Top 20 position-by-position rankings for 2024 NFL season: Best players at QB, WR, CB and every major spot

As the 2024 NFL season approaches, CBS Sports is breaking down the top players at every position to see who stands as the best of the best heading into the new campaign. 

There was no surprise which player ranks highest amongst all quarterbacks, with that spot going to back-to-back Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. The quarterback he beat in the championship — San Francisco 49ers’ Brock Purdy — was right behind him at No. 2. Speaking of the Niners, they also roster the top running back and the top tight end this year, and it’s the Vikings who have the top wide receiver in the league. 

From quarterbacks to wide receivers to linebackers and everything in between, here are our positional rankings heading into the new season. 

Top 20 quarterbacks

1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
2. Brock Purdy, 49ers
3. Josh Allen, Bills
4. Joe Burrow, Bengals
5. C.J. Stroud, Texans
6. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
7. Jalen Hurts, Eagles
8. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
9. Justin Herbert, Chargers
10. Jordan Love, Packers
11. Aaron Rodgers, Jets
12. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins
13. Jared Goff, Lions
14. Kirk Cousins, Falcons
15. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
16. Matthew Stafford, Rams
17. Deshaun Watson, Browns
18. Geno Smith, Seahawks
19. Russell Wilson, Steelers
20. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers

For the full breakdown of Cody Benjamin’s top 20 list, click here.

Top 20 running backs

1. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers
2. Derrick Henry, Ravens
3. Bijan Robinson, Falcons
4. Jonathan Taylor, Colts
5. Nick Chubb, Browns
6. Breece Hall, Jets
7. Saquon Barkley, Eagles
8. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
9. Josh Jacobs, Packers
10. Aaron Jones, Vikings
11. Travis Etienne, Jaguars
12. Raheem Mostert, Dolphins
13. Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks
14. Kyren Williams, Rams
15. Tony Pollard, Titans
16. James Conner, Cardinals
17. De’Von Achane, Dolphins
18. D’Andre Swift, Bears
19. Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs
20. Jaylen Warren, Steelers

For the full breakdown of Garrett Podell’s top 20 list, click here.  

Top 20 wide receivers

1. Justin Jefferson, Vikings
2. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins
3. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
4. Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals
5. A.J. Brown, Eagles
6. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions
7. Davante Adams, Raiders
8. Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers
9. Stefon Diggs, Texans
10. Garrett Wilson, Jets
11. Mike Evans, Buccaneers 
12. Puka Nacua, Rams
13. D.J. Moore, Bears
14. Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins 
15. Terry McLaurin, Commanders
16. Cooper Kupp, Rams
17. Deebo Samuel, 49ers
18. DeVonta Smith, Eagles
19. Nico Collins, Texans
20. Amari Cooper, Browns

For the full breakdown of Jordan Dajani’s top 20 list, click here.  

Top 20 tight ends

1. George Kittle, 49ers
2. Travis Kelce, Chiefs
3. Mark Andrews, Ravens
4. Sam LaPorta, Lions
5. Trey McBride, Cardinals
6. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings
7. David Njoku, Browns
8. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys
9. Dallas Goedert, Eagles
10. Dalton Kincaid, Bills
11. Evan Engram, Jaguars
12. Kyle Pitts, Falcons
13. Dalton Schultz, Texans
14. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers
15. Cole Kmet, Bears
16. Hunter Henry, Patriots
17. Noah Fant, Seahawks
18. Brock Bowers, Raiders
19. Isaiah Likely, Ravens
20. Luke Musgrave, Packers

For the full breakdown of Jared Dubin’s top 20 list, click here.  

