The 2024 NFL draft served as a reminder: The arms race to build high-octane offenses across the league is on.
The first round featured a historic 24 picks on offense with just eight defenders getting their name called.
Some of that obviously has to do with the makeup of the class, but there's no denying a trend. Building a championship roster requires constructing an offense that can win in multiple ways under multiple circumstances.
There are a few potential difference-makers left on the free-agent market, and a trade or two could shake things up, but most of the opportunities to drastically improve have come and gone.
That makes this an ideal time to take stock of the offenses around the league. Using last year's performance as a baseline and adjusting for additions and losses, here's how all 32 teams stack up going into the season.
32. New England Patriots
Why They're Ranked Here
The New England Patriots were close to last in just about every category last season. They were 31st in EPA, 30th in scoring and 31st in yards per play. The personnel wasn't the best, and the coaching was rarely able to maximize the talent they did have.
It's no wonder they started to hit the reset button this offseason.
There's only so much that can be done in one offseason, though. The Patriots drafted Drake Maye, Ja'Lynn Polk and three more offensive players before taking their first defensive rookie in the sixth round. They also signed K.J. Osborn, Antonio Gibson, Chukwuma Okorafor and Jacoby Brissett. It all equates to a fresh new start, but it doesn't exactly scream immediate improvement to the middle of the NFL pack.
How They Could Improve
It's going to take Maye some time to acclimate to the league, they don't have a great answer at left tackle and they're still missing a true No. 1 wide receiver. Ja'Lynn Polk might evolve into that, but it isn't even a role he played in college, with Rome Odunze serving as the team's top target.
Chukwuma Okorafor is a veteran with a lot of experience, but he lost his starting right tackle spot to Broderick Jones in Pittsburgh and couldn't beat out Dan Moore Jr. for the job on the left. Maye brings an exciting upside to the long-term future of the offense, but finding real solutions at left tackle and wide receiver is the next objective on the checklist.
31. Carolina Panthers
Why They're Ranked Here
Last year couldn't have gone worse for the Carolina Panthers offensively. They threw Bryce Young onto the field with one of the worst supporting casts in the league, and he was unable to elevate them. The good news is they brought in Dave Canales as the new head coach. He did wonders for the careers of Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield at previous stops.
He'll have an opportunity to do the same with Young, but the supporting cast is still a work in progress. The Panthers did what they could with the resources they had, but it's still not stellar on paper. Trading for Diontae Johnson and drafting Xavier Legette improved the receiving corps, and signing guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt should help fortify the protection.
How They Can Improve
Canales can work his magic again. Both Smith and Mayfield enjoyed career renaissances while working with the coach. Young is just 22 years old, which makes him roughly two years younger than the likes of Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. There's plenty of time for him to live up to the hype as a former No. 1 overall pick.
For him to show those flashes in Year 1, the Panthers will have to get a lot out of young players. Jonathan Brooks coming in healthy after a torn ACL in his final season at Texas would help. If the opportunity to add a true outside receiver who could be the No. 1 like Tee Higgins comes along, the Panthers would be wise to take advantage.
30. New York Giants
Why They're Ranked Here
It's a bit of an oversimplification, but the New York Giants offense was one of the worst in the league last season and lost its best playmaker in Saquon Barkley. That's not a recipe for a much better attack in 2024.
That's not completely fair, though. They did lose Daniel Jones for all but six games, and he'll be back. That's not necessarily a huge upgrade, though. The silver lining for the Giants is they made moves that will give them a better shot at being good—it just might take a year.
Malik Nabers gives them a legitimate No. 1 receiver, and signing Jermaine Eluemunor and Jon Runyan Jr. gives them more functional offensive linemen.
How They Can Improve
Most of the improvement needs to come from young players growing into their roles. Evan Neal is going to get another chance at right tackle. Jalin Hyatt is going to have every opportunity to carve out a large role in the passing game. The same can be said for Wan'Dale Robinson.
Brian Daboll did turn the offense around in 2022 with Jones at the helm. If he stays healthy, Nabers is electric from Day 1 and others step up, this offense could surprise.
29. Denver Broncos
Why They're Ranked Here
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix will have to get off to a hot start if the Denver Broncos are to finish higher than this offensively. Last year they were 20th in EPA per play and scoring, but that was with Russell Wilson playing at a reasonably high level. He might not have seen eye-to-eye with Sean Payton, but he threw for 26 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 98.0 passer rating.
