- Chargers QB Justin Herbert makes the list at No. 99: Although his performance tailed off in the second half of the season, Herbert got off to a very strong start. In fact, his 90.6 PFF grade through nine weeks ranked third among all quarterbacks. Although Herbert ranked tied for sixth among quarterbacks in PFF overall grade when kept clean (91.0), that situation was rare for him, as he was pressured at the highest rate at his position.
- Kyle Pitts delivered his best season in a contract year: Pitts' 82.0 PFF receiving grade ranked eighth among tight ends. His 1.71 receiving yards per route run ranked sixth, while his nine broken tackles ranked tied for sixth.
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The PFF 101 highlights the top individual performances in 2025, regardless of position, and credits the best players of the season that was.
PFF remains a player evaluation site at its core, and the 101 is our chance to acknowledge and praise the best players from the 2025 season one last time before we look ahead to assembling rosters for the upcoming season.
Here is a quick reminder of our basic criteria:
- This list is based solely on play in 2025. Past or future play is not accounted for. This isn't about class or talent; it's about performance throughout the 2025 NFL season.
- This list is created with an “all positions are created equal” mantra. So, you won't see 32 quarterbacks heading the list, even though that is the game's most valuable position. Instead, we take a look at how players performed relative to what is expected from their position.
- We will unveil this list throughout the week, in sections of 20, with the top 20 players dropping on Friday, Feb. 20.
101. S Julian Love, Seattle Seahawks
Similar to last season, Love comes in at No. 101 despite missing a significant portion of the year. However, when he returned, he was excellent for the Seahawks, particularly in coverage. Over his final eight games, he allowed just five receptions on 15 targets and capped his season with an interception in the Super Bowl. Love’s 82.7 PFF coverage grade ranked fifth among all safeties this season.
100. DI Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs
Chris Jones’ 2025 season was a tale of two phases. His 70.5 PFF grade marked the first time he’s dipped below 72.0 since his rookie year and just the third time in his 10-year career that he’s graded under 85.0. He remained elite as a pass-rusher, recording seven sacks, 19 hits and 37 hurries on 495 pass-rush snaps en route to a 90.7 pass-rush grade, which ranked second at the position. However, his 43.4 run-defense grade (107th out of 142 qualifying interior defenders) dragged down his overall mark.
99. QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Although his performance tailed off in the second half of the season, Herbert got off to a very strong start. In fact, his 90.6 PFF grade through nine weeks ranked third among all quarterbacks. Although Herbert ranked tied for sixth among quarterbacks in PFF overall grade when kept clean (91.0), that situation was rare for him, as he was pressured at the highest rate at his position.
98. RB Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
While it may have been a quiet year by his standards, Henry was still among the best running backs in the league. His 1,103 rushing yards after contact ranked third among all running backs and would have ranked 12th among running backs in total rushing yards. Henry’s 21 runs of 15 or more yards ranked second at the position.
97. WR Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
First and foremost, Olave logged a career-high 887 snaps in 2025, playing in every game except the Saints’ season finale. Among the 43 wide receivers with at least 25 targets from the slot, Olave ranked 10th in PFF receiving grade on those plays (82.5). Furthermore, his 57 targets from the slot were the most among receivers without a single drop on such targets.
96. RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Taylor led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (18) this season, while he ranked first in rushing yards after contact (1,136) during the regular season. In addition, his 67 broken tackles on runs ranked second among all running backs. Finally, Taylor ranked seventh in PFF rushing grade at 84.1.
95. CB Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots
After a slow start, Gonzalez finished the season strong, highlighted by an 86.8 PFF coverage grade in the Super Bowl. Overall, Gonzalez ranked 11th among 109 qualifying cornerbacks in PFF coverage grade (76.9) in 2025. He allowed a passer rating of just 57.0 when targeted, which ranked fourth at the position.
94. ED Demarcus Lawrence, Seattle Seahawks
Lawrence won a Super Bowl in his first season with the Seahawks, and while he may not be as effective as a pass rusher as he once was, he made up for it with his work against the run. Lawrence ranked second among all edge defenders in PFF run-defense grade (83.7), and he was the only player at the position to force more than one fumble on runs all season.
93. QB Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Darnold got off to an excellent start to his season and his Seahawks career, earning a 93.5 PFF overall grade over the first nine weeks that put him first among all quarterbacks in the league. While his performance declined in the second half of the season, he returned to form in the postseason, committing no turnovers in Seattle’s three playoff games. Darnold ranked fourth among 32 qualifying quarterbacks in PFF passing grade on deep passes (95.5).
92. WR Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Although Jefferson finished with the fewest receiving yards of his career in 2025, that was largely not his fault. Jefferson’s 80.5 PFF overall grade ranked 16th among wide receivers this season. However, his 87.8 PFF receiving grade against zone coverage ranked sixth.
