NFL Rankings

7/31/22

17 min read

2022 NFL Offense Rankings: Training Camp Edition

NFL Offense Rankings

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

This can be an explosive offense if the quarterback, Jalen Hurts, takes the next step. The Eagles have the weapons now with an established receiver, A.J. Brown, and solid youngsters DeVonta Smith and Quez Watkins, both vertical threats. They need more from Jalen Reagor, and Zach Pascal can be a threat. The tight end, Dallas Goedert, is a top player at his position, and throw in the halfback, Miles Sanders to give them plenty of skill position talent. The Eagles boast all of these weapons and top it off with very good offensive line anchored by center Jason Kelce. So, it’s up to Hurts to make it dynamic.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

With a special QB like Justin Herbert, in just his third NFL season, and targets Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler out of the backfield and new TE Gerald Everett, this will be a powerful attack. They’ve also got Josh Palmer and Jalen Guyton as the third and fourth receivers. If Everett integrates with the other wideouts, their weapons are pretty unique. Isaiah Spiller will help Ekeler at running back, and the Chargers have hit well up front with T Rashawn Slater, and now they bring in Zion Johnson.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Like the Chargers, the Bengals have a young, ascending quarterback in Joe Burrow. The trip to the Super Bowl and a close loss had to be a terrific learning experience. Burrow has everything he could ask for at receiver with Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins. Cincinnati brought in Hayden Hurst at tight end when they lost C.J. Uzomah in free agency. Joe Mixon is a reliable running back. Most significantly, the Bengals bulked up that leaky offensive line with three key additions: C Ted Karras, RG Alex Cappa and RT La’el Collins.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Davante Adams was the headline addition to the Raiders. But just as important is new Head Coach Josh McDaniels. He’ll find the right way to integrate the All-Pro receiver into this offense. It helps that QB Derek Carr and Adams played together at Fresno State. There are more weapons here, too: WRs Hunter Renfrow, Demarcus Robinson, and Keelan Cole, plus Darren Waller, a vertical, speedy tight end. The running backs will be a committee led by Josh Jacobs. A key is an improvement on the right side of the line. 

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

When you have Patrick Mahomes running an Andy Reid offense, you always have a chance. Still, this offense could take a step back without standout WR Tyreek Hill. Mahomes has his favorite target, the brilliant TE Travis Kelce, and he will get even more work, but who replaces Hill? JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman or Marques Valdes-Scantling?  In the backfield, Clyde Edwards-Helaire needs to be healthy. If so, Mahomes has another helper. 

DENVER BRONCOS

Add Russell Wilson to a fleet of strong receivers and solid running backs. Suddenly, there’s a Mile High attack in Denver. Of course, for Wilson and wideouts Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, and KJ Hamler to do their thing – as well as RBs Javonte Williams, Melvin Gordon and Mike Boone – the line must be solidified. Williams can make anybody miss with his moves, but he still needs room to run and that will fall on the tackles, Bobby Turner and mistake-prone Garett Bolles. 

LOS ANGELES RAMS

Few if any teams scheme their offense better than Sean McVay’s Rams. When they added Matthew Stafford, it was the perfect fit. That winning drive in the Super Bowl was the end game. Now, can they repeat? They have RB Cam Akers after his remarkable comeback from an Achilles tendon injury, and he’s complemented by Darrell Henderson Jr. In Cooper Kupp, they have the do-everything receiver and 2021 Offensive Player of the Year. He’s helped by the addition of Allen Robinson. Up front, while they lost LT Andrew Whitworth to retirement, they should be solid, though not with any All-Pros.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

The 49ers drafted Trey Lance third overall in 2021 to be the starter, and it’s now his job – even though he hardly played as a rookie. He’ll get the wisdom and encouragement he needs from Kyle Shanahan, whose creativity as a play-caller is similar to his father, Mike Shanahan, and that’s impressive. Lance has a fine corps of receivers in TE George Kittle, one of the best in the business, and WRs Deebo Samuel (when his contract issues are settled), Brandon Aiyuk, and Jauan Jennings. RB Elijah Mitchell is an emerging talent, and the line is solid, particularly veterans Trent Williams and Mike McGlinchey. They lost a terrific center when Alex Mack retired, but they always find a way for their offensive line to match up.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Even with Jacoby Brissett at QB1, this is still a good team with an excellent running game combo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, both 1,000-yard rushers in their careers. The receiving group is OK, paced by veteran Amari Cooper, helped by Donovan Peoples-Jones, Anthony Schwartz and a potentially dynamic rookie, David Bell. TE David Njoku is fine and the line is particularly good at guard.    

