NFL Top 100 Players of 2025: Key Contenders, Rankings, and Historic Insights

The NFL’s quieter offseason stretch has been stirred into action with the return of its annual Top 100 Players list — a player-voted ranking entering its 15th year. The 2025 edition kicked off on Monday, with two new names to be revealed each weekday on X, NFL+, and NFL.com, culminating in the top 10 announcement on Monday, Sept. 1 at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network.

This prestigious countdown, shaped entirely by votes from active NFL players, ultimately crowns who the league's own consider the best of the best. As the anticipation builds, several standout contenders have emerged for this year’s No. 1 spot. Here's a look at the frontrunners, supported by NFL Research, and a brief history of past top-ranked players.

Top Contenders for No. 1 in the NFL Top 100 of 2025

Josh Allen — QB, Buffalo Bills

2024 AP NFL MVP
41 total TDs (28 passing, 12 rushing, 1 receiving)
Led team to sixth straight double-digit win season, fifth straight AFC East title
2024 Top 100 Rank: No. 12

Saquon Barkley — RB, Philadelphia Eagles

2024 Offensive Player of the Year
Over 2,000 rushing yards; ninth player in history to achieve this
Set new total yardage record with 2,504 (season + playoffs)
2024 Top 100 Rank: No. 86

Ja'Marr Chase — WR, Cincinnati Bengals

2024 Receiving Triple Crown winner (127 catches, 1,708 yards, 17 TDs)
Only sixth player in Super Bowl era to achieve triple crown
2024 Top 100 Rank: No. 45

Jayden Daniels — QB, Washington Commanders

2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year
3,500+ passing yards, 891 rushing yards — historic dual-threat rookie season
Led Commanders to first NFC Championship Game since 1991
2024 Top 100 Rank: Not Ranked

Myles Garrett — DE, Cleveland Browns

First-team All-Pro for fourth time in five years
14 sacks, 22 QB hits
Seventh straight season with double-digit sacks
2024 Top 100 Rank: No. 5

Lamar Jackson — QB, Baltimore Ravens

First-team All-Pro, MVP runner-up
45 total TDs (41 passing, 4 rushing)
First player ever with 4,000+ passing and 800+ rushing yards in one season
2024 Top 100 Rank: No. 2

Patrick Mahomes — QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Two-time Top 100 No. 1 honoree
Led Chiefs to third straight Super Bowl appearance
Five Super Bowl starts — most ever before age 30
2024 Top 100 Rank: No. 4

Patrick Surtain II — CB, Denver Broncos

2024 Defensive Player of the Year
11 pass breakups, 4 INTs including a 100-yard TD
Led Broncos to first playoff berth since 2015
2024 Top 100 Rank: No. 52

NFL Top Player over the Years

Player	Team	Year
Tom Brady	Patriots	2011
Aaron Rodgers	Packers	2012
Adrian Peterson	Vikings	2013
Peyton Manning	Broncos	2014
J.J. Watt	Texans	2015
Cam Newton	Panthers	2016
Tom Brady	Patriots	2017
Tom Brady	Patriots	2018
Aaron Donald	Rams	2019
Lamar Jackson	Ravens	2020
Patrick Mahomes	Chiefs	2021
Tom Brady	Buccaneers	2022
Patrick Mahomes	Chiefs	2023
Tyreek Hill	Dolphins	2024

(Data Source: NFL Official Website)

Story first published: Tuesday, July 1, 2025, 22:13 [IST]

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