JKFOOTBALL Top 100 Players for 2025: 80-61

 Just like that, we are back at it again with the next 20 players on my annual top 100 list! Once again, remember there are no rookies on this list as to be eligible for my rankings, a player has to have played at least one season in the NFL! Lets get into players 80-61!

80. Julian Love, Safety, Seattle Seahawks | LAST YEAR: N/A

2024 stats: 109 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 3 INTs, 12 pass deflections

When the Seahawks signed Julian Love to a one-year, prove it deal two off-seasons ago, no one thought much of it. It was after the true initial first wave of free agency and it felt like a depth signing. Boy has it paid off for Seattle. Love has developed into an elite coverage safety in Seattle, and was rewarded quickly after his first season in Seattle with a big payday. This past season, in 2024, he lived up to that deal even more, and then some. The 27 year old safety was arguably the best player on the Seattle defense this year. He flies around making plays out of seemingly nowhere and is one of the main anchors to one of the best defenses in the NFL. Love is not only a great coverage player, but as evidenced by the rest of his numbers (109 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles), Love is a dawg in run defense and just overall tackling. Love now earns his first nod onto my prestigious big list, at #80, and feels like a guy that will become a perennial fixture from here on out in his career if he keeps up his elite play. 

79. Quinyon Mitchell, Cornerback, Philadelphia Eagles | LAST YEAR: N/A

2024 stats: 46 total tackles, 12 pass deflections

The second rookie from this past season hits the big list after his first season in the league! Everyone collectively kind of looked around at each other with some fear of things to come when Quinyon Mitchell fell to Philadelphia in the late first round of the draft last year. We were all correct on that one. Mitchell stepped in to a starting outside corner role from day 1 in Philly, and never looked back. While his straight up stats are nothing insane (although 12 PBUs as a rookie is awesome), they do not tell the full story as what seems to be the case often for CBs. Mitchell was simply lockdown, as a rookie. Mitchell allowed just a couple of TDs while boasting some of the best advanced stats for any CB in the NFL this past season. The sky is truly the limit for this guy, as many already see him firmly as a top 10 CB in the NFL after just one year. From Toledo, to the first round, to a Super Bowl champ, Mitchell is just going to keep on climbing. #79 not too shabby for a guy who is just 23 years old.

78. Jared Goff, Quarterback, Detroit Lions | LAST YEAR: #55

2024 stats: 4,629 yards, 37 TDs, 12 INTs passing | 1 rec. TD

The first Quarterback hits the Top 100! Jared Goff now makes it two years straight on the list ever since his career renaissance in Detroit! While Goff was even statistically better this season than last, he still falls 23 spots due to what is becoming a pattern of rough playoff play. In the regular season, few were better than Goff at the QB position. He was in the MVP race due to his steady play from the pocket and great decision making, leading the Lions to the top overall seed in the NFC. However, Goff and his Lions choked bigtime right away in the playoffs, losing to the Commanders in the Divisional round. While the loss is not fully on Goff or anything, he did not do much to improve their chances of winning that game. Still, Goff is just 30 and in the very midst of his prime. I expect another elite, surgical season from Goff this coming year, and with playoff success he could rise inside the top 50 for the first time in his productive career. Goff is an easy top 10 QB in the league right now in my opinion. 

77. Derwin James, Safety, Los Angeles Chargers | LAST YEAR: N/A

2024 stats: 93 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, 1 INT, 7 pass deflections

After being a perennial member of this big time list for the early part of his career, Derwin James was left off last year's edition. Injuries were catching up and I felt like his stud start to his career could have something of a Jamal Adams-like turn. I was wrong. James returned to health and form this season, and is back inside the top 80 after a single year off the list. At 28 years old, if he can continue to stay healthy, he will continue to be that guy for the Chargers defense. James isn't just a safety. He's truly a jack-of-all-trades, and has been for years. It was awesome to see him dominant in so many facets of the game once again this past season, totaling 90+ tackles, a whopping 5.5 sacks, as well as a pick and 7 pass breakups. This is what James does. And he has done it for years. The Chargers are looking to make some real noise in the post-season this coming season, and a huge part of that being able to potentially come true will be if Derwin James can stay healthy and continue to produce. 2025 will be a big season for James.

