The problem with ranking NFL rosters is that quarterbacks have outsized influence. NFL QBs impact a game’s outcome more than any player at any positon in sports.
With that in mind, we’ve ranked every roster in the league while excluding quarterbacks. Where do the Kansas City Chiefs land if we don’t factor Patrick Mahomes into the equation? How do the Buffalo Bills stack up without Josh Allen?
Here’s how PFN ranks the NFL’s rosters without considering QBs.
Ranking Every Roster in the NFL Entering 2024 (Excluding QB)
32) Arizona Cardinals
QB: Kyler Murray
Roster strength: Safety. Arizona deployed plenty of three-safety, Big Nickel looks in 2023, with Jalen Thompson, Budda Baker, and Andre Chachere playing at least 450 snaps each. Fourth-round rookie Dadrion Taylor-Demerson could enter the mix in 2024.
Roster weakness: EDGE. Rookie ‘tweener Darius Robinson should help, but the Cardinals don’t have much pass-rushing depth. They declined former first-round pick Zaven Collins’ fifth-year option, signaling their displeasure with his conversion from off-ball to the edge. Dennis Gardeck is a viable rotational piece, but Arizona is banking on more from 2023 second-rounder BJ Ojulari.
31) New York Giants
QB: Daniel Jones
Roster strength: EDGE. The Giants stole pass rusher Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers, trading just second- and fifth-round picks to land one of the NFL’s more consistent edge defenders. Kayvon Thibodeaux broke out for 11.5 sacks in 2023.
Roster weakness: Secondary. New York is banking on youth after parting ways with safety Xavier McKinney and cornerback Adoree’ Jackson this offseason. Additionally, 2023 first-rounder pick Deonte Banks needs to step up in his second NFL season, while the Giants will likely rely on rookies Tyler Nubin and Andre Phillips to start at safety and corner, respectively.
30) Los Angeles Chargers
QB: Justin Herbert
Roster strength: EDGE. While the Bolts overhauled their roster this offseason, they kept Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. Mack is 33 years old but posted a career-high 17 sacks last year. Five years younger than Mack, Bosa needs to stay healthy after missing 17 games over the past two seasons. Tuli Tuipulotu flashed in his 2023 rookie year, and recent free agent addition Bud Dupree is an overqualified EDGE4.
Roster weakness: DT. Wide receiver deserves a mention here, but at least the Chargers drafted Ladd McConkey and Brenden Rice and signed DJ Chark over the last few weeks. Sure, Los Angeles added DT Justin Eboigbe in Round 4. But the Chargers’ starting front of Morgan Fox, Otito Ogbonnia, and Poona Ford might be the worst in the NFL.
29) Denver Broncos
QB: Bo Nix
Roster strength: OL. While Nix may have been overdrafted at No. 12, he’ll have the chance to work under Sean Payton while playing behind a solid Denver offensive line — not a bad combination. Center is a concern following Lloyd Cushenberry’s departure, but LT Garett Bolles, LG Ben Powers, RG Quinn Meinerz, and RT Mike McGlinchey are solid.
Roster weakness: Safety. NFL teams constantly aim to get younger, but swapping Justin Simmons for Brandon Jones represents a downgrade for the Broncos. Caden Sterns is entering his first year as a starter. Denver doesn’t have much defensive back depth if one of their starters goes down.
28) Carolina Panthers
QB: Bryce Young
Roster strength: OL. The Panthers spent heavily on free agent guards Robert Hunt (five years, $100 million) and Damien Lewis (four years, $53 million), a wise strategy when the goal is protecting the 5’10” Young. Tackle Yosh Nijman was another astute signing; he could see time on the blindside if former No. 7 overall pick Ikem Ekwonu continues to struggle.
Roster weakness: TE. Carolina took a fourth-round shot on Texas TE Ja’Tavion Sanders. Incumbents Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas shouldn’t present much competition, but Sanders might not be big enough to be an every-down NFL tight end.
27) Washington Commanders
QB: Jayden Daniels
Roster strength: DT. Washington has so many options along its defensive interior that Jonathan Allen has been mentioned as a trade candidate. Daron Payne is a stud, while the Commanders used second-round picks on Johnny Newton (2024) and Phidarian Mathis (2022).
Roster weakness: EDGE. Dan Quinn brought Dorance Armstong and Dante Fowler with him from the Dallas Cowboys to the Commanders, but Washington doesn’t have an elite pass rusher after trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young in 2023. Look for LB Frankie Luvu, another free agent addition, to see plenty of time as a blitzer.
26) New England Patriots
QB: Drake Maye
Roster strength: Secondary. Christian Gonzalez looked like a future All-Pro before dislocating his shoulder in October. Fellow CB Jonathan Jones remains underrated. The Patriots extended Kyle Dugger this offseason, while Jabrill Peppers will return after posting arguably the best season of his career in 2023.
Roster weakness: WR. Give New England credit — it’s trying at wideout. The Pats were in the mix for free agent Calvin Ridley before he signed with the Tennessee Titans. They used second and fourth-round picks on WRs Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. But Maye will be working with a group of WR3s.
25) Las Vegas Raiders
QB: Gardner Minshew
Roster strength: DL. Maxx Crosby is a certifiable terror off the edge. Free agent addition Christian Wilkins is now the NFL’s third-highest-paid DT.
Malcolm Koonce might not be a household name, but he posted a 14.2% pass-rush win rate in 2023, in line with higher-profile defenders like DeMarcus Lawrence and Josh Sweat. First-round rookie Tyree Wilson came on at the end of last season, especially when the Raiders started giving him snaps on the interior.
