Jeremy Fowler
With 2025 NFL coaching camps on the horizon, the league's true insiders made their voices heard. ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to assist us rank the highest 10 gamers at 11 totally different positions, from quarterback to cornerback and all positions in between. This was the sixth version of those rankings, and as standard, a number of gamers moved up or fell off final 12 months's lists.
A reminder of the rankings course of: Voters gave us their finest 10 gamers at a place, then we compiled the outcomes and ranked candidates based mostly on variety of top-10 votes, composite common and dozens of interviews, with analysis and movie examine assist from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. In complete, greater than 70 voters submitted a poll on a minimum of one place, and in lots of circumstances all positions. Extra voting and follow-up calls with these surveyed helped us break any ties.
Every part contains quotes and nuggets from the voters on each ranked participant — even the honorable mentions. The target was to determine the very best gamers for 2025. This was not a five-year projection or a profession achievement award. Who're the very best gamers in the present day?
We are going to roll out a place per day over 11 days. The schedule: working backs (July 7), defensive tackles (July 8), edge rushers (July 9), safeties (July 10), tight ends (July 11), inside offensive linemen (July 12), offensive tackles (July 13), quarterbacks (July 14), off-ball linebackers (July 15), vast receivers (July 16), cornerbacks (July 17).
Justifying a prime 10 receiver listing comes with a “good luck” qualifier.
The depth at this place makes any try all however futile. Far more than 10 are deserving every season since a minimum of two-dozen receivers are producing at a excessive degree every year.
Final season, 21 receivers surpassed 1,000 receiving yards, down from 27 the 12 months earlier than however nonetheless spectacular. Final 12 months's rookie class featured a number of budding stars — one in all whom debuted within the top-seven and one other pushed for the highest 10.
And what's nice about this 12 months's group: The clear two-man race options two stars who grew up about 10 miles aside, performed at LSU collectively and are buying and selling blows for the No. 1 rating every year.
Listed below are the league's prime 10 receivers via the eyes of NFL executives, coaches and scouts.
Highest rating: 1 | Lowest rating: 3
Age: 25 | Final 12 months's rating: 3
Chase separated from defenders on the sector all 12 months, then separated from the pack in these rankings in Yr 4. He earned round 70% of the first-place votes after producing the fifth triple crown of the Tremendous Bowl period with league-highs in catches (127), receiving yards (1,708) and touchdowns (17), becoming a member of Cooper Kupp, Steve Smith Sr., Sterling Sharpe and Jerry Rice.
As one NFL personnel director put it, Jefferson is the higher route runner, however Chase is the higher total playmaker. He is the last word first-pick-in-the-pickup-game athlete alongside Eagles working again Saquon Barkley.
“Actually, it comes right down to Chase is a b— to cowl,” a high-ranking NFL personnel government stated.. “We're tremendous conscious of him and have performed him a bunch and been torched by him a bunch.”
Not many NFL gamers scare defensive coaches greater than Chase, whose 787 yards after the catch have been 190 greater than the subsequent closest receiver (Buffalo's Khalil Shakir). However the Bengals really feel he is nonetheless refining his recreation, with enhancements in defensive scheme recognition, assault plans based mostly on coverages and inventive route working with totally different speeds or stems.
When the Bengals did not attain an settlement with Chase on a contract extension within the preseason, he made Cincinnati pay — actually — by posting a profession 12 months. Now, his four-year, $161 million deal tops all offensive gamers (non-quarterbacks).
“Extra explosion, higher after the catch, extra highly effective — that is the place he will get his edge,” an NFL personnel evaluator stated.
Highest rating: 1 | Lowest rating: 4
Age: 26 | Final 12 months's rating: 1
Chase bought him this 12 months, however Jefferson, a two-time champion in our rankings, ought to vie for the crown perennially. His early profession brilliance stands alone, with an NFL-record 7,432 receiving yards via his first 5 seasons. His 4 seasons of a minimum of 1,400 yards trails solely Jerry Rice (six) and Julio Jones (5).
Jefferson's professional soccer path is already an Apple Maps search from Minneapolis to Canton.
