boiniznamena – The National Football League (NFL) is the most popular and prestigious professional American football league in the world. Every year, millions of fans watch the games and cheer for their favorite teams and players.
But who are the best players in the NFL right now? Who are the ones that dominate their positions and make a difference on the field? Based on various sources and criteria, such as performance, statistics, awards, and impact, here are the top 5 NFL football players the best in the world.
1. Aaron Donald, Defensive Lineman, Los Angeles Rams
Aaron Donald is widely regarded as the best defensive player in the NFL, and arguably the best player overall. The Los Angeles Rams star is a force of nature on the defensive line, disrupting the opposing offenses with his speed, strength, and technique.
Donald led the league in total pressures last season with 98, the third time in four seasons he has led the league in that category. He is the only full-time interior defender to ever lead the league in pressure, since J.J. Watt played more snaps on the edge than the interior in the two seasons he led the league in pressure.
Donald’s biggest perceived weakness is the run game, but he has been the best-graded interior lineman against the run over the last three seasons. Donald has won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award three times (2017, 2018, 2020), and has been selected to the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro team every year since 2015.
2. Patrick Mahomes, Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL, and the leader of the Kansas City Chiefs, one of the most explosive and dynamic offenses in the league. Mahomes has a rare combination of arm talent, mobility, creativity, and intelligence, that allows him to make plays that no other quarterback can.
Including the postseason, Mahomes has compiled the highest PFF passing grade of any quarterback since he became the starter in Kansas City, and nobody has more than the 137 big-time throws the Chiefs superstar has recorded over that span.
Mahomes is a great example of a player for whom the eye test really does match up with just how talented he is. It took a complete collapse by a backup offensive line in the Super Bowl to keep him from winning back-to-back championships by the age of 25. Mahomes has won the NFL Most Valuable Player award in 2018, and the Super Bowl MVP award in 2019.
3. Travis Kelce, Tight End, Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce is the best tight end in the NFL, and one of the most unguardable players in the game at any position. The Kansas City Chiefs star is a true matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, as he can beat them with his size, speed, route running, and hands.
Kelce was nigh-on impossible to cover last season, finishing just short of the league lead in receiving yards regardless of position during the regular season. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound tight end then set about laying waste to all in his path during a postseason where opposing defenses lined up every possible player to cover him, with even elite cover corners like Denzel Ward ending up on the turf as Kelce glided into the end zone for a touchdown.
Kelce has been selected to the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro team every year since 2016, and has led all tight ends in receiving yards for five consecutive seasons.
4. Davante Adams, Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers
Davante Adams is the best wide receiver in the NFL, and the favorite target of Aaron Rodgers, one of the best quarterbacks in the league. The Green Bay Packers star is a master of his craft, using his quickness, agility, footwork, and body control to create separation and make contested catches.
Adams led the league in receiving touchdowns last season with 18, despite missing two games due to injury. He also ranked second in receiving yards per game (98.1) and third in receptions (115). Adams has the highest PFF receiving grade of any wide receiver since 2019, and has been selected to the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro team for the last three seasons.
5. Derrick Henry, Running Back, Tennessee Titans
Derrick Henry is the best running back in the NFL, and the engine of the Tennessee Titans offense. The 6-foot-3, 247-pound back is a physical specimen, who combines his imposing size and strength with surprising speed and agility.
Henry led the league in rushing yards for the second consecutive season last year, becoming the eighth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season. He also led the league in rushing touchdowns (17) and yards after contact (1,490). Henry has the most rushing yards and touchdowns of any running back since 2019, and has been selected to the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro team for the last two seasons.