For the second year in a row, we’re picking out the NFL’s top players in specific skills and traits. We can argue all day about whether Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson or Saquon Barkley deserves to be the league’s MVP, but this is meant to be more granular. Who are the top guys in certain areas rather than just overall?
For example, who is the most instinctive passer in the NFL, or the QB with the biggest arm? Which receiver runs the best routes, and who is the most explosive running back? Which pass rusher has the fastest closing speed, and which defensive back is the top ball hawk in the secondary? Special teams matter, too; who is the best punt returner?
So I picked out 102 different traits and named the best of the best in each spot based on what I’ve seen on tape this season and the underlying numbers. Let’s get rolling, starting with the quarterback-specific skill areas.
Jump to a position:
QB | RB | WR/TE | OL
DL/LB | DB | ST
Goff has completed 71.8% of his throws, which ranks second behind Tua Tagovailoa (though Goff has played four more games). He is one of the best at delivering a “runner’s ball” on deep in-breakers and crossers, and Goff can dice up defenses from the pocket or when attacking the edges on movement concepts.
Allen can hammer the ball to every level of the field with velocity, and he can drive it through the wind in Buffalo. He has 18 completions on throws at least 20 yards downfield this season (seventh). Allen’s 74.5 overall QBR leads the league, and he is playing at an MVP level.
Love has the arm talent to attack vertically, and he can throw with touch to the third level. His 10 completions on throws of 30 or more air yards lead the NFL.
A rhythm thrower, Tagovailoa delivers the ball with both pace and touch. Since returning from a concussion in Week 8, Tagovailoa has completed 77.3% of his throws and been off target only 8.9% of the time. Both numbers are the best in the league over that stretch.
Burrow is the model of consistency, matching his upper and lower body together perfectly. He can also make subtle movements to adjust his arm angles and throwing platforms when necessary. Burrow’s 30 touchdown passes lead the league in part because his baseline mechanics are very strong.
A true pocket thrower, Cousins uses his refined and controlled footwork to throw on time. He moves well in the pocket to reset his platform when the walls start to close around him.
Tagovailoa has the fastest average time to pass at 2.41 seconds. He sees it fast and uses his sudden release to get the ball out.
Burrow plays with accelerated vision, which allows him to make anticipatory throws, especially to the middle of the field. Burrow has 16 touchdown passes on throws inside the numbers, the most in the NFL. And his 203 attempts targeting an “open” receiver rank sixth (per NFL Next Gen Stats tracking).
Jackson’s ability to create on second-reaction throws is the best in the league. With his dynamic movement ability, Jackson can extend plays and keep the eyes up to find open targets late in the down. His QBR of 91.8 on throws outside of the pocket is tops among quarterbacks who have played at least 10 games.
Jackson has thrown 29 touchdown passes compared to only three interceptions, and his Total QBR of 73.4 ranks third in the NFL. He is producing high-level numbers and protecting the football.
In watching the tape, Burrow has the best feel and mobility in the pocket in the NFL. It allows him to move and reset his throwing windows, and his eye level is always up. Burrow’s 73.1 in-pocket QBR ranks second in the league.
1:07
Are Bengals wasting Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase?
Damien Woody and Dan Orlovsky analyze the Bengals’ struggles despite strong performances from quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
This is still Mahomes, given his natural playmaking traits as a passer and awareness. He also knows when to pull the ball down as a runner in critical game moments.
Jackson leads all quarterbacks with 678 rushing yards, including 28 carries of 10 or more yards. He’s also averaging 5.9 yards per carry on designed rushes. Jackson is the most electric player in the league with the ball in his hands.
Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen could be here, too, but Mahomes has a rare sense of when to escape the pocket and find running room. He is averaging 8.8 yards on scramble attempts, and his 17 first downs on scramble attempts are tied for fourth among quarterbacks.
I’ll have Stafford here until he retires. He plays hurt. He takes hits. And he continues to stand in the pocket, throwing lasers.
Mayfield has kept the Bucs in the NFC South race with his competitive playing style. His 25 touchdown passes are the third most in the league (including seven in the fourth quarter), and he has added 229 rushing yards. That’s a guy I’d want to coach.
