NFL's top 10 offenses: Chiefs, Ravens pulling away from pack

Analysis

NFL's top 10 offenses: Chiefs, Ravens pulling away from pack

Published: May 05, 2020 at 03:41 PM

Chris Wesseling

Around The 小蓝视频Podcast Co-Host

Now more than ever, it's a young man's game at quarterback. At just over 23 years and four months,听听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,听听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听, Dallas'听, Philadelphia's听听and Arizona's听听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.

听suffered through the worst season of his legendary career.听听was outplayed by his backup's backup in the season-ending loss to the听.听听barely staved off a midseason benching for听. Eli Manning was finally tapped on the shoulder.听听lasted just two games before an elbow injury sent him to the operating table.

As I survey the landscape of 小蓝视频offenses this offseason, I see the听听补苍诲听听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 小蓝视频offenses.

THE TOP FIVE

1) Kansas City Chiefs

Quarterback: A+听触听,听,听

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听听are the envy of the league at the game's most important position. We have to go back to听' 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-听触听,听,听,听

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听听and Priest Holmes. Throw in听听hero Williams and former听听scat back Washington, and this backfield is deep and multi-faceted compared to last year's edition.

Receiving corps: A+听触听,听听(罢贰),听,听,听,听听(罢贰)

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听听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听触听,听,听,听,听,听,听Martinas Rankin,听

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+听触听,听,听

Defensive coaches around the league are brainstorming new tactics to slow the reigning MVP, perhaps clinging to the听' 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+听触听,听,听,听

罢丑别听听aren't resting on their laurels after boasting one of the most unstoppable rushing attacks the 小蓝视频has ever seen. As if their three-headed backfield hydra wasn't scary enough, they landed Ohio State star听, 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听触听Mark Andrews听(罢贰),听,听,听,听,听,听,听听(罢贰)

Andrews' emergence as a听听tight end and Jackson's go-to target enabled the听听to deal former first-round pick听Hayden Hurst听to Atlanta for valuable draft capital. Brown streaked out of the gates as a听听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+听触听,听,听,听,听Orlando Brown,听,听,听,听

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-听触听,听,听

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听听in their听, 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-听触听,听,听,听听闯谤.

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听's vacancy as the power-back complement.

Receiving Corps: A听触听,听,听听(罢贰),听Tre'Quan Smith,听听(罢贰),听,听听(罢贰)

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听听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听触听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

Having assembled a deep, balanced roster, the听听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听, 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听听肠补苍诲颈诲补迟别蝉.

4) Dallas Cowboys

Quarterback: A-听触听,听,听

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听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-听触听,听,听,听

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-听触听,听Michael Gallup,听,听听(罢贰),听,听Dalton Schultz听(罢贰)

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听听have shelled out $20 million per year for a new contract if they had an inkling that Lamb --听听-- 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听's leadership, but Jarwin is a more athletic pass catcher with better run-after-catch skills.

Offensive line: B+听触听,听Connor Williams,听,听,听La'el Collins,听,听

Between center Travis Frederick's retirement and left guard听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听触听,听,听

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-听触听Ronald Jones,听Ke'Shawn Vaughn,听,听

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听听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听. 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+听触听,听,听听(罢贰),听听(罢贰),听听(罢贰),听,听,听Justin Watson

There were weeks last season when Evans made a run at听听谤别肠辞谤诲-产谤别补办别谤听听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听听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听听补苍诲听听in the AFC Championship Game and听听尝滨滨滨.

Offensive line: B-听触听,听,听,听Alex Cappa,听,听,听

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.