LOS ANGELES (Azat TV) – Defensive end Myles Garrett has been voted the No. 1 player on the NFL Top 100 list entering the 2026 season, marking a historic achievement for defensive players in the modern era. The annual rankings, which are determined exclusively by votes from active NFL players, solidify Garrett’s status as the premier talent in professional football following a historic campaign.
With this honor, Garrett joins an incredibly exclusive group. He is only the third defensive player in NFL history to claim the top spot on the list, alongside legendary pass rusher J.J. Watt and future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald. Donald, who previously earned the No. 1 ranking in 2019, is now Garrett’s teammate in Los Angeles, creating an unprecedented concentration of defensive dominance on a single roster.
A Record-Breaking Path to the Top
Garrett’s rise to the top spot follows an extraordinary 2025 season with the Cleveland Browns, where he put together one of the most statistically dominant defensive campaigns in NFL history. He finished the year with a league-record 23 sacks, 33 tackles for loss, and secured his second career Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award.
In early June 2026, the Los Angeles Rams completed a blockbuster trade to acquire Garrett from the Browns, reshaping the landscape of the league. His No. 1 ranking represents his highest-ever placement on the player-voted list and his third consecutive year appearing within the top ten. The peer-voted nature of the list highlights the immense respect Garrett commands from opposing offensive linemen and quarterbacks who have to game-plan against his explosive edge-rushing capabilities.
The Rams’ Powerhouse Defense and Championship Window
The acquisition of Garrett, combined with the return of Aaron Donald from a two-year retirement, positions the Rams to field what analysts believe could be one of the most formidable defensive units in recent memory. While Donald, now 35, may not be expected to replicate his peak decade-long dominance immediately, his presence alongside Garrett, Kobie Turner, and Byron Young creates a nightmare scenario for opposing offensive coordinators.
Furthermore, the Rams’ representation on the 2026 Top 100 list underscores their status as primary Super Bowl contenders. Garrett is one of six Rams players featured on this year’s list, joining quarterback Matthew Stafford at No. 4, wide receiver Puka Nacua at No. 7, wide receiver Davante Adams at No. 53, outside linebacker Byron Young at No. 84, and running back Kyren Williams at No. 89. With three players in the top ten alone, Los Angeles enters the 2026 season with massive expectations and a roster built for immediate championship success.