2025 NFL positional group rankings: Finest, worst crew items

When analyzing NFL rosters, it is vital to do not forget that it is all relative. It is easy to say a crew is in “fine condition” or “loaded” at a selected place, however every unit is simply nearly as good as it’s relative to the league’s 31 different groups.

Which may seem to be frequent sense, however you would be shocked what you possibly can be taught by sitting down and objectively grading and/or rating every positional unit of all 32 groups. It is a mission I’ve accomplished every offseason, which has led to many fascinating revelations, together with the doubtless breakouts of groups such because the 2020 Buccaneers, 2022 Eagles and 2023 Dolphins.

Listed here are position-by-position unit rankings for all 32 groups this season masking the ten key offensive and defensive teams. On the finish is an total rating weighted based mostly on positional significance (for instance, it is extra essential to be elite at quarterback than at working again). I additionally included transient outlooks on the most effective and shakiest items at every place in addition to intriguing teams price maintaining a tally of. Observe that these are 2025 rankings relatively than long-term outlooks.

Let’s have a look, beginning at quarterback.

Soar to:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL
DT | Edge | LB | CB | S
General outlook

Quarterback

This shall be controversial to some, however Lamar Jackson led all quarterbacks in QBR, ANY/A (adjusted web yards per passing try) and anticipated factors added. Jackson has been an All-Professional for the previous two seasons and received the NFL MVP in 2019 and 2023. He fell simply in need of his second consecutive MVP final season regardless of profession highs in passing yards (4,172) and passing touchdowns (41, tied for second within the league). The twin-threat quarterback has by no means completed a season decrease than second amongst QBs in dashing yards, too. Former Cowboys QB Cooper Rush makes for a strong backup.

Derek Carr’s sudden retirement has left the Saints in rebuild mode beneath middle. Second-round rookie Tyler Shough is the most effective wager to emerge as a viable starter, and maybe he’ll be extra pro-ready than most first-years contemplating he is already 25. Latest Day 3 fliers Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener, who each struggled in aid of Carr final season, may even compete for the gig.

Apart from maybe the Steelers, no crew with a brand new beginning QB has as a lot on the road because the Vikings in 2025. With a revived Sam Darnold beneath middle in 2024, Minnesota was one of many league’s finest groups, posting a 14-3 regular-season report. The core of the crew stays in place, which places stress on 2024 first-round decide J.J. McCarthy to play at a excessive stage or at the very least not mess issues up.

Operating again

The working again place is robust throughout the NFL, however it’s laborious to discover a higher duo than Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. For the reason that two teamed up in 2023, Lions RBs have produced a league-high 5,960 yards and 57 touchdowns. That is 718 extra yards and eight extra touchdowns than every other crew’s RBs. Gibbs led the NFL with 20 TDs in 2024, and Montgomery produced 1,100-plus yards for the sixth season in a row regardless of lacking three video games.

Operating again remained a low-priority place for Dallas this previous offseason. Out is Rico Dowdle and in are Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders and Day 3 rookie Jaydon Blue. Williams has the best ceiling, however the 25-year-old has struggled badly with effectivity since tearing his proper ACL in 2022. Sanders was a nonfactor throughout two seasons in Carolina, although he confirmed some juice with 116 yards and two touchdowns in Week 18 final season. It’s totally attainable fifth-rounder Blue sees some critical run as a rookie.

The Chargers revamped their RB room this offseason, changing J.Ok. Dobbins and Gus Edwards with Najee Harris and first-round decide Omarion Hampton. Hampton is an enormous, powerful again with three-down means who figures to instantly slide in because the lead runner. Harris has been dependable on early downs and an innings eater lately (he is the one tailback to not miss a recreation over the previous 4 seasons), although he would not supply a lot as a receiver. His availability for the beginning of the season remains to be up within the air, as he hasn’t practiced since sustaining an eye fixed harm in a fireworks mishap on July 4.

Vast receiver

There are a number of good choices right here, however few groups come near competing with the Ja’Marr Chase/Tee Higgins pairing. Chase has been nice since being drafted in 2021, and he cemented himself as elite in 2024 with league highs in routes, targets, receptions, receiving yards, receiving TDs and finish zone targets. He is the primary participant in league historical past to succeed in each 1,700 receiving yards and 17 landing catches in a single season. Higgins battled accidents final season, however he nonetheless posted a 73-911-10 receiving line in 12 video games. Andrei Iosivas and second-year Jermaine Burton present depth.

