Fresh names can be found all over ESPN’s survey of the top 10 players at every position. And that means every top-10 ranking had at least one player who fell from last year’s charts, whether because of performance, injury or the strength of the rankings. We collected those names here as the top 10 for each position was unveiled.
A reminder of the rankings process: League executives, coaches and scouts 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. More than 70 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 break ties.
We rolled out a position per day over 11 days. The schedule: running backs (July 7), defensive tackles (July 8), edge rushers (July 9), safeties (July 10), tight ends (July 11), interior offensive linemen (July 12), offensive tackles (July 13), quarterbacks (July 14), off-ball linebackers (July 15), wide receivers (July 16), cornerbacks (July 17).
Cornerbacks
Wide receivers
Off-ball linebackers
Quarterbacks
Offensive tackles
Interior offensive linemen
Tight ends
Safeties
Edge
Defensive tackles
Running backs
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Tim McManus
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni offered a pointed response to the notion that quarterback Jalen Hurts was along for the ride during Philadelphia’s Super Bowl run last season.
“I think that’s bulls—,” Sirianni said.
“I mean, he plays the most important position in all of sports. And it’s the most ultimate team game there is. And what I admire about him is his selflessness of doing anything we need to do to win.”
After a 2-2 start to the season, the Eagles shifted their offensive approach, leaning more on Saquon Barkley and the ground game and less on the passing attack. Philadelphia went 12-1 down the stretch led by Barkley, who finished with a career-high 2,005 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns en route to being named Offensive Player of the Year.
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Hurts finished the 2024 season with the least number of attempts (361) and passing yards (2,903) since becoming the full-time starter in 2021. But he delivered when called upon, including in Super Bowl LIX when he completed 77% of his throws and totaled three touchdowns to win MVP honors.
Hurts is surrounded by a standout cast that includes Barkley, wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith and a top-tier offensive line, but that does not make him unique relative to many other quarterbacks who have had lots of success in the league, Sirianni argued.
“One of the reasons I love football so much is that it takes everybody to accomplish your goals,” he said. “You can go ahead and start naming great quarterbacks, I’ll tell you their great receivers and their great defenses. You know, whether it’s Brady with Gronkowski or Brady’s defenses early on, Mahomes with Kelce, Steve Young with Jerry Rice, the list goes on and on and on. I just think sometimes that’s good debate, I guess. I wouldn’t even say it’s good debate, but it’s debate that people are able to have. But yeah, I guess, my first initial thing was it’s bulls—.”
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Rich Cimini
Another day, another major contract extension for the New York Jets.
Twenty-four hours after reaching a long-term contract extension with wide receiver Garrett Wilson, the Jets rewarded star cornerback Sauce Gardner with a record-setting contract — a four-year, $120.4 million extension, sources said Tuesday.
The contract includes $85.653 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The two-time All-Pro becomes the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, based on average salary per year ($30.1 million). He surpasses Houston Texans star Derek Stingley Jr., who received a three-year, $90 million extension in March. Stingley was drafted third overall in 2022, one spot ahead of Gardner.
Gardner posted to X, “this only the beginning,” and thanked his brother, Allante Gardner, and AJ Vaynerchuk, who represent him, and the Jets and their fans.
THE DEAL IS DONE? this only the beginning. my brother @allantegardner bts & @ajv got it done. I appreciate the Jets organization for believing in me, my teammates for the blood, sweat, & tears we put in, and JETS NATION… I appreciate y’all supporting me? Thank you GOD? pic.twitter.com/1qsiT3Xga3
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) July 15, 2025
Sauce Gardner had two years remaining on his rookie contract, including his fifth-year option in 2026 ($20.2 million guaranteed).
The Jets have now secured two foundational players through 2030, taking a proactive approach seldom seen with past stars in the franchise’s history. Gardner and Wilson became the first two former first-round picks under the NFL’s current financial system, which went into effect in 2011, to receive extensions in their first year of eligibility (after three years).
Gardner becomes the first Jets player since linebacker C.J. Mosley to be the highest paid in the league at his respective position. In 2019, Mosley signed a five-year, $85 million contract as a free agent. His $17 million-a-year average held the top spot among off-ball linebackers for four months.
Gardner, 24, made it clear at the recent minicamp that he wanted to remain with the Jets long term.
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“I want to change the organization,” he said. “I want to be a part of changing the organization.”
The Jets’ new regime, headed by coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey, stated from the outset that its goal was to keep the top young players, something pasts regimes have failed to do.
Gardner made an immediate impact, capturing NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2022. He’s the only cornerback since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 to be named first-team All-Pro in each of his first two seasons. Only two other defensive players have pulled that off: former
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Daniel Oyefusi
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins was arrested on a domestic violence and battery charge in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday, according to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and Broward County arrest records.
The 21-year-old Judkins had his initial court appearance Sunday morning, and his bond was set at $2,500. The charge is described as “touch or strike/battery/domestic violence,” according to the arrest records. The charge is a misdemeanor, Fort Lauderdale Police Sgt. David Soika told ESPN.
CBS News Miami reported Sunday that the judge at the bond hearing ordered that Judkins have no contact with the woman who is accusing him and that he is not allowed to have access to firearms. Judkins left the Broward County Jail on Sunday afternoon.
Soika said officers responded to a residence at approximately 9 a.m. ET on Saturday on a delayed battery complaint and determined that battery had occurred, after which they contacted Judkins and took him into custody.
According to the arrest report, the alleged incident happened last Monday but wasn’t reported until Saturday. Per the arrest report, Judkins, after showing frustration following reading text messages from his family, allegedly punched the woman with a closed fist in the chin/lip area while driving in a vehicle departing from Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Judkins then later allegedly also struck her in the left arm and thigh. The woman showed officers photographs showing bruising from the alleged assault.
Asked why she waited to report the alleged assault, the woman said, “she felt bad due to the recent success and career of the defendant.” However, after speaking with family and friends she contacted police, realizing “something needed to be done.” The woman said she and Judkins were currently in a romantic relationship after rekindling their relationship in June 2025.
Judkins, meanwhile, invoked his Miranda rights when asked questions with officers, per the arrest report.
The Browns said they are “aware and gathering more details,” according to a team spokesperson. The NFL is “aware of the matter but will decline further comment,” a league official told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Cleveland selected Judkins, a former Ole Miss and Ohio State standout, with the No. 36 pick in the 2025 draft. He is the lone member of the Browns’ seven-player draft who has not signed his rookie contract.
Browns rookies report for training camp Friday.
Field Level Media contributed to this report.
