Ranking the Top 10 Most Talented Rosters in the NFL
Talent drives the NFL, but raw natural abilities alone aren't enough to reach the pinnacle of the sport. Super Bowls are decided by a mixture of skill, coaching acumen and a little bit of luck.
Refined talent is the product of great evaluation and development programs by a franchise. General managers and coaching staffs that consistently execute in the offseason often find great success on the field. While some of the most talented rosters in the NFL already come together after years of development, others are still budding and working to become the next contender.
By breaking down every team’s elite playmakers and other key difference-makers, we’ve identified the top 10 most talented teams in 2016 across the NFL. While the emphasis is on the top of the roster, it’s important to also consider the above-average players who can swing a game in a heartbeat. We’ve done just that on the next 10 slides.
Which team do you think is the most talented from top to bottom? Make sure you leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
10. Oakland Raiders
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Elite playmakers: Wide receiver Amari Cooper; offensive guards Gabe Jackson and Kelechi Osemele; defensive end Khalil Mack; cornerback Sean Smith
Other difference-makers: Quarterback Derek Carr; defensive end Mario Edwards Jr.; linebacker Bruce Irvin; safeties Karl Joseph and Reggie Nelson
The Oakland Raiders haven’t had a winning season since 2002, yet they’ve built a roster capable of quickly ending that long drought. The youngest team on this list, Oakland will rely on its recent draft picks and free-agency signings to turn the tide of fortune its way. The Raiders' 7-9 campaign in 2015 was filled with promising moments from their premier players, and improved depth on both sides of the ball will help this season.
The elite playmakers on the roster are obvious, and all but cornerback Sean Smith have many years of great play left in the tank. Smith has been terrific in the last few years as well, and he should continue to star as he nears 30 years old. What will put this team over the top is growth from players on the cusp of greatness.
Quarterback Derek Carr has continued to show development since entering the league in 2014, although his play dipped at the end of 2015. If he can consistently be an above-average or even top-10 quarterback, the Raiders won’t have much to worry about in the future. He’s not far from joining Pro Bowl defensive end Khalil Mack as a franchise cornerstone piece.
9. Buffalo Bills
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Elite playmakers: Wide receiver Sammy Watkins; running back LeSean McCoy; left tackle Cordy Glenn; offensive tackle Richie Incognito; defensive tackle Marcell Dareus; defensive end Jerry Hughes; cornerback Stephon Gilmore
Other difference-makers: Quarterback Tyrod Taylor; tight end Charles Clay; defensive end Shaq Lawson; cornerback Ronald Darby
With just two winning seasons since 1999, the Buffalo Bills have been one of the most tormented fanbases in all of professional sports. It’s hard enough to build a sustainable winning franchise in the NFL, but competing against the New England Patriots in the last 15 years has only raised the bar even more. The Bills have worked feverishly to build a playoff-caliber roster through the draft, free agency and trades in recent years.
Their aggressiveness has paid off in terms of just pure talent aggregation. It may be surprising to see this team in our top-10 best rosters, but the Bills' blue-chippers are game-breaking talents. What they’ve struggled most with is filling out the depth around their stars and using the raw talent in a concentrated effort.
2015 was a good example of this. Outside of injuries to McCoy and Watkins, what hurt the Bills was their lack of discipline. They led the NFL in penalties and penalty yards in head coach Rex Ryan’s first season with the team. They must refocus their efforts in a more positive manner to fully realize their potential.
8. Denver Broncos
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Elite playmakers: Wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders; linebackers Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware and Brandon Marshall; defensive end Derek Wolfe; cornerbacks Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby
Other difference-makers: Left tackle Russell Okung; defensive tackle Sylvester Williams; cornerback Aqib Talib; safety T.J. Ward
The 2016 version of the Denver Broncos already looks much different than the 2015 Super Bowl champions. Free agency and retirement ravaged this roster’s depth. Even after losing multiple starters though, Denver is still one of the most talented teams in the NFL.
The challenge for the Broncos will be replacing as many as seven starters this year, including massive question marks at quarterback and along the offensive line. As historically good as the defense was last year, the pressure for the unit to repeat that level of play on a weekly basis could be back-breaking eventually. There’s still a great foundation to build around for the next few years, though.
