The NFL's Elite Arrive

The countdown enters its most competitive stretch as The S3 Top 100 NFL Players of 2026 reaches Ranks No. 40 through No. 21.

These players didn't simply have outstanding seasons—they established themselves among the NFL's true elite during 2025. Most earned Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition, many became the faces of their franchises, and nearly all played major roles in leading their teams into playoff contention.

As always, these rankings answer one question:
Who had the best individual seasons during the 2025 NFL season?

Career accomplishments, reputation, and popularity took a back seat to actual performance.

40. James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
James Cook enjoyed the finest season of his career, becoming one of the NFL's most complete offensive weapons. His ability to run between the tackles while also creating explosive plays as a receiver made him invaluable to Buffalo's offense.

39. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs continued proving he is one of football's most dynamic offensive players. His home-run speed and versatility made him a nightmare matchup every week.

38. Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Even as one of the league's veteran running backs, Derrick Henry continued dominating defenders with his combination of size, strength, and finishing ability. His 2025 season showed there is still plenty left in the tank.

37. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
George Kittle remained the gold standard for complete tight ends. His elite blocking, dependable hands, and physical style continued making him one of the NFL's most valuable offensive weapons.

36. Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
Brock Bowers immediately established himself among the NFL's elite tight ends. His athleticism, route running, and ability to create mismatches made him one of the league's breakout stars.

35. Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
Trey McBride cemented himself as one of football's premier pass-catching tight ends. His consistency, toughness, and production over the middle made him Arizona's most reliable offensive weapon throughout the season.

34. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Brian Thomas Jr. emerged as one of the NFL's brightest young stars. His size, speed, and ability to create explosive plays helped elevate Jacksonville's offense throughout 2025.

33. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
Nico Collins continued his rise into the NFL's elite receivers. His physical style, reliable hands, and ability to dominate contested catches made him one of C.J. Stroud's favorite targets.

32. A.J. Brown, WR, New England Patriots
A.J. Brown once again produced like one of football's premier receivers. His blend of size, strength, and yards-after-catch ability continued making him one of the league's toughest covers.

31. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
CeeDee Lamb remained among the NFL's most complete receivers. His route running, explosiveness, and ability to create separation helped him deliver another outstanding campaign.

30. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
Amon-Ra St. Brown continued defining consistency. Whether working underneath, stretching defenses, or making clutch catches, he remained the heartbeat of Detroit's passing attack.

29. Kyle Hamilton, S, Baltimore Ravens
Kyle Hamilton proved once again why he is arguably the NFL's best safety. His versatility allowed Baltimore to use him all over the field, making him one of the league's most impactful defensive players.

28. Roquan Smith, LB, Baltimore Ravens
Roquan Smith continued setting the standard for off-ball linebackers. His instincts, tackling, and leadership anchored one of the NFL's premier defenses.

27. Dexter Lawrence II, DT, New York Giants
Dexter Lawrence remained nearly impossible to block. His ability to dominate both the run and pass game made him one of football's most disruptive interior defenders.

26. Quinnen Williams, DT, New York Jets
Quinnen Williams continued producing at an All-Pro level. His explosiveness and ability to collapse the pocket made life difficult for opposing offenses throughout 2025.

25. Nick Bosa, EDGE, San Francisco 49ers
Nick Bosa once again ranked among football's elite pass rushers. His relentless motor and ability to take over games kept him firmly in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation.

24. Jalen Carter, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Carter developed into one of the NFL's most dominant interior defensive linemen. Few defenders consistently disrupted offenses the way Carter did throughout 2025.

23. Maxx Crosby, EDGE, Las Vegas Raiders
Maxx Crosby's relentless effort and elite production once again placed him among football's premier edge defenders. Few players consistently played with more intensity.

22. Tristan Wirfs, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tristan Wirfs continued proving he is one of the NFL's elite offensive tackles. His dominance in pass protection and consistency against the league's top pass rushers made him indispensable.

21. Penei Sewell, OT, Detroit Lions
Penei Sewell narrowly misses the Top 20 after another dominant season. Whether protecting Jared Goff or opening massive rushing lanes, Sewell remained one of football's premier offensive linemen.

The Final 20 Are Here
If you've made it this far in the countdown, you've reached football's rarest company.

The remaining 20 players represent the absolute best individual seasons of 2025. Award winners. MVP candidates.

Defensive Player of the Year contenders. Offensive stars. Franchise cornerstones.

Every player remaining helped define the NFL season.

​The final installment will reveal The S3 Top 20 NFL Players of 2026, including the league MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and the players who truly separated themselves from the rest of the NFL.

More Articles in this Series:
The S3's Top 100 NFL Players of 2026: Nos. 60–41
The S3 Top 100 NFL Players of 2026: Nos. 80–61 
The S3's Top 100 NFL Players of 2026: Nos. 100–81