Ranking The Positions: NFL Offense

Ranking the Positions: NFL Offense

1. Quarterback     

This one is a no-brainer. The Quarterback is in charge of completely running the offense for most of the teams in the NFL nowadays. Whether it be calling plays, audibles, or anything of that sort, it's usually the QB in charge. One could argue that the offensive line is the most important position. Well, it's not.

A perfect example would be the Packers, or even the Jets. The Packers' offensive line was downright horrible, but since they had a very good quarterback lined up behind the center, they were able to make it to the playoffs. While the Jets on the other hand had a great offensive line made up of both young and old stars, they just didn't have the Quarterback that was capable of winning the biggest games.

Finishing with a 9-7 record, mainly because of Sanchez's mistakes, the Jets are hoping he progresses into more of a leader, while also developing his passing skills. The Jets' offensive line sent three starters to the Pro-Bowl, and it could easily be argued that had the Jets kept Favre, or brought in a QB just slightly better than Sanchez, the Jets could've beaten the Colts this year... twice. 95 percent of the time, the vocal leader for a team both on and off the field is the Quarterback, which is exactly why it ranks as the most important position on the offensive side of the ball.

2. Offensive Line
Imagine lining up behind five horrible offensive lineman, with 11 defenders giving you the death stare as you prepare to hike the ball. Scary thoughts. Can a team run the ball successfully without a good line? No. Can they pass the ball with success if the Quarterback is repeatedly getting hit? No. Neither of these things can happen unless you've got a great of a running back, or a great QB.

While it's not the most important position, it is the most underrated position. The linemen make the holes, they pull across the field to crush the linebacker on a counter run. It probably sounds weird, but there are some clutch linemen in this league when it comes down to needing a few yards on the run, or protecting his Quarterback in the two minute drill.

The good linemen in this league aren't big most of the time either, just very, very athletic. Which makes them superb football players. Basically, when it comes down to it, a team needs a strong, fundamental line or they will never succeed.

3. Wide Receiver

Colts have Wayne and Company

Packers have Jennings

Texans have Andre Johnson

Saints have Colston
Cardinals have Boldin+Fitzgerald

Patriots have Moss+Welker

Eagles have DeSean

Cowboys have Austin

What's so great about this list? Almost every single player listed was on a playoff team this season. Listed are eight different combinations, so out of 12 playoff teams, you already know that almost 75 percent of them had great receivers. Oh wait, the Chargers have Vincent Jackson. The Vikings have Sidney Rice, and last but not least, the Bengals have Chad OchoCinco. That's 10 teams right there, and only two were left off the list: the Baltimore Ravens, and the New York Jets. 

Two teams are in a small group when it comes to success without a stud Wideout. Although we've seen Quarterbacks succeed without good receivers, most of the time it takes a little bit of both to win big games. The route running, speed, hands, and everything a receiver brings to an offense is spectacular, especially when you're talking about guys like Randy Moss or Andre Johnson.

4. Tight End

Yes, having a good running back is always nice, but the running back has proven to be a small factor when it comes down to a team winning games. The tight end position is responsible for doing everything: blocking. receiving. everything. A lineman, mixed with a receiver: packed with speed to outrun the defenders, but the strength to pop anyone in the league.

A new corp of Tight ends including Dallas Clark and Jermicheal Finley have shown that when the clock is winding down and the team needs them to do something big, they do it. Jason Witten had over 1,000 yards receiving this season, showing just how much the Tight End has evolved into a main part of many offenses. A good tight end certifies the middle of the field, and a great one can completly shift the defense's mindset during the middle of a game.

5. Runningback

One Word. Colts. Another word. Saints. Just one more word. Titans. The Colts have Joseph Addai and a few other guys as their main running backs, and look how hard they are to beat. The Saints have Reggie Bush, a potential star, and Pierre Thomas as their main rushers, yet... Super Bowl team. The Titans have the guy who is obviously the best running back in the league. But, they finished 16th in the league in scoring.

Can a back succeed without a good line in front of him? No. Can a runningback succeed if the QB and WR aren't also posing a threat in the passing game? No. For a running back to succeed, the entire team has to play its part, which is why the position of Running back falls last on the list of importance.