With 2024 NFL training camps on the horizon, the league's true insiders made their voices heard. ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions, from quarterback to cornerback and all positions in between. This was the fifth edition of these rankings, and as usual, several players moved up or fell off last year's lists.
A reminder of the rankings process: Voters gave us their best 10 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average and dozens of interviews, with research and film study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. In total, nearly 80 voters submitted a ballot on at least one position, and in many cases all positions. Additional voting and follow-up calls with those surveyed helped us break any ties.
Each section included quotes and nuggets from the voters on every ranked player -- even the honorable mentions. The objective was to identify the best players for 2024. This was not a five-year projection or a career achievement award. Who are the best players today?
We rolled out a position per day over 11 days. The schedule: running backs (7/8), defensive tackles (7/9), edge rushers (7/10), safeties (7/11), tight ends (7/12), interior offensive linemen (7/13), offensive tackles (7/14), quarterbacks (7/15), off-ball linebackers (7/16), wide receivers (7/17), cornerbacks (7/18).
Pesky Chiefs aside, the NFL is ripe for a new crop of champion quarterbacks.
Today's league features four Super Bowl winners set to start games under center in 2024: Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and Russell Wilson.
That's half the total from 2020, when the likes of Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger were still here setting records.
The talent pool suggests new faces will emerge on the ultimate stage. Five of the top-seven quarterbacks in this year's Top 10 series are 27 years old or younger.
They have mobility, ample arm strength and strong early track records. This made for a highly competitive voting process, especially among the top passers directly behind Mahomes, who, if he has his way, will keep that number of Super Bowl-winning passers at four.
But some veterans on this list have also improved their standing, and depth at the position is looking up. Any of the top 16 to 18 quarterbacks are capable of leading playoff drives and making noise in the postseason.
Let's look at some of the game's top QBs as ranked by execs, coaches and scouts around the NFL.
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1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 2
Age: 28 | Last year's ranking: 1
The gatekeepers of NFL greatness have begun chiseling Mahomes' likeness onto their Mount Rushmore of quarterbacks.
Mahomes' work is so undeniable that all but one voter considered him the league's best quarterback. He's one of three players in NFL history with three Super Bowls and two MVPs, joining Tom Brady and Joe Montana, quarterbacks who needed 11 and 12 years, respectively, to reach the feat.
Mahomes did it in seven, one of which (2017) was spent behind Alex Smith. During that span, Mahomes has 219 touchdown passes and 28,424 passing yards, the second most in NFL history for a passer's first seven years.
"When it's late in a meaningful game and Mahomes is playing, you just know he's going to find a way to win," an NFC executive said. "That's the stage he's at that a lot of the greats get to -- they figure out how to win the game and get it done. The game's slowed down for him in that way."
No quarterback adjusts better than Mahomes, who has shown resolve through various challenges. In 2022, he offset the departure of Tyreek Hill by throwing 31 touchdown passes to running backs and tight ends, the most in a single season in the Super Bowl era.
Last year, he rallied an offense that had become lifeless -- and low on dependable receivers -- after a brutal loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Day, bettering his regular season QBR of 63.1 to an impressive 86.6 in four playoff games. His career-worst 14 interceptions weren't a factor in the postseason, when Mahomes threw one interception to six touchdown passes.
Mahomes continues to find creative -- and mobile -- ways to win. His 14% sack rate when pressured was the second-lowest clip in the league behind Josh Allen.
When the 49ers clamped down on passing lanes in the Super Bowl, Mahomes found yardage with his legs, with 66 yards on nine carries.
"What's funny is he can still improve," a high-ranking NFL official said. "He's never truly improved his footwork since he's been in the league. It hasn't mattered because he's so good."
2. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: 7
Age: 27 | Last year's ranking: 2
Burrow hasn't exactly hurt his standing in the pantheon since last year's voting -- he's still considered one of the game's very best and won a close race for No. 2 -- but his growing injury file has planted a seed of doubt.
He played conservatively early in the season while managing a calf strain, and the wrist injury suffered in a Nov. 16 loss at Baltimore all but derailed Cincinnati's season. Burrow had surgery to repair a torn ligament but is participating in offseason workouts and the early returns are good. His 51.8 QBR of 2023 was far below the previous two seasons.
"High level in all areas, can't stay healthy," said an AFC scout, referencing Burrow's ACL tear in 2020 as part of the bigger concern. "No [Joe] Mixon and the Tee Higgins holdout are big concerns." There's little debate about Burrow's greatness when he's healthy and spinning it. His career completion percentage of 68% is the highest in NFL history through a player's first four seasons (minimum 1,000 attempts).
