After a dominant 13-4 season, Jacksonville's franchise cornerstones climb the national rankings as Trevor Lawrence enters the MVP conversation and Josh Hines-Allen cements his status as an elite pass-rusher.
CBS Sports Senior Writer Pete Prisco released the 2026 edition of his "Top 100 NFL Players," and Jacksonville Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence and Josh Hines-Allen made the list.
Lawrence appeared as the 65th-best player, and Hines-Allen appeared as the 53rd-best player on Prisco's list. Both Jaguars rose higher in Prisco's rankings; Hines-Allen climbed 23 spots, and Lawrence entered 65th after not appearing in Prisco's rankings last season.
Prisco said Jacksonville's franchise quarterback finally flashed the star power that many expected in 2021. He eclipsed the 4,000-yard mark for the third time in his career and threw a career-high 29 touchdowns.
The 26-year-old accomplished that while learning a new offense under new coach Liam Coen. Lawrence also had to learn the offense a bit later than the rest of his teammates.
He nursed a left AC joint sprain and underwent season-ending surgery in December 2024. Lawrence returned to OTAs healthy, but Jacksonville hired Coen on Jan. 23, 2025, and he had to play catch-up.
Jacksonville's franchise quarterback finished fifth in MVP voting after a dominant eight-game stretch to end the season. He averaged 251.12 yards per game and threw 19 touchdown passes to 5 interceptions.
Hines-Allen finished the season with eight sacks for the second season in a row. He hasn't replicated his 2023 season, when he finished with 17.5 sacks, but his production is consistent.
The 6-foot-5 edge rusher was among the best in the NFL. Hines-Allen finished second in pressure (95), eighth in Pro Football Focus overall grade (86.8), seventh in snap count (746) and 10th in tackles (34).
Prisco also noted that he is good against the run, making him an all-around edge rusher. Not only is he displaying a league-best ability to rush the quarterback, but he is also adequate at stopping the run.
Hines-Allen and Lawrence are the leaders on their respective sides of the ball, and they are aiming to improve on a 13-4 finish last season. Jacksonville emerged as one of the hottest teams in the NFL, and it wants to build on that.
"It starts right now," he told the NFL Network on June 4. "It starts during OTAs. I think we got a packed house every day. Our guys coming in ready to work, committing to the cause, and we got a lot of competitors. A lot of guys that's going to come in here and compete every single day."
Lawrence told former teammate Mitch Morse that there is a chip on the team's shoulder. The team is aiming for its first Super Bowl berth in franchise history.
Jacksonville has the talent to do so with two top-100 players of 2026 in Lawrence and Hines-Allen leading the offense and defense.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/roundtable-rtb/id6450423049) and stay even more connected!
