With 2024 NFL training camps on the horizon, the league's true insiders made their voices heard. ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions, from quarterback to cornerback and all positions in between. This was the fifth edition of these rankings, and as usual, several players moved up or fell off last year's lists.
A reminder of the rankings process: Voters 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. In total, nearly 80 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 us break any ties.
Each section included quotes and nuggets from the voters on every ranked player -- even the honorable mentions. The objective was to identify the best players for 2024. This was not a five-year projection or a career achievement award. Who are the best players today?
We rolled out a position per day over 11 days. The schedule: running backs (7/8), defensive tackles (7/9), edge rushers (7/10), safeties (7/11), tight ends (7/12), interior offensive linemen (7/13), offensive tackles (7/14), quarterbacks (7/15), off-ball linebackers (7/16), wide receivers (7/17), cornerbacks (7/18).
Top 10 running backs
There's a new No. 1 at running back, and it should not surprise that it's the only NFL player who rushed for more than 1,200 yards a season ago. The 49ers' Christian McCaffrey was an easy choice, but several players received top-five consideration. Scouts and execs still think a lot of last year's No. 1 Nick Chubb, even coming off a devastating injury, while newer names, including Bijan Robinson of the Falcons and Jahmyr Gibbs of the Lions graced the list. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 defensive tackles
The retirement of future first-ballot Hall of Famer Aaron Donald means there's a new name atop the defensive tackles list, and it belongs to disruptive Kansas City Chiefs lineman Chris Jones. But intrigue abounds as the list progresses, with a couple of New York stars in the Jets' Quinnen Williams and Giants' Dexter Lawrence II receiving high marks from our panel, as did emerging Baltimore Ravens star Justin Madubuike. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 edge rushers
"If you don't double-team him, he's going to f---ing kill you," an NFL coordinator said of Myles Garrett, who took over the No. 1 spot on our survey of the league's top pass rushers. There's plenty of star power beyond Garrett, with big names including the Cowboys' Micah Parsons, 49ers' Nick Bosa and Steelers' T.J. Watt all jockeying for position in the top five. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 safeties
There's a sea change at safety, where the Bucs' Antoine Winfield Jr. (No. 10 in last year's survey) and the Ravens' Kyle Hamilton (unranked last year) occupy prime real estate on this year's Top 10. But there was still plenty of room for staples, as the Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cardinals' Budda Baker and Chargers' Derwin James Jr. all secured prominent positions as well. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 tight ends
In what has become the era of the tight end, execs were split very closely on their top choice at the position. Last year's No. 1 Travis Kelce and 49ers standout George Kittle were close in our voting, with other top-tier names including the Ravens' Mark Andrews, Lions' Sam LaPorta and Vikings' T.J. Hockenson finding spots in the top five as well. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 interior offensive linemen
Seven different players received at least one No. 1 vote in our survey ranking guards and centers, but Cowboys' interior stalwart Zack Martin proved difficult to move at the top of the list. One member of the Philadelphia Eagles did make the Top 10 in the first year of the post-Jason Kelce era, but it was the Kansas City Chiefs -- who placed three players in the 2024 rankings -- who occupied the most real estate. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 offensive tackles
Nine out of last year's list of 10 tackles returned to the top 10 in 2024, including the 49ers' Trent Williams holding down the top spot for a third straight year. But that doesn't mean the list was without change, as the Lions' Penei Sewell made a huge jump after a big season and the Ravens' Ronnie Stanley also finding a place in the top 10 for the first time. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 quarterbacks
Although the selection of Patrick Mahomes to the No. 1 spot was hardly an overwhelming surprise after the Chief's third Super Bowl title, competition for a top-10 position among our quarterback panel was fierce. The Bengals' Joe Burrow, Bills' Josh Allen and reigning NFL MVP and Ravens star Lamar Jackson all made a serious bid for No. 2. Respect was also afforded a couple of longtime vets, with both the Rams' Matthew Stafford and Jets' Aaron Rodgers faring well on our list. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 off-ball linebackers
Though edge-rushing linebackers might get more of the glory, several off-ball LBs will be key to their team's success in 2024 and beyond. The 49ers' Fred Warner is foremost among that group, though Warner had strong competition in the top five. Ravens star Roquan Smith, the Bills' Matt Milano and new Pittsburgh Steeler Patrick Queen were among the other high-profile names with prominent spots on our list. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 wide receivers
Is there a deeper NFL position to attempt to rank than wide receiver? The 2024 list, where even players coming off of 1,400-yard receiving years were uncertain to make the top 10, provides an argument that the answer is no. The Vikings' Justin Jefferson (No. 1 last season) fared well for a second straight year but the top five beyond Jefferson underwent a major shakeup. Tyreek Hill and CeeDee Lamb were among the beneficiaries there. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »
Top 10 cornerbacks
ESPN's final position rankings included a repeat champ at No. 1, as the Broncos' Pat Surtain II again took the No. 1 mantle at corner. Changes followed Surtain on the chart, however, with some big jumps (the Browns' Denzel Ward and the Titans' L'Jarius Sneed) and some big-name drops (the Jets' Sauce Gardner, Dolphins' Jalen Ramsey and Packers' Jaire Alexander) characterizing this group. See our top 10 on ESPN+ »