NFL’s 2025 All-Hype Offense, plus examining the NFL Top 100 list
And just like that, live NFL football is back. Sort of, as it’s mostly backups for the Lions and Chargers in tonight’s Hall of Fame game. One notable running back will play, however. More on that below.
Inside: The Offseason All-Hype Team and my beef with the NFL’s Top 100.
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Offseason All-Hype Team: Offense
The NFL season has arrived for many of us. Finally. If you’re also planning to watch the preseason kick off tonight at 8 p.m. ET on NBC:
- Colton Pouncy shared a few Lions to watch — including rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa, who was GM Brad Holmes’ favorite receiver in the class and has been impressing in practice.
- And read Daniel Popper’s list of seven things to learn from the Chargers, who are set to debut four rookies on offense, including training camp standout TE Oronde Gadsden.
But before preseason whistles potentially dampen the optimism in cities like Chicago and New York, I’m sharing our first Offseason All-Hype Team. We’ll start with the coaches and offense today:
First-Team HC: Ben Johnson, Bears.
The vibes are great in Chicago, where the former Lions OC’s offense is slowly making strides, and his staff — which includes defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, the former Saints head coach — continues to draw praise from both players and fans. Bears fans haven’t felt this positive since … last offseason?
Second-Team HC: Pete Carroll, Raiders.
The vibes were so good — until a “playful kiss,” which reportedly played a role in the release of star DT Christian Wilkins. Otherwise, it sounds like Carroll’s infectious positivity has Vegas set for a bounce-back season.
First-Team QB: J.J. McCarthy, Vikings.
Surrounded by one of the league’s most talented rosters, the 22-year-old has everything a first-year starter could ask for: World-class play-caller, stout offensive line, talented skill position players and sole control over the starting role. McCarthy’s development was Minnesota’s biggest training camp question, where he’s since checked most boxes despite an uneven start.
Second-Team QB: Caleb Williams, Bears.
With Johnson, a revamped offensive line and two more highly drafted receiving threats, Williams has been given the keys to a system that is nearly as impressive as McCarthy’s. The big difference? The Vikings won 14 games last season. The Bears haven’t hit that mark since 1986.
First-Team RB: Omarion Hampton, Chargers.
I was skeptical of the North Carolina rookie’s opportunity level in 2025, as he was set to compete with Najee Harris, the only running back who has played every regular-season game since 2021. But a freak fireworks accident sidelined Harris indefinitely, while Hampton is gaining valuable first-team reps.
It’s hard to overstate Hampton’s upside. He’s a potential Week 1 starter for the league’s most run-heavy offense, and a Saquon Barkley-like rookie season is on the table. See for yourself, as the Chargers’ first-round pick will make his debut tonight.
Side note: The Chargers’ best moment so far might be Jim Harbaugh in awe of Justin Herbert.
Second-Team RB: R.J. Harvey, Broncos.
After Denver’s rushing attack had nearly as many fumbles (six) as touchdowns (seven) in 2024, a reshuffle was needed. That began in the draft’s second-round, when Sean Payton took Harvey — whose explosiveness has stood out — to play what should be the Alvin Kamara role. So far, “He’s doing exceptional,” according to Payton.
First-Team WR: Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers.
Few rookies draw such universal praise as the Ohio State product, who is “an absolute stud,” according to Tampa quarterback Baker Mayfield, and “a true professional who is going to be an unbelievable playmaker,” per fellow receiver Mike Evans. Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard also had glowing praise for the 22-year-old rookie. Sheesh.
Second-Team WR: Josh Palmer, Bills.
He sounds cemented among Josh Allen’s top three receivers, with beat reporter Joe Buscaglia writing this in his training camp observations:
“All early indications are that Palmer will be a staple on offense and could be a sneaky candidate to lead the receivers in snaps.”
When asked about Palmer, Allen said the free agent addition has a catch radius that is one of the best he’s played with.
Hon. Mention: Demario Douglas, the Patriots’ second-best receiver, sounds ready for a breakout season. I’m hoping he’ll continue these types of catches for my fantasy teams, as Douglas has just three touchdowns across his first two seasons.
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First-Team TE: Kyle Pitts, Falcons.
No matter how often positivity surrounding Pitts ages like milk, he is again receiving offseason buzz.
Sure, he rarely breaks tackles. And yes, he’s often looked like he’s running at half speed. But then I saw one camp highlight of Pitts, who is somehow still only 24 years old, and convinced myself that he’s in the best shape of his career. Beat reporter Josh Kendall examined whether Pitts can be trusted for your fantasy team. Hint: Good luck.
Second-Team TE: Mason Taylor, Jets.
One of Zack Rosenblatt’s 10 lessons from Jets training camp is this: Their second-round pick seems to have the Week 1 starter role secured. Remember, Cole Kmet had a career-high 719 yards with Justin Fields as his quarterback in 2023.
First-Team OL: Bears.
All the hype that accompanied the arrival of starting guard Joe Thuney and center Drew Dalman is yet to translate, as their head coach admitted. “We’re having a difficult time in protection right now,” said Johnson. “I think that’s probably what stands out to me from the first five practices. We need to do a better job giving our quarterbacks a clean pocket.”
Second-Team OL: Vikings.
(The second time this list has paired these two NFC North rivals.) Only Caleb Williams saw more total pressures than Sam Darnold, who was pressured on 39.4 percent of his dropbacks. Eager to improve McCarthy’s odds of success, the Vikings spent heavily to reinforce the interior of their line by signing center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries. Fries and standout left tackle Christian Darrisaw are both being eased in after serious injuries in 2024, so there’s little to comment on so far.
Since these players receive no hardware (tariff issues), these awards are similar to inclusions in the “NFL Top 100” lists. I’ve got an issue there.
NFL Top 100 rankings
I’m a sucker for rankings. Combine them with enjoyable video content, like the “NFL Top 100” does, and the league’s annual player poll will always get my attention.
Today, The Athletic’s Jayna Bardahl shared how the “NFL Top 100” is made. You might not know that:
- Players don’t vote for the full 100. Instead, they choose their top 20 peers: No. 1 receives 20 points, and the points decrease in value until No. 20, who receives one point.
- Between 900 and 1,100 players participate. Though some don’t take it as seriously as I’d like, the scale of the exercises produces relatively coherent lists.
While this year’s full list is yet to be released, you can watch No. 100 (Ladd McConkey) to No. 61 (Brian Thomas) in this YouTube playlist. As for No. 1, my guess is 2024 MVP Josh Allen, who finished No. 12 in last year’s rankings. (And is tied with Lamar Jackson and five non-QBs atop this year’s Madden ratings.)
I’ve got one complaint, though: Injured players should not be included.
Christian McCaffrey is one of the league’s top players, sure, but we’re really including him in the 2025 top 100 — he’s ranked 73rd, ahead of players like Vita Vea and Tee Higgins — when he ran for a total of 202 yards and played just four games last season? At that rate, Tom Brady might still qualify. To me, including injured players damages the credibility far more than Tyreek Hill’s first-place ranking in 2024.
There’s an easy tweak: To be eligible for the list, the player must have played at least half of the prior season’s games. That’s all I ask. How would you change the “NFL Top 100” list? Share your suggestions here.
Extra Points
👀 Get to know Trey McBride. The hulking 6-foot-4, 250-pounder is paid like the NFL’s next great tight end. Jourdan Rodrigue shares the story of the 25-year-old, who is key to the Cardinals’ offense.
📺 After you watch tonight’s Hall of Fame Game, the ceremony to enshrine Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates and Sterling Sharpe will be Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.
📰 Latest on NFL HQ shooting. Our thoughts are with everyone affected. The Athletic spoke with the neuroscientist who was named in the gunman’s letter.
🔨 Jake Ciely can’t stop drafting these 22 players in his fantasy football leagues. If you’re looking for players you can get in any league, this article’s for you.
🔮 Rookie expectations range, as they should. Nick Baumgardner shared his projections for every first-round pick from the 2025 draft.
▶️ Monday’s most-clicked: Pat McAfee’s apology for amplifying a false internet rumor about an Ole Miss student.
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