Post by Steelers GM on Aug 3, 2024 20:06:25 GMT
This list was very hard to narrow down to only 11 (2 teams tied for 10th), since there are a lot of good offenses across the league. The main factors I looked for to rank each team were these:
~ Star-power
~ Consistency
~ Injury history
~ Depth
The top 11 offenses all have tons of star power, consistent point scorers at most, if not all, of their starting positions. Some of these teams struggle with depth, but their starting lineups are elite.
t-10. Los Angeles Chargers
Top Players: Joe Burrow, Bijan Robinson
Strengths: QB, RBs, WRs, Depth
Weaknesses: Lack of Star-power
Potential X-Factors: Bijan fully unlocked / Young players step up
It was hard to keep this team off the list. With insane amounts of young depth at every spot, along with some great players like Burrow and Bijan. This team could easily exceed my expectations if some young guys like Charbonnet, Kraft, Luke McCaffrey, A.T. Perry, Corley, etc gain larger roles in their respective offenses. I expect this defense to put up consistent points each week. This team is young so I expect them to be higher on this list in the foreseeable future.
t-10. Cleveland Browns
Top Players: Ja'Marr Chase, George Kittle
Strengths: TEs
Weaknesses: Depth
Potential X-Factors: Will Levis / Odell Beckham Jr.
Cleveland comes in tied for 10th on this list. With a three-headed monster at TE and Ja'Marr Chase, this unit has a great floor. Swift and Curtis Samuel should have good seasons as well. The biggest factor to success is if Will Levis can continue showing what he did at the end of last season. Depth is a factor as well, with only 5 guys in the reserve spots. If OBJ can show he's got anything left for Miami this year, he could help this team be even better.
9. Miami Dolphins
Top Players: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Raheem Mostert
Strengths: WRs
Weaknesses: Mac Jones / Depth
Potential X-Factors: Noah Fant back to DEN days / Tee Higgins healthy / Mac Jones gets a starting job?
With probably the best supporting group in the league, this unit would be higher if they had an actual starting QB. Even without a QB, this unit is still going to be at the top with great weapons in Hill, Waddle, Mostert as well as Tee Higgins, Rashid Shaheed, Tyler Lockett and Noah Fant. Expect high scoring weeks from these players. Minimal consistent depth and no QB lower this group down a bit on the rankings.
8. New York Giants
Top Players: Christian McCaffrey, Dak Prescott
Strengths: RBs
Weaknesses: WRs / Depth
Potential X-Factors: CMC continues dominance / Chase Brown wins starting job
New York comes in at no. 8. Having CMC and Dak who can get you over 50 ppg alone is elite. Players like Diontae Johnson, Devin Singletary, Brock Bowers should all have successful seasons. Question marks in the starting lineup are Mack Hollins and Demarcus Robinson, who would be solid if they can at least give some points on a consistent basis. If Chase Brown can win the starting RB job in Cincy, this team will be even better. With basically no depth, this team needs healthy, successful seasons from it's top players.
7. Philadelphia Eagles
Top Players: Rachaad White, D.J. Moore, Michael Pittman Jr.
Strengths: RBs
Weaknesses: TE?, Depth, Flex Spot
Potential X-Factors: Zach Ertz stays healthy / Theo Johnson wins starting job / Frank Gore Jr. becomes his father
Philly takes the no. 7 spot with a great starting lineup. Jared Goff has been a top 10 or so QB the past 2 years, and I expect more success from him this year. With 3 great RBs in Rachaad White, Najee Harris and James Conner, as well as a great duo in D.J. Moore and Pittman at WR, this offensive unit ranks towards the top. I can't guarantee Zach Ertz will play a full season, but Theo Johnson can take advantage of the open tight end spot in New York, following Waller's retirement (rap career). With no established depth, this unit needs healthy seasons if they want to be a top offense.
