As the NFL progresses through its annual unveiling of the top 100 players for the upcoming 2025 season, the methodology behind the compilation of this list has garnered significant interest. A recent article by Jayna Bardahl of The Athletic delves into the intricate process that underpins this ranking, which is ultimately determined by the votes of the players themselves. The procedure involves players submitting their individual top 20 lists, with points allocated based on each ranking; a No. 1 vote earns a player 20 points, followed by 19 points for No. 2, and so forth. Notably, players are permitted to vote for themselves, allowing them to assert their own prominence in the league.

Adam Ryan, a supervising producer at NFL Films, conveyed to Bardahl that participation among players has significantly increased since the league initiated visits to all 32 team facilities in 2015. This change enabled participation to rise from around 300 players annually to as many as 1,100. Typically, the process of distributing ballots commences around Thanksgiving, with the majority being submitted prior to the Super Bowl. Bardahl's insights reveal enduring trends since the list's inception in 2010, notably a pronounced preference for skill position players. Over the years, there have been a total of 141 running backs compared to just 125 offensive linemen making the list from 2011 to 2024. However, the presence of running backs appears to be diminishing, as Bardahl noted that only five made the 2024 list in contrast to 15 in 2012.

Furthermore, the data indicates that a quarterback has claimed the top position 10 times in the past 14 years, with Tom Brady setting the record for the most No. 1 appearances at four. Patrick Mahomes is the only other player to achieve this distinction more than once, securing the top slot on two occasions. Remarkably, Lamar Jackson is the sole player recognized as No. 1 after not being featured in the previous year’s list, making an impressive leap following his MVP season in 2019. As for consistency, Aaron Rodgers remains the only player featured in the list every year to date. While he has yet to be announced among the 2025 rankings, which are being revealed daily on social media platform X, the full top 10 list is set to be aired on NFL Network on September 1. The voting environment can often become quite charged; Erin O’Toole, a senior talent producer at NFL Films, shared with Bardahl that the Minnesota Vikings' locker room has been particularly intense. She recounted instances of genuine altercations between teammates, including one dramatic incident in 2015 involving former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell. O’Toole noted that Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders and Pat Surtain II are among the most credible voters due to their seriousness regarding the voting process. While the nature of this voting may not be entirely scientific, as the level of thought invested by players can differ greatly, the ultimate aim is to foster discussions around identifying the best NFL players currently in the league. This goal has been achieved emphatically, particularly when surprise selections emerge at the top of the list. For instance, last year saw Tyreek Hill being voted No. 1, surpassing notable peers such as Lamar Jackson, Christian McCaffrey, and Patrick Mahomes. This year may also yield unexpected results, as Ryan expressed to Bardahl that he was 'slightly surprised' by the player who will ultimately be recognized as the top choice, leaving fans in anticipation for another month to discover who will take the honor.