2020 NFL Player Rankings

NFL PLAYER RATINGS 2020

Every single year Madden comes out with player ratings and it puts everyone up in arms over how their individual guys are rated. You get people upset about their overall rating in the game, speed, cover ability, and everything in between. That said, the game and player’s overall abilities in the game are just simply not accurate enough. I decided that from now on, every year I’m going to build my own player ratings and list them out, giving ratings from 99 down. This isn’t a lifetime achievement award, or how good I think they’ll be in 3 years, this is for this season, without position importance just simply how good of a player each guy is period. End of story. Get ready to yell and disagree, but at least enjoy the reading.

99 - Patrick Mahomes, QB Kansas City

This one is pretty damn obvious right? The guy has an MVP and.a Super Bowl and is only heading into year 4. I think he has a chance to be the greatest quarterback who ever played the game and he still has room to grow. I’m not going to get into stats or awards or why here, it’s quite simple. He’s the best player on the planet.

99 - Aaron Donald, DL LA Rams

Another easy one, the guy is a complete anomaly unto himself. He’s got elite quickness, uses speed to power, and can dominate games from the interior in a way I don’t think I’ve seen before. He’s the best player on the defensive side of the ball in the entire league and the way he impacts the game is unlike any other. 

98 - Stephon Gilmore, CB New England

Outside of quarterback I think I would truly build my team around the secondary in today’s NFL. If I were to do that there is no one I would rather have in 2020 than Stephon Gilmore. He’s an absolute shutdown monster and makes it almost impossible to throw the football to his side. He’s got elite ball skills, can move between man and zone effortlessly and while he’ll give up the occasional 8 yard slant, he’s someone who can make number one receivers seem pedestrian. In 2019 he had a passer rating when targeted of 44, with 0 TD and a league leading 6 INT. The dude is the best cover man in the NFL.

98 - Quenton Nelson, G Indianapolis

The best offensive lineman in football and there’s a gap between him and everyone else. I thought coming out of college he was the safest bet I’ve seen for a Hall of Fame player and he’s sure as hell in line to make that happen so far. He didn’t give up a single sack in 2019 and his run blocking and power in the run game is elite to say the least. There is simply no hole in his game.

98 - Julio Jones, WR Atlanta

I know others can make the case for Michael Thomas or Deandre Hopkins as the game’s best receiver, but to be honest those guys don’t have the go get it speed that Jones has and they just don’t instill the same fear in a defense. He’s had at least 1394 in 6 straight seasons, that is absurd. For his entire career he averages over 15 yards per reception as well, giving him the deep threat element to his game that in my opinion separates him from Thomas and Hopkins. Julio is a nightmare for defensive coordinators.

98 - Christian McCaffrey, RB Carolina

He’s probably a 90 rated player if you just put him at slot receiver, because I think there’s a chance other than Michael Thomas he’s the best slot receiver in football. You throw in the fact he’s an almost 1400 yard rusher as well, and you have the total package. He doesn’t have the power that some other guys do and he might not have the pure explosiveness that you’ll see from others, but he’s an 8 out of 10 for every category and he runs the crispest routes you’ll ever see from a running back. Total package and the rare running back that i have no problem paying top dollar.

97 - Deandre Hopkins, WR Arizona

In what might be the worst trade in NFL history the Texans shipped off a top 10 player in the NFL for peanuts and a bad contract to boot. Hopkins has the best hands in the entire NFL and he’s the league’s most physical receiver. His ability to pick up tough first downs in big time spots is the top in the league and his ability and confidence in the red-zone gives him the edge over Thomas, not to mention he’s got the best feet along the sidelines in the league. The only thing keeping him from the top spot in the WR rankings is his lack of elite burst, but give me Nuk Hopkins to go into battle with all day, he’s a superstar.

97 - Russell Wilson, QB Seattle

The most underrated player in the NFL today is Wilson from Seattle who has never even gotten an MVP vote despite playing in an archaic offense behind a weak offensive line his entire career. Wilson simply carries the team on his back and sometimes literally with his legs. This is the fist year he finally has some weapons around him and I think he makes a real push for league MVP this season. If they loosen the reigns in Seattle, Wilson could give them another division title. He’s one of the rare players who can lift up an entire organization.

97 - George Kittle, TE San Francisco

I didn’t know how fun watching a tight end play football could be until I watched George Kittle. The best tight end blocker in the game he’s someone who can not only flat back a linebacker, he has the speed and athleticism to hook defenders and set the edge in the zone running game, making him the perfect player for that offense. Kittle is the straw that stirs the drink in the Bay Area and what’s even more incredible is he’s even more dangerous as a receiver than he is as a blocker. Kittle can make the tough contested catches like most tight ends but he has the pure speed and acceleration to run away from almost every linebacker in the NFL. His deep crossing route and RAC ability is the best in the league and it makes him one of the truly best players in the NFL.

97 - Chandler Jones, DE Arizona

Why in the hell do people not think this guy is great? He’s an absolute superstar and gets virtually zero credit. Jones has 49 sacks and 62 tackles for loss in the last 3 seasons, those numbers are completely out of this world. When people think about elite edge defenders they always throw out other guys who are studs, and I totally get it, but it’s like Jones get’s lost in the dessert and it makes zero sense. The guy is a game wrecker, and this past season he added a chop move that increased his effectiveness even more, forcing 8 fumbles. I think he’s the best edge int he NFL heading into 2020.

97 - Jamal Adams, S New York Jets

The most dangerous man roaming a secondary right now is Jamal Adams and why the Jets are messing around not paying him is beyond me. If he wants 20 million a year, just give it to him because to be honest he’s so much more than just a safety for them, he’s a playmaker. As a pure pass defender he only allowed a 75 rating when thrown at last year and registered 6.5 sacks to lead all NFL DB’s. You pair that with his innate ability to tackle in space where he only missed 5% of his attempts as a volume tackler and you get a special player, and one who deserves to be paid at the top of his position.

