We’re within days of the start of training camps around the league. And to figure who is who amongst the 32, we’ll need a scorecard of the top players in the NFL.
So we’ll lean on Pete Prisco of CBS Sports for the annual preseason rankings. If the top 10 is an accurate barometer, then the 49ers have cornered the NFL market on top players.
But here’s an observation, telling or otherwise. There are twice as many pass rushers (four) as quarterbacks (two) in the top 10. Read on to see if you’re favorite players made the list.
Mahomes and the Chiefs won their second-straight Super Bowl back in February. But the offense wasn’t its usually stout self. In comparison to last year, Mahomes passing yards fell by more than 1,000 and his touchdown throws dropped by 14. However, the Chiefs gifted Mahomes with some dynamic new receivers. Here’s betting that Mahomes remains at the very top of the list of the NFL’s best players.
From Prisco: “His numbers were down last season, but he showed in the playoffs that he is the best player in the league — and on his way to being considered the best ever. If he three-peats this season, is it time to say he’s the best ever? (Last season: No. 1)
There’s always an argument as to who is the best defender in the NFL. Prisco gives it to Garrett, the No. 1 pick of the 2017 NFL Draft and former Texas A&M standout.
Prisco wrote of Garrett, who is at the very top of the league’s best defensive players: “He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year after getting 14 sacks and adding 86 pressures. He is one of those special defensive players who has to be accounted for on every play. (Last season: No. 5)
Williams, the former Oklahoma Sooner, is ageless. But he’s also still the best lineman in the league as well as amongst the NFL’s top players. Prisco ranks him even high in 2024 than in 2023.
“At the age of 36, he remains the game’s best left tackle,” Prisco wrote of Williams. “He is key to their run game, but he also excels in pass protection. The only concern is when does he start to show his age. (Last season: No. 10)“
Hill no longer is the highest-paid receiver in the league. Justin Jefferson now tops him. But CBS Sports believes he’s the top receiver amongst all the NFL’s elite players.
Hill’s “speed scares the daylights out of defensive backs and defensive coordinators,” Prisco wrote. “He changes the way teams play with his ability to run by people and turn short passes into big plays, catching 119 passes last season for the Dolphins. (Last season: No. 12)“
Steelers fans aren’t going to like Watt sitting three spots behind Garrett, who is the soul of their team. Picking one over the other probably is like choosing your favorite player of ice cream. They’re both so good.
Prisco wrote of Watt: “He led the NFL in sacks with 19 last season and remains a true game-wrecker. He bounced back from an injury-shortened 2022 to show he remains one of the game’s best edge players. (Last season: No. 11)
At least on this list, Allen is the second best quarterback in the NFL. The pros and cons of that argument are best left to another story.
Here’s why Prisco placed Allen only behind Mahomes. “He led the NFL in total yards and touchdowns (44) when combining his passing and rushing touchdowns, yet the perception was he didn’t play well. Yes, he turns the ball over too much, but he was a legitimate MVP candidate last year and will be again this season. (Last season: No. 2)
Yes, Jefferson is one of the top players in the NFL. But let’s be more specific. He’s now also the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. Does money equate talent and production? In Jefferson’s case, that’s a hard yes.
“Injuries limited him to nine starts last season, which is why he had a career-low 68 catches in his fourth season,” Prisco said. “But he averaged 107.4 receiving yards per game, which was a career best. (Last season: No. 7)“
McCaffrey did it all for the 49ers in 2023. And count on Coach Kyle Shanahan finding the NFL’s top running back more ways to touch the ball. McCaffrey was the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2023. He’s looking for a repeat.
Prisco wrote of McCaffrey: “He is the game’s best back, a dual-threat player who can kill a defense with his ability to run it and catch it. He is the prototypical back for today’s game — and he gets paid like it. (Last season: No. 27)“
Parsons skipped some OTAs this spring. And he wants a heftier contract befitting his status as one of the NFL’s top players. However, as of Wednesday July 10, he hasn’t received a new contract.
Prisco wrote: Parsons “has 40.5 sacks in three seasons, including 14 last season, to put him in the conversation as best rusher in the game. He also led the league in pressures with 103. He has moved around a lot in his three seasons with the Cowboys, but he is best when rushing the passer off the edge. (Last season: No. 8)“
Look, here’s another 49er amongst the top 10 best players in the NFL. He’s the third. Bosa signed a huge contract last season. Before Jefferson, he was the highest paid non-quarterback. But his stats slipped a bit.
“His sack number fell from 18 1/2 in 2022 to 10 1/2 last season as he wasn’t as dominant as he was the year before,” Prisco wrote. Bosa “had just one double-digit sack game last season after having four in 2022. (Last season: No. 4)“
11. Maxx Crosby DE Las Vegas Raiders
12. Sauce Gardner CB New York Jets
13. Ja’Marr Chase WR Cincinnati Bengals
14. Chris Jones DT Kansas City Chiefs
15. Joe Burrow QB Cincinnati Bengals
16. Lamar Jackson QB Baltimore Ravens
17. Penei Sewell OT Detroit Lions
18. Travis Kelce TE Kansas City Chiefs
19. Dexter Lawrence DT New York Giants
20. Aaron Rodgers QB New York Jets
21. CeeDee Lamb WR Dallas Cowboys
22. Fred Warner MLB San Francisco 49ers
23. Josh Allen LB Jacksonville Jaguars
24. Tristan Wirfs OT Tampa Bay Buccaneers
25. Patrick Surtain II CB Denver Broncos
Training camps are all starting soon, so all the NFL top players will be readying for September. The Ravens rookies are the first group to report. And that date is this Saturday. You can check all the dates and sites here. Here’s some other key links. If you want to see all of the CBS top 100 list, you can check it here. And if you want to catch up on all the On3.com NFL coverage, you may click it here.
