the blitz, processing information quickly and getting the ball to his weapons. If his receivers are plastered, he'll activate his dual-threat quarterback card like in a Pokémon battle. Hurts is known for escaping pressure and becoming a dangerous runner in the open field. If he identifies one-on-one coverage on the outside, he will take the shot. Throwing in the middle of the field remains a concern in his game, but it's not a void in his skill set. Hurts will be without All-Pro and Pro Bowl-caliber WR AJ Brown; he can silence doubters with a strong 2026 season.

Lloyd is an interesting player because he fits into the "jack of all trades, master of none" category. As a run defender, he can attack downhill or make plays sideline to sideline, but doesn't record many tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage. Against the passing game, the 2025 second-team All-Pro can click and close and has good ball skills, but he will get beaten in man coverage and occasionally takes subpar angles in pursuit. If the 27-year-old can put it all together in Carolina, he'll start getting more love as one of the best linebackers in the league.

A gold jacket is waiting for T.J. Watt whenever he decides to hang up his cleats. However, the future Hall of Famer's production dipped last season, as he isn't the same player he used to be. Watt can still win on the high side of the rush but lacks a good change-up to keep offensive tackles honest. At this stage of his career, Watt is also more of a finesse player against the run.

The Rams' 33-year-old wideout remains one of the best route-runners and separators in the league. He has outstanding knowledge of the game and instincts. He remains one of the league's best route salesmen. Adams may have lost a step in the speed and explosiveness department, but he makes up for it with craftiness and savvy route running. In the red zone, Adams is a weapon, using his space-creation and strong hands to cash in on end-zone targets. His prime is behind him, but Adams will give opposing cornerbacks all they can handle every week.

Cosmi did not make his 2025 debut until Week 7 upon returning from the ACL tear he suffered during the previous season's Divisional Round. He then had this past season cut short by a concussion in Week 16. Across nine starts, he still looked close to the breakout-caliber player he became in 2024. Cosmi is one of the league's more talented guards, with the athletic ability, play-strength and recovery skill to match up against top interior competition. His pass protection serves as his foundation. He plays centered with even weight distribution, uses independent hands to stay attached without overcommitting and has the quickness to anchor, harden his edges and work out of compromised positions. Cosmi is also a good run-blocker, combining power and agility to create movement, fit angles and stay connected on the move. Availability is the only real drag on his profile after two significant injury interruptions during a 12-month span. At 27, he still has the traits and technical foundation of a top-tier guard, but his 2025 grade reflects a high-end player whose recent injury history prevents a cleaner placement.

Zay Flowers isn't the traditional or prototypical No. 1 wide receiver, but he's established himself as "THE GUY" for the Baltimore Ravens. Flowers has the top-end speed and acceleration to make defensive backs rethink their approach. He's proven to defeat bump-and-run coverage and zone coverages. He is a smaller wideout, but he knows how to play the position at a high level. Flowers is an easy target to feed the football to because of his versatile playmaking.

Baun's game is rooted in instincts and athleticism. Against the run, he's quick to get to the right spot and can use his movement skills to slip blocks. However, Baun does leave something to be desired in terms of his ability to take on and disengage from blocks. In coverage, the two-time Pro Bowler's athletic ability can help him be effective in man coverage and tight ends and running backs, and close in a hurry when playing zone. He also had seven passes defended last year and can be even more productive if his awareness improves.

Even while sustaining a hamstring injury that forced him to miss nine games in 2025, Julian Love is an absolute dawg and one of the most underrated safeties in the NFL. The coverage instincts are fantastic, and he sniffs out routes over the middle of the field with regularity to pile up PBUs and interceptions. The great clip of Love from the Super Bowl, showcasing how Drake Maye was telegraphing his throws right before he intercepted him, is pure gold. He can man up on tight ends and offer true nickel coverage flexibility for Seattle's defense while maintaining one of the better recovery skill sets at the position. This is the type of safety every defense needs.

Brown remains a high-end right tackle, though his pass-protection consistency dipped from the previously seen 2024 breakout performance while suffering through calf, shoulder and eye issues. The shoulder injury was especially relevant, showing up in a difficult Week 12 matchup against Houston's edge duo of Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., where his play-strength and ability to finish reps looked compromised. Brown's value still begins with rare movement ability for a 6'9" blocker. He reaches his set points with elite quickness, uses independent strikes to maximize his length and can establish first meaningful contact before rushers are ready to deploy counters. When he loses early, his recovery range allows him to stay attached, widen the path and die slowly rather than give up immediate access to the quarterback. As a tradeoff, his frame still creates leverage exposure, especially on angle-drive blocks and power exchanges where defenders can get underneath him. Brown remains a weapon on the move and a very good pass protector, but his 2025 effort reinforced that elite athletic tools still require clean timing, health and leverage management to stay in the top right-tackle tier.

