Top 100 Players in the NFL 2026: 81-90
- Zak Drapeau
- Jun 7
- 7 min read
by Zak Drapeau
Sportz Nation - 6/7/26
90. Cedric Gray
Titans Linebacker
Last Year's Rank: Not Ranked
Gray is one of the most underrated players coming into the season and likely one of the least known. His reputation has definitely been hindered by being in Tennessee but the work speaks for itself. After a shoulder injury caused him to miss the first 10 games of his 2024 rookie season, he was never 100% until the offseason. When he came back healthy for 2025, he instantly became the Titans best player on defense.
At 6'2" and 234 pounds, Gray is a bit undersized but athletic and fearless as a middle of the field playmaker. Gray would be 2nd in the league in solo tackles and 4th in total tackles in his second season, while he would also post 4 pass deflections and 2 fumble recoveries. Mainly a run stuffing Linebacker, Gray should only become better in his 3rd season in the league now that Robert Saleh has taken charge in Tennessee and looks to be a perfect, "Dre Greenlaw-comp".
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89. Nick Emmanwori
Seahawks Safety
Last Year's Rank: Not Ranked
After a superior rookie season which saw him be an integral part of one of the best defenses in the league and obviously winning a Super Bowl, Emmanwori is in line for another step up in 2026. Emmanwori has solidified the Nickel back role in Seattle or the "Swiss-army knife" role that has become more popular in the NFL with players like Kyle Hamilton trail blazing.
Emmanwori is more of a downline Nickelback and is much better against the run than the pass. While he absolutely has zone coverage ability that will lend him to opportunities in Mike Macdonald's defense, his best work is on the edge when blitzing and using his size. Emmanwori has the potential and right team around him to be as good as an AP 2nd Team Safety this season but I think is maybe just a year or two away from being the pass defender needed for the accolade.
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88. Jalen Carter
Eagles Defensive Tackle
Last Year's Rank: 23
Carter is a supreme talent that on paper should be a Top-3 Defensive Tackle in the league but too many non-play circumstances have soured me on him just a bit for the 2026 season. Carter has always had some "character red flags" dating back to college and headlined by being ejected in Week 1 of last year for spitting on Prescott. With that erratic behavior, there's also the reported distance between him and the Eagles' front office in terms of contract negotiations that I believe could see his playing time be effect6ed this season.
That being said, when he's on the field and in the zone there is rarely a better DT in the league. Aggressive, athletic, technical and on one of the best defense in the league, Carter is entering his athletic prime and is as dangerous a pass rusher as he is a run stuffer. If he can get over his immaturity and be a team player in Philly, I don't see why he can't prove me wrong and be as good as a Top-25 player in the league.
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87. Emeka Egbuka
Buccaneers Wide Receiver
Last Year's Rank: Not Ranked
This is definitely going to be a hot take and probably one of the biggest differences between my Top-100 and the NFL's but I have a reason.
Egbuka was amazing as soon as he stepped on the field in 2025 as a rookie and with Mike Evans gone, should easily be WR1 in Tampa Bay for 2026 and beyond, but with that will come added responsibility and added respect from defenses. Egbuka now has a year of film on him, he will be getting defenses' best Corner on him at all times and is part of a Buccaneers' offense I expect to take a step back this year.
Add that with the always possibility of a sophomore slump, I see Egbuka having a flashy 2026 season, but one that doesn't much improve on his 2025 stats of 63, 938 and 6. His talent level is awesome, but in anyone's first year as a top target they'll struggle and I don't think Egbuka is an exception to that.
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86. Dak Prescott
Cowboys Quarterback
Last Year's Rank: 92
You know I am one of the biggest proponents of Dak Prescott being one of the most underrated players in the league every year but no matter how much I try I just can't put him any higher on this list. On one hand, Prescott had a great year last season and was one of the best passers in the league. On the other hand, he is surrounded by elite talent and has shown himself to be inconsistent season-by-season in terms of output and injury.
It seems every other year now Prescott gets injured and after playing all 17 games last season... well you see where I'm going. Not only that but I believe the addition of George Pickens and Tyler Booker was a HUGE boost to the 'boys last season and one I don't believe they duplicated in the 2026 offseason. Prescott's end of the year numbers will still be good, but not great enough to be higher on this list especially when considering how good his supporting cast is.
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85. Tyler Smith
Cowboys Guard
Last Year's Rank: 60
My favorite entries on this list are the offensive linemen who never get the recognition they deserve and Tyler Smith is certainly fitting that bill. The heart and soul of the Cowboys' O-line which used to be and in some ways remains one of the most prestigious groups in the league.
Smith has been rumored to be moving to Left Tackle for next season but is expected to stay at Guard where he has been among the Top-5 of his position for all 4 years he's been in the league. An all-around, elite blocker, Smith's run blocking stands out in the Cowboys' system and is one of the most violent and impactful blockers in the league after only just turning 25 two months ago.
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84. Roquan Smith
Ravens Linebacker
Last Year's Rank: 65
Smith has taken a slight step back over the last 2 seasons especially last year but its still easily one of the best Linebackers in the world. Undersized but ultra-athletic, Smith is one of the best coverage linebackers in the league and fast enough to follow any team from sideline to sideline.
Baltimore as a whole was underwhelming last season but are still one of the best rosters on paper and is right with the LA Rams for having the best defense on paper. With Smith as the Captain of that squad, the focal point of the defense and the middle of it, he could either continue to stay good but regress with age or return to elite status with one of the best defenses in the league.
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83. AJ Terrell
Falcons Cornerback
Last Year's Rank: Not Ranked
A.J. Terrell has never been a Cornerback to jump off the page so-to-speak with turnovers and interceptions but what he can do is control passing zones as good as anyone in the league. As a premier zone cover Cornerback on a Falcons' defense that should see another stride in 2026 like we saw in 2025, you should buy into his stock now.
Terrell should have an easier season schematically as well with the team bringing in his younger brother Avieon Terrell who was one of the best slot corners in college last year. Terrell has a better defense around him which should allow Terrell to focus more on his own zone and give him an even better edge to remain as one of the best Cornerbacks in the league.
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82. Rueben Bain Jr.
Buccaneers Edge Rusher
Last Year's Rank: N/A
The 2nd of 3 rookies I have on this list, Rueben Bain may be the player I am most excited for in the entire league this season. An admitted Miami Hurricanes fan, I saw Bain terrorize ACC o-lines for 3 years and I think he could do even better in the league.
Drafted at 14 to the Buccs seems to have added a chip to Bain's already huge shoulders in a way O-lines didn't need him to have. On top of all that, Bain will be the focal point of a sharp, Buccaneers' pass rush and Todd Bowles coaching him from Day 1. Bain is easily my pick for DROY this year and if I had to guess should reach 10+ sacks this season along with multiple fumbles and 15+ TFLs.
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81. Devonta Smith
Eagles Wide Receiver
Last Year's Rank: Not Ranked
Ever since Devonta Smith won the Heisman trophy in 2020, I've wondered how he could do as a number 1 option on a good team and we're finally going to get that answer now that A.J. Brown is a Patriot.
His best season was in 2022 when he reached 95, 1,196 and 7 and since then has averaged just around 75, 1,000 and 5. Rookie phenom Makai Lemon could eat into his touches a bit in a potential OROY year but I think there's no question Smith should be in for the season of his life in 2026.
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-Z.D.
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