NFL has seen an explosion in popularity in the UK in recent years. The league has been on a charm offensive across Europe, hoping to build a fanbase in the heartlands where soccer usually rules the roost. The NFL campaign has been highly successful, with sold out games for the International Series in the autumn (three games are played across London), and rising participation levels across grassroots.
There is, of course, plenty of action to catch on television. The role of Sky Sports in growing the game in the UK should not be underestimated. The broadcaster has dedicated coverage right the way through the season, which will kick-off on the 5th September. That will begin the long road to Super Bowl LIX next February.
Sky’s coverage does a good job of providing expert analysis while also being educational for fans new to the sport. You’ll soon get to know the rules, teams, and the players. As to the latter, we have picked out five big names that can be the difference-makers in the season ahead. Getting to know these players can tell you a lot about a team’s chances of success, as well as being useful for strategies for betting on NFL player props across the season. This quintet might just be the best five players in NFL right now, so they are worth taking note of:
Patrick Mahomes
Pos. Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs
There were a few candidates tipped to replace Tom Brady as “the guy” in NFL, but it’s hard to look beyond Patrick Mahomes. He is at the centre of the Chiefs’ operation, which has become the dominant force in the NFL since Brady left the New England Patriots. Mahomes stats speak for themselves, as do his three Super Bowl MVP awards. The Chiefs have been in four of the last five Super Bowls (winning three), and he’s a big reason for that success. Mahomes is just 28, too, so he could conceivably have another decade or more at the top.
Tyreek Hill
Pos. Wide Receiver, Miami Dolphins
Quarterbacks get a surplus of attention and awards in the NFL, so it takes something special to steal the limelight from them. Tyreek Hill did that last season, winning the official fan vote to top the 100 best players in the NFL. Hill is a special talent with lightning speed, which makes him a box-office attraction. An injury towards the end of last season stopped him from breaking several records,
Myles Garrett
Pos. Defensive End, Cleveland Browns
The best defender in the NFL? Garrett has big claims on that title, starring for the Cleveland Browns last season. As with Hill, an injury later in the campaign derailed Garrett’s chances of having a historically great season, but he was still much appreciated by the fans and the voters, the latter of which named him NFL Defensive Player of the Year. A brilliant player who starred in numerous sports in his high school, Garrett is simply a superb athlete.
Lamar Jackson
Pos. Quarterback, Baltimore Ravens
The opening game of the 2024/25 NFL season will see the Baltimore Ravens take on the Kansas City Chiefs, thus viewers will witness the battle between the two best quarterbacks currently in the NFL. Is Lamar Jackson better than Mahomes? The debate is probably pointless, yet Jackson won the regular season MVP award (Mahomes’ MVP came for his Super Bowl performance). He is what they term a “dual-threat” quarterback, meaning he is elite at both passing and running the ball. At 27, he has the world at his feet.
Christian McCaffrey
Pos. Running Back, San Francisco 49ers
Many pundits believe the two best teams going into the new season are the two teams that contested the Super Bowl in February. The 49ers came away empty-handed from that matchup, but there is a growing rivalry between them and the aforementioned Chiefs. A key piece in that 49ers team is Christan McCaffrey, who led the NFL in touchdowns last season. If making it to the top in sports these days can be judged by being on the cover of a video game; then it’s well worth noting that McCaffrey will be on the cover of the upcoming Madden NFL 25.