The Broncos opted to release him and draft Bo Nix. He'll compete with Jarrett Stidham to be the starter by Week 1. Whoever wins will have a group of receivers with questions of its own. They signed Josh Reynolds but will need Marvin Mims Jr. and Tony Franklin to step into big roles.
How They Can Improve
This is still an offense that is forming around a new quarterback and a young core. There are lots of personnel needs that will arise as they figure out who fits in the long-term picture and who doesn't. If there's an immediate fix that would help a ton it's at center. They lost Lloyd Cushenberry and didn't really make a corresponding move to ease the loss.
Fortunately for them, Connor Williams is still available in free agency. He's coming off a torn ACL but would be a good addition. Mason Cole is still out there too. He's not as good as Williams but would at least give the Broncos a veteran center to pair with their rookie quarterback.
28. Washington Commanders
Why They're Ranked Here
The Washington Commanders were in the bottom third of the league in most offensive metrics last season, but it's hard to hold that against this year's offense. The unit is nearly unrecognizable with Adam Peters taking over as general manager.
Jayden Daniels will take over as quarterback, and his running ability gives him a higher floor than some of the other first-year players. Even if it takes time for him to grow into the passer he can become, he's going to contribute to the offense with his legs.
Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson are an explosive pair who will provide big-play potential, while Austin Ekeler is a quarterback's best friend as an outlet in the passing game.
How They Can Improve
It's going to be crucial for new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury to cater his game plan and philosophy to Daniels' skill set. Kingsbury was behind some good offenses with Kyler Murray in his time at Arizona. Daniels is a different style of quarterback but should thrive in a system that leans on RPOs early on to take advantage of Daniels' running ability.
Ahead of the draft, B/R's Derrik Klassen noted in his scouting report that Daniels would "be best in an offense that leans into his rushing ability and vertical passing, similar to Kyler Murray or Jalen Hurts." Getting Ekeler, McLaurin and Dotson involved in an offense that makes sense for Daniels is the way to the Commanders outperforming their rank.
27. Tennessee Titans
Why They're Ranked Here
The Tennessee Titans are officially starting a new era on offense this season. Gone are the days of having a functional attack by just handing the ball off to Derrick Henry 20 times a game. Henry is off to Baltimore, and Brian Callahan was hired as head coach because of his ability to run a highly effective offense with Joe Burrow in Cincinnati.
The Titans took the right steps toward having a better offense in 2024. They added Calvin Ridley to give them a good one-two punch at receiver with DeAndre Hopkins. The offensive line should be much better with the addition of Lloyd Cushenberry III and JC Latham. Everything is going to depend on how quickly and how much Will Levis can improve in his second season.
How They Can Improve
There are a few things that need to come together for Callahan's offense to reach its potential in his first season. The most important might be at right tackle where Dillon Radunz showed promise and Nicholas Petit-Frere got valuable experience last season. They also need free-agent addition Tony Pollard to rebound after a disappointing season in Dallas last year.
The Titans are still going to have to find some of their identity in running the football. Hopkins and Ridley are going to help Levis, but he's still a young quarterback who will need a lot of support.
26. Pittsburgh Steelers
Why They're Ranked Here
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be one of the most changed offenses in the league this season. They made moves at the most important positions, getting coordinator Arthur Smith to replace Matt Canada and bringing in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to replace quarterback Kenny Pickett. It creates hope for the Steelers faithful and a higher ceiling.
The offensive line is also a reason to get excited. Broderick Jones should be better in Year 2 and first-round pick Troy Fautanu should be an upgrade at left tackle. However, there are still reasons to be skeptical. Wilson is an appreciable upgrade over Pickett, but Mr. Unlimited will be 35 this season and there are a lot of new pieces learning a new system under Smith.
How They Can Improve
The Steelers could use another receiver to make the rest of the room better. George Pickens is the team's top receiver. Getting aggressive to trade for a target who becomes available like Deebo Samuel or Chris Godwin could be the missing piece.
Pickens is emerging as a great vertical threat and rookie Roman Wilson is going to be a good slot option. Getting another receiver who can be a vertical threat on the outside would be huge.
25. Minnesota Vikings
Why They're Ranked Here
The Minnesota Vikings hit the reset button at quarterback this offseason which means things could get worse before they get better. Long term, J.J. McCarthy is a good fit for the Vikings. He appears to have the arm, processing and intangibles to become a good NFL starter. But there's bound to be a learning curve. He's coming from a run-heavy offense at Michigan that didn't ask him to do too much.
