10 deepest position groups in the NFL
Here, theScore identifies - in no particular order - the 10 deepest position groups on either side of the ball entering the 2020 NFL campaign.
Saints' defensive backs| CB | S |
|---|---|
| Marshon Lattimore | Marcus Williams |
| Janoris Jenkins | Malcolm Jenkins |
| P.J. Williams | Chauncey Gardner-Johnson |
| Patrick Robinson | D.J. Swearinger |
| Johnson Bademosi | J.T. Gray |
| Justin Hardee |
Blending youth and experience, the Saints' secondary depth is simply unrivaled. Lattimore quickly developed into one of the NFL's premier young cover corners after entering the league in 2017. Then there's Jenkins, P.J. Williams, and Robinson, who are all effective role players when healthy.
New Orleans is even deeper at safety, deploying a versatile trio of Marcus Williams, Malcolm Jenkins, and Gardner-Johnson in a number of packages. Each of those three can be utilized anywhere in the defensive backfield while matching up against nearly anyone.
Ravens' running backs| RB |
|---|
| Mark Ingram |
| J.K. Dobbins |
| Gus Edwards |
| Justice Hill |
The NFL's No. 1 rushing attack from a year ago became even more dangerous this offseason after adding Dobbins in the draft. The former Ohio State star perfectly complements Lamar Jackson in Baltimore's backfield, and he'll likely develop into a feature back soon.
The Ravens' group of ball carriers is deep enough even without the rookie. Ingram thrived in his first campaign with the squad, and Edwards consistently produced when on the field. We aren't sure there's a way to stop this unit.
49ers' edge rushers
Michael Zagaris / Getty Images Sport / Getty| EDGE |
|---|
| Nick Bosa |
| Arik Armstead |
| Dee Ford |
| Ronald Blair |
| Kentavius Street |
| Solomon Thomas |
Few teams can match San Francisco's trio of defensive ends. Bosa is well on his way to stardom following a nine-sack rookie campaign, and he should improve as a sophomore. Armstead broke out in 2019 with a career-high 10 sacks, and Ford offers speed and explosion off the edge that's often difficult to contain. Blair can also pitch in as part of the rotation after logging 8.5 sacks over the last two campaigns.
Thomas, the third overall pick in 2017, rounds out the group. He's used mostly as an interior rusher, but the 24-year-old possesses the size to win outside as well.
Cardinals' wide receivers| WR |
|---|
| DeAndre Hopkins |
| Larry Fitzgerald |
| Christian Kirk |
| Andy Isabella |
| KeeSean Johnson |
| Hakeem Butler |
| Trent Sherfield |
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury has assembled a plethora of weapons for his 2020 offense. Hopkins could become the most valuable offseason addition, and he'll help quarterback Kyler Murray take major strides in his second year. The 36-year-old Fitzgerald can still get the job done in the slot, while Kirk provides speed, and he can tack on yards after the catch from anywhere on the field. Don't sleep on 2019 draft picks Isabella, Johnson, and Butler, who round out a unique and versatile group.
Redskins' defensive line| EDGE | DT |
|---|---|
| Ryan Kerrigan | Jonathan Allen |
| Chase Young | Matt Ioannidis |
| Montez Sweat | Da'Ron Payne |
| Ryan Anderson | Caleb Brantley |
| James Smith-Williams | Tim Settle |
There are plenty of concerns at linebacker and in the secondary for Washington, but the team will still field an incredibly deep front four.
Kerrigan is as consistent as they come, accumulating 37 sacks and eight forced fumbles in the three years prior to an injury-plagued 2019 season. Sweat produced as a rookie opposite the veteran, notching seven sacks, and Young, the 2020 second overall pick, instantly makes this a star-studded group.
Not to be outdone, the Redskins' interior trio of Allen, Ioannidis, and Payne can make an impact as both pass and run defenders, and Allen could evolve into a star. Few other line rotations are eight or nine deep.
Bills' offensive line
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty| LT | LG | C | RG | RT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dion Dawkins | Quinton Spain | Mitch Morse | Jon Feliciano | Cody Ford |
| Ryan Bates | Daryl Williams | Evan Boehm | Spencer Long | Ty Nsekhe |
At the center of Buffalo's balanced offense is a stout O-line. There isn't a weak link among the starting five, and the linemen make each other better, with the unit acting as a catalyst for an offense without a true superstar.
Depth is what sets the Bills' offensive line apart, as you'd be hard-pressed to find a club with four quality backups. Williams, Boehm, Long, and Nsekhe combined for 43 starts over the last two seasons.
Seahawks' linebackers| WLB | MLB | SLB |
|---|---|---|
| Jordyn Brooks | Bobby Wagner | K.J. Wright |
| Shaquem Griffin | Cody Barton | Ben Burr-Kirven |
With the increased use of nickel and dime packages, teams often prioritize the linebacker position less than other defensive areas. But Seattle is an exception.
Wagner and Wright form arguably the league's top off-ball duo while excelling in coverage and against the run. Brooks, a 2020 first-rounder, adds speed and athleticism to the group, and he should be utilized early and often as a rookie. And although Barton and Griffen have yet to consistently crack the starting lineup, both are young with upside. The Seahawks are set for the present and future at linebacker.
Buccaneers' tight ends| TE |
|---|
| Rob Gronkowski |
| O.J. Howard |
| Cameron Brate |
| Jordan Leggett |
| Tanner Hudson |
| Anthony Auclair |
Tom Brady has to be excited about the tight ends at his disposal who will play alongside Pro Bowl receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The group underachieved under Bruce Arians last year, with Howard especially struggling.
But adding Gronkowski will truly help open up the offense. It cannot be understated how much Brady's rapport with Gronk can aid the rest of the unit. Howard is poised to rebound in 2020, while Brate is a legitimate red-zone threat after scoring 24 touchdowns over the last four seasons.
Saints' quarterbacks
Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport / Getty| QB |
|---|
| Drew Brees |
| Jameis Winston |
| Taysom Hill |
| Tommy Stevens |
More than most clubs, the Saints understand it's beneficial to roster multiple talented players at the game's most important position. Brees can still sling it with the best of them entering his age-41 campaign, while Hill offers nearly unmatched versatility as an offensive weapon.
Signing Winston could prove to be a shrewd move for New Orleans. The 2015 No. 1 pick may have led the NFL with 30 interceptions in 2019, but Sean Payton consistently gets the most out of his players.
Chargers' defensive backs| CB | S |
|---|---|
| Chris Harris Jr. | Derwin James |
| Casey Hayward | Rayshawn Jenkins |
| Desmond King | Nasir Adderley |
| Michael Davis | Alohi Gilman |
| Brandon Facyson | Roderic Teamer |
| Quenton Meeks |
With Harris, Hayward, and King at cornerback, the Bolts boast a consistent advantage against whatever opponents throw at them. James is already one of the NFL's brightest defensive stars, and if Adderley breaks out as a sophomore, the sky's the limit for Los Angeles' secondary.
The most significant obstacle for the Chargers, as usual, is the injury bug. If key veterans stay healthy, the team's defensive backfield can propel Anthony Lynn's squad to the playoffs.
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