NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2025: The Final 10

There once was a time when NFL Network had a multi-month reveal of the league’s Top 100 Players. It was a fun way to pass the final weeks of the offseason. Unlike most rankings of the top players this was the player’s ranking. They did the voting. The best part of the rankings and the television part of it was the commentary by the player’s peers. These comments ranged from informative to hilarious and always entertaining. It’s an annual thing going back to 2011. For whatever reason, the league and NFL Network have been scaling back the production in recent years. In my opinion, it’s been disappointing. The 2025 edition has been on the smallest scale yet. It’s been a couple reveals a day over the past several weeks. There was no NFL Network programming. It was all on social media. It was easy to miss. Blink, and you missed it. That was until it came time for the Final 10 of the Top 100. Yesterday, there was an hour-long program on NFL Network revealing the Top 10 Players of 2025. Here are those 10:

10. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Denver Broncos

  9. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

  8. Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns

  7. Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens

  6. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals 

  5. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

  4. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals 

  3. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

  2. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

  1. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles 

Some Thoughts:

The immediate thought is that Justin Jefferson is way, way, way too low. He’s the best player in the league. Unless a non-quarterback is coming off a particularly ridiculous season, the top spot is always going to a quarterback. This year, Saquon Barkley is that non-quarterback. After taking receiving’s “triple crown,” Ja’Marr Chase came close. Well, close if #4 is considered close. Chase’s season wasn’t quite as ridiculous as Barkley’s. 

Defense rarely gets their proper respect. Only two defensive players (Patrick Surtain II and Myles Garrett) made this year’s Top 10. T.J. Watt and Chris Jones are probably more deserving of Top 10 status than Derrick Henry and Joe Burrow. 

My Top 10 probably looks something like this. 

10. Chris Jones

  9. Patrick Surtain II

  8. Patrick Mahomes

  7. Myles Garrett

  6. Ja’Marr Chase

  5. T.J. Watt

  4. Lamar Jackson

  3. Josh Allen

  2. Saquon Barkley

  1. Justin Jefferson

Considering the gradual downsizing of the annual NFL’s Top 100, I’m probably in the minority in hoping that it continues. As long as the player’s are interested in doing it, I’m interested in seeing it. The reveals are fun. The player commentary is awesome and entertaining. The rankings are what they are. An opinion. And the players rarely get one. 

Minnesota Vikings Roster: By Age

Here’s a look at the Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster broken down by age. 

22

Chaz Chambliss

Tai Felton

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Donovan Jackson

Kobe King

J.J. McCarthy

Dallas Turner

Elijiah Williams

23

Jordan Addison

Joe Huber

Austin Keys

Dwight McGlothern

Myles Price

Ben Yurosek

24

Max Brosmer

Ivan Pace Jr.

Will Reichard

Bo Richter

25

Michael Jurgens

Bo Richter

Levi Drake-Rodriguez

Jay Ward

Ryan Wright

26

Christian Darrisaw

Theo Jackson

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Mason

Jalen Nailor

Jeff Okudah

Jalen Redmond

Zavier Scott

27

Ty Chandler

Will Fries

Joshua Metellus

Byron Murphy Jr.

Isaiah Rodgers

28

Blake Brandel

Jonathan Greenard

T.J. Hockenson

Josh Oliver

Justin Skule

29

Blake Cashman

Brian O’Neill

Tavierre Thomas

30

Jonathan Allen

Aaron Jones Sr.

Andrew Van Ginkel

Eric Wilson

32

Javon Hargrave

Ryan Kelly

Carson Wentz

35

Adam Thielen

36

Harrison Smith

38

Andrew DePaola

Minnesota Vikings Roster: By College

Here’s a look at the Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster broken down by college. 

Air Force

Bo Richter

Alabama

Dallas Turner

Will Reichard

Jonathan Allen

Ryan Kelly

Arkansas 

Dwight McGlothern

Auburn

Austin Keys

Cincinnati

Ivan Pace Jr.

