Best Position Groups

As we cruise through the OTAs and the usual off-the-field bullshit of the offseason here's a celebration of the best position groups across the league.

Quarterbacks
Philadelphia Eagles
-Sam Bradford
-Mark Sanchez
-Matt Barkley
-Tim Tebow
-G.J. Kinne
This doesn't mean that the Eagles have the best quarterback situation. Far from it. They have three first round picks. They have two selected in the top-5. That's really no measure as a team with Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith, and Jamarcus Russell would still be looking for a quarterback. Bradford has had some strong moments but can't stay healthy. Sanchez has led strong defensive teams to two AFC Championship games. Tebow led a young, inexperienced Broncos team to a playoff win. Chip Kelly has created a strange quarterback stew. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. Bradford has to stay healthy.

Running Backs
Philadelphia Eagles
-DeMarco Murray
-Ryan Matthews
-Darren Sproles
-Kenjon Barner
-Matthew Tucker
-Raheem Mostert
If this group can stay healthy it's scary. Murray was unable to stay healthy until his breakout season last year. Matthews has dealt with injuries nearly every season of his career. The Eagles have three backs that can pull the focus of the defense.

Wide receivers
Green Bay Packers
-Jordy Nelson
-Randall Cobb
-Davante Adams
-Jason Abbredaris
-Ty Montgomery
-Myles White
It helps that Aaron Rodgers is throwing the football to these guys. Nelson and Cobb are among the best receivers in the game. Adams started stepping up in the playoffs. That's a good time to do it. His role should increase this year. Abbredaris and Janis had a bit of a redshirt year last year. They have the talent to contribute. Montgomery is an explosive football player that never could stay healthy at Stanford. If he can shake those injuries Rodgers has another weapon. The Packers do a remarkable job of selecting receivers outside of the first round.

Tight ends
New England Patriots
-Rob Gronkowski
-Tim Wright
-Scott Chandler
-Michael Hoomanawanui
-Fred Davis
-A.J. Derby
This ranking is due as much to the effective manner in which the Patriots use their tight ends as much as the talent at the position. And there is a lot of talent here. It starts with Gronkowski. He's the best tight end in the game. He's also one of the most dominant offensive players. He tilts the field. The Patriots don't have Gronkowski and a bunch of stiffs. They have talented players behind him. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has created an offense that highlights tight ends and Tom Brady gets the ball to them.

Offensive line
-Tyron Smith
-Zack Martin
-Travis Fredrick
-Ronald Leary
-Doug Free
-La'el Collins
-Ryan Miller
-Chaz Green
-Bernadeau Mackenzy
-Shane McDermott
A lot of people laughed when the Cowboys used first round picks on a guard and a center. No one is laughing now. The Cowboys have built a tremendous offensive line in a very short time. See what happens when you use top picks on a very important position group. This group got ridiculous when they added Collins after the draft.

Defensive line
St. Louis Rams
-Robert Quinn
-Michael Brockers
-Aaron Donald
-Chris Long
-Nick Fairley
-William Hayes
-Eugene Sims
-Louis Trinca-Pasat
-Martin Ifedi
It's a tough call between this group and that of the Buffalo Bills. The Rams get the nod for perceived better depth. Quinn has been a pass rushing beast but Donald is the one that has made this group special. He was unblockable way too often for a rookie last season. For anybody. He's going to get better. Scary.

Linebacker
Denver Broncos
-Von Miller
-Danny Trevathan
-Brandon Marshall
-DeMarcus Ware
-Shane Ray
-Lamin Barrow
-Danny Mason
-Lerentee McCray
The top linebacker group title used to be the sole property of the San Francisco 49ers. That was until this offseason's sudden retirements. The Broncos edge out the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles for the title. That's due mostly to the emergence of the Broncos inside linebackers. Miller is terrific and Ware is still terrific on the outside. Ray should contribute early.

Secondary
-Richard Sherman
-Earl Thomas
-Kam Chancellor
-Cary Williams
-Jeremy Lane
-Tharold Simon
-Dion Bailey
-Ryan Murphy
-Tye Smith
As long as Sherman, Thomas, and Chancellor are patrolling the Seahanks secondary they are the best. The Patriots might have challenged them last year but that group is gone. The Seahawks simply plug in a new corner opposite Sherman every year and let it ride.