CBS Sports’ top 10 players at every offensive position: Josh Allen top quarterback, tight race at running back

The end of July means the NFL is getting back into the swing of things with training camps, and the eyes are back on the stars.

As the season rapidly approaches, CBS Sports’ NFL experts ranked the top 10 players across every position — as well as coaches and coordinators — in the NFL for the 2026 season. Today, we open that series with the offensive side of the ball: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, offensive tackle and interior offensive lineman (guard/center).

Each voter ranked their top 10 players, and each spot was assigned a point value, with 10 points awarded to a first-place vote, nine points awarded to a second-place vote, all the way down to one point awarded for a 10th-place vote.

Panel: Zach Pereles, Jared Dubin, Tyler Sullivan, Jordan Dajani, Josh Edwards, Kevin Steimle, Garrett Podell, R.J. White, Carter Bahns, Mike Renner, JP Acosta, Douglas Clawson

Quarterbacks

1	Josh AllenBUFFALO BILLS QB
Points: 119 | Highest rank: 1 | Lowest rank: 2 | Allen followed up his MVP-winning 2024 season with a strong 2025 that included 25 passing touchdowns and 14 rushing touchdowns. Though his interceptions nearly doubles (from six to 10) and his sacks nearly tripled (from 14 to 40), Allen posted a career-high 8.0 yards per attempt. The only thing left to check off for Allen is the Bills‘ first Super Bowl title.
2	Patrick MahomesKANSAS CITY CHIEFS QB
Points: 98 | Highest rank: 1 | Lowest rank: 4 | The only player other than Allen to earn a first-place vote, Mahomes is coming off a torn ACL suffered late in the Chiefs‘ worst season in Mahomes’ career. Perhaps Kenneth Walker III will provide a much-needed boost to a lackluster running attack and allow Kansas City to be more balanced.
3	Matthew StaffordLOS ANGELES RAMS QB
Points: 94 | Highest rank: 2 | Lowest rank: 6 | The reigning MVP led the NFL in passing yards (4,707), passing touchdowns (46) and touchdown rate (7.7%). He still makes mind-bending throws to all parts of the field. He also had the lowest interception rate (1.3%) of his career. He’s still getting it done at 38.
4	Joe BurrowCINCINNATI BENGALS QB
Points: 80 | Highest rank: 2 | Lowest rank: 7 | Burrow played in just eight games due to a nasty turf toe injury, historically has rebounded well from injury-plagued years. His 68.5% career completion percentage is highest in NFL history. If healthy, he leads one of the best offenses in the NFL.
5	Lamar JacksonBALTIMORE RAVENS QB
Points: 78 | Highest rank: 3 | Lowest rank: 7 | Jackson toughed his way through 13 games last year despite several injuries. He had one of the league’s highest sack rates in part because he didn’t look like his usual self escaping would-be tacklers. Still, he led the NFL with 13.3 yards per completion and, when healthy, is a dazzling talent. He has a new play caller in Declan Doyle.
6	Drake MayeNEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS QB
Points: 63 | Highest rank: 2 | Lowest rank: 8 | Maye finished runner up to Stafford in the MVP race last year, making a huge jump from his rookie campaign. Maye led the NFL in completion rate (72%) and yards per attempt (8.9). The next step includes taking fewer sacks.
7	Dak PrescottDALLAS COWBOYS QB
Points: 49 | Highest rank: 5 | Lowest rank: 9 | Prescott remains one of the steadiest quarterbacks in the league. He led the NFL in completions for the second time in three years, and with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and a strong offensive line, he should have another huge year, numbers-wise. He has thrown for 4,400+ yards each of his last four healthy seasons.
8	Justin HerbertLOS ANGELES CHARGERS QB
Points: 39 | Highest rank: 7 | Lowest rank: 10 | Herbert took a beating last year behind an abysmal offensive line that was without one elite tackle (Rashawn Slater) all year and without the other (Joe Alt) for most of it. Herbert threw a career-high 13 picks as well. With a healthy, upgraded offensive line and new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, Herbert is in line for a bounce-back year.
9	Jordan LoveGREEN BAY PACKERS QB
Points: 19 | Highest rank: 8 | Lowest rank Unranked | Love cut down on his interceptions by nearly half (11 in 2023, 11 in 2024, six in 2025) and posted the best passer rating and QBR of his career. Still, it feels like there could be another level for him to reach.
T10	Jared GoffDETROIT LIONS QB
Points: 5 | Highest rank: 9 | Lowest rank: Unranked | Goff has been nothing but consistent during his time in the Motor City, with 4,400+ passing yards and at least 29 touchdown passes each of the past four seasons. He is excellent when the pocket is clean but can have major issues when it isn’t. He was second in touchdown to interception ratio (34 to 8) last year.
T10	Jayden DanielsWASHINGTON COMMANDERS QB
Points: 5 | Highest rank: 8 | Lowest rank: Unranked | The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year, Daniels played in just seven games — and finished just four — last year due to knee, hamstring and elbow injuries. When he was on the field, he wasn’t nearly as accurate (69% completion percentage in 2024; 61% in 2025).