The good news for him is that Kevin O'Connell is a good offensive mind who will bring him along appropriately. That might mean the Vikings either go with Sam Darnold or are somewhat limited in the early going. Of course, having Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addision and T.J. Hockenson is going to make it easier to adjust as well.
How They Could Improve
The Vikings have to make the right decision at quarterback. General manager Kwesi Adofo Mensah knows that decision is going to take some time.
"We're not going to rush [McCarthy's] development," Adofo-Mensah told the media. "We're just going to do what's best for the Vikings in the short and long term."
That might mean making Sam Darnold the starter early in the year before transitioning to McCarthy. It might mean taking the training wheels off sooner if he's ready. Outside the quarterback situation, it wouldn't hurt to add someone like Hunter Renfrow to give another option in the passing game and make up for losing K.J. Osborn.
24. New Orleans Saints
Why They're Ranked Here
The New Orleans Saints offense didn't exactly set the world on fire in Derek Carr's first year. They were 10th in scoring, but 20th in yards per play, 14th in EPA and 17th in offensive DVOA. They didn't necessarily do anything to get worse, but they also didn't do much to improve. Signing Cedrick Wilson Jr. and drafting Taliese Fuaga were the biggest moves.
Fuaga is an important one, though. He should slot in as the team's starting left tackle over Trevor Penning. The problem with ranking them any higher is that other teams did more to improve and it's hard to see where the Saints are going to be that much better than they were last season.
How They Can Improve
Improving the run game has to be a priority. Alvin Kamara, 28, isn't getting any younger, and the Saints were 31st in yards per carry (3.6). That average would be even worse if it weren't for Taysom Hill and his 401 yards on 81 carries. The Saints need more out of Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller to have a better ground game.
Their involvement in the run game will be critical because relying on Carr to elevate this offense above where it was last year is not a good plan.
23. Las Vegas Raiders
Why They're Ranked Here
The Las Vegas Raiders didn't wind up getting their quarterback of the future in the 2024 draft. In the short term, that might not be as bad as some think. They signed Gardner Minshew II, and he'll compete with Aidan O'Connell for the starting job.
This is a good time to remind everyone that the Colts were in the middle of the league in most offensive metrics with Minshew, and they didn't have Davante Adams.
Minshew is a great bridge option who finished 13th in total QBR while throwing to Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and not much else. He'll be getting an upgrade in weaponry with Adams, newly drafted tight end Brock Bowers, Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker and Michael Mayer. The weapons are there for the Raiders to be a credible offense throughout the season.
How They Can Improve
Antonio Pierce just wants to "run the damn ball". The problem is that the Raiders just weren't very good at it last season. They averaged 3.7 yards per carry and were 24th in EPA per rush. Josh Jacobs went from leading the league in rushing in 2022 to looking pedestrian in 2023.
With Jackson Powers-Johnson taking over at right guard and Thayer Munford battling rookie DJ Glaze for the right tackle spot, the hope is that the run blocking will be improved. Targeting a veteran right tackle to add to the competition might help. They also brought in Alexander Mattison to pair with Zamir White in the backfield. It all has to lead to a better rushing attack in 2024.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Why They're Ranked Here
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were able to stave off a complete free-fall in the first year of Tom Brady's retirement. Baker Mayfield turned out to be a pretty good fit and earned a contract extension.
However, the offense was really reliant on the trio of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and running back Rachaad White. Compared to the offenses ahead of them, they just don't have many weapons that are going to scare defenses.
They didn't do much to change that in the offseason. Drafting Graham Barton, who should be a Day 1 starter at center, was the biggest move they made on offense. With Evans getting another year older and Mayfield struggling with consistency throughout his career, the Bucs project to be about the same if not a little worse in 2024.
How They Can Improve
Someone has to step up.
Evans and Godwin accounted for 43.5 percent of the team's total offensive yards. When you add in Rachaad White's 1,539 yards from scrimmage, the trio combined for 73.7 percent of the offense. That isn't the way to climb the rankings in a league filled with dynamic offenses.
Trey Palmer had flashes, and Cade Otton was fourth on the team in receiving at 24 years old. If the Bucs have another opportunity to add a playmaker, they should get aggressive to do it.
