Zak Drapeau's Top-10 NFL Players of 2026
- Zak Drapeau
- 14 minutes ago
- 9 min read
by Zak Drapeau
Sportz Nation - 8/9/2026
10. Bijan Robinson
Falcons Running Back
Last Year's Rank: 24
Bijan spent 2 days as the highest-paid RB in NFL history and it was well-deserved. Robinson had just under 2,300 yards of total offense this season along with 11 TDs all while rushing for 5.1 yards per carry.
Robinson's true value and reason he cracks the Top-10 list is his dual threat ability. Robinson's 287 carries and 79 catches or 366 touches was 3rd in the league last season behind McCaffrey and Taylor. Robinson also has the added value of being on one of the worst offenses in the league and being his offense's clear focus. Even when team's know he gets 20+ touches per game, no one can stop him.
Now that Robinson has cleared one of the largest contracts in history, I expect his already great numbers to improve in 2026. After back to back 1,400-rushing yard seasons with double digit TDs along with the fact that the Falcons' QB room being terrible, I believe Bijan is on the precipice of one of the best RB seasons of the decade.
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9. Patrick Surtain II
Broncos Cornerback
Last Year's Rank: 8
Surtain had a down 2025 compared to his 2024-DPOY season and was still the best corner in the league. his slight drop off was due to him partially tearing his pectoral muscle which sidelined him for, (wait for it) only 3 games. As soon as he got back to the field he was lockdown again and was a HUGE pat of the Broncos AFC Championship run and elite defensive season.
When you go over some of the best corners in league history, most of them have different scheme strengths like a lockdown man corner, (Darelle Revis) or a smart and ball hawking zone corner (Deion Sanders). Pat Surtain II is a rare corner that is not stronger in one scheme than the other but elite at both. The Broncos defense run significantly more zone coverage in their system but will often leave Surtain on an island when facing top receivers and trust him implicitly.
Surtain's coverage numbers over the last two seasons are just bananas. A catch rate hovering around 10% since 2024 and only 1 touchdown allowed every 10 games is indicative of how little trust Quarterbacks have when throwing the ball around him.
Oh and by the way... This dude is only 25 YEARS OLD. We haven't even seen the best of him yet.
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8. Tristan Wirfs
Buccaneers Tackle
Last Year's Rank: 14
Wirfs is the best lineman in football hands down. Ina league that always favors pass blocking Tackles, Tristan Wirfs has taken over Trent Williams' top spot over the past 3 or so seasons and done so with style.
Tristan Wirfs has allowed 2 sacks in his last 30 games played which is tied for the best rate in the league in that span. What makes Wirfs different from the rest is that he can keep his pass blocking at such an elite level while also maintaining an elite level of run blocking.
Starting his NFL career at Right Tackle definitelty helped cement his roots in run blocking because as good as he is in pass protection, Wirfs is the clear, best Left Tackle at impact run blocking as well. Tampa Bay's success with running the ball with Irving, White and Tucker over the past two years has been best when running outside to the left behind Wirfs. nother guy that is hitting his prime at only 27-years old, Wirfs should be a lock around the Top-10 for years to come.
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7. Joe Burrow
Bengals Quarterback
Last Year's Rank: 4
Maaaaaaaan... if Joe Burrow could just stop getting injured so often.
I realize that throughout this series of my entire Top-100 I've made some hot takes and I will make even more as we get close to number 1, but Joe Burrow being.... "the most talented Quarterback in the NFL" is the take that I am most proud to debate with anyone.
I broke down Joe Burrow's numbers (WHEN HEALTHY) over the past 3 seasons and here's what Burrow averages per game:
25/37 265 yards 2.2 TDs .6 INTs
And the thing is, those averages have been getting better every year.
If Burrow can stay healthy for a full season in 2026, he's my pick for MVP easily... and his hypothetical MVP season would be in huge part thanks to...
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6, Ja'Marr Chase
Bengals Wide Receiver
Last Year's Rank: 5
... On of the best Wide Receiver in the league: Ja'Marr Chase, who has put up ungodly numbers with or without Burrow over his
As much of a fan as I am of Burrow, I have to admit that Chase has had almost the same production with one of the best QBs in the game as he's had with Joe Flacco and Jake Browning. Chase has 252 receptions for 3,120 yards and 25 TDs since 2024 which is BY FAR leading every category in receiving all while only playing 71% of his snaps with his starting QB.
If anyone out there is with me in believing that Joe Burrow will have an insane 2026 if he's healthy, you HAVE TO believe Ja'Marr Chase will win another Triple Crown just like he did the last time Burrow played 17 games.
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5. Kyle Hamilton
Ravens Safety
Last Year's Rank: 16
Here's one that you may not have guessed. Kyle Hamilton is not only the best DB in the game today but he is single-handedly revolutionizing the position in a way that I want to compare to Steph Curry in the mid-2010's.
