Myles Garrett Leads Top 100 NFL Players of 2026; Rams Have Three in Top 10

Quarterbacks are by far the most valuable players in football, especially in the NFL .

If you picked a list of team MVPs, it would almost certainly be filled with starting quarterbacks. But that doesn't mean they are always the best players, although many are that and more.

So when putting together my list of the top 100 players in the league, it would be easy to put a quarterback at the top. But that's not the case this year, although several are in the top 10 and scattered throughout the list.

The top player this year is Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett . He is the league's best pass rusher and last year set a single-season sack record with 23 for the Cleveland Browns . His ability to dominate a game is why the Rams traded a haul to get him in May in one of the league's biggest trades of all time .

Trading away a Defensive Player of the Year the season after he won the award had never happened before this deal. But it works for the Rams. They are all in this year, so they made the move to get Garrett by giving up a haul . That tells you his value. It speaks to why he sits atop my list of the NFL's best 100 players.

With Garrett at the top and Rams quarterback Matt Stafford, fresh off an MVP season, at No. 2, the Rams have the two best players in the league heading into the 2026 season. They also have No. 9 on this list in receiver Puka Nacua . They are a star-laden team for sure.

Garrett is truly an all-time great. But is he the best edge player ever? Not in my book. Lawrence Taylor is.

But Garrett is closing fast. If he has another 20-sack season, it becomes an interesting conversation. For now, he's the best player in the league.

Putting together this list made me realize how many top-tier players are coming off major injuries. That made it tough to compile. How do you rate Patrick Mahomes ? Nick Bosa ? Malik Nabers ? Jayden Daniels ?

It made it a real challenge. But here it is. Have at it. I'm sure you will.

1

Myles Garrett Los Angeles Rams DE The 2025 NFL Defensive Player of the Year broke the single-season sack record with 23. He is a true game wrecker. He plays with such force. (Last season: No. 2) 2

Matthew Stafford Los Angeles Rams QB He was the NFL's MVP for a reason, leading the league in passing yards and touchdown passes. If he's nearing the end of his career, he's doing so while still playing at a star level. (Last season: NR) 3

Josh Allen Buffalo Bills QB His numbers weren't as good as the year before, but he still was one of the best in the league. He carries the Bills on his back. His numbers should go up this year with Joe Brady running things. (Last season: No. 4) 4

Ja'Marr Chase Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase , WR, Cincinnati Bengals — He finished third in the league in catches with 125 last season, even with Joe Burrow missing time. He has 252 catches over the past two seasons to lead all receivers. (Last season: No. 8) 5

Joe Burrow Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals — After playing 17 games in 2024, the injury bug got him again last season as he played just eight games. He threw 17 touchdown passes and five picks in those games. The key for him is staying on the field. (Last season: No. 7 ) 6

Penei Sewell Detroit Lions OT He was dominant all year in both the run game and pass protection for the Lions . His ability to maul defenders in the run game is a big part of why the Lions run it so well. (Last season: No. 21) 7

Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Chiefs QB He is coming off a torn ACL, and his numbers haven't been as good as they were early in his career, but he's still one of the best – if not the best – quarterbacks in the league. Don't let the numbers fool you. (Last season: No. 1) 8

Justin Jefferson Minnesota Vikings WR He was hurt by poor quarterback play last year, but he remains the most talented receiver in the game. He had 84 catches and only two touchdowns last season. Kyler Murray should help his numbers this year. (Last season: No. 5) 9

Puka Nacua Los Angeles Rams WR This former fifth-round pick has developed into one of the best receivers in the league, leading the NFL in catches with 129. He knows how to get open and catches everything thrown his way. (Last season: No. 63) 10

Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens QB Injuries held him back last year, but when he was on the field he remained the same dynamic playmaker. He needs to stay healthy and should return to MVP form in the new-look offense. (Last season: No. 6) 11

Patrick Surtain II Denver Broncos CB His play tailed off some from the year before, when he was the league's Defensive Player of the Year. But not by much. He remains one of the game's best cover players. (Last season: No. 9) 12

Micah Parsons Green Bay Packers DE After being traded to the Packers , Parsons was dynamic as a pass rusher with 12.5 sacks in 14 games. But his season was cut short by a torn ACL. He is expected back in October. (Last season: No. 10) 13

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Seattle Seahawks WR He showed he's a true star last season with 119 catches and 10 touchdowns. He also averaged an impressive 15.1 yards per catch. (Last season: NR) 14

Aidan Hutchinson Detroit Lions DE Without much help on the defensive line, he still had 14.5 sacks last season after coming back from a broken leg suffered the year before. He is still just 25. (Last season: No. 15) 15

Will Anderson Jr. Houston Texans DE In his third season in 2025, he posted a career-high 12 sacks. That earned him a brand-new contract. Along with Danielle Hunter , he forms one of the best edge duos in the league. (Last season: No. 56) 16

Fred Warner San Francisco 49ers MLB He's among the many 49ers coming off major injuries. But when he's on the field, there is no better off-ball linebacker in the league. He can do it all. (Last season: No. 19) 17

