Zak Drapeau's Top 100 NFL Players: 80-71

Zak Drapeau
Aug 2
4 min read

Updated: Aug 4

by Zak Drapeau 8/2/2025 FansOnlySportz

80. Brian Branch

Lions Defensive Back

Last Year's Rank: 72

Branch is a true talent that combines coverage skills, downhill ferocity and versatility all while in one of the best defenses in the league... or at least what used to be. Without Aaron Glenn at the helm I believe this defense takes a major step back and while still among the Top-15, players like Branch should regress just a bit without the defensive specialist calling it's plays.

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79. Trey McBride

Cardinals Tight End

Last Year's Rank: N/A

I was a McBride-hater last year and I have to admit he proved me wrong. Having his true breakout season that puts him among the league's Top 3 Tight Ends while also getting better every season of his career, you can't help but be impressed. I believe Maserati Marv will break through in 2025 and keep McBride from reaching his 2024 marks but he'll still be among the elites.

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78. Christian Gonzalez

Patriots Cornerback

Last Year's Rank: N/A

After being labeled a huge fall and steal in the 2024 draft, Gonzalez jumped right to it and after a injury-shortened rookie season became a legitimate Top-15 CB while only 22 years old. Now in a firm CB1 role, Gonzalez should be even better with Mike Vrabel at the helm of the Patriots and a shiny, new defense that gives Gonzalez even more support to stand out in 2025.

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77. Trey Hendrickson

Bengals D-End

Last Year's Rank: 55

I feel very bad for Hendrickson, but somehow not as bad as I feel for Bengals fans. Hendrickson should be Top-20 on this list but the Bengals are trying to play in the Pac-12 and not care about Defense again. Hendrickson's 2025 is in the air and he may not play this season at all. He may be traded for some value and hopefully for him he is, which is why I have to put him all the way down here at a disrespectful 77 for a legitimate Top-3 Edge in the league.

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76. Jared Verse

Rams D-End

Last Year's Rank: N/A

Ok so I know Verse won DROY but here's the thing, last year's defensive rookie class was terrible compared to previous years. Verse has high potential especially as the Rams' Edge1 for years to come but with only 4.5 sacks and 11 TFLs, I'm expecting a slight jump in 2025 but not enough to put him any lower than 75.

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75. A.J. Brown

Eagles Wide Receiver

Last Year's Rank: 29

This shocked even me... One of the best receivers in the league on the defending champion but I'm going to say it... He's overrated. Brown missed several games last year due to injury and didn't hit 100 yards in any playoff game last season. Brown is still a great talent but he's slightly regressing while the team is shifting to a completely Saquon Barkley-centered scheme.

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74. Laremy Tunsil

Commanders Tackle

Last Year's Rank: 48

Tunsil was part of an atrocious Texans O-line last year but should make a resurgence in Washington as Jayden Daniels bodyguard. And bodyguard is a perfect label as he is still one of the league's best pass blockers even if he's below average in run blocking. As Tunsil gets older in his age-31 season, he should still be more than effective in watching the back of the future of Washington football.

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73. Marlon Humphrey

Ravens Cornerback

Last Year's Rank: N/A

Humphrey has been one of the forgotten heroes in Baltimore until the 2024 season where he reminded everyone who he was. After an injury-shortened 2023, Humphrey came back to grab 6 picks and lead the Baltimore defense to Top-10 in scoring. Baltimore would add Malaki Starks and Jaire Alexander in the Off season and should make Humphrey's life as Baltimore's Nickel even easier in 2025.

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72. Derwin James Jr.

Chargers Safety

Last Year's Rank: 84

James has been one of the best Safeties in the league for well over 5 years now and with Jim Harbaugh making his presence known in Los Angeles should be getting even] better. James has 93 tackles, 10 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 7 pass deflections and 1 interception in 2024. A true swiss-army knife, he is also one of the most feared hitters in all of the league.

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71. Jordan Love

Packers Quarterback

Last Year's Rank: 66

Love took a statistical step back last year but it wasn't all his fault. Injuries to WRs Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs hurt the QBs potential so the Packers decided to just draft two more including top-prospect Matthew Golden. The Packers are loaded at receivers now and Love should be able to bounce back with a volume-season. He will need to control his turnovers and try to find his favorite targets which may take a few weeks but should be doable by midseason.

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