Top 20 offensive tackles

1. Trent Williams, 49ers
2. Penei Sewell, Lions
3. Tyron Smith, Jets
4. Lane Johnson, Eagles
5. Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers
6. Jordan Mailata, Eagles
7. Terron Armstead, Dolphins
8. Andrew Thomas, Giants
9. Christian Darrisaw, Vikings
10. Braden Smith, Colts
11. Laremy Tunsil, Texans
12. Rashawn Slater, Chargers
13. Kolton Miller, Raiders
14. Bernhard Raimann, Colts
15. Taylor Decker, Lions
16. David Bakhtiari, free agent
17. Kaleb McGary, Falcons
18. Garett Bolles, Broncos
19. Rob Havenstein, Rams
20. Zach Tom, Packers

For the full breakdown of Jeff Kerr’s top 20 list, click here.  

Top 20 interior linemen 

Top 15 guards

1. Chris Lindstrom, Falcons
2. Joe Thuney, Chiefs
3. Zack Martin, Cowboys
4. Tyler Smith, Cowboys
5. Kevin Zeitler, Lions
6. Joel Bitonio, Browns
7. Landon Dickerson, Eagles
8. Samuel Cosmi, Commanders
9. Wyatt Teller, Browns
10. Quenton Nelson, Colts
11. Robert Hunt, Panthers
12. Quinn Meinerz, Broncos
13. Kevin Dotson, Rams
14. Elgton Jenkins, Packers
15. Teven Jenkins, Bears

Top five centers

1. Creed Humphrey, Chiefs
2. Frank Ragnow, Lions
3. Ryan Kelly, Colts
4. Tyler Linderbaum, Ravens
5. Ted Karras, Bengals

For the full breakdown of Jeff Kerr’s top 20 interior linemen, click here.   

Top 20 linebackers

1. Fred Warner, 49ers 
2. Roquan Smith, Ravens
3. Demario Davis, Saints
4. Quincy Williams, Jets
5. Matt Milano, Bills
6. C.J. Mosley, Jets
7. Nick Bolton, Chiefs
8. Patrick Queen, Steelers
9. Bobby Wagner, Commanders
10. Bobby Okereke, Giants
11. T.J. Edwards, Bears
12. Lavonte David, Buccaneers
13. Dre Greenlaw, 49ers
14. Tremaine Edmunds, Bears
15. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Browns
16. Foye Oluokun, Jaguars
17. Frankie Luvu, Commanders 
18. Logan Wilson, Bengals
19. Jahlani Tavai, Patriots
20. Ivan Pace Jr., Vikings

For the full breakdown of Jordan Dajani’s top 20 list, click here.  

Top 20 cornerbacks

1. Sauce Gardner, Jets
2. Patrick Surtain II, Broncos
3. Jalen Ramsey, Dolphins
4. Charvarius Ward, 49ers
5. Trent McDuffie, Chiefs
6. Jaylon Johnson, Bears
7. Jaire Alexander, Packers
8. L’Jarius Sneed, Titans
9. Denzel Ward, Browns
10. Marlon Humphrey, Ravens
11. Marshon Lattimore, Saints
12. Trevon Diggs, Cowboys
13. Darious Williams, Rams
14. Kendall Fuller, Dolphins
15. D.J. Reed, Jets
16. Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks
17. Daron Bland, Cowboys
18. Jamel Dean, Buccaneers
19. Rasul Douglas, Bills
20. Derek Stingley Jr., Texans

For the full breakdown of Jared Dubin’s top 20 list, click here.  

Top 20 safeties

1. Antoine Winfield Jr., Buccaneers
2. Kyle Hamilton, Ravens
3. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Steelers
4. Jessie Bates III, Falcons
5. Jevon Holland, Dolphins 
6. Marcus Williams, Ravens
7. Xavier McKinney, Packers
8. Derwin James, Chargers
9. Kyle Dugger, Patriots
10. Tyrann Mathieu, Saints
11. Budda Baker, Cardinals
12. Talanoa Hufanga, 49ers
13. Justin Simmons, free agent
14. Malik Hooker, Cowboys
15. Geno Stone, Bengals
16. Grant Delpit, Browns
17. Kamren Curl, Rams
18. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Eagles
19. Harrison Smith, Vikings
20. Camryn Bynum, Vikings

For the full breakdown of Jared Dubin’s top 20 list, click here.