Who dropped out of the top 10? Players eyeing a bounce-back at 11 positions
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 had at least one player who fell from last year’s charts, whether because of performance, injury or the strength of the rankings. We collected those names here as the top 10 for each position was 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 rolled out a position per day over 11 days. The schedule: running backs (July 7), defensive tackles (July 8), edge rushers (July 9), safeties (July 10), tight ends (July 11), interior offensive linemen (July 12), offensive tackles (July 13), quarterbacks (July 14), off-ball linebackers (July 15), wide receivers (July 16), cornerbacks (July 17).