According to NFL’s Next Gen Stats, no running back has run faster with the ball in his hands this season than Gibbs, who hit 22.0 mph on a 70-yard touchdown in Week 8 against Tennessee. He reached 21.8 mph three weeks later against Jacksonville. A rapid accelerator, Gibbs can absolutely fly, and he has picked up at least 10 yards on 29 carries (tied for second most).
Barkley’s 32 rushes of 10 or more yards are the most in the league, though. He’s an explosive home-run hitter who just needs a crease of daylight — and he gets that often behind the Eagles’ offensive line.
Henry is still forcing defensive backs to make serious business decisions when he gets on a north/south track. His 600 yards after first contact not only rank No. 1 in the NFL but are also 145 more than second-best player (Josh Jacobs). Henry also has picked up 65 first downs, the most in the league.
Montgomery has the lower-body balance and power to bounce off defenders at the point of attack. His 11 rushing scores are tied for the second most in the league, as he often uses that contact balance near the goal line.
Barkley creates instant juice out of his jump cuts, and he is an explosive lateral mover. Barkley’s 6.1 yards per carry leads all running backs. And per NFL Next Gen Stats, he leads the league in rushing yards over expectation (452).
Robinson has the stop-start ability to shake defenders in close quarters, along with the foot quickness to slip tacklers once he gets into the open field.
Mixon has been an easy fit in Houston’s zone run game, pressing the ball to the edge and finding the cutback lanes. Mixon is averaging 88.7 rushing yards, the third most in the league.
A volume grinder, Harris has logged 207 carries, the fifth most in the league. And he has yet to fumble as a runner. Over a four-year career, he has only four fumbles (two loss).
0:50
Najee Harris’ Week 13 fantasy recap
Check out Najee Harris’ fantasy stats from Week 13 as he prepares to face the Browns in Week 14.
With Christian McCaffrey limited to only three games, Achane moves in here as the top receiving back. Achane has 57 receptions for 429 yards. His six touchdown catches lead all running backs. He can win as a schemed target in Mike McDaniel’s offense, getting loose on screens or using his speed to create explosives.
Jones has a pass block win rate of 97.0%, and he has been credited with only one pass block loss on the season. He’s a willing pass protector who can identify and challenge second-level pass rushers.
An elite route runner, Jefferson can manipulate man coverage off the release and throughout the route stem, creating separation to the ball. Jefferson leads the NFL with 20 receptions of 20 yards or more, and his 1,038 receiving yards rank second (Ja’Marr Chase).
Turpin, who has 25 receptions, registered the fastest speed of any player this season at 22.4 mph (via NFL Next Gen Stats). It came on his 64-yard touchdown grab against the Texans in Week 11. He also hit 21.6 mph in Week 6 and 21.4 mph in Week 12 on kickoff returns. He can roll.
Chase is a powerful and explosive mover who can stretch defenses at the third level or turn underneath throws into home runs. Chase leads the NFL with 1,142 receiving yards and 13 touchdown catches.
Brown’s ability to work through contact — within the stem and after the catch — creates difference-making plays for the Eagles’ offense. His 88.1 receiving yards per game rank third in the league.
He’s an electric mover with the ability to shift gears as a ball carrier, and 46.7% of Flowers’ total receiving yardage has come after the catch (403 of 863).
Lamb’s 79 receptions are tied for second in the NFL, and he has 372 receiving yards after the catch. He can slither around tacklers or run on angles in space.
Brown has 76 receptions on the season (third) and has yet to drop a pass. With his strong hands, Brown is one of the most consistent receivers in the league, and also has the physical play style to make catches in traffic. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, he has 12.4 receptions over expectation this season, second to Terry McLaurin (13.1).
Kelce uses his high-level coverage awareness to find open grass, and his ability to create separation late in the down pairs well with the second-reaction ability of Patrick Mahomes. After a slow start to the season, Kelce now has 75 receptions, the fifth most in the league.
