To preview the 2020 NFL season, we asked more than 50 league executives, coaches, scouts and players to help us stack the top 10 players at 11 different positions (sorry, special-teamers). The results might surprise you. They surprised me.
Here's how it worked: Voters gave their best 10 to 15 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average, interviews and research. We had several ties, so we broke them by isolating the two-man matchup with additional voting and follow-up calls. Each section is packed with quotes and nuggets from the voters on every guy -- even the honorable mentions.
The objective is to identify the best players right now for 2020. This is not a five-year projection or an achievement award. Who's the best today? Pretty simple.
We'll roll out a position per day over the next 11 days. Here's the schedule:
Week 1: tight ends (July 7); quarterbacks (July 8); running backs (July 9); wide receivers (July 10); offensive tackles (July 11)
Week 2: interior offensive linemen (July 12); edge defenders (July 13); interior defensive linemen (July 14); off-ball linebackers (July 15); cornerbacks (July 16); safeties (July 17)
Interior offensive line play probably isn't what it used to be. Despite some big-time talent at the top, league evaluators bemoaned the lack of dominance, particularly at center.
As one veteran NFL defensive lineman put it, years ago every team played power football but now they have to mix it up because "you can't just line up and drive players 10 yards off the ball. There will be a stalemate at the line. You have to get creative."
Several players on this list beg to differ with their play, including a two-man faceoff for the No. 1 spot that required a tiebreaker.
Only four centers made the Top 10, but the honorable mentions list features men in the middle.
And Philadelphia Eagles guard Brandon Brooks, a surefire top-5 guard when healthy, is left off because he's missing the 2020 season with a torn Achilles tendon.
1. Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts
Age: 24 | Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 3
You don't have to watch Nelson play for long to notice his presence.
"Just turn on the tape. You'll see why he's No. 1," one AFC exec said.
Nelson has gone 30 games without allowing a sack, according to Pro Football Focus data, and the Colts ranked seventh in rushing in 2019 despite injuries at quarterback and wide receiver. Nelson's youth and rookie contract are attractive for team-building. Plus, he "destroys people," the exec said, and that always helps.
Then again, he's not quite a perfect player.
"He will always have a few plays where he'll whiff because he's trying to kill you," one NFC exec said. "So he can make you hesitant to put that really big grade on him. But he wreaks havoc."
Added an NFL defensive coach: "Ever since I saw Cam Heyward whoop up on him, I've never looked at him the same."
2. Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys
Age: 29 | Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 4
Martin is still the gold standard for some despite the emergence of Nelson. He's durable, stout against the run and pass and does all the little things coaches love.
Nelson and Martin split the first-place voting until Nelson separated, with a general manager and others helping break the tie.
"More of a technician than Nelson, so that's probably where he gets his edge," an NFL offensive coach said.
With two penalties committed and zero sacks allowed, Martin earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 88.1, slightly below Nelson's 91.2. His 95.6% pass block win rate edged Nelson's 95.2.
When coaches say about a player -- man, imagine what he would do behind Dallas' offensive line -- they are thinking about Martin as the anchor inside.
3. Brandon Scherff, Washington Redskins
Age: 28 | Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: 5
Without the injuries, a healthy Scherff might have pushed Nelson and Martin a little more.
"He will knock you on your ass," an NFC scout said.
Scherff isn't a premier athlete but can lead an offensive line with power, acumen and attitude.
"Very similar to Nelson, only has some physical limitations that Nelson doesn't," an NFC exec said. "Both have similar styles of play and are absolutely violent and sets the tone and is great in the run."
Missing 15 games the past three seasons dims his career outlook. Washington placed the franchise tag on him while deciding what to do with his contract.
"I think there is some hesitancy to pay him because of the durability," an NFC exec said. "But he's nearly everything you want out of a player, so I bet they do."
4. David DeCastro, Pittsburgh Steelers
Age: 30 | Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: 11
It's hard to argue with DeCastro's career after two All-Pro teams and five Pro Bowls. Last season he wasn't considered as dominant, but the Steelers' sagging offense after the loss of Ben Roethlisberger partly contributed.
"He's still athletic, big, long arms, tough," one NFL defensive assistant coach said. "He and [Maurkice] Pouncey are a good combo. He might have lost a half-step but he's still high in that second tier of guards."
DeCastro finished the season with a 93.8 pass block win rate.
5. Joe Thuney, New England Patriots
Age: 27 | Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: 14
Some were surprised the Patriots used the franchise tag on Thuney, who can play several positions but doesn't overpower.