6. Detroit Lions
Top Players: Travis Etienne, Mark Andrews
Strengths: WRs, QBs, TEs
Weaknesses: Established Depth, Flex Spot
Potential X-Factors: Anthony Richardson / Jaylen Wright or Kene Nwangwu establish a role
Detroit comes in at no. 6 with an elite offensive unit. Led by Etienne and Mark Andrews, who should both finish around the top of their respective positions. Olave, Ridley, and Jakobi Meyers are a great trio at WR, who should all average atleast 12+ ppg. Hunter Henry is a super consistent Tight End that will give you around 8-10 ppg. The biggest factor is if AR can stay healthy and continue to show his insane upside as a rusher (24 ppg in 3 healthy games). Minshew is also a projected starter that could slide in if needed. Detroit just needs to find that one last piece to start to complete this unit. Front runners for potential suitors is Nwangwu or Wright, who are both explosive backs that could sneak into consistent roles.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
Top Players: Josh Allen, Evan Engram
Strengths: QB, TEs, Depth
Weaknesses: Elite talent at WR/RB
Potential X-Factors: Breakouts from JSN, Jahan Dotson, Keon Coleman / Rhamondre and Freiermuth return to 2021-23 forms
Pittsburgh takes a top 5 spot on the rankings, led by Josh Allen and Evan Engram (TE2 last year). With no other real stars, the rest of the lineup is made up of young players with good upside. Dotson, Smith-Njigba and Khalil Shakir should all have better seasons this year. Keon Coleman could be a problem if he clicks with Josh Allen in Buffalo. Rhamondre and Freiermuth had down seasons but look to be more successful, similar to their 2021-23 seasons, in the 2024-25 season. With a bunch of decent depth players, that could have return roles, or consistent points each week, this unit is very complete. If a few players breakout, this could be a top unit.
4. Tampa Buccaneers
Top Players: Jonathan Taylor, Devon Achane, Jahmyr Gibbs
Strengths: RBs, WRs
Weaknesses: Massage Parlors, Established Depth
Potential X-Factors: Deshaun returns to his Texans' form / Drake London breakout / Ben Sinnott or Jonnu Smith have big role
Tampa Bay comes in at no. 4, with an exciting offense. They have 3 RBs that could potentially finish as the RB1 (JT, Achane, Gibbs). Drake London could finally breakout now that he has an actual QB. Courtland Sutton should have another good season as well. Deshaun Watson hasn't been what Cleveland was expecting, but he looked solid last year, before injury and has a chance to go back to his MVP-caliber self if all goes well. Rashod Bateman could be a consistent scorer as well, if he can stay healthy. The Tight End spot comes down to Jonnu Smith and Ben Sinnott. Jonnu should be the starter for Miami and Sinnott is poised to replace Ertz if/when he gets hurt. This team should easily be a top unit, with the upside of being the best if Watson, London and Sinnott all take big steps this year.
3. New York Jets
Top Players: Josh Jacobs, Nico Collins, Christian Kirk
Strengths: WRs, RBs, Depth
Weaknesses: Elite talent
Potential X-Factors: Geno Smith & Josh Jacobs return to 2022-23 form / Jerome Ford keeps starting job
New York grabs the no. 3 spot, led by Nico Collins, who broke out last year. Christian Kirk also looked great last year and should continue to do so. If Geno Smith and Josh Jacobs can go back to being top 5 players at their position, like they did in 2022-23, this team will be even better. Taysom Hill, Marvin Mims and Darius Slayton should have solid, consistent roles as well. Jerome Ford looked good as the starting RB for Cleveland, after Nick Chubb went down. He should be good as long as Chubb is still recovering from that. With plenty of depth guys that could easily fill a starting role (Mattison, Boyd, Jauan Jennings, Okonkwo), this team projects to be a top unit this season.
2. Arizona Cardinals
Top Players: CeeDee Lamb, Travis Kelce
Strengths: RBs, WRs
Weaknesses: Depth
Potential X-Factors: Zamir White, Trey Benson & Bryce Young breakouts / Derrick Henry & Travis Kelce resurgence
Arizona takes the no. 2 spot on these rankings, with elite talent in CeeDee and Kelce, and great players in Devonta Smith and Derrick Henry. Zamir White and Bryce Young should have better seasons this year. Malik Nabers is only a rookie, but should be Daniel Jones' top target early on. Trey Benson could have a larger role if James Conner gets injured. Jamaal Williams and KaVontae Turpin are good depth pieces that could have roles in their offenses, but Arizona has no one else behind them so health is key. If Travis Kelce and Derrick Henry improve on their down 2023-24 seasons, this unit could very well be no. 1.
1. Minnesota Vikings
Top Players: Justin Jefferson, Kyren Williams, Trey McBride
Strengths: WRs, Elite Talent
Weaknesses: Depth, Daniel Jones uncertainty
Potential X-Factors: Deebo Samuel & Daniel Jones goes back to their best forms / Justin Jefferson
Minnesota takes the top spot, with elite players headlining their unit (Jettas, Kyren, McBride). All 3 of those guys have to potential to finish as top 3 players at their positions. The biggest factors are if Deebo and Daniel Jones can go back to their best (22.5 ppg for Deebo & 23.2 for Jones). With players like Zay Flowers, who should continue to be successful and Tyler Allgeier & Kendrick Bourne who can give consistent points each week, round out this unit. The main weakness is depth. With just Mo Alie-Cox on the bench, this team needs healthy seasons if they want to finish as the no. 1 unit.