“He is the very best route runner and possibly has the very best palms,” an AFC government stated. “The way in which he will get out and in of his breaks and makes use of his physique to maneuver, it is simply actually arduous to get a deal with on.”
Jefferson's 34 profession video games of 100 or extra yards leads all NFL receivers since 2020. And whereas Chase has a top-three passer concentrating on him, Jefferson has by no means performed with a top-10 quarterback in Minnesota.
“No surprise why Aaron Rodgers wished to play [in Minnesota],” an AFC scout stated. “He would get the most effective playcallers [Kevin O'Connell], he performs in a dome and he will get Jefferson.”
Added an NFL personnel evaluator: “He will get open greater than anybody. That is the separator.”
Highest rating: 2 | Lowest rating: 8
Age: 31 | Final 12 months's rating: 2
The Dolphins can save $14.9 million on the 2025 cap in the event that they commerce Hill, which might be a shock. However the notion that almost all Dolphins followers can hear that first line and never blink says loads about Hill's turbulent 2024 marketing campaign — objectively his worst full season since changing into an NFL starter in 2017.
Hill struggled mightily with out Tua Tagovailoa within the lineup, appeared to give up on his group in Week 18 and has been saying all the correct issues since. He averaged 1,557 yards per season between 2020 and 2023 (a minimum of 16 video games performed). That quantity fell to 959 yards in 17 video games final 12 months.
But, Hill fell only one spot within the rankings. The reason being easy: consideration. He instructions it from defenses. His mere presence modifications the maths on the sector. Since becoming a member of Miami in 2022, Hill's 14 receiving touchdowns on throws of 20-plus yards downfield is tied for probably the most within the league with Philadelphia's A.J. Brown.
“He nonetheless impacts the way you put together for them a lot because of his pace,” an NFC government stated. “He dictates a lot. His pace hasn't fallen off, regardless of the down 12 months.”
Added a veteran AFC scout: “Even when he is misplaced a half-step, he is nonetheless extra explosive than everybody — energy with uncooked pace. I do suppose defenses have made some changes to that [Miami] offense, letting him run round with window dressing and limiting huge performs.”
Highest rating: 3 | Lowest rating: 10
Age: 26 | Final 12 months's rating: 4
Lamb has checked many packing containers required by an elite receiver. He had a banner season in 2023, with 135 receptions (league-high), 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has had no true down years. He is a perennial All-Professional first- or second-teamer. And he can produce via adversity, together with a number of accidents to Dak Prescott and a foul working recreation.
“Glorious out of the slot, straightforward mover, can sink and bend,” an NFL personnel evaluator stated. “Superb after the catch and wonderful ball service imaginative and prescient.”
Lamb has 496 profession receptions, the second most via a participant's first 5 seasons behind Michael Thomas' 510. His 12 profession video games with a minimum of 10 receptions are already probably the most in Cowboys historical past. And his 101 catches for 1,194 yards final season was spectacular contemplating Prescott missed important time and the dearth of a real No. 2 receiver in Dallas. About 45% of Lamb's yards got here after the catch, producing 235 receiving yards after first contact. His red-zone manufacturing was modest final 12 months, with 9 catches for 57 yards and three touchdowns.
Highest rating: 3 | Lowest rating: unranked
Age: 28 | Final 12 months's rating: 6
It is odd to see a top-five receiver right here tied for forty third in leaguewide targets final season (97). However these numbers for Brown have been extra a product of the run-heavy Eagles offense and did not have an effect on his high-end capability.
Philly was 16-1 whereas averaging 31.5 factors per recreation with Brown within the lineup final season. With out Brown, the group went 2-2 whereas averaging 18.0 factors per recreation. These numbers embrace Philadelphia's playoff run.
“He is nonetheless superior,” a veteran AFC scout stated. “He comes up huge whenever you want him, he is nonetheless extremely sturdy and quick sufficient. A nightmare to sort out. Perhaps a tad slower than he was, however that is slight.”
Brown averaged 3.3 yards per route in 2024, second highest amongst wideouts with a minimal of 75 targets. He is been so good that Eagles normal supervisor Howie Roseman has paid him top-end receiver cash on two events in three years.
