NFL rosters are all relative, which is something that's often overlooked when analyzing them. It's easy to say a team is in "good shape" or "loaded" at a particular position, but the fact is each unit is only as good as it is relative to the league's other 31 teams.
That might seem like common sense, but you'd be surprised what you can learn and how your opinions are adjusted by actually sitting down and objectively (to the best of your ability) grading and/or ranking each positional unit of all 32 teams. This is a project I've done (and kept updated) each of the past several offseasons, which has led to several interesting revelations, including the likely breakouts of teams such as the 2016 Raiders, 2017 Chargers, 2017 Jaguars, 2017 Eagles and 2018 Browns.
Here are position-by-position unit rankings for all 32 teams for the 2020 season, covering the 10 key offensive and defensive positions. At the end, an overall ranking is shown, which is a weighted consensus based on positional importance (being elite at quarterback is obviously more important than being elite at running back, for example). Also included for each position is a brief outlook on the best and shakiest units, as well as one unit on the rise and one lower-ranked but intriguing unit worth keeping a close eye on. Note that these are 2020 rankings, not long-term outlooks.
Jump to:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL
DT | EDGE | LB | CB | S
Overall outlook
QUARTERBACK UNITS
Best: Kansas City Chiefs
League MVP? Check. Super Bowl MVP? Check. Highest-paid player in league history? Check. A 99 rating in Madden? Check. You get it. In only two full NFL seasons, Patrick Mahomes has a résumé few quarterbacks manage for a career. He's the best in the business.
Shakiest: Chicago Bears
This might seem low for a team with two veteran starters, but the issue here is that we know what we're getting with Nick Foles and Mitchell Trubisky. And what we're getting is underwhelming, inconsistent and perhaps poor efficiency. Trubisky struggled to a 6.1 yards per attempt last season and probably will be replaced by Foles, 31, who hasn't played more than seven games in a season since 2015 and was benched in favor of sixth-round rookie Gardner Minshew II in Jacksonville last season.
On the rise: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
There's no other right answer for this category after Tampa Bay signed six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. Granted he's now 43 years old and coming off one of his worst seasons, but Brady remains effective and should significantly improve an offense that had to overcome 30 interceptions by Jameis Winston last season (Brady has thrown a combined 29 over the past four seasons).
Unit to watch: Denver Broncos
Drew Lock is one of the biggest X factors in the league this season. Denver's Vic Fangio-led defense is loaded, and GM John Elway has added a full arsenal of weapons for Lock in his second season. If the 2019 second-round pick proves a capable NFL starter, Denver will cruise to a playoff berth. If not, the Broncos will be looking elsewhere for a QB next offseason.
RUNNING BACK UNITS
Best: Cleveland Browns
Cleveland has the league's best one-two punch with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Chubb ranks first in yards per carry (5.1) and second in yards after first contact (2.3) since he was drafted in 2018, whereas Hunt posted a 37-285-1 receiving line in eight games following a suspension to begin the 2019 season.
Shakiest: Chicago Bears
This is one of the situations where "it's all relative" really comes into play. Could David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen put together a solid or exceptional season? Absolutely. However, it's not hard to identify more proven and effective backs on the other 31 rosters. Montgomery underwhelmed on 267 touches as a third-round rookie last season, whereas Cohen posted atrocious yardage numbers on a per-carry (3.3) and per-target (4.4) basis. Furthermore, Chicago's depth is also arguably weakest in the league.
On the rise: Kansas City Chiefs
Running backs have had a ton of success during Andy Reid's time as an NFL head coach and yet Clyde Edwards-Helaire is the first a Reid regime has selected in the first round of the draft. Armed with elite elusiveness, tackle-breaking ability and receiving chops, "CEH" is built for Reid's scheme. Following Damien Williams' opt out, the rookie will head a group that also includes Darwin Thompson, DeAndre Washington and Darrel Williams.
Unit to watch: Washington
This group is very intriguing, as it's absolutely loaded with depth and pedigree. Bryce Love (remember him?) and Antonio Gibson were among the team's recent middle-round draft picks, and both sport a high ceiling. Adrian Peterson, Peyton Barber and passing-down specialist J.D. McKissic are veteran options.
