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OFFENSE
NFL's top 10 offenses: Chiefs, Ravens pulling away from pack
Now more than ever, it's a young man's game at quarterback. At just over 23 years and four months, Patrick Mahomes in 2018 became the youngest player to win MVP honors since Dan Marino in 1984. Having just turned 23 when he picked up the award a year later, Lamar Jackson is the youngest MVP winner since Jim Brown in 1957. Leading talented offenses of their own, a coterie of quarterbacks capable of creative out-of-structure magic may be vying for the next MVP trophy. Houston's Deshaun Watson, Dallas' Dak Prescott, Philadelphia's Carson Wentz and Arizona's Kyler Murray represent a new wave, featuring arms strong enough for designed passes, legs quick enough for designed runs and quick-twitch athleticism necessary for second-reaction plays once the pass rush breaches the castle walls.
Assessing the recent 2020 draft class in light of the sport's evolution, one AFC executive concluded, via Bob McGinn of The Athletic, "The stationary guy in today's football, I don't know how he survives. At any position."
The stationary signal-callers seemed to stand dumbfounded in 2019, no longer possessed of the nimble feet and rocket arm necessary to escape trouble, bolster a diminished supporting cast and make jailbreak defenses pay for their sins of aggression.
Tom Brady suffered through the worst season of his legendary career. Drew Brees was outplayed by his backup's backup in the season-ending loss to the Vikings. Philip Rivers barely staved off a midseason benching for Tyrod Taylor. Eli Manning was finally tapped on the shoulder. Ben Roethlisberger lasted just two games before an elbow injury sent him to the operating table.
As I survey the landscape of NFL offenses this offseason, I see the Chiefs and Ravens pulling away from the pack. Can Brady and Rivers reclaim some of that turf with the help of new -- and plausibly superior -- supporting casts?
With the draft and the bulk of free agency in the books, let's examine the hierarchy of NFL offenses.
THE TOP FIVE
1) Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback: A+ | Patrick Mahomes, Chad Henne, Shea Patterson
What can a 24-year-old quarterback do for an encore when he just authored one of the most epic playoff runs in his sport's history? Even without a reliable backup plan, the Chiefs are the envy of the league at the game's most important position. We have to go back to Aaron Rodgers' prime years to find a quarterback with the arm talent, athleticism, improvisational skills and decision making Mahomes has displayed since he took the reins of Andy Reid's offense in 2018.
Backfield: A- | Damien Williams, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, DeAndre Washington, Darwin Thompson
AFC West defensive coordinators were already checking under their beds for Mahomes before they turn out their bedroom lights at night. Now they have to contend with Edwards-Helaire, a runner-receiver hybrid conjuring up images of a young Darren Sproles and Priest Holmes. Throw in Super Bowl hero Williams and former Raiders scat back Washington, and this backfield is deep and multi-faceted compared to last year's edition.
Receiving corps: A+ | Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce (TE), Sammy Watkins, Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson, Ricky Seals-Jones (TE)
The quick-strike offense plays off Hill and Kelce, a pair of perennial Pro Bowlers and the focal points of opposing game plans. Against all odds, the Chiefs maintained their depth this offseason, agreeing to new deals with Watkins and Robinson -- a pair of secondary receivers capable of sailing past 100 yards when the coverage is slanted toward Hill and Kelce. The speedy Hardman is an intriguing wild card after amassing 1,426 all-purpose yards as a rookie.
Offensive line: B | Eric Fisher, Andrew Wylie, Austin Reiter, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Mitchell Schwartz, Mike Remmers, Martinas Rankin, Lucas Niang
While Schwartz may be the best right tackle in football, the rest of the line operates at a high enough level with little fanfare to show for it. With Remmers on hand as a utility lineman and Niang drafted in the third round, this unit is in a better position to withstand a major injury in 2020.
2) Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback: A+ | Lamar Jackson, Robert Griffin III, Trace McSorley
Defensive coaches around the league are brainstorming new tactics to slow the reigning MVP, perhaps clinging to the Titans' game plan in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. That's easier said than done. Aided by an innovative coaching staff and an expanding arsenal of weapons at his disposal, Jackson is stating his case as the most electrifying dual-threat quarterback of all time.
Backfield: A+ | Mark Ingram, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Justice Hill
The Ravens aren't resting on their laurels after boasting one of the most unstoppable rushing attacks the NFL has ever seen. As if their three-headed backfield hydra wasn't scary enough, they landed Ohio State star J.K. Dobbins, a dynamic back viewed by some draftniks as the top talent at the position in this year's class. It speaks to Baltimore's largesse that Edwards is rendered an afterthought on the heels of an impressive second season, which featured 711 rushing yards at 5.3 yards per attempt.