Brown's size and strength pop off the tape when working against the run. Not only is the 6'5", 320-pound defender difficult to move, he also tosses offensive linemen out of the way when shedding blocks. As a pass-rusher, his power is apparent with a solid bull-rush and push-pull move. The 2023 Pro Bowler does show some quickness for his size, while adding 28 career passes defended when he doesn't get upfield.

Cooper DeJean has quickly blossomed into one of the best nickel defenders in the NFL after only two pro seasons. He's a physical and willing run defender, just ask Derrick Henry, and has dispelled any and all pre-draft notions that he may be better suited as a safety only. His versatility makes him a near full-time player as he takes snaps on the outside in Philadelphia's base defense. He makes plays at every level of the field, but is at his best in the nickel, closer to the action. His football IQ is his greatest weapon, but he also brings size and athletic ability to a position typically labeled as "small". DeJean is a unique player and a perfect fit in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's defense.

Dawkins remains one of the league's more difficult left tackles to solve, because his pass-protection profile is both physically imposing and structurally uncommon. He has rare mass, excellent length and quick enough feet to survive on an island, but the separator is how he uses those tools to control the terms of the rush. Dawkins aligns with unusually wide splits that create space, isolate rushers and allow him to dictate the timing of first meaningful contact. Once latched, his grip strength and body control make reps difficult to restart. His snatch-trap package—the "Ice Pick," as he calls it—is one of the league's best answers against long-arm rushes, allowing him to protect his frame, punish forward lean and end reps quickly. Dawkins also brings clear run-game value as a mover, where his range, play-strength and finishing temperament show up as a puller and lead blocker. His game is not conventional, but it is refined and highly functional. He wins by expanding the edge, forcing rushers into predictable angles and closing reps with power.

Alt's second season was disrupted by circumstance before injury ultimately ended it. After moving from right to left tackle following Rashawn Slater's season-ending knee injury, Alt immediately carried over the level of play that made his 2024 rookie season so impressive. A Week 4 high-ankle sprain cost him time. After he returned in Week 8, a more significant ankle injury ended his season a week later. The limited sample still reinforced a larger point: Alt already established himself as one of the league's most balanced and technically advanced tackles, regardless of side. His game is built on size, range, patience and unusually clean mechanics. He rarely oversets, stays square through contact, plays with controlled hands and has the recovery ability to survive when rushers force him off his initial track. In the run game, he wins through angles, leverage and sustained positioning rather than raw displacement, giving him a high floor across schemes. Through two seasons, Alt has looked less like a young tackle still stabilizing and more like a roster cornerstone whose availability has been the only real early-career concern.

Brewer produced a special season in 2025 inside Mike McDaniel's zone-heavy run game and quick-hitting passing structure, which leaned heavily into screens, play-action, perimeter concepts and timing throws that fully maximized his skill set. The second-team All-Pro is a sub-300-pound center with rare movement skills, giving Miami a true weapon on reach blocks, overtakes, climbs and space concepts. His second- and third-level impacts were as good as any offensive lineman's in football last year, with Jason Kelce-esque range and finishing ability. In pass protection, Brewer has made meaningful strides with his hand usage, using quicker strike-timing and improved placement to establish first meaningful contact and protect his frame despite a lack of mass. He will always have a smaller margin against high-end power, but his leverage, balance and elite recovery skills allow him to survive enough anchor stress, while staying effective against quickness and movement. Brewer's build keeps him from being a scheme-proof center, but his movement skill, run-game impact and improved pass-protection make him one of the league's most valuable interior linemen.

Ramsey started the season playing predominantly at nickel cornerback and then transitioned to safety after Week 9, and hit the ground running. His football IQ is off the charts, and he still shows great closing speed, making him a force in coverage. Recovery downfield isn't what it used to be, and it showed up a few times, but his willingness and ability to fit the run and be in the right place greatly improved the Steelers' defense over the back half of the year. Ramsey really can do it all.

When the Bears drafted Colston Loveland in the top 10 last year and paired him with Ben Johnson, we knew something special could happen. As a rookie, Loveland not only grew throughout the season as a blocker but was unlocked as a weapon in the passing game. He's an extremely gifted route-runner at his size, with post-catch speed and acceleration that create poor pursuit angles. The offense was flowing through him as the Bears entered the playoffs, and the former first-rounder took it in stride and helped lead the Bears on a run that nearly landed them in the NFC Championship game. He needs to work on a consistent get-off and attack mentality as a blocker, but the tools are there for Loveland to be a force at the tight end position for a long time.

When it comes to versatility, it's difficult to find a defensive lineman who fits that description better than Williams. He lines up just about everywhere along the front thanks to an ability to defend the run at a high level from several alignments. "Big Cat" can split combo blocks, move his feet to avoid getting reached and win one-on-one matchups with strength or athleticism. Williams isn't as diverse when rushing the passer, but he still places consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The three-time Pro Bowler is effective as the pick player on stunts and uses his strength well to defeat guards and tackles during one-on-one matchups. His ability to do so became more apparent over the last two-and-a-half seasons, accounting for 22 of his 61.5 career sacks.

