NFL Top 100 80-71 revealed: Who’s too high and who’s too low?

As the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2025 countdown continues, players ranked 80 through 71 have sparked plenty of debate, particularly due to their mix of young rising stars and established proven veterans. 

• 80. Rashan Gary, Edge - Green Bay Packers

• 79. Dak Prescott, QB - Dallas Cowboys

• 78. Khalil Mack, OLB - Los Angeles Chargers

• 77. Tee Higgins, WR - Cincinnati Bengals

• 76. Vita vea, DT - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• 75. Patrick Queen, LB - Pittsburgh Steelers

• 74. Bobby Wagner, LB - Washington Commanders

• 73. Christian McCaffrey, RB - San Francisco 49ers

• 72. Sam Darnold, QB - Seattle Seahawks

• 71. Kerby Joseph, S - Detroit Lions

Too high

Sam Darnold – No. 72
Darnold achieved his career best this year in Minnesota; however, as the year went on, his play regressed as the offensive line broke down late in the year. Compared to other quarterbacks on the list, like Dak Prescott, Darnold has a much less proven track record. He is deserving of being ranked after a great year, but a ranking in the 90’s to 80’s feels more fair. 

Patrick Queen – No. 75
Queen’s first year with the Steelers was up and down. While he flashed on occasion, his overall performance was very mixed. In comparison to Bobby Wagner, Queen’s PFF overall grade was 58.5 compared to Wagner’s 89.9. Queen had a down year compared to past years, and the ranking doesn’t fully show this. 

Tee Higgins – No. 77
Higgins is one of the best WR2s in the NFL, and he rightfully got paid as so. Still, compared to other receivers ranked much lower, such as Drake London (97) or Jerry Jeudy (82), Higgins does not stack up as well. His role is reserved for being a second option, whereas London and Jeudy are asked to be consistent first options. It would make more sense to see Higgins and London flip positions. 

Too low

Kerby Joseph – No. 71
Joseph was not just good this past year; he was elite. PFF graded him as the number 1 safety in both overall and coverage grades, which cemented him as a top-tier defender in the league. Ranking him at 71 does not fully showcase how great of a year Joseph had this past season. 

Bobby Wagner – No. 74
Even in his mid-30s, Wagner continues to show how great of a player he really is. This past year, Wagner had the third-highest overall and run defense grade in PFF. While he may no longer be in his full prime anymore, he clearly is still an elite player deserving of a ranking in the 60s or 50s, ahead of less consistent names like Patrick Queen.

Vita Vea – No. 76
Vea had arguably his best season since 2020 this past year. He earned his second Pro Bowl nod, and even posted a career high in sacks while also anchoring the Buccaneers' run defense yet again. He is still one of the league’s best run defenders and should have landed him closer to the 60s or 50s.