NFL training camps are fast approaching, which means it is again time for the league's true insiders to have their say. As part of ESPN's 2023 NFL season preview, we surveyed league executives, coaches, scouts and players to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions, from quarterback to cornerback and everything in-between. This is the fourth edition of these rankings, and as usual, several players have moved up or fallen off last year's lists.
By way of refresher, here's how our process works: Voters give us their best 10 players at a position, then we compile the results and rank candidates based on number of top-10 votes, the composite average, dozens of interviews, research and film study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. In total, more than 80 voters submitted a ballot on at least one position, and in many cases all positions. We had several ties, so we broke them with the help of additional voting and follow-up calls with those surveyed.
Each section includes quotes and nuggets from the voters on every ranked player -- even the honorable mentions. The objective is to identify the best players for 2023. This is not a five-year projection or a career achievement award. Who are the best players today? Check out who makes the list at every position on ESPN+.
We will roll out a position per day over 11 days. The schedule: Off-ball linebackers (July 8), defensive tackles (July 9), edge rushers (July 10), cornerbacks (July 11), safeties (July 12), tight ends (July 13), running backs (July 14), offensive tackles (July 15), guards and centers (July 16), quarterbacks (July 17) and wide receivers (July 18).
This year's tackle rankings marked a true changing of the guard (oops, wrong position). While last year's group featured five 30-somethings, this year features just two -- and five emerging stars 24 or younger. The notion that young offensive tackles enter the league with less refinement and skill because of basic college offenses doesn't apply to the 2021 draft class, which features prominently here. A lot of former All-Pros and top-10 staples landed in the honorable mentions.
Let's look at some of the game's top offensive tackles as ranked by execs, coaches, scouts and players around the NFL.
1. Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 3
Age: 34 | Last year's ranking: 1
Williams has been a revelation for San Francisco, earning back-to-back first-team All-Pro nods as an ideal fit for Kyle Shanahan's scheme, along with a team-high 92.4% pass block win rate.
Only six left tackles since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 have earned multiple first-team All-Pros after age 30: Walter Jones, Anthony Munoz, Andrew Whitworth, Joe Thomas, Willie Roaf and Williams.
About 80% of voters still consider him the best.
"He's an incredibly gifted player," an NFC exec said. "He has lapses and relies on that talent too much at times. There is some wavering physicality with him. But when he turns it on, nearly impossible to stop."
2. Laremy Tunsil, Houston Texans
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 28 | Last year's ranking: 6
Tunsil became the highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL this offseason, with a three-year, $75 million deal worth $60 million guaranteed to remain with Houston.
He allowed six sacks and had 10 penalties, but his 92% pass block win rate was impressive, and numbers don't tell the story of his physical dominance. Tunsil has the natural feet, range and physicality that keep him high on the list.
"He could be No. 1 and you'd feel good about it -- youth, upside player, violent, great feet," an NFC exec said.
3. Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Highest ranking: 2 Lowest ranking: 10
Age: 24 | Last year's ranking: 2
An ankle injury cost Wirfs four games, but he allowed only one sack as a primary pass-blocker, tied with Lane Johnson for first in this group. He also made his second Pro Bowl in three NFL seasons.
The Bucs are moving Wirfs from right to left tackle this offseason.
"Durability seemed to be the only issue last year," an AFC exec said. "He's arguably the best right tackle in football for the last few years."
4. Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles
Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 33 | Last year's ranking: 7
Johnson showed once again his capabilities when healthy. Dating back to 2017, he has made first-team All-Pro in two of the past three seasons in which he played 15 games, including 2022.
He tied for the league lead in pass block win rate among offensive tackles at 95%.
"Premier player," an AFC scout said. "Incredibly gifted athlete with force."
But one NFC exec believes Johnson is overhyped and plays in a run-pass-option offense that helps him limit sacks.
"He gets a lot of credit for being noisy and playing on a good team," the exec said.
5. Jordan Mailata, Philadelphia Eagles
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 26 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
Mailata is a unique NFL success story, a former rugby player with no football experience who used his massive 6-foot-8, 345-pound frame to become a premier left tackle.
"He's a man," said a high-ranking NFL official who voted Mailata No. 1.
An NFC exec added: "He's kind of figured out the game of football, and if you're a pass-rusher it's like, 'How do I get around or through this guy?'"
Renowned Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland deserves much credit for his work with Mailata, who should be poised for his first Pro Bowl soon enough.
Mailata's 40 starts are the most by any player chosen in the seventh round of the 2018 draft.
