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is surprisingly quick enough to chase even mobile quarterbacks like [Tyrod Taylor out of bounds](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3Txieb68pQ&t=22s). He is a game wrecker for any opposing offensive in the league.



Who knows what is in store for Derrick Brown in 2026, but one thing is sure and that is he does not get the recognition he deserves yet. A player of caliber should have more accolades than a single pro bowl replacement.


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#**#43 - Jalen Pitre - Houston Texans - Safety**

***Previous Ranks***

|2024|2023|2022|
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|N/A|N/A|N/A​|

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**Written by:** u/ExpirjTec

Week 14, Texans at the Chiefs. Tie game, 10-10 late in the third quarter. Patrick Mahomes attempting to lead a go-ahead scoring drive and keep Kansas City’s playoff hopes alive. First down and 10 at their own 38. He takes the snap, running to his left. Derek Barnett seals off the left edge while Dylan Horton gets in Mahomes’ face. Mahomes scrambles back to his right, scans the field, finds Rashee Rice running towards the first down marker, and throws the ball.

Then it happens.

[The Hit.](https://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/1ph2cid/highlight_hou_vs_kc_jalen_pitre_with_the_big_hit/)

In a season full of insane defensive highlights, no Texans moment in 2025 (and perhaps none other than the great Christening of Innegan) went more viral than Pitre giving Rashee Rice the ol’ car crash simulator. And sure, in the grand scheme of things, there were several more impactful plays and moments that helped cement the Bulls on Parade 2.0 as the scariest defense in the league. But in terms of reputation, this simple hit on first down in the third quarter was the most emblematic moment of the season for us. The Texans defense is a cold-blooded killing machine, and nobody is spared.

Pitre, aged 26 in 2025, is in some ways the elder statesman of the starters. (Sure, Sheldon Rankins is older, but he only rejoined the team last year.) He came into the league at the same time as teammate Derek Stingley Jr., the two longest tenured members of the defense, and although perhaps not as excellent as a healthy Stingley, he played a lot more games and was already approaching this level of dawg in his rookie year. He quickly earned a reputation among Texans fans for his bone-crushing hits and excellent coverage, and his play has still managed to improve every year. He reached a career high among PFF grades with a coverage grade of 88.1 and an overall grade of 86.5, both second in the league among qualified safeties. He didn’t allow a single touchdown in coverage but [snagged 4 picks](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I82CtfeBnU?t=8s) and broke up 6 passes, ranking top 5 at his position in those stats. His hits could put a blush on Kam Chancellor’s face and discouraged quarterbacks from throwing his way. As a hybrid safety, Pitre spent a lot of time in the box and in the slot, performing admirably at every test; his 68.1 passer rating against is far and away the lowest of any defensive back who logged 400 or more snaps in the slot in 2025.

I’ve seen quite a lot of arguments on who the true engine of the Texans defense is. Is it DeMeco Ryan’s simple but brilliant schemes? Is it Azeez Al-Shaair’s game calling and run defense? Perhaps Derek Stingley locking down your #1? Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter making your quarterback run for his life? Hell, I’ve even some people say *Calen Bullock* is the spark the Texans need. And to be truthful, none of those answers are entirely wrong, every piece works together in tandem like a beautiful steampunk machine. But for my money, the most *reliable* member of the defense is Pitre, the first stone of this fortress to be laid down, handing belt to ass since 2022.


#**#42 - James Cook - Buffalo Bills - Running Back**

***Previous Ranks***

|2024|2023|2022|
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|N/A|95|N/A​|

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**Written by:** u/DowntownJulieBrown1

When Joe Brady took over as the Bills OC, halfway through James Cook’s second year, one of the biggest changes he made was empowering the young
running back. Cook responded by more than doubling his carries and rushing yards from the previous year. He then followed that up with a strong season in his third year in the league. Though to many he failed to escape the shadow of his brother Dalvin, and his infamous “wild hogs” discussion post.

Until this past year, when he had a breakout season few could’ve expected. In 2025, while having a prime Josh Allen at QB, the Bills offense was driven by its run game. In Brady’s second full year in control of the offense, the Bills lead the league in total rushing yards and rushing yards per game, with the bulk of that load being carried by the fourth year breakout star. Cook tallied a league leading 1621 rushing yards while averaging an efficient 5.2 per carry. Combined with his workload, 309 carries across 17 games, it’s easy to see why Cook was worthy of being an all-pro. Though to many he is still yet to earn the distinction of one of the games truly elite RBs.

There’s no denying the fact that Cook benefits from the golden god he shares a backfield with. Put to attribute all of James’ greatness to his superstar qb would be a foolish mistake. Featuring a lack of pass catchers that were able to make the most of Allen’s greatness, and an O-line that took a significant step backwards from the year prior, Cook truly had to earn his yards. The lack of talent at wr allowed many teams to stack the box and focus solely on slowing down the rushing attack. But Brady stayed patient, and before long Cook tended to reward that patience. Often being only a matter of time before he’d jump-cut his way to yardage.

