Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen secured a spot at No. 63 on the 2025 NFL Top 100 Players list, marking his second consecutive appearance, while Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix made his debut at No. 64. The list, released Thursday, highlights top players as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season, with Nix entering his second professional year and Hines-Allen coming off a challenging campaign.
Bo Nix Enters NFL Top 100 After Breakout Rookie Season
Bo Nix earned recognition on the NFL Top 100 with a strong rookie year leading the Denver Broncos. Starting Week 1, Nix guided the Broncos to a 10-7 record, breaking an eight-year playoff drought by reaching the Wild Card round. He completed 66.3% of his passes for 3,775 yards, throwing 29 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. Additionally, Nix contributed 430 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
His passing statistics were particularly impressive when on the move; according to NFL Pro and NFL.com analyst Christian Gonzales, Nix led the league with 904 passing yards and eight touchdowns while running at speeds of eight miles per hour or faster. This mobility factor reflects his dynamic playing style and adaptability under pressure.
Throughout the offseason, Nix expressed a determined mindset focused on continued improvement. He stated in May his focus was on
finding a way to get better
ahead of his second year, emphasizing his commitment to growth.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton also confirmed Nix’s ongoing work ethic, revealing that the quarterback has been receiving mentorship from NFL legend Drew Brees this summer to enhance his skills.
He’s someone that works his tail off, wants to improve… there’s a lot that he wants to absorb in a fast period of time,
Payton said on Wednesday about Nix.
Cornerback Patrick Surtain II echoed this sentiment, noting on Tuesday that Nix is entering this season
even more confident going into this year.
These endorsements suggest strong belief within the league that Nix is on track to make a major leap in his second year under Payton’s guidance, further raising expectations for his development and impact as a starting quarterback.
Josh Hines-Allen Slips in Ranking Amid Weight and Injury Challenges
Josh Hines-Allen’s ranking dropped from No. 35 in 2024 to No. 63 in this year’s NFL Top 100, reflecting a season marked by decreased sack production and physical challenges. The Jaguars’ defensive end recorded 8.0 sacks in 16 games during the 2024 season, a notable decline from the career-high 17.5 sacks he achieved the previous year, which had placed him second in the NFL.
Despite lowered numbers, Hines-Allen maintained strong pressure metrics, with Pro Football Focus ranking him among the top 10 defenders for 46 quarterback hurries and 63 total pressures. These stats indicate he remained disruptive even as his sack totals declined.
Hines-Allen revealed in June that gaining weight to 285 pounds to fit a new defensive end role under former coordinator Ryan Nielsen took a physical toll. He shared his perspective on the impact of that weight gain, saying,
See, I don’t know because I was also getting banged up a lot more. My body was not cooperating as much as I would want it to,
and added,
I take care of my body to the utmost, but it was a little bit different. I don’t know if that had something to do with the weight. So, that’s something I took into consideration coming into this season.
Although Hines-Allen has not confirmed his exact weight entering training camp, the Jaguars’ official roster lists him at 255 pounds, suggesting he may have adjusted his weight to better suit his role and health moving forward.
The Jaguars are optimistic that under their new defensive system led by former Green Bay Packers linebackers coach Anthony Campanile, Hines-Allen can return to his status as one of the NFL’s elite defenders. The team’s significant investment in him—signing a five-year, $141.25 million extension before the 2025 season—reflects their confidence in his potential resurgence.
Overview of NFL Top 100 Players Rankings Leading Into 2025 Season
The NFL has been releasing the 2025 Top 100 Players list throughout the week, culminating with the top 10 announcement scheduled for September 1 on NFL Network. This list features a mix of established stars and emerging talents across multiple teams and positions.
Some notable rankings surrounding Nix and Hines-Allen include:
68. Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers
67. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
66. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
65. Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
64. Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos
63. Josh Hines-Allen, DE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Other players ranked just outside the spotlight positions include receivers like Jerry Jeudy at No. 82 with the Cleveland Browns, defensive veterans such as Cameron Heyward at No. 83 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and important linebackers like Patrick Queen ranked at No. 75 with Pittsburgh.
This broader context reflects the fluid dynamics of the league where factors like injuries, offseason development, coaching changes, and shifts in team strategy influence player valuation from year to year.
What’s Ahead for Both Players and the NFL Season
Bo Nix’s debut on the NFL Top 100 signals the Broncos’ hope that his growth as a quarterback will propel the team deeper into the playoffs after ending their recent postseason drought. His continued work with Sean Payton and mentorship from Drew Brees indicates a focused offseason to refine his skills and expand his command of the offense in 2025.
For Josh Hines-Allen, the 2025 season represents an important opportunity to rebound after an injury-impacted year and fully leverage the significant contract the Jaguars have committed to him. Finding the right balance with his playing weight and adapting to a new defensive scheme will be critical factors as he strives to reestablish himself among the NFL’s premier pass rushers.
These developments for both athletes underscore the NFL’s intensely competitive environment and the physical and mental demands players face in striving to remain among the league’s best.