JKFOOTBALL Top 100 Players for 2025: 60-51

 As training camp begins, our big list presses on. Today will be our smallest release of the annual list as I want to leave the top 50 until the next one! Today will be players 60-51, shortly after I will release 50-26, and then finally the top 25! All before the season starts per usual. Since today's release is small, I will also do my annual 20 rookies I think have a good chance of being on this list next year when they are eligible after their first seasons are over! Lets keep rolling here.

60. Landon Dickerson, Offensive Guard, Philadelphia Eagles | LAST YEAR: N/A

2025 stats: 995 snaps played, 8 penalties, 5 sacks allowed, 79.2 PFF grade

After a one year hiatus, Landon Dickerson is BACK in my top 100, and he ranks pretty damn highly, checking in at #60. As far as numbers go for O-linemen, Dickerson's may not look like anything special, but there is more to the story with him. Dickerson arguably the anchor of the best offensive line in the sport. He was an elite run blocker with some left to be desired still as a pass protector. Still, he was absolutely instrumental in the Eagles' run to a Super Bowl title in which they relied on the run game more than anyone else. Dickerson was a key cog en route to Saquon Barkley's rushing season for the ages and also huge in the 'tush push' with Jalen Hurts. As a result of his elite run blocking and overall dependable play, Dickerson was named to his third career Pro Bowl this past year, oh yeah, and he got that ring. 

59. James Cook, Running Back, Buffalo Bills | LAST YEAR: N/A

2025 stats: 207 carries for 1,009 yards, 16 TDs rushing | 32 receptions for 258 yards, 2 TDs rec.

The younger brother of the former perennial top 100 member, James Cook makes his debut on my big list at the age of 25, inside of the top 60! After a lackluster rookie year, it felt like James Cook might be destined to just be a name value kinda guy, living in the shadow of former Pro Bowler Dalvin, his older brother. Then in 2023 he broke out to the tune of 1,100+ yards, but even then he felt like nothing special, more like he just got those numbers from volume. Then 2024 happened. Cook was a MONSTER. Not only did he rush for 1,000 yards again, but he racked up 18 total TDs and it felt like for the first time in Josh Allen's career, they actually had a run game that could propel them forward in games. Previously they had just kind of run the ball to run the ball, but now, behind Cook's emergence, they run the ball to actually win games. Cook ran for another 270 yards and 3 scores in the playoffs, as the Bills once again fell just short of the big game. Now, after the ever-elusive Cook had a career season, he is in the midst of a bit of a hold-out as the Bills have not offered him a contract extension that reflects his worth to the team. I am sure he will figure it out and start week 1, but it is definitely interesting to see the 2x Pro Bowler not being paid what he is worth. James Cook is officially inside my top 100 for the first time in his career, and I don't foresee him falling out of it any time soon. 

58. Terry McLaurin, Wide Receiver, Washington Commanders | LAST YEAR: N/A

2025 stats: 82 receptions for 1,096 yards, 13 TDs receiving 

After making my big list three straight years, Terry McLaurin fell out of the top 100 last year, but is back and better than ever after an elite season in 2024! McLaurin had arguably the best season of his decorated young career in 2024. He made his first All-Pro team of his career, his second Pro Bowl nod, and notched the most TDs (by far) that he's ever had in a single season. He went over 1,000 yards for the fifth straight season as well! McLaurin had never really had a top flight QB until this season in his career, and the two had instant chemistry. Jayden Daniels quickly found McLaurin as his favorite target, and it was a match made in heaven. McLaurin is an elite route runner with awesome hands and great RAC ability. The 29 year old receiver is now, like Cook above, in a bit of a contract stalemate with his team. He deserves to be paid big money with his consistency and also coming off of the best year of his career, but Washington seems to be standing on their business. Like Cook, I am sure this will be eventually worked out. McLaurin returns to my top 100 all the way at #58!

