Who are the most dominant players in the NFL today? The answers vary depending on who you ask.
Some will list quarterbacks, as it’s the most important position. Others will include the defenders responsible for containing them. Then there are the players who straight up are the best at their respective position. But one thing is for certain, the NFL is littered with dominant players across the board.
Our NFL Wires editors submitted their picks for the most dominant players in the game right now, and we tabulated the results to determine a top 50. Our list consists of players who dominate at their respective positions, so there’s a nice mix of different position groups (even though quarterbacks and skill position players are well represented).
There were 24 NFL teams represented in our list, where several teams had multiple players. The Eagles and 49ers tied for the most appearances with five each, and the Super Bowl champion Chiefs weren’t far behind.
First up, we’re unveiling Nos. 50 through 26, which features ascending quarterbacks, impact offensive linemen, dominant defenders and our lone specialist of the group.
All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus, Sports Info Solutions, and Pro Football Reference unless otherwise indicated.
50. Jeffery Simmons, DI, Tennessee Titans
Breakdown: Simmons, who received a massive extension this offseason, has been getting better and better each year, and he has a pair of second-team All-Pro nods to show for it. He was a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in 2022 before an ankle injury slowed him in the second half. Look for Simmons to further cement his status as one of the elite players at his position in 2023. — Mike Moraitis, Titans Wire
Advanced Metrics: Simmons was a top-10 talent out of Mississippi State, but fell to 19th overall in the 2019 draft due to a torn ACL. That also limited him to nine games in his rookie campaign, but over the next three seasons, Simmons has been as productive as any interior defensive lineman in the NFL. Simmons ranked seventh in total pressures among IDL in 2022 (53) and fifth in 2021 (63) after ranking 15th with 44 in 2020. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
49. Tristian Wirfs, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Breakdown: Wirfs has been one of the NFL’s best offensive linemen since he entered the league in 2020, but this upcoming season will be a big test for him. He’s moving from RT to LT in 2023, and whether he can keep his dominance going at a new position remains to be seen. — River Wells, Bucs Wire
Advanced Metrics: All indications are that Wirfs will switch to left tackle in the 2023 season, which is an interesting strategy – he’s lined up for 3,549 snaps in his three-year NFL career, and each one of them has been a right tackle. Wirfs hasn’t played left tackle since 2019, his last season at Iowa, when he had 120 snaps over on the left side. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
48. Justin Tucker, K, Baltimore Ravens
Breakdown: What else can be said about Tucker and what he’s done over the course of his illustrious NFL career. He is regarded by many as the greatest kicker to ever play football, with that fact being illustrated by many factors, including that most fans are more surprised when he misses a kick from 50+ yards than when he makes one. Not only that, but he also holds the record for the longest made field goal in NFL history. His combination of power and accuracy are unlike anything the NFL has ever seen before at the kicker position. — Kevin Oestreicher, Ravens Wire
Advanced Metrics: Among kickers in pro football history with at least 250 field goal attempts, nobody has a higher rate of successful tries than Tucker’s 90.5%. He is the only kicker who has converted at least 90% of his career attempts; Mike Vanderjagt and Robbie Gould are tied for second at 86.5%. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
47. Andrew Thomas, OT, New York Giants
Breakdown: After struggling as a rookie, Thomas has renounced nicely and pieced together a career-best season in 2023, earning him Second-Team All-Pro honors. His 89.9 pass-blocking grade was among the highest in the NFL, and he allowed just three sacks and three hits on 620 pass-blocking snaps a season ago. Thomas is still ascending and has yet to scratch the surface of his ceiling. — Dan Benton, Giants Wire
