NFL training camps are fast approaching, which means it is again time for the league's true insiders to have their say. As part of ESPN's 2023 NFL season preview, we surveyed league executives, coaches, scouts and players to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions, from quarterback to cornerback and all positions in between. This is the fourth edition of these rankings, and as usual, several players have moved up or fallen off last year's lists.
Here's how our process works: Voters give us their best 10 players at a position, then we compile the results and rank candidates based on number of top-10 votes and composite average, along with dozens of interviews, research and film-study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. In total, more than 80 voters submitted a ballot on at least one position, and in many cases all positions. We had several ties, so we broke them with the help of additional voting and follow-up calls with those surveyed.
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 2023. This is not a five-year projection or a career achievement award. Who are the best players today? Check out who makes the list at every position on ESPN+.
We rolled out a position per day over 11 days. The schedule: Off-ball linebackers (7/8), defensive tackles (7/9), edge rushers (7/10), cornerbacks (7/11), safeties (7/12), tight ends (7/13), running backs (7/14), offensive tackles (7/15), guards and centers (7/16), quarterbacks (7/17) and wide receivers (7/18).
Top 10 edge rushers
Last season, our respondents voted Dallas Cowboys disruptor Micah Parsons as the league's No. 2 off-ball linebacker. Parsons' evolving role means that this season, he has been moved to the edge rusher category ... where the competition proved extremely fierce. Parsons took on pass-rushing brothers Nick Bosa and Joey Bosa, last year's No. 1 T.J. Watt, and mainstays in this category including Myles Garrett, Von Miller and Maxx Crosby. It all made for one of the deepest top 10 lists in our NFL survey ... and Cowboys fans just might find reason to quibble with the order at the top. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 defensive tackles
Could there be any other answer than Aaron Donald at the top of our defensive tackles survey? Of course not ... but the field is closing in. After the most injury-plagued season of Donald's dominant career, the NFL insiders we surveyed had some other names to consider among the league's premier interior disruptors. Chris Jones, an unsung piece of the Kansas City Chiefs' march toward a Super Bowl title in 2022, moves up the DTs list. The Jets' Quinnen Williams, new 49er (and newly rewarded) Javon Hargrave and a pair of Washington Commanders defensive tackles were among the other figures cited by our panel. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 off-ball linebackers
A change in category meant Micah Parsons was moved off this list and into the edge rushers group, while last year's No. 1 at the off-ball linebacker position, Shaquille Leonard of the Colts, took a tumble on our list after an injury-marred 2022. That left room for some new names. While Fred Warner might not be the face of the 49ers' defense, NFL insiders we surveyed were suitably impressed with the consistency of his impact. Roquan Smith also impressed last year, his first with a Baltimore Ravens team that subsequently rewarded him with a rich new contract. Others including the Bills' Matt Milano had strong showings here as well. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 cornerbacks
One of the NFL's premium positions has undergone something of a power shift, with Jalen Ramsey falling from the No. 1 perch he's occupied for each of the past two seasons. After a down season by his standards, Ramsey falls to No. 3, with challengers including Pat Surtain II (Broncos), Sauce Gardner (Jets), Jaire Alexander (Packers), Marshon Lattimore (Saints) and Marlon Humphrey (Ravens) all garnering first-place votes from our panel in this year's survey. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 safeties
Safety was one of the most competitive and crowded positions in our survey, with 21 players garnering votes. Part of the reason is the evolving nature of the position: traditional "post" safeties still exist, but many of those who attracted attention from our respondents favored the hybrid safeties who can switch to a linebacker or even edge rusher position if needed. Like cornerback, safety went through a changing of the guard at No. 1 -- our 2022 pace-setter Justin Simmons (Broncos) slipped down the charts after being slowed by injury last season, with challengers including Minkah Fitzpatrick (Steelers), Derwin James Jr. (Chargers) and Budda Baker (Cardinals) receiving plenty of support. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 tight ends
Our tight end rankings have been a nip-and-tuck affair in years past. Not so in 2023, where the Chiefs' Travis Kelce was a clear No. 1 as the 33-year-old continues his ascent toward Canton. How our surveyed insiders stacked the players below Kelce held significantly greater intrigue. The 49ers' George Kittle was again a major factor, but the likes of Mark Andrews (Ravens), Dallas Goedert (Eagles) and Darren Waller (Giants) were among those who also garnered top-three votes among NFL insiders. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 running backs
The nature of the running back position means shifts in our top 10 are inevitable -- but this year's list also offered hope to any backs attempting to return from down seasons or injury. Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey made significant moves up the chart after not eliciting as much praise from last year's respondents, with Josh Jacobs (Raiders) and new No. 1 Nick Chubb (Browns) also taking steps forward. Derrick Henry (Titans) and Jonathan Taylor (Colts), who fell down the top 10, are among those trying to bounce back in 2023. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 offensive tackles
You rarely hear one say that NFL offensive tackles get the glory, but those in the know have long understood the importance of the position -- and the dollar figures certainly reflect it. Laremy Tunsil's three-year, $75 million deal ($60 million guaranteed) to remain in Houston this offseason proves the point ... and Tunsil wasn't even No. 1 on our summer list. The mega-talented 49ers have yet another star at left tackle in Trent Williams -- No. 1 for a second straight year -- though Tunsil and the rest of the top five represent some significant shifts from last year's rankings. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 interior offensive linemen
The list of premier guards and centers elicited little consensus at the top. Six different players received a No. 1 vote, and all but one player -- Cowboys guard Zack Martin -- was left off at least one ballot. The 2023 group features two players making their top-10 debuts, but this list is mostly familiar faces. And the top player in back-to-back years, the Colts' Quenton Nelson, fell down the charts. The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles have a total of five interior offensive linemen earning a top 10 or honorable mention after their Super Bowl matchup. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 quarterbacks
No need to worry about the NFL's future at the quarterback position. This season's QB top 10 is abundant with young names -- Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson and Trevor Lawrence are all age 27 or younger -- though there was plenty of debate over the list's order. Mahomes' position at the top was virtually assured after he led the Chiefs to a second Super Bowl victory in four years. In the wily veterans category, Aaron Rodgers maintained his place on the list after his trade to the New York Jets, and Matthew Stafford managed to find a place on the list despite his advancing age and a rough 2022 season for the Rams. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 wide receivers
A total of 21 wide receivers eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in 2022. Seven of those players recorded 100 receptions. It all makes for one of the most crowded and contentious groups among the NFL insiders we surveyed -- one of the 100-catch players (Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin) didn't make our top 10 ... or honorable mention! If there was consensus, it came near the top, where Justin Jefferson of the Vikings will be a primary candidate to become the NFL's first 2,000-yard receiver in 2023. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »