As the NFL continues its annual reveal of the top 100 players heading into the 2025 season, the method behind the compilation of this prestigious list is arguably as intriguing as the list itself. Jayna Bardahl of Moneyline provides an in-depth analysis of how the NFL gathers votes from its players in this unique process, which has been in place since the NFL Top 100's inception in 2010.

The selection process begins with players compiling their own top 20 lists, with point values assigned based on their rankings. A player who receives a first-place vote earns a significant 20 points, while each subsequent rank decreases by one point down to 1 point for a 20th-place vote. Notably, there are no restrictions on whom players may vote for, allowing them the opportunity to advocate for themselves if they believe they are among the best in the league. According to Adam Ryan, a supervising producer for NFL Films, the effort to compile this list gained momentum in 2015 when the league began visiting all 32 team facilities, vastly increasing player participation from approximately 300 to as many as 1,100.

Typically, the ballot distribution commences around Thanksgiving, with most votes collected prior to the Super Bowl. Some intriguing trends have emerged since the inception of the NFL Top 100. Notably, the list has consistently favored skill position players, with running backs appearing a total of 141 times in comparison to 125 appearances from offensive linemen between 2011 and 2024. However, the recent years have seen a decline in running back representation, decreasing from 15 players in 2012 to just five in the 2024 list. Additionally, a quarterback has been ranked at the top of the list on ten occasions within 14 years, with Tom Brady holding the record for the most appearances at No. 1, achieving this status four times. Patrick Mahomes is the only other player to have ranked first multiple times, achieving this honor twice. Significantly, Lamar Jackson stands out as the sole player to achieve a No. 1 ranking without prior inclusion on the list, making a dramatic rise following his MVP season in 2019. Aaron Rodgers is noteworthy for being the only player to appear on the list every year to date, although he has yet to be included in the 2025 rankings, which are currently being revealed daily on X, transitioning to a full top 10 unveiling on NFL Network scheduled for September 1.

The voting process can lead to intense discussions and rivalries among teammates, as noted by NFL Films senior talent producer Erin O’Toole, who remarked that the Minnesota Vikings have had some of the most heated locker room debates. She has witnessed instances of significant disagreements, citing a moment in 2015 involving then-Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell that escalated to a notable conflict. O'Toole highlighted Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders and Pat Surtain II for their dedication as credible voters in the process. Although the voting methodology may lack a scientific rigor—given that not every player invests the same level of consideration—the exercise ultimately stimulates the same type of discourse that fans engage in frequently: deliberating who the premier athletes in the NFL are at any given moment. The list has proven to be a focal point for such debate, especially when unexpected players emerge at the summit. A prime example was last year when Tyreek Hill was voted No. 1, surpassing well-known athletes such as Lamar Jackson, Christian McCaffrey, and Patrick Mahomes. Observers may anticipate a similar surprise this year, as Ryan expressed mild surprise regarding the player expected to occupy the top position, although fans will need to wait another month to discover who it will be.