"I get the hype -- he's a talented athlete -- but he gets beat a good amount," a high-ranking NFL scout said.
6. Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions
Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 22 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
Sewell, a top-10 draft pick in 2021, experienced an uneven rookie year as Detroit moved him from left to right tackle and then left again.
In 2022, Sewell settled into his right tackle role and produced a Pro Bowl season. His 321 run block wins were among the best in the group, and just three pass block sacks were attributed to him.
"He's really talented, a good young player," an NFL personnel director said. "Playing right tackle probably helps him become a natural left tackle later. Will be a good starter for a long time."
7. Andrew Thomas, New York Giants
Highest ranking: 4 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 24 | Last year's ranking: Unranked
The Giants have a cornerstone left tackle in Thomas, who fortified the offense and created holes for running back Saquon Barkley.
Thomas committed just two penalties all year and posted a solid 92.6% pass block win rate, ninth among offensive linemen.
"He's ascending, headed in the right direction," an NFL personnel director said of Thomas. "Not an imposing athlete compared to some others but just a solid football player."
8. Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers
Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 24 | Last year's ranking: 4
Slater impressively cracked the top five as a rookie but fell slightly because of a torn biceps that cost him 14 games.
But he won 66 of his 69 pass-blocking plays (95.7%) in limited action, and now that he's completely healthy for 2023, he should be poised to regain top billing.
Last season, quarterback Justin Herbert posted a 72 QBR with Slater in the lineup and 58 QBR without him.
"He's not your typical tackle because of the lack of length, but he compensates because he's a rare athlete," an NFC exec said. "He can clean things up in a hurry with his range."
9. Christian Darrisaw, Minnesota Vikings
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 24 | Last year's ranking: Unranked
Darrisaw showed enormous potential in his second season. After missing five games as a rookie in 2021, he posted an 80.5% run block win rate in 2022, second-best among tackles in this group.
While some voters think he isn't ready for the top 10, those who are high on him are very high.
"Supreme talent," an AFC executive said. "Really natural athlete. He'll be higher on this list next year. He's essentially still a rookie because he's missed some time."
10. Kolton Miller, Las Vegas Raiders
Highest ranking: 7 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 27 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
Miller never got much top-10 traction in past years but received significant votes after a strong 2022 campaign.
Known more for his pass blocking, he led this year's group in run block win rate (81.7%), helping spring running back Josh Jacobs for 1,653 yards.
One NFC exec called him an "easy mover."
"Better athlete than he is an enforcer," the exec said. "Great feet and movement but doesn't play with enough power, strength or anchor. Gets swallowed by bull rushes and knocked back."
Honorable mentions
Ryan Ramczyk, New Orleans Saints: Ramczyk's 79.6% run block win rate ranked 14th in the NFL. "Still a really good player, dependable, good across the board, no major weakness," an NFC exec said. "I haven't seen any decline with him. As a run-blocker, he's really high end."
Terron Armstead, Miami Dolphins: Armstead posted a career-best 75.1% run block win rate last season. "A year or two ago, he was definitely in the elite," a veteran AFC scout said. "But the injuries he's had over the course of his career. ... He's still tough as nails, but injuries have showed up on him with his anchor and bend."
David Bakhtiari, Green Bay Packers: Bakhtiari ranked among the leaders in pass block win rate (95%) and gave up one sack last season. "Still playing well. Maybe not quite what he once was but held up pretty good," an AFC executive said. "It's just week in and week out, I have questions about whether he can still do it consistently at this stage."
Brian O'Neill, Minnesota Vikings: O'Neill has been one of Minnesota's most consistent players for the past three years. Before an Achilles injury shortened his 2022 season, he had started every game since the 2020 season. "When he got paid, I remember being surprised a bit, but he's a quality starter," an AFC exec said. "Maybe not elite, but really solid, good athletic ability, technically sound, can get out and run, a wall-and-seal type guy. Probably on the fringe of the top 10."
Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys: The eight-time Pro Bowler had an 89.1% pass block win rate and gave up one sack last season. "I still have him as a top guy. When he's healthy, and he's right, he's a load," an NFL personnel director said. "He's held up well. They had him on the right side last year, but he's a natural left."
Also receiving votes: Jawaan Taylor (Kansas City Chiefs), Orlando Brown Jr. (Cincinnati Bengals), Jake Matthews (Atlanta Falcons), Dion Dawkins (Buffalo Bills), Taylor Decker (Detroit Lions), Taylor Moton (Carolina Panthers)