Broncos general manager John Elway and this coaching staff have done an excellent job in the NFL draft and free agency over the last few years. They’ve spent wisely when they have dipped into the open market, and the coaches have carved the perfect role out for each big-money signing. That’s the key to sustainability, and it appears the Broncos will be a difficult opponent again in 2016.
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7. Cincinnati Bengals
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Elite playmakers: Wide receiver A.J. Green; tight end Tyler Eifert; offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth; offensive guard Kevin Zeitler; defensive tackle Geno Atkins; defensive end Carlos Dunlap
Other difference-makers: Quarterback Andy Dalton; offensive guard Clint Boling; running backs Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard; defensive end Michael Johnson; linebackers Karlos Dansby and Vontaze Burfict; safety George Iloka
Few, if any, franchises work with the budget limitations that the Cincinnati Bengals staff has. Despite reaching the postseason six out of the last seven years, the Bengals coaching staff carries a large burden. The coaches are also the key evaluators to help save costs to ownership, per Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
This has bitten the Bengals at times as they heavily rely on the NFL draft to stock their roster instead of augmenting their weaknesses in free agency. No franchise is as averse to free agency than the Bengals. Fortunately for them, head coach Marvin Lewis and his staff have been excellent at identifying and developing young players.
What’s held the team back in the playoffs is the lack of elite play from several positions, including quarterback, where Andy Dalton hasn't always been stellar. While Dalton and numerous other younger players are above-average talents in the regular season, their age has shown when the pressure elevates. Cincinnati has hit a wall as a wild-card team despite its impressive depth and ability to replenish quickly.
6. Green Bay Packers
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Elite playmakers: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers; wide receiver Jordy Nelson; offensive tackles David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga; offensive guard Josh Sitton; defensive end Mike Daniels; linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers
Other difference-makers: Running back Eddie Lacy; wide receiver Randall Cobb; center Corey Linsley; offensive guard T.J. Lang; safety Morgan Burnett
Maybe the most interesting team on this list is the Green Bay Packers, who have made the playoffs in eight of the last nine seasons, winning the Super Bowl once. They also have 13 combined notable playmakers, with the potential for more if their younger contributors continue to develop.
Justifiably, everything revolves around quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He’s one of the best quarterbacks to ever play, as he combines efficiency with unparalleled playmaking ability. His offensive line is one of the best in the NFL at maximizing the time he has to operate.
Oftentimes, the Packers' biggest enemy is themselves. Injuries have severely hampered this roster for the last few years, and the team has started to move away from injury-prone players as their contracts end. One contributor who must regain his previously elite form but slipped due to weight issues is running back Eddie Lacy.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
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Elite playmakers: Running back Jamaal Charles; wide receiver Jeremy Maclin; tight end Travis Kelce; right tackle Mitchell Schwartz; outside linebackers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali; cornerback Marcus Peters; safety Eric Berry
Other difference-makers: Quarterback Alex Smith; center Mitch Morse; defensive tackles Jaye Howard and Dontari Poe; linebacker Derrick Johnson
The Kansas City Chiefs haven’t won the AFC West since 2010, but that hasn’t stopped them from assembling one of the best rosters in the NFL. By making the playoffs as a wild-card team at 11-5 in two out of head coach Andy Reid’s first three seasons, they’ve been a consistent threat with this core of stars.
On offense, it’s notable that their best players surround quarterback Alex Smith, who is a good starter in the NFL, but far from elite, which has held the team back at times. The Chiefs must be penalized with their overall ranking because they lose the quarterback battle with others in this list.
But premier players lead the rest of the roster at key positions. Houston, Charles, Kelce, Schwartz and Berry are each in the discussion for the best player at their respective positions. If some of their young talent can develop to help shore up some weaknesses on both sides of the ball, the Chiefs can elevate their standing on this list.
4. Carolina Panthers
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Elite playmakers: Quarterback Cam Newton; running back Jonathan Stewart; tight end Greg Olsen; offensive guard Trai Turner; center Ryan Kalil; defensive tackles Kawann Short; linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis
Other difference-makers: Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin; defensive end Charles Johnson; defensive tackle Star Lotulelei
Despite low expectations from the media and fans, the Carolina Panthers reeled off one of the most impressive seasons in recent history. Their dominant defense and incredible growth from quarterback Cam Newton spurred a 17-2 season record. Some may want to dismiss the campaign as a fluke, but the Panthers are as top-heavy as any roster in the NFL.
It’s rare to see a team so successful that is as reliant on its stars as Carolina, but that speaks to how good those individuals are. Newton may lack top-tier talent at wide receiver, but Stewart and Olsen are terrific playmakers in their own right.
This offense also didn’t have the pressure to go the full length of the field every possession because the defense created the second-best starting field position, per Football Outsiders.
The defensive front seven for the Panthers is incredibly stacked. Led by Kuechly, this physical and fast unit squeezes the concept of spacing better than almost any in the NFL. The lone weakness is now at cornerback with Josh Norman residing in Washington.
3. New England Patriots
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Elite playmakers: Quarterback Tom Brady; wide receiver Julian Edelman; tight end Rob Gronkowski; linebackers Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower; safety Devin McCourty
Other difference-makers: Running back Dion Lewis; offensive tackles Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer; tight end Martellus Bennett; defensive tackle Malcom Brown; cornerback Malcolm Butler; safety Patrick Chung
The New England Patriots have been the most successful NFL franchise in terms of winning games since 2001. Head coach Bill Belichick and Brady have helped create a dynasty that has been filled with controversy, Super Bowl titles and 14 double-digit win seasons. Accomplishing such a feat takes more than just two individuals, though.
It’s easy to credit the two future Hall of Famers for most of the success, but that undermines the other impact talents on the roster. The 2016 Patriots are among the NFL’s deepest rosters with their unique build. Brady is aided by possibly the most dominant single player in the NFL with tight end Rob Gronkowski, and he also has quality receiving threats in Edelman and Bennett.
The other side of the ball is loaded with above-average and better players as well. Belichick is a tactical mastermind who maximizes his players by matching skill sets with a role. But the baseline of talent is important, too. Linebackers Collins and Hightower lead this unit as Pro Bowl-caliber players.
2. Seattle Seahawks
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Elite playmakers: Quarterback Russell Wilson; defensive end Michael Bennett; middle linebacker Bobby Wagner; cornerback Richard Sherman; free safety Earl Thomas; strong safety Kam Chancellor
Other key difference-makers: Wide receivers Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett; tight end Jimmy Graham; defensive end Cliff Avril; linebacker K.J. Wright
The second-most talented roster in the NFL belongs to the Seattle Seahawks. Since taking over in 2010, the Seahawks' brain trust, led by general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll, has won the NFC West three out of six seasons. They’ve reached double-digit wins and the playoffs in each of the last four years due in part to a loaded roster.
Although the Seahawks don’t have the highest number of combined elite playmakers and other key personnel, their best players rank among the best at their respective positions. Having a premium quarterback, defensive end, linebacker and three secondary members all in their primes goes further than what the next eight teams have. Wilson, Sherman and Thomas headline a tremendously talented roster.
There are also young and emerging talents the Seahawks will rely on in 2016. Receivers Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett had breakout seasons last year and are fighting to earn elite status. A bounce-back season from Graham would also bolster this offense. Combined, it’s easy to see why the Seahawks have become perennial Super Bowl contenders.
1. Arizona Cardinals
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Elite playmakers: Quarterback Carson Palmer; running back David Johnson; wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald; defensive ends Calais Campbell and Chandler Jones; linebacker Deone Bucannon; defensive backs Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu
Other difference-makers: Offensive guards Mike Iupati and Evan Mathis; offensive tackle Jared Veldheer; wide receivers Michael Floyd and John Brown; safety Tony Jefferson
The only constant is change in the NFL, and the Arizona Cardinals are a great example of that motto in action. Before head coach Bruce Arians and general manager Steve Keim took over, the Cardinals were flailing as NFC West fodder. Three years into their partnership, the franchise has improved its win total from 10 in 2013 to 13 in 2015.
Great coaching plays a major part in that, but so does a stacked roster. The Cardinals have an incredible amount of talent on boths sides of the ball. Their eight elite talents tie for the most on this list, and their six other notables are the second-highest. That combination of top- and second-tier talent is why they reached the conference championship game last season.
The negative about the Cardinals is their collective age and health status among their best players. Palmer and Mathieu are coming off major knee injuries in recent years, and a finger injury greatly affected Palmer in 2015. The ages of Fitzgerald and Mathis also raise questions about longevity.
All stats used are from Pro-Football-Reference.com.
Ian Wharton is an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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