57. Davante Adams, Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Rams | LAST YEAR: #36

2025 stats: 85 receptions for 1,063 yards, 8 TDs receiving (limited to 14 games)

It has been quite the year for a perennial member of my big list. Davante Adams, who signed with the LA Rams this off-season will be on his third team in just a year. He started the year out in Las Vegas where he continued to produce despite the uncertain QB play, was then traded to the Jets where he teamed back up with longtime QB Aaron Rodgers, and the two picked right back up where they left off, and now he joins the Rams to play with an elite veteran QB in Matthew Stafford. While Adams is 32 and getting up there in age, he is still yet to really lose a step. Adams will be a good player well into his 30s because he is one of the rare receivers that really doesn't fully rely on speed to produce. Adams might be the most crafty route runner in football. His releases are insane and has defenders two steps behind him from the jump. And his hands remain as consistent as ever. Adams, despite being 32, could be in line for a massive season. Everyone succeeds in Sean McVay's innovative offense, and Davante Adams isn't just anybody. He is a 6x Pro Bowler who has been amongst the league's top receivers for a decade. Catching balls from Stafford, benefitting from playcalls by Sean McVay, and having an elite WR in Puka Nacua across from him, this could be a vintage type of season from Adams, who falls 21 spots from last year, but could rise again big-time with an elite 2025 season in LA! 

56. CJ Stroud, Quarterback, Houston Texans | LAST YEAR: #18

2025 stats: 3,727 yards, 20 TDs, 12 INTs passing

After a rookie season for the ages a year ago, CJ Stroud fell back down to earth a bit in 2024, but nontheless is still one of the best QBs in football, and is entering just year 3. Stroud lit the world on fire with his unreal rookie season, but in 2024, things got a bit tougher. Houston dealt with a lot of injury on the offensive side of the ball, particularly at the WR position. Teams were also better prepared to face Stroud after a year of film on him. And still, Stroud wasn't bad by any means. He took this Texans team to the Divisional Round for the second straight season after winning the AFC South for the second straight year as well. While all of Stroud's numbers were down from his rookie year, I think he could be in line for a major rebound season in 2025. Houston restocked on offense and should be healthy entering week 1. Stroud is too good and accurate of a QB to have another down year. While he falls from inside the top 20 to #56, he could easily be back in that top 20-top 15 range a year from now again. Stroud makes it 2/2 in terms of years in the league, division titles one, years reaching the second round of the playoffs, and years on my big list!

55. Brian Thomas Jr., Wide Receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars | LAST YEAR: N/A

2025 stats: 87 receptions for 1,282 yards, 10 TDs receiving

Who could have seen this coming? While Brian Thomas Jr. was a first round pick in last year's draft, I don't think anyone could have predicted him being this good this fast. BTJ exploded onto the scene his rookie year, putting up unreal numbers despite playing in one of the worst offenses in football. Thomas' 1,282 yards were third most receiving in the entire league, while his 10 TDs were also top 10. The 22 year old brings an unreal blend of size and speed to the WR position, and he instantly became Trevor Lawrence's top target and lone bright spot on an abysmal team. Thomas Jr. was rewarded with a Pro Bowl selection in year 1 and becomes the next man up in a never ending line of great NFL WR's coming from LSU. With Heisman trophy winning two-way WR/CB Travis Hunter entering the fold in 2025, things should become even easier for Thomas, who was absolutely elite in 2024, but could truly ascend to top 5 status in year 2! What a debut for BTJ, who checks in for the first time on my big list at #55! 

54. Fred Warner, Linebacker, San Francisco 49ers | LAST YEAR: #34

2025 stats: 131 total tackles, 1 sack, 4 forced fumbles, 2 INTs, 7 pass deflections, 1 TD

Another year, another top 100 for Fred Warner. This guy has become the model of consistency at the LB position in the NFL, and is starting to look like a future Hall of Famer. The do-it-all 'backer for the Niners just did it all once again. He is elite in every way possible on defense, and is the Niners' unquestioned leader on that side of the football. In addition to his whopping 131 tackles, he also was insane in pass coverage, picking off 2 balls and breaking up 7 more. He forced four fumbles and got a sack as well. It is insane that this guy is still just 28 years old. You look at a guy like Bobby Wagner who is well into his 30s and still producing and it feels like the blueprint for Warner. This guy could still be making top 100s and Pro Bowls into his late 30s!! He falls 20 spots, but is still easily a top 3 LB in the NFL and is still getting better. 