21. Chicago Bears
Why They're Ranked Here
A general theme in these rankings is that there's a lot of value placed in proven production and synergy within an offense. Building an elite attack takes time and experience. So while there's potential for the Chicago Bears to wind up as a top-10 unit by the end of the season, they are going to have to prove it.
That being said, it's easy to see why there's hype around the Bears offense. First pick Caleb Williams is getting dropped into a situation where he can throw to DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze. Shane Waldron is an experienced offensive coordinator coming to Chicago, and the offensive line isn't bad.
How They Can Improve
It would be nice to see them add more depth on the offensive line. Nate Davis and Braxton Jones both missed significant time with injury. A veteran tackle like former Bear Charles Leno would make it easier to feel good about weathering possible injuries.
The biggest thing this offense is going to need is time, though. They are breaking in a new coordinator, quarterback and two receivers who will play major roles. It's a safe bet that this unit will be a top-10 group in 2025. But there are going to be some bumps in the road in 2024.
20. Cleveland Browns
Why They're Ranked Here
The injury bug destroyed any chance we had of seeing what this Cleveland Browns offense could do last season. Nick Chubb was out for the year before the team even played a full game, and Deshaun Watson wasn't too far behind, playing in six games before shutting it down for the year due to a shoulder injury.
The problem is that Watson wasn't all that great when he did play. His QBR of 42.9 would have placed 24th between Justin Fields and Sam Howell if he qualified.
Still, the Browns still have a lot of potential. They added Jerry Jeudy as a legitimate No. 2 receiver across from Amari Cooper. Nick Chubb is going to return in 2024. It's questionable whether he'll come back at nearly full strength, but the offensive line remains unchanged, so the blocking should be good.
How They Can Improve
The story of the Browns has been whether Watson can reclaim his 2020 form. So far the answer has been no.
If he does, there is serious potential. Jedrick Wills is coming off a disappointing season, but the inside trio of Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic and Wyatt Teller remains one of the best in the league. D'Onta Foreman is going to help pick up the slack if Chubb can't return to full speed. Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy don't form the league's best receiver tandem, but they are more than enough for the Browns to be good.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars
Why They're Ranked Here
Trevor Lawrence has posted a total QBR of 56.1 in each of his last two seasons. That's remarkable consistency. Unfortunately for the Jacksonville Jaguars, it's consistently middle-of-the-pack. He finished 17th both seasons.
Thus, it's fitting that Jacksonville shows up in nearly the same spot.
There are still things to like. Lawrence has the potential to hit another level in 2024. The offensive line should be better with Anton Harrison potentially making a jump in his second season. They also upgraded at center with Mitch Morse coming to play over Luke Fortner.
However, it's unclear if Gabe Davis and a rookie version of Brian Thomas Jr. are going to be upgrades over Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones.
How They Can Improve
The Jaguars' best hope of breaking out of this middle tier of teams is for Lawrence to take another step forward. He's still just 24 years old, which is the same age as several quarterbacks who were just drafted. He had to deal with the turbulence of the Urban Meyer era to start his career; perhaps the stability of entering a third season with Doug Pederson will allow him to take further command of the offense.
They are another team that should consider the veteran wide receiver market. Thomas is a nice prospect and Davis has put up some big games in his time with the Bills, but they just don't have as much firepower as others in the prolific AFC.
18. Arizona Cardinals
Why They're Ranked Here
The Arizona Cardinals' metrics for the 2023 season wouldn't have them close to this ranking, but it's actually too low when you look at what they did over the last half of the campaign. Once Kyler Murray returned to the lineup, they were ninth in EPA per play, 10th in yards per play and fifth in scoring drive rate. They were also one of the best rushing teams in the league, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.
Now Murray will have a full offseason with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing to master the system. It's also noteworthy that the Cardinals gave Murray a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver in Marvin Harrison Jr. He was the No. 1 player on our big board for the 2024 draft and should instantly become the top receiver in the room.
How They Can Improve
Harrison Jr. should be a game-changer. However, they need other young receivers to also take the next step. They signed Zay Jones, which should help, but Tre McBride has to build on his breakout 2023 season while Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch have to prove themselves as building blocks.
The offensive line has some questions too. Jonah Williams will get the opportunity to move back to left tackle after switching to the right side for the Bengals. There was a reason the Bengals wanted to upgrade their left tackle spot, though.
