Looking the top teams in the NFL, depth is a key aspect. When looking at which teams are the best at each position, it is important to factor in the depth of each team. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the best teams at each position.
Quarterback
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have one of the most loaded QB depth charts with Drew Brees, James Winston, Taysom Hill, and Tommy Stevens. Drew Brees is one of the great quarterbacks in NFL history. The Saints also have a multi-purpose player and threat in Hill. They also signed Winston, who has proved in the past that he can throw the ball and can be a serviceable backup.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have Dak Prescott, who just got another weapon in WR Ceedee Lamb in the draft. Prescott has proved that he can do it all with his arm and legs. During his four years in the NFL, Prescott has over 16,000 all-purpose yards and 118 total touchdowns. The team also signed Andy Dalton to be the backup to Prescott. In Cincinatti, Dalton threw 204 passing touchdowns over his nine years with the Bengals. Dalton is a top backup in the league.
Honorable Mention: Indianapolis Colts
Running Back
Green Bay Packers
The Packers saw Aaron Jones make a quick rise in the running back power rankings last season. Jones rushed for 1,084 yard as well and a league-leading 16 touchdowns. To pair with him, the Packers have Jamaal Williams, who is a threat in the passing game. Now add in A.J. Dillion, the second round pick out of Boston College, in this year’s draft.
New England Patriots
The Patriots have been known for their usage of running backs. On the depth chart, they have Sony Michel, who has become the primary back that is used in the run and pass game. The Patriots also have James White, who has proven to be a difference maker in the passing game. Don’t forget about Rex Burkhead, who is a valuable asset on short yardage situations with some pass catching abilities as well.
Honorable Mentions: San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, and Cleveland Browns
Wide Receiver
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have two of the league’s top wide receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Last season, the dynamic duo combined for 2,490 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. The Buccaneers also added Tyler Johnson out of Minnesota in the fifth round of the draft this year. In his junior and senior seasons with the Golden Gophers, Johnson had over 2,400 yard receiving and 25 touchdowns combined.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals made, arguably, the best acquisition this offseason by trading David Johnson and a second round pick to the Houston Texans for DeAndre Hopkins. With the addition of Hopkins, the Cardinals have Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk to round out their top three wide receivers.
Honorable Mentions: Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Los Angeles Rams
Tight End
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers already had a solid duo at the tight end position with O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate. However, they added Tom Brady’s former go-to target, Rob Gronkowski. This gives the Bucs three impact tight ends on their roster. Tom Brady utilizes his tight ends a lot, so expect significant production from this trio.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns added Austin Hopper in free agency this offseason to pair alongside David Njoku. Hooper is coming off a career season with the Falcons in 2019, setting career highs in receptions (75), receiving yards (787), and touchdowns (6). New head coach, Kevin Stefanski, ran two tight end sets in Minnesota, so expect more of those this season with his new duo.
Honorable Mentions: Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams
Offensive Line
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts offensive line has been one of the league’s best, if not the best, the past couple of seasons. This year will not be any different. Anthony Castonzo decided to continue playing and the rest of the starters are returning this year, led by All-Pro OG, Quinton Nelson.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are another team who has one of the top offensive lines each year. Despite the retirement of Travis Frederick, the rest of the starters are returning and Joe Looney looks to take over the center position. Watch out for fourth round pick, Tyler Biadasz, who can come in and compete for the center job as well.
Honorable Mentions: New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints
Defensive Line
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers had one of the top defensive lines last season and it appears they will again this year. Arik Armstead, who is back on a new deal, and Defensive Rookie of the Year, Nick Bosa, will lead the front four. The front four of the Niners’ defense was key in the 48 team sacks in 2019, which ranked fifth in the NFL. Despite the loss of DeForest Buckner, the 49ers added DL Javon Kinlaw in the first round of the draft to fill the hole left by Buckner.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles added to their front four this offseason by signing Javon Hargrave in free agency. Hargrave has a knack for getting to the quarterback and is a big presence up front to pair with Fletcher Cox on the inside, creating a nightmare for offensive lines. On the outside, the Eagles have Derek Barnett and Brandon Graham, who combined for 15 sacks in 2019.
Honorable Mentions: Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and New Orleans Saints
Linebacker
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers led the league in sacks a year ago and a huge reason for that was the linebacker core led by T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree. Add 2019 first round draft pick, Devin Bush, into the mix for the core. The four starting linebackers for the Steelers a year ago combined for 29.5 sacks. All four starters are back this year. Then add in Alex Highsmith, who was drafted in the third round in April’s draft.
Chicago Bears
The Bears linebacker core is led by All-Pro Khalil Mack. Danny Trevathan, Roquan Smith, and newly-acquired Robert Quinn round out the starting linebackers for Chuck Pagano’s defense. Quinn adds another level of pressure for the defense as he had 11.5 sacks in 2019. Expect a bounce-back year from Mack, who was limited to 8.5 sacks last season. The Bears LB will be an anchor for the defense.
Honorable Mentions: Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cornerback
Miami Dolphins
the Dolphins made a whale-like splash in free agency, signing Byron Jones to pair alongside Xavien Howard. This gives head coach, Brian Flores, two of the league’s top corners in his secondary. The Dolphins’ defense got a huge boost by adding one of the top shutdown corners in the entire league.
New England Patriots
The Patriots have one of the league’s top secondary’s led by Stephon
Gilmore. Jason McCourty, Jonathon Jones, and JC Jackson round out the top four corners in the secondary. The Patriots led the NFL in interceptions last season with 25, returning three of them for touchdowns. With Gilmore and McCourty returning, the CB unit for the Pats remains one of the best.
Honorable Mentions: Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills
Safety
Buffalo Bills
The Bills have one off the league’s best defenses, which is aided by the secondary. Jordan Poyer is one of the top safeties in the league and is one of the leaders of the defense. Last year, Poyer had over 100 tackles for the second consecutive season. Poyer, alongside Micah Hyde create a hard hitting back end of the secondary for the Buffalo defense.
New England Patriots
The Patriots secondary is arguably the best in the league and the back end of Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung completes the Patriot defense. McCourty recorded five interceptions last season and seven pass deflections, while Chung plays physically to complete the tandem at the back end of the defense.
Honorable Mentions: Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs
