Nguyen: 49ers, Eagles, Dolphins lead NFL skill position group top-10 rankings (2024)

One of the most interesting parts of roster building is how a team puts together its group of offensive skill players and how they complement each other. The right combination of players often defines a team’s offensive identity.

Think about the San Francisco 49ers and their legion of YAC demons, the Miami Dolphins with their world-class speed, or the Cincinnati Bengals with their two No. 1 wideouts. Which group of young skill players will make their mark next?

This list ranks my top 10 groups of skill players (not including the quarterback and offensive line).

Pink: Elite
Blue: Very good
Green: Above-average starter
Gray: Average
Orange:Rookie

* unresolved position battle

1. San Francisco 49ers

Even if Brandon Aiyuk’s contract situation isn’t resolved before the season, he’ll likely play rather than lose out on game checks. With Aiyuk, the 49ers have an elite separator who can get open on the outside to complement all their other weapons that do their damage inside, like tight end George Kittle, who can still easily beat linebackers and safeties. Aiyuk led the 49ers last season in targets against man coverage and finished fifth in the league in yards per route run against man coverage.

If Aiyuk is traded, the 49ers don’t have an adequate outside weapon to replicate what he provides. The offense will still be elite but significantly weakened, especially in the playoffs.

Christian McCaffrey’s vision and explosion make him perfect for any scheme, but it’s particularly pleasing to watch him in this outside zone scheme. Also, teams have to play more base defense than they usually do against the 49ers’ 21 personnel (two backs, one tight end, two receivers). Good luck covering McCaffrey with a linebacker when he’s running a route from the backfield or split out wide.

If defenses play zone and give up space underneath allowing Deebo Samuel easy short receptions, he can turn them into big plays. He finished first in average yards per catch in the last four seasons. Coach Kyle Shanahan also takes advantage of his ability as a runner by switching Samuel and McCaffrey’s positions, causing uncertainty for the defense.

Kyle Juszczyk is the best fullback in the league. He doesn’t crush linebackers on lead blocks, but he almost always executes his blocks. His ability as a receiver is just another element defenses have to worry about.

Jauan Jennings is also a capable receiver. He’s a bully blocking on the perimeter and he’s made a name for himself converting first downs in clutch situations. The 49ers also drafted receiver Ricky Pearsall in the first round and he’s had a good camp so far.

This group allows the 49ers to play a unique brand of positionless ball out of 21 personnel and Shanahan orchestrates it like Danny Ocean coordinating a heist. The 49ers finished first in DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) last season and barring an Aiyuk trade, they should finish there again this season.

2. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles created a very clear identity around Jalen Hurts and the quarterback run game in 2022. Teams were forced to put an extra man in the box and the Hurts feasted on one-on-one throws on the outside to A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. But in 2023, defenses started playing the Eagles more like how colleges defended spread run games. Philadelphia struggled to adjust and add fresh ideas to its offense without former offensive coordinator Shane Steichen.

Despite the 2023 regression, this is still an immensely talented group and it added one of the most explosive athletes in the league in running back Saquon Barkley. The Eagles have been a running back-by-committee team but Barkley gives them an every-down back who can run with power and hit the home runs. He can play a big role for them when he’s matched up as a receiver against inside linebackers with all the quarters coverage they face. Against quarters, the inside linebacker could be exposed against a running back with route-running skills.

Brown is the prototypical X receiver. He’s big, physical and fast. He’s a monster on go-balls and a nightmare to tackle when catching slants underneath. Smith is the perfect complement for Brown. If defenses rotate their safety to Brown, Smith feasts on one-on-one coverage with his savvy route-running skills. Tight end Dallas Goedert is a very good third option. He gets most of his production underneath against zone coverage and the Eagles like to sneak him out on screens. He’s effective in that role and an excellent run blocker and a key cog in their run game.

Who won the rep? AJ or Q? pic.twitter.com/UcTD08eaIJ

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) July 31, 2024

Parris Campbell is also an intriguing addition. He’s struggled to stay healthy throughout his career and the Giants benched him last season. Campbell has 4.3 speed and produced from the slot in 2022 for the Colts. As a fourth option, the Eagles won’t rely on him but he can be used as a gadget player.

I believe Brown, Smith and Goedert have the potential to be even more productive than they have been if Hurts evolves as a dropback passer and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore successfully infuses new ideas.

3. Miami Dolphins

Like Shanahan, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel prioritizes collecting skill players over offensive linemen. Miami might have the fastest group of skill players ever with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane, who all have legitimate 4.3 speed.

McDaniel does as good a job as any offensive coordinator of creating space for his No. 1 option, Hill, with motion and play action. Hill led the league last season in average yards per route run (Y/RR). Y/RR is simply a player’s receiving yards divided by how many routes he’s run. Hill finished with 3.82. To put that in perspective, hitting 3.0 is elite-elite.