Jakobi Meyers (one in every of 15 gamers with 800-plus receiving yards every of the previous 4 seasons) is as underrated as they arrive, however he merely would not have a lot confirmed assist. Tre Tucker, the Raiders’ 2023 third-round decide, is the opposite prime veteran returning this season, however he wasn’t environment friendly final season. Regardless of rating fourth amongst receivers in routes run final season, Tucker completed outdoors the highest 50 in catches, yards and TDs. Las Vegas does have some hope for enchancment with rookies Jack Bech (second spherical), Dont’e Thornton Jr. (fourth) and Tommy Mellott (sixth).

A wholesome Bucs WR room would’ve earned the nod for “finest,” however there’s uncertainty surrounding the supply of Chris Godwin, who led the NFL in receptions earlier than a season-ending harm in 2024. In fact, even when he sit outs time, this has the look of a top-end group. Mike Evans (1,000-plus receiving yards in all 11 NFL seasons) is coming into his age-32 marketing campaign and seemingly hasn’t misplaced a step. Jalen McMillan (a 2024 third-round decide) scored eight TDs in his last 5 video games of 2024, and the crew chosen Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka with its first-round decide.

Tight finish

A latest survey of league executives, coaches and scouts resulted in Mark Andrews (sixth) and Isaiah Possible (eighth) each rating among the many prime 10 tight ends. After a career-high 11 touchdowns final season, Andrews leads all tight ends in scores since 2019 with 48. Possible’s utilization has been restricted by Andrews’ presence, however he is one in every of 17 tight ends with 30-plus catches every of the previous three seasons. Possible had surgical procedure on the finish of July for a small fracture in his foot, however Baltimore hasn’t dominated him out enjoying in Week 1.

Second-round rookie Mason Taylor might make this designation look silly, however there very effectively could possibly be a lengthier studying curve right here for the 21-year-old. Jason Taylor’s son can have lots of stress to ship, because the Jets’ fallback choices (Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt and Zack Kuntz) have not made a lot of an impression within the execs.

Welcome again, Darren Waller. After ending his one-year retirement in July, Waller was traded to Miami because the crew’s alternative for Jonnu Smith. As soon as one of many league’s prime tight ends, Waller is clearly a little bit of a lottery ticket since he is 32 and struggled with sturdiness after we final noticed him (he hasn’t performed greater than 12 video games in a season since 2020). In fact, with Julian Hill and Pharaoh Brown as his prime competitors, Waller has a straightforward path to snaps and targets in an offense that sees a ton of two-high appears.

Offensive line

One other season, one other elite Eagles offensive line. It begins with arguably the league’s prime deal with duo of Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. Mailata ranked among the many prime tackles in Professional Soccer Focus grade, cross block win charge and run block win charge in each 2023 and 2024. Johnson is now 35 however hasn’t misplaced a step, rating prime 10 amongst tackles in cross and run block win charge final season. Cam Jurgens was strong as Jason Kelce’s alternative at middle final season. Landon Dickerson is among the league’s finest guards, although he sustained a meniscus harm to his proper knee in a preseason apply and is taken into account week to week. The one different concern is at proper guard, as Matt Pryor and Tyler Steen are amongst these competing to exchange Mekhi Becton.

Offensive line stays a large downside space for the Jaguars and maybe the worst state of affairs within the NFL. Walker Little and Anton Harrison each posted poor cross block win charge marks up to now two seasons and are anticipated to be again because the crew’s beginning tackles. The inside can have a little bit of a brand new look, as incumbent left guard Ezra Cleveland shall be joined by newcomers in middle Robert Hainsey and proper guard Patrick Mekari. Maybe third-round rookie Wyatt Milum will make an impression, however it’s laborious to think about this group making a lot of a leap.

Finest on this class one 12 months in the past, the Lions might want to overcome some adversity this offseason. Detroit stated goodbye to standout middle Frank Ragnow (retirement) and proper guard Kevin Zeitler (free company) through the offseason. Graham Glasgow (final season’s beginning left guard) is now a contender to begin at middle, leaving the likes of 2024 sixth-rounder Christian Mahogany, second-round rookie Tate Ratledge, Trystan Colon and Kayode Awosika as the highest contenders to begin on the two guard spots.

Inside line of defense

A contender for this honor one 12 months in the past, the Seahawks stay stacked up entrance with Leonard Williams main the way in which. Williams remains to be enjoying at a celebrity stage at 31, as he led all inside linemen with 11 sacks and ranked fourth with 35 cross rush wins final season. Jarran Reed (4.5 sacks in 2024) and Johnathan Hankins are additionally again. And 2024 first-round decide Byron Murphy II is a candidate for a second-year leap after a strong rookie displaying.