Also receiving votes …

• Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (Points: 4 | Highest rank: 10)
• Caleb Williams, Bears (Points: 4 | Highest rank: 10)
• Brock Purdy, 49ers (Points: 3 | Highest rank: 9)

Running backs

1	Bijan RobinsonATLANTA FALCONS RB
Points: 116 | Highest rank: 1 | Lowest rank: 2 | Robinson led the NFL with 2,298 yards from scrimmage last year, a category he has improved upon every year of his three-year pro career. His 820 receiving yards were nearly double his previous career high. He also led the NFL with a 30% tackle avoidance rate.
2	Jahmyr GibbsDETROIT LIONS RB
Points: 112 | Highest rank: 1 | Lowest rank: 2 | Gibbs’ leap to season includes 3,768 yards from scrimmage and 38 touchdowns scored over the past two seasons … and that’s with sharing time with David Montgomery. With Montgomery gone, Gibbs is in line for the biggest workload of his career. His game-breaking abilities are second to none.
3	Jonathan TaylorINDIANAPOLIS COLTS RB
Points: 81 | Highest rank: 3 | Lowest rank: 7 | Taylor was on pace for another league-leading season before Daniel Jones‘ injury derailed the Colts‘ season. Still, Taylor led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns and was third with 1,585 rushing yards. He is a premier home-run threat.
4	Derrick HenryBALTIMORE RAVENS RB
Points: 75 | Highest rank: 3 | Lowest rank: 6 | Ill-timed fumbles and the Ravens‘ poor season overshadowed another monster year for the seemingly ageless Henry, who bulldozed his way to 1,595 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. He turned 32 in January, but he’s still one of the NFL’s most explosive runners.
5	Christian McCaffreySAN FRANCISCO 49ERS RB
Points: 74 | Highest rank: 3 | Lowest rank: Unranked | McCaffrey led the NFL with 413 touches, and his 2,126 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns scored were both in the top three, too. His explosiveness is down, but his value as a receiver is massive.
6	Saquon BarkleyPHILADELPHIA EAGLES RB
Points: 60 | Highest rank: 3 | Lowest rank: Unranked | Barkley, like the Eagles‘ offense, had a down 2025, and that especially showed up in 24% of his runs going for 0 or negative yards. He also had just four runs of 20+ yards after an absurd 17 in 2024. He faced a ton of stacked boxes, which didn’t help. Still, his talent and explosiveness are undeniable.
7	De’Von AchaneMIAMI DOLPHINS RB
Points: 46 | Highest rank: 5 | Lowest rank: 9 | The diminutive Achane led the NFL with a ridiculous 13.4% explosive rush rate as well as a 5.7 yards per rush rate. He also has 145 catches over the past two seasons, proving his multi-faceted skill set. We’ll see how he adapts to a new offensive scheme and new quarterback Malik Willis.
8	James CookBUFFALO BILLS RB
Points: 42 | Highest rank: 6 | Lowest rank: Unranked | It’s rare for a player to combine a high explosive rush rate with a low negative play rate, but that’s exactly what Cook did in 2025, posting the fourth-highest explosive rush rate and the lowest rate of rushes for 0 or negative yards in the NFL (min. 200 carries). He has really improved throughout his career.
9	Kenneth Walker IIIKANSAS CITY CHIEFS RB
Points: 19 | Highest rank: 7 | Lowest rank: Unranked | The Chiefs got basically no explosive runs from their running backs the past two years. Enter Walker, whose tackle avoidance, speed and athleticism make him a big play waiting to happen. His 10% explosive rush rate was second in the NFL (min. 200 rushes) in 2025.
10	Jeremiyah LoveARIZONA CARDINALS RB
Points: 11 | Highest rank: 5 | Lowest rank: Unranked | Love became the highest-drafted running back since Barkley (No. 2 overall in 2018) when the Cardinals took him No. 3 overall. He has big-play potential with his excellent long speed.