Coaches and scouts called him "good but not great physically" and undersized (6-foot-5, 308 pounds).
But this quote from an NFC exec perfectly summarizes Thuney's effectiveness: "He's not flashy, but at the end of the game you look up and say, man, his guy didn't do s---," the exec said.
His 97.3 % pass block win rate validates that.
6. Rodney Hudson, Las Vegas Raiders
Age: 30 | Highest ranking: 6 | Lowest ranking: Off the ballot
Hudson garnered several high votes compared to his center peers. At a position among the least athletic pound-for-pound in the NFL, Hudson stands out for his traits.
"He's really quick off the ball, and he's played a lot of football," an NFC exec said.
Hudson has proved durable for the Raiders, who signed him to a five-year, $44 million extension in 2015, then re-upped on a three-year, $33.75 million deal last year.
"If you've been around him and watched him work, prepare, and how physical he is in person, he's high on your list without question," said one NFL assistant coach.
7. Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns
Age: 28 | Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: Off the ballot
Bitonio is commonly referred to as the best offensive lineman in Cleveland, which isn't exactly a great place for linemen. The Browns unwisely tried moving the natural guard to left tackle in 2018. And in 2019, playcalling was a mess under Freddie Kitchens, exposing just about everybody.
"[Bitonio] gets a pass for that," one NFC exec said. "He didn't have a great year but he's a good player."
Bitonio registered high marks against the pass with a win rate of 95.8, fourth among guards.
One veteran defensive player called him "decent, not great," citing lack of supreme athleticism.
"If you take Cleveland out of it and look at the player, he's among the most steady guards out there," an AFC scout said.
8. Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles
Age: 32 | Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: 13
So many voters have had Kelce as their top center that they have trouble moving off him as he declines with age.
"Not quite as good as he used to be but still a fantastic player," said one NFC exec. "He does everything well."
Kelce still produced an 81.0 Pro Football Focus ranking and hasn't missed a game in five years on his way to three straight All-Pro bids.
"Probably lost a step at this point -- he's great at managing the game but will struggle at the power game," said a veteran NFL defensive coach.
9. Ryan Kelly, Indianapolis Colts
Age: 27 | Highest ranking: 8 | Lowest ranking: Off the ballot
Kelly has something that most centers don't.
"Power," an AFC exec said. "He can move people off the ball like a guard."
After facing durability concerns early in his career, Kelly played 16 games in 2019 and allowed one sack in 1,018 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus data.
The Colts believe Kelly is past his injury issues and that this year can take his career to a new level. He's the type of player Marlon Mack and Jonathan Taylor will gladly run behind.
10. Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh Steelers
Age: 30 | Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: Off the ballot
Pro Football Focus calls him average. His style is unorthodox. But even at age 30, his presence is felt.
"He's still the best and it's not even close," said one AFC exec.
Supporters laud Pouncey's ability to pull downfield, his physicality and his locker-room presence as a leader of a storied franchise. Detractors say he gets sloppy in his movements and can be overpowered at times.
"He's still one of the best, but I'm curious to see how he holds up this year physically," said an NFL defensive assistant. "He's a guy you want on your team nine times out of 10."
Honorable mentions
Rodger Saffold III, Tennessee Titans: "I was highly impressed how good he was still playing last year. One of better guards in the league." -- veteran NFL defensive coach
Brandon Linder, Jacksonville Jaguars: "Length, wins at point of attack, can create movement without a double-team and there's a craftiness about him." -- veteran NFL defensive assistant
Cody Whitehair, Chicago Bears: "He's a smart player who moves well, won't overpower but has adequate strength. He's above the line at center and guard and he he's durable." -- AFC exec
Mike Pouncey, Los Angeles Chargers: "He's been hurt recently but I thought he was one of the highest-rated centers when he did play." -- AFC exec
Erik McCoy, New Orleans Saints: "I give him credit, he played well [as a rookie]. He can move with strength." -- AFC scout
Ali Marpet, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: "Physical limitations but really good player, smart, has savvy." -- NFC exec
Elgton Jenkins, Green Bay Packers: "Packers are high on him. Looks like they've got a good one. He graded high for me. Seems to have good football IQ." -- AFC exec
Garrett Bradbury, Minnesota Vikings: "He didn't have a great year but I think he's got a higher ceiling than McCoy. McCoy is stronger but Bradbury's a better overall athlete." -- NFC exec