Maliek Collins and Javon Hargrave signed elsewhere this offseason, and the 49ers’ solely impression additions have been draft picks Alfred Collins (second spherical) and CJ West (fourth). Jordan Elliott (a rotational participant) tops the depth chart, and Kevin Givens, Evan Anderson and Kalia Davis all performed lower than 30% of the crew’s defensive snaps final season. The 49ers determine so as to add extra assist and/or transfer Yetur Gross-Matos and Sam Okuayinonu inside extra typically.

A transparent weak point for Arizona final season has abruptly change into its greatest power. After ending 2024 ranked twenty eighth and twentieth in cross rush win charge (33.3%) and run cease win charge (29.8%), respectively, Arizona now has critical expertise and potential up entrance. Standout veterans Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell have been signed to anchor the inside, with latest first-round picks Darius Robinson (2024) and Walter Nolen III (2025) including upside. Incumbents Justin Jones, L.J. Collier, Dante Stills and Bilal Nichols will compete for depth roles.

Edge rusher

T.J. Watt has been an All-Professional in every of his previous 5 wholesome seasons and has an NFL-high 108 sacks since coming into the league in 2017 (solely he and Myles Garrett have greater than 83). Operating mate Alex Highsmith sat out six video games final season however remained a full-time participant when wholesome; his 33.5 sacks over the previous 4 seasons rank sixteenth within the league. Nick Herbig (5.5 sacks in 13 video games) additionally was terrific in an expanded function.

Dante Fowler Jr., who led the Commanders in sacks (10.5) and cross rush wins (37) final season, signed with Dallas in free company. Little was accomplished to exchange him, with journeymen Deatrich Smart Jr., 36-year-old Von Miller and Jacob Martin introduced in to affix Dorance Armstrong and Clelin Ferrell. Versatile Frankie Luvu (the one participant on the roster who had greater than six sacks final season) will as soon as once more be key to Washington’s cross rush.

The Giants have a robust case for the highest spot on this class. Brian Burns sits seventh within the NFL with 54.5 sacks since coming into the league in 2019, whereas Kayvon Thibodeaux ranks twenty first with 17 over the previous two seasons. And as if that is not sufficient, New York used the No. 3 decide this 12 months on Abdul Carter. It is extraordinarily uncommon for a crew to have three first-round picks on the identical place, however New York will definitely get artistic to find methods to maintain all three busy this season.

Off-ball linebacker

With Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu again, the Commanders tempo this class for the second 12 months in a row. Wagner is coming into his age-35 season, however he ranked within the prime 10 amongst off-ball LBs in cross rush wins, tackles for loss and QB hits final season. Luvu is the one NFL participant with 250-plus tackles and 20-plus sacks over the previous three seasons (335 and 21, respectively). The duo mixed to play 98.2% of Washington’s defensive snaps in 2024.

Not often a precedence for Sean McVay’s Rams, this place stays an space of concern, particularly following Christian Rozeboom‘s departure. Profession situational participant Troy Reeder was vaulted into an every-down function early in 2024 earlier than a hamstring harm ended his season in Week 7. He is again and can compete with veteran newcomer Nate Landman, 2024 UDFA Omar Speights and maybe fifth-round rookie Chris Paul Jr. for substantial work this season.

GM Howie Roseman and the Tremendous Bowl champion Eagles hit an absolute residence run after they signed Zack Baun to a one-year flier final offseason. After totaling 88 tackles in 4 seasons of being misused in New Orleans, Baun registered 150 tackles (sixth most within the NFL) in 2024 and was awarded a three-year, $51 million extension. Baun is the principle man on this unit, however his working mate (at the very least within the brief time period) is to be decided. Each Nakobe Dean (recovering from a knee harm) and 2025 first-round decide Jihaad Campbell (recovering from shoulder surgical procedure) could possibly be restricted or sit out time to open the season. Latest fifth-round picks Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon Jr. add depth.

Cornerback

Even after shedding Brandon Stephens to the Jets throughout free company, the Ravens remained in strong form at cornerback because of one of many league’s finest duos in Marlon Humphrey and 2024 first-round decide Nate Wiggins. Baltimore then went from “strong” to “nice” when it signed Jaire Alexander in June. Alexander struggled with accidents throughout his time in Inexperienced Bay, however he has remained an elite participant when wholesome. With Wiggins and Alexander outdoors, Humphrey within the slot and veteran Chidobe Awuzie providing high quality depth, the Ravens are loaded at nook.

Kendall Fuller and Jalen Ramsey — Miami’s prime perimeter corners in 2024 — each departed this offseason, and the crew made minimal efforts to exchange them. Artie Burns was initially the lone notable veteran signing, whereas fifth-rounder Jason Marshall Jr. was the one draft funding. However now, Burns and Kader Kohou are accomplished for the season due to torn ACL accidents. That leaves the likes of 31-year-old Mike Hilton, Jack Jones, Storm Duck and Cam Smith because the crew’s prime choices at nook.