17. Atlanta Falcons
Why They're Ranked Here
The Atlanta Falcons never seemed like their offense was quite as good as the sum of their parts under Arthur Smith. That might have been on the quarterback more so than the coach. Neither will be around in 2024. With Kirk Cousins playing in a Zac Robinson offense, there's renewed hope that Kyle Pitts, Drake London and Bijan Robinson will be the engine behind a powerhouse attack.
That's the positive outlook. The reality is that Cousins is 35 years old and coming off a torn Achilles. He's been playing some of the best football of his career, but it will be interesting to see how quickly he can adjust to his new situation.
How They Can Improve
Despite a strong offensive line and a dynamic talent in the backfield, the Falcons were 30th in red-zone touchdown rate. That's not something Cousins will necessarily help with. His red-zone stats (22-of-45 for 141 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions) really weren't that much better than Desmond Ridder's (29-of-47 for 167 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions).
Play design takes on added importance when the field starts to contract and offenses have to operate in tight spaces. This is the area that Robinson has to make the biggest difference in 2024.
16. Indianapolis Colts
Why They're Ranked Here
The Indianapolis Colts are another team in the middle class with the potential for some serious upward mobility if things break right in 2023. They certainly didn't in 2024, and Shane Steichen showed off his ability to adjust on the fly.
Anthony Richardson was promising in the little action that he saw, but injuries plagued his rookie season. He accounted for seven touchdowns to one interception but only played in four games before a season-ending shoulder injury.
Gardner Minshew II assumed starting duties and kept the offense in the middle of the pack. They lost Minshew, but they added Adonai Mitchell to a promising young group of receivers.
How They Can Improve
Richardson is a little hard to trust. There's such a small sample size and a large injury risk, but the tools are there for the Colts to be much higher by the end of the year. The biggest factor is whether Richardson can stay healthy and live up to the hype.
The Colts should be able to run the ball. They have a strong and experienced offensive line with Jonathan Taylor and a high-upside running quarterback. The question is going to be if the passing game can take a step forward with Richardson now running Steichen's offense.
15. Los Angeles Chargers
Why They're Ranked Here
There is a lot of projection in this ranking. The Los Angeles Chargers finished 21st in scoring offense and 24th in EPA in 2023. There's also a ton of turnover. They are going from a Kellen Moore-led offense that featured Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler and Mike Williams to the physical trappings of a Jim Harbaugh offense with J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Quentin Johnston.
It's a major culture shift, but there's also good reason to believe that it's going to work out. Harbaugh has been successful everywhere he has been. It feels like people have forgotten just how good Justin Herbert is when healthy and protected. The Chargers have a lot better shot at doing that after drafting Joe Alt in the first round.
How They Can Improve
There's a definite downgrade in terms of the skill positions. Quentin Johnston's rookie season was disappointing, and second-round pick Ladd McConkey will be expected to contribute right away. Receivers almost always become available via trade or through waivers from this point until the trade deadline.
The Chargers will likely have to find one. They signed DJ Chark, which helps to some extent, but it's hard to see this offense hitting its ceiling without at least one more pass-catcher.
14. Seattle Seahawks
Why They're Ranked Here
The Seattle Seahawks were a cut above average in 2023, so there's a reason that most of their moves have been focused on improving the defense.
That being said, there isn't a lot of reason to believe the Seahawks will be markedly improved offensively. Geno Smith and Tyler Lockett are each another year older, and the team will be replacing both starting guards with Laken Tomlinson and rookie Christian Haynes.
Former Washington Huskies offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb will take over the same post. Shane Waldron was hired as the offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears. He wasn't bad, but Grubb might have some new ideas on how best to utilize DK Metcalf, Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
How They Can Improve
The Seahawks' biggest area of improvement should be finishing drives. They were ranked 11th in yards per play last season but were still 17th in scoring because they were not good in the red zone. Seattle came away with touchdowns on just 48.1 percent of its red-zone trips, ranking 26th in the league.
Noah Fant only saw two targets inside the 20 all last season. Metcalf saw 23 and converted six of them into touchdowns, but some variety might help the Seahawks become more proficient where it matters most. That would bump them up a few spots.
13. New York Jets
Why They're Ranked Here
The 2023 season was an unmitigated disaster for the New York Jets. Losing Aaron Rodgers didn't help, but the coaching staff was woefully unprepared to make the best of the situation, and the Jets finished 29th in scoring and 31st in yards per play.
