We are officially in the NFL's dead period, which also means it's LIST SZN.

We figured we'd join the party and assemble our very own list of the NFL's top-105 players heading into the 2024 season. We compiled the rankings via our staff and asked them to submit a ballot featuring what they believe comprises the top-50 players. From that point, we tallied each vote and subsequently ranked the players, accordingly.

We've already released the first batch of rankings. Now let's stop wasting time and dive into Nos. 85-66.

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85. WR Nico Collins, Houston Texans

Points: 33
Average ranking: 40
Highest/lowest ranking: 34/47

The Nico Collins – C.J. Stroud connection was one of the league's best duos through the air last season. Collins' breakout season placed him among the best wide receivers in franchise history while earning a new contract extension with the team. Collins proved that he can be a dominate and reliable target with elite quarterback play, something that will continue to shine during the upcoming 2024 season – Kole Noble, A to Z Chicago

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84. OL Tyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys

Points: 36
Average ranking: 33
Highest/lowest ranking: 27/39

Tyler Smith was a second-team All-Pro because of his dominance against top tier competition. He handled the likes of Aaron Donald and Jalen Carter, among other top DTs in the NFL. He played decently at left tackle as a rookie but found his true home at guard, where his nasty and violent style of blocking thrives. – Mauricio Rodriguez, A to  Z Dallas

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83. QB Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

Points: 36
Average ranking: 39
Highest/lowest ranking: 24/49

Jared Goff has been one of the NFL’s best stories in recent years. He went from a guy that was surely a bridge quarterback to a guy that’s putting up top five numbers in consecutive seasons and getting top five money for it. 

Last season Goff led the Lions to their first division title in 30 years and then their first playoff win in 30 years. This year the team has a chance to win it all and Goff is a big reason why. – Mike Payton, A to Z Detroit

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82. WR Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

Points: 39
Average ranking: 38
Highest/lowest ranking: 30/46

If there’s any number two wideout better than Jaylen Waddle, I’d like to see him. The rising fourth-year wideout just received a rich new deal that put him in the top five of all wideouts. With 251 catches for 3385 yards and 18 touchdowns in 3 years (while playing with Tyreek Hill for two of them), there’s little doubt that Waddle earned that deal. – Craig Smith, A to Z Miami

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81. G Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns

Points: 39
Average ranking: 41.25
Highest/lowest ranking: 37/44

Bitonio took a slight step back last season due to injury, but he is still the perennial Pro Bowler who had been there for six straight seasons. Bitonio, 32, missed his first two games since 2016 last season and that ended an impressive streak of games played he has going. The All-Pro has gotten better with age and has been one of the best guards in the NFL for some years now. The offensive line in Cleveland should be fully healthy in 2024 and that is only going to help Bitonio.  – Brandon Little, A to Z Cleveland

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80. EDGE Brian Burns, New York Giants

Points: 39
Average ranking: 31.5
Highest/lowest ranking: 18/45

The 26-year-old edge rusher is a horror show for pass protection when healthy. He has a rare combination of athleticism and speed, which makes him a matchup nightmare for most blockers. Burns' best season of his career came in 2022 – before the contract drama loomed over his head and nagging injuries derailed his production.

He logged 12.5 sacks and 63 total tackles. In 2023, that production seemingly fell off a cliff, claiming single-digit sacks (8) and 50 total tackles. After the Giants traded for him and signed him to a five-year, $141 million deal, the franchise is hoping Burns returns to his double-digit sack form that put him in the conversation for one of the NFL's most elite edge rushers. – Ian Kayanja, A to Z Sports Carolina

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79. QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

Points: 39
Average ranking: 41.25
Highest/lowest ranking: 37/50

Whether or not the Dolphins sign Tua to a long-term extension, this is a very big year for Miami’s starting QB. Tua has shown over the last two years that he’s capable of functioning at a very high level in Mike McDaniel’s offense – when everything is going well.  The numbers back that up. However, when things aren’t going well – be it injuries, pressure, cold weather, etc. – things have been a struggle. The best just find a way to win regardless of the circumstances. Tua still needs to show he has that trait to be considered among the best in the league. – Craig Smith, A to Z Miami

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78. DL DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts

Points: 41
Average ranking: 30.5
Highest/lowest ranking: 20/41

DeForest Buckner is a true force on the interior for the Indianapolis Colts. He's been one of the most under appreciated players in the NFL for quite some time and him coming in at No. 78 here is another example. He's one of the best DTs in the NFL. And don't be shocked if his production takes another step forward with the Colts adding arguably the best pass rusher in college football over the last two seasons in Laiatu Latu with their 2024 1st round pick to take some of the pressure off Buckner going forward. – Destin Adams, A to Z Sports Indianapolis