Also receiving votes …

• Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (Points: 8 | Highest rank: 8)
• Breece Hall, Jets (Points: 6 | Highest rank: 9)
• Chase Brown, Bengals (Points: 4 | Highest rank: 9)
• Quinshon Judkins, Browns (Points: 2 | Highest rank: 9)
• Kyren Williams, Rams (Points: 2 | Highest rank: 9)
• Javonte Williams, Cowboys (Points: 1 | Highest rank: 10)
• Josh Jacobs, Packers (Points: 1 | Highest rank: 10)

Wide receivers

1	Ja’Marr ChaseCINCINNATI BENGALS WR
Points: 119 | Highest rank: 1 | Lowest rank: 2 | Like Josh Allen, Chase was just one vote shy of being the unanimous No. 1 at his position in our voters’ eyes. There’s almost nothing he can’t do. He runs excellent routes; he can win deep, intermediate and short; he is absolutely terrific with the ball in his hands; and he wins 50/50 balls with strength, athleticism and excellent hand-eye coordination.
2	Justin JeffersonMINNESOTA VIKINGS WR
Points: 102 | Highest rank: 1 | Lowest rank: 4 | Jefferson is coming off his worst season as a pro and he still finished as our voters’ No. 2 wide receiver. Held back by arguably the league’s worst quarterback play, Jefferson will look to return to his historic standard — 8,480 receiving yards from 2020-24 were most ever in a player’s first five seasons — with Kyler Murray at quarterback.
3	Puka NacuaLOS ANGELES RAMS WR
Points: 93 | Highest rank: 2 | Lowest rank: 6 | Nacua’s rare combination of size, speed, strength and athleticism has him on pace to be one of the best fifth-round picks ever. His career 95.3 receiving yards per game average is tops in NFL history, and he led the league in that category with 107.2 yards per game last season. Injuries and off-field issues have cropped up, though.
4	Jaxon Smith-NjigbaSEATTLE SEAHAWKS WR
Points: 90 | Highest rank: 2 | Lowest rank: 5 | Smith-Njigba went from ascending young talent to Offensive Player of the Year thanks to an NFL-best 1,793 receiving yards. Both smooth and explosive, Smith-Njigba can play from the slot or outside. He makes tight-window catches look routine.
5	Amon-Ra St. BrownDETROIT LIONS WR
Points: 68 | Highest rank: 5 | Lowest rank: 6 | St. Brown is as consistent as they come, and the expansion of his game has been impressive. Billed as a slot-only guy early in his career, Brown has 176 catches from the slot and 175 catches not from the slot over the past three years. He’s extremely tough, willing to go over the middle and absorb a big hit, and he blocks, too.
6	CeeDee LambDALLAS COWBOYS WR
Points: 65 | Highest rank: 4 | Lowest rank: 8 | Lamb missed three games and had his fewest catches and receiving yards since his rookie year, but his career body of work backs up this ranking. From 2022-24, Lamb led the NFL in catches and was third in receiving yards.
7	George PickensDALLAS COWBOYS WR
Points: 32 | Highest rank: 6 | Lowest rank: 10 | Pickens is one of the biggest year-over-year risers, regardless of position. The former mercurial Steeler turned into a star while wearing “The Star” on his helmet in his first year with Dallas. He’s a highlight-reel acrobat down the field with serious ball-winning skills, but his YAC capabilities shouldn’t be slept on.
8	Nico CollinsHOUSTON TEXANS WR
Points: 27 | Highest rank: 7 | Lowest rank: Unranked | Collins is second to Nacua in yards per route run over the past three years, a mighty impressive accomplishment given C.J. Stroud’s ups and downs and the Texans‘ offensive issues as a whole. Collins’ straight line speed and outstanding size and strength give opponents major problems.
9	Drake LondonATLANTA FALCONS WR
Points: 26 | Highest rank: 6 | Lowest rank: Unranked | London is a big, ball-winning wide receiver who snatches anything near him and turns 50/50 balls into 80/20 balls. He has been held back by quarterback play likely will be again this year, but he can bully less physical opponents and is excellent in the red zone.
10	A.J. BrownNEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS WR
Points: 20 | Highest rank: 7 | Lowest rank: Unranked | Brown’s first two years in Philadelphia were a match made in heaven. His last two haven’t been quite that. He just turned 29 and has injury concerns but should have a perfect stylistic fit with Drake Maye as his quarterback. It will be a telling year for one of the most physically imposing wide receivers of the era.