Receiving corps: B | Mark Andrews (TE), Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin, Willie Snead, Devin Duvernay, Chris Moore, James Proche, Nick Boyle (TE)
Andrews' emergence as a Pro Bowl tight end and Jackson's go-to target enabled the Ravens to deal former first-round pick Hayden Hurst to Atlanta for valuable draft capital. Brown streaked out of the gates as a DeSean Jackson clone, burning defenses with his deep speed, before disappearing in November and December. His 126-yard performance in the loss to Tennessee bodes well for a strong sophomore campaign. An athletic freak perfectly suited for the NFL's slot role, Duvernay is just the sort of chain-mover who should capitalize on Jackson's quick strikes between the hashes.
Offensive line: B+ | Ronnie Stanley, Bradley Bozeman, Matt Skura, D.J. Fluker, Orlando Brown, Patrick Mekari, Tyre Phillips, Ben Powers, Ben Bredeson
Stanley's emergence as a first-team All-Pro gives Baltimore a tackle tandem unrivaled by any outside of New Orleans. The interior is questionable, on the other hand, with the retirement of all-decade guard Marshal Yanda and the severe late-season knee injury sustained by center Skura.
3) New Orleans Saints
Quarterback: A- | Drew Brees, Taysom Hill, Jameis Winston
Still one of the league's most effective passers, Brees has left lingering doubts about his waning arm strength in each of the past two postseasons. In fact, jack-of-all-trades Hill was the best player on the field for the Saints in their upset loss to the Vikings, succeeding downfield where Brees failed. Fresh off laser eye surgery, Winston offers more upside than any backup in the league -- with the possible exception of the aforementioned enigmatic Hill.
Backfield: A- | Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray, Dwayne Washington, Tony Jones Jr.
Playing through high-ankle and knee injuries, Kamara struggled to break tackles and make the first man miss last season. When he's fully healthy, there may be no better mismatch in football than Kamara versus a safety or linebacker with open space to roam. Murray proved to be a fine fallback option, filling Mark Ingram's vacancy as the power-back complement.
Receiving Corps: A | Michael Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Jared Cook (TE), Tre'Quan Smith, Adam Trautman (TE), Deonte Harris, Josh Hill (TE)
Thomas is the most reliable first down in the league, armed with vice-grip hands and a power forward's physicality at the catch point. A trade deadline savior in San Francisco last year, Sanders will fill the sidekick role that has been a revolving door ever since Brandin Cooks was shipped out after an 1,173-yard season in 2016. Despite a few hiccups early, Cook came through as a big-time playmaker in the second half of the season. Drafted in the third round last month, the 6-foot-5 Trautman is an intriguing red-zone weapon.
Offensive line: A | Terron Armstead, Andrus Peat, Erik McCoy, Larry Warford, Ryan Ramczyk, Cesar Ruiz, Cameron Tom, Nick Easton
Having assembled a deep, balanced roster, the Saints could afford to approach the first round of last month's draft with the idea of cherry-picking the best player available. That happened to be Michigan center Cesar Ruiz, who is expected to push veteran Warford for the starting job at right guard. Center is already manned by McCoy, who exceeded expectations as a rookie starter in 2019. Bookend tackles Armstead and Ramczyk are primed to enter each of the next handful of seasons as legitimate Pro Bowl candidates.
4) Dallas Cowboys
Quarterback: A- | Dak Prescott, Andy Dalton, Ben DiNucci
Leading the league's most efficient offense by Football Outsiders' metrics through the first half of the 2019 season, Prescott played well enough to keep his name on the periphery of the MVP discussion until the Thanksgiving debacle versus Buffalo. Should the franchise quarterback go down with an injury, the surrounding talent is strong enough to elevate newfound backup Dalton to the first postseason victory of his career.
Backfield: A- | Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard, Jamize Olawale, Sewo Olonilua
At first glance, Elliott's 2019 numbers don't look much different than his first three seasons. Look closer, though, and you'll see a back who struggled to make defenders miss at the second level. The big plays dried up, which helps explain why he lost more than 22 yards per game from his 2018 performance. Pollard proved to be a fine change of pace, averaging an efficient 5.6 yards on 101 touches.
Receiving corps: A- | Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb, Blake Jarwin (TE), Devin Smith, Dalton Schultz (TE)
Although he tends to disappear for stretches, Cooper has been one of the finest route runners and boundary receivers since landing in Dallas as Prescott's No. 1 receiver. Would the Cowboys have shelled out $20 million per year for a new contract if they had an inkling that Lamb -- the sixth-rated player on their draft board -- would be free for the picking with the first round's No. 17 overall pick? It's an interesting thought. The suitably named Gallup is already one of the NFL's most promising second fiddles, recording 1,107 yards despite missing two games with a knee injury early in his second season. Prescott might miss future Hall of Famer Jason Witten's leadership, but Jarwin is a more athletic pass catcher with better run-after-catch skills.
Offensive line: B+ | Tyron Smith, Connor Williams, Joe Looney, Zack Martin, La'el Collins, Connor McGovern, Tyler Biadasz
Between center Travis Frederick's retirement and left guard Connor Williams' November ACL injury, the interior will have a different look in 2020. Veteran Looney held up just fine as Frederick's 2018 stand-in, which bodes well for new coach Mike McCarthy. A third-round pick in 2019, McGovern could slide into Williams' guard spot after missing his entire rookie season with a pectoral injury.