96 - Tre’davius White, CB Buffalo

The guy didn’t even get a Madden score in the 90s and he’s the second best corner in the NFL by a mile. He is an All-Pro level cornerback and one that is arguably the most versatile in terms of his ability to play both man and zone at the highest of levels. His 45 passer rating when targeted and 6 interceptions to 0 td allowed is almost the exact same numbers as Gilmore and represents someone who is truly a league building block. I understand how people can overlook him way up in Western New York, he succumbs to the same fate as Chandler Jones to an extent being hidden away. That said, I recognize how truly elite he is and think he’s one of the greatest players in our game today.

96 - Lamar Jackson, QB Baltimore

The league MVP is the most dynamic player in the NFL today and certainly the most fun to watch. His ability in the open field is as good as any player I’ve ever watched, regardless of position. His improvement as a pocket passer without really any elite pass catching weapons this last season was truly magical and if he can get more help at wide receiver I think there’s a chance he could challenge for 50 TD perennially. That said what makes him so damn good isn’t just his incredible sheed, acceleration and vision as a runner, or the fact that he has a quick release, throws a beautiful deep ball or has good pop on his fastball. What makes him so good is that he’s the best quarterback ever at running the zone read and making the correct read on those plays, it makes that offense impossible to stop and makes Jackson impossible to contain.

96 - Michael Thomas, WR New Orleans

He might be the second best possession receiver in the history of the NFL behind only Jerry Rice by the time it’s all said and done. While he doesn’t scare me running down the field and I think his run after catch is good not great, he’s someone who simply gets open constatnlty on 3rd down and is the best chain mover in the NFL. He runs a deadly slant route and against zone is virtually impossible to stop. While his average depth of target last year was only 8.2 yards, which is absurdly low in today’s NFL, he was still one of the most productive and consistently great players of the season. Anyone who can average 100 yards per game is great, and Thomas is great.

96 - Zack Martin, G Dallas Cowboys

A dominant interior blocker who has both the athleticism to dominate at the second level and the power to open gaping holes. He rarely gives up pressure and almost never gives up a sack, in fact he gave up zero in 2019. Martin has the correct build to anchor against power rushers but from an interior line position he has the athleticism to keep up with blitzing linebackers as well. THere’s not much fancy to his game and he doesn’t just mow people down like Nelson but the guy is one of the most rock solid linemen you’ll ever watch play and he’s so technically sound that he rarely even makes one mistake in a. game.

95 - Travis Kelce, TE Kansas City

When he entered the league people said he was a good blocker but he simply wasn’t, it was a liability of his game. Now though, Kelce has become a very good blocker at the position and his ability to create mismatches in the passing game is dominant. Kelce is more dynamic than Kittle is in terms of as a pure pass catcher and he’s one of the league’s greatest chain movers. His ability to do the dirty work down the seam and in the red-zone are as good as any player you’ll find in the NFL. He’s a perfect fit for that offense. 

95 - Cameron Jordan, DE New Orleans

Another insanely underrated player and one of the best 5 techinques you’ll ever watch play. Last year he had 16 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and 25 more quarterback hits, just a complete game wrecker. He uses really good length with great athleticism for someone at 285 pounds, as he runs close to a 4.7 with tremendous lateral movement skills. He converts speed to power and uses his length as well as any player in the entire league. You couple that pass rushing ability with the league’s best anchor as a 5 technique in my opinion, setting the edge and letting players like Demario Davis become a superstar as he eats up blockers and let’s Davis patrol sideline to sideline. He not only wrecks the game, he also makes that entire defense better.

95 - Ezekiel Elliott, RB Dallas

He may be the most complete player in the entire NFL in terms of what he can do on a football field. Elliott can run with power, has tremendous vision, catches the football very well and is a top 2 or 3 blocker at his position. Yes he has the benefit of an elite offensive line in front of him, but he also makes them better by running with patience and finishing off runs with [power and and ability to pick up dirty yards as well. In space he has the wiggle to make you miss and the power to break arm tackles, but its the combination of vision and explosiveness that makes him one of the elite players in the NFL. There is simply nothing that Zeke can’t do on a football field.

95 - Calais Campbell, DE Baltimore

Honestly it’s a toss up between Campbell and Jordan for who the league’s best 5 technique is and I went Jordan over Campbell just because he’s younger this season. Campbell has insane power and while he doesn’t aha the quickness that Jordan does there isn’t a player in the NFL on the interior that has the true lower body power and pushes the pocket the way that Campbell can. He’s super long as well and typically players with his length either use it to disengage and rip, which he does super well, but they can’t generate the leverage, but Campbell is the rare bird who can. He’s such a good run defender and that 10/10 power and length combination makes him perhaps the best power rusher in the NFL.

95 - Nick Bosa, DE San Francisco 

The most explosive edge rusher in the NFL right now is entering only his second season. Bosa burst onto the scene as a rookie and quickly became the best player on one of the best defenses in the entire NFL. While his older brother is more of a technician and probably plays the run a tiny bit better at this point, there is no way if you leave Nick Bosa on an island for an entire game that he won’t dismantle you. His initial quickness and explosion off the line is completely devastating for offensive tackles and watching him play against Green Bay was one of the NFL’s most impressive performances of 2019. There might be more complete players at this point, but he’ll get there this seasons and there’s a real shot he wins DPOY in 2020.

94 - Davante Adams, WR Green Bay

Adams is the best route runner in the NFL, and if he’s not the best he’s the second best. His footwork and ability to create separation, even when double teamed is possibly the most impressive receiver skill in the NFL today. While he lacks explosive speed, he snatches the ball out of the air and uses his body to shield defenders at a super high level. Adams doesn’t scare you with his speed and yet somehow on deeper routes he generates considerable distance between himself and corners at a regular basis, and his comeback or back shoulder route running is the best in the game toady. They had almost no other pass catching weapons in Green Bay last season and he just kept the chains moving all year, he’s as rock solid as you’ll find in the NFL today.

94 - Tyreke Hill, WR Kansas City

Speed kills, and no one is more of a killer than Hill in today’s NFL. He’s someone who can challenge sub 4.3 every single time he runs a route and his elusiveness and acceleration in the open field is quite possibly the most dangerous weapon in the NFL today. He’s not big at all, coming in less than 180 pounds during game days, which is why he’s listed slightly below those other receivers, as you always have to worry about his durability and how much volume he can handle. That said there is no player in the NFL that scares defensive coordinators more than Tyreke Hill right now. He could be a 99 in acceleration and speed, and you couple that with vision in the open field and he’s the scariest player to stop in the NFL today. 

94 - Joey Bosa, DE Chargers

The player in the NFL who plays with arguably the best technique and hand placement is Nick’s older brother Joey. While he’s not the most elite athlete you’ll ever see, he’s got more than enough athleticism to bend the edge and get after the quarterback. I love though how he fights hands off of him and generates push and pressure. He’s got good lateral agility and reach and uses that as a very high quality run defender. Honestly there are very few holes to his game and he’s in the top 5 in the league in terms of consistency game to game. Bosa is a cornerstone guy.

94 - Myles Garrett, DE Cleveland

There’s a chance that Garrett becomes the best defensive player in the NFL in a year or two but I question whether he can keep it together mentally. The mistakes he makes on the field in terms of late hits and the decision to try to murder a quarterback with a deadly weapon are truly bothersome in terms of his impact. He’s also not quite as consistent week to week as some of the players ahead of him. That said, he also can be as dominant as any player in the NFL in certain games, and he’s someone who I think could potentially be the best player in the league on defense given time. His quickness, power, agility, and motor are just as good as you’ll ever find. He hasn’t even tapped into his potential yet and he’s already a game wrecker.

94 - Bobby Wagner, LB Seattle

Wagner is still the best linebacker in the NFL but his lead has certainly shrunk on other players. He took a step back in 2019 in coverage and in terms of productivity. That said he is still an absolutely wonderful player who does everything at a high level you would ever want from a linebacker. While he’s not quite as good in coverage as he was, there are very few people you want patrolling the middle of your defense more than Wagner. The guy is like a football encyclopedia when he’s on defense and he’s part of the reason that team continues to be competitive every single season. There may not be a twosome to build around in the NFL that’s more consistently great than Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner.

(Top 25)

94 - Derwin James, S LA Chargers

In all honesty I think James is probably better than this but he has an injury history and the most important part of ability is availability and he simply hasn’t been on the field enough yet. That said he is the new prototype for NFL defenses and the switch to position-less football. James can defend wide receivers, slot men, tight ends, and backs and has the ability to play single high or on the line of scrimmage. He’s a defensive weapon that the NFL really doesn’t have a comparable player for. There’s very few players in the NFL that defensive coordinators would want to build around more than Derwin James.

94 - Ronnie Stanley, OT Baltimore

Perhaps the best all around tackle in the game is Stanley from Baltimore. Yes he paved the way for one of the best and most efficient running teams we have ever seen last season, but he’s also an exceptionally sound pass protector who is one of the rare players you trust to leave on an island all game regardless who is opposite him. He gave up zero sacks last season and is essentially a rock at left tackle who possesses both the power and the agiity to handle any player one on one in the league. There are other people who you could say have a legitimate case for being the best left tackle in the league, but for 2020 I’m picking Stanley over them all.

94 - Mike Evans, WR Tampa Bay

Just one of the most consistent players you’ll find in the NFL today, and someone who produces at a high level every single season. He may not be the best, the fastest, the quickest, but he’s a top tier player at every facet of playing wide receiver. There is something major to be said about being consisntely great and that’s what Evans is. In 6 NFL seasons he’s had at least 1000 yards every year despite mediocre quarterback and offensive line play around him. In his 6 seasons he’s averaged 1200 yards and 8 touchdowns per year. He’s got the deep speed and leaping ability to take the top off the defense at any time but he’s tough enough to make the contested catch. Evans is rock solid and deserving of a higher rating and more respect than he gets from the average NFL fan. 

94 - Lavonte David, LB Tampa Bay

Another criminally underrated player. If he played in New York or LA he would be top of mind when you think best defensive player in the game but because he’s been hidden down in South Florida people tend to forget about the superstar. David is one of the best, if not the best, cover linebacker in the NFL today and his ability to chase down players sideline to sideline is an elite skill. He’s averaged over 125 tackles per season in his 8 year NFL career and almost one tackle per loss per game! But what makes him special is the past 3 seasons he’s given up an average of just a 73 passer rating when targeted, 20 points lower than the average NFL player and he’s a linebacker. He also gave up 0 touchdowns in 90 attempts against him in 2020. The guy is a complete animal in every facet of the game, he’s a superstar. 

94 - Jalen Ramsey, CB Los Angeles 

Ramsey had a bit of a down year by his standards in 2019 but he went from one scheme to another and that takes a bit of getting used to. That said moving to this season I would be shocked if he doesn’t have an incredible season. He’s got the best combination of size and speed at the position in the NFL and his toughness and physicality puts him in a different class in terms of who you feel comfortable with him guarding. I believe that in about year ten of his career he’ll kick to safety and be a superstar there as well, as he’s arguably the best tackler at corner in the NFL. Ramsey should thrive in 2020 and will establish himself as an All Pro level player again.

