This is the fifth and final edition in a series counting down the top NFL players for 2023. The Last Word on Pro Football team’s writers, editors, and managers cast ballots for their top ten players heading into this season. A first-place vote was worth ten points, second-place nine, et cetera. Ties went in the inverse of the most critical positions determined by contract value, as garnering a vote at a less publicized position is even more impressive.
The Top NFL Players of 2023: 10 to 1
10. Jalen Hurts, Quarterback Philadelphia Eagles
What an absolute ride for Hurts. From being benched for Tua in the National Championship game, to sliding to the second round, to one of the biggest contracts in NFL history, Hurts has overcome every obstacle the NFL could throw his way. It’s easy to see why he might be one of the top players from his class and a mainstay for years to come.
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9. Nick Bosa, Edge Rusher San Francisco 49ers
Beat his brother by thirteen slots, just led the NFL in sacks and won Defensive Player of the Year. Is it crazy he might get even better this season? The 49ers have pushed all the chips in to win the NFC, and Bosa is right in the center of it all.
8. Myles Garrett, Edge Rusher Cleveland Browns
This poor man gets double-teamed more than almost anyone else in the league. Yet he is continually top ten in pass rush win rate, sacks, and tackles for loss. He’s a game wrecker in every sense of the phrase.
7. Aaron Donald, Defensive Tackle Los Angeles Rams
He may never put up the counting stats he once did, but that’s because every offense in the league game plans to avoid him. There’s no player making the same difference that he does from the interior defensive line. Quarterbacks beware.
6. Micah Parsons, Hybrid Defender Dallas Cowboys
Parsons is the first in a new wave of defenders who can put their hand in the dirt, play middle linebacker and cover a tight end and feel comfortable. While he may only be a B+ difference-maker at each of those, the flexibility makes a QB hesitate on their reads and offensive coordinators struggle. He’s a cornerstone player on the defensive side of the ball.
5. Travis Kelce, Tight End Kansas City Chiefs
Is he the GOAT at the tight end position? His case gets stronger and stronger every season. He is accumulating accolades like they’re Xbox achievements on easy mode. At this point, he’s chasing NFL history and not current standards.
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4. Josh Allen, Quarterback Buffalo Bills
Need someone to throw it 60 yards off their backfoot? Josh Allen. Need someone to truck an inside linebacker while scrambling? Josh Allen. The Bills will live with the mistakes when his hot streaks are borderline unstoppable. There’s a reason the fantasy football community loves him.
3. Justin Jefferson, Wide Receiver Minnesota Vikings
Jefferson has the most receiving yards through three seasons in the NFL and it’s not close. Now that the Vikings have a rookie to take some heat off of him and Hockenson, he’s in store for his best season yet. A record-setter on the rise, Jefferson has unlimited potential and is the highest non-QB in the top ten NFL players for 2023.
2. Joe Burrow, Quarterback Cincinnati Bengals
A hush fell over the NFL community when Burrow was carted off the field in training camp. At his best, he’s a pinpoint passer with a moxie that rivals a young Joe Namath. Burrow is due for a huge season, injury permitting.
1. Patrick Mahomes, Quarterback Kansas City Chiefs
What’s there to say about Mahomes that hasn’t already been said? He has an Offensive Player of the Year, two MVPs, two Super Bowl MVPs, three All-Pros and just quietly had the fourth most passing yards in a season ever. Oh yeah, and he’s only 27. This whole list was always Mahomes and everyone else.
The Rest of the Top 50 NFL Players for 2023
50. Patrick Surtain, CB DEN
49. Mark Andrews, TE BAL
48. Tony Pollard, RB DAL
47. Corey Linsley, C LAC
46. Tristan Wirfs, OT TB
45. George Pickens, WR PIT
44. Fred Warner, MLB SF
43. Derrick Henry, RB TEN
42. Daniel Jones, QB NYG
41. Cooper Kupp, WR LAR
Analysis of Top NFL Players 50 to 41
40. Bijan Robinson, RB ATL
39. Haason Reddick, EDGE PHI
38. Travis Etienne, RB JAX
37. Dak Prescott, QB DAL
36. Stefonn Diggs, WR BUF
35. Zach Martin, OG DAL
34. A.J. Brown, WR PHI
33. Minkah Fitzpatrick, FS PIT
32. Austin Ekeler, RB LAC
31. Lamar Jackson, QB BAL
Analysis of Top NFL Players 40 to 31
30. Justin Fields, QB CHI
29. Davante Adams, WR LV
28. Roquan Smith, MLB BAL
27. Jonathan Taylor, RB IND
26. Tua Tagavailoa, QB MIA
25. Jalen Ramsey, CB MIA
24. George Kittle, TE SF
23. Christian McCaffrey, RB SF
22. Joey Bosa, EDGE LAC
21. Nick Chubb, RB CLE
Analysis of Top NFL Players 30 to 21
20. Derwin James, FS LAC
19. Saquon Barkley, RB NYG
18. Tyreek Hill, WR MIA
17. Chris Jones, DT KC
16. Ceedee Lamb, WR DAL
15. Ja’Marr Chase, WR CIN
14. Sauce Gardner, CB NYJ
13. Aaron Rodgers, QB NYJ
12. Trent Williams, OT SF
11. T.J. Watt, EDGE PIT
Analysis Top NFL Players 20 to 11
A special thank you to Chris Mabry, Patrick Sheehan, Evan Bachman, Curtis Leung, Kevin Perry, Sam Thatcher, Cade Clodi, Reese Kunz, Alex Snodgrass, Rhys Knott, Grant Wheeler, Nate Ghosney, our COO Ben Kerr and all the other writers who participated in this exercise.
Main Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
