Who's the NFL's best interior offensive lineman? Wide receiver? Cornerback? What about the second-best defensive tackle -- after Aaron Donald? To preview the 2021 NFL season, we set out to answer those questions and much more.
We surveyed more than 50 league executives, coaches, scouts and players to help us stack the top 10 players at 11 different positions, from edge rusher to interior offensive linemen and all the way through tight ends. This is the second edition of these rankings, and there are several players who moved up and dropped from last year's lists.
Here's how our process worked: Voters gave us 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, research and film-study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. 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 2021. 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 11 days. Here's the schedule:
Week 1: edge rushers (July 5), interior defensive line (July 6), off-ball linebackers (July 7), cornerbacks (July 8), safeties (July 9), offensive tackles (July 10), interior offensive line (July 11)
Week 2: quarterbacks (July 12), running backs (July 13), wide receivers (July 14), tight ends (July 15)
A year ago, NFL evaluators bemoaned the lack of elite play when ranking the league's top guards and centers. This year's list appears stronger. The top three players only strengthened their cases, and promising young centers replaced aging players.
Other veterans got better --- and had to, with an ascending guard from Green Bay rising in the pantheon. Defenses around the league are prioritizing inside quarterback pressure, resulting in an impressive list of defensive tackles and 3-4 defensive ends. Offenses know they must be ready; the top player certainly is.
1. Quenton Nelson, G, Indianapolis Colts
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 2
Age: 25 | Last year's ranking: 1
In collecting the ballots for each position, Nelson got the highest percentage of first-place votes of any player outside of Aaron Donald. The dominance label is used loosely, but Nelson has that ability.
"It's power, athleticism and want-to; he's determined to not lose that block," a veteran NFL linebacker said. "He came out of the gate saying, 'I'm a No. 1 pick, I'm the best and I'm gonna [pummel] you.'"
The one knock on Nelson last season was he tried too hard for the splash play -- the big pancake -- and missed a few blocks as a result. "You can bait him into being overaggressive," the linebacker said.
Some coaches believe Nelson improved in that area, with five run-block whiffs on 416 running plays, which is a good clip. Nelson's 78.9% run-block win rate led all interior linemen, and his 95.5% pass-block win rate ranked third among guards.
2. Zack Martin, G, Dallas Cowboys
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 4
Age: 30 | Last year's ranking: 2
Arguably the most complete guard of the past decade put together a complete body of work in 2020. In 10 games, Martin posted a stellar 91.3 Pro Football Focus grade, and he ranked in the top four among guards in run-block win rate (76.7%) and pass-block win rate (95.9%).
"He's got it all," a veteran NFL defensive player said. "There's really no weakness. The only thing that can stop him is injuries, and even then, he basically looks the same."
Martin has four All-Pro nods in seven seasons, and he was probably on his way to a fifth before a calf injury cost him six games.
3. Brandon Scherff, G, Washington Football Team
Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: 10
Age: 29 | Last year's ranking: 3
Scherff played 13 games last season -- his most since 2017 -- and shined in the run game with a 75.7% block win rate. One of the game's premier guards is going on his second franchise tag and will be tough for Washington to re-sign because of his immense value and leverage.
"Great puller and very good in the run game," an NFL coordinator said. "I'd probably put him behind those two [Nelson and Martin] in pass pro."
Scherff did have 13 run-block whiffs, tied for most in this group. But teams are generally OK with a little overaggression here if it fuels the player's edge.
4. Frank Ragnow, C, Detroit Lions
Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: 10
Age: 25 | Last year's ranking: N/A
Ragnow was not a fixture in last year's rankings, but he surged in a big way this year, fresh off a $54 million extension with Detroit. He has always been good, but enough people are finally starting to notice, voters said.
"He can run the whole line, great communicator, takes pressure off the quarterback, athletic enough to pull, can play guard if you need," an NFC scout said. "Some centers can't do that. He's probably the most versatile center right now."
Ragnow ranked fourth among centers with a 74.2% run-block win rate and eighth in pass blocking at 94.8%.
5. Joel Bitonio, G, Cleveland Browns
Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: 11
Age: 29 | Last year's ranking: 7
People in the AFC North believe Bitonio might be coming off his best pro season.
"He's really good," a longtime AFC defensive player said. "Great strength once he gets his hands on you, and he's good at climbing up to the second level after a double-team."
Bitonio led all guards with a 97.3% pass-block win rate, and his 84.6 Pro Football Focus rating was among the best. As many voters noted, Cleveland's entire offensive line is good. Bitonio is a catalyst for that attack.