A savvy route runner, Nacua has averaged six receptions this season. He can set up defenders to uncover, and he has the field awareness to locate open zone voids, which create opportunities after the catch.
Jefferson is the league’s best in contested catch situations. It’s the late hands, focus and catch radius that separate him when he gets a one-on-one throw, and he has eight catches in tight coverage this season, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Bowers leads the NFL with 84 receptions and he has the route-running profile to work the middle of the field. The rookie is an easy mover who can create leverage on seams and overs. And he has nine catches on throws of 15 or more air yards (second among tight ends).
A vertical threat with red zone upside, Pickens has rare body control at the point of attack. This allows him to adjust and track the ball. Pickens has a league-high 13 receptions on throws of 20 or more air yards.
When working on the boundary or the back line of the end zone, Wilson has a great sense for where he is on the field. Just watch his touchdown grab against the Texans in Week 8. He has three toe-tap catches on the season, per ESPN’s tracking.
Chase’s catch-and-run traits are on a different level. He has the speed, ball-carrier vision and power to run through contact. Chase’s 538 yards after the catch is No. 1 in the NFL.
0:44
Ja’Marr Chase’s Week 13 fantasy recap
Check out some stats behind Ja’Marr Chase’s fantasy performance in Week 13 for the Bengals.
Kittle’s eight red zone receiving touchdowns are the most in the league. He’s a nuanced route runner with the formation flexibility to create man matchups or work the middle-of-the-field zones.
Evans’ last fumble — and the only one of his career — came in September 2018. That’s one fumble over 563 career catches.
In Miami’s motion-heavy scheme, Hill is used as a “move” player at a high rate. And his 34 receptions off motion at the snap lead the NFL.
With his play demeanor in the run game, Jennings is a willing blocker who wins with effort, hand placement and blocking angles at the second and third levels of the field. Jennings has a run block win rate of 92.0%.
Kittle is a consistent run blocker in Kyle Shanahan’s gap and zone schemes. He can wash down defenders on down blocks or reach and run edge players to create open lanes.
Williams can check a lot of boxes on this list, but we’ll start with his ability to drop an anchor in pass protection, engulfing edge rushers. Williams’ pass run block win rate of 95.3% is the best in the league.
At 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds, Sewell is an elite mover with the foot speed to redirect in pass pro, and he can cover ground as a run blocker. Sewell has given up only two sacks on 374 pass-block reps.
2:44
Belichick details his concerns about the Lions to McAfee
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Let’s stay with Sewell, who also has the explosive power to drive defenders off the ball. He’s a professional people-mover.
A long technician with strong hand placement, Johnson owns a pass block win rate of 94.1%, fifth best among tackles.
We had Williams here in 2023, too, and not much has changed given his physical play demeanor. Williams is an absolute tone-setter.
A powerful mover, Smith can drive back defenders to open the interior run lanes. Smith has a run block win rate of 77.3%.
The Eagles’ replacement for Jason Kelce, Jurgens has the foot quickness and body control to create second-level angles. And he also can finish. He’s a good fit for the Eagles’ pin-pull schemes.
Humphrey uses his instinctual play style to gain blocking advantages. He’s well-versed in creating leverage against pass rushers and uses his footwork to close the door on A-gap pressure. A high-end technician, Humphrey owns a pass block win rate of 97.4%.
6:43
Would it be more surprising if the Chiefs make or miss the Super Bowl?
Shannon Sharpe, Stephen A. Smith and Dan Orlovsky debate whether they’d be more surprised by the Chiefs making or missing the Super Bowl.
Over the past two seasons, Thuney has been credited with only three penalties: one false start, one holding and one block above the waist.
Linderbaum — who has a pass block win rate of 96.7%, third among centers — uses his quick snap mechanics to create immediate blocking advantages. There have been zero fumbled snaps in Baltimore between Linderbaum and Lamar Jackson.
Bonitto plays with juice off the ball, which creates opportunities to get on the edges of blockers in a hurry. His 11 sacks are the second most in the league. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Bonitto’s 0.75-second average get-off speed ranks fifth among players with at least 100 pass-rush snaps.
