The NFL Top 100 Players of 2026 has delivered a major statement from league players, with Los Angeles Rams star Myles Garrett claiming the No. 1 spot after a historic 2025 season. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen finished second, while several of the NFL’s biggest stars rounded out an impressive top 10.
Garrett’s rise to the top is particularly notable. He entered the 2025 season as one of the league’s premier defensive players but elevated his game to another level, setting a new NFL single-season sack record with 23 sacks.
Myles Garrett Named No. 1 in NFL Top 100
Garrett was voted the No. 1 player in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026, marking his highest-ever position in the player-voted rankings.
The Los Angeles Rams EDGE defender finished the 2025 campaign with 23 sacks and 33 tackles for loss, earning his second Defensive Player of the Year award. His 23 sacks surpassed the previous single-season record of 22.5, which had been shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt.
The ranking also represents a dramatic jump for Garrett. He was No. 8 in the 2025 NFL Top 100 before climbing all the way to the top this year.
Garrett’s move to Los Angeles has added even more intrigue to his 2026 outlook. The Rams acquired the star pass rusher from Cleveland during the offseason, pairing him with an already talented roster.
Even more significantly, Aaron Donald returned from retirement, giving the Rams a potentially dominant combination along the defensive front.
Josh Allen Finishes No. 2
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was voted No. 2, moving up one position from his No. 3 ranking in 2025.
Allen enters the 2026 season following another productive campaign. He threw for 3,668 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while adding 579 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns.
The Bills finished 12-5 before losing to the Denver Broncos in overtime during the divisional round.
Allen remains one of the NFL’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks. His combination of arm strength, mobility and creativity allows him to make plays both inside and outside the structure of an offense.
However, postseason success remains the major missing piece of his résumé. Buffalo has yet to advance beyond the AFC Championship Game during Allen’s tenure, with the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes frequently standing in the Bills’ way.
Top 10 NFL Top 100 Players of 2026
The top 10 features a mix of elite quarterbacks, explosive offensive stars and dominant defensive players:
- Myles Garrett, Los Angeles Rams
- Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
- Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
- Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
- Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
- Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
- Micah Parsons, Green Bay Packers
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
- Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos
The list is notable for its balance between established superstars and players continuing to rise toward the top of the league.
Patrick Mahomes Slips Outside the Top Five
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was ranked No. 18, a surprising position for a player widely regarded as one of the NFL’s most accomplished quarterbacks.
Mahomes’ placement comes behind several other offensive stars, including Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford, Bijan Robinson, Christian McCaffrey and others.
Despite the ranking, Mahomes remains one of the defining players of the modern NFL and continues to be a central figure in the AFC.
Other Notable Players on the List
The rankings also feature plenty of familiar names.
Ja’Marr Chase came in at No. 16, while Justin Jefferson was No. 19. Derrick Henry landed at No. 15, and Jonathan Taylor was ranked No. 17.
Among quarterbacks, Drake Maye was No. 11, Joe Burrow No. 44, Jalen Hurts No. 56, Lamar Jackson No. 69, Jordan Love No. 72 and Brock Purdy No. 85.
Defensively, Will Anderson Jr. ranked No. 12, Danielle Hunter No. 23, Maxx Crosby No. 24, Jared Verse No. 35 and T.J. Watt No. 41.
Rams Make a Major Impact on NFL Top 100
Los Angeles has a particularly strong presence in the rankings. The Rams placed six players on the list, including Garrett at No. 1, Stafford at No. 4 and Nacua at No. 7.
Davante Adams was ranked No. 53, Byron Young No. 84 and Kyren Williams No. 89.
With Garrett and Donald anchoring the defense and Stafford, Nacua and the rest of the offensive core providing firepower, the Rams enter 2026 as one of the teams attracting significant Super Bowl attention.
What the NFL Top 100 Rankings Mean for 2026
The player-voted rankings provide an interesting snapshot of how NFL stars view their peers heading into the new season.
Garrett’s No. 1 ranking is the clearest takeaway. His record-setting production, defensive dominance and move to a much stronger Los Angeles roster have combined to make him the league’s highest-rated player.
Allen’s No. 2 position reinforces his status as one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks, although another deep playoff run will likely determine whether he can eventually move into the No. 1 spot.
With the 2026 season underway, the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026 offers plenty of debate, but Garrett’s historic rise to No. 1 has already established one of the biggest storylines of the year.
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