A-plus
Players graded in the A range are defined as those whose talent, physical gifts, durability and production allow them to win their one-on-one battles with regularity and make a difference in winning each week. By definition, there are three-down players.
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit Lions
Simply put, Suh is the best defensive tackle in the NFL. If not double-teamed, he will win virtually every time.
A
Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys (Franchise tag)
He has a rare combination of speed, power, athleticism and hands. He's one of the most talented and most productive receivers in the league.
Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers
He is the ideal slot receiver. He has great speed, separation quickness and hands, and he is very versatile, as Green Bay used him in a lot of different ways in 2014.
Stephen Gostkowski, K, New England Patriots (Franchise tag)
I don't have a ton to say about the kickers on this list, but Gostkowski is very reliable and very consistent.
Justin Houston, OLB, Kansas City Chiefs (Franchise tag)
He is an all-around top-echelon NFL pass-rusher. He possesses outstanding power, speed and pass-rush moves.
DeMarco Murray, RB, Dallas Cowboys
He has great vision, acceleration in the hole and speed, and he's also a very good finisher at the end of runs. The only concern is his durability going forward.
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos (Franchise tag)
He is a solid No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL. He has outstanding speed, burst, length and jumping ability, and reliable hands.
A-minus
Jerry Hughes, DE, Buffalo Bills
He is an outstanding pass-rusher with great speed, rush techniques and the flexibility to "bore" to the passer. ("Bore" is the word I use to describe the ability of a pass-rusher to dip and drive past the blocker in order to get lower than him and gain leverage in getting to the quarterback.) He is less effective setting the edge against the run.
Terrance Knighton, DT, Denver Broncos
He has outstanding size, quickness, agility, balance and strength, and he's a very tough player. He is excellent against the run, and is better as a pass-rusher than people think.
Devin McCourty, S, New England Patriots
His combination of physical characteristics and instincts makes him one of the best safeties in the league. He has good ball skills, anticipation and savvy, and he's versatile enough to play man coverage on a slot receiver. His speed and tackling ability are both outstanding for a safety.
Jared Odrick, DT, Miami Dolphins
He possesses outstanding first-step quickness, toughness, flexibility and speed to the passer. He isn't the wide-bodied run-stopper that Knighton is, but he is an outstanding "movement" D-tackle.
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
He is an outstanding route-runner with good separation quickness to go with excellent speed. He also has good hands.
Pernell McPhee, OLB, Baltimore Ravens
He is a part-time player who is an outstanding speed-to-power rusher with natural pass-rush slipperiness. He's a major contributor in nickel packages. The question with him is whether he can maintain his effectiveness if asked to play full time.
B-plus
Players graded in the B range are defined as those whose talent, durability and production allow them to be productive starters who contribute to winning in the NFL. By definition, these are starters.
Mike Iupati, G, San Francisco 49ers
He ranks among the best run-blockers in the league. He possesses outstanding strength, leg drive, punch and aggressiveness. He is less effective in space when pass-blocking.
George Johnson, DE, Detroit Lions
He is an outstanding natural pass-rusher who has length, speed, power and slipperiness in getting to the quarterback.
Denarius Moore, WR, Oakland Raiders
His speed and burst are outstanding. But he lacks polish as a route-runner and as a receiver overall.
Torrey Smith, WR, Baltimore Ravens
His hands are inconsistent, but he is still very effective as a deep threat because of his excellent speed and burst.
Tramon Williams, CB, Green Bay Packers
Williams is getting older, but he still possesses great instincts, playmaking ability and a nose for the ball.
B
Akeem Ayers, OLB, New England Patriots
He didn't fit in Tennessee but found a home as a designated pass-rusher in New England. He has the length and speed to do a good job in that role going forward.
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Green Bay Packers
He is a solid all-around offensive tackle who is particularly well-suited to the Packers' offensive scheme.
Charles Clay, TE, Miami Dolphins (Transition tag)
He is a very good receiving tight end with good speed, separation quickness, hands and moves after the catch. He struggles with inline blocking due to a lack of bulk. He can also play some fullback.
Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers
His production was down this season because of a nagging ankle injury. He is a good route-runner with an outstanding catch radius and very good hands.
Brandon Flowers, CB, San Diego Chargers
He had a solid all-around season for San Diego after being acquired in the offseason. He is a valuable starter at a critical position.
Justin Forsett, RB, Baltimore Ravens
He had a great year in former Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak's zone running scheme. (Kubiak is now the head coach of the Broncos.) He has good acceleration in the hole, vision as a runner and the ability to avoid defenders, but his size and durability going forward are a concern.
Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints
He had a solid all-around season for New Orleans. He has very good acceleration in the hole and finishes runs well. He has dealt with injuries throughout his NFL career.
John Kuhn, FB, Green Bay Packers
For teams that utilize a fullback, Kuhn is a top value. He's a solid all-around fullback who can block, run and catch. He is a smart and versatile player.
Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers
His problem since entering the league has been his durability. When he's on the field, he shows outstanding speed, power and finishing ability as a runner.
Rolando McClain, ILB, Dallas Cowboys
He has the capability to be a three-down linebacker. He has size, speed, instincts and a strong punch. His off-field issues have been a concern previously.
Julius Thomas, TE, Denver Broncos
He is a receiving tight end with very good speed, hands and separation skills. Nagging injuries have been a concern. Blocking is not his strong suit.
Justin Tucker, K, Baltimore Ravens
He is a solid, reliable kicker with very good range.
Shane Vereen, RB, New England Patriots
He has speed, separation quickness, the ability to avoid defenders as a runner, really good hands and is obviously smart enough to master varied alignments as part of New England's pass package. He's also a better runner from scrimmage than most give him credit for, despite his size. He would be a good addition to almost any team because of his versatility.