I’m not here to tell you that James Cook’s great year is totally unrelated to Josh Allen’s greatness, but rather that it’s a mutually beneficial relationship. Cook benefits from having an alien of a qb who demands such attention, and Josh benefits from having at least one other player on the offense that consistently contributes at an elite level.



#**41 - Andrew Thomas - New York Giants - Offensive Tackle**

***Previous Ranks***

|2024|2023|2022|2021|2020|
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|N/A|N/A|27|N/A|N/A​|

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**Written by:** u/ExpirjTec

It seems that every year there will be a player that I rank very highly because I do not value missed time due to injury quite like other rankers; in 2023 it was Laremy Tunsil, in 2024 it was Puka Nacua, and here in 2025 it was Andrew Thomas. Last year, Thomas missed the first two and last two games of the season while dealing with an assortment of foot and hamstring injuries, but it didn’t seem to hamper his play in the slightest; Thomas had a career year and was one of the best tackles in the league.
Right out of the gate, Thomas underwent a trial by fire; his first matchup was Chris Jones and the Chiefs. And yet, [they were suffocated.](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KLg4sNYP9ZZ3RdqyIGHPHmC0OCJs0kb2/view?usp=sharing) The following week, a date with Tuli Tuipulotu and the Chargers; [extinguished.](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ju2LQJVA6FigTqkA8bMfMrmkqOBqlVZy/view?usp=sharing) Jalyx Hunt and the Eagles? [Denied.](https://drive.google.com/file/d/11hmVLYpxtawZpH-NfaY_o914mkenVtah/view?usp=sharing) It seems to be a reoccurring theme; whenever a fearsome pass rush is on the Giants’ schedule, Andrew Thomas just bulldozes everyone, even the best edges in the league. Nik Bonitto? [Don’t even joke lad.](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J5t0ZJZy9cXFUPPXcppRWfMLKbiS3OXK/view?usp=sharing) MICAH FREAKING PARSONS? [Utterly, simply, *MOGGED*.](https://drive.google.com/file/d/19KfE_SCFV-bUEVQCSqaee9UwtmWkbSY0/view?usp=sharing)

Andrew Thomas accounted for just 1 of the 48 sacks the Giants quarterback room suffered this past season. His pass blocking efficiency grade of 98.1 was the highest in the league among offensive tackles with at least 200 snaps, and graded out with a 90.3 overall grade because he’s also an excellent run blocker.

The Giants have a lot of concerns to address, including health; while their playmakers get all the coverage, Thomas missed 22 games across the last 3 seasons, and as
the other 47 sacks proved, his presence is one they simply cannot afford to miss. But when he’s on the field, boy oh boy is he a game changer.


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#[Link to Positional Tracker Sheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qIyTQhGuMRYzBZeKEQxFi6l47kJcDtOaYglhJUWpb0k/edit?usp=sharing)

#[Link to Ranker Reveal Sheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HYDsL3nytYxKPx3VDUn0PXv8iSv_NiCjPdya9u8N6V4/edit?usp=sharing)

#[Link to Hub](https://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/1trflka/rnfl_top_100_players_of_the_2025_season_hub_post/)

#[Link to Previous Post (60-51)](https://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/1u7v178/rnfl_top_100_players_of_the_2025_nfl_season_6051/)

https://redd.it/1ua80yj
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[Highlight] D’andre Swift and Kyle Monangai combine for 255 rushing yards against the Eagles

https://redd.it/1ucy400
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[Highlight] Brandon Bostick botches the onside kick just before the 2 minute warning in the 2014 NFC Championship. Seahawks win 28-22.

https://redd.it/1ud7ta4
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[Schefter] Just in: NFL is declining to hold a supplemental draft this summer, currently leaving the 2027 Draft as the only way for QB Brendan Sorsby to enter the NFL.
https://www.threads.com/@adamschefter/post/DZ79bkqFVMo?xmt=AQG0FF8uUFfkr7FSGxDSqdV2SFUDtC_zqSjc8c-ONbAjg2SS3NcOX5ViZhWUaTZSX9xGU2tJ&slof=1

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[Schefter] ESPN sources: TE Kyle Pitts and the Atlanta Falcons reached agreement today on a three-year, $54 million contract that includes $36 million fully guaranteed. It is the largest three-year contract for a tight end in NFL history.
https://www.threads.com/@adamschefter/post/DZ8R3-mFX24?xmt=AQG0rLMX5VETXKO4_ZOxrsXZVifpKB0m4yayu-Wg-SnPvoGC9EHBoa1eaNeGgsYqO9YopMGp&slof=1

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[Highlight] Derrick Henry stiff arms but they get increasingly more ridiculous

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