Who dropped out of the top 10? Players eyeing a bounce-back at TE, RB and edge

Fresh names can be found all over ESPN's survey of the top 10 players at every position. And that means every top-10 ranking has at least one player who fell from last year's charts, whether because of performance, injury or the strength of the rankings. We'll collect those names here as the top 10 for each position is unveiled.

A reminder of the rankings process: League executives, coaches and scouts gave us their best 10 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average and dozens of interviews, with research and film study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. More than 70 voters submitted a ballot on at least one position, and in many cases, all positions. Additional voting and follow-up calls with those surveyed helped break ties.

We will roll out a position per day over 11 days. The schedule: running backs (7/7), defensive tackles (7/8), edge rushers (7/9), safeties (7/10), tight ends (7/11), interior offensive linemen (7/12), offensive tackles (7/13), quarterbacks (7/14), off-ball linebackers (7/15), wide receivers (7/16), cornerbacks (7/17).

Tight ends

Dalton Kincaid, Bills (No. 8) -- Like many on this list, Kincaid's 2024 drop-off had a lot to do with injuries, as Kincaid dealt with issues in both knees as well as a collarbone injury that he played through. While still ranking second on the Bills in targets (75) -- not an insignificant detail in a season when his quarterback won the MVP award -- Kincaid went from 73 catches to 44, and 673 yards to 448 in a season when he missed four games. The 25-year-old is a bounce-back candidate in 2025.

Evan Engram, Broncos (No. 9) -- Engram was due some regression after his career-best 114-catch season with Jacksonville in 2023, and the injuries that were a theme of his time with the Giants (2017-21) resurfaced. Engram missed eight games with a hamstring injury and a torn labrum, and was released by the Jags after accumulating a career-low 365 yards on 47 catches. The 30-year-old Engram was inked to a two-year, $23 million deal by Denver in March.

Dalton Schultz, Texans (No. 10) -- Schultz had a solid 2024 in which his numbers (53 receptions, 532 yards, 2 TD) were only slightly below his standard career production, but he fell off a Top 10 list that had to make way for names such as Brock Bowers, Trey McBride and Isaiah Likely. At age 29, Schultz remains a solid and dependable option for C.J. Stroud over the middle.

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Safeties

Jevon Holland, Giants (No. 5 in 2024 preseason) -- Holland took a step back during a 2024 season with the Dolphins in which he dealt with a broken bone in his hand, though Holland missed just two games. The Giants, who awarded the 25-year-old free agent a three-year, $45.5 million contract, are banking on Holland returning to the form that put him in the top half of these rankings a season ago.

Kyle Dugger, Patriots (No. 8 in 2024 preseason) -- Dugger struggled to live up to the four-year, $58 million contract extension he signed last April, batting a high ankle sprain in Week 4 that sidelined him for four games and visibly limited him upon his return. If healthy, the 29-year-old Dugger has a chance for a resurgence under first-year coach Mike Vrabel.

Talanoa Hufanga, Broncos (No. 9 in 2024 preseason) -- Hufanga was one of several key members of the 2024 49ers to have his season limited by injuries, missing 10 games due to knee, ankle and wrist problems. The 2022 first-team All-Pro has missed major portions of the past two seasons -- a torn right ACL cost him the final 10 games of the 2023 season in San Francisco. Hufanga signed a three-year, $45 million contract with Denver in March.

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Edge

Josh Hines-Allen, Jaguars (No. 8 in 2024 preseason) -- Hines-Allen didn't approach the production of his 17.5-sack season of 2023, but he did log eight sacks, second on the team in 2024 behind Travon Walker's 10.5. The overall weakness of the Jags' defense -- which finished last in pass rush win rate -- helped prevent Hines-Allen from returning to the top 10, but there's hope that the Travis Hunter-featured Jacksonville D will make some improvement in 2025.

Brian Burns, Giants (No. 10 in 2024 preseason) -- Burns was undeniably productive in his first year as a Giant, tallying 8.5 sacks, recording career highs in tackles (71) and pass deflections (8), and ranking fourth at his position in pass rush win rate. But the overall struggles of the Giants during their 3-14 season might have hurt Burns' profile among execs and scouts.

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Defensive tackles

Christian Wilkins, Raiders (No. 6 in 2024 preseason) -- Wilkins rolled snake eyes in his first year in Las Vegas, missing the final 12 games with a Jones fracture in his left foot suffered Oct. 6. It was a disappointing turn for a player who signed a four-year, $110 million deal with the Raiders in March 2024. Wilkins, 29, was sidelined during minicamp as he continues his recovery from the injury.

Derrick Brown, Panthers (No. 7 in 2024 preseason) -- Fresh off signing a four-year, $96 million extension, Brown tore his left meniscus in Carolina's season-opening loss to the Saints and did not return in 2024. The 27-year-old Brown participated in walk-throughs during 2025 minicamps but has not been cleared to return.

Kenny Clark, Packers (No. 9 in 2024 preseason) -- The durable Clark started all 17 games for the third straight season but was unable to build on a strong statistical 2023 that saw him record a career 7.5 sacks and reach his third Pro Bowl. Clark told reporters in June that he played the entire 2024 season through a foot injury sustained Week 1 in Brazil. Set to begin his 10th season with the Packers, the 29-year-old Clark seeks a healthier journey in 2025.

Javon Hargrave, Vikings (No. 10 in 2024 preseason) -- Hargrave suffered a torn triceps three games into his second season with the 49ers, undergoing surgery and not returning to the field before being released in March. The two-time Pro Bowler subsequently signed a two-year, $30 million contract with Minnesota, the fourth team for the 32-year-old since he entered the league in 2016.

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Running backs

Breece Hall, RB, Jets (No. 2 in 2024 preseason rankings) -- Hall was second behind only the 49ers' Christian McCaffrey on last year's list, but took a step back in rushing yards (876), catches (57) and touchdowns (8) as the Aaron Rodgers-led Jets offense failed to ignite. Hall, 24, could potentially be in for a better season in 2025 though new coach Aaron Glenn appears poised to employ a committee approach.

Nick Chubb, RB, Texans (No. 3 in 2024 preseason) -- After suffering a serious knee injury early in the 2023 season, Chubb returned to the field for the Browns in 2024 but was limited to 332 yards in eight games before his season-ending broken foot in Week 15. Chubb, 29, signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Texans this offseason.

Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jaguars (No. 10 in 2024 preseason) -- Etienne failed to deliver a third consecutive 1,000-yard season for the struggling Jags in 2024, rushing for 558 yards and two touchdowns on a career-low 3.7 yards per carry. How first-year coach Liam Coen integrates Etienne into the offense will be among the storylines worth watching in 2025 training camp.

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