The Jaguars are set to return all three of their prime corners from 2024 — Tyson Campbell, Montaric Brown and slot Jarrian Jones — however the trio can have considerably extra competitors for work in 2025. In fact, the large wild card is No. 2 decide Travis Hunter, who is anticipated to focus totally on large receiver. The Jaguars additionally added standout slot CB Jourdan Lewis and invested a third-round decide in Caleb Ransaw. Their cross protection needs to be significantly better than the group that allowed an AFC-worst 61.2 QBR final season.

Security

Detroit has shaped the league’s prime security duo by hitting on a pair of latest Day 2 draft picks. Kerby Joseph (2022 third-rounder) has been an every-down participant since coming into the league, and he took his recreation to the subsequent stage final season. Brian Department (2023 second-rounder) wasn’t far behind, which was a powerful feat as he transitioned from a hybrid slot/security function as a rookie to extra of a distinguished security function in 2024.

Jeremy Chinn (who led the Washington secondary in snaps final season) is gone and is ready to get replaced by 30-year-old Will Harris. The ex-Lion and Saint will work reverse 2024 starter Quan Martin, with Percy Butler returning as competitors. None of those gamers have posted a high quality Professional Soccer Focus grade in latest seasons, and Washington didn’t put money into the place throughout April’s draft.

Xavier McKinney was a residence run acquisition final offseason, because the ex-Big produced eight interceptions (second most within the NFL) and earned his first All-Professional bid. And 2024 draft choices Javon Bullard (second spherical) and Evan Williams (fourth) every performed substantial roles as rookies and needs to be featured closely in a protection that leans on three-safety appears.

General

It is no secret the Ravens have but to earn a Tremendous Bowl look within the Lamar Jackson period, however that very effectively might change this season. Baltimore has maybe its finest roster on paper because it received Tremendous Bowl XLVII. Jackson is clearly the large difference-maker, however he has a ton of assist on the talent positions (together with Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews and newcomer DeAndre Hopkins) and on the offensive line (led by Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum).

The Ravens’ protection, which has ranked within the prime 5 leaguewide in sacks every of the previous three seasons, returns 10 of its prime 11 snap-getters from 2024 (together with stars Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey, Roquan Smith, Kyle Van Noy and Nnamdi Madubuike). They added potential impression gamers in star nook Jaire Alexander, first-round decide Malaki Starks and second-round decide Mike Inexperienced.

Derek Carr’s retirement cemented this one, as New Orleans’ quarterback state of affairs most likely shall be fairly poor (the hit charge of non-first-round QBs, particularly as rookies, may be very low). In fact, it is not simply in regards to the quarterback. Alvin Kamara is now 30 years previous; Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed have some uncertainty after each sat out most of final season due to accidents; and we would not even see Taysom Hill, who’s rehabbing a torn ACL at age 35. The Erik McCoy-led offensive line could possibly be serviceable, however it relies on the event and development of 4 latest first-round picks, together with rookie left deal with Kelvin Banks Jr.

The protection has just a few brilliant spots (Carl Granderson, Chase Younger, Justin Reid, Demario Davis and Cameron Jordan), however the latter two are each 36. There are additionally large considerations up entrance and at nook. Until Tyler Shough proves to be a second-round gem, New Orleans is perhaps choosing its franchise QB with the primary decide of the 2026 draft.

It is easy to overlook contemplating how the Lions’ season ended (45-31 playoff loss to the Commanders), however they have been dominant on either side of the ball within the common season. By means of Week 12, their protection ranked first in EPA. Then the accidents began to pile up, and so they fell to twenty ninth for the remainder of the season.

A return to well being on protection would be the key to getting that unit again into the “elite” dialogue. Celebrity Aidan Hutchinson‘s comeback is clearly large, and he leads a superb entrance seven that features DJ Reader, first-round decide Tyleik Williams, Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone and Alim McNeill (nonetheless rehabbing from a torn ACL). D.J. Reed was an impression signing as Terrion Arnold‘s working mate at nook, and people two be part of the terrific Brian Department/Kerby Joseph duo within the secondary.

An elite Lions offense that ranked within the prime 5 in EPA for the previous three seasons stays intact, with a strong QB (Jared Goff), good cross catchers (Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta), the aforementioned elite RB duo and an excellent offensive line (together with tackles Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell to assist offset the inside uncertainty). The Eagles have one thing to say about it, however the Lions definitely have a case because the NFC’s finest crew on paper.