“Coping with his physicality and power is an issue [for cornerbacks],” an NFL personnel evaluator stated. “On the finish of the day, generally, it is actually that straightforward.”
Highest rating: 3 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 25 | Final 12 months's rating: No. 7
Some reporting moments persist with you. After I visited Lions coaching camp three years in the past, Jared Goff informed me that each time he is in bother within the pocket, he thinks to search for just one receiver: St. Brown.
Thirty-six regular-season wins and 340 receptions later, St. Brown continues to be Goff's first thought whereas forming one of many league's finest tandems. He loved a 129.4 passer ranking when concentrating on St. Brown, whose 81.6% reception charge is well the very best amongst wideouts with a minimal of 75 targets.
“He does not have the dimensions however he has these high-level traits: Ft, palms, instincts, run-after-catch, aggressive toughness,” an NFC government stated.
St. Brown, who famously watched 16 receivers get drafted forward of him in 2021, is the NFL's solely participant with 100 receptions and 10 receiving touchdowns in every of the previous two seasons.
“Has elite soccer instincts for the place,” an NFL coordinator stated. “Understands learn how to assault leverage. Runs arduous each play. Performs inside and outdoors. Makes all of the robust catches on high-leverage downs. Blocks, performs bodily. The one factor he does not do is win exterior the pink line [close to the sideline], however that is not how the sport works in any case.”
Highest rating: 4 | Lowest rating: unranked
Age: 21 | Final 12 months's rating: not eligible (rookie)
Nabers has the NFL's full consideration. Surpassing 100 catches and 1,200 yards as a rookie in one of many league's worst offenses with 4 totally different quarterbacks is rock-climbing-on-stilts troublesome. The receptions complete is the second most by a rookie in NFL historical past behind Raiders tight finish Brock Bowers (112).
Simply the Giants' finest draft choose of the Brian Daboll-Joe Schoen period, Nabers will lead the cost for New York because it transitions at quarterback with Russell Wilson because the bridge and Jaxson Dart as the long run.
“He can go 0 to 60 in three seconds like a Ferrari, however he is constructed like a truck,” an NFL personnel evaluator stated of Nabers. “And he isn't even an elite route runner but. Simply wait till that occurs.”
The Giants force-fed Nabers with 171 targets, second within the league behind Chase. Nabers proved he may deal with the foremost workload by not breaking down and nonetheless side-stepping defenders. Nabers' 19 compelled missed tackles topped all rookie receivers.
“Some guys are simply totally different,” an NFC defensive coach stated. “You do not have to look at him lengthy to know that.”
Highest rating: 4 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 26 | Final 12 months's rating: Honorable point out
Assist for Collins has slowly constructed over the previous few years, and he is proved plain after his first Professional Bowl marketing campaign in 2024. Although he appeared on barely under 50% of the ballots, half of his votes have been within the prime 5.
“The uncommon capability to be a respectable No. 1,” an NFL personnel director stated. “Good stability, ability set, dimension, pace, agility for his dimension, excellent palms, competes.”
Collins missed 5 video games in 2024 but nonetheless posted 68 receptions, 1,006 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. He was on tempo to provide 1,425 yards via 17 video games, which might have been ok for third within the NFL.
Collins is one in all three NFL receivers to provide a minimum of three yards per route run in 2024 (minimal of 75 targets). And he averaged 85.3 receiving yards per recreation over the previous two seasons, the fifth-best mark within the NFL.
As one Texans supply famous, he is named the quickest participant on the Texans roster regardless of being 6-foot-4, 222 kilos.
“He was as soon as a jump-ball man, however as soon as he began taking fast throws for giant features along with his dimension and athleticism, that modified his recreation,” an NFL offensive coach stated.
Highest rating: 5 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 31 | Final 12 months's rating: 8
That is the place issues get attention-grabbing. Evans was one in all 5 receivers in a voting cluster for the ninth and 10 spots — Garrett Wilson, Terry McLaurin, Puka Nacua and Brian Thomas Jr. have been the others. We put that group right into a tiebreaker for a number of high-ranking evaluators, and Evans was deemed the clear No. 1.
The consensus is that Evans continues to be a premier exterior risk at 31.