WIDE RECEIVER UNITS
Best: Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys entered April's draft with one of the league's best, young WR duos in Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. They now have the league's best trio after selecting arguably the best of this year's loaded class, CeeDee Lamb, with the 17th overall pick. New head coach Mike McCarthy relied heavily on three-WR sets in Green Bay, so expect to see this trio on the field on nearly every play this season.
Shakiest: Washington
Terry McLaurin was a gem find in the third round of the 2019 draft, but this group is otherwise loaded with questions, especially after Kelvin Harmon landed on IR. The likes of rookie Antonio Gandy-Golden, Steven Sims Jr., Trey Quinn, Dontrelle Inman and Cody Latimer (who could be facing a suspension) will compete for No. 2 and 3 duties.
On the rise: Arizona Cardinals
You might have heard that Arizona fleeced Houston into trading them one of the league's best wide receivers (DeAndre Hopkins) in exchange for a 28-year-old backup RB (David Johnson) during the offseason. Hopkins joins Christian Kirk and Larry Fitzgerald in the starting lineup, but that's not where the story ends. The Cardinals drafted Andy Isabella (second round), Hakeem Butler (fourth) and KeeSean Johnson (sixth) in the 2019 draft, and all are candidates for a leap in their second seasons.
Unit to watch: New England Patriots
One of the most intriguing storylines entering 2020 revolves around how the New England offense will perform without Brady. One of the positions sure to be affected is wide receiver. Can 34-year-old Julian Edelman produce his fifth 90-plus catch season? Will 2019 first-round pick N'Keal Harry's growth be stunted by the change? Will Mohamed Sanu Sr. emerge as a reliable weapon after New England traded a second-round pick for him last season? Will Jakobi Meyers or Damiere Byrd work into the equation? Time will tell.
TIGHT END UNITS
Best: Philadelphia Eagles
Doug Pederson has been the head coach in Philadelphia for four seasons. His TE units have ranked no lower than second in routes, targets, receptions and yardage each of those four campaigns. We should anticipate another similar season in 2020 with veteran Zach Ertz and third-year Dallas Goedert returning to the fold.
Shakiest: Washington
The hits keep coming for Washington. Injury-plagued Jordan Reed is gone, and ol' reliable Vernon Davis retired. That leaves the team with 2017 fifth-round pick Jeremy Sprinkle and 29-year-old converted QB Logan Thomas atop the depth chart. Hale Hentges, Richard Rodgers and undrafted Thaddeus Moss (Randy's son) are also in the mix.
On the rise: Cleveland Browns
A third-round pick in 2016, Austin Hooper progressively improved into one of the league's top two-way tight ends during his four seasons in Atlanta. He was rewarded with a four-year, $44 million contract with Cleveland during the offseason. Hooper will lead a depth chart that also includes 2017 first-round pick David Njoku and 2020 fourth-rounder Harrison Bryant.
Unit to watch: New York Jets
Adam Gase's offenses haven't been particularly kind to the tight end position, but he managed to resurrect the career of Ryan Griffin (34-320-5 receiving line) last season, and he'll have Chris Herndon back in the fold in 2020. Herndon missed all but 16 snaps because of injury in 2019, but he impressed as a fourth-round rookie in 2018 with his 9.0 yards per target, fourth among rookie tight ends since 2007.
OFFENSIVE LINE UNITS
Best: Indianapolis Colts
The Colts will return their same quintet from 2019, with Anthony Castonzo and Braden Smith at tackle, Quenton Nelson and Mark Glowinski at guard and Ryan Kelly at center. All but Glowinski posted an above-average Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade and ESPN pass block win rate last season. Depth is the only concern here, as none of the team's backups played a single snap in 2019.
Shakiest: Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati's offensive line was one of the league's worst in 2019, and there's little hope it will be significantly better this season. Michael Jordan, Xavier Su'a-Filo and Billy Price are among those competing at guard, with Trey Hopkins returning at center. Bobby Hart has predictably struggled at right tackle and might lose his job to Fred Johnson. The only reason for some sliver of optimism is the return of 2019 first-round pick Jonah Williams, who will slot in at left tackle.
