We’re deep into the offseason lull now, so it’s only right that we take some time to hand out some flowers across the league. We talk about NFL players a lot – obviously – and use terms like “best in the league” or “elite” frequently, but rarely do we actually quantify who the best players on each team are. Until now.
The criteria is pretty simple. We’re not projecting ahead and thinking long-term. This is strictly: who is the best player on each team right now? We’re finishing up the series today in the AFC West, so strap in for the ride as we kick things off with the Denver Broncos.
Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain, Cornerback
Pat Surtain is only 2 years into his NFL career, but he’s already made a name for himself as an All-Pro level cornerback. He’s got the size, speed, length, and aggression to succeed as a stingy boundary corner over the next half a decade and beyond. He was impressive in his rookie season, but the leap he took in 2022 is mind-blowing.
He was targeted less, naturally, because quarterbacks wanted nothing to do with him but he only had one less pass breakup this year. His ability to shadow the top wide receiver on each team is what sets him apart, though. Some of the best cornerbacks in the NFL only play one side of the field meaning their matchups can often be dictated against them. Surtain travels, meaning that he’ll take on the toughest competition snap-to-snap. He’s the guy in Denver and will be for a long time.
Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes, Quarterback
It just can’t be anybody else. Sure, Travis Kelce, Creed Humphrey, and Chris Jones are either the best players or one of the best players at their respective positions, but there’s no one else like Patrick Mahomes. He’s not only the best player on the Chiefs but also comfortably the best player in the NFL – and has been for a few years now.
The list of accolades for someone his age – almost 28 – is remarkable. He’s a two-time Super Bowl winner, a two-time Super Bowl MVP, a two-time regular season MVP, a two-time First Team All-Pro selection, and his raw numbers defy belief. There aren’t enough superlatives to describe Mahomes’ greatness. Maybe this will do it: he’s already the most talented player in NFL history.
Las Vegas Raiders: Davante Adams, Wide Receiver
Things aren’t rosy in Las Vegas, but at least they have, arguably, the best wide receiver in the NFL still on their roster. The expectation surrounding Davante Adams was that a drop-off was on the way in 2022. After all, he was going from Aaron Rodgers – a back-to-back MVP – as his quarterback to Derek Carr. The now-former Raiders quarterback is solid in his own right, but he’s no Rodgers.
However, Adams’ 2022 season was just a timely reminder of his talent. He’s just the perfect X receiver. He’s one of the smoothest route runners in the NFL with no wasted movement, he can play aggressively against man and press coverage, he can find the holes to attack zone coverage, and there aren’t many receivers better in the red zone.
Adams is the lynchpin of every offense he steps into. He’s doubled at a high rate but still finds ways to come down with the ball. He’s one of the best receivers of his generation, it’s just a shame that he’s spending the last of his peak on a potentially bad team.
Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert, Quarterback
The Chargers are in an interesting spot. They have some of the most high-impact players in the NFL, think Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, Derwin James, Keenan Allen, Rashawn Slater, and of course, Justin Herbert. But it hasn’t translated to playoff success yet. With Herbert under centre, the Chargers have a chance to contend in the AFC.
Herbert has grown into one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL since being drafted in 2020. He’s big, a quick processor, has an excellent arm and heaps of arm talent to go with it, and he doesn’t turn the ball over an awful lot. However, it’s fair to say that sometimes he’s maybe a little too cautious – but how much of that is linked to his former offensive coordinator? On talent alone, Herbert is still a top 5 quarterback with room to grow.
And that’s it, the best player on every NFL team. Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comment section. And if you missed any of the other divisions, have a look at them below as well.
AFC South
AFC East
AFC North
NFC North
NFC West
NFC South
NFC East
-Thomas Valentine
Twitter: @tvalentinesport
Photo: All-Pro Reels. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.