“For those who're attempting to win one recreation or win on third down, you are still selecting him actually excessive,” an NFL normal supervisor stated. “He'll decline finally however I have never seen any indicators of it. He is nonetheless a beast.”
As a number of coaches famous, Evans pushed via an eleventh straight season with a minimum of 1,000 yards — a streak tied with Jerry Rice for probably the most in NFL historical past — regardless of a foul hamstring costing him three video games. Evans additionally minimize his drops from 9 to 4 this previous season.
The Bucs have completed job preserving Evans with 671 snaps in 14 video games (48 per recreation), however one veteran AFC scout nonetheless questioned whether or not Evans may retire after 2025.
“This is likely to be it for him,” the scout stated. “However he regarded superior final 12 months.”
Highest rating: 6 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 24 | Final 12 months's rating: Honorable point out
Wilson makes his top-10 debut after three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, beating Terry McLaurin, Puka Nacua and Brian Thomas Jr. for the ultimate spot on this rating.
On expertise, he is unquestionably a top-10 participant. The way in which he slithers out and in of routes with elite flexibility is Justin Jefferson lite.
“He is the most effective separators within the league,” an AFC government stated.
On manufacturing, the argument is harder. Some scouts surprise what's holding him again. Whereas Wilson posted 101 catches for 1,104 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2024, Davante Adams had extra targets than him (68 to 46) over the ultimate six video games. Adams' long-standing reference to QB Aaron Rodgers may have performed an element, but it surely was a stunning disparity for Wilson, who has No. 1 receiver qualities and was poised for a breakout season.
As one AFC government famous, Wilson is a little bit of a “freelancer” as a route runner, which was most likely not superb alongside Rodgers at this stage of the QB's profession. An NFL receivers coach known as it one thing totally different: Lack of element in his routes.
“Everywhere in the map — does his personal factor on the sector,” an AFC scout stated about Wilson. “Huge potential, [but he's] not near what he might be.”
However then there's this actuality that speaks to his monumental upside — and why he is within the prime 10, recent off a four-year, $130-million contract extension.
“He has produced in suboptimal circumstances,” an NFL normal supervisor stated. “He would solely develop in stature in one other system extra pleasant to his ability set.”
Honorable mentions
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders: Washington quarterbacks produced a 133.0 passer ranking when concentrating on McLaurin final season. “Criminally underrated.” — NFL normal supervisor
“Glorious route runner, excellent palms and elite ball abilities. Great soccer make-up. He'll actually take off with that QB and offense.” — NFL personnel director
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams: “Legit power and palms and RAC capability, performs huge in vital moments — most likely does not have the high-end capability as a number of the others on the listing.” — AFC government
“His capability to play quick via the catch is uncommon, so despite the fact that he may not have the top-end pace, he is taking part in quick and effectively on a regular basis.” — NFL coordinator
“I can not consider he isn't within the prime 10. He is simply bought the ‘it' issue.” — NFL defensive coach
Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars: “He'll be on the listing by subsequent 12 months. He can do all of it. He took the league by storm final 12 months. He is bought dimension and might win in all areas of the sector. There's not one factor you'll be able to't do with him. He can play exterior or within the slot and dominate.” — AFC government
DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers: “He is nonetheless one of many greatest matchup issues within the NFL. He is additionally nonetheless restricted as a route runner in my view.” — NFL personnel evaluator
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals: “I used to be very curious to see what he would have completed had he hit free company and been a No. 1 on a group. I feel he can be a 100-catch man some place else. He is actually good. Solely factor he does not have is top-end pace.” — NFL scouting director
Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams: “Whenever you watch him up shut, he is nonetheless precisely what the basic ‘X' receiver ought to seem like.” — NFL coordinator
Additionally receiving votes: DeVonta Smith (Philadelphia Eagles), Ladd McConkey (Los Angeles Chargers), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seattle Seahawks), Jameson Williams (Detroit Lions), DJ Moore (Chicago Bears), Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), George Pickens (Dallas Cowboys), Calvin Ridley (Tennessee Titans), Jaylen Waddle (Miami Dolphins), Courtland Sutton (Denver Broncos)
