0
0
The normal suspects — we’re taking a look at you, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals — ought to once more have high-powered offenses. But what groups may enter the 2025 NFL season with dreadful offenses?
Ahead of coaching camps opening in late July, Yardbarker NFL writers grade every AFC staff’s skill-position group.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen.
Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
BUFFALO BILLS | Grade: A- |
Although his passing numbers had been down from the earlier season, QB Josh Allen completed final season as NFL MVP, and third-year RB James Cook rushed for a career-high 1,009 yards and tied for the league lead with 16 dashing TDs. Imagine what the NFL’s second-ranked scoring offense may have executed had Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir, the staff’s high two receivers, managed greater than 4 TD receptions every in 2024.
MIAMI DOLPHINS | Grade: B |
After a disappointing 8-9 2024 season, it’s straightforward to overlook that in 2023, QB Tua Tagovailoa (4,624 yards passing) and WR Tyreek Hill (1,799 yards receiving) led the league at their positions whereas RB De’Von Achane averaged 7.8 yards per carry and rushed for 800 yards. Head and hip accidents price Tagovailoa six video games in 2024, but when he can keep wholesome, the offense ought to rival the staff’s 2023 assault (league-best 461.3 yards per recreation).
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Grade: F |
Only the Bears gained fewer yards per recreation (284.6) final season than the Patriots (291.9), who failed to supply a top-20 passer, top-25 rusher or top-50 receiver. Second-round decide TreVeyon Henderson will look to gentle up the staff’s run recreation alongside Rhamondre Stevenson in 2025, however 31-year-old receiver Stefon Diggs should show he’s absolutely recovered from the torn ACL he suffered with the Texans final season.
NEW YORK JETS | Grade: D |
Starting QB Justin Fields, who’s on his third staff in 5 years, threw for 5 TDs in six begins with the Steelers final season. Jets followers should hope tight finish Mason Taylor, the staff’s second-round decide within the 2025 NFL Draft, shines as brightly as No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson, who has had three straight 1,000-plus-yard receiving seasons since becoming a member of the league in 2022. — Bruce Ewing
AFC West
Los Angeles Chargers working again Najee Harris.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
DENVER BRONCOS | Grade: B |
After tossing 29 landing passes in 17 begins throughout his rookie season, QB Bo Nix could take the following step in 2025, however that would show tough with out elite weapons. Except WR Courtland Sutton (1,081 receiving yards in 17 video games final season), no Bronco completed with greater than 503 receiving yards final season. Denver can also be banking on rookie RB RJ Harvey and fellow again J.Okay. Dobbins to enhance its Sixteenth-ranked dashing assault (112.2 YPG).
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Grade: A- |
Star TE Travis Kelce could also be slowing after recording simply three landing catches in 16 regular-season video games final season, however second-year WR Xavier Worthy could also be a breakout candidate. He had essentially the most receiving yards (287 in three video games) within the playoffs. Let’s not overlook about famous person QB Patrick Mahomes, a two-time league MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Grade: B+ |
The Chargers bolstered their backfield this offseason, signing Najee Harris (one yr, $5.25M) in free company and grabbing North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton (decide No. 22) within the NFL Draft. In 2024, Harris rushed for 1,043 yards in 17 video games with the Steelers, whereas Hampton ran for 1,660 yards in 12 video games with the Tar Heels. Meanwhile, second-year WR Ladd McConkey ought to proceed establishing himself as a reliable goal for QB Justin Herbert after ending with the league’s Tenth-most receiving yards (1,149 in 16 regular-season video games) in 2024.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Grade: B+ | New QB Geno Smith needs to be thrilled to be enjoying with second-year TE Brock Bowers, who set the NFL rookie document for receptions (112 in 17 video games in 2024). Vegas wants rookie RB Ashton Jeanty (decide No. 6) to turn into a star. He gained the 2024 Doak Walker Award as school soccer’s greatest RB after dashing for two,601 yards in 14 video games at Boise State. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry.
Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
BALTIMORE RAVENS | Grade: B+ |
RB Derrick Henry, coming off a 1,921-yard season, makes this group a nightmare for defenses as a result of he can change a recreation at any second from any spot on the sector. Baltimore has an excellent tight-end duo (Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely), however the WR depth chart has questions past Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman.
CINCINNATI BENGALS | Grade: A | After a breakout efficiency in 2024, Chase Brown (990 dashing yards) offers the Bengals one of many extra underrated rushers within the league, whereas Mike Gesicki is a matchup downside at tight finish. The actual cash with this group, nonetheless (each actually and figuratively), is at WR, the place Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins type the very best one-two punch within the NFL and have an elite QB (Joe Burrow) throwing to them.
CLEVELAND BROWNS | Grade: C- | WR Jerry Jeudy had a fantastic first season with the Browns (1,229 yards receiving) and has proved to be a succesful No. 1 goal. But the remainder of this group is uninspiring with unproven RBs (Jerome Ford and Quinshon Judkins) and no dependable No. 2 WR (Cedric Tillman and Diontae Johnson are inconsistent).
PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Grade: C+ |
DK Metcalf is a legit No. 1 WR, and with the addition of Jonnu Smith to Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, the Steelers might need one of many NFL’s deeper tight-end teams. But they’ve a severe depth query at WR (once more) with no clear-cut No. 2 man except both Calvin Austin III or Roman Wilson takes an enormous step ahead. — Adam Gretz
AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr.
Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union/USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Images
HOUSTON TEXANS | Grade: B |
The Texans want both Christian Kirk or one in all their rookie wideouts to grab the No. 2 position behind Nico Collins, who is likely one of the NFL’s greatest at his place. If that occurs, QB C.J. Stroud could possibly be poised for a third-year breakout. RB Joe Mixon was stable final season with 1,325 scrimmage yards and 12 whole touchdowns, and tight finish Dalton Schultz is a dependable security valve.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Grade: C- | Except for star RB Jonathan Taylor, the Colts have far too many uncertainties. WRs Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs have flashed playmaking capacity, however both QB Anthony Richardson Sr. or Daniel Jones should play nicely for that to matter. Rookie tight finish Tyler Warren, who had 104 catches for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns at Penn State final season, may rapidly turn into the focus of Indy’s passing offense.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Grade: B+ | If QB Trevor Lawrence stays wholesome, the Jaguars could have severe explosive-play potential. WR Brian Thomas Jr. is coming off an excellent rookie season (87 catches, 1,282 yards, 10 touchdowns) and will profit from defenses having to account for rookie WR Travis Hunter. RB is extra of a query with Travis Etienne Jr. coming off a nasty season and Tank Bigsby solely an early down risk, however Jacksonville has elite offensive expertise.
TENNESSEE TITANS | Grade: C | It is tough to challenge how the No. 1 general decide, QB Cam Ward, will transition to the NFL, and Calvin Ridley seems like the one positive factor at WR. Veteran Tyler Lockett may show to be one of many steals of the offseason if he can bounce again from a down season with the Seattle Seahawks, however that’s hardly a certainty in his eleventh NFL season. RB Tony Pollard was efficient final season with 1,079 dashing yards and 4.2 yards per carry; the Titans want related manufacturing from him in 2025 to take stress off Ward. — Steve DelVecchio
Source link
#Offensive #fireworks #Grading #AFC #skillposition #teams