~ Star-power
~ Consistency
~ Injury history
~ Depth
The top 11 offenses all have tons of star power, consistent point scorers at most, if not all, of their starting positions. Some of these teams struggle with depth, but their starting lineups are elite.
t-10. Los Angeles Chargers
Top Players: Joe Burrow, Bijan Robinson
Strengths: QB, RBs, WRs, Depth
Weaknesses: Lack of Star-power
Potential X-Factors: Bijan fully unlocked / Young players step up
It was hard to keep this team off the list. With insane amounts of young depth at every spot, along with some great players like Burrow and Bijan. This team could easily exceed my expectations if some young guys like Charbonnet, Kraft, Luke McCaffrey, A.T. Perry, Corley, etc gain larger roles in their respective offenses. I expect this defense to put up consistent points each week. This team is young so I expect them to be higher on this list in the foreseeable future.
t-10. Cleveland Browns
Top Players: Ja'Marr Chase, George Kittle
Strengths: TEs
Weaknesses: Depth
Potential X-Factors: Will Levis / Odell Beckham Jr.
Cleveland comes in tied for 10th on this list. With a three-headed monster at TE and Ja'Marr Chase, this unit has a great floor. Swift and Curtis Samuel should have good seasons as well. The biggest factor to success is if Will Levis can continue showing what he did at the end of last season. Depth is a factor as well, with only 5 guys in the reserve spots. If OBJ can show he's got anything left for Miami this year, he could help this team be even better.
9. Miami Dolphins
Top Players: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Raheem Mostert
Strengths: WRs
Weaknesses: Mac Jones / Depth
Potential X-Factors: Noah Fant back to DEN days / Tee Higgins healthy / Mac Jones gets a starting job?
With probably the best supporting group in the league, this unit would be higher if they had an actual starting QB. Even without a QB, this unit is still going to be at the top with great weapons in Hill, Waddle, Mostert as well as Tee Higgins, Rashid Shaheed, Tyler Lockett and Noah Fant. Expect high scoring weeks from these players. Minimal consistent depth and no QB lower this group down a bit on the rankings.
8. New York Giants
Top Players: Christian McCaffrey, Dak Prescott
Strengths: RBs
Weaknesses: WRs / Depth
Potential X-Factors: CMC continues dominance / Chase Brown wins starting job
New York comes in at no. 8. Having CMC and Dak who can get you over 50 ppg alone is elite. Players like Diontae Johnson, Devin Singletary, Brock Bowers should all have successful seasons. Question marks in the starting lineup are Mack Hollins and Demarcus Robinson, who would be solid if they can at least give some points on a consistent basis. If Chase Brown can win the starting RB job in Cincy, this team will be even better. With basically no depth, this team needs healthy, successful seasons from it's top players.
7. Philadelphia Eagles
Top Players: Rachaad White, D.J. Moore, Michael Pittman Jr.
Strengths: RBs
Weaknesses: TE?, Depth, Flex Spot
Potential X-Factors: Zach Ertz stays healthy / Theo Johnson wins starting job / Frank Gore Jr. becomes his father
Philly takes the no. 7 spot with a great starting lineup. Jared Goff has been a top 10 or so QB the past 2 years, and I expect more success from him this year. With 3 great RBs in Rachaad White, Najee Harris and James Conner, as well as a great duo in D.J. Moore and Pittman at WR, this offensive unit ranks towards the top. I can't guarantee Zach Ertz will play a full season, but Theo Johnson can take advantage of the open tight end spot in New York, following Waller's retirement (rap career). With no established depth, this unit needs healthy seasons if they want to be a top offense.