93 - TJ Watt, OLB Pittsburgh

My oh my was I wrong about this guy. I truly thought he was going to be a nice NFL player and instead he turned into someone who could end up being a DPOY guy year in and year out. There’s nothing he can’t do as a 34 outside linebacker, as his speed rush is elite and his ability to chase backs down, get off blocks, and cover in zone are very impressive. Last season he wasn’t just a dominant sack master, he did everything, including forcing 8 fumbles. The guy was on the short list for DPOY in 2019 and he should be right back there again in 2020.

93 - Von Miller, OLB Denver

He certainly had a down season in 2019, with only 8 sacks and averaging less than 3 tackles per game but Miller was still disruptive. Heading into 2020 you wonder if he’s still got the same explosiveness that he had in previous seasons where he was a 99 rated player. That said, he’s still an excevptoanlly disruptive player, and while he might not be what he was in 2016, he’s still dangerous every single play. 

93 - Khalil Mack, OLB Chicago

Seriously just read what I wrote above about Miller and copy it and paste it down here. Both guys are getting help on the opposite side of them this season and it should really help them with their numbers in 2020.

93 - Saquan Barkley, RB New York

This guy is terrifying if you’re a DC. Barkley possesses rare physical ability and pairs it with well above average vision and feel for the game. In the open field he’s as scary of a player with the ball in his hands as you’ll find and there isn’t anything he doesn’t do at a high level on the football field. At some point New York will get enough on the offensive line and at wide receiver to allow him to face some light boxes. If he gets that, it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Barkley challenge for 2000 scrimmage yards and a rushing title as early as this season. He’s got a chance for a Gold Jacket.

93 - Eddie Jackson, S Chicago

I just don’t get why people don’t put Jackson in the conversation with the best safeties in the NFL? Put. On. The. Tape. Since he’s come into the NFL there might not be a player who has provided more big plays than the Bears deep man. In 3 seasons he has 5 defensive touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles and 5 fumble recoveries. This past season his passer rating when targeted was 53, an insanely low number that put him in 6th in the entire NFL in that stat with people targeted 40 or more times. Simply put, he’s a dominant play making safety who doesn’t get nearly enough credit for being great. Well, here it is, Eddie Jackson, you’re a superstar.

93 - Keenan Allen, WR LA Chargers

Just an absolute beast of a route runner and one of my favorite pre-draft rankings I’ve ever given as I had him squarely in round 1 and he didn’t go until the 3rd. Allen is maybe the best player at the top of the route in the NFL today. His ability to gain consistent separation using quickness and savvy is a thing of beauty to watch and when you watch his film, it’s mesmerizing to see how he constantly is open. Not the biggest or fastest receiver in the NFL but Allen is one of the most reliable targets and someone who consistently posts 100 yard games. With injury history behind him, Allen has become one of the top players in the NFL today.

93 - Darius Leonard, LB Indianapolis

What does this guy have to do to get more love? Have you seen this guys’ numbers since he came into the league?? Last season he had 5 interceptions and only gave up one touchdown through the air. The dude has 12 sacks, 7 interceptions, 6 forced fumbles in 2 season all while averaging over 10 tackles per game! There’s nothing he can’t do on the football field at the linebacker spot, and this year with the incredible Deforest Buckner in front of him, Leonard could shoot even higher. He’s on an insane career trajectory.

93 - David Bahktiari, OT Green Bay

I’m not going to dive too deep into this write up but just know that he’s probably the best pass blocking offensive tackle in the NFL today and while he’s not elite as a run blocker he’s damn good. Bahktiari is about as good as you’ll find protecting a blindside in today’s NFL and he’s an elite player. 

93 - Ryan Ramcyzk, OT New Orleans

Bahktiari and Ramzyck are going to get the same grade because they are equally incredible players. I think that RR might be the most complete tackle in the game today as he’s clearly the games’ best run blocker on the outside. He’s a major plus as a pass protector as well but as a run blocker on the edge you’d be hard pressed to find a better one. Drew Brees, Michael Thomas, and Alvin Kamara are great players, but the two tackles in New Orleans sure as hell make life easier for them.

92 - Lane Johnson, OT Philadelphia 

He was the gold standard for a long time at the tackle position and he certainly hasn’t fallen off much. Johnson is an incredible athlete who has absurd feet and honestly moves more like a tight end than a tackle. While he’s dropped off a touch as a run blocker, although not much, his athleticism facing one on one pass rushers is pretty incredible to watch. I think he’s taken a small step back but he’s still one of the absolute best.

92 - Alvin Kamara, RB New Orleans

If 2019 was a down year, I would love to see what a good year would be like for the dynamic athlete from Tennessee. For the 3rd consecutive season Kamara caught 81 passes and he continues to show why he’s so difficult to defend as he runs the world’s nastiest option route and his flat route to the outside is nearly impossible for a defender to stop when he runs it out of the bunch set. His “down” year as a running back was still an electric 4.7 yards per carry as well. The guy is simply a dynamo who not only moves chains but scores in Bunches and his versatiltiy, toughness, and burst are an insane combination to try to stop. The only thing stopping him from being a 95+ are he just doesn’t have the workload of some other players on this list. 

92 - Deshaun Watson, QB Houston

The rare player who can completely carry his team regardless of who else is on it. Watson willed his team to a playoff win, and carried one of the worst coaches in the league to that victory. He makes plays that no one on the planet can make that aren’t named Patrick Mahomes. While everyone marvels at Mahomes arm or Jackson’s speed, Watson runs the ball with exceptional power and grit and has 2 straight seasons of 25 passing and 5 rushing touchdowns, all behind a poor offensive line with an outdated offensive system. Can he put on the superman cape again this season after losing Nuk Hopkins? Let’s find out if he can take yet another step forward in year 4.