The good news is that the personnel is much better on paper. More importantly, they are deeper. Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses were big additions on the offensive line, and drafting Olu Fashanu gives them the depth they need to weather at least one major injury on the offensive line.
If Rodgers can return to his vintage form after the torn Achilles, he can create an elite offense with this supporting cast.
How They Can Improve
This coaching staff has a lot to prove after last season's debacle. Injuries played a part in the offense cratering without Rodgers, but Nathaniel Hackett hasn't done a lot to inspire confidence recently. If he can prove he can call a good offense in N.Y. with Rodgers at the helm, then some of the concerns will be mitigated.
It still feels like the Jets are a wide receiver away from having an elite group. Mike Williams' injury history is concerning, and they are putting a lot of stock in Malachi Corley having an immediate impact.
12. Houston Texans
Why They're Ranked Here
The Houston Texans were easily the most improved offense in 2023. C.J. Stroud was everything they hoped he would be and more. They added Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon to the mix this offseason, so expectations are through the roof.
If everything hits, they'll make this ranking look silly and make the leap as one of the best offenses in the league.
However, we'll pump the brakes for now. This team finished 18th in EPA per play last season and 13th in scoring. Diggs and Mixon are big names, but Diggs faded over the last half of the season and Mixon had a breakaway run rate of just 3.1 percent.
How They Can Improve
The Texans need to be able to run the ball better than they did last season. While Stroud was busy putting on a great rookie season, the run game was almost no help to him. The Texans were 26th in EPA per rush and averaged 3.7 yards per carry. Mixon was a 1,000-yard rusher last season but wasn't efficient, averaging 4.0 yards per carry.
There's also the challenge of developing chemistry and experience as a unit. There's a lot of promise, but the offenses ranked ahead of the Texans here have been doing it for longer.
11. Los Angeles Rams
Why They're Ranked Here
Just when it looked like the Los Angeles Rams' days of having a top-10 offense were in the rearview, Sean McVay worked his magic, Puka Nacua popped as a fifth-round rookie and Kyren Williams finally gave the Rams a difference-maker at running back. In other words, the Rams are still a problem.
Los Angeles finished top-10 in EPA, DVOA, scoring and yards per play. They really aren't losing any key players but added Jonah Jackson, who should be an upgrade at guard. The pieces are all there for the Rams to once again have a great offense.
How They Can Improve
Age still might be a concern. Matthew Stafford is 36 and Cooper Kupp is 30 with an injury history. The receiver depth could stand to be better. They are going to rely a lot on Kupp to continue his production and Nacua to build on last year's campaign. Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell are the next options.
The Rams should have their eye on the waiver wire as teams pare down their rosters. There's bound to be a receiver who could help.
10. Green Bay Packers
Why They're Ranked Here
The Green Bay Packers appear to have found a bona fide franchise quarterback—again. Jordan Love finally got the chance to prove he can be the successor to Aaron Rodgers and didn't disappoint. Love was electric over the back half of the season, placing second in passing touchdowns (21) and passing yards (2,667).
Now he comes back with a young group of receivers who should continue to develop around him. Swapping out Aaron Jones for Josh Jacobs at running back doesn't feel like a huge upgrade, but they are at least younger at the position.
How They Can Improve
There aren't many outright flaws with this offense. Finding the right combination of five linemen will be important. They drafted Jordan Morgan in the first round, but it's unclear whether he will remain at left tackle or kick inside. He has subpar length for the position but might be able to overcome it with his athleticism.
The biggest thing for the Packers will be consistency. If they can play the majority of the season like they did over the back half, they'll surpass some of the teams ranked ahead of them.
9. Dallas Cowboys
Why They're Ranked Here
You can poke fun at the Dallas Cowboys for doing next to nothing this offseason. It's fair. Drafting Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe constituted big long-term moves, but signing Ezekiel Elliott is the next closest thing to a big-ticket item. But it's important to keep in mind that this was the league's highest-scoring offense in the regular season last year.
The Cowboys were sixth in yards per play and second in EPA. Most of that unit comes back, and the players they did lose—Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz—have backup plans in place. Tony Pollard is the major loss that doesn't, but he averaged just 4.0 yards per carry after averaging over five the previous two seasons.
How They Can Improve
It's hard to see this offense reaching its ceiling without at least one more running back. Ezekiel Elliott feels like a sentimental choice, and the Cowboys need more juice than he has to offer at this point in his career.