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And once he overcame the calf issue, the Bengals went 4-1 over Weeks 5-10 (they had a bye in Week 7) as Burrow threw 12 touchdown passes to four interceptions.
"Baller. Release. Decision-making. Tough as nails," said a veteran NFC offensive coach. "One play away from already having a ring. And young so the injury not as concerning."
Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase are tracking to become one of the all-time great pass-catching duos. Since Chase entered the league in 2021, Burrow has thrown 22 touchdown passes that traveled 20-plus air yards. But while Chase is in the long-term plans, the Bengals franchise-tagged Higgins, who has requested a trade and hasn't signed his tender.
Several evaluators say Burrow is the common denominator who can offset a personnel loss or two.
"Burrow is still probably the most consistent of all the guys," an NFL executive said. "A pure thrower who's in complete command of the offense and comes up big in big moments. He knows when to attack and be aggressive vs. when to take the easy yards. And the dude is so tough."
3. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 6
Age: 27 | Last year's ranking: 3
Allen's blend of brilliance and inconsistency has left voters with mixed feelings.
He received the only first-place vote that didn't go to Mahomes -- yet was outside of the top five for several voters.
He is Mahomes' neighbor in style of play but lives on a different street of accomplishment. He's been in the top five for four consecutive seasons but hasn't cracked the top two. Most agree Allen should have experienced more playoff success by now.
"He leaves you wanting more a little bit," an AFC executive said. "But if you're picking who you want to have to lead your team, he's going to be second or third for most people. The ceiling is still really high. And I don't really feel he was the reason the Bills haven't been able to finish."
Allen is a Luka Doncic-level volume scorer. His 173 total touchdowns since 2020 are easily the league best, and Allen is the only quarterback in NFL history with five seasons of at least 20 passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns -- which he did consecutively.
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Deadly on the move, Allen ranked third in QBR (73) and passing touchdowns (nine) outside of the pocket last season while accounting for 74% of his team's net yards.
And the Bills' more run-oriented offense under coordinator Joe Brady seemed to suit Allen late in the season. The fourth quarter brought out the best in Allen, whose 81.2 QBR in the fourth led the NFL.
"I saw a quarterback who is consistently a high performer who elevates his team at every chance," a high-ranking NFL official said.
But that's not enough to convince some detractors who point to the alarming turnover numbers: 78 interceptions, 59 fumbles since 2018. In contrast, Mahomes has 62 interceptions and 36 fumbles.
Allen's 47 interceptions since 2020 are the most in the league.
"One of the more overrated players in the NFL," a veteran NFL executive said. "Immense talent but he makes a lot of mistakes. He's underdeveloped at winning at the line of scrimmage, tends to lock on to targets, more of a thrower than precision passer, forces throws into traffic."
4. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: 5
Age: 27 | Last year's ranking: 7
It took far too long, but NFL circles are finally giving Jackson respect as a top-tier passer. He nearly snagged the No. 2 spot but got slightly outpaced by Burrow and Allen in the voting. And there's a wide gulf in the voting between the top four and the rest of the field.
Jackson is undeniable after winning a second MVP. After five seasons as a dual-threat quarterback in Greg Roman's system, the Ravens reversed course, bringing in playcaller Todd Monken to help maximize Jackson's game from the pocket.
The results: Jackson posted career highs in attempts (457), completion percentage (67.2) and yards per attempt (8.0).
Not bad for a quarterback who mysteriously fell out of the top 10 two years ago.
The implementation of Monken's system -- trips-empty spread offense, pistol passing concepts -- along with last year's additions of Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr. helped support Jackson and also minimized excuses that Ravens fans and media long made for his pedestrian passing numbers.
"How he came in, with everything stuck to that stigma as a runner, that sticks with you as a pro until you prove them wrong," an NFC executive said. "That's not fair but that's the way it's been with him. There wasn't any doubt who the best player in the league was last year. So, it's long been time to put that to rest."
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No quarterback outside of the Kansas City area wins quite like Jackson, whose career regular-season winning percentage of .753 (58-19) is nearly identical to Tom Brady's (.754). He is still considered perhaps the most dynamic dual threat in the league while protecting himself from open-field hits. In recent years, he has decreased his rushing attempts from 11-plus attempts per game to a career-low 9.25 last season. His QBR increased from 59.1 to 64.7 year over year.
"I don't think he wants to be the runner he used to be," a veteran NFL personnel evaluator said. "He wants to be a pure pocket passer because that's how you prolong your career and win late in the season."
Jackson still has more to prove. His 2-4 playoff record isn't good enough for a player of his caliber. The AFC title game vs. Kansas City was set up for Jackson to win with his arm, and he struggled late. Veteran receivers have been known to stay away from Baltimore's offense in free agency, due to the passing-game limitations with Jackson at the helm.
But the play has improved overall. He was asked to deliver from the pocket, and he did that. And after a subpar 19.0% off-target rate in 2022, Jackson improved that clip to 16.0% in 2023.
"He was better than the numbers say as a pocket passer," an AFC executive said. "Really efficient. May not have had crazy production but always made a lot of plays. Watching it, you feel the impact. Definitely more accurate."
5. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: 10
Age: 36 | Last year's ranking: 10
Some evaluators see Stafford as a bit of a kingmaker.
"He elevates the play of those around him," a high-ranking official with an NFL team said. "Puka Nacua is a good player -- but he's not the same guy without Stafford. He helps those guys reach their potential."
Stafford's elite status is accentuated by the most basic terms: Wins and losses.
2021: Stafford comes to Los Angeles, Rams go 12-5 and win the Super Bowl.
2022: Stafford misses nine games due to injury, Rams miss the playoffs.
2023: Stafford misses only two games, Rams are back in the playoffs despite what was supposed to be a mini-rebuild.
The longer Stafford plays alongside Sean McVay, the more his legacy mushrooms.
"The arm strength hasn't left him -- he can still make every throw to every part of the field," an NFC executive said. "He attacks the intermediate windows and the middle of the field with accuracy. Cooper Kupp missed [five games] and he kept them afloat."
Durability has been the knock on Stafford, but when he's healthy and kept upright, he can deliver the football among the best. From Weeks 11-18, as Stafford returned from a right thumb injury, he ranked tied for third in passing touchdowns (16) and eighth in QBR (73) as the Rams won seven of their last eight.
Stafford is now the second-oldest starting quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers, but he wants to keep playing -- hopefully on a reworked contract with Los Angeles to strengthen his guarantees.
"At this stage, he needs a quality offensive line," a head scout of an NFL team said. "They weren't great up front last year and he still produced. They should be better. Stafford can use his legs on occasion but should be playing comfortably in the pocket at this stage."
6. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Out of top 10
Age: 26 | Last year's ranking: 5
Herbert critics are quick to point out his pedestrian 30-32 career record as a starter. But most agree that the weight of the Chargers' struggles doesn't fall squarely on Herbert, an otherworldly talent who helped that record more than he hurt it.
"Big, strong, fast, powerful arm," an AFC personnel evaluator said. "Will stare down some targets and try to make some hero-type plays at times -- holding the ball too long and throwing into tight windows -- but he has everything you want. Touch, velocity, size, athletic ability."
Since he was drafted No. 6 overall in 2020, Herbert has more passing yards (17,223) and completions (1,613) through four seasons than any four-year opening stretch in league history. And when he had time in the pocket, Herbert was still deadly last season, despite a team clearly deflated and depleted. He ranked fifth in QBR when not pressured (75.0) compared to a career-low 27 (ranking 14th) when pressured.
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This year will mark a new challenge for Herbert, who plays without Keenan Allen and Mike Williams for the first time. Only 8% of his career passing attempts (202 of 2,422) have come with both receivers off the field.
"I think [head coach Jim] Harbaugh might finally unlock him, with more emphasis on the run to support him," said an NFL personnel director of Herbert. "Sure, he's got to play bigger in some big games. But he's going on, what, his fourth different coordinator? It's not always his fault they've struggled."
And then there's this: He's on the short list of best pure arm talents, possibly the best when you consider strength and the ability to reach all parts of the field.
7. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: Out of top 10
Age: 22 | Last year's ranking: N/A
Stroud appeared on nearly 90% of the ballots, and a few of the voters believe he's top-three already.
"He's as good as anybody, honestly," a veteran NFC scout said. "He's got to do it again, but the arm talent combined with taking care of the ball and the ability to process was impressive."
Stroud, who led the NFL in QBR against zone coverages at 73.9, showed the ability to balance aggressiveness vs. playing within the system, multiple voters pointed out.
He led the NFL in passing yards per game with a minimum of nine starts (273.9) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (4.6) in 2023, becoming the first rookie to lead the NFL in the latter, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
"He set the standard for a rookie QB," an NFC executive said. "Has so much poise. He stands in the pocket and delivers the football. Stands tall. Doesn't see colors coming at him." Several voters pointed out Houston did a masterful job supporting him. Pass catchers Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Dalton Schultz complemented Stroud well, and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik consistently put Stroud in advantageous spots.