On the rise: Cleveland Browns
One of the least-discussed topics of 2019 Browns' hype season was the team's massive hole at the offensive tackle position. It proved problematic, which led to Cleveland signing one of the league' best right tackles, Jack Conklin, and spending a first-round pick on LT Jedrick Wills Jr. Those two will team up with a strong interior line that includes Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter and Wyatt Teller. All four veterans were either above average or elite in both PFF grade and pass block win rate last season.
Unit to watch: New York Jets
Quarterback Sam Darnold was pressured on a league-high 28% of his dropbacks, and running back Le'Veon Bell had to deal with a horrific 1.63 yards before contact last season. In turn, GM Joe Douglas cleaned house along the offensive line during the offseason, positioning the improved unit with five new starters compared to Week 1 of 2019. Mekhi Becton was drafted in the first round to man left tackle, and George Fant (RT), Connor McGovern (C), Greg Van Roten (G) were signed as potential new starters. The overhauled line is far from perfect but is a major improvement from 2019.
INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE UNITS
Best: Philadelphia Eagles
We know GM Howie Roseman and the Eagles prioritize defensive line play, and we saw that on display during free agency when they signed standout Javon Hargrave to a three-year, $39 million contract. The 27-year-old joins one of the league's best in Fletcher Cox and Malik Jackson (who signed a three-year, $30 million deal last offseason prior to an injury-marred season) to form an elite trio at defensive tackle.
Shakiest: Minnesota Vikings
Offseason signing Michael Pierce -- the expected replacement for Linval Joseph -- has opted out for the 2020 season, which leaves Minnesota in rough shape in the trenches. The likes of Jaleel Johnson, Armon Watts, Hercules Mata'afa, Jalyn Holmes and Shamar Stephen are Minnesota's top veteran options, and a lot figures to be asked of fourth-round rookie James Lynch.
On the rise: Cincinnati Bengals
D.J. Reader is far from a household name, but the big man emerged as one of the league's best defensive tackles after Houston selected him in the fifth round of the 2016 draft. Reader signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Bengals during the offseason and teams up with 2010s All-Decade Team member Geno Atkins.
Unit to watch: Los Angeles Chargers
Defensive tackle has been a problem area for the Chargers for several seasons, but the team is hoping the signing of 31-year-old Linval Joseph will be Step 1 in the road to recovery. There's plenty of pedigree behind him in the form of 2019 first-round pick Jerry Tillery and 2018 third-rounder Justin Jones, though both remain unproven commodities.
EDGE RUSHER UNITS
Best: San Francisco 49ers
Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and Dee Ford combine to form the league's best edge rushing trio. Bosa and Armstead combined for 19.0 sacks and 105 pass-rush wins during the 2019 regular season (plus 6.0 sacks and 21 more wins during three playoff games). Armstead might get more run inside this season with DeForest Buckner gone, but the 49ers figure to get more out of Ford, who was limited to only 27% of the defensive snaps in his first season with the team. Ronald Blair also returns after sustaining a torn ACL in Week 10 last season, and Dion Jordan and Kerry Hyder were signed for depth.
Shakiest: Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles' top-two edge rushers from 2019, Dante Fowler Jr. and Clay Matthews, are gone, leaving Bears castoff Leonard Floyd, returning veterans Samson Ebukam and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, and third-round rookie Terrell Lewis to hold down the fort. Fowler and Matthews combined for 19.5 sacks and 90 pass-rush wins on 714 pass-rush attempts last season, compared to 9.0 sacks and 48 wins on 691 tries for Floyd, Ebukam and Okoronkwo.
On the rise: Washington
Entering April's draft, Washington already had a decent edge rushing duo in place in the form of standout veteran Ryan Kerrigan and 2019 first-round pick Montez Sweat. The team then added a third former first-round pick to the mix with No. 2 overall pick Chase Young. The 21-year-old is one of the best edge rushing prospects to enter the league in quite a while and figures to immediately upgrade the Washington defense.
Unit to watch: Seattle Seahawks
Seattle's defense has trended the wrong direction in recent seasons, and an inability to create sacks was a major culprit in 2019 (28 team sacks ranked 29th). Bruce Irvin (now 33 years old) and Benson Mayowa were signed during the offseason after combining for 15.5 sacks in 2019. That will help, but the key here will be the progress of 2018 third-round pick Rasheem Green, 2019 first-round pick L.J. Collier and 2020 second-round pick Darrell Taylor.