92 - Terron Armstead, OT New Orleans

This dude is insanely athletic and essentially is what Lane Johnson is but from the left side. Armstead has had a little trouble with health recently but when he’s a full go he’s as good as you’ll find outside. His length allows him to make reach blocks and his quickness gets him to the second level and creates seal blocks that spring huge runs. He’s a tremendous player who hides in the shadows of that great offense but is a major reason for its success. 

92 - Chris Jones, DT Kansas City

Well he’s well known now after an incredible super bowl that saw him wreck the game for San Francisco at times. He’s someone who uses insane quickness and leverage to generate initial pressure. When KC gets up in a game and Jones is just allowed to go to town as a pass rusher there are very few players in the game as disruptive as he is from the inside. He got paid a lot of money, but there are a lot worse defensive players to build around when you have the best player in football on the other side. He’s going to get a LOT of chances to rush the passer over the next decade. 

92 - Fletcher Cox, DT Philadelphia

When you play a wide-9 scheme in the NFL you have to have an interior player who can be extremely disruptive or the scheme simply has no chance of working. Philly has a player who can dominate a game from the inside and forces double teams constantly, allowing those outside rushing ends to get home because of his disruption and penetration. With only 3.5 sacks last season people could say he didn’t have much of an impact but if you watched the tape he was a menace. He’s taken a small step back from where he was a couple of seasons ago, but he’s still one of the best players in the game today. 

92 - Mitchell Schwartz, OT Kansas City

He’s simply a tremendous pass protector who almost never makes a technical mistake. While he’s not the greatest athlete or the strongest guy you’ll see on tape, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen him out of position or reaching for a defender. He’s like a freaking mirror in pass pro. He’s very good in space in the screen game as well. Schwartz isn’t the run blocker some on this list are, but as far as pass protecting linemen, watch his tape, it’s a damn clinic. 

92 - Carson Wentz, QB Philadelphia

Look this is where everyone is going to freak out and tell me how dumb I am. Nick Foles won that super bowl etc… you’re wrong, ask NFL GM’s today who they would want for this season and there aren’t going to be many people who wouldn’t LOVE to take Wentz. He’s one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the NFL today with a rocket arm that shows great touch when needed, toughness, and an athleticism that is in the top 3rd in the league. He also has the size to hold up typically. What is the most impressive thing about Wentz though is that even though his team was decimated with injuries last season and he didn’t have a SINGLE player with over 500 yards receiving, the guy still managed 4000 yards with a 4 to 1 touchdown to interception ratio. He put the team on his back. He also does all of this with only 7 interceptions per season, so he can put points on the board without putting his team in jeopardy. Give him some weapons and you’re looking at a 4500 yard 30 touchdown guy every single season. He’s a stud.

92 - Demario Davis, LB New Orleans

Holy crap if you watched New Orleans last season, two things really stuck out. Number one is that if you don’t double team Michael Thomas he’s going to pick up 8 first downs a game. The second thing was that Demario Davis is one of the best football players on the planet. The guy is a freak in coverage and just seems to ALWAYS be around the football. The scheme there definitely plays to his strengths but my god can this guy play. He’s Cleary one of the best in the game and his All-Pro season from a year ago was much deserved. Great player. 

92 Tyron Smith, OT Dallas

Just as consistently good of an offensive lineman as you’ll find year in and year out. While he’s no longer the best in the NFL he’s still a perennial All-Pro and someone who can be stuck out on an island all while providing you tremendous run blocking. He can play any scheme, stop any rusher, and adds power to his game as well. He’s going to Canton when he hangs em up.

92 - Erik Kendricks, LB Minnesota

Another one of the great and underrated linebackers in today’s NFL. Kendricks is one of the best pass defenders in the entire NFL and he was at the top of his game in 2019. The guy only allowed 53% of the passes thrown against him to be completed, an insane number that added up to just 2 pass completions per game. When you consider he plays inside linebacker, that’s one of the more impressive numbers from the 2019 season. He was PFF’s number one rated linebacker this past season, adding 120 tackles and missing just 9 all season. The guy can do everything, but mostly, he gives you almost nothing easy in the passing game. Underrated superstar. 

(Top 50)

92 - Richard Sherman, CB San Francisco

The guy is getting older but his 2019 season was absolutely incredible. He is one of the best ballhawks at the cornerback position in the history of the NFL, and his ability to tackle and make plays in the flat are top level. I think that he gets a bit of a bum wrap for not being able to play man and “only” playing cover 3 but that conversation is for people who don’t understand how that style of defense is actually played. While he lacks the quick twitch that puts him in the top 10 players in the NFL anymore, and his deep speed is below average, his instincts, ball skills, length, and toughness, as well as arguably the highest football IQ at the position puts him squarely in the elite category of NFL players. When does the drop off start though?

92 - Kevin Byard, S Tennessee

I love this guy. I really believe there’s a case to be made that he’s more of a 95 rated player than a 92 but I’m still hesitantly keeping him here at this point. With 17 interceptions over the past three seasons he might be the NFL’s best ballhawk. He also is an underrated tackler, missing only 2 tackles all of 2019. While he’s a tremendous playmaker he also doesn’t mind taking the occsaional chance, and he did give up 3 touchdowns last season. Overall though if you want a playmaker in your secondary, he is probably the best turnover making free safety in the league, and you pair that with being an exceptional tackler and you get yourself an elite tier 1 safety.

92 - Nick Chubb, RB Cleveland

I honestly just thought he was going to be a mediocre level starting to rotational running back in the NFL, which isn’t bad but he has certainly blown away my initial grade of him. Chubb runs with excellent balance, and has a combination of power and pure speed that gives him a chance to get double digit yard runs with an unmatched frequency. Chubb’s ability to catch passes and make people miss are both well above average as well. I truly believe he is going to average well over 100 yards per game from scrimmage this season and he might be my number one breakout candidate and someone who may be the best running back in the NFL at the end of this season in Stefanski’s offense. 