6. Detroit Lions
Top Players: Travis Etienne, Mark Andrews
Strengths: WRs, QBs, TEs
Weaknesses: Established Depth, Flex Spot
Potential X-Factors: Anthony Richardson / Jaylen Wright or Kene Nwangwu establish a role
Detroit comes in at no. 6 with an elite offensive unit. Led by Etienne and Mark Andrews, who should both finish around the top of their respective positions. Olave, Ridley, and Jakobi Meyers are a great trio at WR, who should all average atleast 12+ ppg. Hunter Henry is a super consistent Tight End that will give you around 8-10 ppg. The biggest factor is if AR can stay healthy and continue to show his insane upside as a rusher (24 ppg in 3 healthy games). Minshew is also a projected starter that could slide in if needed. Detroit just needs to find that one last piece to start to complete this unit. Front runners for potential suitors is Nwangwu or Wright, who are both explosive backs that could sneak into consistent roles.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
Top Players: Josh Allen, Evan Engram
Strengths: QB, TEs, Depth
Weaknesses: Elite talent at WR/RB
Potential X-Factors: Breakouts from JSN, Jahan Dotson, Keon Coleman / Rhamondre and Freiermuth return to 2021-23 forms
Pittsburgh takes a top 5 spot on the rankings, led by Josh Allen and Evan Engram (TE2 last year). With no other real stars, the rest of the lineup is made up of young players with good upside. Dotson, Smith-Njigba and Khalil Shakir should all have better seasons this year. Keon Coleman could be a problem if he clicks with Josh Allen in Buffalo. Rhamondre and Freiermuth had down seasons but look to be more successful, similar to their 2021-23 seasons, in the 2024-25 season. With a bunch of decent depth players, that could have return roles, or consistent points each week, this unit is very complete. If a few players breakout, this could be a top unit.
4. Tampa Buccaneers
Top Players: Jonathan Taylor, Devon Achane, Jahmyr Gibbs
Strengths: RBs, WRs
Weaknesses: Massage Parlors, Established Depth
Potential X-Factors: Deshaun returns to his Texans' form / Drake London breakout / Ben Sinnott or Jonnu Smith have big role
Tampa Bay comes in at no. 4, with an exciting offense. They have 3 RBs that could potentially finish as the RB1 (JT, Achane, Gibbs). Drake London could finally breakout now that he has an actual QB. Courtland Sutton should have another good season as well. Deshaun Watson hasn't been what Cleveland was expecting, but he looked solid last year, before injury and has a chance to go back to his MVP-caliber self if all goes well. Rashod Bateman could be a consistent scorer as well, if he can stay healthy. The Tight End spot comes down to Jonnu Smith and Ben Sinnott. Jonnu should be the starter for Miami and Sinnott is poised to replace Ertz if/when he gets hurt. This team should easily be a top unit, with the upside of being the best if Watson, London and Sinnott all take big steps this year.
3. New York Jets
Top Players: Josh Jacobs, Nico Collins, Christian Kirk
Strengths: WRs, RBs, Depth
Weaknesses: Elite talent
Potential X-Factors: Geno Smith & Josh Jacobs return to 2022-23 form / Jerome Ford keeps starting job
New York grabs the no. 3 spot, led by Nico Collins, who broke out last year. Christian Kirk also looked great last year and should continue to do so. If Geno Smith and Josh Jacobs can go back to being top 5 players at their position, like they did in 2022-23, this team will be even better. Taysom Hill, Marvin Mims and Darius Slayton should have solid, consistent roles as well. Jerome Ford looked good as the starting RB for Cleveland, after Nick Chubb went down. He should be good as long as Chubb is still recovering from that. With plenty of depth guys that could easily fill a starting role (Mattison, Boyd, Jauan Jennings, Okonkwo), this team projects to be a top unit this season.
2. Arizona Cardinals
Top Players: CeeDee Lamb, Travis Kelce
Strengths: RBs, WRs
Weaknesses: Depth
Potential X-Factors: Zamir White, Trey Benson & Bryce Young breakouts / Derrick Henry & Travis Kelce resurgence
Arizona takes the no. 2 spot on these rankings, with elite talent in CeeDee and Kelce, and great players in Devonta Smith and Derrick Henry. Zamir White and Bryce Young should have better seasons this year. Malik Nabers is only a rookie, but should be Daniel Jones' top target early on. Trey Benson could have a larger role if James Conner gets injured. Jamaal Williams and KaVontae Turpin are good depth pieces that could have roles in their offenses, but Arizona has no one else behind them so health is key. If Travis Kelce and Derrick Henry improve on their down 2023-24 seasons, this unit could very well be no. 1.
1. Minnesota Vikings
Top Players: Justin Jefferson, Kyren Williams, Trey McBride
Strengths: WRs, Elite Talent
Weaknesses: Depth, Daniel Jones uncertainty
Potential X-Factors: Deebo Samuel & Daniel Jones goes back to their best forms / Justin Jefferson
Minnesota takes the top spot, with elite players headlining their unit (Jettas, Kyren, McBride). All 3 of those guys have to potential to finish as top 3 players at their positions. The biggest factors are if Deebo and Daniel Jones can go back to their best (22.5 ppg for Deebo & 23.2 for Jones). With players like Zay Flowers, who should continue to be successful and Tyler Allgeier & Kendrick Bourne who can give consistent points each week, round out this unit. The main weakness is depth. With just Mo Alie-Cox on the bench, this team needs healthy seasons if they want to finish as the no. 1 unit.