The NFL loves a good list—but are the people creating these rankings actually getting it right?

On this episode of The Dime Coverage Podcast, Lincoln and Lee take aim at NFL player rankings, the controversial Top 25 Under 25, and the way hype, media narratives, potential, injuries, coaching, and organizational stability can influence how players are evaluated.

And then there’s Jalen Hurts.

How much more does Hurts have to accomplish before everyone gives him the respect his résumé deserves?

Does he have to win another Super Bowl? Two more?

Lincoln and Lee debate why winning matters, how coaching stability impacts player development, and why talent alone shouldn’t automatically put a player ahead of someone who has already produced at the highest level.

The conversation also dives into young quarterbacks like Caleb Williams, availability versus potential, preseason joint practices, and why Dime Coverage may need to create its own independent NFL player rankings.

🏈 Why Jalen Hurts continues to divide NFL analysts
🏈 How winning should factor into player rankings
🏈 Why coaching and organizational stability matter
🏈 The value of NFL preseason and joint practices
🏈 Breaking down the NFL Top 25 Under 25
🏈 Potential vs. proven NFL production
🏈 Why injuries and availability have to matter
🏈 The ranking of young NFL quarterbacks
🏈 Caleb Williams and the next generation of NFL stars
🏈 Media influence and bias in player evaluations
🏈 Why Dime Coverage wants to create its own NFL rankings

The question is simple:

Are NFL player rankings actually based on performance—or are they increasingly based on hype and narrative?

Drop your opinion in the comments.

And tell us:

Where would YOU rank Jalen Hurts among NFL quarterbacks right now?

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
04:02 Winning and Mental Fortitude in the NFL
07:56 Why Coaching and Organizational Stability Matter
11:56 Does NFL Preseason Practice Really Matter?
14:02 The Value of NFL Joint Practices
15:56 Are NFL Rankings Biased?
18:01 Breaking Down the Top 25 Under 25
20:01 Production vs. Potential in NFL Rankings
21:56 Injuries, Availability and Player Value
24:06 Ranking the NFL's Young Quarterbacks
25:59 Super Bowl Schedules and Strength of Teams
28:02 Why the NFL Needs Better Player Rankings
30:08 What's Wrong With Today's Ranking Lists
31:57 Media Influence Behind NFL Rankings
33:56 Can You Create a Truly Unbiased NFL List?
36:05 Is Caleb Williams Ranked Too Low?
38:03 Young NFL Players Ready to Break Out
39:59 Dime Coverage's Independent NFL Rankings
42:00 Why Current NFL Ranking Systems Fall Short
44:05 What's Coming Next From Dime Coverage

If you're tired of the same recycled NFL takes, you're in the right place.

Subscribe to The Dime Coverage Podcast and join Lincoln, Lee and Doc for NFL news, debates, predictions and conversations you won't always hear from the national sports shows.

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And make sure you hit the comments—we want your take.