Barkley’s debut season with the Eagles was nothing short of historic. He rushed for 2,005 yards on 345 attempts (5.8 yards per carry), scored 13 rushing touchdowns, and added 33 receptions for 278 yards and two more scores. His dominance extended into the playoffs, propelling Philadelphia to its second Super Bowl title and earning him AP Offensive Player of the Year honors. Barkley’s impact was so profound that he broke the all-time single-season records for rushing yards (2,504) and scrimmage yards (2,857) including playoffs, surpassing Hall of Famer Terrell Davis. His performance has been immortalized on the cover of Madden 26, and the Eagles made him the first running back in history to earn over $20 million per year following just one season in Philadelphia. Saquon Barkley on Twitter
The top 10 of this year’s ranking was packed with superstars who shaped the 2024 season. Patrick Surtain II (Denver Broncos) led all defensive backs after a Defensive Player of the Year campaign, allowing less than 50 receiving yards in any game and locking down top receivers like Ja’Marr Chase and Mike Evans. Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings) rebounded with 1,533 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, leading the league in vertical route yardage. Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns) continued his dominance as an edge rusher, setting the record as the fastest to 100 career sacks before age 29. Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens) posted the most rushing yards ever for a running back over 30, and Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) set franchise records for completions, passing yards, and touchdowns, joining Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers in the elite 4,500-yard/40-touchdown/under-10-INT club.
Quarterbacks dominated the upper echelons as usual. Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) maintained a top-10 presence despite a statistically down year, leading the Chiefs to a 15-1 record and a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance. Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals) became the youngest player in the Super Bowl era to win the receiving triple crown, while Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) combined for 41 total touchdowns and minimized turnovers, earning MVP honors. Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) delivered his best passing season yet, setting records for passing and rushing yardage and leading all quarterbacks in fantasy points, though he narrowly missed a third MVP award.
However, the list’s composition has not been without controversy. According to Jeremy Bergman’s analysis on NFL.com, the Philadelphia Eagles’ dominance in the Top 100 was unprecedented, with ten players making the cut—the highest team representation since the ranking’s inception. Critics argue that this may have come at the expense of deserving individuals from other teams, especially as rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean made the list on the strength of the Eagles’ collective performance rather than purely individual achievement.
Another point of contention is the ongoing neglect of interior offensive linemen. Only one guard or center, Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey, appeared in the Top 100, continuing a trend of underappreciation for these crucial positions. Standouts like Joe Thuney and Quenton Nelson were omitted despite their accolades and impact, raising questions about positional value among voters.
The quarterback rankings also sparked debate. While the consensus top four—Allen, Burrow, Jackson, and Mahomes—remained unchallenged, Jared Goff’s placement above Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts and breakout star Jayden Daniels drew scrutiny. Despite Goff’s statistical success, his early playoff exit contrasted sharply with Hurts’ championship run.
Several high-performing defensive backs, notably Marlon Humphrey of the Baltimore Ravens, were left out in favor of less accomplished wide receivers, further fueling the debate about voter criteria. Additionally, five teams—Titans, Saints, Colts, Bears, and Panthers—were shut out entirely, despite having players like Jeffery Simmons, Demario Davis, and Jaycee Horn who arguably deserved recognition.
As the NFL landscape evolves, the “Top 100 Players of 2025” not only highlights exceptional talent but also exposes the complexities and biases inherent in peer-driven rankings. For bettors and analysts, these lists offer insight into player perception and potential market inefficiencies for future awards and statistical leader markets. For more detailed analysis and full player breakdowns, visit the official NFL Top 100 list.