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Top 100 Players of 2025, Nos. 90-89: Broncos' Zach Allen, Bills' James Cook debut

"The Top 100 Players of 2025" -- voted on by the players themselves -- is underway on X and NFL+! The top 10 will be announced on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 8 p.m. ET live on NFL Network. Check back on Tuesday for the 88th- and 87th-ranked players.

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90
Denver Broncos · DL

2024 stats: 16 games | 61 tackles | 15 tfl | 8.5 sacks | 40 QBH | 1 safety


After six seasons, Allen has cracked the Top 100 list on the heels of his best-ever campaign. He made second-team All-Pro as a key piece of the NFL’s top sack-getting defense, which also allowed the third-fewest points. If Denver takes another step in 2025 following a surprise playoff appearance, Allen will again play a pivotal role. It also wouldn’t be surprising to see him improve upon his sack total, given the pressures he was racking up last season.


NFL Pro Insight for Allen: Zach Allen led all defensive tackles with 67 pressures in 2024, which tied for ninth among all pass rushers in the NFL. Allen was particularly successful against double teams, generating 14 of his 67 pressures in such matchups, tied for fifth in the NFL.

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89
Buffalo Bills · RB

2024 stats: 16 games | 207 att | 1,009 rush yds | 4.9 ypc | 16 rush TD | 32 rec | 258 rec yds | 2 rec TD | 1 fumble


Cook has been a godsend for the Bills since coming into his own during his 2023 sophomore season, reducing the weight on Josh Allen's shoulders. Last year, he showed his second-season breakout was no fluke, along the way developing a newfound knack for scoring. Cook quintupled his career rushing TD total while tying for the league lead in scores on the ground. He was efficient and explosive, and currently stands to make a good chunk of change heading into a contract year.


NFL Pro Insight for Cook: James Cook ran to the weak side of the formation on 54.6% of his carries in 2024, the highest rate in the NFL (minimum 150 total carries). He averaged 1.7 yards before contact per carry on runs directed to the weak side compared to just 1.0 yards before contact per carry on runs directed to the strong side of the formation.