Matt BowenDec 3, 2025, 06:30 AM ETCloseMatt Bowen is a fantasy football and NFL writer for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2015, writes regularly for ESPN+ and spent multiple years on “NFL Matchup.” After graduating from the University of Iowa, Matt played safety in the NFL for St. Louis, Green Bay, Washington and Buffalo over seven seasons.Follow on X
play0:59Why JSN is Stephania Bell’s fantasy loser of Week 13Stephania Bell breaks down Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s fantasy struggles in the Seahawks’ Week 13 shutout against the Vikings.
play0:49Saturday: Colts’ loss to Texans is a bad signJeff Saturday and Domonique Foxworth explain why the Colts’ loss to the Texans is troubling amid injuries.
play4:053 NFL stars get a heartwarming Thanksgiving surpriseMyles Garrett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Keenan Allen thank a special person in their lives, unaware their mentors are listening with a Thanksgiving surprise.
play2:19Stephen A.: Eagles are ‘coming apart at the seams’Stephen A. Smith explains why he believes the Eagles’ Week 13 loss was worse than the Rams’ loss to the Panthers.
Why JSN is Stephania Bell’s fantasy loser of Week 13Stephania Bell breaks down Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s fantasy struggles in the Seahawks’ Week 13 shutout against the Vikings.
Stephania Bell breaks down Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s fantasy struggles in the Seahawks’ Week 13 shutout against the Vikings.
Saturday: Colts’ loss to Texans is a bad signJeff Saturday and Domonique Foxworth explain why the Colts’ loss to the Texans is troubling amid injuries.
Jeff Saturday and Domonique Foxworth explain why the Colts’ loss to the Texans is troubling amid injuries.
3 NFL stars get a heartwarming Thanksgiving surpriseMyles Garrett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Keenan Allen thank a special person in their lives, unaware their mentors are listening with a Thanksgiving surprise.
Myles Garrett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Keenan Allen thank a special person in their lives, unaware their mentors are listening with a Thanksgiving surprise.
Stephen A.: Eagles are ‘coming apart at the seams’Stephen A. Smith explains why he believes the Eagles’ Week 13 loss was worse than the Rams’ loss to the Panthers.
Stephen A. Smith explains why he believes the Eagles’ Week 13 loss was worse than the Rams’ loss to the Panthers.
Most creative passer/off-platform: Caleb Williams, Bears
Most sudden rusher/best change-of-direction: Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
Best rushing vision/instincts: Jonathan Taylor, Colts
Best ball security as ball carrier: Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
Best pass-protecting back: Javonte Williams, Cowboys
Most explosive pass catcher: George Pickens, Cowboys
Most sudden pass catcher/best change-of-direction: Zay Flowers, Ravens
Most elusive pass catcher: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions
Best body control/ball tracking: Drake London, Falcons
Most versatile pass catcher: Trey McBride, Cardinals
Best ball security as pass catcher: Davante Adams, Rams
Best perimeter blocking receiver: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions
Best in-line blocking tight end: George Kittle, 49ers
Best deep-ball pass catcher: Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
Best OL quickness/foot speed: Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers
Best at opening running lanes: Grey Zabel, Seahawks
Fastest closing speed to QB: Micah Parsons, Packers
Most rangy on second level: Edgerrin Cooper, Packers
Fastest closing speed to ball carrier: Jordyn Brooks, Dolphins
Most instinctive at second level: Fred Warner, 49ers
Most sudden DB/best change-of-direction: DJ Turner, Bengals
Best open-field tackler: Derwin James Jr., Chargers
Most urgency in coverage: Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks
For the third straight year, we’re picking out the NFL’s top players by specific skills and traits ahead of the last month of the regular season. The MVP race is squarely between Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford at the moment, but this exercise is meant to look at the smaller advantages some players have rather than their overall talent.
I picked out 109 traits and named the best player at each spot based on what I’ve seen on tape this season and the underlying numbers. I focused on the 2025 season while making the list, too — how these players perform in specific areas right now. Let’s get rolling, starting with the quarterbacks.
Of quarterbacks who have played at least 10 games this season, Prescott’s 9.6% off-target rate is the lowest, and he has completed 69.3% of his passes. He is playing some of the best football of his career.
With his elite physical tools — frame, arm length and hand size — Allen can rip the ball to every level of the field.
His 12 completions on passes of 30 or more air yards leads the league, and he has completed 70.6% of those throws. In coordinator Klint Kubiak’s offense, Darnold is set up on schemed shot plays to target the third level.