Bijan Robinson Atlanta Falcons RB He has developed into one of the game's best dual-threat backs. He was fourth in rushing with 1,478 yards and also caught 79 passes for 820 yards. He has averaged 4.9 yards per carry over his three seasons. (Last season: No. 39) 18

Trey McBride Arizona Cardinals TE He caught 126 passes last season to finish second in the league behind Puka Nacua. He also had 11 touchdowns, cementing himself as the top tight end in the game. (Last season: No. 42) 19

Christian McCaffrey San Francisco 49ers RB Coming off an injury-shortened 2024 season, he responded by rushing for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns while catching 102 passes with seven touchdown receptions. At times, he was basically the entire 49ers offense because of injuries to other players. (Last season: No. 41) 20

Jeffery Simmons Tennessee Titans DT Playing on a bad team in 2025, he didn't get the attention he deserved for how well he played. He was a dominant interior rusher and once again was tough against the run. He earned the mega deal he signed this month. (Last season: No. 78 ) 21

Jahmyr Gibbs Detroit Lions RB He is the catalyst that makes the Lions offense go. He rushed for 1,223 yards and caught 77 passes. He averaged 5 yards per rush. He should get more carries this season. (Last season: No. 32) 22

Tristan Wirfs Tampa Bay Buccaneers OT He missed the first three games with a knee issue, but returned to play at his usual high standard. He is outstanding in pass protection. (Last season: No. 20) 23

Creed Humphrey Kansas City Chiefs C He was the best center in the league again last season, displaying the ability to move people in the run game and excel in pass protection. Patrick Mahomes has to love having him as his center. (Last season: No. 16) 24

Devon Witherspoon Seattle Seahawks CB He is a do-it-all corner. He is good in coverage, can tackle in the run game and does a good job when asked to pressure. He isn't a big player, but he sure plays big. (Last season: No. 84) 25

Trent Williams San Francisco 49ers OT He isn't the same player he was earlier in his career, but he's still damn good at 37. The 49ers are a different offense when he isn't on the field. He's on his way to Canton. (Last season: No. 34) 26

Garett Bolles Denver Broncos OT He had his best season protecting the blindside for Bo Nix . He was not credited with allowing a sack last season. His improvement over the years is a big reason why the Denver line is good. (Last season: No. 74) 27

Brock Bowers Las Vegas Raiders TE Injuries limited him to eight starts in 2025, which really impacted the Raiders offense. He had 64 catches after having 112 as a rookie. But his touchdown total increased from five to seven. (Last season: No. 22) 28

Kyle Hamilton Baltimore Ravens SAF He is a big safety who can play in deep coverage, but really excels near the line of scrimmage. He was asked to do more of that last season. It will be interesting to see how the new staff uses him. (Last season: No. 36) 29

Christian Gonzalez New England Patriots CB Playing in a new scheme last season, he again played at a high level. He is outstanding in coverage and is on the verge of a mega-contract. (Last season: No. 62) 30

Jordan Mailata Philadelphia Eagles OT His play dipped a bit last season, but he still remains one of the game's best left tackles. He is a big power player who keys the run game and also does a good job in pass protection. His pass protection fell off some early, but he regrouped. (Last season: No. 13) 31

Aaron Brewer Miami Dolphins C His improvement over the past two seasons has been impressive. After signing with Miami as a free agent, he has developed into one of the league's best centers, which is why the team gave him a fat contract earlier this month. (Last season: NR) 32

Jonathan Taylor Indianapolis Colts RB He finished third in the league in rushing with 1,585 yards and a 4.9 average. He scored 20 touchdowns, including 18 on the ground. He remains one of the game's best runners. (Last season: No. 50) 33

Chris Lindstrom Atlanta Falcons G He is a big reason why Bijan Robinson had a big year on the ground. He is outstanding in the run game. He is also solid in pass protection, but it's his run blocking that stands out. (Last season: No. 43) 34

James Cook Buffalo Bills RB He led the NFL in rushing with 1,621 yards and had 12 rushing touchdowns and two receiving scores. He averaged an impressive 5.2 yards per carry. (Last season: NR) 35

Maxx Crosby Las Vegas Raiders DE He was limited to 15 games last season because of a knee injury and still had 10 sacks. He's one of those players who goes all out on every play. He's a game wrecker when healthy. (Last season: No. 28) 36

Quinyon Mitchell Philadelphia Eagles CB After a stellar rookie season in 2024, he followed it up with another impressive year in coverage. He is a blanket in coverage and continued to grow from his first campaign. (Last season: No. 69) 37

Danielle Hunter Houston Texans DE At 31, he remains a dominant pass rusher. He had 15 sacks last season and has posted double-digit sacks in four straight years. He has 114.5 sacks in his career. (Last season: No. 47) 38

Quenton Nelson Indianapolis Colts G He returned to star form in 2025 after a few seasons when his play wasn't quite what it was early in his career. He was good in both pass protection and the run game. (Last season: No. 80) 39

Cameron H

_Originally reported by [CBS Sports](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/top-100-nfl-players-2026-rankings/)._