5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback: B | Tom Brady, Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Griffin
If Brady goes down, the suddenly swank Bucs can kiss their ballyhooed coming-out party goodbye. If Brady stays healthy, we'll have a better idea how much his skills have eroded after languishing last season in a broken offense with precious little playmaking ability at his disposal. I don't buy the trendy notion that the 42-year-old has seen no noticeable drop off in arm strength and mobility. His passes outside the numbers tend to dive at the catch point, and he's too often a sitting duck in the face of pressure. That said, he has mastered situational football and maintains a preternatural feel for attacking the right area of the field at just the right moment. As the roster stands now, this is among the most talented pass-catching groups of his storied career.
Backfield: B- | Ronald Jones, Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Dare Ogunbowale, Raymond Calais
Jones was one of the most improved runners in the league last season, exploding through holes and breaking a slew of tackles. The problem is pass protection, a task he wasn't trusted to perform with aplomb while Jameis Winston was under center. Now that Brady is running the show, that role takes on added responsibility for a quarterback with a long line of expert chip-blockers from Kevin Faulk to Danny Woodhead to James White. Vaughn is an interesting flier as a third-down pick, but don't be surprised if a savvy veteran is brought in to round out this group.
Receiving corps: A+ | Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski (TE), O.J. Howard (TE), Cameron Brate (TE), Tyler Johnson, Scott Miller, Justin Watson
There were weeks last season when Evans made a run at Saints record-breaker Michael Thomas as the most dangerous big receiver in football. There were other weeks when Godwin made a run at Evans as the best all-around receiver on the roster. There may not be a better one-two punch out there. What can we expect from Gronkowski, fresh out of the WWE's squared circle? For the bulk of the 2018 season, he was outplayed by new teammate Howard, who was well on his way to a Pro Bowl berth of his own before a foot injury ended the younger tight end's season in November. With yet another Lombardi Trophy on the line, though, Gronkowski came through with game-changing plays against the Chiefs and Rams in the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LIII.
Offensive line: B- | Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet, Ryan Jensen, Alex Cappa, Tristan Wirfs, Joe Haeg, Josh Wells
This will be an interesting experiment, watching Brady behind an offensive line that too often had Winston scrambling into and out of trouble. Although Marpet is a top-tier guard and Wirfs is loaded with potential at right tackle, the other three positions tend to be hit-or-miss depending on the competition level.
THE NEXT FIVE
6) San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback: B | Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Mullens, C.J. Beathard
Backfield: A- | Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, Kyle Juszczyk, Jerick McKinnon, Jeff Wilson Jr.
Receiving corps: B+ | George Kittle (TE), Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Kendrick Bourne, Jalen Hurd, Travis Benjamin, Richie James Jr., Trent Taylor, Dante Pettis, Jauan Jennings
Offensive line: A- | Trent Williams, Laken Tomlinson, Weston Richburg, Daniel Brunskill, Mike McGlinchey, Justin Skule, Ben Garland, Tom Compton, Colton McKivitz
7) Cleveland Browns
Quarterback: B- | Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum, Garrett Gilbert
Backfield: A | Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D'Ernest Johnson, Andy Janovich, Dontrell Hilliard
Receiving corps: A | Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Austin Hooper (TE), David Njoku (TE), Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Harrison Bryant (TE)
Offensive line: B- | Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, Chris Hubbard, Kendall Lamm, Nick Harris
8) Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback: B | Philip Rivers, Jacoby Brissett, Jacob Eason
Backfield: A | Marlon Mack, Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines, Jordan Wilkins
Receiving corps: B | T.Y. Hilton, Michael Pittman Jr., Parris Campbell, Zach Pascal, Jack Doyle (TE), Trey Burton (TE), Mo Alie-Cox (TE)
Offensive line: A | Anthony Castonzo, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Mark Glowinski, Braden Smith, Le'Raven Clark, Danny Pinter
9) Green Bay Packers
Quarterback: A- | Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love, Tim Boyle
Running back: A | Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Jamaal Williams, Tyler Ervin
Receiving corps: B- | Davante Adams, Devin Funchess, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jace Sternberger (TE), Josiah Deguara (TE), Equanimeous St. Brown, Jake Kumerow
Offensive line: B+ | David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Corey Linsley, Billy Turner, Rick Wagner, Jon Runyan, Jake Hanson, Simon Stepaniak
10) Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback: A- | Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, Kurt Benkert
Backfield: B- | Todd Gurley, Ito Smith, Brian Hill, Qadree Ollison
Receiving Corps: A | Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Hayden Hurst (TE), Laquon Treadwell, Russell Gage, Olamide Zaccheaus, Jaeden Graham (TE)
Offensive line: B- | Jake Matthews, James Carpenter, Alex Mack, Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary, Justin McCray, Matt Hennessy
OFFENSES KNOCKING ON THE DOOR:Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers.
sportsnaut.com
Top 5 most explosive NFL offenses in 2020
As NFL coaches with young quarterbacks dream up schemes to confound opposing defenses, fans are the biggest beneficiaries. Big plays. Touchdowns galore. Electric playmakers. The age of explosive NFL offenses is here, and the 2020 season is loaded with potential for even more.