OFF-THE-BALL LINEBACKER UNITS
Best: Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle defense is led by Bobby Wagner, who has managed at least 100 tackles (134.1 average) each of the past eight seasons. Wagner is now 30, and his counterpart K.J. Wright is 31, but Seattle cemented its strong LB room when it spent a first-round pick on Jordyn Brooks in April's draft. Add 2019 midround picks Cody Barton and Ben Burr-Kirven to the mix, and you have both quality and depth.
Shakiest: Los Angeles Rams
The Rams had a rough offseason, and one of their biggest losses was every-down LB Cory Littleton. Littleton has played 95% of the team's defensive snaps over the past two seasons; the Rams' next-closest off-ball LB in terms of snaps played last season was undrafted Troy Reeder with 288 (Littleton played 993). Reeder is back after a rough rookie season and he'll be joined by 2018 mid-to-late-round picks Micah Kiser, Travin Howard and Kenny Young in a competition for snaps. Expect to see a lot of three-safety looks from the Rams.
On the rise: Las Vegas Raiders
This unit got a major makeover during the offseason, with aforementioned Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski signed to handle a bulk of the snaps. The veteran duo combined for 202 tackles and 6.5 sacks with the Rams and Bears, respectively, last season. They'll be joined by fellow newcomer Tanner Muse, a third-round rookie.
Unit to watch: San Francisco 49ers
A midrange grade for this unit might seem low, but Kwon Alexander, who landed a four-year, $54 million contract last offseason, has struggled with injuries and effectiveness the past two seasons. On the other hand, Fred Warner was a solid find on Day 2 of the 2018 draft, and 2019 fifth-rounder Dre Greenlaw impressed as a rookie. This is a solid group with a high ceiling.
CORNERBACK UNITS
Best: Los Angeles Chargers
Casey Hayward Jr. has emerged as one of the NFL's top shadow corners in recent seasons, and Desmond King II has been arguably the league's top slot defender since he was drafted in 2017. As if that weren't enough firepower, Los Angeles signed the league's most dominant slot corner of the past decade in Chris Harris Jr. during free agency. King figures to play more safety this season with Harris working the slot and Michael Davis on the perimeter opposite Hayward.
Shakiest: New York Jets
The Colts have overhauled their cornerback room in recent seasons, which might seem like an odd observation in this section, but it makes sense when you consider that the Jets have built their 2020 cornerback room primarily out of Indianapolis castoffs. Former Colts Pierre Desir, Arthur Maulet, Quincy Wilson and Nate Hairston (not to mention S Matthias Farley) are all competing for significant snaps (perhaps every-down roles) this season in New York. Brian Poole is a solid slot option, but youngsters Blessuan Austin and Bryce Hall have a lot to prove.
On the rise: Miami Dolphins
I could've gone several directions here (Eagles and Lions, for example), but no team invested more in the position than Miami during the offseason. Byron Jones has emerged as one of the game's top corners since being converted to corner by Dallas in 2018. He joins fellow newcomer Noah Igbinoghene, whom Miami selected in the first round of April's draft. The key here will be the health of Xavien Howard (24 career missed games), who, like Jones, is one of the league's top-three highest-paid corners. Nik Needham was competent when thrown into No. 1 duties for most of last season and is the favorite for the No. 4 gig in 2020. The upside here is massive.
Unit to watch: Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders almost completely overhauled the "Back 7" this offseason, and that includes big additions at cornerback. Gareon Conley is out and underrated veteran Prince Amukamara is in opposite 2019 second-round pick Trayvon Mullen on the perimeter. Lamarcus Joyner disappointed in the slot last season but historically has been a difference-maker. Rookies Damon Arnette (first round) and Amik Robertson (fourth round), as well as second-year players Isaiah Johnson and Jordan Brown are among those competing for snaps.
