Matt Bowen is a fantasy football and NFL writer for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2015, writes regularly for ESPN+ and spent multiple years on «NFL Matchup.» After graduating from the University of Iowa, Matt played safety in the NFL for St. Louis, Green Bay, Washington and Buffalo over seven seasons.
For the third straight year, we’re picking out the NFL’s top players by specific skills and traits ahead of the last month of the regular season. The MVP race is squarely between Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford at the moment, but this exercise is meant to look at the smaller advantages some players have rather than their overall talent.
For example, who is the most creative passer in the NFL, or the QB with the best touch? Which receiver has the best hands, and who is the most explosive running back? Which offensive lineman is the best at opening rushing lanes, and which defensive lineman is the best at plugging them on the other side of the ball? Which linebacker is the best tackler, and which defensive back is the top ball hawk? And what about special teams: Who is the most accurate kicker?
I picked out 109 traits and named the best player at each spot based on what I’ve seen on tape this season and the underlying numbers. I focused on the 2025 season while making the list, too — how these players perform in specific areas right now. Let’s get rolling, starting with the quarterbacks.
Jump to a position: QB | RB | WR/TE | OL DL/LB | DB | ST
Of quarterbacks who have played at least 10 games this season, Prescott’s 9.6% off-target rate is the lowest, and he has completed 69.3% of his passes. He is playing some of the best football of his career.
With his elite physical tools — frame, arm length and hand size — Allen can rip the ball to every level of the field.
His 12 completions on passes of 30 or more air yards leads the league, and he has completed 70.6% of those throws. In coordinator Klint Kubiak’s offense, Darnold is set up on schemed shot plays to target the third level.
Maye can put touch on the ball to find open voids versus zone coverage. Plus, Maye will deliver a «runner’s ball» to beat man schemes. On throws of 10 to 20 air yards, Maye is completing a league-best 68% of his passes.
His season has been limited due to a toe injury, but he remains the model for pocket mechanics. From his footwork to consistent eye level, Burrow sets the bar. Every young quarterback should study his game.
I’ve really been impressed with Prescott’s ability to find space and reset his throwing window inside the pocket. His 80.9 QBR on pocket throws tops the league.
Rodgers is still getting the ball out with speed, using his quick release to attack tight windows. His average time to throw of 2.67 seconds is the second lowest in the league.
Stafford is seeing plays progress extremely fast from the pocket in coach Sean McVay’s system, using his post-snap vision to identify coverage and target the open voids. Stafford has thrown 27 touchdowns from the pocket this season, tied for most in the league.
Mahomes’ ability to find open targets — especially late in the down — creates consistent conflict for opposing defenses. On attempts averaging a time to throw of four or more seconds, he leads the league with 36 completions.
Stafford owns a TD-INT ratio of 8-1. He’s producing MVP-level numbers while protecting the football.
Maye has shown a strong sense of calm inside the pocket, with subtle movements to shift his platform and climb. On pocket throws this season, Maye has 19 touchdown passes compared to four interceptions.
Williams brings a natural playmaking element when creating outside of structure as a runner and as a thrower. Plus, he has the arm strength to throw rockets on the move.
Allen’s 409 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns lead all quarterbacks, and his 2,832 passing yards rank ninth. He has continued to make game-changing plays for the Bills this season.
Mahomes averages 28.8 rushing yards per game on scramble attempts, while converting 23 first downs. Both of those numbers lead the league.
Gibbs leads the league with six carries of 30 or more yards. And more importantly, he reached a league-high 22.23 mph on his 78-yard score in Week 7 versus the Bucs, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Achane has rushed for 10 or more yards on 17.2% of his carries this season. He moves better than any other rusher going north and south.
Robinson’s ability to accelerate in tight quarters puts him in a position to dart through creases of daylight. And that translates in the zone run game.
Taylor has used his combination of power and home run ability to produce a league-best 106.8 rushing yards per game. He is leading the league in yards after contact per rush at 3.0.
Williams’ 527 yards after first contact rank second in the league. He runs angry and looks as explosive as he did early in his career with Denver.
Most sudden rusher/best change-of-direction: Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
Gibbs has the stop-and-start speed to shake defenders at the point of attack. His 5.8 yards per carry leads the league.
Cook combines his lateral speed and vertical burst to cut down defensive pursuit angles on the edges or in the open field. His total of 1,228 rushing yards is second most in the league, and his 29 carries of 10 or more yards rank third.
Taylor makes this list again due to his vision with the ball. It allows him to move and create positive angles, slicing through the second and third levels of the defense. He leads the league with 33 rushes of 10 or more yards.
Jacobs plays at a different clip when he can press the ball downhill, and we see that consistently in the low red zone. One of the best goal-line backs in the league, he has eight touchdowns on goal-to-go carries this season.
Best ball security as ball carrier: Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
Gibbs has 425 carries over his past two seasons, and he hasn’t put the ball on the ground once.
