Zak Drapeau's Top-100 NFL Players of 2025: 50-26

Zak Drapeau
Aug 23
8 min read

by Zak Drapeau 8/23/2025 Sportz Nation

50. Nico Collins

Texans Wide Receiver

Last Year's Rank: N/A

Collins will be C.J. Stroud's favorite weapon this year and should improve on his 2024 campaign that saw Collins average 15 yards per reception in his 12 games of play. Collins will be only 26 this season and all the opportunity in the world to become a bonafide Top-5 WR in the league if C.J. Stroud and the Texans can get back to their 2023 form.

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49. Antoine Winfield Jr.

Buccaneers Safety

Last Year's Rank: 22

A slight dip in 2024 won't move Winfield Jr too far down this list as he's still a Top-5 Safety in the league in my opinion... or at least that's where his potential is. Leg injuries would have him only play in 9 games last season and hamper his performance when he did. Now back to full health, Winfield Jr. is gearing up for another year as the leader in a Todd Bowles secondary and sure to get back to his status as one of the best young Safeties in the league.

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48. Jonathan Taylor

Colts Running Back

Last Year's Rank: 71

Even though he dealt with small injuries in 2024 leading to only 14 games played, Taylor would have one of the best RB seasons in the league this year seemingly getting over his previous 2 year skid. Taylor should see his production even increase this season with the dumpster fire QB-room in Indianapolis that could lead to 350-ish carries this season.

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47. Kyren Williams

Rams Running Back

Last Year's Rank: N/A

Kyren Williams is a perfect back in Sean McVay's system, strong and quick and a perfect red zone threat. Williams improvement from the 2023 season was noticeable as he solidified his Top-10 status in the league among RBs. More competition in the RB room from rookie Jarquez Hunter and sophomore Blake Corum could limit his touches but Williams is still the man in Los Angeles and should be around the LEAGUE leaders in Touchdowns once again.

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46. Derek Stingley Jr.

Texans Cornerback

Last Year's Rank: N/A

It took Stingley a few years to match the talent from his fellow 2022 Draft Class corner Sauce Gardner but make no bone about it, Stingley is right there among the best CBs in the league now. Improving every single year, Stingley has also became quite the ball hawk with 5 INTs in each of the past two seasons. If Stingley continues to improve he may become the best Cornerback in the league soon or at least the best Zone Corner.

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45. Aidan Hutchinson

Lions Defensive End

Last Year's Rank: 35

Hutchinson's 2024 was tragically cut short by a gruesome leg fracture in Week 6. Miraculously, Hutchinson has already returned to the field in limited capacity but seems to be set to return to the field for the Lions' season opener. Probably taking a few weeks before he returns to his pre-injury form, Hutchinson should remain a Top-50 player and still be around the 10+ sacks mark plus a great all-around DE in the Lions' system.

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44. Jayden Daniels

Commanders Quarterback

Last Year's Rank: N/A

This is a point of contention for most people but I've stood ten toes down in saying Jayden Daniels will have a bit of a sophomore slump. Daniels is cold, no doubt about it and his improvisional-game and ability to make plays out of the pocket is generational but with teams having more tape on him and Terry McLaurin's eventual departure sure to hurt the receiver room, I can't see him repeating his historic rookie season. I still think he's around the 7th best QB in the league and I think 44 is a fair assessment for the 2nd year QB.

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43. George Kittle

49ers Tight End

Last Year's Rank: 23

Kittle had the second best season of his career last year thanks to several key injuries on the 49er' offense. Kittle has emerged as the most consistent TE in the league and seems to have outlasted Kelce and Andrews who have both had down swings in recent years. After Brock Purdy's new contract, Kittle should have a few more seasons of putting up with numbers even if his blocking has slightly dipped.

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42. Josh Jacobs

Packers Running Back

Last Year's Rank: N/A

Truth be told, this spot was supposed to be Rashawn Slater but after his season-ending torn patellar tendon, changes were made.

Jacobs, along with Henry and Barkley, changed the game last season for running backs over the age of 27. In his first year behind a strong Packer' O-line and with Matt LaFleur's play-calling, Jacobs looked like he was 5 years younger. With 15 TDs, Jacobs would set his own personal record and be 4th in the league along with 1,329 yards. In his second season, Jacobs may regress a little but should remain one of the best in the league.

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41. Amon-Ra St. Brown

Lions Wide Receiver

Last Year's Rank: N/A

Amon-Ra has been the 4th best WR in the league and that's only because JaMarr and Jettas are generational. Truthfully Amon-Ra is finally getting taken as seriously as he deserves and its about time. Averaging 113-1313-9 over that span, St. Brown is about to enter his first season without offensive genius Ben Johnson behind him and I truly believe the whole group takes a small step back.

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40. Trent McDuffie

Chiefs Cornerback

Last Year's Rank: 33

The Chiefs dynasty has slowly morphed to a defensive-centric one and McDuffie has emerged as the best DB of the dynasty. In his first season without L'Jarius Snead by his side, McDuffie continued to improve and even snagged 2 INTs while also staking his claim as the best slot CB in the league.

