Josh Hines-Allen Earns Spot at No. 63 on 2025 NFL Top 100 Players List, Highlighting Breakout Year and Leadership

The NFL’s annual Top 100 Players list, as voted by fellow players, has once again stirred excitement, debate, and celebration throughout the league. This year’s list featured familiar names and breakout stars alike, but one of the most notable climbs came from Washington Commanders linebacker Josh Hines-Allen, who earned the No. 63 spot on the 2025 NFL Top 100 Players list.

After a remarkable season defined by relentless pursuit, veteran leadership, and emotional fortitude, Hines-Allen’s ranking not only validates his on-field excellence but also highlights his continued emergence as one of the game’s premier defenders.

From Under the Radar to Household Name

For years, Josh Hines-Allen quietly established himself as a key contributor to Washington’s defense. Drafted in the later rounds, he wasn’t heralded as a can’t-miss prospect, but his relentless motor and natural football instincts always set him apart. In 2024, he took a massive leap forward—recording career highs in sacks, tackles for loss, and quarterback pressures. The linebacker finished the season with 121 total tackles, 12.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and countless disruptive plays in critical moments.

More importantly, his impact went beyond the numbers. Hines-Allen emerged as a tone-setter, both in the locker room and between the lines, playing with an edge and fire that teammates and opponents respected.

What the Players Said

Since its inception, the NFL Top 100 list has carried weight because it’s compiled by the players themselves. Each athlete votes for their peers based on performance, respect, and influence—not just statistical dominance.

According to an NFL Network feature on Hines-Allen’s selection, several anonymous player ballots referred to him as the “heart of that defense” and someone who “hits like every play is personal.”

One AFC offensive lineman was quoted as saying:

“You feel him every snap. He’s always moving, always thinking, and always trying to take your head off—but smart about it. That’s rare.”

Emotional Fuel: A Personal Battle

Hines-Allen’s on-field dominance was matched by his off-field strength. Just months before the 2024 season, Hines-Allen revealed that his young son had been diagnosed with cancer. Rather than retreating from the spotlight, the linebacker used the platform to spread awareness and launched a season-long charitable initiative called “Hits for Hope,” where he pledged donations for every tackle and sack.

Fans, teammates, and rivals contributed to the cause, helping raise over $800,000 for pediatric cancer research by season’s end. Hines-Allen’s decision to publicly share his family’s fight earned him nominations for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award and widespread admiration throughout the league.

In an emotional interview after making the Top 100 list, Hines-Allen said:

“This is for my son, my family, and everyone who fights something bigger than football. Being on this list means I didn’t let it break me—I let it build me.”

Key Games That Defined His Season

There were several marquee matchups during the 2024 season where Hines-Allen’s presence shifted the outcome:

• Week 4 vs. Dallas Cowboys: Recorded 3 sacks, including a strip-sack in the fourth quarter that sealed a 27-20 win for Washington.

• Week 9 vs. Philadelphia Eagles: 15 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 1 forced fumble in a narrow overtime loss—his leadership shined through despite the defeat.

• Week 14 vs. San Francisco 49ers: One of his most complete games of the year, helping limit the run-heavy 49ers offense and earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

These performances, combined with consistent production week in and week out, elevated him in the minds of both fans and peers alike.

A New Role in Washington’s Defense

While Hines-Allen played primarily as a traditional linebacker in his early years, defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman (hired in 2024) altered the team’s scheme to allow Hines-Allen more freedom to attack from different angles. As a result, he spent significant snaps at edge rusher, inside linebacker, and even as a spy in mobile quarterback matchups.

Freeman praised Hines-Allen’s adaptability and film study:

“He’s one of the smartest players I’ve ever coached. He diagnoses plays in real time and reacts faster than anyone I’ve seen.”

This hybrid role not only elevated his stats but also forced opposing offensive coordinators to adjust their game plans, often unsuccessfully.

Looking Ahead: Expectations for 2025

Now entering the prime of his career, Josh Hines-Allen is no longer a surprise name on the NFL Top 100 list. He’s a confirmed leader, both on and off the field, and is widely seen as one of the cornerstones of Washington’s rebuild. The team’s offseason additions and strong draft class have sparked optimism around the Commanders’ ability to contend in the NFC East—and Hines-Allen’s leadership will be crucial to that effort.

His goals for the upcoming season remain high.

“Top 50? Top 10? That’s cool,” he said when asked about next year’s NFL Top 100 rankings. “But I want to win. I want to bring a championship to D.C.”

Washington head coach Dan Quinn, known for his defensive mind, believes that’s possible:

“Josh is the kind of guy you build a defense around. He doesn’t just make plays—he changes the culture.”

Family at the Forefront

Throughout the offseason, Hines-Allen has continued his advocacy efforts. His charity, now rebranded as the Hines-Allen Hope Foundation, partners with several hospitals and organizations to provide support for children battling cancer and their families.

He recently shared an update on his son’s health, saying the young boy is “doing great, in remission, and back to playing with his cousins.” That news drew cheers from reporters and fans alike and reinforced the sense that Hines-Allen’s 2024 campaign wasn’t just about football—it was about strength, perseverance, and heart.

Landing at No. 63 on the NFL Top 100 list is a huge milestone, but for Josh Hines-Allen, it’s just another step on a much larger journey. With a revitalized defense, a city behind him, and a son who calls him a hero for reasons bigger than football, Hines-Allen enters 2025 with momentum, purpose, and something even more powerful than talent: perspective.

The league is watching, and they now know one thing for sure—Josh Hines-Allen is a name that won’t be disappearing from the Top 100 list anytime soon.