Discussing the best players in the game with NFL evaluators always elicits a few surprises. There are the obvious superstars, then there are the players who elicit an "oh, really?"
Our summer project ranking the top 10 players at each position -- with help from nearly 60 NFL execs, coaches, players and scouts -- produced several players who might not be in the top tier yet but are poised to get there soon.
This is where the strength of rosters truly comes to life. No team can touch the top-end talent of the New Orleans Saints, who have nine top-10 players on our lists, with the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys trailing with six apiece.
But teams such as the Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers dominated the 11-to-15 range, which is an ode to their impressive balance overall.
For every $100 million player, there's a low-key riser on a rookie deal who doesn't resonate with the casual fan but is a legitimate weapon in the eyes of the league's coaches and decision-makers as well as in the eyes of their peers. Here are some of those players.
Dion Dawkins, OT, Buffalo Bills
Landing a four-year, $60 million contract this month gave Dawkins the kind of attention he was already receiving from many NFL people. Dawkins' name came up several times in conversation about the game's best tackles.
Inconsistency is the knock. But once he cleans that up, watch out.
"He's got everything -- nimble feet, anchor, punch," an NFC exec said. "Can be premier."
Dawkins earned a respectable 73.4 Pro Football Focus grade last season, but expect that to rise in his fourth year as he gets more comfortable in Brian Daboll's system.
Garrett Bradbury, C, Minnesota Vikings, and Erik McCoy, C, New Orleans Saints
We're lumping these two together because they were the top two centers selected in the 2019 NFL draft, which is significant because the position needs major revamping.
With stars such as Jason Kelce, Rodney Hudson and Maurkice Pouncey aging, there aren't dominant centers who rise to the top of every list.
These two could change that in a big way in 2020, though McCoy might switch to guard to make room for draft pick Cesar Ruiz.
"They are building blocks," one AFC exec said. "McCoy is stronger; Bradbury is probably more of a nimble athlete overall. They can do different things, but both will be highly effective. I expect them to be good for a long time."
McCoy had the splashier rookie season, with several bruising blocks showing he can anchor like a rugged guard. Bradbury started slowly in Minnesota, but the team is very high on him and several execs expect improvement in Year 2.
It's also worth mentioning Green Bay Packers guard Elgton Jenkins, whose name came up a few times after an impressive rookie year. The Packers are very pleased with the play of Jenkins, who could probably play tackle because of his size (6-foot-5, 311 pounds) but is entrenched at right guard. Jenkins' 95.0 pass block win rate was tops among rookie interior linemen.
Brian O'Neill, OT, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have had a bit of a revolving door at tackle going back to the uneven Matt Kalil experiment and the subsequent spending spree on Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers in 2018.
Through that process, they developed a second-round pick they believe is a legitimate top-10 tackle in O'Neill, whose numbers aren't flashy. His 91.6 pass block win rate ranked 74th among offensive linemen.
But his traits have the 6-7 297-pounder trending upward.
"His technique has improved from what I've seen," an NFC scout said. "He's really athletic, especially for an RT. Very good fit for a zone-blocking scheme, stronger and tougher now than people expected when he came out. Has left tackle attributes, but needs to be more consistent."
Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Kupp didn't get enough traction in the top-10 voting, which saw Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen and Kenny Golladay dominate the voting for spots 11 through 13.
But one NFL head coach argues that Kupp will enter the top 10 in 2021, when he'll be coming off a huge season with no concerns from the torn ACL in 2018.
"Show me a matchup that's been unfavorable for him," another NFL head coach said. "I know DBs are always concerned about him. He rarely goes down on first contact, makes the most of his speed. He'll show a lot this year."
Kupp and Robert Woods make up one of the league's most underrated receiver combos. Jared Goff took a step back in 2019 with an 86.5 QB rating after back-to-back years above 100. But a nucleus of Kupp, Woods, Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett and Day 2 draft steal Van Jefferson should have no problems moving the ball. Kupp will be a catalyst for that attack.
Jonnu Smith, TE, Tennessee Titans
The league's most intriguing tight end by a wide margin, Smith was 26th in receptions for his position (35) but among the best in creativity.
The high-level athlete lined up in at least six different positions last year, coaches say, looking fluid on toss running back plays and flexed-out packages. His game started to take off once Delanie Walker left the lineup with an ankle injury.