91. CB Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos
The 2024 Defensive Player of the Year did not dominate in quite the same way he did a season ago, but he remained one of the league's best. Surtain’s 73.3 PFF overall grade ranked 23rd among cornerbacks, while his 73.9 passer rating allowed ranked 16th. He also allowed a reception once every 16.2 coverage snaps, 10th among cornerbacks.
90. DI Travis Jones, Baltimore Ravens
Jones was one of the few bright spots on a Baltimore front seven that struggled for much of the season. The fourth-year defender made his biggest impact against the run, where his 81.1 PFF run-defense grade ranked third among all interior defenders in the league. He also recorded a run stop on 9.6% of his run-defense snaps, which ranked tied for 10th among 82 qualifying players at the position.
89. WR Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams
Adams operated as his team’s No. 2 wide receiver for the first time in several seasons, and he thrived in the role. His 84.8 PFF overall grade ranked ninth at his position, his highest mark since 2022. Adams led the league in receiving touchdowns (15), and quarterback Matthew Stafford generated a 106.8 passer rating when throwing his way, 19th among 80 qualifying wide receivers.
88. TE Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
Pitts delivered his best season in a contract year, as his 82.0 PFF receiving grade ranked eighth among tight ends. His 1.71 receiving yards per route run ranked sixth, while his nine broken tackles ranked tied for sixth.
87. CB Trent McDuffie, Kansas City Chiefs
The fourth-year cornerback turned in another strong season, further establishing himself as a complete player. McDuffie was one of just four cornerbacks to rank in the top 20 in both PFF coverage grade and PFF run-defense grade. He allowed just 9.2 receiving yards per reception, which ranked tied for fourth among cornerbacks.
86. DI Leonard Williams, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle’s veteran interior defender delivered another strong season, earning a PFF grade above 70.0 in each of his 11 NFL seasons and consistently ranking among the top 40 interior defenders. This year, Williams ranked 10th at the position in PFF grade (76.1), while his 71.6 PFF run-defense grade ranked 12th.
85. ED Laiatu Latu, Indianapolis Colts
Latu broke out in his second NFL season, as his 84.1 PFF overall grade ranked ninth among edge defenders. He also led the position in PFF coverage grade (88.3). After generating pressure on 10.7% of his pass-rushing snaps as a rookie, Latu improved that mark to 14.9% in Year 2.
84. C Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens
Linderbaum continued to establish himself as one of the top centers in the NFL, earning a career-high 80.3 PFF overall grade in 2025 that ranked fourth among centers. He also ranked fourth in PFF run-blocking grade (83.7). In addition, he graded positively on 15.7% of run plays, which ranked seventh.
83. ED Byron Young, Los Angeles Rams
Young put together one of the most complete seasons of any edge defender in the league. He was one of only three players at the position — alongside Myles Garrett and Will Anderson Jr. — to rank among the top 15 in both PFF pass-rushing grade (81.2) and PFF run-defense grade (77.8). Young also led all edge defenders in run-stop rate (9.8%).
82. RB Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
The Rams’ running back again played a central role in Los Angeles’ offense in 2025. Williams’ 87.1 PFF rushing grade ranked fourth among 36 running backs. While his 4.7 yards per carry ranked tied for 12th, that figure is more impressive given how few explosive plays drove it. Just 17.2% of Williams’ rushing yards came on runs longer than 15 yards, the fourth-lowest rate, highlighting how consistently he generated yardage rather than relying on breakaway runs.
81. QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Purdy missed a significant portion of the season, but he was outstanding when he was on the field for the 49ers. His 82.6 PFF passing grade ranked sixth among quarterbacks, while his 75.7 PFF rushing grade ranked eighth. He was especially effective when getting the ball out within 2.5 seconds. On those plays, Purdy earned an 87.7 PFF overall grade, which ranked fifth in the NFL, and his 118.6 passer rating ranked third.
80. G Damien Lewis, Carolina Panthers
Lewis is coming off a career year with the Panthers, earning a 77.7 PFF overall grade. It marked his second straight season of topping 75.0 since arriving in Carolina. He was particularly impressive as a pass blocker, ranking third among all guards in PFF pass-blocking grade (79.3) and allowing just 16 pressures across 638 pass-blocking snaps.
79. S Nick Emmanwori, Seattle Seahawks
The high-impact rookie was key to the Seahawks’ defensive structure in their Super Bowl-winning campaign. His 74.2 PFF overall grade ranked 17th among safeties, and his 20 pressures through the regular season and playoffs were the most at the position.
Highest-Graded Rookie Safeties in 2025
78. CB Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dean produced the highest-graded season of his NFL career, earning a fifth-ranked PFF overall grade (80.6) among cornerbacks. He allowed a 46.9 NFL passer rating on throws into his coverage in 2025, the best mark of all cornerbacks who were on the field for at least 400 snaps.
77. RB James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Cook racked up a career-high 1,784 rushing yards in the regular season and playoffs, over 500 more than in any other season in his four-year career. His 64 missed tackles forced on carries were the fourth most among running backs.
