Zak Drapeau's Top 100 NFL Players of 2025: 70-61

Zak Drapeau
Aug 9
4 min read

by Zak Drapeau 8/9/2025 FansOnlySportz

70. Trey Smith

Chiefs Guard

Last Year's Rank: N/A

The trio of Smith, Thuney and Humphrey was the best IOL in the league for a few years and Trey Smith has been the unsung hero of the group. Evident by the 4yr/$94 Million contract he just received, Smith's importance to the Chiefs' dynasty has been immense. With Joe Thuney's departure to the Bears, he now becomes the longest-tenured O-lineman on the team and even though Creed Humphrey may have surpassed him in pure skill, Smith should continue forward as the Captain of the Chiefs O-line.

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69. Brian Thomas Jr.

Jaguars Wide Receiver

Last Year's Rank: N/A

What a rookie year for the Brian Thomas Jr. Possibly the most underrated player in the 2024 season, Thomas Jr was arguably a Top-3 receiver right out of the gate with almost 1,300 yards and 10 TDs. With a clear road as a Top-100 player, why isn't BTJ higher on the list? I can see a sophomore slump for Thomas and even though new coach Liam Coen could bring a good dynamic to their offense in Jacksonville, you never know which Trevor Lawrence you're going to get and that inconsistency could hurt Thomas.

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68. Derrick Brown

Panthers D-Tackle

Last Year's Rank: 86

This may be my most controversial placement on the list. After missing almost all of 2024 with a torn meniscus, Derrick Brown is 18 spots higher than he was last year but I have a reason for this. The Panthers went all out in improving their D-line this offseason, bringing in 3 starters in free agency while adding 2 premier edge rushers in the draft as well. Now alongside much better players, Brown's importance in the run game will be on full display. The Panthers solely missed their best run stuffer, placing last in the league against the run in 2024. With Brown returning to his role and surrounded by a better team, he should have his best season in 2025.

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67. Christian Darrisaw

Vikings Tackle

Last Year's Rank: 30

After being a Top-10 Tackle through the first 8 weeks, Darrisaw's season ended with a torn ACL. At only 26 years old, Darrisaw will bounce back from this injury but it may take him a while and he could miss the beginning of the 2025 season. With a new QB in Minnesota and an offense that is in the air because of it, it seems possible that Darrisaw may have a shaky season compared to his first 4 in the league. That being said, his raw ability to stand up to pass rush and clear holes for the run is still elite and I belive he will be back in the Top-50 for next year.

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66. Tyler Linderbaum

Ravens Center

Last Year's Rank: 79

Here's a guy that is finally getting the recognition he deserves as one of the games' top Centers. In 2024 the ravens offense was elite and the run game was the best we've seen from a Ravens team that has always specialized in the area. Linderbaum is one of the biggest reasons why and may have cemented his place as the best of their O-line. At only 25 years old, Linderbaum's size for the postion and athleticism makes him the best running Center in the entire league and closer to Creed Humphrey than most would think.

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65. Roquan Smith

Ravens Linebacker

Last Year's Rank: 46

Back-to-back Ravens on this list, from the heart of the offense to the heart of the defense, Roquan Smith takes a small step backward in the list. After being considered Elite and even the #2 MLB in the league last year, Smith's 2024 was just a step below that but was still great. With the Ravens' defense only getting better with additions in their secondary, Smith should continue his form but maybe we've already seen the best of him?

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64. Dre Greenlaw

Broncos Linebacker

Last Year's Rank: N/A

Adding a stud LB like Greenlaw to a Top-5 defense from 2024 is just unfair. Not the only new addition, 49ers teammate Talanoa Hufanga will also join him in Denver along with prized rookie Jahdae Barron in what should be one of the best, if not the best units in all of football. Greenlaw will bring a veteran presence to the middle of this defense in one of the only holes it has. Racking up 100 tackles, multiple turnovers and captaining this defense could easily have him higher on this list but a quad injury suffered in OTAs could impact the beginning of his season.

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63. Christian McCaffrey

49ers Running Back

Last Year's Rank: 9

Oh man McCaffrey... he either gets 2,000 all-purpose yards or only plays in 4 or fewer games, no in between. All reports say that CMC is healthy and playing well ahead of the preseason and if he is he may raise up this list. The other problem for CMC besides his health is the rebuild currently in San Francisco that has seen the O-line and subsequently whole offense be surrounded in question marks.

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62. Quinyon Mitchell

Eagles Cornerback

Last Year's Rank: N/A

A draft steal last year, Mitchell was praised as the new generation of the Philadelphia secondary and he lived up to it even if he was overshadowed by another in his class, (we'll get to him later on.) Mitchell is a man corner through and through and after an immense jump from Toledo to Philadelphia this season, one can expect him to be even better after a full season and off season in the league.

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61. Jessie Bates III

Falcons Safety

Last Year's Rank: 57

Making just a slight fall of 4 spots this year, Jessie Bates remains one of the best models for Safety in the league. A cover-first Safety, Bates secured 4 INTs and only 28 receptions allowed last year but was equally as good against the run in Atlanta leading the league in forced fumbles with 4. At age 28, Bates is in the middle of his prime years and a consistent Pro Bowler and leader for the Falcons.

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