By Marvin Moore June 16, 2023
Quarterbacks dominate the list of top players in the pass-happy NFL. Black Sports Live’s Top 10 NFL players for the upcoming 2023 season look at the best players in football.
Two-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes is the top player on our list, which features four signal-callers in the top 5. The list also includes three pass rushers, two wide receivers, and the best cornerback in the league.
Here are our Top 10 NFL players for 2023, plus 10 honorable mention players.
1. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Mahomes is only 27 but has already won a pair of Super Bowls. The two-time Super Bowl MVP became the first player in NFL history last year to earn Super Bowl MVP honors, the Most Valuable Player award, and lead the league in both passing yards and passing touchdowns in the same season.
2. Nick Bosa, DE, San Francisco 49ers
Bosa is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year and recorded a whopping 18.5 sacks in 2022. The three-time Pro Bowl defensive end has posted 43 sacks in 49 games, eight forced fumbles, and one interception. He is a complete player who is also adept at stuffing opposing running backs.
3. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
Allen is an elite quarterback who can terrorize defenses with his arm or legs. The two-time Pro Bowl signal-caller threw for 4,283 yards and 35 touchdowns last season and added 762 yards on the ground with seven rushing scores. He is a big-time player with 17 touchdown passes and four interceptions in eight playoff games.
4. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
Jackson tallied 101 touchdown passes and 24 rushing scores in an archaic Ravens offense but will finally play in a conventional passing offense with premium receivers this upcoming season. The 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player is primed to showcase his passing skills and challenge Mahomes for the top spot on this list.
5. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Cool has established himself as one of the league’s top quarterbacks in three seasons. The 2021 NFL Comeback Player of the Year set career highs last year with 414 completions and 35 touchdown passes. The former Heisman Trophy winner has posted a 22-10 record over the past two seasons.
6. Micah Parsons, LB, Dallas Cowboys
Parsons led the league with 106 defensive pressures a year ago while tallying 13.5 sacks. The unanimous 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year has 26.5 sacks in 33 games and has been named a first-team All-Pro in his first two seasons. Parsons will be a full-time defensive end in 2023 which is bad news for opposing quarterbacks.
7. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Jefferson is on a historic pace after 50 games, with 324 receptions and 4,825 yards. The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year reeled in a league-leading 128 balls for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns last season and received his maiden first-team All-Pro nod. He is a dynamic pass catcher set for a massive contract extension.
8. Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns
Garrett has registered 74.5 sacks and 13 forced fumbles in 84 games. The four-time Pro Bowl defensive end is only 27 years old and tallied 16 sacks, 37 solo tackles, four passes defended, and two forced fumbles last season. Garrett has 32 sacks over the past two years and has posted double-digit sacks in five straight seasons.
9. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
The Cheetah enjoyed an electric maiden season in South Florida with 119 catches for 1,710 yards – both career highs. Hill had seven games in which he topped the 100-yard plateau and surpassed 160 receiving yards on four occasions. The seven-time Pro Bowl wideout has caught 230 balls for 2,949 yards over the past two seasons.
10. Sauce Gardner, CB, New York Jets
According to Pro Football Focus, the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year surrendered only 34 catches and one touchdown in more than 640 coverage snaps. The first-team All-Pro cornerback led the league with 20 passes defended and limited opposing quarterbacks to a 53.9 passer rating. Gardner is a shutdown corner that will only get better.
Honorable Mention:
11. Trent Williams, OT, San Francisco 49ers
12. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
13. Aaron Donald, DL, Los Angeles Rams
14. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
15. T.J. Watt, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers
16. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
17. Chris Jones, DE, Kansas City Chiefs
18. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills
19. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
20. Quinnen Williams, DT, New York Jets
