Who is the best player in the NFL?Â
For the first handful of years of the 2020s, you could’ve easily answered that question by saying “Patrick Mahomes.” But as the Kansas City Chiefs’ star quarterback is in his first year back from an ACL tear, Mahomes isn’t the shoo-in answer he once was to that question.
And there are plenty of quarterbacks who have staked their claim to be considered the best in the league so far in the 2026 season. And looking beyond the most important position in football, there are several other players who have dominated across the league over the first nine weeks of the year.
So, along with our eye in the sky Bucky Brooks, we ranked the top 50 players so far this season. We did use positional value to help shape the list, but quarterbacks don’t entirely dominate our top 50.Â
Steven Ruiz: Kyle Shanahan is trying his hardest to cut McCaffreys workload, but its difficult to resist the allure of giving him the football. When hes out on the field, hes been the focal point of the powerful 49ers offense. Hes still making defenders miss at a high rate, and hes still getting open on every route he runs. Shanahans restraint over the first half should make McCaffrey even better over the second half of the season.Â
Stat to know: McCaffrey has scored a touchdown in seven of his eight games this season (10 total touchdowns: nine rushing, one receiving). Following his 2,126-scrimmage-yard season in 2025, he has produced 27 total touchdowns in his last 25 regular-season games.
Henry McKenna: Carter just pops on film, with an explosiveness, disruptiveness and playmaking ability that the Giants must love. It has been fun to see Carter and Arvell Reese operate together as one of the most hard-to-handle young playmaking tandems in the NFL. New York has asked a lot of its defense in the early weeks of the season â what with the QB situation changing weekly. That has made Carters contributions all the most impressive.
Stat to know: Carter has generated 30 quarterback hits and six sacks in 25 games since entering the league with the Giants, recording at least one quarterback hurry or hit in 19 of those 25 appearances.
Ruiz: Williams can line up anywhere in Green Bays amorphous defense, and he seems to make plays wherever the Packers deploy him. He can be the last line of defense as a deep safety; drop into the box to defend the run; cover from the slot; or rush off the edge. Hes done it all at a high level in 2026. Hes made 48 tackles, intercepted three passes, defended seven more, and even generated 14 pressures as a pass rusher.Â
Stat to know: Williams leads all Green Bay defensive backs with 71 total tackles and three interceptions through nine games, making him the only safety in the NFC this season with at least 70 tackles and 3+ interceptions.
McKenna: For all the splash plays that come from Jameson Williams and Gibbs, St. Brown is churning out catches and first downs when the team needs him most. Its not always pretty. And it doesnt always look impressive, given all the amazing stuff that the Lions do offensively. But St. Brown is one of the best and most reliable receivers in the NFL. Keep in mind: He had five touchdowns in the first three games. He hasnt scored since. I think hes overdue.
Stat to know: St. Brown has caught at least six passes in seven of Detroit’s eight games this season. Coming off a 117-catch campaign in 2025, he has recorded five-plus receptions in 23 of his last 25 regular-season games.
Ruiz: The Bengals have spent the last few years trying to build a formidable pass protection for Joe Burrow, and Mims is the biggest hit yet. Hes looked impossible to beat in pass protection so far this season, allowing just five pressures across 319 pass snaps. Mims is a big, strong dude with quick feet