Advanced Metrics: The Giants selected Thomas with the fourth overall pick in the 2020 draft out of Georgia, and it took a second for him to get the hang of the NFL. No offensive lineman allowed more sacks in Thomas’ rookie season than he did with 10; he carved that down to two in 2021, and four in 2022. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
46. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Breakdown:Andrews has put himself right at the forefront of the conversation for who is the best tight end in the NFL. While some might prefer the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce or even the 49ers’ George Kittle, Andrews is almost impossible to single-cover, has excellent contested catch ability, and can make plays in the open field with the ball in his hands. Plus, he’s improved drastically as a blocker over the course of his career, turning a weakness into a strength. — Kevin Oestreicher, Ravens Wire
Advanced Metrics: The Ravens didn’t have a lot of verticality in their passing game last season, but when their quarterbacks wanted to throw deep, Andrews was generally the guy they turned to. Last season, Andrews led all NFL tight ends with nine catches of 20 or more air yards for 269 yards. Interestingly enough, none of Andrews’ five touchdowns last season came on those deep passes. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
45. Haason Reddick, EDGE, Philadelphia Eagles
Breakdown: A weapon and dynamic player off the edge, Reddick posted 16 sacks in 2022 and is the only player in league history to post three straight 10+ sack seasons with three different teams. — Glenn Erby, Eagles Wire
Advanced Metrics: The 2022 Eagles dominated in the trenches with their use of five-man base fronts, but Reddick didn’t need those to succeed from the edge in his first season in Philly. Only Chris Jones and Nick Bosa had more solo sacks with three or four pass-rushers on the line than Reddick’s 13, and he led the league with 21 overall. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
44. Creed Humphrey, C, Kansas City Chiefs
Breakdown: Humphrey has quickly ascended to become one of the most dominant centers in the NFL. In just his second year in the league, Humphrey became a Pro Bowler, Second-Team All-Pro and a Super Bowl champion. He was practically flawless in pass protection, allowing a handful of penalties, no sacks and fewer than 20 total pressures in 20 games played last season. — Charles Goldman, Chiefs Wire
Advanced Metrics: Selecting Humphrey in the second round of the 2021 draft was one of the better decisions general manager Brett Veach has made, and he’s made a lot of them. Humphrey allowed just three sacks, one quarterback hit, and eight quarterback hurries in 956 pass-blocking snaps in his rookie campaign. Humphrey maintained and improved that standard in his sophomore campaign, allowing no sacks, two quarterback hits, and 17 quarterback hurries in 893 pass-blocking reps. It’s not always easy to protect Patrick Mahomes when he goes into his “Theater of Randomness” mode, but Humphrey has had it on lock since Day 1. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
43. Chris Lindstrom, OG, Atlanta Falcons
Breakdown: Not only is the Falcons guard dominant as a run blocker, he continues to improve as a pass protector each year. Lindstrom’s toughness, consistency and durability helped him become the highest-paid guard in NFL history this offseason. — Matt Urben, Falcons Wire
Advanced Metrics: In the 2022 season, Lindstrom was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded guard (95.0), and wherever you land on the credibility of those grades, Lindstrom’s actual metrics and game tape validated his high standing. He allowed just two sacks, one quarterback hit, and six quarterback hurries in 517 pass-blocking reps, and that was despite a highly volatile quarterback situation under Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
42. Quenton Nelson, OG, Indianapolis Colts
Breakdown: The three-time All-Pro took a step back in 2022 but still has the capability to be one of the dominant guards in the NFL. With a new offensive line coach and a much more mobile quarterback under center, Nelson is a safe bet to return to his usual dominant self. — Kevin Hickey, Colts Wire