Also receiving votes …

• Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (Points: 6 | Highest rank: 7)
• Rashee Rice, Chiefs (Points: 4 | Highest rank: 7)
• Chris Olave, Saints (Points: 3 | Highest rank: 9)
• Davante Adams, Rams (Points: 2 | Highest rank: 9)
• Malik Nabers, Giants (Points: 2 | Highest rank: 10)
• Zay Flowers, Ravens (Points: 1 | Highest rank: 10)

Tight ends

1	Brock BowersLAS VEGAS RAIDERS TE
Points: 116 | Highest rank: 1 | Lowest rank: 3 | Bowers either missed or was hobbled for much of the Raiders’ trying 2025 season due to a knee injury. Still, he showed (when healthy) his record-setting rookie season was no fluke, highlighted by a 12/127/3 performance against the Jaguars.
2	Trey McBrideARIZONA CARDINALS TE
Points: 111 | Highest rank: 1 | Lowest rank: 2 | McBride became a star in 2024 but became a record-breaking star in 2025, with his 126 catches an all-time record for a tight end. He also caught 11 touchdowns after just six in his first three seasons combined.
3	Tucker KraftGREEN BAY PACKERS TE
Points: 87 | Highest rank: 3 | Lowest rank: 5 | Kraft was on pace for a monster year before he tore his ACL in early November. He’s aiming to be back Week 1, and if he is, he adds the type of vertical threat, YAC physicality and overall receiving chops reminiscent of the next player on this list.
4	George KittleSAN FRANCISCO 49ERS TE
Points: 76 | Highest rank: 2 | Lowest rank: 10 | Kittle has been right up there with Travis Kelce for the best tight end in the game for a long time, but 2026 will test even his superhuman limits. He tore his Achilles in the playoffs and will turn 33 in October. Plus, he missed time with a hamstring injury. The uncertainty is reflected in his wide range of votes.
5	Colston LovelandCHICAGO BEARS TE
Points: 67 | Highest rank: 3 | Lowest rank: 10 | Loveland also received a wide range of votes, but it’s not for injury uncertainty like Kittle. Rather, it’s whether he’s going to continue his late-season surge (94.5 yards per game over his last four games, including playoffs) or not. He’s a tremendous athlete with a big catch radius and soft hands.
6	Sam LaPortaDETROIT LIONS TE
Points: 59 | Highest rank: 5 | Lowest rank: 7 | LaPorta’s impact isn’t in just his own numbers, which are considerable, but in his team’s numbers. The Lions‘ offense declined last year with LaPorta injured (herniated disc). He’s a strong blocker and a good receiver who can win downfield.
7	Tyler WarrenINDIANAPOLIS COLTS TE
Points: 54 | Highest rank: 5 | Lowest rank: 9 | The rugged Warren was putting up excellent numbers before Daniel Jones’ injury. After that, he fell off a bit. Warren’s versatility and physicality are crucial, and once he gets the ball in his hands, he is a handful to bring down. He should feature heavily this season with Michael Pittman Jr. gone.
8	Kyle PittsATLANTA FALCONS TE
Points: 35 | Highest rank: 5 | Lowest rank: Unranked | After three poor years, Pitts returned to the level his No. 4 overall pick and sterling rookie season seemed to portend. His magnum opus was an 11-catch, 166-yard, three-touchdown day against the Buccaneers in December.
9	Harold Fannin Jr.CLEVELAND BROWNS TE
Points: 29 | Highest rank: 6 | Lowest rank: Unranked | In yet another lost year for the Browns offense, Cleveland found a gem in Fannin. The third-round Bowling Green product had 72 catches for 731 yards and six touchdowns. Fannin can get vertical or find soft spots underneath, and he can run a variety of routes.
T10	Travis KelceKANSAS CITY CHIEFS TE
Points: 9 | Highest rank: 6 | Lowest rank: Unranked | Kelce’s production has fallen off a cliff — as it should for a player well into his mid-thirties — but he still put up 76/851/5 last year. For what it’s worth, those 851 yards ranked fourth at the position.
T10	Brenton StrangeJACKSONVILLE JAGUARS TE
Points: 9 | Highest rank: 8 | Lowest rank: Unranked | Strange started to come along nicely as a receiver after returning from injury last season. That included a 93-yard day in a win over the Cardinals. He’s also a very good run blocker.