With his elite short-area closing speed, Parsons can generate instant chaos as a pass rusher. Parsons has 6.5 sacks, and his 39 pressures are tied for fifth in the league despite playing in only eight games.
Bosa plays with disciplined pad level, using his burst off the ball and upper-body power to overwhelm blockers at the point of attack. He has seven sacks, and his 40 pressures rank fourth leaguewide.
At 6-foot-4 and 272 pounds, Garrett uses his rare physical tools and great speed to create pocket disruption. He has 10 sacks and 39 pressures, and his get-off time of 0.71 seconds is second in the NFL (Next Gen Stats).
Lawrence uses his massive frame and strength at 6-foot-4 and 340 pounds to control the interior of the front. He demands double-teams in the run game, and his nine sacks are the most for a defensive tackle.
Watt has 9.5 sacks, and he is well-schooled as a pass rusher when he gets on the edge of offensive tackles. He can rake down, rip through the hip and create a flat path to the quarterback.
A fluid mover with incredible lower-body flex, Burns has six sacks and 39 pressures. And his pass rush win rate of 23.0% ranks fourth.
Hendrickson counters his lack of high-end physical tools with a deep set of pass-rush moves off the edge. And it’s working — he leads the NFL with 11.5 sacks, and his pass rush win rate of 25.3% ranks second.
A super disruptive edge defender, Hunter leads the NFL with a pass rush win rate of 27.9%. He has a devastating spin move that puts blockers in conflict. Hunter’s 10.5 sacks and 42 pressures both rank in the top three around the league.
Crosby is a relentless pass rusher who can clean up late in the down due to his effort level and willingness to finish plays. Crosby has 7.5 sacks and 37 pressures.
Jones’ pass rush win rate from the DT position is 16.0% (second highest), and he has five sacks and 39 pressures. He’s still the most disruptive interior defender in the NFL.
The rookie uses his urgent and powerful play style to close the door on the edge. Verse has 11 tackles for loss, 12 run stops and a run stop win rate of 31.2%.
Heyward’s ability to create an interior push has resulted in six sacks and 21 pressures. But Heyward has also put himself in a position to clog passing lanes, batting down five throws, tied for the most in the league with teammate Keeanu Benton.
Carter — who has 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss — uses his upper-body power and great hand placement to shed blockers, which creates disruptive play opportunities.
8:49
Did Sunday say more about Eagles or Ravens?
Stephen A. Smith, Shannon Sharpe, and Dan Orlovsky discuss whether more was learned about the Eagles or Ravens from their matchup.
Watt is always looking to strip the ball when he gets to the quarterback. His five forced fumbles are the most in the league, and he has a total of 15 over his past four seasons.
Before his left elbow injury, Lawrence had a run stop win rate of 32% this season. He also picked up eight tackles for loss and six run stops. He’s an interior force.
Warner has the second-level pursuit range to get sideline to sideline, while creating on-the-ball production as a coverage defender. Warner has 88 tackles, two interceptions and four pass breakups this season.
On defined blitzes, Luvu has generated four sacks and 13 pressures. He’s a versatile defender in Dan Quinn’s system, and he can be schemed to attack interior gaps or use his short-area speed to close off the edge.
Owusu-Koramoah can eat up grass when asked to close on the ball carrier. And he’s extremely sudden. Owusu-Koramoah has 60 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in eight games played.
Warner’s great instincts show up when he’s facing the run; he diagnoses plays with speed and slides into zone windows to create on-the-ball production. And with four forced fumbles, Warner is always looking to punch out the ball.
Campbell has the range to get to the edges of the formation, and he can use his long 6-5 frame to wrap up ball carriers on contact. A physical player in the box, he can also fill downhill. Campbell has 85 tackles.
The rookie ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the combine this past spring, and that speed translates to the field when he gets on the hip of wide receivers. Mitchell puts the straps down.
The most urgent defender in the league, Baker has the closing speed to make plays at all three levels of the field. He’s a missile to the ball, and Baker has 114 tackles (sixth), eight tackles for loss, two sacks and three pass breakups.
