Ranking the NFL’s top five playmaker groups

Kyle Shanahan certainly had plenty of weapons at his disposal prior to acquiring Christian McCaffrey, but the addition of the five-star playmaker to a lineup that already features ultra-versatile talents like Deebo Samuel, Kyle Juszczyk and George Kittle could make this unit impossible to defend. With CMC immediately showing his big-play chops on San Francisco as a triple-threat with scoring potential as a runner, receiver and passer, opponents must pay close attention to the backfield while neglecting the rest of the explosive players on the perimeter, a group that also includes Brandon Aiyuk. Considering Samuel, Kittle and Juszczyk have routinely shown the capacity to dice up defenses from their respective positions, the 49ers have the ability to really stress opponents with favorable matchups all over the field.

It is not a coincidence that Mike McDaniel has quickly transformed the Dolphins into an offensive juggernaut after spending his formative years working with Kyle Shanahan. The former 49ers assistant has elevated the play of his young quarterback by surrounding him with a dynamic set of playmakers. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are the most explosive pass-catching tandem in the league. With their speed, quickness and burst, opponents are tasked with defending every blade of grass, from sideline to sideline and end line to end line. This stretches the field out, creating space for Mike Gesicki in the passing game and Raheem Mostert (as well as new trade acquisition Jeff Wilson Jr.) on the ground. With Tua Tagovailoa growing increasingly comfortable in the system, the Dolphins have started to light up scoreboards around the league with a high-octane offense that’s a nightmare to prepare for.

Credit general manager Howie Roseman for surrounding Jalen Hurts with a dream team on the perimeter. The Eagles’ emerging franchise quarterback has played at an MVP level in 2022 by efficiently distributing the ball to a diverse group of playmakers with complementary games. With A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith taking turns making plays on the outside, Dallas Goedert controlling the middle of the field and Quez Watkins providing the occasional splash play, the Eagles have the capacity to win with efficiency or explosiveness in the passing game. As Miles Sanders and Hurts continue to torment opponents with an option-based running game that forces defenders to pause at the point of attack, Philadelphia’s offense creates chaos with its creativity, variety and overwhelming talent.

Do not let the Bengals’ slow start overshadow the immense talent and potential of a group that features three high-caliber pass catchers and a blue-chip running back. Now, Ja’Marr Chase‘s hip injury gave me pause when considering whether to include Cincinnati in this ranking at this very moment. He’s clearly the straw that stirs the drink. But seeing how the Bengals have chosen to not place him on injured reserve, it appears he could be back in action sooner than initially expected. And once he does return, the playmaking quartet of Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd and Joe Mixon provide the kind of explosive capability that can fuel a Super Bowl run. (Remember last season?) Whether it is Chase and Higgins blowing past defenders on vertical routes, Boyd moving the chains on catch-and-run plays or Mixon bullying opponents between the tackles, the Bengals’ diversity makes them a challenge to defend as a high-powered offense. If Cincy’s offensive line holds its own at the line of scrimmage, it is hard to deal with Zac Taylor’s squad.

Maybe Russell Wilson misevaluated the playmakers around him in Seattle. The NFC West leaders are flourishing with journeyman Geno Smith at the helm due to the dynamic playmaking ability of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and now rookie sensation Kenneth Walker III. Metcalf and Lockett are all-star-caliber pass catchers with the ability to blow past defenders on vertical routes. In addition, each playmaker is capable of turning a short gain into an explosive play on a catch-and-run concept. With Walker adding a different dimension to the offense as a hard-nosed runner with electric speed and quickness, the Seahawks’ old-school offense has become a headache to defend in a pass-happy league.