We’re looking at the teams that will feature the top-five most explosive NFL offenses this coming season.
5. San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy Garoppolo doesn’t get enough love for the job he did last season in his first full season as the 49ers starter. He ranked third in the NFL averaging 8.4 yards per attempt. Additionally, San Francisco’s passing offense ranked first in the league in explosive passes, per Warren Sharp of sharpfootballstats, with 50 explosive plays in 422 attempts.
George Kittle is a major force in the passing game. He’s a run-after-the-catch (RAC) specialist who punishes defenders every chance he gets. Deebo Samuel is a similar player in a smaller package and is just getting started. Adding rookie Brandon Aiyuk out of Arizona State should supercharge this passing offense.
San Francisco’s run game is absolutely lethal. No matter who is lined up behind Garoppolo, the 49ers can rip off big plays on the ground and do so regularly. The 49ers led the league with 23 rushing scores last season and should once again be dominant in 2020.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The NFC South as a whole should be a ton of fun to watch this season. Don’t be surprised if three of the four teams end up sporting top-five offenses when it’s all said and done. The reason we’re highlighting the Bucs here is that this team has talent galore and will be led by the NFL’s G.O.A.T. in 2020.
Tom Brady is still capable of slinging it all around the yard. He never had the strongest arm, but he also never had any issues with arm strength. He will be playing with the best overall contingency of offensive talent this season he’s ever had in 20 years. Mike Evans is a star who is known for making huge plays downfield. Chris Godwin is an up-and-coming elite talent who averaged 15.5 yards per catch last season and scored nine touchdowns. Rob Gronkowski, if healthy, is the best pass-catching tight end in the league. Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard are also both capable of huge games and could thrive playing with Brady.
The run game may not be a huge strength. However, Ronald Jones II is dynamic in the open field and capable of ripping off touchdowns from anywhere. Throw in the exciting rookie Ke’Shawn Vaughn, and Tampa Bay might be better than you expect on the ground.
3. Dallas Cowboys
Personally, I cannot wait to see the Cowboys in action this coming season. First of all, the change at the top — Mike McCarthy replacing Jason Garrett as head coach — will be a huge development for the offense. He’s a legendary coach who should help quarterback Dak Prescott improve, and that’s a scary thought for the rest of the NFC.
Dallas also now has one of the best trios at wide receiver in the NFL. Amari Cooper is one of the best in the business. Michael Gallup is a big-play machine who is still just starting to tap into his potential. Now the ‘Boys can feature former Sooners star CeeDee Lamb, and that fact makes my head explode. Tight end Blake Jarwin is darn good, too.
Up front, Dallas’ offensive line is still one of the NFL’s best — even without star center Travis Frederick, who retired. With Ezekiel Elliott pounding the rock and taking screens to the house, this offense is absolutely loaded on every front.
2. Baltimore Ravens
Last year, it all started up front for the Ravens. Lamar Jackson had a phenomenal season passing the ball but it was all predicated on the run game. Jackson was a huge part of that. He smashed Michael Vick’s single-season record for most rushing yards by a quarterback — ripping off insane highlights (like this) on a weekly basis. Between him, Mark Ingram and Gus Edwards, this Ravens trio racked up a stunning 2,035 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground.
Incredibly, Jackson also threw 36 touchdowns last year and averaged 7.8 yards per passing attempt on his way to the NFL’s second-ever unanimous MVP award. The biggest thing that has this scribe excited is that he’s said we should expect to see him passing much more in 2020.
Baltimore has done a great job surrounding Jackson with the talent needed to do just that, too. Marquise Brown is a budding star. Former Notre Dame star Miles Boykin has tremendous potential. Tight ends Mark Andrews and Hayden Hurst are both capable of making huge plays downfield. Adding rookie Devin Duvernay out of Texas should lead to even more explosive plays in the passing game.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
What? You thought another team would be atop this list?
Patrick Mahomes is the best, most explosive pure passing quarterback to enter the league in many years. Blessed with extraordinary physical gifts, he’s only now starting to come to an understanding of how NFL defenses work. For a guy who already has an MVP trophy and Super Bowl ring under his belt, that’s a terrifying thought for anyone who’s not a Chiefs fan.
The Chiefs have, arguably, the most explosive receiving corps in the NFL. Tyreek Hill is lightning in a bottle. Mecole Hardman and Demarcus Robinson are both speed demons. Sammy Watkins can absolutely shred opposing defenses on a good day. Tight end Travis Kelce is the second-best overall tight end in the game and has four straight 1,000-plus-yard seasons.
As if the Chiefs weren’t dangerous enough, they went out and selected LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire at the end of Round 1 this past April. CEH is incredibly potent, both on the ground and through the air. He roasted SEC defenses last year to the tune of 1,867 yards and 17 touchdowns from scrimmage.
With Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy calling the shots, this offense is downright scary.