Ward is a controlled and electric mover who plays with his shoulders square, especially when transitioning on the throw. His 14 pass breakups are the most in the league.
A physical and competitive coverage corner, Horn is going to challenge at the release, through the stem and at the break point. Horn has 10 pass breakups and one interception.
Surtain has high-level technique — including his footwork, hands and eyes — to lock down wide receivers as a press corner or when playing off the ball. Surtain has three interceptions and seven pass breakups.
McKinney has quickly become a difference-maker in the Green Bay secondary since signing in the offseason. With post and split-field range, he has seven interceptions, tied for the most in the NFL.
Bates can patrol the middle of the field, using his vision and instincts to find the football. He has two picks this season after intercepting six last year.
An emerging star in the league, Stingley can overlap seam balls and get a jump on in-breakers because of his backfield vision in the Texans’ scheme. He has three interceptions and 11 pass breakups.
Joseph can cover serious ground from the deep middle part of the field, and his seven interceptions are tied for the most in the league.
Taylor’s 11 pass breakups are tied for second in the NFL, and he also has four sacks. He is a quick and sudden mover with the lower-body explosion to break on the ball.
Surtain can play with patience in press coverage, trusting his ability to mirror and run. Or he can physically take over the matchup, using his length and upper-body pop to shock wide receivers at the line. Two of his interceptions have come in press.
We know Humphrey can match in man coverage, but his ability as a zone/Cover 2 corner has to be spotlighted because it leads to ball production. Humphrey has five picks, with three of them as a flat defender sinking into the throwing lane.
I like Hamilton here because of his ability to win with angles, eliminating the distance to the ball carrier quickly. And with his long frame, Hamilton has a large tackle radius. He has tallied 88 tackles.
I see Johnson as the best slot corner in the game because of his ability to play man, tackle, get to zone depth and pressure. Johnson also returned one of his two interceptions this season for a touchdown.
Branch can play from depth as a post or split-field safety, and he can spin down to match up in man coverage. With four interceptions and nine pass breakups, Branch is often around the ball for a reason.
James has the physical tools to win matchups against running backs who are in protection, along with the instincts to time up his blitz schemes. James has 1.5 sacks and 10 pressures (tied for most among DBs) on blitz concepts.
Aubrey hit two field goals of 60-plus yards (with a long of 65), and converted on 10 of 11 attempts from 50-plus. He can boom it from deep.
Folk’s field goal percentage of 95% is tied for tops in the league among kickers with at least 10 attempts. He has also converted seven of eight kicks of 40-plus yards, made all six tries on 50-plus yards and been perfect on 22 extra point attempts.
Bates has gone 3-for-3 on tying or go-ahead kick attempts in the final two minutes of regulation this season, and all three came in the final 20 seconds.
With his soccer background, Aubrey has really strong control of the ball, putting it securely in the “landing zone” when necessary.
There’s correlation with the holder and kicking accuracy, so Fox — Detroit’s punter — fits here since Jake Bates has hit on 95% of his kicks. And the mechanics of the hold are clean with Fox.
We could put Myles Garrett here. In fact, plenty of guys could fit. But let’s go with Chenal after his blocked kick to win the game against Denver in Week 10.
Cole has a big leg, and he leads the league with an average of 52.4 yardst. His net average of 44.3 yards ranks third overall. Cole can drop it down when needed, as well, as four of his punts have landed inside the 5-yard line.
A two-time Pro Bowl player on special teams, the 35-year-old Bellore has 17 total special teams tackles (nine solo, eight assists). Bellore has made tackles in space in both kickoff and punt coverage, and he will take positive angles to deliver a strike. I see some old-school special teams tape here.
Turpin leads the NFL with 36.3 yards per kick return, and he took one to the house in the Week 12 win against Washington. With his elite speed, you can’t kick the ball down the middle of the field to him — that’s trouble.
Raymond’s 14.4 yards per return ranks second overall (Marcus Jones), but we also have to look at his explosive play ability. Raymond returned a punt for a 90-yard touchdown against the Titans in Week 8. He has the ball-carrier vision to find creases, and he can shift gears quickly to get up to top speed.
