Locals In The NFL: Week One Player Power Rankings
Sep 11, 2025, 6:07 PM | Updated: Sep 12, 2025, 10:09 am
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 07: Micah Parsons #1 of the Green Bay Packers in action against Penei Sewell #58 of the Detroit Lions during the game at Lambeau Field on September 07, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Week one of the NFL season brought highlights, surprises, and standout performances.
Those storylines shook up our NFL locals player power rankings — with some players climbing, others slipping, and a few holding steady.
Here’s where they stand heading into week two.
Been watching film ✍️ pic.twitter.com/s3iCgk9Oxa
— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2025
KSL Sports Locals In The NFL Power Rankings
Beginning this NFL season, we’ll post weekly player power rankings that shift as players make their mark.
These rankings are subjective — comparing offensive linemen to defensive backs and quarterbacks to linebackers will never be perfect.
Early in the season, past production is somewhat taken into account alongside what we’ve seen so far and expectations for the rest of the season. Enough build-up, let’s get to the list.
Honorable Mentions
These are players who are in the mix but on the outside looking in. An argument can be made for each one of these guys, but they failed to make the top ten for one reason or another.
Garrett Bolles (Utah, Broncos OT), Rashid Shaheed (Weber State, Saints WR), Jonah Elliss (Utah, Broncos LB), Tyler Allgeier (BYU, Falcons RB), Cody Barton (Utah, Titans LB), Clark Phillips III (Utah, Falcons CB), Dalton Schultz (Bingham High, Texans TE), Taysom Hill (BYU, Saints TE), Kaden Elliss (Judge Memorial High, Falcons LB)
Now onto the rankings.
10. Jaylen Warren – East High – Steelers RB
In our preseason rankings, Warren was snubbed both from the list and the honorable mentions. He jumped straight into the top ten after posting 11 carries for 37 yards and two receptions for 22 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers’ week one win over the New York Jets.
The receiving TD was the first of his career. Through three seasons, his career high for total touchdowns is four. He could shatter that number in the Aaron Rodgers-led offense this season.
Former East High RB Jaylen Warren scores his first TD of the season! #LocalsInTheNFL #Steelers @kslsports
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) September 7, 2025
9. Taron Johnson – Weber State – Bills CB
The Bills allowed 40 points to a red-hot Ravens team in week one, but most of the damage was done on the ground by Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson.
If you look at the passing scores from Baltimore, Johnson was either used as a blitzer or wasn’t targeted because he covered well. Those points, added to the fact that Buffalo won, allowed Johnson to move up one spot in our rankings.
8. Kyle Van Noy – BYU – Ravens LB
On the other side of that game, Van Noy had just three total tackles (one solo) and a QB hit on Sunday Night Football.
Although the stats don’t jump off the page, his impact was definitely felt by Josh Allen. Also, Van Noy had seven games last season with three or fewer tackles and no sacks. He still finished with 12.5 sacks on the season and a Pro Bowl appearance.
Van Noy dropped a spot in our rankings, but there is still plenty of hope for him to remain a top ten local this season.
7. Dalton Kincaid – Utah – Bills TE
The third straight Bills/Ravens player to make our list, and another riser, is Kincaid, who had four receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown in Buffalo’s come-from-behind win.
Kincaid looked sharp. Four targets. Four catches. Touchdown. Team wins. That’s about all you can ask for in week one.
Buffalo faces the New York Jets in week two, which means a less talented defense than last Sunday. Kincaid could end up rising even higher as the season goes on.
6. Jaylon Johnson – Utah – Bears CB
Johnson didn’t play in Chicago’s week one game, and he dropped two spots in our rankings. But he gets the benefit of the doubt as he is set to play in week two.
The Bears play Detroit, which means Johnson will have his hands full with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
5. Jordan Love – Utah State – Packers QB
Love was one of two Aggies to jump in our rankings.
The former USU shot caller led Green Bay to a win in week one, completing 16 of 22 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns.
He will face the next guy on our list tonight on Thursday Night Football.
A Jordan Love season-opener thread in Green Bay 🧵#LocalsInTheNFL #AggiesAllTheWay #GoPackGo @kslsports
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) September 7, 2025
4. Bobby Wagner – Utah State – Commanders LB
It’s only been one week, but Wagner is still showing no signs of regression.
Against the New York Giants, he led the Commanders’ defense with 10 tackles (five solo) and got in the backfield for one tackle for loss.
We’ll see if he can keep it up in week two against Love and the Packers.
3. Puka Nacua – BYU – Rams WR
Nacua did everything but get in the end zone against the Texans in week one.
The former Cougar finished with 10 receptions for 130 yards and left the game with a cut above his eye. Here’s the kicker, though. 107 of his yards came after his eye started bleeding.
Don’t be surprised if Nacua breaks 100 yards again and scores his first TD as the Rams take on the Titans in week two.
2. Penei Sewell – Desert Hills High – Lions OT
The Lions got stomped by the Packers in week one, but little of the loss falls on Sewell’s shoulders.
The best right tackle in the game remains a staple atop our rankings.
1. Fred Warner – BYU – 49ers LB
Last, and of course not least, Warner remains No. 1 on our local player power rankings.
In a four-point win over Seattle in week one, Warner finished with eight tackles (four solo) and a tackle for loss.
It remains to be seen how good San Francisco and its defense will be this year, but Warner’s talent is never in question.
About #LocalsInTheNFL
For over five years, KSL Sports has provided coverage on all NFL players with ties to the state of Utah.
Whether they attended Utah or BYU or grew up in the Beehive State, we keep you caught up with how the locals are performing on the highest stage.
From highlights to trades and other breaking news, check out our Locals In The NFL coverage here.
