In analyzing NFL rosters, it’s crucial to remember that everything is relative. It’s easy to claim that a team is “in good shape” or “loaded” at a specific position, but each unit is only as good as it is compared to the other 31 squads in the league.
Although this may seem obvious, the objective study of each group of players in the 32 franchises reveals surprising data. This is a project that is carried out every offseason, and has provided interesting information, including the potential for the rise of teams like the 2020 Buccaneers, the 2022 Eagles, and the 2023 Dolphins.
The following are the position rankings for all teams for the upcoming season, covering the 10 key groups in offense and defense. At the end, a weighted overall ranking is offered based on the importance of each position (for example, it is more crucial to be elite at the quarterback position than at running back). Brief overviews of the most outstanding and weakest units in each position are also included, as well as interesting groups to consider. It is important to note that these are rankings for 2025 and not long-term perspectives. Let’s start with the quarterbacks.Quarterback
Best: Baltimore Ravens
This choice may be controversial for some, but Lamar Jackson led all quarterbacks in QBR, ANY/A (adjusted net yards per pass attempt), and expected points added. Jackson has been All-Pro in the last two seasons and won the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award in 2019 and 2023. He was close to getting his second consecutive MVP last season, despite reaching career highs in passing yards (4,172) and passing touchdowns (41, tied for second in the league). The dual-threat quarterback has also never finished a season below second place among quarterbacks in rushing yards.
Cooper Rush is a solid backup.Weakest: New Orleans SaintsDerek Carr’s surprising retirement has left the Saints in rebuilding mode at the quarterback position. Second-round rookie Tyler Shough is the best bet to become a viable starter, and perhaps he is more prepared than most rookies, considering he is already 25 years old. Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener, who struggled when substituting for Carr last season, will also compete for the position.Team to follow: Minnesota Vikings
In addition to the Steelers, no team with a new starting quarterback has as much at stake as the Vikings in 2025. With a resurgent Sam Darnold at center in 2024, Minnesota was one of the best teams in the league, recording a regular season record of 14-3. The team’s core remains intact, which puts pressure on J.J. McCarthy, the first pick of the 2024 draft, to play at a high level or, at least, not mess things up.Runner
Best: Detroit Lions
The running back position is strong throughout the NFL, but it’s hard to find a better duo than Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Since they joined forces in 2023, the Lions’ running backs have produced the most yards (5,960) and touchdowns (57) in the league. That’s 718 yards and eight touchdowns more than any other team’s running backs. Gibbs led the NFL with 20 touchdowns in 2024, and Montgomery produced over 1,100 yards for the sixth consecutive season, despite missing three games.Weaker: Dallas CowboysThe running back position remained a low priority for Dallas this past offseason. Rico Dowdle left and Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, and third-round rookie Jaydon Blue came in. Williams has the highest ceiling, but the 25-year-old has struggled with efficiency since suffering an ACL tear in 2022. Sanders wasn’t a factor for two seasons in Carolina, although he showed some potential with 116 yards and two touchdowns in Week 18 last season. It’s very possible that Blue, selected in the fifth round, will see a considerable amount of playing time as a rookie.Team to follow: Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers revamped their running back group this offseason, replacing J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards with Najee Harris and first-round draft pick Omarion Hampton. Hampton is a big, tough runner with three-down ability, who looks set to immediately become the lead back. Harris has been reliable on early downs and a “yardage eater” in recent years (he’s the only running back who hasn’t missed a game in the last four seasons), although he doesn’t offer much as a receiver. His availability for the start of the season is still up in the air, as he hasn’t practiced since suffering an eye injury in a fireworks accident on July 4th.Open Receiver
Best: Cincinnati Bengals
There are several good options here, but few teams come close to competing with the Ja’Marr Chase/Tee Higgins pairing. Chase has been excellent since being drafted in 2021, and established himself as elite in 2024 with league highs in routes, targets, receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and end zone targets. He is the first player in league history to reach 1,700 receiving yards and 17 touchdown receptions in a single season. Higgins battled injuries last season, but still posted a 73-911-10 receiving line in 12 games. Second-year players Andrei Iosivas and Jermaine Burton provide depth.Weakest: Las Vegas RaidersJakobi Meyers (one of the 15 players with more than 800 receiving yards in each of the last four seasons) is as underrated as can be, but he simply doesn’t have much proven help. Tre Tucker, the Raiders’ third pick in 2023, is the other main veteran returning this season, but he wasn’t efficient last season. Despite ranking fourth among receivers in routes run last season, Tucker finished outside the top 50 in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. Las Vegas has some hope for improvement with rookies Jack Bech (second round), Dont’e Thornton Jr. (fourth) and Tommy Mellott (sixth).Team to follow: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A healthy Buccaneers receiving room would have merited the “best” title, but uncertainty surrounds the availability of Chris Godwin, who led the NFL in receptions before a season-ending injury in 2024. Of course, even if he misses time, this group looks to be top-notch. Mike Evans (1,000+ receiving yards in all 11 NFL seasons) is entering his age-32 campaign and seemingly hasn’t missed a beat. Jalen McMillan (a 2024 third-round pick) scored eight touchdowns in his last five games of 2024, and the team selected Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State with their first draft pick.Closed Wing
