Ranking the NFL’s Best Players at Every Position for 2024

With the 2024 NFL training camps fast approaching, it’s time once again 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 everything in between. This is the fifth year of these rankings, and as usual, multiple players moved up and down the list from last year.

A reminder about the rankings process: Voters give us their top 10 players at a position, then we compile the results and rank candidates based on the number of top-10 votes, the composite average, and dozens of interviews, with help from research and film study by ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. In all, nearly 80 voters cast ballots at at least one position, and in many cases, all positions. Additional votes and follow-up interviews with respondents help us break any ties.

Each section features quotes and nuggets from the voters for every ranked player — even the honorable mentions. The goal is to identify the best players playing today for 2024. This isn’t a five-year forecast or a career achievement award. Who are the best players playing today?

We roll out one position per day over 11 days. The scheme: 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).

Top 10 running backs

There’s a new No. 1 running back in town, and it should come as no surprise that he’s the only NFL player to rush for more than 1,200 yards last season. The 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey was an easy choice, but several players were considered for a spot in the top five. Scouts and executives still think highly of last year’s No. 1, Nick Chubb, even after a devastating injury, while newer names including the Falcons’ Bijan Robinson and the Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs have graced the list. Check out our top 10 on ESPN+ »

Top 10 Defensive Tackles

The retirement of future first-ballot Hall of Famer Aaron Donald means there’s a new name at the top of the defensive tackle list, and that’s Kansas City Chiefs’ disruptive lineman Chris Jones. But the intrigue builds as the list progresses, with a pair of New York stars in the Jets’ Quinnen Williams and Giants’ Dexter Lawrence II earning high marks from our panel, as does rising Baltimore Ravens star Justin Madubuike. Check out our top 10 on ESPN+ »

Top 10 edge rushers

“If you don’t double-team him, he’s going to f—ing kill you,” one NFL coordinator said of Myles Garrett, who ranked No. 1 in our survey of the league’s best pass rushers. There’s plenty of star power outside of Garrett, with big names like the Cowboys’ Micah Parsons, the 49ers’ Nick Bosa and the Steelers’ TJ Watt all vying for a spot in the top five. Check out our top 10 on ESPN+ »

Top 10 Safety Measures

There’s been a shift at safety, with the Bucs’ Antoine Winfield Jr. (No. 10 in last year’s poll) and the Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton (unranked last year) taking center stage in this year’s Top 10. But there was still plenty of room for regulars, with the Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Cardinals’ Budda Baker and the Chargers’ Derwin James Jr. all taking center stage as well. Check out our top 10 on ESPN+ »