Ranking the NFL's 7 Most Talented Rosters Entering 2022 Season

It's the goal of all 32 NFL franchises to assemble the most talented roster, but there's no denying some have done a better job than others.

It takes more than talent to hoist a Lombardi Trophy, but the overall talent level on a roster determines the ceiling of the franchise.

There are plenty of things the league does to encourage parity. From the way the salary cap works to the order of the draft and compensatory picks, there are measures in place to keep the talent disparity to a minimum.

Yet, there are definitely rosters that have much more talent than others.

Let's take a look at the most talented rosters top to bottom in the league right now. Positional value was considered. A talented quarterback means much more in today's league than a running back, for example.

But these teams have talent all over the field with few weaknesses.

7. Philadelphia Eagles

Jordan Mailata and an elite offensive line lead the way for the Eagles in 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles' Jordan Mailata plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Regardless of how pass-happy the league becomes, the ability to control the line of scrimmage is a foundation that can sustain a successful team.

It's the primary reason the Eagles have one of the best rosters in the league right now.

Philadelphia's offensive line finished fourth in PFF's final offensive line rankings in 2021. They open the season as the top-ranked unit by the site for 2022. A big part of that is the tackle tandem of Jordan Mailata (left) and Lane Johnson (right).

The Eagles ability to bully people up front negates the need for elite backs. The stable of Miles Sanders, Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott benefit from leading the league in yards before contact (3.3).

The upgrades at receiver give the offense serious upside if Jalen Hurts can take the next step as a passer. Trading for A.J. Brown gives the Eagles an exciting young tandem with Brown and Smith.

The defense got serious reinforcements this offseason as well. Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean should make immediate impacts in their rookie season. Pairing former Pro Bowler James Bradberry with fellow Pro Bowler Darius Slay gives them a good tandem of cover corners.

The biggest defensive addition might just be Haason Reddick, though. He adds teeth to a pass-rush that only had 29 sacks last year.

A lot still hinges on Hurts' development, but the pieces are there for the Eagles to return to the playoffs.

6. Los Angeles Rams

Cooper Kupp has brought out the best of Matthew Stafford. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp catches a pass during an NFL football practice Saturday, July 30, 2022, in Irvine, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Sean McVay has some key pieces that are going to need to be replaced, but the baseline talent is still there for the Los Angeles Rams to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

We saw what Matthew Stafford can do in a McVay offense. He looked like a quarterback reborn in 2021, tying a career-high in touchdown passes (41) that he set in 2011 as a 23-year-old gunslinger for the Lions.

Of course, having an elite talent in Cooper Kupp helps. His historic 2021 season in which he led the NFL in reception, yards and touchdowns was a big reason for Stafford's rejuvenation.

After Kupp, the receiving corps will look different. Robert Woods is not coming back and Odell Beckham Jr. remains unsigned, however, signing Allen Robinson should help. He had a down year last season, but going from Matt Nagy to McVay is enough reason to believe he can regain his form.

The most important piece to replace on offense is going to be Andrew Whitworth, though. Even at 40 years old he only gave up five sacks and earned an 86.1 grade from Pro Football Focus last season.

On defense, Aaron Donald is a unique force on the inside, they added Bobby Wagner to the middle and Jalen Ramsey leads a talented secondary.

There is reason for concern on the edges, though. With Von Miller bolting to Buffalo they're going to have to find a productive running mate for Leonard Floyd.

5. Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert has everything he needs to take the Chargers to the playoffs in 2022. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass during the NFL football team's training camp, Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in Costa Mesa, Calif. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

The Chargers come in as the only team on this list that missed the playoffs in 2021. If Brandon Staley can't get this group to the postseason, something has gone seriously wrong.

The franchise took full advantage of Justin Herbert's rookie contract. Blessed with an abundance of cap space, they added J.C. Jackson and Khalil Mack, giving the defense a serious boost at two of the most valuable positions in the game.

It's safe to say with Joey Bosa and Mack coming off the edge and Jackson locking up the opposing WR1, the Chargers will see a boost in their pass defense. They finished 16th in passer rating allowed last season but could easily get to the top five if the key players stay healthy.

That's great news for an offense that finished fourth in ESPN's offensive efficiency and brings back all the key pieces on that side of the ball.

The lone significant question is the right side of the offensive line. Rookie Zion Johnson appears to be the starter at guard, while Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reported that all indications are that Trey Pipkins III will beat out Storm Norton for the right tackle spot.

Both are relative unknowns who will face a lot of pressure not to sink an offense that has massive potential.

4. Green Bay Packers

Rashan Gary and the Packers' defense could be a top-five unit in 2022. (Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 22: Rashan Gary #52 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after making a sack during the first half of the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field on January 22, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

How the Green Bay Packers are going to replace Davante Adams is the only serious question they are going to have to answer this season. They have solutions at virtually every other spot on the field.

Losing the high-volume wide receiver leaves the roster with only one glaring hole. They have a lot of candidates to replace his production, but all of them are either unproven (rookies Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs) or have only been role players (Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Sammy Watkins).

We'd assume that Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers are going make those pass-catchers at least serviceable, and you could argue for just about any other position unit to be ranked in the top five.

Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon combined for 2,306 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns. The offensive line is expected to get David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins back and finished 14th in PFF's rankings despite losing both for significant portions of 2021.

On defense, Rashan Gary gives them a formidable pass-rushing duo with Preston Smith. Jaire Alexander gives them a lockdown corner, and De'Vondre Campbell just turned in a Pro Bowl season at middle linebacker.

Even if the Packers offense takes a while to jell, the defense is good enough to make them competitive every week.

3. Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Mixon, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are among the best offensive trios in the league. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 30: Ja'Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates scoring a touchdown with teammates Tee Higgins #85 and Joe Mixon #28 in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 30, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The scariest thing about the Cincinnati Bengals' run to the Super Bowl is that it probably came a year earlier than it should have.

The Bengals still had a fatal flaw last year in the offensive line. However, the combination of Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd along with Joe Mixon was enough to compensate for lackluster protection and a lack of physicality in the run game.

That is until the Rams exposed the weakness in the Super Bowl. They sacked Joe Burrow seven times, and the Bengals still only lost 23-20.

Now that the offensive line has been addressed—the team signed Ted Karras, La'el Collins and Alex Cappa for a combined annual average value of $21.8 million—the Bengals are even more dangerous on paper.

Lost in the hype of Burrow, Chase and the high-flying offense is a defense that pairs nicely. The Bengals were eighth in points allowed per drive. Free-agent additions Chidobe Awuzie (5.4 yards allowed per target) and Trey Hendrickson (sixth in total pressures) were key in helping the defense take the next step.

The Bengals may have overachieved for a 10-7 team in the playoffs. However, they are actually better suited to make a run this season.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Evans and Chris Godwin lead a talented receiving corps. (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

TAMPA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 14: Mike Evans #13 and Chris Godwin #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers break from the huddle during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

Tom Brady wouldn't have agreed to come back for yet another season at the age of 45 unless he had a good chance to win another Super Bowl.

That's exactly what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster is built to do.

There's playmaking talent all over the offense. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin would both be considered WR1 for most of the teams in the league. In Tampa, they are 1A and 1B. Now throw in Russell Gage, who lead all wide receivers in targets for Atlanta last year, and Julio Jones.

Despite his age, Brady is still one of the elite quarterbacks in the game. He was second in the league in total QBR, only trailing MVP Aaron Rodgers.

The defense is equally stacked at all three levels.

On the defensive line, Shaquil Barrett is still a top quarterback hunter. He finished 12th in total pressures last season. They swapped out Ndamukong Suh for Akiem Hicks on the interior.

At linebacker, Devin White is one of the most effective blitzers in the league. He led all inside linebackers in pressures.

The secondary is among the best in the league as well. Corners Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis finished 20th and 21st respectively in PFF grading, while safety Antoine WInfield Jr. finished second among all safeties.

Age and injuries are the only things holding back the Bucs from the No. 1 spot here. According to Spotrac, the Buccaneers are the second-oldest team in the league. They'll need significant contributions from Brady, Jones, Hicks and Lavonte David, all of whom are 30 or over.

Much of the roster that won the Super Bowl two years ago is still in Tampa, and they're going to be formidable once again in 2022.

1. Buffalo Bills

Von Miller could be the missing piece for the Buffalo Bills defense. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)

Buffalo Bills defensive end Von Miller (40) takes part in a drill during practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Pittsford, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)

Nobody circles the wagons—or collects talent—like the Buffalo Bills.

General manager Brandon Beane and the Bills' front office have done an incredible job of putting a team around Josh Allen. The quarterback has developed into a superstar over the last few seasons in part because he's been given the tools to succeed.

They have an elite wide receiver in Stefon Diggs who is in his prime. They've restocked the receiving corps with younger, more exciting options. Gabe Davis showed what he could do in the divisional round against the Kansas City Chiefs, as he had eight catches for 201 yards and four touchdowns.

The Bills were 13 seconds from winning that game and meeting the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game. We'll never know what that matchup would have looked like, but Von Miller coming off the edge could have been the difference against the Chiefs.

The veteran defensive end was a terror in the playoffs for the Rams, as he had four tackles for loss, four sacks and six quarterback hits in the postseason to help Los Angeles win the title.

Now he joins a defense in Buffalo that already has two All-Pro talents in the secondary in Jordan Poyer and Tre'Davious White.

2022 is truly a Super Bowl or bust season in Orchard Park.