76. Mike Evans, Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | LAST YEAR: #69

2024 stats: 74 receptions for 1,004 yards, 11 TDs receiving (limited to 14 games, injury)

As long as Mike Evans continues to post 1,000 yard seasons, he will remain on my list. Evans just finished up his 11th year in the NFL, and just made it 11/11 for seasons played, and seasons eclipsing 1,000 yards receiving. Just unreal. With this past season, he officially TIED Jerry Rice's record of consecutive 1,000 yard receiving seasons. Will he be able to break one of the most unbreakable records in football this coming year? At 31, Evans is also more than just this record (although it is impressive). Evans remains one of the best jump ball receivers in the sport, possibly ever, with a real redzone threat knack (his 11 TDs this past year was the SIXTH time he went over 10 TDs in a season). He is in a way the thunder to Chris Godwin's lightning in Tampa. The world cannot wait to see if Evans can break the record this coming year, it came down to the last offensive PLAY of the regular season for Evans to do it this time, but he missed 3 games as well. If Evans stays healthy, he will break this record, and remain on my list again a year from now! Talk about a perennial member of my list. 

75. Alvin Kamara, Running Back, New Orleans Saints | LAST YEAR: N/A

2024 stats: 228 carries for 950 yards, 6 TDs rushing | 68 receptions for 543 yards, 2 TDs rec. (limited to 14 games, injury)

Similarly to Derwin James, Alvin Kamara WAS a perennial top 100 player for me UNTIL last season, when he had an uncharacteristic miss of my big list. He is very much back going into 2025, returning to the list inside the top 75! The 29 year old back is one of the best dual threat RBs we've ever seen. After a down / injury riddled 2023 season, Kamara was back with a vengence in 2024, posting nearly 1,500 all-purpose offensive yards and 8 TDs, providing pretty much the only life to the Saints' offense they had. When he's on the field, there is no question about this guy. He just gets it done. He is so fast and elusive, and you can get him the ball in so many different ways. Kamara will be entering his age 30 season, and he has already had injury problems throughout his career, so the end of Kamara as we know him could be on the horizon, but I don't think its here just yet. I'm predicting (at least) one more elite season out of AK before major regression. Stud. 

74. Jonathan Taylor, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts | LAST YEAR: N/A

2024 stats: 303 carries for 1,431 yards, 11 TDs rushing | 1 TD rec.

Jonathan Taylor has had quite the interesting first 5 pro seasons to a career. After an impressive 1,000 yards rushing as a rookie, Jonathan Taylor took the league by storm in 2021 in his second season, rushing for over 1,800 yards and 18 TDs en route to a First Team All-Pro selection, and runner up for OPOY. The next two seasons after that for Taylor were injury riddled and saw him COMBINE for only 1500 yards in those two seasons. Then, 2024, Taylor returned to form. JT rushed for over 1,400 yards and 11 scores, as pretty much the only bright spot in this Indy offense. Taylor returned to the Pro Bowl and now returns to my list inside the top 75. If the powerful and speedy Taylor can stay healthy again in 2025, he should only rise if he can put together another elite rushing season for a Colts team that has struggled to throw the ball in recent memory. 

73. Quenton Nelson, Offensive Guard, Indianapolis Colts | LAST YEAR: N/A

2024 stats: 1,083 snaps played, 3 sacks allowed, 10 penalties, 81.3 PFF grade

Similarly to James and Kamara above, Quenton Nelson had been one of my guys for years, making this list pretty much every single year...until last year. But, after a resurgent season for the Colts, Nelson is BACK on my big list heading into 2025! Nelson slots in one spot ahead of Indy teammate Jonathan Taylor, who surely is glad he plays with behind #56. Nelson, a multi-time All-Pro has been known for years for his elite run blocking ability, and it shows with the Colts having so much rushing success with Taylor and co. After years of disrespecting O-lineman on my list, I have more for this cycle of my list, and Nelson is certainly worthy of returning, given his consistency and longevity of great play in the trenches! He's back, and back inside the top 75!