OFFENSE
NFL's top 10 offenses: Chiefs, Ravens pulling away from pack
Now more than ever, it's a young man's game at quarterback. At just over 23 years and four months, Patrick Mahomes in 2018 became the youngest player to win MVP honors since Dan Marino in 1984. Having just turned 23 when he picked up the award a year later, Lamar Jackson is the youngest MVP winner since Jim Brown in 1957. Leading talented offenses of their own, a coterie of quarterbacks capable of creative out-of-structure magic may be vying for the next MVP trophy. Houston's Deshaun Watson, Dallas' Dak Prescott, Philadelphia's Carson Wentz and Arizona's Kyler Murray represent a new wave, featuring arms strong enough for designed passes, legs quick enough for designed runs and quick-twitch athleticism necessary for second-reaction plays once the pass rush breaches the castle walls.
Assessing the recent 2020 draft class in light of the sport's evolution, one AFC executive concluded, via Bob McGinn of The Athletic, "The stationary guy in today's football, I don't know how he survives. At any position."
The stationary signal-callers seemed to stand dumbfounded in 2019, no longer possessed of the nimble feet and rocket arm necessary to escape trouble, bolster a diminished supporting cast and make jailbreak defenses pay for their sins of aggression.
Tom Brady suffered through the worst season of his legendary career. Drew Brees was outplayed by his backup's backup in the season-ending loss to the Vikings. Philip Rivers barely staved off a midseason benching for Tyrod Taylor. Eli Manning was finally tapped on the shoulder. Ben Roethlisberger lasted just two games before an elbow injury sent him to the operating table.
As I survey the landscape of NFL offenses this offseason, I see the Chiefs and Ravens pulling away from the pack. Can Brady and Rivers reclaim some of that turf with the help of new -- and plausibly superior -- supporting casts?
With the draft and the bulk of free agency in the books, let's examine the hierarchy of NFL offenses.
THE TOP FIVE
1) Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback: A+ | Patrick Mahomes, Chad Henne, Shea Patterson
What can a 24-year-old quarterback do for an encore when he just authored one of the most epic playoff runs in his sport's history? Even without a reliable backup plan, the Chiefs are the envy of the league at the game's most important position. We have to go back to Aaron Rodgers' prime years to find a quarterback with the arm talent, athleticism, improvisational skills and decision making Mahomes has displayed since he took the reins of Andy Reid's offense in 2018.
Backfield: A- | Damien Williams, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, DeAndre Washington, Darwin Thompson
AFC West defensive coordinators were already checking under their beds for Mahomes before they turn out their bedroom lights at night. Now they have to contend with Edwards-Helaire, a runner-receiver hybrid conjuring up images of a young Darren Sproles and Priest Holmes. Throw in Super Bowl hero Williams and former Raiders scat back Washington, and this backfield is deep and multi-faceted compared to last year's edition.
Receiving corps: A+ | Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce (TE), Sammy Watkins, Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson, Ricky Seals-Jones (TE)
The quick-strike offense plays off Hill and Kelce, a pair of perennial Pro Bowlers and the focal points of opposing game plans. Against all odds, the Chiefs maintained their depth this offseason, agreeing to new deals with Watkins and Robinson -- a pair of secondary receivers capable of sailing past 100 yards when the coverage is slanted toward Hill and Kelce. The speedy Hardman is an intriguing wild card after amassing 1,426 all-purpose yards as a rookie.
Offensive line: B | Eric Fisher, Andrew Wylie, Austin Reiter, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Mitchell Schwartz, Mike Remmers, Martinas Rankin, Lucas Niang
While Schwartz may be the best right tackle in football, the rest of the line operates at a high enough level with little fanfare to show for it. With Remmers on hand as a utility lineman and Niang drafted in the third round, this unit is in a better position to withstand a major injury in 2020.
2) Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback: A+ | Lamar Jackson, Robert Griffin III, Trace McSorley
Defensive coaches around the league are brainstorming new tactics to slow the reigning MVP, perhaps clinging to the Titans' game plan in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. That's easier said than done. Aided by an innovative coaching staff and an expanding arsenal of weapons at his disposal, Jackson is stating his case as the most electrifying dual-threat quarterback of all time.
Backfield: A+ | Mark Ingram, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Justice Hill
The Ravens aren't resting on their laurels after boasting one of the most unstoppable rushing attacks the NFL has ever seen. As if their three-headed backfield hydra wasn't scary enough, they landed Ohio State star J.K. Dobbins, a dynamic back viewed by some draftniks as the top talent at the position in this year's class. It speaks to Baltimore's largesse that Edwards is rendered an afterthought on the heels of an impressive second season, which featured 711 rushing yards at 5.3 yards per attempt.
Receiving corps: B | Mark Andrews (TE), Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin, Willie Snead, Devin Duvernay, Chris Moore, James Proche, Nick Boyle (TE)
Andrews' emergence as a Pro Bowl tight end and Jackson's go-to target enabled the Ravens to deal former first-round pick Hayden Hurst to Atlanta for valuable draft capital. Brown streaked out of the gates as a DeSean Jackson clone, burning defenses with his deep speed, before disappearing in November and December. His 126-yard performance in the loss to Tennessee bodes well for a strong sophomore campaign. An athletic freak perfectly suited for the NFL's slot role, Duvernay is just the sort of chain-mover who should capitalize on Jackson's quick strikes between the hashes.