SAFETY UNITS
Best: Minnesota Vikings
Harrison Smith is now 31 but remains one of the league's top safeties. Minnesota moved on from Andrew Sendejo prior to last season because of the emergence of previously unheralded Anthony Harris. Smith and Harris, who received the franchise tag during the offseason, combined for 145 tackles and nine interceptions last season. Depth is the only red flag here, with late-round rookies Josh Metellus and Brian Cole next up on the depth chart.
Shakiest: Miami Dolphins
Miami is loaded at cornerback, but the team still has a lot of work to do at safety. Former CBs Eric Rowe and Bobby McCain are back after forcing four turnovers on 1,524 snaps in Miami's defensive backfield last season. Third-round rookie Brandon Jones, as well as journeymen Adrian Colbert, Steven Parker and Clayton Fejedelem, are among those competing for work.
On the rise: Seattle Seahawks
This one wasn't easy to identify earlier in the offseason, but it became a slam dunk once the Seahawks acquired superstar Jamal Adams from the Jets. The versatile Adams adds value as a strong option in coverage, against the run and even as an occasional pass-rusher. He replaces Bradley McDougald alongside Quandre Diggs, with impressive 2019 second-round pick Marquise Blair adding strong depth.
Unit to watch: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay's defensive backfield is absolutely loaded with recent early to midround draft picks. That includes the safety position, with 2017 second-rounder Justin Evans back from an Achilles tear and set to compete with 2020 second-rounder Antoine Winfield Jr., 2018 fourth-round pick Jordan Whitehead and 2019 third-rounder Mike Edwards. Andrew Adams played 582 snaps and is competing. Don't be surprised if the Buccaneers' defense makes a huge leap in 2020.
OVERALL
Best: New Orleans Saints
The Saints have fallen short of the Super Bowl in recent seasons, but their stacked rosters has led to three consecutive 11-plus win seasons. And the roster is as loaded as ever in 2020. It starts with the offense, with QB Drew Brees under center, one of the league's best lines and RB Alvin Kamara and WR Michael Thomas as primary weapons. It's hard to find a major weakness defensively, especially after the addition of S Malcolm Jenkins to a group that includes DT Sheldon Rankins, EDGE Cameron Jordan, EDGE Marcus Davenport, LB Demario Davis, CB Marshon Lattimore, CB Janoris Jenkins and S Marcus Williams.
Shakiest: New York Jets
The Jets seemed to be headed the right direction after their aforementioned offensive line overhaul, but the trade of Adams to Seattle coupled with C.J. Mosley's opt out all but sinks this team's chances of a Cinderella run to a playoff berth. In fact, aside of the Quinnen Williams-led interior defensive line, it's fair to say New York's four other defensive units are below average or poor. The offense isn't much better, which puts a lot of pressure on unproven Darnold to make a big leap in his third NFL season. A fifth consecutive losing season appears to be on the horizon for arguably the league's worst team on paper.
On the rise: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
All eyes are on Brady, Rob Gronkowski and the team's explosive Bruce Arians-led offense, but don't overlook an emerging Tampa Bay defense. Veteran difference-makers DT Ndamukong Suh, EDGE Shaquil Barrett, EDGE Jason Pierre-Paul and LB Lavonte David are all back from 2019 and lead a ridiculously long list of recent Day 1 and 2 draft picks, namely DT Vita Vea, LB Devin White, CB Carlton Davis, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting and CB Jamel Dean, as well as aforementioned safeties Evans, Winfield and Edwards.
The Cowboys, Steelers, Colts and Lions are other teams to keep an eye on for big leap in 2020.
Team to watch: Denver Broncos
I noted earlier in this piece that QB Lock is one of the biggest wild cards in the league this season. The 2019 second-round pick will work behind a solid offensive line and has a terrific group of young weapons led by WR Courtland Sutton, TE Noah Fant, RB Phillip Lindsay, as well as newcomers RB Melvin Gordon, WR Jerry Jeudy and WR KJ Hamler. Denver's Vic Fangio-led defense is stacked with talent, especially after DT Jurrell Casey and CB A.J. Bouye were added to a group that also includes EDGE Von Miller, EDGE Bradley Chubb, LB Alexander Johnson, CB Bryce Callahan, S Justin Simmons and S Kareem Jackson. The Broncos have major upside this season, but they'll go only as far as their quarterback takes them. Such is life in the NFL.