NFL 2025 Positional Power Rankings: Who Leads the Pack?

When it comes to analyzing NFL rosters, context is everything. A team might appear strong in one area, but how does that strength stack up against the rest of the league? This year, we’ve ranked all 32 teams across 10 key positional groups, providing a detailed outlook on the best, shakiest, and most intriguing units heading into the 2025 season.

Quarterback Rankings

Best: Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson continues to dominate, leading all quarterbacks in QBR, ANY/A, and expected points added. With career highs in passing yards (4,172) and touchdowns (41) in 2024, Jackson remains the dual-threat king. Backup Cooper Rush adds solid depth.

Shakiest: New Orleans Saints Derek Carr’s sudden retirement has left the Saints in a tough spot. Rookie Tyler Shough, along with Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener, will compete for the starting role, but the position remains a question mark.

Unit to Watch: Minnesota Vikings With Sam Darnold’s resurgence in 2024, the Vikings were a powerhouse. Now, all eyes are on 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy to see if he can maintain the team’s high level of play.

Running Back Rankings

Best: Detroit Lions Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery form the league’s most dynamic duo, combining for 5,960 yards and 57 touchdowns since 2023. Gibbs led the NFL with 20 TDs in 2024, while Montgomery continues to be a consistent force.

Shakiest: Dallas Cowboys The Cowboys’ running back room remains a concern. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders are the top options, but neither has been particularly efficient in recent years. Rookie Jaydon Blue could see significant playing time.

Unit to Watch: Los Angeles Chargers Najee Harris and first-round pick Omarion Hampton headline a revamped Chargers backfield. Hampton’s three-down ability could make him an immediate impact player.

Wide Receiver Rankings

Best: Cincinnati Bengals Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are arguably the best WR duo in the league. Chase’s 2024 season was historic, with 1,700+ yards and 17 TDs. Higgins, despite injuries, remains a reliable target.

Shakiest: Las Vegas Raiders Jakobi Meyers is a solid option, but the Raiders lack proven depth. Rookies Jack Bech, Dont’e Thornton Jr., and Tommy Mellott will need to step up.

Unit to Watch: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike Evans continues to defy age, while Jalen McMillan and rookie Emeka Egbuka add youth and explosiveness. Chris Godwin’s health will be key to this group’s success.

Tight End Rankings

Best: Baltimore Ravens Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely form one of the league’s top TE duos. Andrews leads all tight ends in touchdowns since 2019, while Likely has been a consistent contributor.

Shakiest: New York Jets Rookie Mason Taylor has potential, but the Jets lack proven depth at the position. Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt, and Zack Kuntz will need to step up.

Unit to Watch: Miami Dolphins Darren Waller’s return from retirement adds intrigue to the Dolphins’ TE room. With Julian Hill and Pharaoh Brown as his competition, Waller could see significant snaps.

Offensive Line Rankings

Best: Philadelphia Eagles The Eagles’ offensive line remains elite, led by tackles Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson add stability, though Dickerson’s injury is a concern.

Shakiest: Jacksonville Jaguars The Jaguars’ offensive line continues to struggle. Walker Little and Anton Harrison have been inconsistent, and the interior remains a work in progress.

Unit to Watch: Detroit Lions Despite losing Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler, the Lions’ offensive line remains strong. Graham Glasgow and rookie Tate Ratledge will be key to maintaining the unit’s dominance.

Defensive Line Rankings

Best: Seattle Seahawks Leonard Williams leads a stacked Seahawks defensive line. Jarran Reed and Johnathan Hankins add depth, while rookie Byron Murphy II could take a leap in his second year.

Shakiest: San Francisco 49ers The 49ers’ defensive line is a major concern after losing Maliek Collins and Javon Hargrave. Rookies Alfred Collins and CJ West will need to make an immediate impact.

Unit to Watch: Arizona Cardinals Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell anchor a revamped Cardinals defensive line. Rookies Darius Robinson and Walter Nolen III add upside to this unit.

Edge Rusher Rankings

Best: Pittsburgh Steelers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith form one of the league’s top edge-rushing duos. Watt’s 108 sacks since 2017 lead the NFL, while Highsmith remains a consistent threat.

Shakiest: Washington Commanders The Commanders’ edge-rushing unit is a major question mark after losing Dante Fowler Jr. Journeymen Deatrich Wise Jr. and Von Miller will need to step up.

Unit to Watch: New York Giants Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and rookie Abdul Carter give the Giants one of the most talented edge-rushing groups in the league. How they utilize this trio will be key.

Linebacker Rankings

Best: Washington Commanders Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu lead a strong Commanders linebacker corps. Wagner remains a top-tier player, while Luvu is a versatile playmaker.

Shakiest: Los Angeles Rams The Rams’ linebacker unit is a major concern after Christian Rozeboom’s departure. Troy Reeder and Nate Landman will need to step up.

Unit to Watch: Philadelphia Eagles Zack Baun’s breakout 2024 season has solidified the Eagles’ linebacker unit. With Nakobe Dean and rookie Jihaad Campbell recovering from injuries, depth will be key.

Cornerback Rankings

Best: Baltimore Ravens Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, and Jaire Alexander form one of the league’s top cornerback trios. Chidobe Awuzie adds depth to this elite unit.

Shakiest: Miami Dolphins The Dolphins’ cornerback room is a major concern after losing Kendall Fuller and Jalen Ramsey. Artie Burns and rookie Jason Marshall Jr. will need to step up.

Unit to Watch: Jacksonville Jaguars Travis Hunter’s arrival adds intrigue to the Jaguars’ cornerback room. With Tyson Campbell and Montaric Brown returning, this unit could take a step forward.

Safety Rankings

Best: Detroit Lions Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch form the league’s top safety duo. Joseph took his game to the next level in 2024, while Branch continues to develop.

Shakiest: Washington Commanders The Commanders’ safety unit is a major concern after losing Jeremy Chinn. Will Harris and Quan Martin will need to step up.

Unit to Watch: Green Bay Packers Xavier McKinney’s arrival has solidified the Packers’ safety unit. Rookies Javon Bullard and Evan Williams add depth to this talented group.

Overall Rankings

Best: Baltimore Ravens The Ravens have one of the most complete rosters in the league, led by Lamar Jackson and a dominant defense. With key additions like Jaire Alexander and DeAndre Hopkins, Baltimore is a Super Bowl favorite.

Shakiest: New Orleans Saints The Saints’ quarterback situation and aging roster make them the league’s shakiest team. Unless Tyler Shough proves to be a gem, New Orleans could be in for a long season.

Unit to Watch: Detroit Lions The Lions were dominant in the regular season but faltered in the playoffs. With a healthy defense and an elite offense, Detroit has a strong case as the NFC’s best team on paper.