76. G Peter Skoronski, Tennessee Titans
Skoronski's 84.5 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2025 ranked second among guards. He surrendered just 20 pressures on 694 pass-blocking snaps. The 11th overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft improved significantly in his third NFL season and is now among the best guards in the league.
75. S Minkah Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins
Fitzpatrick returned to the Dolphins and produced his highest-graded season since 2022 and the second-highest-graded season of his career. He ranked fifth at the position with an 81.8 PFF overall grade and was one of just five safeties to notch PFF grades above 75.0 as a run defender and a coverage defender.
74. EDGE Nik Bonitto, Denver Broncos
Bonitto put together another strong season for the Broncos on his way to an 86.5 PFF pass-rush grade, the seventh-best figure among edge defenders. When including the playoffs, he racked up 81 pressures (seventh most). His 60.8 PFF run-defense grade hurt his PFF overall grade, but he is one of the best pass rushers in football right now.
73. TE Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
Despite missing some time due to injury, Bowers was once again one of the most productive tight ends in the NFL. He finished his second season with an 82.2 PFF receiving grade and ranked seventh at the position with a 1.70 yards per route run average.
72. QB Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
After a slow start to his first season with new head coach Liam Coen, Lawrence came into his own down the stretch. He finished the campaign ranked seventh among quarterbacks in PFF overall grade (83.7) — and with the first 80.0-plus mark of his career. Most notably, his 92.6 PFF overall grade from Week 13 through the Super Bowl ranked first at the position.
71. OT Alaric Jackson, Los Angeles Rams
Jackson faced big expectations after a career year in 2024 that led to a new contract. He delivered with another strong season, earning an 84.2 PFF overall grade that ranked tied for eighth at the position. He was at his best as a run blocker, where his 86.1 PFF grade placed him fifth among offensive tackles.
70. LB Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints
Now 37 years old, Davis remains one of the best linebackers in the NFL. He ranked fifth at the position in PFF overall grade (80.3) in 2025. He’s at his best against the run, where his 88.9 PFF run-defense grade ranked sixth at the position, and he managed to place in the top 15 in PFF coverage grade, too.
69. EDGE Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders
Injuries slowed Crosby in 2025, and the Raiders opted to sit him for the final two games of the season — potentially to preserve his trade value ahead of this offseason. He still ranked 14th at the position in PFF overall grade (79.7). Through Week 16, when he took his final snaps of the season, Crosby had notched 53 quarterback pressures, tying him for the 20th most among edge defenders.
68. EDGE Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams
Verse amassed 100 quarterback pressures in his second NFL season, tying him for second among edge defenders. While he didn’t win as consistently as he did in his rookie campaign, the fact that he generated an 80.0-plus PFF pass-rush grade for the second straight season highlights how quickly he has developed into one of the NFL's premier players at the position.
67. CB Ja'Quan McMillian, Denver Broncos
One of the breakout players of the 2025 NFL season, McMillian ranked fourth among cornerbacks in PFF overall grade (80.8). He allowed less than 10 yards per reception for the second straight year, more evidence that he has developed into one of the league's best slot cornerbacks.
66. S Xavier McKinney, Green Bay Packers
McKinney remains one of the best defensive backs in football, even though his interception total dipped in 2025. He pulled in only two picks, but his nine pass breakups were tied for the second most at the position. His 77.4 PFF overall grade ranked ninth among safeties in 2025.
65. C Tanor Bortolini, Indianapolis Colts
Bortolini enjoyed a breakout 2025 season, ranking third among centers in PFF overall grade (82.6). The 2024 fourth-round draft pick out of Wisconsin didn’t allow a sack on 566 pass-blocking snaps and notched an 88.2 PFF run-blocking grade (third best).
64. EDGE Greg Rousseau, Buffalo Bills
Rousseau tallied an 80.0-plus PFF overall grade for the fourth straight season in 2025, with his 86.3 mark ranking eighth among edge defenders. He excelled against the run, where he topped the position in PFF run-defense grade (85.1). Rousseau also racked up 63 quarterback pressures as a pass rusher.
63. OT Colton McKivitz, San Francisco 49ers
The dominant ground-game blocker was one of four offensive tackles to earn a PFF run-blocking grade above 90.0 in 2025. He wasn’t quite as effective as a pass blocker, but his 72.6 PFF pass-blocking grade was still good enough to rank 31st among 75 offensive tackles who played at least 400 snaps in 2025.
62. OT Darnell Wright, Chicago Bears
Wright produced a career-high 80.8 PFF overall grade in 2025 (15th among offensive tackles), powered by an 82.8 PFF run-blocking grade. He also gave up only 24 pressures across 740 pass-blocking snaps.
61. TE Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
The first tight end off the board in the 2025 NFL draft, Loveland was immediately one of the NFL's best at the position, earning an 86.2 PFF receiving grade — bettered by only the 49ers' George Kittle. His 1.97 yards per route run average trailed only Kittle and the Bills' Dalton Kincaid.
To be continued…
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