Stroud's 4,108 passing yards were third most in NFL rookie history behind Andrew Luck (4,374) and Herbert (4,336).
"He's cut down on the throws he would miss in college," a high-ranking NFL official said. "The Texans have helped him with play-action and defined throws and he's capitalized as a big, strong thrower with elite ball placement. They've made it fun for him."
8. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Out of Top 10
Age: 40 | Last year's ranking: 4
Old and injured is not the typical description of a top-10 quarterback.
Rodgers' presence feels like a mild upset after a pedestrian (for his standards) 2022 in Green Bay and the Achilles tear heard 'round the world on his fourth snap as a New York Jet.
Rodgers, the oldest active quarterback in the NFL, is set to become the sixth in history to start 10-plus games at age 40 or older, joining Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Brett Favre, Warren Moon and Vinny Testaverde.
No matter. Still elite.
"He's probably fringe top 10 at this point, but he still has the rare ability to throw the football," an AFC exec said. "That hasn't gone away. I think he's got a major opportunity to lift the Jets and show what he can still do."
The Jets need the Rodgers experiment to work in the worst way, and that proposition doesn't come without risks: Scouts started to see decline in 2022, when Rodgers' historic two-year MVP run stalled. His production dipped in yards (3,695), touchdowns (26) and interceptions (12), his worst total since 2008. And a healthy 17-game season is hardly a slam dunk, considering Rodgers' age.
The Jets' offseason improvements along the offensive line loom large. Over the past three seasons, Rodgers ranks second in QBR when he's not pressured (79.1).
The Jets can take solace in Rodgers' ability to protect the football. He has the lowest interception rate (1.4%) in NFL history, a welcome stat for a franchise riddled with interception-happy quarterbacks.
While Rodgers appeared on fewer than 60% of the ballots, nearly half of those ballots placed Rodgers in the top five. Quarterback purists still love him.
"He has the ultimate 'hang it in the Louvre' throwing motion," an NFL quarterback coach said.
9. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: Out of top 10
Age: 29 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
Goff's four-year, $212 million contract extension with the Lions on May 13 didn't buy him any extra votes here. Our voting on quarterbacks was largely complete by then.
In other words, Goff's status was cemented. No news cycle needed.
Goff's two-year run in Detroit is one of the league's best success stories in recent years. In 2021, he was discarded by the Rams for Matthew Stafford, then suffered career lows in passing for a three-win Lions team. Voters didn't see him as even a top-15 option at that point.
But since 2022, he ranks second in passing yards (9,013) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (3.1).
He also leads the NFL in fourth-quarter and overtime QBR during that span (72), and his 18 touchdowns to zero interceptions in the red zone last season was the league's best clip.
"He's the best in the NFL at throwing into zone coverage windows," an NFL coordinator said. "I've shown young quarterbacks tape of him and how he throws with anticipation."
Goff was always considered a talented thrower when he had time in the pocket. But he has improved his toughness from the pocket while in Detroit, accentuated by his elite footwork.
"He used to seem nervous in the pocket, but now he's cool in there," an NFC executive said. "I don't think he has that pressure on him like he did in L.A. Detroit has embraced him and he's responded."
Added an AFC scout: "He's outplayed some of his critics. Played well in big games."
10. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Highest ranking: 7 | Lowest ranking: Out of top 10
Age: 30 | Last year's ranking: 9
The Dak Dilemma persists: He's consistently very good but outside of the top tier, despite huge numbers.
For the second consecutive year, Prescott appeared on the majority of ballots -- 63%, a slight improvement from the year before. But he's the only quarterback in the top 10 without a single top-six vote.
His 2023 production suggested a bigger jump was coming. Prescott became the first Cowboys quarterback since Roger Staubach in 1973 to lead the NFL in touchdown passes (36). He promised he would limit interceptions after throwing 15 of them in 2022, and he did just that with a 1.5% interception rate, the fourth lowest in the NFL. His QBRs outside the pocket (81.8), on third down (88.2) and when pressured (65.4) all led the league.
He did all of this while transitioning from Kellen Moore to Mike McCarthy as the primary playcaller.
"He always does well enough to be in the top 10 but never gets over the hump," an NFC executive said. "He makes all the throws. He's playing the position at a high level. But something's missing. There are a lot of factors in that, from the running game, playcalling, defense, and Dallas hasn't won in a long while. But certain guys are going to elevate their team late in the game, and Dak doesn't seem to do that."
