The NFL Rank project celebrates 100 players expected to have a terrific season. One problem: More than 100 qualify.
ESPN's NFL experts rated players based on performance expectations for the 2026 season. Though the players who made the cut are deserving, at least nine marquee players could be classified as snubs -- the most important part of any list, right?
This project arrives about a month after we finalized our annual positional top 10s project, in which NFL executives, coaches and scouts rank the top players at each position. A review of both rankings shows plenty of similarities in order -- but also a bunch of differences. So, we asked league personnel evaluators to peek at our rankings and nominate players who deserved to be included -- but weren't.
Note: Commanders offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil was not considered for this exercise due to his recent triceps injury -- again, this is predicting 2026 play. Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who came out of retirement Sunday, was also not considered.
See the full NFL Rank list
Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sixteen quarterbacks made this year's top 100, and Mayfield was not one.
Mayfield ranks third in passing yards (12,237) and second in touchdown passes (95) since 2023. He has had some success in Tampa Bay, so much so that he turned down a two-year extension of over $100 million in hopes of more long-term security with his team. Mayfield is poised for another big year, which should help his standing on the list.
"When he's healthy, he's a top-10 quarterback," an NFL personnel evaluator said. "I don't think he was healthy last year. He should have a big season."