Best: Baltimore RavensA recent survey of league executives, coaches, and scouts resulted in Mark Andrews (sixth) and Isaiah Likely (eighth) being ranked among the top 10 tight ends. After a career-high 11 touchdowns last season, Andrews leads all tight ends in scoring since 2019 with 48. Likely’s usage has been limited by Andrews’ presence, but he is one of 17 tight ends with more than 30 receptions in each of the last three seasons. Likely underwent surgery in late July for a small foot fracture, but Baltimore has not ruled him out for Week 1.Weakest: New York JetsSecond-round rookie Mason Taylor could make this designation look foolish, but it’s very possible there will be a longer learning curve for the 21-year-old. Jason Taylor’s son will have a lot of pressure to perform, as the Jets’ backup options (Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt, and Zack Kuntz) haven’t made much of an impact in the pros.Team to follow: Miami Dolphins
Welcome back, Darren Waller. After ending his one-year retirement in July, Waller was traded to Miami as a replacement for Jonnu Smith. Once one of the best tight ends in the league, Waller is obviously a bit of a lottery ticket, as he is 32 years old and had durability issues when we last saw him (he hasn’t played more than 12 games in a season since 2020). Of course, with Julian Hill and Pharaoh Brown as his main competition, Waller has an easy path to snaps and targets in an offense that sees many double-coverage looks.Offensive Line
Best: Philadelphia Eagles
Another season, another elite Eagles offensive line. It starts with perhaps the best tackle duo in the league, Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. Mailata ranked among the best tackles in Pro Football Focus grading, pass block win rate, and run block win rate in both 2023 and 2024. Johnson is now 35, but hasn’t missed a beat, ranking among the top 10 tackles in pass and run block win rate last season. Cam Jurgens was solid as Jason Kelce’s replacement at center last season. Landon Dickerson is one of the best guards in the league, although he suffered a meniscus injury in his right knee in a preseason practice and is considered week-to-week. The only other concern is at right guard, as Matt Pryor and Tyler Steen are competing to replace Mekhi Becton.Weakest: Jacksonville JaguarsThe offensive line remains a massive problem area for the Jaguars and perhaps the worst situation in the NFL. Walker Little and Anton Harrison recorded poor pass-blocking success rate marks in the last two seasons and are expected to return as the team’s starting tackles. The interior will have a bit of a new look, as starting left guard Ezra Cleveland will be joined by newcomers at center Robert Hainsey and right guard Patrick Mekari. Perhaps third-round rookie Wyatt Milum will make an impact, but it’s hard to imagine this group making a big leap.Team to follow: Detroit Lions
Better in this category a year ago, the Lions will need to overcome some adversity this offseason. Detroit said goodbye to standout center Frank Ragnow (retirement) and right guard Kevin Zeitler (free agency) during the offseason. Graham Glasgow (last season’s starting left guard) is now a contender to start at center, leaving players like Christian Mahogany, a 2024 sixth-round pick, second-round rookie Tate Ratledge, Trystan Colon, and Kayode Awosika as the main contenders to start at the two guard positions.Interior Defensive Line
Best: Seattle Seahawks
A contender for this honor a year ago, the Seahawks are still stacked up front with Leonard Williams leading the way. Williams still plays at a superstar level at 31 years old, as he led interior linemen with 11 sacks and ranked fourth with 35 pass wins last season. Jarran Reed (4.5 sacks in 2024) and Johnathan Hankins are also back. And the first-round pick of 2024, Byron Murphy II, is a candidate for a second-year leap after a solid performance as a rookie.Weaker: San Francisco 49ersMaliek Collins and Javon Hargrave signed elsewhere this offseason, and the 49ers’ only impact additions were draft picks Alfred Collins (second round) and CJ West (fourth). Jordan Elliott (a rotational player) tops the depth chart, and Kevin Givens, Evan Anderson, and Kalia Davis played less than 30% of the team’s defensive snaps last season. The 49ers plan to add more help and/or move Yetur Gross-Matos and Sam Okuayinonu inside more often.Team to follow: Arizona Cardinals
A clear weakness for Arizona last season has suddenly become its greatest strength. After finishing 2024 ranked 28th and 20th in pass success rate (33.3%) and run success rate (29.8%), respectively, Arizona now has serious talent and potential up front. Veteran standouts Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell were signed to anchor the interior, with recent first-round picks Darius Robinson (2024) and Walter Nolen III (2025) adding potential. Starters Justin Jones, L.J. Collier, Dante Stills, and Bilal Nichols will compete for depth roles.Battleship
Best: Pittsburgh Steelers
T.J. Watt has been All-Pro in each of his last five healthy seasons and holds an NFL record of 108 sacks since entering the league in 2017 (only he and Myles Garrett have more than 83). Teammate Alex Highsmith missed six games last season, but remained a full-time player when healthy; his 33.5 sacks in the last four seasons rank 16th in the league. Nick Herbig (5.5 sacks in 13 games) was also fantastic in an expanded role.Weakest: Washington CommandersDante Fowler Jr., who led the Commanders in sacks (10.5) and pass wins (37) last season, signed with Dallas in free agency. Little was done to replace him, with journeymen Deatrich Wise Jr., Von Miller, 36, and Jacob Martin brought in to join Dorance Armstrong and Clelin Ferrell. The versatile Frankie Luvu (the only player on the roster who had more than six sacks last season) will again be key to Washington’s pass rush.Team to follow: New York Giants
