As the 2025 NFL season approaches, it’s time for an annual tradition — evaluating the league’s best collections of offensive skill talent. Every summer, analysts and fans alike dive into the rosters to determine which teams have surrounded their quarterbacks with the most dangerous weapons at running back (RB), wide receiver (WR), and tight end (TE).
But let’s be clear: this is not a ranking of the best overall offenses. It’s not about quarterback play, coaching, or offensive line efficiency. This is purely about the playmakers — the skill position players who touch the ball most and make something special happen when they do.
To level the playing field, imagine every team had a league-average quarterback, offensive line, and playcaller. With that in mind, which groups of RBs, WRs, and TEs would still shine? Which rosters are stacked with players who can change a game on any given snap? To find out, I analyzed advanced stats, focusing on snap-by-snap efficiency and adjusting for variables like pace of play, team usage, and red-zone opportunities.
Why Playmakers Matter
As we saw with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, sheer talent at the skill positions can overwhelm defenses. Philly wasn’t perfect, but when you line up with multiple elite WRs, a dual-threat RB, and a mismatch-creating TE, opposing defenses can only do so much — even when they know what’s coming.
That’s the premise behind these rankings. Who has the most depth? Who has top-end stars? Who has game-breaking ability that doesn’t rely on scheme or QB brilliance? It’s not just about fantasy football points — though many of these players are certainly fantasy gold — it’s about actual value added to an offense by those catching or running the ball.
What the Rankings Consider
Each group was evaluated not just on raw production, but also efficiency, consistency, versatility, and the ability to create mismatches. A great WR corps isn’t just about having a No. 1 option — it’s about how deep and flexible the group is. Does the team have a reliable slot receiver? Can their TE block and stretch the seam? Is the RB a threat in the passing game?
Teams that can line up in multiple formations, exploit different types of defenses, and still make explosive plays regardless of situation or down were rewarded in these rankings.
While the full rankings go team-by-team, one thing is certain: the gap between the top and bottom playmaker units is real. In a league where the margin between winning and losing is razor-thin, surrounding your quarterback with elite skill talent isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.
Stay tuned for a full breakdown of the best (and