72. Quinn Meinerz, Offensive Guard, Denver Broncos | LAST YEAR: N/A

2024 stats: 1,089 snaps played, 1 sack allowed, 5 penalties, 88.2 PFF grade

The 26 year old, Wisconsin-Whitewater alum Quinn Meinerz makes his top 100 debut for me! Meinerz was praised in his pre-draft process a few years back for his unreal strength and power at the guard position, but still fell to the third round of the 2021 draft. Since joining Denver, Meinerz has only gotten better and better, and now he is one of the elite guards in all of football. Meinerz is an awesome power run blocker, but also only allowed just 1 sack all season, proving he has come a long way in pass protection as well. His 88.2 PFF grade was third highest among all guards in the NFL. Meinerz was selected for First Team All-Pro this season, and is only going to get better. The reason that rookie QB Bo Nix had so much success as a rookie can be highly attributed to the great O-line play in Denver, spearheaded by the powerful Meinerz who debuts in my top 100 at #72 for this coming season!

71. Andrew Van Ginkel, Outside Linebacker, Minnesota Vikings | LAST YEAR: N/A

2024 stats: 79 total tackles, 11.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 INTs (both returned for TDs), 6 pass deflections

Who could have predicted THIS for the 29 year old LB? Andrew Van Ginkel had long been a solid rotational player in Miami, and he signed with the Vikings on just a one-year deal heading into 2024. No one thought much of it. Then BANG! What a breakout. Reuniting with former HC Brian Flores who is now the DC in Minnesota, AVG put it all together in 2024, and in a huge way. Van Ginkel absolutely STUFFED the stat sheet, totaling a whopping 11.5 sacks along with being a major asset in coverage, breaking up 6 passes and recording TWO pick-sixes on the year as well. Van Ginkel was arguably the best player on a great Minnesota Viking defense this past season, and it came out of nowhere. The 29 year old makes his debut on my list heading into his age 30 season, something you do not see often or really ever. AVG cashed in for his Second Team All-Pro season, signing a one-year extension with Minnesota this off-season for north of $20 million. Good lord. 

70. Danielle Hunter, Edge Rusher, Houston Texans | LAST YEAR: #57

2024 stats: 46 total tackles, 12 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 3 pass deflections

From a current Vikings sack artist to a former one, Danielle Hunter returns yet again to my top 100, slotting in at #70 heading into 2025! Hunter has long been one of the best QB hunters in the league, and he does not get quite the name recognition as some of the other guys who are in the same production tier as him. Danielle Hunter has 6 pro seasons of over 10 sacks, including 12 this year which marked his third straight double digit sack season. Entering his age 30 season in a loaded Texan defense, I don't see why he can't make it four years in a row. This guy simply knows how to get home, and does so year after year. DeMeco Ryans is a defensive genius, and he is awesome at deploying Hunter, who does the rest. Give this guy his flowers, he is a star.

69. Drake London, Wide Receiver, Atlanta Falcons | LAST YEAR: N/A

2024 stats: 100 receptions for 1,271 yards, 9 TDs receiving

Three years ago Drake London was picked #8 overall by the Falcons in hopes that he could become the next superstar jump ball, huge outside WR in the NFL. Through two years, he was budding, but not quite there. In 2024, he put it all together, and as a result, he debuts on my top 100 inside the top 70! With slightly more consistent QB play between Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. in 2024, and with more development, London became that guy. He reached triple digit receptions along with nearly 10 TDs and over 1200 yards receiving. London has gotten better every year of his young career so far, and at just 23 years old now, he is on the verge of breaking into complete elite WR territory. London debuts on my big list heading into year 4 inside the top 70, and I am quite excited to see how far he could rise in a year from now. 

