The Best NFL Player at Every Position Through 7 Weeks

Before you know it, we’ll be talking Pro Bowl when it comes to the 2015 NFL season.

So why not get a bit of a head start and recognize the best players at each position as we rapidly approach the halfway point of the season?

Using a combination of facts and figures, the good-old eye test and a little help from Pro Football Focus, here are our early selections for the top performers at each NFL position this season.

Yes, we know there’s still a long way to go.

Quarterback: Tom Brady, New England Patriots

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Solid performances at quarterback this season by the likes of Andy Dalton, Aaron Rodgers and Carson Palmer are what make this such a tough choice. But when it’s all said and done, there’s been no slowing down the leader of the defending Super Bowl champions.

The New England Patriots are off to a 6-0 start, and quarterback Tom Brady has been blistering. He’s completed 68.9 percent of his passes for 2,054 yards and 16 scores with only one interception. He’s turned over the ball only twice in six games despite being sacked 16 times. He’s thrown for 300-plus yards four times, and Bill Belichick’s club has totaled at least 30 points in five straight games.

Numerous quarterbacks are off to sensational starts this season. But we give a slight edge to a wily veteran who never seems to slow down. As Jeffri Chadiha suggests on NFL.com, Brady appears headed toward immortality at his position. And new Miami Dolphins head coach Dan Campbell, who takes his team to Gillette Stadium this week, summed it up well.

Campbell said, per Chadiha:

"

He’s playing at a high level. He’s been playing at a high level for a number of years now and you know offensively they’re doing everything right. You talk about being efficient, moving the chains, not turning the ball over, finding mismatches. I mean, they’re potent, and with him behind center, he makes it tough, challenging.

"

Running Back: Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons

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As a rookie with the Atlanta Falcons in 2014, Devonta Freeman totaled 65 carries for 248 yards and a score and added 30 catches for 225 yards and one touchdown.

It’s safe to say he’s been a much bigger factor this season, although we weren’t sure that would be the case early in 2015. This summer, he was involved in a duel with rookie running back Tevin Coleman for the starting job in the backfield, and it was the former University of Indiana standout who opened in the backfield the first two weeks of the season.

But the door opened for Freeman when Coleman was injured, and the second-year pro blew right through it. He leads the league in rushing yards (621), total yards from scrimmage (931) and total touchdowns (10). Freeman has run for 100-plus yards in four of his last five games and has scored at least one touchdown in each of them. And his 34 catches ranks third in the NFL among running backs, trailing only San Diego’s Danny Woodhead (37) and Detroit’s Theo Riddick (36).

It’s been an electrifying start for the former Florida State Seminole, as well as the Falcons, whose six wins already match last year’s total.

Wide Receiver: DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans

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As usual, sorting out the best player at wide receiver is a difficult task. San Diego Chargers wideout Keenan Allen leads the NFL with receptions, while Atlanta’s Julio Jones and Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown both began the season red hot.

But the steadiest ship in this port has been Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins, and his play is even more impressive given that he’s been catching passes from two different quarterbacks—although that will no longer be the case when it comes to Ryan Mallet, whom the team released Tuesday, according to Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com.

Hopkins is tied for second in the league with Jones with 58 receptions but leads the NFL with 776 receiving yards in seven games. The third-year pro has scored five touchdowns and is averaging a solid 13.4 yards per catch. On Sunday in a lopsided loss at Miami, he saw his four-game streak of 100-plus receiving yards come to an end.

How reliant have the Texans been on Hopkins? The big-play performer has been targeted 101 times, more than twice as many as any other player on the team.

Tight End: Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots

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You almost want to say that this is a no-brainer choice, but you would be shortchanging the likes of Carolina’s Greg Olsen and suddenly hot Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge. Jordan Reed of the Washington Redskins has warranted a closer look as well.

But no one continues to shake the very earth at his position like Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski does. He ranks second on the team with 34 receptions but leads the Pats in receiving yards (533) and touchdown grabs (six). Gronk has totaled 100 yards receiving in three of his six games and as usual has rumbled over opponents this season.

As have the unbeaten Patriots.

It’s also worth noting Gronkowski has played 71 regular-season games in his six-year career, and the productive pro has totaled 60 touchdown receptions, to go along with a rushing score. "Dangerous" would be an understatement for the physically imposing offensive weapon.

Tackle: Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns

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Somehow a player who has been to the Pro Bowl in each of his first eight seasons and is likely headed that way once again in 2015 seems to be overlooked.

Perhaps that’s the byproduct of playing for the Cleveland Browns, who haven’t posted a winning season since tackle Joe Thomas’ rookie season in 2007. The third overall pick in that year’s draft is currently Pro Football Focus’ top-ranked tackle this season.