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77. CB A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons

Points: 41
Average ranking: 30.5
Highest/lowest ranking: 23/38

A.J. Terrell is on his way to becoming one of the best cornerbacks in the league. Sure, his 2023 season didn’t come close to his All-Pro 2021 year but one could argue that he didn’t have the right coaches and very little help from the secondary last fall. Despite those setbacks, Terrelle managed to finish the year with a PFF defensive grade of 60 after recording 45 combined tackled, 4 for loss, and a team-leading 11 pass defended. With a revamped coaching staff and defense, we should see Terrell turn it up a notch in 2024 while en route to a contract extension. – Kelsey Kramer, A to Z Atlanta

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76. WR Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

Points: 42
Average ranking: 40.5
Highest/lowest ranking: 26/50

Two years removed from one of the best statistical seasons we’ve seen from a WR, the former triple crown winner has seemingly fallen from grace among the NFL elite. His 76th overall ranking is largely due to his lack of production and time on task over the past two seasons, with multiple lower body injuries accumulating. When healthy, his 2023 film showed a nuanced route runner that can still separate with the best of the best and QB-WR relationship that is second to none, meaning you can’t rule out a return to form in 2024.  – Rob Gregson, A to Z Pittsburgh

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75. QB Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets

Points: 44
Average ranking: 36.33
Highest/lowest ranking: 35/39

Aaron will stroll into Canton five years after he officially hangs up the solo chin strap no matter what happens in his tenure with the New York Jets.  His game has morphed over the years from a physical one to a mental one as he continues to evolve and frustrate defenses.  Will he still be a running threat? No.  But his football IQ is off the charts, and he still has that chip on his shoulder.  He is only a few seasons removed from back-to-back MVP’s and has one of the best supporting casts he has had in a long time this season.  Still, he is 40 years old and coming off an Achilles injury that had him doing nothing but coaching and rehab for months.  It wouldn’t surprise me if he winds up much higher or much lower on this list by the end of the year. – Mike Antoniou, A to Z New York Jets

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74. WR D.J. Moore, Chicago Bears

Points: 49
Average ranking: 38.75
Highest/lowest ranking: 29/50

After freeing himself from the Carolina Panthers and the revolving door at quarterback, DJ Moore stacked up career-highs in every category playing with Justin Fields as his quarterback during his first season in Chicago. Now, Moore is set to have the best quarterback of his career in rookie Caleb Williams to connect with for years to come after solidifying himself as one of the top vertical pass catchers in the league last season – Kole Noble, A to Z Sports Chicago

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73. EDGE Danielle Hunter, Houston Texans

Points: 56
Average ranking: 39.8
Highest/lowest ranking: 28/46

Danielle Hunter was a force last season, and that was on the Minnesota Vikings with much less on the defensive side of the ball than the Houston Texans should have in 2024. He can play the run, and he's relentless in his pursuit of the quarterback. He is undoubtedly one of the best edge rushers in the league and could be even better in 2024 across from Will Anderson Jr. – Justin Churchill, A to Z Sports Las Vegas

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72. CB L'Jarius Sneed, Tennessee Titans

Points: 57
Average ranking: 41.5
Highest/lowest ranking: 34/47

27-year-old cornerback L’Jarius Sneed landed a four-year, $76.4 million deal with the Tennessee Titans this offseason following a trade from the Kansas Coity Chiefs. That payday comes after a 2023 season that was the best of Sneed’s impressive four-year NFL career.

Sneed set a new career-high with 14 passes defended in 2023 and did not allow a single touchdown on over 90 targets his direction. The former fourth-round draft pick only got better when the games got bigger. Sneed led all cornerbacks in completion percentage allowed during the playoffs and was second in passer rating allowed. That propelled Steve Spagnuola’s defense in Kansas City to back-to-back Super Bowl titles.

The Titans are getting one of the most physical and aggressive cornerbacks in the game. Sneed loves to get his hands on receivers and thrives in press man coverage. There’s nobody he’s not capable of jamming at the line of scrimmage. That should fit in well with Dennard Wilson’s new defense. He’s a bona fide CB1 and his best football still may be yet to come. – Sam Phalen, A to Z Sports Nashville

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71. QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Points: 60
Average ranking: 36
Highest/lowest ranking: 28/44

The only thing wrong with Brock Purdy’s fairytale first full season as the 49ers’ starting quarterback was the ending. Purdy went toe to toe with Patrick Mahomes in an admirable Super Bowl 58 performance and probably would have hoisted the trophy had he enjoyed the benefit of better protection from the O-Line or better separation from his receivers in the overtime thriller.