Offensive line: B+ | Ronnie Stanley, Bradley Bozeman, Matt Skura, D.J. Fluker, Orlando Brown, Patrick Mekari, Tyre Phillips, Ben Powers, Ben Bredeson
Stanley's emergence as a first-team All-Pro gives Baltimore a tackle tandem unrivaled by any outside of New Orleans. The interior is questionable, on the other hand, with the retirement of all-decade guard Marshal Yanda and the severe late-season knee injury sustained by center Skura.
3) New Orleans Saints
Quarterback: A- | Drew Brees, Taysom Hill, Jameis Winston
Still one of the league's most effective passers, Brees has left lingering doubts about his waning arm strength in each of the past two postseasons. In fact, jack-of-all-trades Hill was the best player on the field for the Saints in their upset loss to the Vikings, succeeding downfield where Brees failed. Fresh off laser eye surgery, Winston offers more upside than any backup in the league -- with the possible exception of the aforementioned enigmatic Hill.
Backfield: A- | Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray, Dwayne Washington, Tony Jones Jr.
Playing through high-ankle and knee injuries, Kamara struggled to break tackles and make the first man miss last season. When he's fully healthy, there may be no better mismatch in football than Kamara versus a safety or linebacker with open space to roam. Murray proved to be a fine fallback option, filling Mark Ingram's vacancy as the power-back complement.
Receiving Corps: A | Michael Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Jared Cook (TE), Tre'Quan Smith, Adam Trautman (TE), Deonte Harris, Josh Hill (TE)
Thomas is the most reliable first down in the league, armed with vice-grip hands and a power forward's physicality at the catch point. A trade deadline savior in San Francisco last year, Sanders will fill the sidekick role that has been a revolving door ever since Brandin Cooks was shipped out after an 1,173-yard season in 2016. Despite a few hiccups early, Cook came through as a big-time playmaker in the second half of the season. Drafted in the third round last month, the 6-foot-5 Trautman is an intriguing red-zone weapon.
Offensive line: A | Terron Armstead, Andrus Peat, Erik McCoy, Larry Warford, Ryan Ramczyk, Cesar Ruiz, Cameron Tom, Nick Easton
Having assembled a deep, balanced roster, the Saints could afford to approach the first round of last month's draft with the idea of cherry-picking the best player available. That happened to be Michigan center Cesar Ruiz, who is expected to push veteran Warford for the starting job at right guard. Center is already manned by McCoy, who exceeded expectations as a rookie starter in 2019. Bookend tackles Armstead and Ramczyk are primed to enter each of the next handful of seasons as legitimate Pro Bowl candidates.
4) Dallas Cowboys
Quarterback: A- | Dak Prescott, Andy Dalton, Ben DiNucci
Leading the league's most efficient offense by Football Outsiders' metrics through the first half of the 2019 season, Prescott played well enough to keep his name on the periphery of the MVP discussion until the Thanksgiving debacle versus Buffalo. Should the franchise quarterback go down with an injury, the surrounding talent is strong enough to elevate newfound backup Dalton to the first postseason victory of his career.
Backfield: A- | Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard, Jamize Olawale, Sewo Olonilua
At first glance, Elliott's 2019 numbers don't look much different than his first three seasons. Look closer, though, and you'll see a back who struggled to make defenders miss at the second level. The big plays dried up, which helps explain why he lost more than 22 yards per game from his 2018 performance. Pollard proved to be a fine change of pace, averaging an efficient 5.6 yards on 101 touches.
Receiving corps: A- | Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb, Blake Jarwin (TE), Devin Smith, Dalton Schultz (TE)
Although he tends to disappear for stretches, Cooper has been one of the finest route runners and boundary receivers since landing in Dallas as Prescott's No. 1 receiver. Would the Cowboys have shelled out $20 million per year for a new contract if they had an inkling that Lamb -- the sixth-rated player on their draft board -- would be free for the picking with the first round's No. 17 overall pick? It's an interesting thought. The suitably named Gallup is already one of the NFL's most promising second fiddles, recording 1,107 yards despite missing two games with a knee injury early in his second season. Prescott might miss future Hall of Famer Jason Witten's leadership, but Jarwin is a more athletic pass catcher with better run-after-catch skills.
Offensive line: B+ | Tyron Smith, Connor Williams, Joe Looney, Zack Martin, La'el Collins, Connor McGovern, Tyler Biadasz
Between center Travis Frederick's retirement and left guard Connor Williams' November ACL injury, the interior will have a different look in 2020. Veteran Looney held up just fine as Frederick's 2018 stand-in, which bodes well for new coach Mike McCarthy. A third-round pick in 2019, McGovern could slide into Williams' guard spot after missing his entire rookie season with a pectoral injury.