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

This could be an underrated offense. The weapons are there with WRs Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, and first-round pick Jahan Dotson. Logan Thomas is often overlooked but has improved at tight end throughout his career. John Bates could share that position if he makes an ascent in his second season. RB Antonio Gibson is a big guy who's improving.  The line is solid enough. So … does QB Carson Wentz turn around his career? He’s a talented guy and fits this team’s vertical scheme.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Aaron Rodgers won yet another MVP award last season, and the Packers fizzled yet again in the postseason. Now, they’ve lost their top weapon for Rodgers to connect with, Davante Adams, in a deal with the Raiders. They did use a second-round pick on a receiver, Christian Watson, out of North Dakota State. Not one of the other targets is of Adams’ caliber: Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins, Randall Cobb. A return to top form by TE Robert Tonyan would be massive. At least Rodgers has quality in the backfield with Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. The line has two studs, when healthy, in tackles David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins.

BUFFALO BILLS

Josh Allen’s progress at quarterback has the Bills thinking Super Bowl or bust. Was his 2021 performance what we can always expect, and perhaps even better? He has some weapons in WRs Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, and newcomer Jamison Crowder in the slot. TE Dawson Knox also has emerged. The running game could get a boost from rookie James Cook; the key probably is getting more balance from that part of the offense. Allen, of course, helps with his rushing skills. The line is solid enough, led by LT Dion Dawkins.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

We know it’s never wise to question what Tom Brady can do. With Head Coach Bruce Arians retiring, the offense shouldn’t change much with Byron Leftwich still calling plays. Brady, on Social Security (kidding), remains the measuring stick for championship players. But this group is not as strong as the last two years. Brady’s pal, TE Rob Gronkowski, has retired and while Cameron Brate is good, he’s no Gronk. RB Leonard Fournette reported overweight, and one of the top targets, Chris Godwin, comes off a major injury. Both veteran guards are gone, too. Still, there’s Brady and WR Mike Evans, and no limit to the motivation.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Lots of questions here for a talented team that was destroyed by injuries in 2021 have to do with Lamar Jackson at quarterback. Can he make the downfield, critical pass with consistency? With Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks, what separates them is the ability to push the ball, and threaten the ball downfield and be accurate when those situations occur. Rashod Bateman will need to be the No. 1 target with Marquise Brown traded. At least TE Mark Andrews, coming off his best season, is consistently reliable. Having some health in the backfield with J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards is crucial.

DALLAS COWBOYS

A team in need of eliminating mistakes to prosper. The Cowboys seem better suited to flip from a run-oriented offense with Zeke Elliott to more of a passing game–as long as Dak Prescott can find his rhythm and keep it. Tony Pollard should get more work at RB; Elliott doesn’t look like a top-five rusher anymore. His burst in the hole and ability to avoid tacklers has decreased. Prescott has the targets in CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup and James Washington, and Dalton Schultz is a good tight end. There are some issues on the line that probably also contribute to a stagnating run game. Zach Martin remains a standout RG but LT Tyron Smith can’t stay on the field and the other blockers aren’t stars.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Losing Josh McDaniels as the play caller could make an impact on QB Mac Jones, who comes off a strong debut season. Jones doesn’t have high-level receivers, though someone among Jakobi Myers, Kendrick Bourne, or Nelson Agholor could break out, and they added DeVante Parker. Look for plenty of action for TEs Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson figure at running back, with the always-reliable James White contributing. Is there a consistent big play guy, though? And the line, aside from center David Andrews, is no sure thing.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Yet another starting quarterback for Frank Reich. This time, it’s Matt Ryan coming from Atlanta. The veteran could make one more big stand in Indy if he can still make plays downfield. His weapons include Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Alec Pierce at wideout–the hope is Parris Campbell can finally avoid injury–and tight end Mo Alie-Cox. Reich will run the attack through last season’s top NFL rusher, RB Jonathan Taylor, and there’s Nyheim Hines as a solid backup. Up front, there is talent with G Quenton Nelson, C Ryan Kelly, and T Braden Smith.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

It figures that QB Baker Mayfield will be the starter over Sam Darnold–they were the first and third overall selections in the 2018 draft–while rookie Matt Corral learns. The key here is RB Christian McCaffrey, who is one of the best in the business when healthy. He can do everything. DJ Moore, Robby Anderson, and Terrace Marshall give Carolina a solid trio of receivers, but there’s not much at tight end. The O-line has gotten better with first-round pick LT Ikem Ekwonu joining RT Taylor Moton.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

As with Carolina, it’s uncertain who will be the quarterback, and a rookie – first-round pick Kenny Pickett–is in the mix here, too. Mitch Trubisky came in from Buffalo to resurrect his career, and Mason Rudolph is still around. With this QB situation, Pittsburgh will remain true to its philosophy: Run the ball with Najee Harris behind big, strong offensive linemen, and use big-play wide receivers when they get an opening. In Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and rookie George Pickens in the slot, they have the horses. The tight end, Pat Freiemuth, is a weapon. They need LT Dan Moore Jr. to be ready. 

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Hiring Doug Pederson was very wise. Trevor Lawrence now has a pro coach who knows how to develop a QB. If the game slows down for Lawrence in his second year, and he understands the concepts of defenses, this team could make progress. The Jaguars paid receivers Christian Kirk, Marvin and Zay Jones, as well as TE Evan Engram, big money to help Lawrence along.  RB James Robinson has shown flashes when healthy and Travis Etienne, a first-rounder in 2021 who got hurt, can be dangerous. RG Brandon Scherff is the best of the blockers, but the rest of the line needs to step up.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

It’s time for Tua Tagovailoa to make the impact the franchise has sought. That means staying healthy, making the big throws, and ensuring that the trade for outstanding WR Tyreek Hill works out. Hill gives Tua the kind of weapon that can determine games, and there’s also another dangerous target in Jaylen Waddle. TE Mike Gesicki is very good, and the RBs are good enough with Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert and Sony Michel. Finding their fit and balance on the offensive line is another question mark. It’s a decisive year for Tua.

DETROIT LIONS

There is some young talent here, and that’s a rarity in the Motor City. RB D’Andre Swift, WRs Amon-Ra St. Brown and DJ Chark, TE T.J. Hockenson, and RT Penei Sewell are building blocks. So much depends on whether Jared Goff, who finished well in 2021 after big-time struggles, can make Detroit fans forget the team traded away Matthew Stafford and got Goff as part of the return. If C Frank Ragnow is healthy, there’s leadership for this mostly developing group. 

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Kirk Cousins needs a clean pocket to operate efficiently, and the Vikings have not provided it recently. And it's interesting going with the non-athletic quarterback:  no team has given up more quick pressure inside at the center/guard position than Minnesota. That's when Cousins gets flushed, flustered and makes errors. Given the time he needs, he has one of the league’s top WRs in Justin Jefferson, and two more good ones in Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn. If Dalvin Cook can remain on the field, he’s a breakaway run threat, and backup Alexander Mattison is good. But, so much depends on the blocking.

ARIZONA CARDINALS

With the Cardinals, it’s all about injury and aging. Sure there are youngsters on the roster–lots of first-rounders and second-rounders from the draft. But QB Kyler Murray hasn’t performed over a full season and gets nicked up. From RB James Conner to TE Zach Ertz to WR A.J. Green to linemen Justin Pugh, Kelvin Beachum, Rodney Hudson, and D.J. Humphries, there’s a concern about how much they have left and whether they can avoid the injured list. The WR corps is strong with newcomer Marquise Brown and, when healthy, DeAndre Hopkins. The team also added tight end Trey McBride in the draft. The Cardinals have plenty of smaller guys, so maybe that has something to do with their lasting power.

NEW YORK JETS

Year two for QB Zach Wilson is all about progress and staying in the lineup. Same for so of the many youngsters here, including Mekhi Becton, now a right tackle, WR Corey Davis and a slew of youthful RBs. Every young quarterback needs a tight end who can get open and move the chains, and the Jets added C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin, interesting moves. They are leaving George Fant at left tackle and spent big on G Laken Tomlinson. The other guard, Alijah Vera-Tucker, had a solid rookie season.

CHICAGO BEARS

Another young QB trying to prove himself early is Justin Fields. Same concerns with him: reading the field, seeing the right play quickly and executing. Even if he upgrades in those areas, other than WR Darnell Mooney, does he have the weapons? The other WRs, Byron Pringle and Velus Jones Jr., are unproven. TE Cole Kmet can move the chains. David Montgomery's a good back, not a great back. The Bears are weak up front, particularly at tackle. So can they protect the edges for the quarterback? 

ATLANTA FALCONS

Other than TE Kyle Pitts, a real threat, who else jumps out on this unit? Maybe first-rounder Drake London at wide receiver–they’re drafting weapons, at least. QB Marcus Mariota is a bridge to the next passer. He hasn't stayed healthy as a backup the last two years with the Raiders. The running back position isn't threatening with Damien Williams and Cordarrelle Patterson. Up front, RG Chris Lindstrom is very good, and otherwise, except for LT Jake Matthews, it’s a young group.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Getting back Michael Thomas to join Jarvis Landry at wide receiver could upgrade the Saints. But Sean Payton and Drew Brees aren’t coming back. The Saints can be good if the veterans stay healthy, and they have do-everything RB Alvin Kamara available. Those vets include QB Jameis Winston, who was 5-2 as a starter before going down in 2021. Kamara’s backup, Mark Ingram, is reliable but probably no longer starting caliber. They lost their best O-lineman, Terron Armstead, but RT Ryan Ramczyk is one of the top right tackles in the game.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Derrick Henry is where you must start in Music City, and the melody might not be a enjoyable to listen to anymore. Can Henry come off that bad foot injury? It's an injury that you repair, but it's not fixed. There's a big difference between repairing and fixing. The Titans don’t want to rely on QB Ryan Tannehill to win games for them, especially with his best receiver now in Philadelphia. Unless it's first-rounder Treylon Burks, who's a top 20 receiving threat? Tannehill might not produce with the talent around him. With top tackle Taylor Lewan injury-prone in recent seasons, and center Ben Jones no longer at his peak, there’s not a lot here–particularly if Henry struggles with the foot.

HOUSTON TEXANS

It surely is a rebuild in Houston, yet there are a bit more high-priced and underachieving veterans than you need for such a movement. The receivers aren't young with Brandin Cooks, who is reliable, Chris Conley, and Chris Moore. It’s comforting to have some older guys for an untested QB such as Davis Mills, but Laremy Tunsil never seems to play a full season. Some of the youngsters there have promise. Mills won’t get much help from the backfield, where he has more aging guys in Rex Burkhead and Marlon Mack. Maybe rookie Dameon Pierce makes an impact.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Trading a franchise quarterback and not having a facsimile isn’t a good philosophy. Geno Smith and Drew Lock aren’t likely to avoid the key errors that have plagued them in previous years. That could waste the skills of WRs DK Metcalf, with his new contract, and Tyler Lockett. We'll see if Lockett and Metcalf can make the quarterback good. Rashaad Penny gets the top RB slot with Chris Carson retiring, and second-round rookie Kenneth Walker is an exciting addition. The line is not top-notch.

NEW YORK GIANTS

The Giants needed to find out about QB Daniel Jones last season, and it never happened. So, this could be his last season with them unless he makes a turnaround from his inconsistent and injury-prone history. RB Saquon Barkley's also been struck by injury. WR Kenny Golladay struggled as a free-agent addition in 2021. Last year’s first-rounder, Kadarius Toney, did little. Fellow wideout Sterling Shepard keeps getting injured. Where the Giants might have made strides is with tackles Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal, both first-round picks.

WATCH MORE: Ed Reed on Preparing for Belichick, Patriots Required More Attention


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