Waddle would be a No. 1 receiver in most offenses and he showed that in his rookie season when he produced 1,000 yards receiving in suboptimal circ*mstances.

Mostert and Achane are perfect for a scheme that wants to push the ball further outside than a typical outside zone scheme using unique toss and fly sweep concepts. Achane could be a star but there are legitimate questions about his durability.

Tight end Durham Smythe will likely still be the starter because his blocking is essential on the edge but adding tight end Jonnu Smith in free agency gives McDaniel a dangerous run-after-the-catch option.

I’m not sure how much Odell Beckham Jr. has left but maybe he can be a useful outside option in spurts.

The Dolphins have a clear identity that they lean into but their lack of physicality does show up against good competition. Last season, against playoff teams, their points per drive dropped to 1.65 compared to 2.93 against non-playoff teams. As much as this game has changed, there is still a physical element required to win in January. The 49ers have Kittle and Samuel, who are as physical as any at their positions. The Eagles have Brown and Goedert, who give them that element. Can the Dolphins win against good competition purely on world-class speed?

4. Los Angeles Rams

When head coach Sean McVay’s Rams were at their best, they jokingly referred to their 11 personnel (one back, one tight end, three receivers) with Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods as 11 1/2 personnel because of how great Kupp and Woods were as blockers. Teams had to match with nickel or dime because of how effective they were as receivers but the Rams would have a massive advantage when they ran the ball.

Drafting Puka Nacua changed everything for this Rams offense, giving them an instant star to pair with Kupp. Nacua had 1,468 yards and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting to C.J. Stroud. What doesn’t show up in the stat sheet is his blocking ability. Nacua’s emergence as an elite all-around wide receiver gives McVay his second iteration of 11 1/2 personnel.

The Rams have moved away from their outside zone into a more physical and vertical gap scheme. According to Sports Info Solutions, they ranked fifth in gap scheme run attempts last season. Running back Kyren Williams was an excellent fit in this north-and-south scheme. Williams finished second in expected points added (EPA) per rush among running backs with at least 100 carries. There are durability concerns with Williams, but the Rams drafted Blake Corum in the third round. Corum gives them a reliable option and has plenty of experience running Duo, the Rams’ bread-and-butter run concept, at Michigan.

Kupp looked to be slowing down last season but after fully recovering from a hamstring and ankle strain, he reportedly has looked great in camp. If Kupp is back to his old form, the Rams could have an elite receiver duo for Matthew Stafford.

Tight end Tyler Higbee is unlikely to make it back for Week 1 after tearing his ACL and MCL last season but free agent signing Colby Parkinson should fill in nicely during his absence. McVay effusively praised Demarcus Robinson, who is going into his second season with the Rams. With the threat of Nacua and Kupp inside, Robinson’s speed on the outside could be an effective complement.

Sean McVay on the evolution of Demarcus Robinson in the offense #Ramshouse pic.twitter.com/NQZ3j8sWEc

— Nick Hamilton (@NickHamilton213) July 31, 2024

5. Minnesota Vikings

After an injury-plagued season and a Tyreek Hill explosion, Justin Jefferson has some work to do to reclaim the best-receiver-in-league throne. But maybe that doesn’t matter much because he’s being paid like it and defenses treat him like he is. He’s the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback and no receiver has seen as many double teams from 2022-23.

In seven games without Jefferson, Jordan Addison had 437 receiving yards, four touchdowns and 911 total yards for the season. The second-year receiver looks in line for a breakout season with Jefferson returning.

There’s a position battle for the Vikings’ third receiver spot between Brandon Powell, Trent Sherfield and Jalen Nailor. Nailor is having a fantastic camp and looks to be the early favorite to win the job but it’ll be hard to earn targets as the fourth option after Jefferson, Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson.

Hockenson was on the verge of the best year of his career and was 40 yards short of his first 1,000-yard season before tearing his ACL and damaging his MCL against the Lions on Dec. 29. He’s a borderline elite receiving tight end, but in coach Kevin O’Connell’s system with all the attention that Jefferson gets, he has the potential to produce like one depending on how healthy he is.

The Vikings’ run game lacked punch last season. Aaron Jones, added in free agency, will provide a spark in the run and pass games. Jones has been one of the most efficient runners in the league. He ranked second in rushing success from 2021-2023.

This group’s ranking hinges on Jefferson’s greatness but things can fall apart quickly with Addison facing potential legal issues that could cause him to miss games and we’ll see how close Hockenson is to 100 percent when he returns.