The Cowboys are asking Prescott to lift an offense that lost Tony Pollard, Tyron Smith, Tyler Biadasz and Michael Gallup to free agency or roster cuts. Dallas spent judiciously to replace them this offseason, in part to brace for Prescott's $55.45 million cap hit on the final year of his contract.
"He's lacking that high-end ceiling, plays the position really well, but not an elite athlete and passer [that] Mahomes and Allen are," an NFL personnel director said. "They need to support him in those big matchups. He's really good but not quite good enough to elevate the entire team in those matchups."
Honorable mentions
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers: One of the NFL's best stories, Purdy, the last pick of the 2022 draft, is 17-4 as a starter, a near-Super Bowl winner and an MVP finalist. His play is incredibly efficient, with a league-leading 72.8 QBR in his first full year as a starter. He's already on the board with four playoff wins. All of this has put him into the fringe top-10 category.
"It's hard to call him top 10 based on the guys ahead of him, but it's hard to keep him out of the top 10, too," an NFC executive said. "He willed that team to the Super Bowl. Only right to give him serious consideration."
As far as game-planning, Purdy has more limitations than some of the quarterbacks ahead of him, according to multiple evaluators.
"He's very good at navigating the pocket, buying time, using his legs -- you're not going to win because of him in most cases," a separate NFC exec said. "He's a really good system quarterback."
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers: Love caught fire over the last eight games of the season, which nearly thrust him into the top 10 as an emerging star in the league. His flashes of brilliance included 2,150 yards, 18 touchdowns and one interception from Weeks 11-18. Love was dangerous inside the pocket with a 70.5 QBR.
"I think that's real," said an AFC exec when asked if Love will sustain the play. "Arm talent and confidence and a good system around him. He'll turn the ball over some because he's so confident. He'll miss here and there. But you can live with that. Short sample size, so he's got to do it again. But he will."
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles: After a Year 3 star turn that garnered a Super Bowl appearance and a $255 million contract, Hurts' play dipped in 2023. His QBR ranking fell from fourth (68.3) to 12th (60.1). His 15 interceptions were so uncharacteristic that the total nearly matched that of his first three years combined (18). A knee injury that he tried his best to manage clearly affected him, according to several evaluators.
"He was playing hurt," an NFC executive said. "The Eagles tried to downplay that, but he didn't look right. He wasn't the same runner he was in the past, and passing the ball was tough for him." Added an AFC scout: "He'll always be in that 7-12 range, depending on how productive he is each year."
Also of note: The Eagles' offense "became stale" as a whole, according to a high-ranking NFL team official, and the predictable offensive attack affected Hurts' stock.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins: Tagovailoa did what he needed to do in 2023: Play a full 17 games, which will inevitably lead to big numbers. A fully healthy Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing yards (4,624) and took 29 sacks, a solid number for a quarterback with an injury history.
"I feel like everybody knows what he is: A good player with some limitations," a veteran NFL personnel evaluator said. "He's a matchup nightmare some weeks. He's really good when he's in rhythm and gets the ball out in time. He can be hard to beat when he's throwing with touch and anticipation."
The Dolphins appear to value him as an elite quarterback, trimming bloated salary this offseason in part to prepare for a Tagovailoa mega-extension.
"Though he doesn't have the big arm and mobility, his short-to-intermediate stuff is really impressive, and I just think he sees the game really well," an NFC exec said. "And what they do around him [in Mike McDaniel's offense] is brilliant."
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons: Cousins might have flirted with the MVP had he stayed healthy for 17 games. He was pacing for 5,000 yards and 38 touchdowns before going down midseason with an Achilles tear. His completion percentage of 69.5% was 4.6 percentage points higher than expected. Cousins ranked fourth in QBR inside the pocket (68.1), which is on brand for the pure pocket passer who turns 36 in August.
"He's proven he can be elite," said an NFL offensive coach who voted Cousins in the top 10. "From '21 to now he's basically been that. The [Vikings] had no chance without him last year."
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars: Surprisingly, last year's No. 8 quarterback fell eight spots in the voting. Turnovers are the primary issue: He has 60 through three seasons, including a league-high 21 last year (14 interceptions, seven fumbles) -- though team sources caution he barely practiced over the last two months of the season due to various injuries that he attempted to tough out.
"I think people are tired of waiting on him," an AFC scout said. "I do think he'll put it all together eventually. He should be in the top 10." Added a veteran NFL personnel evaluator: "He's going to be a little streaky and have moments where he disappears, but when he gets hot, Jacksonville is dangerous."
Also receiving votes: Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals), Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)