With 2024 NFL training camps on the horizon, it is again time for the league's true insiders to make 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 is the fifth edition of these rankings, and as usual, several players have moved up or fallen 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 includes quotes and nuggets from the voters on every ranked player -- even the honorable mentions. The objective is to identify the best players right now for 2024. This is not a five-year projection or a career achievement award. Who are the best players today?
We will roll 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).
This year's linebacker group has a clear Tier 1 -- and a sizable dropoff after that.
Middle linebackers spanning two coasts -- from the Bay Area to the Inner Harbor -- dominated the first- and second-place voting. The results after that were not so clear-cut. Ten other players received at least one third-place vote, and in all, 21 linebackers made a top-10 ballot.
And three new entrants cracked the top 10, two of whom are 24 years old.
Here are the results for top off-ball linebacker based on voting from NFL executives, coaches and scouts.
1. Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 2
Age: 27 | Last year's ranking: 1
The red-and-gold standard of off-ball linebackers, Warner dominated the voting with more than 80% of the first-place votes.
Warner just earned his third All-Pro first-team nod in the past four years, setting career highs with four interceptions and four forced fumbles.
"He's like an elite quarterback in terms of managing the game," an NFL coordinator said. "Checks, adjustments, unbelievable awareness and instincts. He allows the other 10 people around him to function at a high level collectively because of what he's able to do mentally."
Once known more for his work on passing downs, Warner ranked third among linebackers in run stop win rate at 43% last season.
2. Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 2
Age: 27 | Last year's ranking: 2
The emotional leader for one of the league's best defenses, Smith produced a career-high eight pass deflections to go with 158 tackles.
His 39% run stop win rate tied for 10th among linebackers.
"Tremendous blitzer, very physical, plays with excellent power and leverage," a veteran AFC coach said. "Better run player than pass player in my opinion. But he covers a ton of ground in a hurry, great burst. Couldn't be in a better spot than Baltimore."
Smith is coming off his second consecutive first-team All-Pro season.
3. Matt Milano, Buffalo Bills
Highest ranking: 4 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 29 | Last year's ranking: 4
A tibial plateau fracture in his right leg cost Milano most of his 2023 season, but his play in space remains among the best.
Over his past 20 games, Milano has five interceptions, 100 return yards and 13 pass deflections.
"Great mover with instincts -- an elite zone coverage player," a veteran NFL defensive coach said. "Not as good in man, but for what [the Bills] do he's perfect. Just an OK blitzer."
Milano's injury shouldn't hamper his efforts in 2024 as he tries to regain his All-Pro form from two years ago.
4. Patrick Queen, Pittsburgh Steelers
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 24 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
Pittsburgh's linebacker tradition is rich, but the team rarely spends top dollar in free agency.
By giving Queen a three-year, $41 million deal in March, Pittsburgh effectively plucked a star out of rival Baltimore while reimagining the middle of its defense.
Queen did a little bit of everything for Baltimore, racking up 133 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 6 pass deflections.
"Closing speed and blitzing ability," an AFC executive said. "He'll make a big impact on Pittsburgh's defense."
A few veteran NFL coaches said that while Queen is a physical run player and solid in man coverage, he misses plays he should make in "match" zone coverage.
"Lack of instincts might show now that he's not playing next to Superman [Roquan Smith]," an NFC exec said.
5. Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 24 | Last year's ranking: 8
Here's quite the compliment for Bolton: He's "the closest thing to Fred Warner" in the NFL because of his football instincts, according to one NFL defensive coach.
A wrist injury cost Bolton significant time in 2023, but he still managed 40 tackles in four playoff games on the way to the Super Bowl.
"Fast, physical, tough, good for their scheme, assignment-sound," an NFC scout said. "Cleans up leakage vs. the run and not a throwaway on passing downs."
An NFC exec countered that while Bolton has several qualities you love in a linebacker, he's not a top-end athlete like some of the others in the top 10.
6. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Cleveland Browns
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 24 | Last year's ranking: Unranked
After injuries limited his first two years in the league, Owusu-Koramoah enjoyed a Pro Bowl turn in Year 3.
Owusu-Koramoah led all off-ball linebackers in tackles for loss (20) and tied for first with Houston's Denzel Perryman in run stop win rate (44).
