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).
Pesky Chiefs aside, the NFL is ripe for a new crop of champion quarterbacks.
Today's league features four Super Bowl winners set to start games under center in 2024: Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and Russell Wilson.
That's half the total from 2020, when the likes of Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger were still here setting records.
The talent pool suggests new faces will emerge on the ultimate stage. Five of the top-seven quarterbacks in this year's Top 10 series are 27 years old or younger.
They have mobility, ample arm strength and strong early track records. This made for a highly competitive voting process, especially among the top passers directly behind Mahomes, who, if he has his way, will keep that number of Super Bowl-winning passers at four.
But some veterans on this list have also improved their standing, and depth at the position is looking up. Any of the top 16 to 18 quarterbacks are capable of leading playoff drives and making noise in the postseason.
Let's look at some of the game's top QBs as ranked by execs, coaches and scouts around the NFL.