5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback: B | Tom Brady, Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Griffin
If Brady goes down, the suddenly swank Bucs can kiss their ballyhooed coming-out party goodbye. If Brady stays healthy, we'll have a better idea how much his skills have eroded after languishing last season in a broken offense with precious little playmaking ability at his disposal. I don't buy the trendy notion that the 42-year-old has seen no noticeable drop off in arm strength and mobility. His passes outside the numbers tend to dive at the catch point, and he's too often a sitting duck in the face of pressure. That said, he has mastered situational football and maintains a preternatural feel for attacking the right area of the field at just the right moment. As the roster stands now, this is among the most talented pass-catching groups of his storied career.
Backfield: B- | Ronald Jones, Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Dare Ogunbowale, Raymond Calais
Jones was one of the most improved runners in the league last season, exploding through holes and breaking a slew of tackles. The problem is pass protection, a task he wasn't trusted to perform with aplomb while Jameis Winston was under center. Now that Brady is running the show, that role takes on added responsibility for a quarterback with a long line of expert chip-blockers from Kevin Faulk to Danny Woodhead to James White. Vaughn is an interesting flier as a third-down pick, but don't be surprised if a savvy veteran is brought in to round out this group.
Receiving corps: A+ | Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski (TE), O.J. Howard (TE), Cameron Brate (TE), Tyler Johnson, Scott Miller, Justin Watson
There were weeks last season when Evans made a run at Saints record-breaker Michael Thomas as the most dangerous big receiver in football. There were other weeks when Godwin made a run at Evans as the best all-around receiver on the roster. There may not be a better one-two punch out there. What can we expect from Gronkowski, fresh out of the WWE's squared circle? For the bulk of the 2018 season, he was outplayed by new teammate Howard, who was well on his way to a Pro Bowl berth of his own before a foot injury ended the younger tight end's season in November. With yet another Lombardi Trophy on the line, though, Gronkowski came through with game-changing plays against the Chiefs and Rams in the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LIII.
Offensive line: B- | Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet, Ryan Jensen, Alex Cappa, Tristan Wirfs, Joe Haeg, Josh Wells
This will be an interesting experiment, watching Brady behind an offensive line that too often had Winston scrambling into and out of trouble. Although Marpet is a top-tier guard and Wirfs is loaded with potential at right tackle, the other three positions tend to be hit-or-miss depending on the competition level.
THE NEXT FIVE
6) San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback: B | Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Mullens, C.J. Beathard
Backfield: A- | Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, Kyle Juszczyk, Jerick McKinnon, Jeff Wilson Jr.
Receiving corps: B+ | George Kittle (TE), Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Kendrick Bourne, Jalen Hurd, Travis Benjamin, Richie James Jr., Trent Taylor, Dante Pettis, Jauan Jennings
Offensive line: A- | Trent Williams, Laken Tomlinson, Weston Richburg, Daniel Brunskill, Mike McGlinchey, Justin Skule, Ben Garland, Tom Compton, Colton McKivitz
7) Cleveland Browns
Quarterback: B- | Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum, Garrett Gilbert
Backfield: A | Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D'Ernest Johnson, Andy Janovich, Dontrell Hilliard
Receiving corps: A | Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Austin Hooper (TE), David Njoku (TE), Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Harrison Bryant (TE)
Offensive line: B- | Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, Chris Hubbard, Kendall Lamm, Nick Harris
8) Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback: B | Philip Rivers, Jacoby Brissett, Jacob Eason
Backfield: A | Marlon Mack, Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines, Jordan Wilkins
Receiving corps: B | T.Y. Hilton, Michael Pittman Jr., Parris Campbell, Zach Pascal, Jack Doyle (TE), Trey Burton (TE), Mo Alie-Cox (TE)
Offensive line: A | Anthony Castonzo, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Mark Glowinski, Braden Smith, Le'Raven Clark, Danny Pinter
9) Green Bay Packers
Quarterback: A- | Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love, Tim Boyle
Running back: A | Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Jamaal Williams, Tyler Ervin
Receiving corps: B- | Davante Adams, Devin Funchess, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jace Sternberger (TE), Josiah Deguara (TE), Equanimeous St. Brown, Jake Kumerow
Offensive line: B+ | David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Corey Linsley, Billy Turner, Rick Wagner, Jon Runyan, Jake Hanson, Simon Stepaniak
10) Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback: A- | Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, Kurt Benkert
Backfield: B- | Todd Gurley, Ito Smith, Brian Hill, Qadree Ollison
Receiving Corps: A | Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Hayden Hurst (TE), Laquon Treadwell, Russell Gage, Olamide Zaccheaus, Jaeden Graham (TE)
Offensive line: B- | Jake Matthews, James Carpenter, Alex Mack, Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary, Justin McCray, Matt Hennessy
OFFENSES KNOCKING ON THE DOOR:Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Top 5 most explosive NFL offenses in 2020
As NFL coaches with young quarterbacks dream up schemes to confound opposing defenses, fans are the biggest beneficiaries. Big plays.
sportsnaut.com
As NFL coaches with young quarterbacks dream up schemes to confound opposing defenses, fans are the biggest beneficiaries. Big plays. Touchdowns galore. Electric playmakers. The age of explosive NFL offenses is here, and the 2020 season is loaded with potential for even more.