Advanced Metrics: Nelson, perhaps the best guard of his era when healthy, will certainly benefit from rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson’s mobility. Last season, Matt Ryan was a sitting duck in the pocket, and that helped to cause Nelson to allow five sacks throughout his 2022 campaign. In his four NFL seasons before 2022, Nelson had allowed just four sacks combined. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
41. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Breakdown: After a slow start to his career, Lawrence looked every bit like a No. 1 overall pick in the latter half of 2022. Still just 23, the sky is the limit for the Jaguars quarterback. — Adam Stites, Jaguars Wire
Advanced Metrics: Play-action is a cheat code for a lot of quarterbacks, but for Lawrence in his second NFL season, and first under an actual NFL head coach in Doug Pederson (as opposed to whatever Urban Meyer was), Lawrence found the opposite to be true. Lawrence threw just four touchdown passes with play-action, and 2 without – only Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow had more touchdown passes without play-action in the 2022 regular- and postseason. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
40. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Breakdown: Had Kupp not gotten hurt last year, he may have put up numbers similar to the record-setting performance he had in 2021. Not only is he one of the toughest receivers to guard one-on-one, but after the catch, he does an outstanding job making defenders miss, which turns short catches into big gains. — Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire
Advanced Metrics: Injuries limited Kupp to just nine games last season, but when he was on the field, he continued his career arc as one of the most productive and efficient slot receivers in pro football history. Last season, on just 48 slot targets (he had a league-high 144 targets in 2021), Kupp caught 41 passes for 469 yards and three touchdowns. If he’s in every game this upcoming season, expect Kupp to dominate from the slot as he always has. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
39. Laremy Tunsil, OT, Houston Texans
Breakdown: Ironically the three-time Pro Bowler’s best work has come during the worst of times for Houston. Tunsil can lock down premier edge rushers while also clearing running lanes. — Mark Lane, Texans Wire
Advanced Metrics: Tunsil has been one of the NFL’s left left tackles for a while now, and in an underrated fashion. Last season, with a quarterback situation that didn’t impress anybody, he allowed one sack, three quarterback hits, and 17 quarterback hurries in 676 pass-blocking attempts. With C.J. Stroud replacing Davis Mills behind center, Tunsil’s numbers could reflect the benefits of an entirely new offense. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
38. Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets
Breakdown: Rodgers may have stumbled a bit in 2022 but he’s still among the better quarterbacks in the league. Being surrounded by weapons again, Rodgers has a chance to quickly remind folks why he is a four-time MVP and future Hall of Fame quarterback. — Billy Riccette, Jets Wire
Advanced Metrics: The Jets gave up a lot for their new franchise quarterback, and they’re hoping that they’ll get a better version of Aaron Rodgers than the one that played for the Packers in 2022. Last season, he completed 350 of 542 passes for 3,695 yards, 26 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a passer rating of 91.1. That’s his fifth-lowest completion rate (64.6%) over his career as a starter since 2008. It’s his third-lowest touchdown rate (4.8%), his fourth-highest interception rate (2.2%), his lowest Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt (5.95), and his lowest passer rating.
Many attribute this downturn to the thumb injury he suffered early in the season. But in Weeks 1-5, he completed 114 of 168 passes (67.9%) for 1,157 yards (6.9 yards per attempt), eight touchdowns, three interceptions, and a passer rating of 95.8. In Weeks 6-18, Rodgers completed 236 of 374 passes (63.1%) for 2,358 yards (6.8 YPA), 18 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and a passer rating of 89.0.
