The 2026 NFL training camps are on the horizon, and with that in mind, ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions. This is the seventh edition of these annual rankings.
Here's how it works: Voters gave their own top 10 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on the number of top-10 votes, composite average and dozens of interviews, with research and film study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen as well as ESPN Research. More than 70 voters submitted a ballot on at least one position, and in many cases all positions.
Additional voting and follow-up calls with those surveyed contributed to placements. This was not a five-year projection or a career achievement award, but meant to answer a simple question: Who are the best players right now?
Our rollout schedule: running backs (July 6), cornerbacks (July 7), edge rushers (July 8), defensive tackles (July 9), tight ends (July 10), offensive tackles (July 11), interior offensive linemen (July 12), quarterbacks (July 13), off-ball linebackers (July 14), wide receivers (July 15) and safeties (July 16). The only sure bet at linebacker is that the No.
1 player will come out of the NFC West. That has been the case for three consecutive years thanks to a do-it-all star from the Bay Area.
The rest of the field was Ja'Marr Chase levels of wide open, and several new faces took advantage in our top-10 list. The off-ball/stack linebacker field -- all linebackers in a 4-3 defense and inside linebackers in a 3-4 defense -- included five debuts and one re-entry.
Here are the top off-ball linebackers in the NFL based on votes from executives, scouts and coaches. 1.
Fred Warner , San Francisco 49ers Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 5 Age: 29 | Last year's ranking: 1 Rarely does a player miss most of a season due to injury and maintain his standing in our top 10. Warner, however, earned around 70% of the first-place votes.
It was a slight drop from the previous year, but his status in the position hierarchy remains clear. Warner has been an All-Pro four times since 2020, second only to edge rusher Myles Garrett (five) during that span.
An ankle injury limited Warner to six games last season, but he made the most of those appearances with 51 tackles (two for loss), three pass deflections, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. "He diagnoses faster than anyone," an NFL coordinator said.
"That's really his secret sauce. Processes the game at an incredibly fast level." 2.
Roquan Smith , Baltimore Ravens Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: Unranked Age: 29 | Last year's ranking: 2 Smith has been a model of consistency over three-plus seasons in Baltimore, being named to three Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pro teams. He is one of two players to record at least 130 tackles in each of the past six seasons, along with Bobby Wagner .
"Still has the instincts, physicality and playmaking that's a class ahead of the others outside of Fred," an NFL coordinator said. Added an AFC offensive coach: "He knows what's coming before the play and plays with reckless abandonment." Baltimore's 2025 defense was disjointed as a whole, but evaluators largely didn't knock Smith for that.
Several scouts and coaches consider Smith adequate in the passing game but not elite. "He's f---ing nasty coming downhill," an NFL personnel evaluator said.
"He sees it fast, good blitzer, good eyes, cuts the ball off in the run game." 3. Carson Schwesinger , Cleveland Browns Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: Unranked Age: 23 | Last year's ranking: N/A The next star linebacker has arrived.
"He's [Luke] Kuechly reincarnated," a personnel executive with an NFL team said. "Elite speed, athleticism, instincts, ball skills." In 2025, Schwesinger was one of three players with at least two sacks, two interceptions and 10 tackles for loss.
The others were pass rushers -- Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt and Indianapolis' Laiatu Latu .
He was the first rookie to reach that mark since Shaquille Leonard did it in 2018. Schwesinger finished his rookie campaign with 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, 156 total tackles (11 for loss), a body of work that earned him Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Some scouts and coaches want to see him do it again before placing him in the top two, though. "Plays fast, excellent instincts, good in coverage," a high-ranking AFC evaluator said.
"Impressive for a rookie." 4. Zack Baun , Philadelphia Ea