6. Seattle Seahawks

DK Metcalf hasn’t produced at an elite level consistently but he’s also sharing the field with Tyler Lockett, who has been one of the league’s best No. 2 targets, and quarterback Geno Smith does a good job of sharing the love between the two.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, last year’s first-round pick, didn’t have the rookie season most expected but he had enough flashes to believe he’ll live up to his draft position. It’s just hard to take away targets from Metcalf and Lockett.

You can't make this stuff up.@dkm14 with the one-handed catch. 😳 pic.twitter.com/kdkZq41RWj

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) July 31, 2024

Tight end Noah Fant is also a good player who could be more productive on another team.

Kenneth Walker is one of the most unique running backs in the league. He doesn’t run how backs are coached on various concepts but because of his ability to make defenders miss, he’s capable of producing explosive runs. Since 2022, Walker ranks ninth in explosive run rate (9.6 percent) but 42nd in rushing success rate (34.5 percent) among running backs with at least 200 carries.

7. Chicago Bears

It’s hard to believe the Bears’ No. 1 receiver a couple of years ago was Darnell Mooney. General manager Ryan Poles has completely rebuilt this skill players group with stars at nearly every position.

DJ Moore had his best season after getting traded to Chicago last year. This year, Poles also traded for Keenan Allen, who was having the most productive year of his career before a heel injury ended his season in Week 13. Drafting Rome Odunze with the ninth pick puts this receiving corps over the top. Odunze has the size and skill to be a true X and has a mature game that should translate quickly to the pros.

Caleb Williams hits Rome Odunze in the end zone for a touchdown!

Beautiful. #Bears pic.twitter.com/TrnGbik71A

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) July 30, 2024

Tight end Cole Kmet will likely see his production dip with so many weapons, but he’s a fine player who will make linebackers pay in coverage.

Free agent signing D’Andre Swift is an explosive running back to pair with Khalil Herbert.

Caleb Williams’ surrounding cast is light years ahead of what the Bears provided for Justin Fields.

8. Houston Texans

The Texans may be too low on this list but the jury is still out on whether Father Time is catching up with Stefon Diggs or maybe he just needed a fresh start. Tank Dell was electric as a rookie, but he broke his fibula in Week 13 and was wounded by a gunshot in the offseason.

Nico Collins blossomed into a bonafide No. 1 receiver last season. Only Hill finished with a higher (Y/RR) than Collins. He’ll take a lot of the load off Diggs, who was the undisputed No. 1 during his time in Buffalo. Allowing Diggs to get more one-on-ones and face inferior corners should be fruitful for the Texans.

Dalton Schultz is a quality tight end. Running back Joe Mixon isn’t a game-changer but is an upgrade over their 2023 running back room.

9. Cincinnati Bengals

Ja’Marr Chase is a top-five receiver in the league and Tee Higgins would be a No. 1 in many offenses. For so long, the Bengals’ identity was built on having three extremely productive receivers but Tyler Boyd is no longer on the team. This season, there’s a position battle for the third receiver spot.

Early reports are second-year receiver Andrei Iosivas has been very impressive in camp and rookie Jermaine Burton is also a possibility for that third spot.

Running back Zack Moss is cost-effective and played well last year for the Colts in Jonathan Taylor’s absence but he’s a journeyman on his third team in his four-year career.

Tight end Mike Gesicki is a very limited player and I wouldn’t expect him to be very productive but maybe he can give them another option in the red zone.

Having a receiver duo like Chase and Higgins puts this group on the list but there are a lot of questions outside of them.

10. Baltimore Ravens

Zay Flowers looks on his way to becoming a No. 1 receiver. If Rashod Bateman stays healthy, he’s a very good No. 2 receiver. Mark Andrews is one of the NFL’s best receiving tight ends and Isaiah Likely is the league’s best second tight end. Derrick Henry is still elite but it would be wise to lighten his usual load, which is where Justice Hill comes in. Also, Keaton Mitchell will return at some point — he looked electric before his injury last season.

Why others didn’t make it

Lions: Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs might leap to elite in their second season and Amon-Ra St. Brown is great in the slot but admittedly, this list rewards outside receiver talent a little bit more. If Jameson Williams breaks out, this offense could be unstoppable. Also, the Lions’ elite offensive line is a big part of their success.

Packers: They have the potential to be a top-five team with several young players looking like they’re ready to make the jump but they are largely unproven.

Bills: They’ll need tight end Dalton Kincaid to make a huge jump and rookie receiver Keon Coleman to make a big impact immediately.

Browns: Amari Cooper is one of my favorite route runners to watch in the league but can disappear for stretches. David Njoku broke out last season, but Nick Chubb, their best player, is coming off a major knee injury.

Colts: I love this skill group but their only undisputed blue-chip player is running back Jonathan Taylor.

Titans: DeAndre Hopkins is 32 years old and hurt his knee in camp and Calvin Ridley is coming off a disappointing season.

(Top photo of Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle: Michael Owens / Getty Images)