By Ross Jackson
Everyone loves a list! There are few exceptions to that. As training camp nears, many are premiering their top player lists from around the league, and the Locked On Podcast Network is the latest in the arena.
Locked On local and national hosts banded together to rank the top 100 players of the NFL headed into the 2025 season. Unsurprisingly, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson leads the way.
While they didn’t make it into the top 10, a pair of New Orleans Saints did make the list.
No. 49 – Running Back Alvin Kamara
No. 83 – Wide Receiver Chris Olave
#Saints RB Alvin Kamara (No. 49) and WR Chris Olave (No. 83) made the @LockedOnNetwork Top 100.
I think they both deserved consideration or placement. But the absence of C Erik McCoy and LB Demario Davis really forces me to question my colleagues’ knowing of ball. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/ptxomWiV2z
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) July 16, 2025
It was a little surprising to see both players make the list from a national perspective, particularly Olave who’s injury-shortened season in 2024 was sure to impact perspective on him going into 2025. While receivers like Jerry Jeudy of the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Brian Thomas Jr. were left off of the list, the hosts have a clear optimism around Olave’s future opportunity. That kind of projection mirrors what many Saints fans hope will be true for the fourth-year wideout under new head coach Kellen Moore.
Kamara was a shoo-in locally, so it’s good to see a similar confidence outside of the Gulf Coast and Saints fanbase. He was just 50 rushing yards shy of his first 1,000-yard rushing season and added more than 500 receiving yards in the process. Going into Moore’s offense this year promises another shot at the 1,000-yard rushing mark.
“This is not the Drew Brees offense,” Locked On Sports Today host Peter Bukowski said. “Jimmy Graham, all those players. High flying. Alvin Kamara’s going to have to be the heartbeat of this (year’s) offense moving forward. And he is still capable of doing it.”
There Were Snubs
There was one glaring omission, maybe two, from the Saints’ roster. Center Erik McCoy feels like the most egregious. He’s one of the best players at his position in the NFL and didn’t find his way into the top 100. It goes to show the undervaluing of good offensive line play in the league.
Meanwhile, an argument could easily be made for linebacker Demario Davis, who continues to age like a fine wine. He closed the season out with strong momentum last year, but it wasn’t enough for him to earn recognition from the Locked On hosts.
Other Saints that received consideration for the list included cornerback Alontae Taylor, safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Justin Reid, defensive lineman Cameron Jordan and offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga.