92 - Marlon Humphrey, CB Baltimore

He is the best player in arguably the best secondary in the NFL right now. Humphrey might be the best hybrid cornerback in the NFL as he can bounce from outside to inside and shut people down either way. He’s probably the most underrated corner in the league, the guy was a first team All-Pro last year and yet nobody talks about him, it’s kind of crazy actually. I love his toughness and grit and he might be one of the top 2 or 3 DB’s I’d like to build a defense around right now, as he can do anything you would want from a corner.

92 - JJ Watt, DE Houston

There was a 4 year stretch where JJ Watt was the best player in the NFL. That said the injuries that have beset him since that time are starting to be wearing to the point where even giving him this rating is more hopeful than prediction. He wasn’t as productive before his injury last season and when he came back he wasn’t great. That said he’s still someone who constantly needs double teams and is dominant against the run. When he’s healthy, if he’s healthy, he’s one of the best players in the league still. He’s a 98 when healthy, he just isn’t enough and so I dropped him to a reasonable number. 

91- Derrick Henry, RB Tennessee 

No he isn’t going to help you in the passing game, and therefore fantasy owners might not think he’s as good as he is, but he’s the most physical running back of the past 5 seasons. Henry runs angry, downhill, and does an exceptional job of punishing defenders, wearing them down, and he’s the best finisher in the NFL. When I think about closers in the league, most think about pass rushers who can help end a game, I prefer to end it with the ball in my hands, and there is no better guy in the 4th quarter in the league to have in the backfield than the 250 pound monster in Nashville.

91 - Minkah Fitzpatrick, S Pittsburgh

Fitzpatrick is a jack of all trades in the defensive backfield and he’s one of the best playmakers on a defense in the league. While he’s not as consistently solid as some of the other players, his ability to force turnovers and turn them into points is among the top four of five players in the entire league. Fitzpatrick can cover the slot, play in the box, defend outside or play single high all at a high level. While some people thought giving up a first round pick for a safety was too high, I think given what Minkah did in year one with Pittsburgh, they would make that trade ten times out of ten. He’s a ball player.

91 - Dalvin Cook, RB Minnesota

The only thing keeping DC from being a 95+ player is his inability to stay healthy. Cook has an impressive combination of H/W/S and he runs with power and precision all while showing completely elite vision and burst. The inside zone scheme in Minnesota is his best attribute as he has good patience and initial quickness that allows him to get to the second level consistently. He also catches the football at a very high level and is one of the best players in the league in the screen game. They don’t use him a ton in the red-zone which knocks him down a few points but ultimately he’s a high level running back who will likely get paid soon. My question though, is how valuable is he really with his lack of health and a scheme fit where he’s perfect?

91 - Tyrann Mathieu, S Kansas City

To be totally honest I’m not sure he’s actually this good but his leadership and versatility are really important factors that force me to push him into the elite 90+ rating players. Mathieu was the original positionless player, combining to play a “safety” position but mostly he was a big nickel, linebacker, and free safety who can man up and play all over the place. While his lack of size is a factor in defending tight ends, he is a playmaker that is almost unmatched in the league. I love how he tackles, his toughness, and the chance for him to play virtually every back 7 positions. The Honey Badger is still a star.

91 - Odell Beckham Jr, WR Cleveland

If what he did in 2019 was a down year, imagine what he’ll do when he plays well. In his 5 healthy seasons he has averaged 1250 yards and 9 touchdowns and is one of the most feared players in the NFL. While he has had some conectration drops and his route running has never been in the same tier with the top echelon guys in the game, his absurd catch radius and ability to make acrobatic catches makes him a highlight waiting to happen. In his worst year his floor is 1000 yards and about 70 catches, a number one any way you spin it. What he’s capable of when he’s on though is being the best receiver in the league on any given Sunday. He’s a terror and despite what people say, he has one of the highest floors in the league on a year to year basis. 

91 - DeForest Buckner, DT Indianapolis

Being able to get interior pressure is the most important factor on defenses in today’s NFL. Buckner is a physical marvel, with insane length while still using good leverage despite his height and lateral agility that looks more like a 43 end than a 3T. His length allows him to get under pads of centers and guards whose wing spans are significantly shorter than his. This is a guy who can change a defense and a game plan, he’s a stud and while I wouldn’t have given up the 13th overall pick in the draft for him, and then paid him 18 million per season, he’s damn good. Buckner is quietly one of the most important additions of 2020 and it’s flown mostly under the radar.

91 - Harrison Smith, S Minnesota

Smith might be among the 5 most consistent players in the NFL right now and now that Anthony Harris has developed into a stud, this is probably the best safety duo in the NFL. (All respect to Denver). Smith is the perfect player in a split safety look as he has the athleticism and football IQ to diagnose plays at a higher level than almost every player in the league. He’s an elite tackler, takes wonderful angles, and covers up mistakes. Smith is the perfect player for Mike Zimmer’s defense. 

91 - Chris Godwin, WR Tampa Bay

Godwin is the best screen receiver in the NFL today. He has the acceleration and vision to pick up yards like a running back but shows good hands and quickness. He’s not just an underneath receiver though, as he runs inside routes and has a release that is very high level. While he’s not necessarily among those first players you think about in terms of great receivers in the league, he does everything well. Godwin snatches the ball out of the air, creates separation well, and has enough juice to run the deep routes as well. He’s a complete receiver who is incredible underneath. Tom Brady is going to absolutely love this guy, he’ll be dominant in 2020. 