68. Ladd McKonkey, Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Chargers | LAST YEAR: N/A

2024 stats: 82 receptions for 1,149 yards, 7 TDs receiving

What an absolute gem of a find by the Chargers' front office in last year's draft. People had been clammoring for the team to get some weapons for Justin Herbert finally, and they did just that. Ladd McKonkey stepped in and stepped up right away. He entrenched himself as the team's firm WR1 in his rookie season and for years to come. While a smaller player, McKonkey is tough as nails and makes his mark with top tier route running that many hail as top 5 in the league ALREADY as just a rookie. Ladd finished with over 1,100 yards as a rookie, and broke records in the Chargers' first round playoff loss when he went for 197 yards and a touchdown on 9 catches. This guy is primed to be one of the best at the position for years to come, as he debuts inside the top 70 after just one season, and he wasn't even a first round pick! 

67. Zack Baun, Linebacker, Philadelphia Eagles | LAST YEAR: N/A

2024 stats: 151 total tackles, 5 forced fumbles, 3.5 sacks, 1 INT, 4 pass decflections

Who could have predicted that one of the biggest missing pieces to an Eagles championship run was a little known former third round pick LB? Philly apparently did, as they signed him to a cheap one-year deal last off-season from the Saints, where he really had not done a ton in his career before. Baun exploded in this Eagle defense. He became one of the best do-it-all ILBs in all of football this season, en route to being named First Team All-Pro. Baun's whopping 5 forced fumbles were second most in the league, he was third in tackles, and added on another 3.5 sacks and a pick. He was just an overall weapon for these Eagles and was a focal point for the defense that took them all the way. After his amazing Super Bowl winning season, Baun signed a contract worth over $50 million this off-season to stay in Philly, where he, like Andrew Van Ginkle, hopes he can continue to build off his crazy (and out of the blue) breakout year. 

66. Will Anderson Jr., Edge Rusher, Houston Texans | LAST YEAR: N/A

2024 stats: 37 total tackles, 11 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 pass deflections

I gave Will Anderson a bit of a snub on my list last year, following him winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, but I won't do the same this year. Anderson officially makes his top 100 debut at #66 after getting even better in his sophomore season for the Texans. Anderson eclisped over 10 sacks with 11 this year, and was a pressure demon. Playing alongside Danielle Hunter, the Texans had arguably the most feared edge duo in all of football. The 23 year old has all the potential in the world, and has already totaled 18 sacks through two seasons in the NFL. I really think he is just scratching the surface and could be in line for a massive breakout DPOY worthy campaign in 2025. 

65. Baker Mayfield, Quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | LAST YEAR: N/A

2024 stats: 4,500 yards, 41 TDs, 16 INTs passing | 60 carries for 378 yards, 3 TDs rushing

I am one of the biggest Baker Mayfield fans out there right now, and as you can see, it results in a top 65 ranking for the former no. 1 overall pick. Baker has had such an interesting career thus far, but the most interesting part in my opinion is the fact that he didn't work out on three different teams before really coming into his own in one of the more random landing spots you could draw up. Since joining the Buccaneers, Baker Mayfield has done his absolute best to try and make fans forget about Tom Brady. His 2023 breakout first season in Tampa was awesome, but this year was even better. Mayfield exploded to the tune of 41 TD passes, good for second most in the league, but with that, he did throw 16 picks, which is really the only main downside of an otherwise elite season. Mayfield's 4,500 yards was also good for third most in football. Tampa is now 2/2 in terms of years with Mayfield, and winning their division. The team only got better this off-season, and the division still looks mediocre. Mayfield will have a chance to continue to lead the Bucs to division titles, with the added help of first round WR Emeka Egbuka along with the usual suspects in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans (above). Mayfield has turned into a Pro Bowl caliber QB who genuinely makes the team around him better. I think he could rise even higher a year from now. 

