League executives, coaches and scouts voted interior lineman Quinnen Williams and running back Breece Hall No. 2 at their respective positions in ESPN's fifth annual player rankings.
Williams, coming off his second consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl, ranked two spots higher than last year's edition. During the 2023-24 season, he recorded 5.5 sacks, 20 QB hits and 29 pressures.
"[Williams] was a force in 2023," senior NFL national reporter Jeremy Fowler wrote. "Williams' 29 incompletions created by his pass rush tied for first. His 38% run stop win rate was tied for second at the position, and his 29 pressures ranked fourth among interior rushers."
Williams trailed only the Chiefs' in the rankings Chris Jones. He won a close battle for second with more first-place votes than anyone in the field besides Jones.
"He has a really good first step, and his size and athleticism overwhelms guys," an NFL scouting director said. "And he plays very hard, which is sometimes unique for guys at the position. Doesn't really have any weakness."
In two seasons, Hall has established himself as one of the league's best young backs. He missed the final 10 games of his rookie season with a torn ACL but showed flashes of dominance with 463 yards and four touchdowns on the ground over seven games. Despite a small sample size, he earned an honorable mention in last year's rankings.
In 2024, Hall bounced back with 1,585 scrimmage yards and 9 total touchdowns while rushing for 994 yards and 5 scores.
"Hall is considered the game's best running back under the age of 25, with big upside on Year 3 projections," Fowler wrote. "He looked brilliant as a rookie before tearing his ACL, then looked great again late in 2023 with 357 yards and three touchdowns over weeks 16-18 despite a nonexistent passing game around him."
Hall averaged 4.3 yards per carry against a heavy box (eight or more defenders), which ranked fifth in the NFL. He also led all RBs with 76 catches and 591 receiving yards.
"Natural rusher with acceleration through the hole," a high-ranking NFL official said. "He's got power and can create his own shot by making someone miss."
An NFL personnel evaluator added: "He is a legit dual-threat, a glider with high-level change of direction and vision. Home run hitter with the ball in his hands. Can grind volume, create explosives at any moment."
The 49ers Christian McCaffery, the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year, was the top ranked tailback by ESPN. Hall and the Jets with face McCaffrey and the Niners in Week 1 on "Monday Night Football."
