Stephen A. Smith Names NFL’s Best Player Without Hesitation

With NFL training camps underway and the season drawing closer, football talk is beginning to take over the sports conversation once again.

On Monday's episode of ESPN’s "First Take," Stephen A. Smith unveiled his current list of the top five players in the NFL during a panel segment with former NFL stars Chris Canty and Chad Ochocinco. Smith’s list featured two dominant defensive players and three quarterbacks—noticeably leaving off all running backs and wide receivers.

He started his rankings with a pair of AFC North pass rushers: Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt at No. 5 and Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett at No. 4. From there, he moved on to quarterbacks, placing reigning MVP Lamar Jackson at No. 3 and Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen at No. 2.

At No. 1, Smith named Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl champion—despite Mahomes’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.

“They just ain’t number one,” Smith said. “I know number one just lost the Super Bowl—it’s Patrick Mahomes, got slaughtered by the Philadelphia Eagles... Well, guess what: when you don’t have to blitz, when you can send four after him and load up the secondary, and wreak havoc on him all night long because you had an offensive line that couldn’t protect him—he’s gonna look human.

“But we know he’s a big-timer. He’s a gamer. We know he wins championships. He’s a three-time champion. He’s the face of the NFL right now—because the two aforementioned dudes can’t seem to beat him when it counts. That’s why Patrick Mahomes is that dude.”