Players graded in the A range are defined as those whose talent, physical gifts, durability and production allow them to win their one-on-one battles with regularity and make a difference in winning each week. By definition, there are three-down players.
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit Lions
Simply put, Suh is the best defensive tackle in the NFL. If not double-teamed, he will win virtually every time.
A
Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys (Franchise tag)
He has a rare combination of speed, power, athleticism and hands. He's one of the most talented and most productive receivers in the league.
Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers
He is the ideal slot receiver. He has great speed, separation quickness and hands, and he is very versatile, as Green Bay used him in a lot of different ways in 2014.
Stephen Gostkowski, K, New England Patriots (Franchise tag)
I don't have a ton to say about the kickers on this list, but Gostkowski is very reliable and very consistent.
Justin Houston, OLB, Kansas City Chiefs (Franchise tag)
He is an all-around top-echelon NFL pass-rusher. He possesses outstanding power, speed and pass-rush moves.
DeMarco Murray, RB, Dallas Cowboys
He has great vision, acceleration in the hole and speed, and he's also a very good finisher at the end of runs. The only concern is his durability going forward.
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos (Franchise tag)
He is a solid No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL. He has outstanding speed, burst, length and jumping ability, and reliable hands.
A-minus
Jerry Hughes, DE, Buffalo Bills
He is an outstanding pass-rusher with great speed, rush techniques and the flexibility to "bore" to the passer. ("Bore" is the word I use to describe the ability of a pass-rusher to dip and drive past the blocker in order to get lower than him and gain leverage in getting to the quarterback.) He is less effective setting the edge against the run.
Terrance Knighton, DT, Denver Broncos
He has outstanding size, quickness, agility, balance and strength, and he's a very tough player. He is excellent against the run, and is better as a pass-rusher than people think.
Devin McCourty, S, New England Patriots
His combination of physical characteristics and instincts makes him one of the best safeties in the league. He has good ball skills, anticipation and savvy, and he's versatile enough to play man coverage on a slot receiver. His speed and tackling ability are both outstanding for a safety.
Jared Odrick, DT, Miami Dolphins
He possesses outstanding first-step quickness, toughness, flexibility and speed to the passer. He isn't the wide-bodied run-stopper that Knighton is, but he is an outstanding "movement" D-tackle.
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
He is an outstanding route-runner with good separation quickness to go with excellent speed. He also has good hands.
Pernell McPhee, OLB, Baltimore Ravens
He is a part-time player who is an outstanding speed-to-power rusher with natural pass-rush slipperiness. He's a major contributor in nickel packages. The question with him is whether he can maintain his effectiveness if asked to play full time.
B-plus
Players graded in the B range are defined as those whose talent, durability and production allow them to be productive starters who contribute to winning in the NFL. By definition, these are starters.
Mike Iupati, G, San Francisco 49ers
He ranks among the best run-blockers in the league. He possesses outstanding strength, leg drive, punch and aggressiveness. He is less effective in space when pass-blocking.
George Johnson, DE, Detroit Lions
He is an outstanding natural pass-rusher who has length, speed, power and slipperiness in getting to the quarterback.
Denarius Moore, WR, Oakland Raiders
His speed and burst are outstanding. But he lacks polish as a route-runner and as a receiver overall.
Torrey Smith, WR, Baltimore Ravens
His hands are inconsistent, but he is still very effective as a deep threat because of his excellent speed and burst.
Tramon Williams, CB, Green Bay Packers
Williams is getting older, but he still possesses great instincts, playmaking ability and a nose for the ball.
B
Akeem Ayers, OLB, New England Patriots
He didn't fit in Tennessee but found a home as a designated pass-rusher in New England. He has the length and speed to do a good job in that role going forward.
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Green Bay Packers
He is a solid all-around offensive tackle who is particularly well-suited to the Packers' offensive scheme.
Charles Clay, TE, Miami Dolphins (Transition tag)
He is a very good receiving tight end with good speed, separation quickness, hands and moves after the catch. He struggles with inline blocking due to a lack of bulk. He can also play some fullback.
Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers
His production was down this season because of a nagging ankle injury. He is a good route-runner with an outstanding catch radius and very good hands.
Brandon Flowers, CB, San Diego Chargers
He had a solid all-around season for San Diego after being acquired in the offseason. He is a valuable starter at a critical position.
Justin Forsett, RB, Baltimore Ravens
He had a great year in former Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak's zone running scheme. (Kubiak is now the head coach of the Broncos.) He has good acceleration in the hole, vision as a runner and the ability to avoid defenders, but his size and durability going forward are a concern.
Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints
He had a solid all-around season for New Orleans. He has very good acceleration in the hole and finishes runs well. He has dealt with injuries throughout his NFL career.
John Kuhn, FB, Green Bay Packers
For teams that utilize a fullback, Kuhn is a top value. He's a solid all-around fullback who can block, run and catch. He is a smart and versatile player.
Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers
His problem since entering the league has been his durability. When he's on the field, he shows outstanding speed, power and finishing ability as a runner.
Rolando McClain, ILB, Dallas Cowboys
He has the capability to be a three-down linebacker. He has size, speed, instincts and a strong punch. His off-field issues have been a concern previously.
Julius Thomas, TE, Denver Broncos
He is a receiving tight end with very good speed, hands and separation skills. Nagging injuries have been a concern. Blocking is not his strong suit.
Justin Tucker, K, Baltimore Ravens
He is a solid, reliable kicker with very good range.
Shane Vereen, RB, New England Patriots
He has speed, separation quickness, the ability to avoid defenders as a runner, really good hands and is obviously smart enough to master varied alignments as part of New England's pass package. He's also a better runner from scrimmage than most give him credit for, despite his size. He would be a good addition to almost any team because of his versatility.
