The consensus about a particular player often differs between those “in” and “out” of a sport which is why, especially in the NFL, you often see “late risers” before the draft, or a player signs a contract for a salary that is much higher than what they expected when they became a free agent. ESPN is helping fans get a better look at how those in the NFL specifically executives, coaches and scouts view the league’s stars by polling ​staff’s take on the top 10 players at each position ahead of the 2024 season. The channel kicked off this year’s series with a ranking of the top 10 running backs in the NFL, with running backs from Buffalo Bills James Cook is left on the outside. Cook was not mentioned among the top 10 backs in the league, despite finishing the 2023 season fourth among his position in rushing yards and sixth in the league in yardage from scrimmage.