6. Joe Thuney, G, Kansas City Chiefs
Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: 12
Age: 28 | Last year's ranking: 5
The money speaks to Thuney's big-time ability. Yes, free agents often get overpaid. But Kansas City signing the former New England lineman to a five-year, $80 million deal didn't feel like a stretch, because Thuney has been in the top five to top seven of interior players for a few years now.
"Combination of technique, intelligence and control. Very, very dependable," an AFC exec said.
Thuney's 92.9% pass-block win rate and 72.3% run-block win rate are solid but unspectacular, though New England's offense was down as a whole last season.
Thuney can play guard or center with ease, and one NFC exec calls him a "quiet player": not flashy, but he'll leave the game without giving up negative plays.
7. Elgton Jenkins, G, Green Bay Packers
Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: 13
Age: 25 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
Jenkins is considered a rising star and will anchor the Packers' interior line after the departure of Corey Linsley.
"He's outstanding," one high-ranking NFL official said.
As an AFC defensive coach added, "Really good feet, anchor, ideal size. Pass protects better than most interior players."
More than a few voters noticed Jenkins verbally sparred with Aaron Donald between plays of the Packers-Rams postseason game, so Jenkins isn't afraid of the biggest and baddest. Jenkins also can play all five spots on the line, which teams covet. He played pass-block snaps at guard, center and tackle in 2020.
8. Rodger Saffold, G, Tennessee Titans
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: 14
Age: 33 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
Safford was a fringe top-10 guy last year but worked his way up due to his body of work.
His numbers weren't spectacular -- a 66.9% run-block and 86.4% pass-block win rate are considered slightly below average -- but evaluators say he is central to Tennessee's offensive success, which revolves around pounding the rock with Derrick Henry.
"He plays hard and aggressive; he can run, pull, hit," an NFC scout said. "A lot of what they do goes through him."
9. Rodney Hudson, C, Arizona Cardinals
Highest ranking: 4 | Lowest ranking: 15
Age: 32 | Last year's ranking: 6
Hudson is still regarded as one of the game's best centers despite a 66.3% pass-block rate and an offseason trade from Las Vegas to Arizona. The Cardinals are banking on his intangibles to impact Kyler Murray's game.
"At Florida State, we used to call him Mr. Velcro: 'Please don't slam me, Mr. Velcro,'" said a former Seminoles teammate and longtime NFL player. "He's just always been a different level athletically, and that hasn't really changed."
As an AFC defensive coach added, "When I found out [Las Vegas] was trading guys like that, I was like, why didn't we get him? He still has something left -- at least two to three really good years."
10. Erik McCoy, C, New Orleans Saints
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Off ballot
Age: 25 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
McCoy didn't get the most votes, but those who are high on him are really high on him. He got several top-five nods due to his combination of traits, size, range and power.
"He's got the chance to surpass all of those guys [at center]," an NFC exec said. "Once he cleans up some technique stuff, playing with patience, he'll be a marquee name. He's got everything else. He's a big part of all of those [Alvin Kamara] runs with his ability to blow you off the ball and to get downfield."
The exec noted McCoy projected as a guard out of Texas A&M due to his 6-foot-4, 315-pound frame, which only raises his ceiling as a center, since most aren't as big.
Centers and guards also receiving votes
Ryan Kelly, C, Indianapolis Colts: "He's got everything you need: Strength, athleticism, smarts. A good interior guy can push him back some, but he can return the favor too." -- AFC exec
Ali Marpet, G, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: "Not all that gifted, but you hate playing against him and that center [Ryan Jensen]. They are a--holes, and I mean that in the best possible way." -- AFC defensive coach
Wyatt Teller, G, Cleveland Browns: "Came out of nowhere. He tries to punish people. I like his style. That whole Browns O-line is good." -- AFC defensive player
Corey Linsley, C, Los Angeles Chargers: "Dependable, can run the show, good technique, will be great for the young quarterback [Justin Herbert]." -- NFC exec
Brandon Brooks, G, Philadelphia Eagles: "Should be high on the list. I think he's just easily forgotten about because of the injuries." -- AFC exec
Ryan Jensen, C, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: "His aggression and intensity raises everyone's level. Constantly pushes his linemen." -- NFL veteran linebacker
Brandon Linder, C, Jacksonville Jaguars: "Very underrated player. He has length and good athleticism, savvy. He just plays in Jacksonville, so he doesn't get much credit." -- AFC scout
Jason Kelce, C, Philadelphia Eagles: "Still love the player, but he's approaching the end." -- AFC scout