Maye can put touch on the ball to find open voids versus zone coverage. Plus, Maye will deliver a “runner’s ball” to beat man schemes. On throws of 10 to 20 air yards, Maye is completing a league-best 68% of his passes.
His season has been limited due to a toe injury, but he remains the model for pocket mechanics. From his footwork to consistent eye level, Burrow sets the bar. Every young quarterback should study his game.
I’ve really been impressed with Prescott’s ability to find space and reset his throwing window inside the pocket. His 80.9 QBR on pocket throws tops the league.
Rodgers is still getting the ball out with speed, using his quick release to attack tight windows. His average time to throw of 2.67 seconds is the second lowest in the league.
Stafford is seeing plays progress extremely fast from the pocket in coach Sean McVay’s system, using his post-snap vision to identify coverage and target the open voids. Stafford has thrown 27 touchdowns from the pocket this season, tied for most in the league.
Stafford owns a TD-INT ratio of 8-1. He’s producing MVP-level numbers while protecting the football.
Maye has shown a strong sense of calm inside the pocket, with subtle movements to shift his platform and climb. On pocket throws this season, Maye has 19 touchdown passes compared to four interceptions.
Williams brings a natural playmaking element when creating outside of structure as a runner and as a thrower. Plus, he has the arm strength to throw rockets on the move.
Allen’s 409 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns lead all quarterbacks, and his 2,832 passing yards rank ninth. He has continued to make game-changing plays for the Bills this season.
Gibbs leads the league with six carries of 30 or more yards. And more importantly, he reached a league-high 22.23 mph on his 78-yard score in Week 7 versus the Bucs, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Achane has rushed for 10 or more yards on 17.2% of his carries this season. He moves better than any other rusher going north and south.
Robinson’s ability to accelerate in tight quarters puts him in a position to dart through creases of daylight. And that translates in the zone run game.
Gibbs has the stop-and-start speed to shake defenders at the point of attack. His 5.8 yards per carry leads the league.
Cook combines his lateral speed and vertical burst to cut down defensive pursuit angles on the edges or in the open field. His total of 1,228 rushing yards is second most in the league, and his 29 carries of 10 or more yards rank third.
Taylor makes this list again due to his vision with the ball. It allows him to move and create positive angles, slicing through the second and third levels of the defense. He leads the league with 33 rushes of 10 or more yards.
Jacobs plays at a different clip when he can press the ball downhill, and we see that consistently in the low red zone. One of the best goal-line backs in the league, he has eight touchdowns on goal-to-go carries this season.
The league’s premier dual-threat back, McCaffrey has 85 receptions, the fourth most in the league. With 806 receiving yards so far, he is close to breaking Marshall Faulk’s record for receiving yards by a running back in a single season (1,048 in 1999).
More than willing to lower his pads and square up blitzing linebackers, Williams has a pass block win rate of 83.6%.
Subpar quarterback play in Minnesota this season has led to reduced numbers for Jefferson, but he is still the league’s best at setting up and manipulating man coverage.
Shaheed has topped the 21 mph mark twice this season, per NFL Next Gen Stats. He’s a burner who can create explosive plays downfield or after the catch with straight-line speed.
Pickens creates favorable isolation matchups as the backside “X” receiver due to his top-tier movement ability. His 1,142 receiving yards rank second in the league.
Nacua has the demeanor to work the dirty areas of the field, and the play strength shows up after the catch. His 86 receptions are tied with the Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase for second most in the league.
Flowers has the lateral quickness to get loose after the catch. Plus, he is a rapid accelerator with the ball in his hands.
Brown is really productive on in-breakers and screens due to his ability to slither past defenders after the catch. His body control and vision are among the best in the league. St. Brown’s 358 yards after the catch rank fifth among wideouts.
A reliable, high-volume receiver, Smith-Njigba has caught 82 of 112 targets this season. He hasn’t had a drop on a single one of those targets.
Kelce’s play speed has declined, but he can still uncover and find open grass. His 719 receiving yards rank second among tight ends behind Arizona’s Trey McBride (879).
A smooth and savvy route runner, Smith-Njigba can get open at all three levels. He leads the NFL with 1,336 receiving yards. JSN is tied for sixth in open score in ESPN’s receiver scores (80).
Why JSN is Stephania Bell’s fantasy loser of Week 13
Pickens leads the league with 15 tight-window receptions, using his length and ball skills to win those contested throws.
A multilevel route runner, Bowers can work the seams and produce in the middle of the field. He has caught 33 of his 49 receptions this season on throws inside the numbers.
London can track the ball vertically, and those skills show up in one-on-one matchups. He can go get it. In nine games this season, London has 810 receiving yards and six touchdown grabs.