Now, as defenses try to adjust to Derrick Henry and force Ryan Tannehill to win with his arm, expect the Titans to scheme to get Smith open more often.
"So well-rounded. He's top five for me. He's an every-down player," an NFC exec said. "He can play you 1,000 snaps at about six different positions. Has some work to do as a route runner, but he'll get there."
Last season, Smith turned 14 more targets (from 31 in 2018 to 45) into 102 more yards after the catch, per PlayerProfiler.com. Expect the Titans to get Smith on the run early and often in 2020.
Carl Lawson, DE, Cincinnati Bengals
Many coaches in the AFC North are waiting for Lawson to put it all together -- and are nervous about him doing it.
"When we watch him on film, wow, he pops," said an AFC offensive coach. "Undersized player who's super physical and powerful."
Lawson's modest 15.1% pass rush win rate won't exactly strike fear in opponents. But he's been dealing with injuries for much of his career, with hamstring and knee issues in 2018-19 and knee problems coming out of Auburn.
When he's healthy, he's an aggressive, powerful pass-rusher with a good plan of attack. He's in a contract year and could put those injuries behind him to have a career season.
Jaire Alexander, CB, Green Bay Packers
Those who love Alexander love him. Several evaluators interviewed had Alexander in the top five right now. With 28 pass deflections in his first two years, Alexander is poised to make several crucial plays on the ball in 2020.
"I like him a lot. He battles, confident, aggressive, good feel for the game, will make plays on the ball," an NFL head coach said.
All of that is great but doesn't account for his biggest weakness: size. Some evaluators have an issue with his 5-10, 196-pound frame when it comes to ranking the elite.
"He gets picked on," an AFC exec said.
An NFC personnel man disagrees that he's picked on more than others, though, and says he has "more upside talent and man cover ability" than most other starting cornerbacks in the NFL.
Brandon Linder, C, Jacksonville Jaguars
Linder doesn't get much fanfare while playing in Jacksonville, but the game's highest-paid center in total contract value ($51.7 million) is considered one of the best.
Football purists said that when you take rep out of it and focus on age, athleticism, versatility and overall play, Linder ranks favorably with other young centers such as Chicago's Cody Whitehair and Indianapolis' Ryan Kelly.
"Has unique length for the position -- he almost plays the position like a tackle," said a veteran NFC defensive coach. "And he calls a really good game. He gets our attention more than most on the scouting report."
Since 2018, Linder has a composite Pro Football Focus grade of 80.7, among the best performances at the position. Jacksonville is in flux at several positions, but Linder should survive the team's sizable rebuild and emerge as a building block.
David Onyemata, DT, New Orleans Saints
Onyemata received an unexpected amount of love from NFL personnel, many of whom consider him a top-10 interior force.
It's easy for Onyemata to get lost in the Saints' sea of talent at all positions. His pedestrian numbers -- 9.5 total sacks in four seasons -- don't exactly help. But evaluators look past the numbers and see the 2020 potential, which the Saints undoubtedly did when they re-signed him to a three-year, $26-million deal early in free agency.
"Phenomenal athlete," said a veteran AFC defensive coach. "He's still a bit raw but is making phenomenal progress. He's just scratching the surface."
The Nigeria native came to football late and worked his way through the Canadian football circuit, which is why teams look at him as someone who can be molded into a Pro Bowl-caliber player.
The inexperience can hold him back, too, though, with one exec saying his lack of football instincts hinders his supreme physical talent.
Devin Bush, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Both top-10 picks in 2019, Bush and Devin White have superstar potential as anchors in the middle of the Steelers' and Buccaneers' defenses, respectively. They combine 4.4 40-yard dash speed with the ability to create turnovers.
But Bush got slightly more top-five consideration among NFL personnel because of his microwavable splash-play ability.
When combining interceptions, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, sacks and tackles for loss, Bush edged White 17 to 14.5 last year.
Situation matters, too. The Bucs have Lavonte David, a clear top-three linebacker and playmaking magnet, while the Steelers released veteran Mark Barron this offseason to clear the lane for Bush to roam east to west.
"I just like his ability to make plays on the ball a little bit better," one AFC exec said. "He's undeniably explosive."