91 - Grady Jarrett, DT Atlanta

Man if this guy could get someone on the outside to add consistent pressure he would be a 15 sack per season guy. He has the 2nd best interior initial quickness in the NFL behind only Aaron Donald. Jarrett can absolutely destroy plays with a burst and leverage that is obscene when he times the snap count well. While he doesn’t have the size or pop that other interior players have, he has that acceleration that is completely unblockable by lesser athletes at the guard and center positions. There are games where Jarrett is the best player on the field, those guys are elite.

91 - Allen Robinson, WR Chicago

This guy has had one of the most difficult careers for anyone playing the wide receiver position you’ll ever see. He’s only 27 years old even though it feels like he’s been around forever. Robinson had 1100 yards last season, and has a 14 touchdown season in his career as well. That said, you could make the argument he has had the worst quarterbacks throwing him the ball of anyone in the NFL since he was drafted. I truly believe that Robinson could be a top five or 6 wideout in the NFL if he had anyone decent throwing him the football. He’s physical, tough, and catches the ball well and consistently. All he needs is a quarterback.

91 - Danielle Hunter, DE Minnesota

Perhaps the best speed rusher off the edge in the entire NFL is Hunter out of LSU. Hunter has 14.5 sacks both of the last two seasons and is one of the most productive tacklers from the DE position in the league as well, getting over 70 tackles both seasons. The guy just dominates people who aren’t athletic and while he only weighs 250 pounds, he’s wiry and stronger than his frame suggests. The main thing he does though is just whip people who are slow, if you have a lumbering tackle, you have to double Hunter or he’ll wreck your game. Just a pure rusher who tackles at a very high rate. Really damn good player.

91 - Cameron Heyward, DE Pittsburgh

The most underrated position in the NFL is that of the 5 technique in a 34 defense. If you don’t have two good ones and you’re running that odd man front, your team has little chance to succeed. Heyward has been doing this forever and yet he’s still in the running as the top 5 technique in the league. Heyward essentially is a double digit sack artist who defends the run and sets the edge at a super high level. This past season he even added 80 tackles, which is a freaking crazy number for that type of position. He’s a great pass rusher who is even better against the run. He’s an elite player.

91 - Jason Kelce, C Philadelphia

I think for the past 5 seasons Kelce has been the best center in football and almost everyone else agrees. That said he’s almost 33 years old and he simply wasn’t as good in 2019 as he has been, while he has been a 95+ rated player for most of the past decade, he dropped a touch this year. Kelce is an tremendous player who has great athleticism for the position and his football IQ and recognition skills are high level. He’s lost some pop in his hands and his athleticism just isn’t quite what it was. I would still probably take him first at center for a 2020 team though and so he comes in here as the highest rated center in the NFL.

91 - Rodney Hudson, C Las Vegas

Hudson is a really damn good player who will challenge Kelce for the top player at his position this year. He’s got good power in his lower half and hasn’t given up a sack in the past season. He notices blitzes well and his anchor at the center position is as good as you’ll find in the league. He comes off initial blocks well and walls off second level players on combination blocks at a high level. While he’s the best in the NFL at anchoring in pass pro, his duo blocks in the run game open up huge holes. He’s rock solid, he just doesn’t make mistakes and that consistency and high level pass blocking puts him among the best players in the league.

91 - Kenny Clark, DT Green Bay

Just one of the better overall players in the NFL. He defends the run at a super high level and now that the Packers have two top tier pass rushers on the outside it opened up the interior for Clark to make plays. He really struggled in the two games against San Francisco this past season though as did everyone else on the Packers defense. Honestly though he’s still super young and I think he’s ascending as a player. He’s not even 25 years old yet, and I think this will be his best overall season. The Packers are in great shape defensively over the next few season with burgeoning superstar Jaire Alexander, Zadarius Smith, and Clark, creating a trio that could challenge almost any team in the NFL.

91 - Za’darius Smith, EDGE Green Bay

Last year he was probably a 97 rated player, he simply dominated every single game that the played and there were times where he was unblockable. His ability to apply pressure last season was incredible. I thought they overpaid for him but I was way off based on what Smith did in 2019. I want to see it for one more season though, I gave him a 90+ grade which shows that I respect the hell out of who he is as a player, and if he can do what he did in 19 again he’ll be rated as one of the highest, if not the highest rated edge player in the pre 21 rankings.

90 - Tyler Lockett, WR Seattle

Lockett has been perhaps the most efficient wide receiver in the NFL over the past few seasons and if he were on a team that actually valued passing he would be a 1500 yard receiver. Lockett has consistently graded out as one of the best pass catchers in the league and while his stats might not floor you, it’s simply because he doesn’t get the opportunities the other wideout’s get. He had the 24th most targets last year, at just 108 and yet he had 8 touchdowns. The 4 seasons prior to 2019 he only averaged 70 targets per season, so he just hasn’t had the chances the other top players had at the position. When he gets opportunities though, there is almost no one as efficient as the former K-State speedster, as he’s averaged 9.9 yards per target for his entire career! If Lockett gets 100-120 targets per season, he’ll be a dominant player.

90 - Earl Thomas, S Baltimore

People who think that he had a down year in 2019 just weren’t watching the tape. Thomas had a passer rating against him when targeted of just 25, which means that teams would have been more successful throwing the ball into the dirt after every snap than throwing in the Hall of Famer’s direction. He is a first ballot hall of famer and he’s the best single high safety in the NFL since Ed Reed patrolled Baltimore a few years back. Thomas is a solid tackler, but he’s quite simply a ball hawk who doesn’t give up any big plays. Thomas is getting older, but his play recognition continues to be incredible. He’s still great.

