Eagles Lead NFL Top 100 With 8 Players as QBs Claim 16 Spots

The Philadelphia Eagles lead the league with eight players in the 2026 NFL top 100, a list featuring 16 quarterbacks and 13 edge rushers.

Quarterbacks secured 16 spots in the 2026 NFL top 100 rankings, followed by 13 edge rushers. The Philadelphia Eagles lead all franchises with eight representatives, marking their second consecutive year at the top. The Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers each placed six players on the list, while the New York Jets were the only team to receive zero mentions. These rankings, compiled by 12 analysts including Aaron Schatz and Mina Kimes, prioritize projected 2026 performance over historical data. Notably, Commanders tackle Laremy Tunsil was excluded due to a triceps injury, and Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald was omitted following his Sunday return from retirement.

Quarterback Projections and Statistical Milestones

Sam Darnold enters the 2026 season at No. 100 after recording 31 wins over the last two years with the Vikings and Seahawks. Despite a league-high 20 turnovers in 2025, Darnold finished that season 14-3 as a starter, matching his 14-3 record from 2024. Mike Clay projects Darnold to finish 2026 with 4,013 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. At No. 97, Jalen Hurts ranks second only to Josh Allen in total touchdowns since 2022 with 138 scores. Hurts holds a 57-25 career record as a starter and is projected to tally 3,779 passing yards and nine rushing touchdowns under offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.

Trevor Lawrence ranks No. 96 following a 2025 season where he set a Jaguars franchise record with 38 total touchdowns. Lawrence, who finished fifth in MVP voting, is projected for 3,932 passing yards and 25 touchdowns in 2026. The list also highlights young offensive talent like Bears tight end Colston Loveland at No. 89. As a rookie, Loveland led Chicago with 58 catches for 713 yards and six touchdowns, generating a plus-44.6 receiving EPA. He is the first Bears rookie tight end to lead the team in catches and yards since Mike Ditka in 1961.

Defensive Leaders and Sack Specialists

Brian Burns sits at No. 81 after recording 16.5 sacks last season, the highest single-season total for a Giant since 2011. Burns faced double-teams on just 13% of snaps and is projected for 11 sacks in 2026. Ravens edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, ranked No. 87, leads the NFL with 33 sacks in the fourth quarter and overtime since 2019. Despite a 2025 season limited by core muscle surgery and a holdout, Hendrickson has 61.0 sacks over the past five years. At No. 79, Zach Allen led the league with 47 quarterback hits in 2025, contributing to a total of 111 hits since joining the Broncos in 2023.

Linebacker Jack Campbell ranks No. 92 following a first-team All-Pro season and an $81 million contract extension. Campbell is one of five players with at least 375 tackles and four forced fumbles since 2023. At No. 85, reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger is projected to repeat his 156-tackle performance from his debut season. Roquan Smith, ranked No. 80, has recorded 1,134 tackles since 2018, the second-most in the league, and remains the only player with 20 sacks and 10 interceptions in that timeframe.

Secondary and Offensive Line Metrics

Jessie Bates III ranks No. 99, boasting 27 interceptions and 11 forced fumbles since 2018. His interception total over the last eight seasons trails only Kevin Byard and Justin Simmons. Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. follows at No. 98, leading all safeties in forced fumbles (12) and recoveries (10) since 2020. In the cornerback group, Jaycee Horn ranks No. 94 after leading the NFL with five interceptions on passes of 20-plus yards. Texans corner Kamari Lassiter, at No. 91, has allowed a 52% completion rate over his last 1,000 coverage snaps.

On the offensive line, Darnell Wright ranks No. 90 after signing a record $116 million deal for a right tackle. Wright produced a 95% pass block win rate last season. Bills tackle Dion Dawkins ranks No. 83 after leading all tackles with a 95.9% pass block win rate. Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater returns at No. 95 after missing 2025 with a ruptured patellar tendon, while teammate Joe Alt ranks No. 86. Alt posted a 94.5% pass block win rate in 2024, helping Justin Herbert achieve an 80 QBR when he was on the field compared to 56 when he was absent.