100 days until kickoff: The 100 most important NFL players

84 The 2025 NFL MVP continues to do amazing, mind blowing at 38 while working simpatico with Sean McVay. He led the NFL in passing yards (4,707) and touchdowns (46) in 2025, but it’s easy to forget his status seemed to be in jeopardy for much of the preseason due to a back injury. How will you hold up in 2026? 85 Maye jumped to the top in 2025, leading the NFL in completion percentage (72%) and yards per attempt (8.9). He’s a big-play hunter downfield, and has the power and athleticism to make things happen outside of the structure, unlike the player he dethroned in the AFC East, Josh Allen. Maye’s next step is to limit the bad plays, especially after a sack-filled offseason. 86 Darnold’s unprecedented journey from bust to journeyman backup to Super Bowl champion is a testament to him more than anything else. He still likes to transition, but he’ll also stand in the pocket and rip off powerful, accurate punches when needed. Most importantly, he had a 5.4% sack rate in 2025, a career low. With Kenneth Walker III gone, Darnold will have more on his plate in 2026. 87 With an incredibly skilled arm and a penchant for avoiding sacks, Love offers an engaging skill set that sometimes surprises but at other times leaves you wanting more. The Packers have always been one of the best rushing teams under Matt LaFleur, but maybe that changes this year, allowing Love to take another step. 88 Williams eliminated the biggest problem in his game — sacks — in 2025, thanks to individual improvements and the big improvements around him: Ben Johnson and several offensive linemen certainly helped. The next step is to improve his accuracy (58% completion percentage) and continue to make strides in the structure. The arrow is pointing upwards. 89 When not under pressure, Goff is a strong-armed, passer who can break down defenses, especially in midfield. However, under stress he can fall into all kinds of problems. The Lions will hope an improved offensive line can keep him clean. He also has a new offensive coordinator in Drew Petzing. 90 Nix’s devastating ankle fracture may have cost the Broncos a trip to the Super Bowl. Now, he’ll be back with a vengeance and a new friend in Jaylen Waddle. Nix has a little bit of a wild, down-to-earth side that gives Sean Payton a few gray hairs, but it also leads to some big plays. Standing behind one of the league’s best offensive lines, he directs an efficient offense. He also has a penchant for making big plays at big times. 91 ESPN and the NFL certainly expect Mahomes to return from his torn ACL by Week 1, considering the Chiefs-Broncos come on “Monday Night Football” to open the season. Even in the midst of another frustrating season, Mahomes showed why he is one of the best. Whether the Chiefs have improved his position enough remains to be seen. 92 Herbert finished another season behind another offensive line, but he should have had a better place. Not only are Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt dealing with back-to-back bookings, but there are three new interior starters and, perhaps most importantly, new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who should breathe life into what has been a very limited offense. Herbert’s big arm and pocket movement are always great things. 93 Jackson battled a number of injuries in 2025, ending up playing in 13 games. Most of his numbers were low, and his sack numbers were very high. Jackson has a new offensive coordinator in Declan Doyle, who figures to bring some of Ben Johnson’s tendencies to Baltimore. He also has big, versatile rookie wide receivers in Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt, as well as first-round rookie guard Olaivaveiga Ioane. 94 How one feels about Purdy may depend on what games he watched. One week, he’s a bold, hurling playmaker who makes big plays throwing down the field out of the cannon of his right arm; next week, his risk-taking returns in droves. Most of the time, he gets both: In the playoff win over the Eagles, he made multiple plays, including two touchdown passes, and had two bad interceptions. At his peak, he is a top-10 quarterback. The worse for him, the worse it gets. 95 Prescott is a cerebral passer willing to dip into the gun mentality at times, and he has the arm talent to make it work. After a serious injury, 2024 was cut short, he dropped his numbers and posted his second 4,500-yard, 30-touchdown campaign three years ago. With George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson and Javonte Williams as his weapons, Prescott should put up big numbers and if healthy; he hasn’t had back-to-back full seasons since 2018-19. 96 For all the criticism of Hurts — unwilling to throw up the middle, wanting to run the offense his way, struggling in fast and intermediate games, or even the “supporters carry” accusations — he is a Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP, a player who takes care of the ball well and a weapon with his legs, especially near the end zone. This season, when Sean Mannion uses a play-action-heavy look, will be a barometer of Hurts’ ability to adapt and succeed in areas he hasn’t tested much. 97 Burrow only played eight games last year because of a bad turf toe injuryand sat out another year out of the season frustrated by injuries to himself, and the entire roster. However, this offseason sing the praises of the list. With Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Chase Brown and his entire offensive line returning alongside an improved defense, Burrow knows there’s an urgency to get Cincinnati back into contention. 98 Allen is still the poster boy for heartbreaking playoff losses, and he’s hoping that as the Bills break new ground, they can open a new chapter in what has been an oh-so-close franchise. With DJ Moore around, Allen should be able to push the ball downfield a lot, and he remains one of the NFL’s best scrimmages and plays. He is the best MVP at this point. 99 Lawrence went up like that one of the NFL’s best down last season, putting on a show with laser beams downfield and production with his legs, too. The Light has always been there, and 2025 was the longest game ever made. Cutting out mistakes is important as the Jaguars, who haven’t done much this offseason, will look to Lawrence to be their best. 100 The Texans have arguably the NFL’s best defense, a Pro-Bowl wide receiver, a revamped offensive line and a huge improvement at running back. It will come down to Stroud, who is yet to repeat his great rookie season. He threw five innings in the playoffs last year. The Texans could win a Super Bowl with Stroud playing at a Sam Darnold-esque level, but the big question is whether Stroud — who still takes too many bad sacks — can get there.