Tampa Bay Buccaneers- ESPN

Jeremy Fowler, senior NFL national reporterJul 14, 2024, 03:30 PM
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- ESPN staff writer
- Previously a college football reporter for CBSSports.com
- University of Florida graduate
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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).

Offensive tackle is one of the toughest nuts to crack.

This year's top 10 features zero debuts. Nine tackles from the 2023 version earned their spot again, and the final spot went to a 2022 recipient who made a surprising comeback.

At most positions, at least one rookie cracks the list.

But youth is well-represented here. The 2020 and 2021 draft classes constitute half the list. A few of them even stole No. 1 votes from the elite tackle out of the Bay Area.

By this time next year, a star tackle out of Detroit or Tampa Bay might be wearing the crown.

1. Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers

Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 7
Age: 35 | Last year's ranking: 1

The back-to-back-to-back-to-back winner is playing like he's 25, leading all tackles with a 95.8 pass block win rate in Year 13.

"Does it all at a high level, still," an NFL coordinator said. "Protection, run game, second-level stuff downfield -- no weakness in his game and I haven't seen the skill set diminish."

Others wonder if Williams' body will break down eventually due to age. "I thought he was playing hurt last year and it affected his play a bit," said an AFC exec, referring to Williams' ankle injury in the second half of the season. "But that's nit-picking. He's still dominant."

One voter even admitted that they picked a different No. 1 out of boredom, because Williams is No. 1 every year. That's where he remains ... comfortably.

2. Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions

Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: 5
Age: 23 | Last year's ranking: 6

Sewell is elite in status and contract, earning a massive four-year, $112 million extension this offseason. Sewell gave up four sacks on 634 pass-block snaps and anchored one of the game's best rushing offenses.

"Dominant run blocker and arguably the best anchor in pass protection," an AFC executive said. "Some OTs are great pass blockers but just average in the run game. He's elite in both phases. Very consistent. Plays with an edge."

Sewell's dominant play at 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds coupled with Detroit's successful season earned Sewell an All-Pro first-team nod.

"A dog, physically elite, improved every year," an NFL coordinator said.

3. Laremy Tunsil, Houston Texans

Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: 8
Age: 29 | Last year's ranking: 2

Tunsil has come a long way from draft night in 2016, when some controversial and ill-timed social media activity caused him to slide to pick No. 13.

He's since become a fixture in the top five every year and is the highest-paid left tackle at $25 million per year.

Tunsil has back-to-back seasons of 10 penalties, but he allowed five sacks in 494 pass-block snaps, good enough for a strong 91.6 win rate.

Evaluators love his combination of size (6-foot-5, 313 pounds), rare feet/agility and aggressiveness.

"A little selective with his effort, but his playoff game against Myles Garrett is all you need to watch," an NFL executive said.

Garrett was held to zero sacks, three tackles and zero quarterback hits in Cleveland's wild-card loss to Houston.

"Makes the game look easy," an AFC executive said.

4. Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Highest ranking: 1 Lowest ranking: 7
Age: 25 | Last year's ranking: 3

Already an All-Pro at right tackle, the Bucs asked Wirfs to move to left tackle in 2023. He did so successfully, helping Tampa reach the playoffs in Baker Mayfield's first year at quarterback.

The feeling is Wirfs could be higher on the list next year, after another full season on the left side. And the voting was very close among Sewell, Tunsil and Wirfs. These three appeared on every ballot.

"He's so f---ing talented that, even though it was an adjustment early in the year and he had been dominant on the right side, he started to play at a high level later and was much better as the season progressed," an NFL personnel evaluator. "Super athlete, real light feet, broad, slides well."

Wirfs, a 2025 free agent, could become the highest-paid left tackle this summer.

"The things he can do at his size are rare," an AFC scout said.

5. Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles

Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 34 | Last year's ranking: 4

There has been no tangible drop-off in Johnson's play after 11 seasons. In fact, Johnson led all run blockers with an 82.4 win rate in 2023. Usually, an interior player leads in this category.

Similar to Williams, Johnson's body eventually breaking down is the primary concern. He's battled groin issues in recent years. But he's missed only seven games in three years on his way to three straight All-Pro nods.

"I didn't see any [drop-off]," an NFL scouting director said. "He knows he's getting close to the end and he's been maintaining his level of play as a result."

6. Christian Darrisaw, Minnesota Vikings

Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 25 | Last year's ranking: 9

Somehow, Darrisaw hasn't made a Pro Bowl in his first three NFL seasons, but the talent is unquestionably of a Pro Bowl caliber.

His 87.1 pass block win rate isn't stellar, but stats don't encapsulate Darrisaw's game. He passes the eye test.

"Excellent combination of strength, athleticism and well-rounded production in both phases," an NFL personnel director said. "The body control stands out."

Added an NFL personnel evaluator: "He's a star .... Has the most upside of maybe all of them."

7. Jordan Mailata, Philadelphia Eagles

Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 27 | Last year's ranking: 5

Mailata fell out of the top five, but his performance remained consistent in 2023. His 80.3 run block win rate is second to Johnson among all offensive tackles.

Mailata, a former rugby star, has started 57 games over four years but still has plenty of upside. That's why the Eagles paid him early and just re-upped with a three-year, $66 million deal.

"Massive and incredible athlete," a veteran AFC scout said. "I'd love for them to weigh him again because the things he can do at over 350 pounds is crazy."

8. Andrew Thomas, New York Giants

Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 25 | Last year's ranking: 7

A hamstring issue cost Thomas seven games in 2023, thus stunting his growth on this list. But he got several top-three votes due to his major ability. Thomas signed a five-year, $117.5 million extension just after our list was published last season.

"Trent Williams has been the standard, but I think Thomas, if he puts together a stronger body of work, has enough upside to be the top guy," an AFC executive said.

9. Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers

Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 25 | Last year's ranking: 8

Despite the Chargers' woes in 2024, Slater was a bright spot. He played 1,104 snaps at left tackle, tops among this group, and held up well with an 87.3 pass block win rate.

"He's just solid in every area -- good speed, not huge but adequate size, very intelligent, doesn't have many lapses," an AFC executive said.

10. Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore Ravens

Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 30 | Last year's ranking: Unranked

This is a mild surprise, given that Stanley hasn't played more than 13 games in any of the past four seasons and the Ravens reduced his base 2024 pay on a reworked contract.

But many voters say they've always been high on Stanley's traits -- and what he could do in a given year.

"He's similar to Mailata to me," a personnel evaluator with an NFC team said. "He's a big, athletic OT who can move with ease but has mental [lapses]/consistency issues."

Honorable mentions

Tyron Smith, New York Jets

"He's still great when he's out there, it's more of a durability and age thing at this point. But I thought he played really well last year. He's got to be a Hall of Famer." -- NFL coordinator

Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills

"Really underrated. He gives us fits every year. Plays with an edge." -- veteran defensive coach

Terron Armstead, Miami Dolphins

"Still playing at a starting caliber level despite his age (33 this month). Can still move and disrupt vs. the run and the pass. Still needs to be accounted for." -- AFC executive

Kolton Miller, Las Vegas Raiders

"Improved quickly over course of his career. Good in both run and pass. Struggled with anchor early in his career and has improved to a Pro Bowl-level player." -- veteran AFC personnel man