It’s hardly a surprise when it comes to Thomas, who has been one of very few bright spots for the franchise since the Browns returned to the NFL as an expansion team in 1999. Perhaps one day the efficient performer will be part of a playoff team.

Guard: Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens

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You could make a strong case that the Baltimore Ravens are the league’s biggest disappointment after seven weeks of play this season, and you wouldn’t get much of an argument from anyone.

The team is in the midst of its second three-game losing streak of the season. Head coach John Harbaugh has never suffered through a losing season with the franchise, but the team’s 1-6 record sees the Ravens with as many losses as they posted in all of 2014, when they finished 10-6 and went to the playoffs for the sixth time in seven campaigns.

In the midst of a letdown of a season, guard Marshal Yanda has been tremendous. The four-time Pro Bowler is the second-rated guard in the league at Pro Football Focus, and no one grades out better when it comes to run blocking. Perhaps new offensive coordinator Marc Trestman needs to be reminded of that fact this season.

Center: Ryan Kalil, Carolina Panthers

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On Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Carolina Panthers ran for 204 yards on 33 carries in a double-digit win. It was simply a reminder that the two-time NFC South champions, winners of 10 straight regular-season games dating back to 2014, have a formula that works.

A year ago, the Panthers averaged a whopping 185 yards per game rushing in their final seven outings (including the playoff split with the Cardinals and Seahawks). In 2015, Carolina leads the NFL with 144.7 yards per game on the ground.

And center Ryan Kalil is a big part of that, as the ratings at PFF show. He also grades out as the league’s best run-blocking center by a respectable margin. That is why it should be no surprise when you learn the Panthers have totaled at least 30 rushing attempts in each of their first six games this season.

3-4 Defensive End: Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets

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Yes, we know it may be hard to believe that Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is not in this slot. That’s not a knock on the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, but you have to give credit where it’s due.

Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson is a key component in a unit that has allowed the second-fewest total yards in the league this season and ranks first in the NFL against the run. He ranks fifth on the team with 25 stops, leads the Jets with five sacks and has knocked down four passes.

New York comes off a tough loss to the rival Patriots, but Wilkerson has been impressive, to say the least. With him, Sheldon Richardson, rookie Leonard Williams and unsung nose tackle Damon Harrison, head coach Todd Bowles has a formidable group up front that has already made life miserable for opponents this season.

4-3 Defensive End: Cameron Jordan, New Orleans Saints

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It’s hard to get excited from what you’ve seen from the New Orleans Saints defense this season, unless your focus has been on defensive end Cameron Jordan.

While Rob Ryan’s much-maligned unit has taken its share of deserved criticism, it’s hard to fault the former first-rounder this season. Jordan has totaled 19 tackles, leads the club with six sacks, has knocked down four passes and has recovered two fumbles.

Yes, this was a group that ranked 31st in the NFL in total defense last season, and this year only two teams in the NFL have allowed more total yards per game. However, it is also worth noting that Jordan not only ranks first overall among 4-3 defensive ends in the league but is also the top-ranked player at his position in terms of run-stopping and the pass rush, per Pro Football Focus.

And by the way, the Saints have won three of their last four games following a miserable 0-3 start. Perhaps Sean Payton's team will be heard from after all this season.

Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle: Aaron Donald, St. Louis Rams

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With a victory over the visiting San Francisco 49ers this week, the St. Louis Rams can get above the .500 mark this season and put a little more pressure on the first-place Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West.

Of course, Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and his teammates will be facing a Niners attack that ranks dead last in the NFL in total yards gained per game. Then again, the second-year defender won’t be showing Colin Kaepernick much sympathy.

Donald has totaled 26 stops (seven tackles for losses) and leads the club with 4.5 sacks. The 2014 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year looks even better than he did during his debut season a year ago, and the numbers at Pro Football Focus seem to indicate that as well.

3-4 Outside Linebacker: Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs

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Many will remember that the Kansas City Chiefs gave the franchise tag to outside linebacker Justin Houston this offseason, and just when it seemed there would be a long holdout, the Pro Bowl defender re-upped with the team.

He’s also in the midst of another solid season, although topping 22 sacks from a year ago may be a bit unrealistic. In seven games in 2015, the fifth-year pro has amassed 23 tackles, four sacks, four passes defensed and one fumble recovery.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Houston’s play this season has been his performance against the run. One year after ranking 28th in the NFL in rushing defense, the Chiefs are 11th in that category this year so far. And only three outside linebackers in the 3-4 scheme this season have performed better against the run, per Pro Football Focus.

4-3 Outside Linebacker: K.J. Wright, Seattle Seahawks

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It has been a season of blown fourth-quarter leads by the two-time defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks.

But it’s been a pretty good year for outside linebacker K.J. Wright, who leads the club with 49 tackles. He is a big reason that the ‘Hawks rank third in the league in total defense and are also in the NFL’s top 10 against both the run and the pass.