They could also be in the trade market for a receiver at some point. Cap constraints will make it difficult to swing for the big names like Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel, but if Jalen Tolbert or rookie Ryan Flournoy don't become consistent options by the trade deadline, the Cowboys could have to make a move.
8. Buffalo Bills
Why They're Ranked Here
There's an argument to be made that the Buffalo Bills should be lower. After all, they traded Stefon Diggs and struggled down the stretch last season. Those losses might be overblown, though. Diggs' production declined over the second half of the season and the Bills have young talent to take over. Khalil Shakir is well-positioned to break out, and they drafted Keon Coleman in the second round.
Curtis Samuel, Chase Claypool and KJ Hamler are joining the group too. Even with Diggs fading last season, the Bills still finished third in EPA and sixth in scoring. Josh Allen remains an elite quarterback. Their strong running game and offensive line will pave the way for the Bills to push through any early-season struggles from the receivers.
How They Can Improve
Joe Brady took over as interim offensive coordinator after the team fired Ken Dorsey midseason. Now that they've removed the interim from his title, he needs to shift the offense a little bit. One thing that would help is leaning into 12 personnel more. Last season, they were fifth in EPA when playing with one running back and two tight ends, but they only ran it 20 percent of the time.
Putting Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox on the field together gives them more flexibility to lean into their run game. Both are capable pass-catchers and can cover for the new receivers as they get the hang of the offense.
7. Cincinnati Bengals
Why They're Ranked Here
The Cincinnati Bengals' 2023 season was a disaster on offense. They could never get in a rhythm. Joe Burrow started the year with a calf strain that complicated the beginning of the season then shut his season down after Week 11 with a wrist injury. To make matters worse, Tee Higgins dealt with a rib injury for a good portion of the campaign too.
While 2023 was a lesson in how badly injuries can affect a team, 2024 should serve as a reminder how good the Bengals offense can be when everything is clicking. With the calf injury completely healed, we should see Burrow pushing the ball down the field to one of the best receiver duos in the league in Ja'Marr Chase and Higgins.
How They Can Improve
Getting back to throwing the ball deep is going to help. Burrow averaged a career-low 6.3 intended air yards per attempt last season. This offense is at its best when taking advantage of Chase and Higgins as vertical threats with Burrow's surprising deep-ball accuracy.
That should also help the Bengals run game. Teams were able to stack the box because of the Bengals' reliance on the quick passing game, and the result was an offense that was last in rushing. They'll need to be more balanced in 2024.
6. Baltimore Ravens
Why They're Ranked Here
Year 1 under offensive coordinator Todd Monken was a resounding success for the Baltimore Ravens. He opened up the offense, and Lamar Jackson returned to MVP form with a bigger emphasis on his abilities as a passer. Baltimore finished in the top five of every important metric and did it all without Mark Andrews for nearly half the season.
Monken comes back with a group of skill players who understand the system. They also swapped out oft-injured J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards for Derrick Henry, which doesn't seem fair to opposing defenses if the 30-year-old Henry doesn't fall off the age cliff.
How They Can Improve
The biggest hesitation about ranking the Ravens here or any higher is the offensive line. They are replacing three starters. Center Tyler Linderbaum and left tackle Ronnie Stanley are the only returning starters.
There are in-house options. Andrew Vorhees returns after missing all of his rookie campaign with a torn ACL he suffered at the combine. Daniel Faalele should compete with rookie Roger Rosengarten at right tackle, and Ben Cleveland will compete with Josh Jones for the right guard spot. But it's a lot of pieces to assimilate up front and remain elite.
5. Philadelphia Eagles
Why They're Ranked Here
The Philadelphia Eagles took a frustrating step back in 2023. They missed former offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, and Brian Johnson was relieved of his duties. The personnel is mostly the same in 2024, but Kellen Moore will be calling the offense. He's an experienced coordinator who should get the most out of the talent in Philly.
There's still considerable talent there. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith still form an elite receiving pairing, and they added Saquon Barkley as the featured back. Jason Kelce is retired, but the Eagles drafted Cam Jurgens to account for that inevitability. Everything is in place for the Eagles to rebound.
How They Can Improve
Jalen Hurts must take better care of the football. One of the biggest differences between 2022 and 2023 was the sheer number of turnovers. Hurts threw 15 interceptions, which is nearly half his career total through four years in the league. Some positive regression should help here. Hurts actually had a good turnover-worthy play percentage (3.2 percent)—Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert were at 3.3 percent.
