Saquon Barkley takes No. 1 spot on NFL Top 100 Players 2025 while Patrick Mahomes ranks unexpectedly low

The NFL’s annual Top 100 countdown reached its climax Monday night, and the players have spoken. Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, fresh off a spectacular debut season, has been voted the No.

1 player in the league for 2025. It’s a historic honor, marking the first time an Eagles player has ever earned the top spot in the prestigious rankings.

Saquon Barkley headlines NFL Top 100 players of 2025

Saquon Barkley’s recognition comes after a season that will be remembered for years in Philadelphia. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year not only carried the Eagles’ offense but also reshaped the team’s identity. His explosive runs and game-changing plays made him the obvious choice among peers, who vote annually for the NFL Top 100 players.

He topped an elite group that included Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson at No. 2, Bills signal-caller Josh Allen at No. 3, Bengals wideout Ja’Marr Chase at No. 4, and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes at No. 5.The Eagles had nine representatives overall in this year’s rankings, showing the depth of talent on their roster. Alongside Barkley’s No. 1 finish, Jalen Hurts came in at No. 19, A.J. Brown at 29, and rookie standout Quinyon Mitchell at 49, further solidifying Philadelphia’s dominance.

For Barkley, this was his fifth career appearance on the list. He debuted at No. 16 in 2019 after winning Offensive Rookie of the Year but had never cracked the top 10 until now. The No. 1 finish is both a personal milestone and a symbol of how far he has come after years of battling injuries and doubters.

Patrick Mahomes and shifting dynamics in NFL hierarchy

While Barkley’s rise is the story of the moment, the rankings also highlighted a shift at the quarterback position. Patrick Mahomes, often a lock for the top three, slipped to No.

5 this year. Despite leading the Chiefs to a 15-1 record, his statistical dip — 3,928 passing yards and 26 touchdowns, both five-year lows — factored into the slide. The Super Bowl loss to Barkley’s Eagles only sharpened the narrative.

Still, Mahomes remains one of the league’s most feared competitors, and his presence in the top five underscores his lasting influence. Yet, in 2025, the crown belongs to Saquon Barkley, a player whose perseverance and brilliance finally propelled him to the top of the NFL mountain.Also Read: Michael Jordan and Lawrence Taylor headline star-studded crowd for Bill Belichick’s North Carolina coaching debut