As a BYU fan, there's nothing more joyful than watching the Cougars win on Saturday, then come Sunday, have the chance to watch former BYU players dominate in the NFL. And dominate, they are!
Based on my admittedly pro-BYU way of looking at the NFL, four former Cougars currently rank No. 1 overall at their respective positions. Ranking who is "best" at any given position is always subjective and open to individual interpretation, and I'm admittedly interpreting things through the lens of a passionate -- though still objective -- BYU fan. Here are the four former BYU players who rise to the No. 1 spot at their positions.
Fred Warner - No. 1 off-ball linebacker
This one isn't controversial, and this isn't just my personal opinion. Before the 2025 season began ESPN polled NFL front offices and asked them to select the best player at 11 different positions, including off-ball linebacker. They voted Fred Warner No. 1, and the voting wasn't even close. Here's what ESPN reported:
"Warner -- recipient of four All-Pro first teams in five years -- dominated the voting with more than 80% of the first-place votes."
Fred Warner is the best at his position for the San Francisco 49ers and it's not even close. But don't take my word for it. Take the word of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts.
Puka Nacua - NFL's No. 1 wide receiver
This is an objective fact: Through Week 3 of the NFL season, Puka Nacua led the NFL in both receptions (29) and receiving yards (333). He's currently on pace for nearly 1,900 receiving yards this year.
As of the end of games last week, the Los Angeles Rams star receiver was objectively the No. 1 player at his position.
And this shouldn't be surprising coming from Puka as he enters his third NFL season. All he did in his 2022 rookie season was shatter the NFL's all-time rookie records for receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486). His 2023 campaign was limited to 11 games due to injury, but he still averaged 90.0 receiving yards per game.
Puka's career average of 90.6 receiving yards per game would rank No. 2 in NFL history if he had enough games to qualify. Now, I could easily argue why Justin Jefferson or Ja'Marr Chase are the league's No. 1 receiver, but I'm a BYU fan and happily select the data that best supports my argument. You are welcome to selectively cherry pick stats that support yours.
Taysom Hill - No. 1 most versatile player
While "versatile player" isn't a formal position on a depth chart, Taysom Hill hands down has the most varied skill set in the league.
Through eight NFL seasons he has thrown for 2,369 yards while completing 64% of his passes with 11 touchdowns, rushed for 2,437 yards on 5.6 yards per carry with 33 TDs, and hauled in 99 receptions for 943 yards and 11 more scores. Per the New Orleans Saints team website, Taysom is the first NFL player since Frank Gifford (1952-64) to reach double-digit totals in passing, rushing and receiving touchdowns.
Throw in his special teams play which includes 20 kick returns, 17 tackles, and two blocked punts, and it's safe to say there is no player in the NFL as versatile as Taysom Hill.
Ryan Rehkow - No. 1 punter
The second-year player for the Cincinnati Bengals is kicking it old school right now. As I have previously written, Ryan Rehkow leads the NFL in punting through Week 3. That is an objective fact, and it's not all that surprising. As a rookie last year he finished among the league's Top 10 in punting average, and with one NFL season under his belt Rehkow is now making the sophomore leap.