The Eagles were in the negative in turnover margin. If they can fix that, they'll be back in the mix as one of the league's best offenses.
4. Miami Dolphins
Why They're Ranked Here
When the Miami Dolphins have things clicking, they are a nearly impossible-to-stop blur of speed unlike anything in the league. Only the 49ers had a higher percentage of plays that went for over 20 yards (5.8 percent).
Very few teams have someone who can stick with Tyreek Hill in coverage, let alone another to stick with Jaylen Waddle. The combination of elite play design and game-planning with the weapons at Tua Tagovailoa's disposal creates a difficult unit to stop.
Adding Jaylen Wright to the backfield gives them another burner to insure against running back injury. Odell Beckham Jr. could be a strong third option in the passing game who takes some of the pressure off Hill and Waddle.
How They Can Improve
The Dolphins' play-action-heavy zone-based offense makes life easier on offensive linemen, but they still have some questions up front. Isaiah Wynn needs to prove he's the answer at left guard, while Aaron Brewer will take over for Connor Williams at center.
Patrick Paul won't need to start right away, but Terron Armstead's injury history makes it likely he'll be playing at some point. The Dolphins have had mixed success drafting and developing linemen, so another veteran depth player would make this unit a little more durable.
3. Detroit Lions
Why They're Ranked Here
The Detroit Lions continue to prove themselves as an elite offense, even if they are doing it in an unconventional way. While most teams are focused on building an elite receiving corps and explosive passing game, the Lions are building a great attack with a shallow group of receivers, a dynamic running back duo and a burgeoning tight end in Sam LaPorta.
Just about every important starter from the group that ranked fourth in yards per play, fifth in offensive DVOA and fifth in scoring is back. Jonah Jackson left in free agency, but the Lions replaced him with Kevin Zeitler. There's no reason to doubt the Lions will once again be a top-five group in every meaningful category.
How They Can Improve
Just because the Lions have been able to build an elite offense without a group of elite wide receivers doesn't mean it wouldn't help to have them. Amon-Ra St. Brown is special, but the group really needs a second receiver to emerge.
Jameson Williams is the ideal candidate. Between injuries and a suspension for violating the league's gambling policy last season, he hasn't been able to find his groove. Josh Reynolds left in free agency, so it's crucial that Williams plays up to his potential in his third season.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Why They're Ranked Here
Admittedly, the Kansas City Chiefs don't rank this high if you're just taking data into account. They finished 11th in EPA per play last season, 15th in scoring and ninth in yards per game. But then the playoffs came around and Patrick Mahomes had the best overall QBR—and the Chiefs offense scored enough to win another Super Bowl.
Ultimately, it's hard too hard to bet against the combination of Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs did what they could to improve on a limited budget, signing Marquise Brown and drafting Xavier Worthy and Kingsley Suamataia. The Chiefs might take some time to figure out their identity early in the season, but they'll be an elite unit when it counts.
How They Can Improve
The receiver room doesn't feel completely settled. A potential suspension for Rashee Rice looms large. The receiver is facing eight felony charges stemming from his alleged involvement in a multi-car crash in March. James Palmer, formerly of NFL Network, reported that the Chiefs are bracing for him to be suspended for half of the season.
The left tackle spot remains a question mark. Wanya Morris got some run last season, but it wasn't enough to inspire confidence he'll be a long-term solution. The Chiefs seemed to agree when they drafted Suamataia in the second round, but he'll need time to acclimate to the league. EIther one of them stepping up would be huge.
1. San Francisco 49ers
Why They're Ranked Here
Quite simply, the San Francisco 49ers had the most consistent offense from Week 1 to the Super Bowl last season. There's a reason everyone wants a piece of Kyle Shanahan's coaching tree ,and few are as good at getting the best out of his available talent than he is.
In this case, that talent is immense. It's hard to top the quartet of Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel. Time might be running out for the Niners to afford all four of them, but they have them all under contract for this season and rookie Ricky Pearsall waiting in the wings.
How They Can Improve
One of the most impressive things about Shanahan's offensive design is that he finds a way to churn out elite offense even with questions on the line. Colton McKivitz is far from the league's best right tackle, Aaron Banks had struggles at left guard and they relied on 31-year-old Jon Feliciano to be a starter at right guard last season.
Rookie guard Dominick Puni might have a shot at becoming a starter by the end of the season. If McKivitz can take a step forward and Puni is capable of contributing, this group could be even better.
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