Not the difference you might expect. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
37. Jason Kelce, C, Philadelphia Eagles
Breakdown: The future Hall of Famer will return for his 13th season, and the critical ingredient to Philadelphia’s offensive success is the engine that allows the team to dominate. — Glenn Erby, Eagles Wire
Advanced Metrics: If there’s any question that Kelce’s a future Hall of Famer at this point in his career, there really shouldn’t be. In his age 34 and age 35 seasons of 2021 and 2022, Kelce allowed just one sack, no quarterback hits, and 27 quarterback hurries. Quite the turnaround from his 2020 season, when he allowed a career-high four sacks, and there were some questions about his future viability. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
36. Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Breakdown: After the Raiders declined the fifth-year option, Jacobs went on to lead the NFL in rushing yards (1,653) and yards from scrimmage (2,053). Jacobs has a rare combination of power and elusiveness that make him one of the top backs in the entire NFL. — Marcus Mosher, Raiders Wire
Advanced Metrics: Jacobs led the NFL in rushing yards last season with 1.653, and he did it to a large degree by beating up opposing defenders on the way to paydirt. His 90 missed tackles forced led the NFL, and only Derrick Henry of the Titans (1,257) had more yards after contact than Jacobs’ 1,156. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
35. Maxx Crosby, EDGE, Las Vegas Raiders
Breakdown: Crosby is a complete player as he led the NFL in tackles for a loss and pressures. Playing over 1,000 defensive snaps in 2022, he is a workhorse EDGE rusher who has gotten better in every season of his career. — Marcus Mosher, Raiders Wire
Advanced Metrics: We already know that Crosby is a stellar pass-rusher – last season, he totaled 15 sacks, 22 quarterback hits, and 44 quarterback hurries, and his 81 total pressures ranked fourth in the NFL. But Crosby doesn’t get enough credit for his work as a run defender. In 2022, Crosby tied with Nick Bosa of the 49ers with 25 tackles for loss in the run game from the 5-tech, 6-tech, 7-tech, and 9-tech alignments – basically, everything outside the offensive tackles. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
34. Jaire Alexander, CB, Green Bay Packers
Breakdown: Alexander was a second-team All-Pro after a dominant coverage season in 2020, missed most of 2021 with an injury and then returned in 2022 with a second All-Pro nod after intercepting five passes. He is the perfect blend of athleticism, confidence and coverage talent at the cornerback position. — Zach Kruse, Packers Wire
Advanced Metrics: Alexander might be the NFL’s most underrated elite cornerback. He lost all but four games in the 2021 season due to injury, but came back with a vengeance in 2022. He allowed just 43 catches on 71 targets for 572 yards, 188 yards after the catch, two touchdowns, five interceptions, eight pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 66.2 – fourth-lowest in the NFL among cornerbacks who played at least 50% of their teams’ defensive snaps. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
33. Dexter Lawrence, DI, New York Giants
Breakdown: Lawrence had one of the most dominant seasons for a nose tackle in NFL history in 2022, leading the league in total pressures from the 0-tech and 1-tech by more than double the next closest player. In addition to being the NFL’s third-highest-graded pass rusher, Lawrence also excelled against the run, en route to his first Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro honors. — Dan Benton, Giants Wire
Advanced Metrics: It isn’t easy to get consistent pressure on the quarterback from 0-tech (head over the center) and 1-tech (to one shoulder of the center) alignments. You’re facing double-teams more often than not, and the air can get pretty thin. But that didn’t bother Lawrence, who absolutely demolished opposing offensive lines from those alignments. He had 47 total pressures at 0-tech and 1-tech. Vita Vea of the Buccaneers ranked second… with 18. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
32. Quinnen Williams, DI, New York Jets
Breakdown: Williams took a giant leap forward in 2022 and catapulted himself into elite status among defensive tackles following a 12-sack season. Interior offensive linemen now fear having to block (or attempt to block) Williams because he wins battles much more often than not. — Billy Riccette, Jets Wire
Advanced Metrics: No defensive player was more disruptive to opposing quarterbacks from the 2-tech and 2-i alignments last season than Williams. When directly over an offensive guard, or to a guard’s inside shoulder, Williams totaled five solo sacks, one assisted sack, nine quarterback hits, and eight quarterback hurries – often while dealing with a double-team from the center. Just one reason he’s become one the NFL’s best interior pass-rushers. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
31. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Breakdown:Herbert has been nothing short of outstanding in his first three seasons with the Bolts, throwing for 14,089 yards, 94 touchdowns and 35 interceptions and shattering various records along the way. Entering Year 4, Herbert’s game should only be turned up a notch under offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and having a new weapon in first-round pick wide receiver Quentin Johnston. — Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire
Advanced Metrics: It has been mortally unfair over the last two seasons that Herbert, who has a top-3 NFL arm, has been hamstrung by now former offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. In those two seasons under Lombardi, Herbert ranked 30th among starting quarterbacks (at least 500 total attempts) with an average of 7.0 intended air yards per pass attempt. The good news for Herbert is that new OC Kellen Moore drew up pass designs for the Cowboys that had Dak Prescott averaging 7.9 intended air yards per attempt in 2021 and 2022 combined, which ranked 12th in the NFL. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
30. Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
Breakdown:Fitzpatrick got back to form in 2022 when he was named an All-Pro for the third time in four seasons with the Steelers. When Fitzpatrick is allowed to roam the secondary and make plays, his ability to find the football makes him the type of player offenses have to account for on every play. — Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire
Advanced Metrics: The Dolphins selected FItzpatrick with the 1th overall pick in the 2018 draft out of Alabama, and they played him all over the secondary as Nick Saban had with the Crimson Tide. But when the Steelers traded for him in 2019, they moved him to nearly full-time free safety, and that was exactly the right move. Since 2018, among safeties with at least 200 targets, Fitzpatrick has the lowest passer rating allowed (62.7), and the lowest completion rate allowed (57.8). — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
29. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
Breakdown: It’s impossible to explain Kittle’s dominance without first noting that he’s the best blocking tight end in football. After that we can get to the explosive plays in the passing game, and his uptick in production in the red zone. There are better receiving TEs, but there’s not a more dominant all-around TE than Kittle. — Kyle Madson, Niners Wire
Advanced Metrics: Kittle didn’t get a lot of deep passes thrown to him last season by the 49ers’ quarterback quilt of Brock Purdy, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Trey Lance, but when he did he made the most of them. Kittle caught seven of his 10 targets of 20 or more air yards for 245 yards, and three touchdowns – the most deep scores for any tight end in the league. Kittle also had more yards after the catch among tight ends on deep catches with 74. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
28. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills
Breakdown: Diggs is a versatile weapon for the Bills offense and has one of the best route trees in the NFL. Above all others, his intermediate routes are dominant. You know it’s coming as a defender but can’t stop it because Diggs is too good at it. Josh Allen always looks for him to get open in that area and it has helped both of their numbers explode. — Nick Wojton, Bills Wire
Advanced Metrics: While we can only speculate as to the source of Diggs’ offseason consternation, his target distribution as the season went along may be part of it. Diggs had 35 targets in September, 38 targets in October, 46 targets in November… and 25 in December over four games. Diggs did have 19 targets in two January playoff games, but offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey might want to remember who his force multiplier is in his receiver corps. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
27. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Breakdown: Brown shattered the Eagles’ single-season yards mark for a receiver in 2022, and the All-Pro will look to solidify his status as a top-7 wide receiver in 2023. — Glenn Erby, Eagles Wire
Advanced Metrics: In his first season with the Eagles, Brown was one of the best deep receivers in the NFL, with 14 catches of 20 or more air yards on 35 targets for 594 yards and eight touchdowns. But he was also a force after the catch – only Deebo Samuel had more yards after the catch (664) than Brown’s 640, and more yards after contact (338) than Brown’s 295. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
26. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
Breakdown: People have been trying to write Henry off since he suffered a foot injury in 2021 that knocked him out for the second half of the season. He answered the doubters with over 1,500 yards on the ground in 2022 behind arguably the worst offensive line in the league, while also posting career-best receiving totals. Thanks to a full revamp, there’s hope Tennessee’s group upfront can be even better, which only increases Henry’s chances of posting monster numbers once again. — Mike Moraitis, Titans Wire
Advanced Metrics: As has been the case throughout his estimable career, Henry requires opposing defenders to do a lot more than just thinking about tackling if they want to stop him. Henry led the league last season in yards after contact with 1,257, and he had 3.60 yards after contact per attempt. — Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