90 - Miach Hyde, S Buffalo

People just don’t give this dude enough credit. There is nothing he doesn’t do at a high level, including covering the back half of an entire defense. While Hyde isn’t an elite ball hawk, doesn’t create a ton of tackles, and isn’t flashy, there’s very few players in the league who make fewer mistakes than the Bills safety. Hyde gives up nothing deep and forces everything underneath, making teams drive the length of the field every single time against a very stingy Bills defense. He’s quite simply the guy you want back there if you value consistency more than anything else. 

90 - Jaire Alexander, CB Green Bay

I had a bit of trouble with him because while watching him on tape, the dude is just really good. While he was targeted an insane 110 times in 2019, he only gave up 53% completions which show how difficult it is to complete passes against the shutdown corner. That said he also did give up some bigger plays as well, allowing 14 yards per completion and 5 touchdowns against just 2 interceptions. Overall though, only allowing 53% against you and forcing 53 incompletions is a very high percentage that can’t be overlooked. I expect him to continue to improve year over year and with one more year to develop I think he could take another step up in 2020.

90 - Justin Simmons, S Denver

Wow was Simmons good in 2019. He is playing in a system that develops safeties at the highest level in the NFL, however so you need to be cognizant of the fact that Simmons could have gotten the Fangio boost. Simmons is ascending as a player and if he plays like he did in 19 again in 20 there’s a chance he becomes the highest paid safety in the NFL. He’s a physical player who has good size and speed, and he was exceptional in all facets in 2019. I think he had my vote for first team all Pro in 19, I just need to see him repeat in 20 before I make him the highest rated safety in the NFL at the free safety position. The guy was the 6th best defender in football in passer rating against last season and the past two years he’s averaged 95 tackles. Simmons is an emerging superstar.

90 - Matt Ryan, QB Atlanta

I know, I’ve got Ryan rated above Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady and the people who think pedigree should be more important than current value are going to be mad, ahem Madden. I know the players disagree too, but if you watch the damn tape, Matt Ryan is better right now and heading into 2020 than the other 3 future Hall of Fame quarterbacks. Yes he threw 14 interceptions last season, but you have to understand their defense was decimated and he was playing from 14 points behind almost the entire season, and protecting the football was really important in the early 2000s but to be honest, throwing a few interceptions is not the end of the world now, you have to throw into traffic to make big plays and score big points, if you don’t your team will lead the league in punts. Ryan still has the ability to make every single throw and is one of the best throwers of the ball with touch in the league. He’s done it with an okay offensive line and a mediocre running game. The guy has averaged 4600 yards and has completed at least 65% of his passes for 8 consecutive seasons! He’s also averaged 30 touchdowns per year the last 4 season… do be honest, the guy just puts up a ton of points, and that’s the entire job of a high level quarterback.

90 - Drew Brees, QB New Orleans

The most accurate quarterback in the history of the NFL, the marriage of Brees and Payton guaranteed both men a first ballot spot in Canton. The issue with Brees not being rated higher here is that while still insanely accurate, almost the entirety of his throws now are slot throws, seam routes, and options to the running backs. When teams are able to take Michael Thomas away Brees just simply isn’t that effective. His past two playoff appearances show that Father Time is starting to take its toll on the Saints superstar. That said, Brees is still a very high level player, while he lacks any pop on his fastball anymore and deep outs and dig routes aren’t quite what they were, he still throws with great anticipation and moves the chains as well as anyone. If he weren’t behind the league’s best offensive line and with the league’s best offensive mind though, there’s a chance he just ends up being slightly above average. 

90 - Adam Thielen, WR Minnesota

The ultimate man beater in terms of a route runner, Thielen is not someone you can contain playing him one on one. The thing that made him so great though was that the offense in Minny does an excellent job getting him in those positions and when the teams put an extra man or two in the box to stop Cook, Thielen goes to work in the slot, picking up first downs and big plays with frequency. Last year analytics said that Thielen was actually the most difficult man in the league to defend in man coverage, and while there are other players who are definitely more scary to stop, he’s efficient as hell and is someone who is so annoying to watch move the chains over and over again.

90 - David DeCastro, G Pittsburgh

One of the most consistently good players in the NFL, there was a two year stretch where everyone in the league said this guy was the best guard in the NFL. Now that title is up for grabs (it’s not its Nelson) but a lot have forgotten about the veteran in Steel City. DeCastro is a tremendous all around guard, showing good athleticism and mauling power that allowed for LeVeon Bell to dance his way into an obscene contract. He’s a quality pass protector who has tremendous football IQ and the pop and athleticism to block anyone in the league on a down to down basis. He’s not as good as he was, but he’s still a top 15 lineman in the game. 

90 - Trent Williams, OT San Francisco

When he’s healthy he’s arguably the best left tackle in football, but we just simply don’t know how he’ll be with a year off. His athleticism is going to be a huge bonus to a San Francisco running game that is the 2nd best unit in the entire NFL and despite a monstrous 2019 season they may even end up with more yards on the ground in 2020. Williams can be left on an island every play and his tight end like movement skills are a huge plus. If he’s healthy he’s more like a 96, we just don’t know so here he’s a 90 with major upside.

90 - Devin McCourty, S New England

One of the guys who makes that Patriot engine go is the versatile safety Devin McCourty. He can play all over the field but what makes him special is his ability to cover tight ends all over the football field. I love that he doesn’t back down from them and forces a ton of incompletions when in man coverage, it separates him from a lot of the other safeties in the league. While he may not be the fastest or have the best acceleration anymore his tape is as good as anyone’s. He’s an underrated guy despite playing for a dynasty, and he epitomizes team over player. If you ever wonder who is the guy who could be the poster child for the Patriot way, it’s McCourty.

These are my 90 rated players - I know it seems like there are some super big players who are omissions to the list but I'll explain myself later. I'm not done with ratings yet, just stopped at 90 at this point.