64. Marlon Humphrey, Cornerback, Baltimore Ravens | LAST YEAR: N/A

2024 stats: 67 total tackles, 6 INTs, 15 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles

After a hiatus of a couple years from my big list, Marlon Humphrey is BACK, and back within the top 65! After a banged up 2023 season, Marlon was back to his old, do-it-all self this past season. Humphrey tends to get a lot of credit for the things he is able to do in addition to coverage that you don't see as often from DBs, but this year he not only did those physical things (like 67 tackles and 2 forced fumbles), but he was absolutely elite in coverage. He picked off 6 passes, good for third most in football, and broke up 15, which was also top 10. The 28 year old CB just has a nose for the football, and he was one of the best corners in the sport with health this past year. It is good to see guys like Humphrey and Derwin James and more return to form with health. If we get another healthy year out of Marlon Humphrey in 2025, he feels like a lock to return to the list, and to return within the top 70 again as well.

63. Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Kansas City Chiefs | LAST YEAR: #23

2024 stats: 59 total tackles, 2 INTs, 13 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble

Trent McDuffie broke out into the elite corner conversation last season in which his season culminated in a top 25 ranking from me. While McDuffie played more elite football in 2024 to firmly establish himself as one of the best CBs in the sport, it was not AS dominantly, and he falls from 23 to 63 for 2025. I like McDuffie narrowly more than Humphrey for a few reasons. Age is a main one. McDuffie is just 24 and already this good, with less of an injury history as well. He is also still getting better, while Humphrey and others behind him may be at their peaks. One thing that is so impressive about McDuffie is that he is on par with some of those other elite CBs I talk about in terms of coverage ability, but while that is true, he actually has numbers to back it up. Some of the best CBs in the sport don't put up crazy numbers or anything because they rarely get thrown at due to their skill. That is the case for McDuffie as well, yet he still finds a way to make an impact on the stat sheet as well. This guy is just scratching the surface as he continues to leave other teams scratching their heads about how in the world they let the Chiefs wind up with him. 

62. RaShawn Slater, Offensive Tackle, Los Angeles Chargers | LAST YEAR: N/A

2024 stats: 903 snaps played, 6 penalties, 3 sacks allowed, 91.1 PFF grade

The 26 year old star tackle for the Chargers makes his return in a big way to my annual list. Since joining the Chargers a few years back as a first-round pick, Slater had been a perennial member of my list, until last season. What a rebound year he had. Slater allowed just 3 sacks, keeping Justin Herbert upright almost all season. His 91.1 PFF grade was the second highest of all offensive tackles in the NFL. This guy is straight up one of, if not the best pure pass blockers in the entire league. And even his run blocking continues to come a long way and he is at worst, above average in that regard. The Chargers are building off of a playoff berth last season, and Slater is one of their best players. His play will go a long way towards dictating just how far the Chargers will go this year, and many see huge things ahead for this team.

61. Trey McBride, Tight End, Arizona Cardinals | LAST YEAR: N/A

2024 stats: 111 receptions, 1,146 yards, 2 TDs receiving

Trey McBride has been a promising young talent on the Cardinals for a couple of years now, but in 2024 he finally put it all together and emerged as a budding superstar at a position in which there are very few. The 25 year old TE notched a whopping 111 receptions, good for fourth most in the entire league, not even just TEs. This massive total helped him break the NFL record for most catches by a TE through his first three seasons in the league. McBride also notched the second most catches in a single season by a Cardinal ever, just behind DeAndre Hopkins who had 115 one year. McBride was simply just a chain mover and seemed to always be in the right place at the right time. His connection with Kyler Murray was awesome and continued to grow throughout the season. Entering his fourth year, the sky is the limit for McBride and the Cardinals are banking on a good season out of him as they look to finally return to the post-season. McBride makes his career debut on my list all the way at the high mark of #61! Not bad for a young TE if you ask me. 

The top 100 will continue on shortly!