The aspects of the 49ers’ performance in Las Vegas that prevented them from lifting the Lombardi Trophy are reflective of the main question still surrounding Purdy — what happens when everything around him isn’t perfect in the best offense in football.It’s perhaps an unfair question given Purdy displayed substantial playmaking ability in leading two 49ers comebacks to guide them to the Super Bowl, and there’s no doubt he has added new dimensions to the San Francisco offense with his off-schedule prowess and proficiency as a downfield passer. Purdy had the highest EPA and positive play rate in the NFL on attempts of 20-plus yards last season. He also led the league in EPA per play, success rate, touchdown percentage, passer rating, QBR and every yards per attempt metric.

How much of that remarkable efficiency is a product of Purdy and how much is a symptom of the surrounding talent and Kyle Shanahan’s uber-friendly offense is still open for debate. However, if Purdy reproduces anything close to his 2023 form, he’ll be much higher up this list next year, when he could potentially be the highest-paid player in the NFL.- Nicholas McGee, A to Z Sports San Francisco

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70. DL Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers

Points: 60
Average ranking: 36
Highest/lowest ranking: 29/40

Derrick Brown might be the best defensive tackle the average NFL fan doesn’t know that much about. He’s been one of the few bright spots in Carolina for the past few seasons, and started to truly elevate his game in 2022 before posting the best season of his young career in 2023. He was the only player to post 40+ pressures (41) and 50+ defensive stops (53) last year according to Pro Football Focus, and his overall grade of 90.1 was fourth among interior defensive linemen. The Panthers rightfully rewarded him with a four-year, $96 million extension, and he still might be underpaid. – John Sheeran, A to Z Cincinnati

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69. T Christian Darrisaw, Minnesota Vikings

Points: 61
Average ranking: 20.5
Highest/lowest ranking: 17/24

Darrisaw is quickly ascending the NFL's list of top left tackles, yet his name is still largely unknown amongst fans, in a general sense of the word.

Injuries affected his 2023 season to the point where he gave up 6.0 sacks, along with  league-high 13 QB hits among 32 qualifying tackles with at least 982 blocking snaps.  However, he still finished with seventh-fewest allowed pressures and tied for the 10th-best pass blocking efficiency rating, per Pro Football Focus.

Darrisaw's combination of size and athleticism give him the perfect foundational tools to succeed in an offense like Minnesota's and 2024 can easily be the year that pushes him into the elite category of left tackles.- Evan Winter, A to Z Minnesota

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68. CB Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers

Points: 63
Average ranking: 35.25
Highest/lowest ranking: 26/48

One of the best free agent signings of the Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch era, Ward built on an excellent first season with the 49ers with another that established him as a true lockdown corner who can take away one side of the field and punish offenses for targeting him.

His efforts in shutting down DK Metcalf-on Thanksgiving brought more of a national spotlight on Ward’s stellar play, and it was telling that the Chiefs did not target him across four quarters and overtime in the Super Bowl.

Adept in man and zone coverage and boasting the physicality in the run game that the 49ers demand of their corners, Ward led the NFL with 23 pass breakups in 2023 and also tallied five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He had PFF’s fourth-highest coverage grade among cornerbacks and was also fourth in Sports Info Solutions’ points saved metrics for players at his position. With both Ward and fellow starter Deommodore Lenoir set for unrestricted free agency next offseason, the 49ers have some tricky decisions to make in 2025. – Nicholas McGee, A to Z San Francisco

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67. CB Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers

Points: 65
Average ranking: 34.75
Highest/lowest ranking: 25/44

Over the past four seasons, Jaire Alexander has been the definition of up and down. Not necessarily because of performance, but because he had multiple injuries in 2021 and 2023, missing 23 games in these two seasons. When healthy, though, he was a Pro Bowler and Second-Team All-Pro in 2020 and 2022. Which version of Jaire will the Packers get in 2024 is a big question, but the team seems to be happy with how Alexander handled a team-imposed suspension last year.

Jaire is entering a dangerous part of a cornerback's career arc, as he enters Year 7 in the NFL, but he is still the star of the Packers secondary. – Wendell Ferreira, A to Z Green Bay

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66. TE Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

Points: 65
Average ranking: 34.75
Highest/lowest ranking: 32/39

Before suffering an ankle injury, Andrews led all starting tight ends in touchdowns and was top five in yards per route run and yards per reception during the first 11 weeks of the 2023 season. It was nothing new for one of the game's best receiving weapons at the position. Andrews' value within his offense is extraordinary compared to other tight ends around the league. He's the fourth tight end in league history to go over 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns in his first six seasons. The other three are Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham, and Antonio Gates. – John Sherran, A to Z Cincinnati

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Be sure to check back in for the coming weeks, as we'll release the next 20 players each week until training camp starts.

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