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39. Brock Bowers

Raiders Tight End

Last Year's Rank: N/A

If you were like me and drafted Brock Bowers in the 10th round last year you might be expecting Bowers to be in the Top-25 but unfortunately he's still on the Raiders. With Geno Smith it's likely Bowers sees the same amount of targets as last year but with a probable tick down from an extra year of tape and every team game planning solely for the rising star. Another 100 catch and 1,000 yard year could easily put Bowers in the Top-25 next year.

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38. Quinnen Williams

Jets Defensive Tackle

Last Year's Rank: 39

Quinnen is already about to enter his 7th season in the league and has been among the Top-5 of his position for at least 4 years now. Having one of his worst years as a pro was more of a Jets thing than a Williams thing and would still see him get 6 sacks. With Aaron Glenn now heading the team, get ready for Quinnen to return to greatness and have an an outstanding year.

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37. Tyreek Hill

Dolphins Wide Receiver

Last Year's Rank: 2

Oof. The Dolphins had what should be considered a one-off year in 2024 and Tyreek and Tua were the biggest victims of it. From 1,800 yards to 959 in line year is insane but let's not forget who Tyreek is or what this offense's potential is. As long as Tua can keep his health, Hill will return to being a Top-5 receiver again this year.

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36. Bobby Wagner

Commanders Linebacker

Last Year's Rank: N/A

Wagner keeps defying the odds and in his age-34 season rolled back the clock with the Commanders and was maybe THE key reason their defense went from ranked 32nd to 15th in a single season. Signing a one-year deal with the team this offseason, Wagner will again captain this unit and should remain as one of the best LBs in the league.

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35. Jalen Hurts

Eagles Quarterback

Last Year's Rank: 75

Hurts ran one of the greatest running offenses we've ever seen last season and got a Super Bowl ring for his troubles but is down at 35 because of a slight weakness in throwing the ball. No question this man is a star but when injuries to key receivers occurred last year, Hurts suffered and showed that he is still a product of the team around him.

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34. Chris Lindstrom

Falcons Guard

Last Year's Rank: 51

With Zack Martin retired, Lindstrom now reigns as the best Guard in football. Definitely better at run blocking where he has a claim as the best in the league regardless of position. Lindstrom at only 28, captains his O-line and will look to stake his claim as best of his position in 2025.

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33. Jaylon Johnson

Bears Cornerback

Last Year's Rank: 27

Another guy who has quietly become one of the best of his position, Jaylon Johnson had a "down" year for him but was still brilliant. With 6 picks in the last two years and quite possibly the best zone game at the CB position, Johnson will now have Dennis Allen coaching him and should only get better for it.

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32. Baker Mayfield

Buccaneers Quarterback

Last Year's Rank: N/A

I'm a HUGE Baker guy this year. The Buccaneers lost Liam Coen this offseason but still have so many weapons on offense that Baker should repeat his 2024 campaign or even improve on it. Mayfield's attitude and the way he leads this team with emotion and ballsy play will never go out of style and if he can limit his turnovers, I even have him in some MVP-talks in 2025.

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31. Jordan Mailata

Eagles Tackle

Last Year's Rank: 42

Lane Johnson may be the ageless wonder for this team but there's no question Jordan Mailata has passed him as the best O-lineman on the league's best line. Ranked as my 4th best Tackle in the league, Mailata IS the most balanced Tackle in the league with a perfect blend of pass blocking and run blocking. In the Philly offense where you need to do both, Mailata is the perfect Tackle and still only 28 years old.

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30. Trent Williams

49ers Tackle

Last Year's Rank: 7

My 3rd best tackle had a "down" year after missing 7 games due to injury and personal reasons but remains the man when he's on the field. At 37-years old, Williams seems not to age and is the 2nd best pass blocker in the league. With the 49ers getting healthier this year, Williams may return to Top-10 glory if he stays on the field.

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29. Will Anderson Jr.

Texans Edge Rusher

Last Year's Rank: 49

Anderson went from 7 sacks to 12 in his 2nd season and seems to be benefitting from the addition of fellow edge Danielle Hunter. Every bit the #3 overall pick we thought he'd be, Anderson has even been great against the run. If his improvement from season 1 to 2 was good, expect his year 3 progression to make him elite.

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28. Ceedee Lamb

Cowboys Wide Receiever

Last Year's Rank: 11

Unfortunately for Ceedee, Dak only played in 8 games last year and wasn't very good when he did. Most receivers (like Tyreek) would drop way down on the list because of that but Ceedee somehow still got 101-1,194-6. Lamb's role as the best weapon in Dallas will not change anytime soon and could even see an uptick with Dak healthy and the addition of Goerge Pickens this season.

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27. Jahmyr Gibbs

Lions Running Back

Last Year's Rank: 98

Gibbs is pure-Marshall Faulk and has taken the league by storm but similarly to Amon-Ra, will see a "down" year after Ben Johnson left Detroit. Likely to see less carries taken away from Montgomery this season, Gibbs will become more of the RB1 in Detroit and should likely hit somewhere around 1,300 and 13 on the ground again in 2025.

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26. Xavier McKinney

Packers Safety

Last Year's Rank: N/A

It must be a rule that any player the Giants let leave in Free Agency immediately becomes a star. Everybody was so infatuated with Barkley's first year in Philly that most overlooked McKinney's first year in Green Bay where he grabbed All-Pro status. He would also take 8 interceptions last season finishing 2nd in the league with that mark and will be looking to make his claim in 2025, for best Safety in the league.

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