53. Tyler Linderbaum, Center, Baltimore Ravens | LAST YEAR: N/A

2025 stats: 1,094 snaps played, 9 penalties, 0 sacks allowed, 78.1 PFF grade

A year after being in my 'just missed' column, the 25 year old center Tyler Linderbaum officially makes his top 100 debut almost all the way inside of the top 50! Everyone knew Linderbaum was eventually going to be one of the best centers in the league, it was just a matter of when. Coming into the draft a few years back, he was widely regarded as one of the best and most complete center prospects we'd seen in years, but due to positional value, he fell to the late first round where the Ravens always seem to be waiting with open arms for talent like him. Linderbaum was ELITE in 2024, allowing 0 sacks the entire season along with earning the 5th highest grade in the NFL at the position. His run blocking grade was fourth highest amongst centers as well, and while his passing grade was considerably lower, again, he did not allow a single sack the entire year! He made his second career Pro Bowl to show for it, and now makes his first appearance on my big list!

52. Xavier McKinney, Safety, Green Bay Packers | LAST YEAR: N/A

2025 stats: 88 total tackles, 1 sack, 8 INTs, 11 pass deflections

While the former high second round pick out of Alabama had always been a promising young talent on the Giants, I hadn't seen enough to warrant what the Packers went out and paid him last off-season to come over and be their starting Safety. Boy was I wrong, the Packers made such a great decision to bring him in. McKinney recorded an interception in his first FIVE straight games in Green Bay. He wasted no time. He finished the year with 8 picks, good for second most in all of football, proving what a difference maker he really can be in the right situation. McKinney was named to his first career Pro Bowl AND made First Team All-Pro! The guy is just 26 and suddenly just entering his prime. Now in such a great situation, it appears the Packers will have one of the best coverage safeties in the game for years to come! What a move, and McKinney makes his top 100 debut for me at #52! 

51. Malik Nabers, Wide Receiver, New York Giants | LAST YEAR: N/A

2025 stats: 109 receptions for 1,204 yards, 7 TDs receiving

From a former New York Giant to now the most promising current one. Malik Nabers was selected 6th overall in the draft a year ago, and instantly made sure the Giants did not regret doing so. Nabers EXPLODED onto the scene in the big apple like no one has since OBJ. The young route running savant made highlight reel plays week in and week out this year, no matter who the QB was. It appears Nabers is the next in the long line of great LSU wideouts in the NFL, and even better, he can produce even when there is a nobody throwing him the football. As a rookie, Nabers finished 5th and 7th in the entire NFL in catches and yards respectively. Pretty unreal. He was a Pro Bowler as a rookie and now it feels like the sky is really the limit for this guy. While the QB play may not be drastically better in 2025, Russell Wilson is still a big upgrade. Its going to be awesome seeing some of those moonballs fall right into the outstretched, sure hands of Malik Nabers. Nabers checks in one spot outside the top 50 after just one season, in a year from now, this could be a top 25 type player on the list! 

The list will continue shortly! And as promised, here are my top 10 offensive and defensive rookies that I think have a chance to make the top 100 a year from now following their rookie seasons (in no order):

Offense:
1. Cam Ward, QB, TEN
2. Travis Hunter, WR, JAX
3. Will Campbell, OL, NE
4. Ashton Jeanty, RB, LV
5. Tyler Warren, TE, IND
6. Matthew Golden, WR, GB
7. Jayden Higgins, WR, HOU
8. Tet McMillan, WR, CAR
9. Omarion Hampton, RB, LAC
10. Shedeur Sanders, QB, CLE

Defense:
1. Travis Hunter, CB, JAX
2. Abdul Carter, EDGE, NYG
3. Mason Graham, DT, CLE
4. Jahdae Barron, CB, DEN
5. Nick Emmanwori, DB, SEA
6. Will Johnson, CB, ARI
7. Jihaad Campbell, LB, PHI
8. Ty Robinson, DT, PHI
9. Malaki Starks, S, BAL
10. Mykel Williams, EDGE, SF