The NFC’s best-known names on the line and in the backfield got plenty of attention in Jeremy Fowler’s latest rankings, and the opinions came with some sharp edges.
For Washington, Jayden Daniels landed only an honorable mention among quarterbacks, but one anonymous personnel evaluator still made a strong case for the Commanders’ young passer. “I know he was hurt [in 2025], but I think this is the year he really makes his stamp, and he’s the guy we’re all talking about as having taken the next step.
Such a good decision-maker and very accurate. I would still take him over the other quarterbacks [from the 2024 draft class] from a pure quarterback, decision-making standpoint.”
Washington left tackle Laremy Tunsil also drew a split verdict. One NFC executive put him in the top 10 and called him “Underrated to me and bulletproof in both phases,” adding, “[He] has another gear that others don’t.
Still violent.” But a veteran NFL defensive coach offered the other side of the argument: “He makes mistakes and blows protection assignments on communication,” the coach said.
Philadelphia had its own mix of praise and caution. Jalen Hurts was only an honorable mention in Fowler’s quarterback rankings, though an AFC offensive coach still backed him strongly: “I know it has been up-and-down, but I’m still betting on the Super Bowl credentials, the intangibles and the toughness.”
Saquon Barkley showed up near the top of Fowler’s running back list heading into 2026, despite what one NFL coordinator called a disappointing 2025. “I’m not going to penalize him for a terrible all-around offense last year.
He’s still a three-down weapon, and if I needed a running back for one season, I’m still taking him 1. My only criticism is that he doesn’t always produce when things aren’t completely clean.
That dates back to the Giants. Tends to need things perfectly set up for him.”
The Eagles’ tackle duo also stayed in the spotlight. Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson both landed among the top offensive tackles, with one evaluator calling Mailata “the best tackle in the NFL by far [in 2024].
He regressed some last year. But that wasn’t all his fault.
He is considered scheme-transcendent. He does everything consistently well.
That’s rare.”
Johnson got similar respect, along with a note of concern from a veteran NFL defensive coach: “I know they had a tough year as an offense, but the play was still elite. He’s a guy you can trust more than just about any other tackle to play at a high level. I just don’t know if the body will hold up at this stage.”
For the Giants, Andrew Thomas earned a strong endorsement in Fowler’s offensive tackle rankings. An anonymous NFL coordinator pointed to his work in pass protection and said, “A big factor with tackles is how much you can trust them in passing-down situations against the best, often on an island, and Thomas can handle that. Not many can.”
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