Super Bowl 2023: Ranking every Chiefs and Eagles starter ahead of Super Bowl 57 matchup in Arizona

1 He will be the MVP of the league and showed how he has grown as a quarterback by playing on one leg in the AFC Championship Game. 2 He is the best tight end in the league and is on his way to Canton. How do you stop him? The Eagles have to prevent him from getting going. 3 He is a game-wrecker. He got two sacks against the Bengals and will be big against the good Eagles offensive line. 4 He’s not a big center, but he knows all the tricks and all the angles. He’s the best in the league on the move and will be an integral part of the Eagles blocking Chris Jones. 5 He’s the best right tackle in the NFL. He is playing injured, and he still doesn’t give up pressures. He is a dominant player. 6 He emerged this season as an MVP candidate, a player who can beat you with his arms and his legs. Hurts made big strides as a passer this season. 7 In his second season, he’s already one of the best centers in the game. In fact, he’s close to Jason Kelce in terms of ability, which is saying something. 8 He came over in the trade from the Titans and quickly established himself as a star in the Philadelphia offense. He is big and powerful, which will challenge the young Chiefs secondary. 9 He signed as a free agent this season and proved to be a major bargain with 16.5 sacks. He had two against the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game and will challenge Chiefs right tackle Andrew Wylie. 10 In his second season with the Chiefs after signing as a free agent, he is a smart veteran who is good both in pass protection and in the run game. 11 He is the most underrated player on the Philadelphia defense. He is fast and is having his best season, which could pay off big in free agency. 12 In his second season with the Eagles, he played even better than he did a year ago. He’s nicknamed “Big Play” Slay for a reason. 13 He signed a one-year deal with the Eagles as a free agent and solidified the secondary. In fact, he is a big reason why the Eagles defense improved against the pass and had 70 sacks. 14 He has emerged as a power player at left tackle for the Eagles. The former rugby player is a dominant run blocker who has improved in pass protection the past two years. 15 With A.J. Brown getting most of the attention, Smith quietly had a big second season. He caught 95 passes, the most ever for an Eagles receiver. 16 He got hurt in the AFC title game, but he’s expected back in the Super Bowl. He’s a big corner who can line up and play in the slot or outside. 17 He’s another of the underrated players on the Eagles defense. Haasan Reddick is the guy who gets the attention as the team’s edge rusher, but Sweat isn’t far behind. 18 Call him postseason Frank Clark. He always seems to show up in the big games, registering 10.5 sacks in 11 postseason games since 2019. 19 He missed five games this season because of injury, but played the final three regular-season games and had 10 catches and a touchdown in the two playoff games. He is a big threat in the middle of the field. 20 This second-year player gives the Chiefs one of the best guard tandems in the league. He is a mauler in the run game and has improved in pass protection. 21 He is having his best season in the league at the right time since he is a free agent after the Super Bowl. He can push the pocket from the inside, which is key against Patrick Mahomes. 22 This rookie has had an impressive season in coverage, capable of locking up in man-to-man situations. He can play outside and in the slot. 23 This pending free agent is a good run player who can sometimes struggle in pass protection. The Eagles staff is said to love him, which could keep him around next season. 24 He played this season on the franchise tag and was solid if not special. He is a big, powerful man who will be challenged by the Eagles pass rush. 25 After a down 2020 season, he has responded with two big-time seasons for the Chiefs. He teams with Justin Reid to give Kansas City a nice 1-2 veteran punch on the back end. 26 He was named to the Pro Bowl after developing into a top-level guard. He will be important when the Eagles want to run the football. 27 He starts for the Eagles at running back, but they do it by committee. He’s had some big games and is perfect for their style of offense. 28 The Chiefs signed Reid as a free agent from the Texans last year and he responded with one of his best seasons. He filled the role of the departed Tyrann Mathieu. 29 After signing a one-year deal as a free agent, Smith-Schuster was just OK for the Chiefs and hasn’t done much in the postseason. He had two catches against Jacksonville and then left the Bengals game with a knee injury, but he should play against the Eagles. 30 He can play safety and nickel, but will play safety in this one. He will be important in the battle against Travis Kelce. He’s playing on a one-year deal, so showing up in the Super Bowl could be huge. 31 He played in the NFC title game with a bad ankle and his foot was in a boot last week. But he is expected to play. When he’s on the field, he’s a top-tier nickel corner. 32 He is a speed threat in this offense, his first year with the team. He came up big in the AFC Championship Game and will stress the Eagles corners with his speed. 33 He is tough, physical runner who has improved as the season has moved along. This rookie seventh-round pick will be big if the Chiefs are to run the football. 34 He isn’t a big linebacker at 5-11, but he can run and cover. His speed will be huge against the Eagles offense. 35 He isn’t the player he used to be, not even close, but he is still capable of playing well for spurts. He had his worst season this year, but he is still more than capable of pushing the pocket. 36 He’s the weak link of the Chiefs line, which means it will be a real challenge against Haasan Reddick. Do they help him? 37 He’s a steady player on the back end who is entering his free agent year. He’s a good tackler in the run game, but can get beat in coverage. 38 He’s better in coverage than he is in the run game. He has to hold up inside against the Eagles running attack and RPO game. 39 This former defensive back will be big in this game against Travis Kelce. He can run and cover, but he’s been picked on some this season. 40 When he’s on the field, he’s an electrifying player. The problem is he’s hurt too much. He left the AFC Championship Game with an ankle injury, but should play in the Super Bowl. 41 This rookie will be tested in a big way against A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. He had some rough games early in the season, but he’s made big strides in coverage in the second half. 42 As the Eagles third receiver, he brings big-play ability because he can run. He will be a challenge if the Chiefs decide to double the two starters. 43 After a slow start to his rookie season, he improved in the second half. He’s a good run defender and has shown more as a pass rusher down the stretch. 44 He plays mostly on early downs, but he hasn’t been as good against the run this year as in previous seasons. That could be a problem against the Eagles run game.