We’re looking at the teams that will feature the top-five most explosive NFL offenses this coming season.
5. San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy Garoppolo doesn’t get enough love for the job he did last season in his first full season as the 49ers starter. He ranked third in the NFL averaging 8.4 yards per attempt. Additionally, San Francisco’s passing offense ranked first in the league in explosive passes, per Warren Sharp of sharpfootballstats, with 50 explosive plays in 422 attempts.
George Kittle is a major force in the passing game. He’s a run-after-the-catch (RAC) specialist who punishes defenders every chance he gets. Deebo Samuel is a similar player in a smaller package and is just getting started. Adding rookie Brandon Aiyuk out of Arizona State should supercharge this passing offense.
San Francisco’s run game is absolutely lethal. No matter who is lined up behind Garoppolo, the 49ers can rip off big plays on the ground and do so regularly. The 49ers led the league with 23 rushing scores last season and should once again be dominant in 2020.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The NFC South as a whole should be a ton of fun to watch this season. Don’t be surprised if three of the four teams end up sporting top-five offenses when it’s all said and done. The reason we’re highlighting the Bucs here is that this team has talent galore and will be led by the NFL’s G.O.A.T. in 2020.
Tom Brady is still capable of slinging it all around the yard. He never had the strongest arm, but he also never had any issues with arm strength. He will be playing with the best overall contingency of offensive talent this season he’s ever had in 20 years. Mike Evans is a star who is known for making huge plays downfield. Chris Godwin is an up-and-coming elite talent who averaged 15.5 yards per catch last season and scored nine touchdowns. Rob Gronkowski, if healthy, is the best pass-catching tight end in the league. Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard are also both capable of huge games and could thrive playing with Brady.
The run game may not be a huge strength. However, Ronald Jones II is dynamic in the open field and capable of ripping off touchdowns from anywhere. Throw in the exciting rookie Ke’Shawn Vaughn, and Tampa Bay might be better than you expect on the ground.
3. Dallas Cowboys
Personally, I cannot wait to see the Cowboys in action this coming season. First of all, the change at the top — Mike McCarthy replacing Jason Garrett as head coach — will be a huge development for the offense. He’s a legendary coach who should help quarterback Dak Prescott improve, and that’s a scary thought for the rest of the NFC.
Dallas also now has one of the best trios at wide receiver in the NFL. Amari Cooper is one of the best in the business. Michael Gallup is a big-play machine who is still just starting to tap into his potential. Now the ‘Boys can feature former Sooners star CeeDee Lamb, and that fact makes my head explode. Tight end Blake Jarwin is darn good, too.
Up front, Dallas’ offensive line is still one of the NFL’s best — even without star center Travis Frederick, who retired. With Ezekiel Elliott pounding the rock and taking screens to the house, this offense is absolutely loaded on every front.
2. Baltimore Ravens
Last year, it all started up front for the Ravens. Lamar Jackson had a phenomenal season passing the ball but it was all predicated on the run game. Jackson was a huge part of that. He smashed Michael Vick’s single-season record for most rushing yards by a quarterback — ripping off insane highlights (like this) on a weekly basis. Between him, Mark Ingram and Gus Edwards, this Ravens trio racked up a stunning 2,035 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground.
Incredibly, Jackson also threw 36 touchdowns last year and averaged 7.8 yards per passing attempt on his way to the NFL’s second-ever unanimous MVP award. The biggest thing that has this scribe excited is that he’s said we should expect to see him passing much more in 2020.
Baltimore has done a great job surrounding Jackson with the talent needed to do just that, too. Marquise Brown is a budding star. Former Notre Dame star Miles Boykin has tremendous potential. Tight ends Mark Andrews and Hayden Hurst are both capable of making huge plays downfield. Adding rookie Devin Duvernay out of Texas should lead to even more explosive plays in the passing game.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
What? You thought another team would be atop this list?
Patrick Mahomes is the best, most explosive pure passing quarterback to enter the league in many years. Blessed with extraordinary physical gifts, he’s only now starting to come to an understanding of how NFL defenses work. For a guy who already has an MVP trophy and Super Bowl ring under his belt, that’s a terrifying thought for anyone who’s not a Chiefs fan.
The Chiefs have, arguably, the most explosive receiving corps in the NFL. Tyreek Hill is lightning in a bottle. Mecole Hardman and Demarcus Robinson are both speed demons. Sammy Watkins can absolutely shred opposing defenses on a good day. Tight end Travis Kelce is the second-best overall tight end in the game and has four straight 1,000-plus-yard seasons.
As if the Chiefs weren’t dangerous enough, they went out and selected LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire at the end of Round 1 this past April. CEH is incredibly potent, both on the ground and through the air. He roasted SEC defenses last year to the tune of 1,867 yards and 17 touchdowns from scrimmage.
With Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy calling the shots, this offense is downright scary.