Eric Wilson

Ferris State

Tavierre Thomas

Florida

Jonathan Greenard

Georgia

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Chaz Chambliss

Ben Yurosek

Georgia Tech

Jordan Mason

Indiana

Myles Price 

Iowa

T.J. Hockenson

LSU

Justin Jefferson

Jay Ward

Maine

Zavier Scott

Maryland

Tai Felton

Michigan 

Josh Metellus

J.J. McCarthy

Michigan State

Jalen Nailor

Minnesota

Blake Cashman

Max Brosmer

Minnesota State-Mankato

Adam Thielen

Morgan State

Elijah Williams

North Carolina

Ty Chandler

North Dakota State

Carson Wentz

Notre Dame

Harrison Smith

Ohio State

Donovan Jackson

Jeff Okudah

Oklahoma

Jalen Redmond

Walter Rouse

Oregon State

Blake Brandel

Penn State

Will Fries

Kobe King

Pittsburgh

Brian O’Neill

Rutgers

Andrew DePaola

San Jose State

Josh Oliver

South Carolina State

Javon Hargrave

Tennessee

Theo Jackson

Texas-El Paso

Aaron Jones

Texas A&M-Commerce

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Tulane

Ryan Wright

UMass-Amherst

Isaiah Rodgers

USC

Jordan Addison

Vanderbilt

Justin Skule

Virginia Tech

Christian Darrisaw

Wake Forest

Michael Jurgens

Washington

Byron Murphy Jr. 

Wisconsin

Andrew Van Ginkel

Joe Huber

Minnesota Vikings Roster: How Did They Get Here?

The Minnesota Vikings have whittled the roster to 53 players. Here’s a look at how those 53 players got here.

Draft: First Round

Harrison Smith (2012)

Justin Jefferson (2020)

Christian Darrisaw (2021)

Jordan Addison (2023)

J.J. McCarthy (2024)

Dallas Turner (2024)

Donovan Jackson (2025)

Draft: Second Round

Brian O’Neill (2018)

Draft: Third Round

Tai Felton (2025)

Draft: Fourth Round

Jay Ward (2023)

Draft: Fifth Round

Ty Chandler (2022)

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (2015)

Draft: Sixth Round

Josh Metellus (2020)

Blake Brandel (2020)

Jalen Nailor (2022)

Walter Rouse (2024)

Will Reichard (2024)

Kobe King (2025)

Draft: Seventh Round

Michael Jurgens (2024)

Levi Drake Rodriguez (2024)

Undrafted Free Agent

Ryan Wright (2022)

Ivan Pace Jr. (2023)

Dwight McGlothern (2024)

Bo Richter (2024)

Max Brosmer (2025)

Chaz Chambliss (2025)

Joe Huber (2025)

Austin Keys (2025)

Myles Price (2025)

Elijiah Williams (2025)

Ben Yurosek (2025)

Trade

T.J. Hockenson (2022)

Jordan Mason (2025)

Adam Thielen (2025)

Unrestricted Free Agent

Josh Oliver (2023)

Byron Murphy Jr. (2023)

Jonathan Greenard (2024)

Andrew Van Ginkel (2024)

Blake Cashman (2024)

Isaiah Rodgers (2025)

Ryan Kelly (2025)

Will Fries (2025)

Tavierre Thomas (2025)

Justin Skule (2025)

Jeff Okudah (2025)

Eric Wilson (2025)

Street Free Agent

Andrew DePaola (2020)

Theo Jackson (2022)

Aaron Jones Sr. (2024)

Jalen Redmond (2024)

Zavier Scott (2024)

Jonathan Allen (2025)

Javon Hargrave (2025)

Carson Wentz (2025)

Minnesota VIkings Practice Squad

After setting the initial 53-man roster, the Minnesota Vikings put together their 16-member practice squad. As is often the case, the bulk of the squad is made up of players that had just been released by the Vikings. 

Minnesota Vikings Practice Squad

Henry Byrd, G

Dontae Fleming, WR

Kahlef Hailassie, S

Jonathan Harris, DT

Lucky Jackson, WR

Jeshaun Jones, WR

Tim Jones, WR

Vershon Lee, G/C

Fabian Moreau, CB

Gabriel Murphy, OLB

Bryson Nesbit, TE

Max Pircher, OT

Taki Taimani, DT

Xazavian Valladay, RB

Nick Vannett, TE

Zemaiah Vaughn, CB

K’Von Wallace, S

As part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, Max Pircher has a roster exemption. As a result, the Vikings have 17 players on the 16-player practice squad. Born in Brixen, Italy, Pircher has been a part of the league’s international program since 2021. He’s been on it so long that he was with the Los Angeles Rams when Kevin O’Connell was the team’s offensive coordinator. Both received Super Bowl rings for their work with the team. Pircher has been on the practice squads of the Rams (2021-22), Detroit Lions (2023), and Seattle Seahawks (2024). He was with the Washington Commanders during the offseason. 

Fabian Moreau, Max Pircher, and K’Von Wallace are the only members of the practice squad that weren’t on the Vikings training camp roster. 

There was mild to significant surprise when Gabriel Murphy, Taki Taimani, and Zemaiah Vaughn were among the final cuts. Each had made a strong case to be a part of the final 53. So, there was relief when the Vikings were able sign each to the practice. 

With the Vikings keeping only four cornerbacks on the 53-man roster, Zemaiah Vaughn and Fabian Moreau might be the most important players on the practice squad. They are the team’s current cornerback depth. Moreau may not have gone through training camp with the Vikings but he was on the roster and played last season. With such a thin active cornerback group, a player with the experience of Moreau could be important. 

An NFL roster is a very fluid thing. An NFL practice squad is even more so. There’ll be many changes this season. There’ll probably be changes before the Vikings play their first game. 

He’s Back

Adam Thielen is coming back home to Minnesota. After several days of trade negotiations, the Minnesota Vikings acquired Thielen from the Carolina Panthers. The deal:

Vikings receive:

Adam Thielen

conditional 2026 7th

2027 5th

Panthers receive:

2026 5th

2027 4th

The negotiations took a while for the simple reason the Panthers didn’t want to part with Thielen. Despite being 35, or because he’s 35, the Panthers saw the veteran receiver as an important part in the development of young quarterback Bryce Young. In their two years together, Thielen had been Young’s most reliable target. The Vikings really wanted Thielen for the simple reason they really needed him. The Vikings were set to enter the season with a receiver availability problem. Jordan Addison will miss the first three games of the season due to his suspension. Jalen Nailor suffered a hand injury a couple weeks ago and his early-season availability has been a mystery ever since. Rondale Moore was signed in the offseason to supplement the receiver position. Unfortunately, he was lost for the season with a torn ACL in the first preseason game. For the first few games of his NFL career, quarterback J.J. McCarthy was going to have few assets at the receiver position. It was Justin Jefferson, third-round rookie Tai Felton and a bunch of questions. The Vikings needed Thielen. Yesterday, they finally pried him away from the Panthers. 

Adam Thielen was the Vikings top receiver target for the simple reason he can step right into the lineup with a modest amount of preparation. He’s familiar with the offense as he played in it in 2022. He’s even familiar with J.J. McCarthy as he’s worked out with the young quarterback each of the last two offseasons. Introductions aren’t really necessary for Thielen. Despite his 35 years, he’s remained productive. He was productive for a Panthers team with a young quarterback that won few games. Thielen caught 103 passes for 1014 yards in 17 games in 2023. In ten games last season, he caught 48 passes for 615 yards. Now, he gets to line up opposite old friend Justin Jefferson. A concerning three-game stretch to start the season no longer feels so daunting. Jefferson and Thielen, supported hopefully by Jalen Nailor as well as rookie Tai Felton, can be a productive group. After the first three games, a trio of Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Thielen might be among the league’s best. Thielen should become more than just a three-game rental. If he stays on the field, he should be a productive, reliable part of the offense for 17+ games. 

When the Adam Thielen rumors started about a week ago, I was a little skeptical. I only saw the addition as a three-game rental and I was uneasy with that rental being a slowing, 35-year old receiver. I eventually warmed to the idea. Even if he’s only a three-game rental, the Vikings really needed him for those three games. A younger receiver wouldn’t have Thielen’s “ready-to-go” experience in the offense. By the time a younger receiver is up to speed in the Vikings offense, Jordan Addison is probably returning to it. That alone is worth the draft pick cost. By the time the trade was announced, I was celebrating it. 

Welcome back to Minnesota, Adam Thielen. 

Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster

The Minnesota Vikings completed the difficult task of reducing the roster to 53 players. It’s important to stress that this is an initial 53-man roster. An NFL roster is a very fluid thing. It will change. It’ll change as early as today. Here’s the initial 53-man roster of the 2025 season.

2025 Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster

Offense (25)

Quarterbacks (3)

J.J McCarthy

Carson Wentz

Max Brosmer

Running Backs (4)

Aaron Jones Sr.

Jordan Mason

Zavier Scott

Ty Chandler

Fullback (0)

Note: C.J. Ham was placed on Injured Reserve-Designated for return on Tuesday

Receivers (5)

Justin Jefferson

Jalen Nailor

Tai Felton

Tim Jones

Myles Price

Suspended for three games: Jordan Addison

Tight Ends (3)

T.J. Hockenson

Josh Oliver

Ben Yurosek

Offensive Line (10)

Christian Darrsisaw

Donovan Jackson

Ryan Kelly

Will Fries

Brian O’Neill

Justin Skule

Blake Brandel

Walter Rouse

Michael Jurgens

Joe Huber

Defense (25)

Defensive Line (6)

Jonathan Allen

Javon Hargrave

Jalen Redmond

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Elijah Williams

Outside Linebackers (5)

Jonathan Greenard

Andrew Van Ginkel

Dallas Turner

Bo Richter

Chaz Chambliss

Note: Tyler Batty was placed on Injured Reserve-Designated to return on Tuesday

Inside Linebackers (5)

Ivan Pace Jr.

Blake Cashman

Eric Wilson

Kobe King  

Austin Keys

Cornerbacks (4)

Byron Murphy Jr.

Isaiah Rodgers

Jeff Okudah

Dwight McGlothern

Safeties (5)

Harrison Smith

Josh Metellus

Theo Jackson

Jay Ward

Tavierre Thomas

Special Teams (3)

Kickers (1)

Will Reichard

Punter (1)

Ryan Wright

Long Snapper (1)

Andrew DePaola

***

A Few Thoughts on the Roster:

First of all, the injured reserve designations of C.J. Ham and Tyler Batty are a curiosity. The Vikings website says that they are designated to return on Tuesday. That might not be correct. The players might be out for the first four weeks of the season. 

Perhaps the greatest curiosity of the initial 53-man roster is the presence of seven undrafted rookies.

Max Brosmer

Myles Price

Ben Yurosek

Joe Huber

Elijah Williams

Chaz Chambliss

Austin Keys

The number bumps to eight if Tyler Batty (IR) is included. 

At the start of training camp, offensive tackle Logan Brown and cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn may have been the undrafted free agents most expected to make the roster. Neither made it but seven others did. The Vikings continue to do remarkable work in the undrafted market. 

Speaking of rookies, four of the Vikings five draft picks made the initial roster.

Donovan Jackson

Tai Felton

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Kobe King

The fifth, Gavin Bartholomew, is on injured reserve.

Other thoughts:

-Keeping four running backs is a surprise. Ty Chandler’s hold on a roster spot might not be strong one.

-Joe Huber’s performance forced the Vikings to keep 10 offensive linemen.

-I would expect an outside receiver to be added to the roster as early as today.

-With only four cornerbacks on the initial roster, I also expect a corner signing. Or trade.