Skoronski continued his ascent in 2025 despite an unfavorable offensive ecosystem that included heavy pass volume, limited play-action support and inconsistent pocket management from a rookie quarterback. He did not miss a snap for the second consecutive season and emerged as one of the league's most refined young pass-protecting guards. Skoronski wins with efficient pass sets, precise hands, clean weight distribution and advanced leverage control, allowing him to create, refit and sustain positioning on rushers while playing longer than his measurements suggest. His feel when uncovered is also a plus, with the awareness and physicality to clear the pocket, dent adjacent rushers and pass off games with force. In the run game, Skoronski's leverage understanding translates into strong sustain, steer and finish skills, with enough movement ability to track and intersect targets on the move. His narrower, sawed-off frame can still create softer edges, and decisive loopers can test him on stunts before he regains control. Still, his recovery skill, hand precision and ability to die slowly minimize clean losses and point to a high-end guard whose game is still climbing.

The Texans' defense is full of chess pieces for DeMeco Ryans to terrorize opposing kings (quarterbacks), and Calen Bullock has emerged as the instinctual "queen" patrolling the board. He plays with range, good movement skills, coverage flexibility, and a willingness to not only improve as a tackler, but to play the run as well. He takes some poor angles at times, but he's made up for it with six interceptions and 11 passes defensed last season (regular and postseason). In year two, Bullock established himself as one of the rangiest and most impactful post-safeties in the NFL with the arrow still pointing up as a member of this defense.

Caleb Williams is the ultimate gamer and playmaker at the quarterback position in the league. He took steps forward and improved in multiple areas in year one of Ben Johnson's offensive system. Williams possesses the rare combination of great physical tools and an innate ability to make something out of nothing. He displayed his creative off-script playmaking again this past season, but his timing within the offense's structure was noticeably better. Williams displayed quicker processing when facing the blitz this season, getting to his reads more quickly and efficiently to take advantage of fewer defenders in coverage. He is still trying to find that happy medium and consistency with his accuracy. Williams has precision passes on tape and more than a few bad misses. He completed 58% of his passes last season; that mark must rise above 60% going forward. The game is slowing down, but he still needs to work on his processing and decision-making. Williams is an ascending player who is on the brink of stardom if he can iron out the correctable wrinkles in his game.

Bolles delivered the most consistent season of his career in 2025, starting every game for the third straight year and materially raising his pass-protection profile to one of the league's better blindside protectors. Bolles has always had the athletic ability, urgency and finishing temperament, but the current difference is the level of control in his hands and set mechanics. He routinely wins early with a high-low hand approach that captures the rusher's frame, protects his inside shoulder and forces speed-rushes to widen beyond the corner. His inside-hand strike remains a weapon for disrupting timing, but he is no longer as dependent on isolated flashes of aggression to survive. Bolles still benefits from Denver's offensive line-friendly structure under Sean Payton, but the improvement is real, as seen through cleaner leverage, fewer self-inflicted short corners and more consistent answers against counters. He is not an overpowering run-blocker, but his movement skills, competitive toughness and improved hand placement give him value across concepts. The result is a high-end left tackle whose game has aged into more precision without losing its edge.

The former All-Pro is coming off a down year, but Trent McDuffie remains one of the more complete defensive backs in the league. His football IQ is fantastic; he is a willing and excellent run defender/blitzer, and he brings great experience, grit, and leadership to the cornerback room. McDuffie impacts the game in a variety of ways and turned into a better press-man corner on the outside than many expected given his stature. He's a better nickel than boundary corner, but he never backs down to any receiver, no matter their size.

2025 was a strong season for Trevor Lawrence, as he threw for over 4,000 yards for the third time in his career and a career-high 29 touchdowns. After a 5-4 start, he engineered an eight-game winning streak that won the division and clinched a home playoff game. Lawrence was very effective in the short-passing offense. His arm talent was on display whenever he had to drive the football in the intermediate areas of the defense. Lawrence's legs are equalizers if flushed out of the pocket, and he puts them to good use. His decision-making must improve when under pressure. He threw a career-high 12 interceptions last season, and some of them were head-scratching. Cut down on low-red-zone turnovers going forward. Overall, Lawrence took steps forward last season. Jaguar fans and the Trevor Lawrence fan club should be excited and optimistic going into the 2026 NFL season.

Carter is a frustrating run-defender to watch, because he shows moments of brilliance, splitting combo blocks to make a tackle or using a rare combination of strength and athleticism to defeat other blocks. However, he typically only makes a quality tackle or two per contest, and the three-year pro has a big problem with missed tackles when working against the run. The 25-year-old's reputation as a standout interior defender is a result of his skills as a pass-rusher. He's impressively quick and athletic enough to work the edges against guards, while displaying good hand-usage. The former high school power-lifter can push the pocket when bull-rushing, too.