He showed up big time in a playoff loss to Houston, penetrating the backfield for several takedowns.
"Tremendous athlete, runs like a corner," an NFC scout said of the 6-foot-2, 221-pound linebacker. "Finally found his stride and played with confidence."
One AFC executive countered that Owusu-Koramoah's play is "too inconsistent" to be elite, and that he must tighten up in coverage. But an NFC exec said you can live with a few mistakes because the game-changing plays are so good.
"Many of us [scouts] loved his ability coming out [of the 2021 draft] but were concerned with his size, but he's overcome that and he makes plays all over the field," the exec said. "You can live with the lack of instincts in some areas because he's a playmaker with a quick trigger to the ball."
7. Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago Bears
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 26 | Last year's ranking: 3
At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds with elite speed, Edmunds possesses the high-end traits that scouts love. And while Buffalo knocked him for his lack of splash plays over four seasons there, he delivered four interceptions in his first year in Chicago.
"He's the classic Tampa-2 Mike linebacker, the prototype for that role," an NFL defensive coach said. "Better as a zone coverage player, a little light in the run game, not as physical as you'd like him to be but has serious range."
A knock against Edmunds: Multiple voters said fellow Chicago linebacker T.J. Edwards outplayed him in 2023.
8. Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints
Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 35 | Last year's ranking: 6
Forget aging out of viability. Davis keeps racking up top-five votes in his mid-30s.
Davis led all inside linebackers in sacks (6.5) and recorded 12 tackles for loss and four pass deflections while playing nearly 1,100 snaps.
"Still Demario," an NFC scout said about how Davis has held up. "He's found the right blend of work ethic, natural maturation and football awareness that has enabled him to sustain his level of play and extend his career."
Where Davis gets the edge over other thirty-somethings at his position is "inline pass-rush ability," per a veteran AFC assistant coach.
"You probably want him out of coverage on third downs at this stage, but he's better than those other guys at getting pressure," the coach said.
9. Dre Greenlaw, San Francisco 49ers
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 27 | Last year's ranking: 10
Some voters kept Greenlaw off the list because of the Achilles tear he suffered in the Super Bowl that will jeopardize his early 2024 campaign.
But many others believe he has earned top-five status with his play.
"He has instincts in the run game, slipping blocks, knowing when he has to get over the top or anticipate the cut," an NFL coordinator said. "Top 5-7 in the game in play-action pass recognition."
Greenlaw finished the year with 120 tackles (5 for a loss), 4 passes defended and 1 sack.
10. Foyesade Oluokun, Jacksonville Jaguars
Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 28 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
If tackles are your thing, Oluokun is your guy.
Oluokun has 487 tackles over the past three years, leading the NFL in two of them. In 2023, he added a career-high 10 quarterback hits.
"Speed, athleticism, range, production," an NFL personnel evaluator said. "We liked him a lot in the free agent market a few years back." One knock is a lack of splash plays, particularly in coverage.
"There are better cover LBs, but down in and down out, he's been a really good player and cleans up a lot in the run game," a personnel head with an NFL team said. "Great with hands and shedding blocks."
Honorable mentions
"Field general, loves to be coached and absorb as much information as possible, great instincts and smarts. Speed has declined. Struggled a bit down the stretch." -- AFC scout
Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
"He started slowly last year, but he was excellent in the second half. He tore us up when we played him." -- NFC executive
Quincy Williams, New York Jets
"Explosive hitter that brings the attack and high effort/mentality to the Jets' defense." -- veteran NFL defensive coach
Logan Wilson, Cincinnati Bengals
"A three-down backer that excels in the run game and the drop/play-action pass." -- NFC coordinator
Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts
"Really disruptive. The way Gus [Bradley] plays him, he can fly around and cause turnovers." -- AFC coordinator
"He's really good. Not a premier athlete, but he was one of Chicago's best players last year." -- NFC exec
Bobby Wagner, Washington Commanders
"Not the athlete he once was but can still impact the game off instincts and leadership." -- veteran NFL defensive coach
Also receiving votes: Jordyn Brooks (Miami Dolphins), Christian Harris (Houston Texans), Frankie Luvu (Washington Commanders), Devin White (Philadelphia Eagles)