An expert has assembled the best possible 53-man NFL roster based on 2025 performances, adhering to salary cap limits and draft requirements. The team prioritizes value and standout players while fitting under an approximate $293.4 million adjusted cap. Drake Maye leads the offense, with Myles Garrett anchoring the defense.
The roster construction considers the NFL's $279.2 million salary cap but uses $293.4 million to approximate the average adjusted cap, accounting for carryovers like the San Francisco 49ers' $341.46 million high and Buffalo Bills' $278.17 million low. Draft rules mandate one player per round from the 2025 draft, fewer from prior years, and limit 2021 first-round picks with exercised fifth-year options to one—Penei Sewell was selected over Ja'Marr Chase, Micah Parsons, or Patrick Surtain II.
Backups are restricted to non-established starters, excluding young veterans solidifying roles. The defense features three starting cornerbacks, reflecting modern usage over 60% of snaps. Starters must have played at least 12 games.
Offensive starters include quarterback Drake Maye of the Patriots ($8,336,984), who threw for 4,394 yards (fourth in NFL), 31 touchdowns (third), eight interceptions, and rushed for 450 yards, leading New England to a 14-3 record and the AFC East title with a 72.0% completion rate (first) and 113.5 passer rating (first). Running back De'Von Achane of the Dolphins ($1,490,813) rushed for 1,350 yards (fifth), averaging 5.7 yards per carry (first) and 13 runs of 20-plus yards (second), plus 67 receptions for 488 yards.
Wide receivers are Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seahawks ($3,939,238) with 119 catches for 1,793 yards (first) and 10 touchdowns; Puka Nacua of the Rams ($1,100,695) leading with 129 receptions, 1,715 yards, and 10 scores at 107.2 yards per game (first); and Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Lions ($13.91 million) with 117 catches, 1,401 yards, and 11 touchdowns, ranking top five in all categories. Tight end Trey McBride of the Cardinals ($9,574,393) set a tight end receptions record with 126 for 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The offensive line features left tackle Garett Bolles of the Broncos ($13,065,670), who allowed no sacks and a 5.9% pressure rate (best among left tackles); left guard Joe Thuney of the Bears ($8 million), with the best pass block win rate and third in run blocking; center Creed Humphrey of the Chiefs ($10.79 million), allowing only eight pressures; right guard Quinn Meinerz of the Broncos ($5,530,985), second-lowest pressure rate at 4.4%; and right tackle Penei Sewell of the Lions ($9,545,505), a dominant run blocker.
Defensively, edge rushers are Myles Garrett of the Browns ($22,920,120) with an NFL-record 23 sacks, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors, and Brian Burns of the Giants ($17.75 million) with 16.5 sacks (second). Defensive tackles include Jeffery Simmons of the Titans ($22,981,431) leading interiors with 11 sacks and eight run TFLs, and Quinnen Williams of the Cowboys ($21,587,814), traded midseason, with a 16.3% pressure rate and 14% run stop percentage (second). Linebackers are Jordyn Brooks of the Dolphins ($7,801,333) with 183 tackles (first) and a 2.9% missed tackle rate, and Ernest Jones IV of the Seahawks ($5,291,838) allowing a 54.0 passer rating in coverage with five interceptions (tied first among linebackers).
Cornerbacks: Derek Stingley Jr. of the Texans ($12,147,423) with four interceptions (tied third) on 11.9% targets; Cooper DeJean of the Eagles ($2,118,734), the top slot corner with two interceptions and 16 passes defended; Joey Porter Jr. of the Steelers ($2,628,541), no touchdowns allowed in 1,467 snaps. Safeties: free safety Kevin Byard of the Bears ($8.5 million) with seven interceptions (first), and strong safety Derwin James of the Chargers ($23,865,314) with three interceptions and 16 quarterback pressures (second among defensive backs).
Specialists include kicker Cam Little of the Jaguars ($1,004,677) with 67- and 68-yard field goals and 88.2% accuracy; punter Jordan Stout of the Ravens ($1,284,223) at 44.9 net yards (first); long snapper Ross Matiscik of the Jaguars ($1,340,080), three-time Pro Bowler; and returner Chimere Dike of the Titans ($1,119,746) averaging 17.3 punt return yards (first) with two touchdowns and 25.6 kickoff yards.
Reserves span positions with notable performers like running back Rico Dowdle of the Panthers (1,076 yards), wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan of the Panthers (1,014 rookie yards), and linebacker Carson Schwesinger of the Browns (156 tackles, Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite). The roster uses $284,050,734, leaving $9,349,266, with defense at 56.74% of cap versus offense's 38.83%. Only six players remain from the season-start version, led by the Bears with five selections.