Ya that might be a stretch... but seriously Kyle Hamilton is changing the game. The 6'4" 220-pound Safety literally lined up at 6 different positions in 2025 at all three levels and excelled at every one. In run defense, Hamilton plays like a prime-Middle Linebacker with incredible instincts and the ability to obliterate any runner that squares up to him. In pass coverage, he racked up an 84.3 PFF coverage grade including 9 pass break ups.
Hamilton has gotten better and better in his 4 seasons in the league to the point that he has become the leader of the Ravens' defense. A defense that is now headed by defensive specialist Jesse Minter as HC of the Ravens. Under Minter, I can't even imagine how much better this already ELITE defender can become but as sure of as anyone on this list, I'm sure that Kyle Hamilton is in for a MONSTER 2026 season.
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4. Josh Allen
Bills Quarterback
Last Year's Rank: 7
Some things don't change and I'd like to thanks Josh Allen for being the one constant I've had on this list over the past 4 years. The best Quarterback (in the regular season) over the past 3-to-5 years, Allen may not have the flashiest numbers every week or a Super Bowl win, but he is flat out amazing to watch every time he steps on to the field.
Allen is easily one of the best aerial Quarterbacks of his generation and somehow... even better through the air. Averaging over 500 yards and 10 TDs on the ground per season, the 6'5" 240-pounder will lower the boom on you almost as often as he picks up a blitz.
Allen gets a lot of flack for his lack of success through the air but now that the Bills made the first coaching change of his career, we'll see Joe Brady can finally put them over the top. It's no secret that Allen has taken his game to an even greater level in the 3 seasons Brady has been running the offense and until we see a dip in performance from Allen, the Bills will always be contenders in the AFC and Allen will be in MVP-discussions.
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3. Puka Nacua
Rams Wide Receiver
Last Year's Rank: N/A
I sat long and hard on Puka this year and truth be told I wanted to save this list for after I do my fantasy drafts. Puka isn't the fastest in the league, nor is he the crispest route runner or biggest red zone threat. What he is the most reliable and well-rounded receiver in the league who also happens to be on the best offense in the league with the best, offensive coach and current-top Quarterback.
As someone who grew up during the second half of the Patriots' dynasty, I see Puka Nacua as a roided-up Wes Welker. ALMOST EVERY SINGLE GAME this dude gets 7 catches and 100 yards it's pretty ridiculous, (in fact he's had 3 games under 70 yards in his last 21 played.) Nacua definitely has the luxury of the most receiver-friendly offense in the league but he's the piece that completes it. Whether he lines up outside where he exposes some of the best corners in the league, or plays his more natural role in the slot where not a single person can keep up with him, he gets the ball.
There is no hiding that 2026 should be the year of the Ram in the NFL with early Super Bowl odds having them as favorites. The 2025 #1-rated offense has no reason to slow down and with Puka entering his age-25 season in a contract year nonetheless, watch the kid rake this year.
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2. Will Anderson Jr.
Texans Edge Rusher
Last Year's Rank: 29
I feel very strongly about how ridiculous it is the average NFL fan doesn't hear about Will Anderson Jr. more. This is what you need to know, at the heart of the BEST defense in the league last year, the Texans star, 24-year old Edge Rusher not only led the league in QB hurries, total pressures, Pass-Rush win rate, overall PFF grade and the best analytic statistic in the league, "approximate value.
Anderson's first 2 seasons in the league were already indicative of how great he will be but were also slowed down by injuries here and there. In 2025 he put it all together and led the Texans to one of the best defensive seasons we'd seen in a while. His 26.2% pass rush win rate in his 476 pass rush snaps means he was literally in the Quarterback's lap every 4 dropbacks last season.
Putting together a complete and dominant season has to be more than just rushing the passer right? Anderson added 44 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and again, was the instigator in a defense that allowed the league-best 277 yards per game last year.
Not only is he insane on the stat sheets but this superhuman is one of the greatest athletes I've ever seen and getting better. Anderson's age-24 season just goes to show that he is the next great D-linemen in the league and the freakiest athlete in the league.... Actually he's the 2nd best.
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1. Myles Garrett
Rams Edge Rusher
Last Year's Rank: 3
This shouldn't be a shock to anyone after Myles Garrett not only broke the 24-year old single season sack record but then got traded to the Super Bowl favorites this offseason.
I initially made this list before the Garrett-trade and had him at number 1, so now that he's joining the Rams' defense alongside Kam Curl, Trent McDuffie, Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner, Byron Young and... who am I forgetting?
AARON DONALD?!?!?!
Ya this dude might go for 30 sacks this season.
There's no other way to put it then Myles Garrett being the craziest physical specimen I've seen in league history. Whether he wants to go through offensive Tackles or make them look silly by bending around them is frankly his choice on a play-by-play basis. 2 DPOYs and 3 All-Pro 1st teams in the last 3 years means we are in Garrett's absolute prime and should expect his insane sack totals and performances every game.
It really can't be stated enough that he was doing all of this on the BROWNS... and now he's on the best roster in the sport. That means less double-teams, added, championship motivation and a better locker room before and after games. I really believe we haven't seen the best of Garrett yet.
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Check out the rest of my NFL Top-100 Players of 2026 List here.
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-Z.D.
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