Wright and company come off a 20-3 win at San Francisco in which the Seahawks limited their NFC West rivals to 142 total yards. The improving linebacker and his defensive unit will face a test this Sunday when they meet the Dallas Cowboys' formidable offensive front.

Inside/Middle Linebacker: Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers

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You can now call him Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside.

Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews is tied for fourth on the team with 25 tackles and second with 4.5 sacks. Add in a 42-yard interception return as well as a fumble recovery, and the Green Bay defense seems to be headed in the right direction in many ways following a rough showing in 2014.

While hardly perfect, Dom Capers’ unit has allowed fewer than 100 yards rushing in three of its last four games, and Matthews has played a big role in that improvement. Add in his usual pass-rushing skills and it’s been a solid start for the seven-year pro.

Cornerback: Josh Norman, Carolina Panthers

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Five teams have 6-0 records as we enter Week 8.

But you could make a case that the Carolina Panthers are the most unlikely of the quintet.

While hardly a masterpiece on offense, Ron Rivera’s team continues to get the job done. The Panthers rank ninth in the NFL in fewest yards per game allowed, while only five teams in the league have surrendered fewer points per game.

This season, cornerback Josh Norman has totaled 24 tackles, is tied for the NFL lead with four interceptions (two returned for scores) and has knocked down a team-high 10 passes while adding one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Another one of those thefts was an end-zone pick in Week 3 that preserved a win over the New Orleans Saints. On Sunday night, he deflected a pass in the end zone that proved to be a key play in the team’s 27-16 win over the Eagles.

In 2015, we have seen some standout years by the Jets’ Darrelle Revis and Denver’s Aqib Talib. But Norman gets the edge so far this year thanks to the numerous big plays and moments.

Safety: Malcolm Jenkins, Philadelphia Eagles

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It’s been a disappointing year to date for the 3-4 Philadelphia Eagles. But for the most part, it’s been an encouraging season for a defensive unit that has had its issues in recent seasons.

At the moment, these Birds are at or near the middle of the pack in the NFL when it comes to yards per game allowed both on the ground and through the air. But playmaking safety Malcolm Jenkins is doing his best to change that.

The one-time first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints is tied for the team lead with 43 tackles (36 solo). He also has an interception and fumble recovery to his credit, along with four passes defensed and three forced fumbles.

While head coach Chip Kelly continues to ponder his offense and its issues, Jenkins has been one of the steadiest Eagles in 2015.

Kicker: Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots

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He’s been one of the better kickers in the league ever since the New England Patriots tabbed him to replace one of the greatest specialists in NFL history.

Stephen Gostkowski has been reliable ever since his debut in 2006, and now in his 10th season with the club, he’s been perfect to date. The one-time fourth-round pick leads the NFL with 69 points (in six games), connecting on all 24 PAT attempts as well as all 15 field-goal tries—more than half of those from 40-plus yards.

Gostkowski also leads the NFL with 35 touchbacks, which is one reason why the Patriots rank seventh in the league in fewest yards per kickoff allowed.

Punter: Pat McAfee, Indianapolis Colts

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Not all has been right with the Indianapolis Colts, as they sit in first place in the AFC South, albeit with a 3-4 record.

What has gone right has been the play of veteran punter Pat McAfee, who has played a big hand (or foot) in the team's ranking third in the league in punt coverage. The efficient kicker ranks second in the NFL in gross punting average (49.0) and has put 10 of his boots inside the 20. McAfee’s 46.2 net average leads the league, and with an assist from the coverage units, opponents have taken back 20 of his kicks for only 85 yards—a paltry 4.3 average.

Add in the fact that McAfee also ranks fourth in the NFL with 27 touchbacks and he’s been quite the standout for Chuck Pagano’s disappointing squad.

Kick Returner: Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks

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St. Louis Rams speedster Tavon Austin leads the NFL in punt-return average, while Arizona Cardinals rookie David Johnson owns a league-best 32.7 average on kickoff returns.

But it’s a third representative from the NFC West who has been the game’s most dangerous entity on returns this season. Seattle Seahawks’ rookie wide receiver Tyler Lockett has taken back 13 kickoffs for 338 yards and a score in Week 3 versus the Chicago Bears. He’s also averaging 8.0 yards per punt return on 23 attempts, and that includes a 57-yard return for a touchdown in Week 1 versus the St. Louis Rams.

And we might as well add that the last time we saw him, the third-round pick from Kansas State pulled in a 43-yard touchdown from quarterback Russell Wilson in last Thursday’s 20-3 win at San Francisco.

All free-agent information and player signings/transactions are courtesy of Spotrac. Depth chart information comes from Ourlads. Unless otherwise noted, all player and team statistics come from Pro Football Reference and ESPN.com. All player ratings courtesy of Pro Football Focus.