Roster weakness: RB. Zamir White earned four starts while Josh Jacobs was injured in 2023, topping 100 rushing yards in Weeks 16 and 18. Still, White isn’t a very dynamic runner, while free agent signing Alexander Mattison was inefficient for the Minnesota Vikings last season.
24) Tennessee Titans
QB: Will Levis
Roster strength: WR. One way or another, the Titans should get an answer on Levis this year. Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, and Tyler Boyd form a veteran wide receiver trio, while former first-round choice Treylon Burks could work his way into the mix. Cornerback deserves a mention, too, after Tennessee acquired L’Jarius Sneed and signed Chidobe Awuzie this offseason.
Roster weakness: LB. One of the offseason’s stranger decisions was the Titans giving Kenneth Murray a two-year deal with $7+ million in guarantees. Jack Gibbens was solid in his first season as a starter in 2023 but needs to improve in coverage after allowing a 93.1 passer rating and 8.5 yards per target.
23) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
QB: Baker Mayfield
Roster strength: Safety. Antoine Winfield Jr. is the NFL’s best safety and recently inked a long-term extension, making him the highest-paid defensive back of any kind. Jordan Whitehead is back in Tampa Bay after two years with the New York Jets, while the Bucs also used a third-round selection on Georgia safety Tykee Smith.
Roster weakness: EDGE. Tampa Bay cut ties with Shaquil Barrett, who was their best edge rusher in 2023. Former first-round pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka hasn’t lived up to his draft billing, and the Bucs declined his fifth-year option in May. Todd Bowles needs to get the most out of 2023 third-rounder YaYa Diaby and 2024 second-rounder Chris Braswell.
22) Atlanta Falcons
QB: Kirk Cousins
Roster strength: RB. Bijan Robinson led NFL rookie running backs with 1,463 total yards in 2023. He passed the eye test every week and could be an All-Pro if Atlanta’s new coaching staff gives him more touches in 2024. Tyler Allgeier averaged 4.9 yards per carry and ranked 12th in yards after contact per attempt as the Falcons’ lead back in 2022.
Roster weakness: EDGE. Atlanta deployed veteran Calais Campbell as a true edge defender in 2023, watching the 37-year-old produce 6.5 sacks and 17 QB hits. He’s still a free agent, leaving the Falcons with Arnold Ebiketie, Lorenzo Carter, and third-round rookie Bralen Trice as their top pass rushers.
21) New Orleans Saints
QB: Derek Carr
Roster strength: CB. Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, Alontae Taylor, and second-round rookie Kool-Aid McKinstry are an excellent top four, so much so that Lattimore could emerge as a post-June 1 trade candidate. New Orleans has a tantalizing EDGE group, too, but Chase Young’s injury issues and Payton Turner’s struggles drag the positional unit down.
Roster weakness: DT. Give the Saints credit — they don’t have many obvious holes. But they don’t have a lot of top-end talent, either. That’s especially evident at defensive tackle, where New Orleans hopes 2023 first-rounder Bryan Bresee can make a leap in his second season.
20) Buffalo Bills
QB: Josh Allen
Roster strength: TE. Sam LaPorta’s dominant campaign might have overshadowed Dalton Kincaid’s rookie season, but first-year tight ends capable of posting 750+ yards don’t come around very often. Veteran Dawson Knox would start for many other NFL teams. Even third-stringer Quintin Morris has flashed at times.
Roster weakness: WR. Replacing Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis was never going to be easy. Second-round pick Keon Coleman will take on a lot of responsibility in Year 1, while Allen will need to get the most out of free agent additions like Curtis Samuel, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Chase Claypool.
19) Indianapolis Colts
Roster strength: DT. Indy extended DeForest Bucker and re-signed Grover Stewart this offseason, ensuring the return of their excellent interior 1-2 punch. Then, 2023 fourth-round pick Adetomiwa Adebawore played just 132 snaps last year but has the athleticism to develop into an impact player.
Roster weakness: CB. Veteran Kenny Moore was his usual productive self in the slot, but Indianapolis relied on youth nearly everywhere else in 2023. Rookie seventh-round pick Jaylon Jones led Colts CBs with 788 snaps. Darrell Baker Jr. and Dallis Flowers, both 2022 undrafted free agents, saw more than 300 snaps each.
Second-round rookie JuJu Brents flashed when available, but health was a constant problem for the Kansas State product. Brents missed time with hamstring and quad injuries and ultimately played only 497 total snaps in his first pro season.
18) Dallas Cowboys
QB: Dak Prescott
Roster strength: EDGE. Micah Parsons led the NFL in pass-rush win rate (35%) while being double-teamed at the league’s highest clip (also 35%). That’s an inherent contradiction that defies the odds. DeMarcus Lawrence earned his second straight Pro Bowl in 2023, while second-round rookie Marshawn Kneeland could be next in line.
Roster weakness: RB. The Cowboys didn’t draft a running back, leaving Ezekiel Elliott (back on a one-year deal), Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, and Royce Freeman to fight for touches. Dallas desperately needs to trade for an RB like the Chicago Bears’ Khalil Herbert or the Cardinals’ James Conner.
17) Minnesota Vikings
QB: J.J. McCarthy
Roster strength: Safety. Big Nickel was Vikings DC Brian Flores’ favorite personnel package in 2023. Safeties Camryn Bynum, Harrison Smith, and Josh Metellus played over 1,000 snaps each last season and will return in 2024. Minnesota’s safety depth helps account for its lack of CB options.
Roster weakness: DT. While the Vikings remade their EDGE group by signing Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel in free agency, they did little to bolster their interior line rotation. Minnesota’s Harrison Phillips-Jonathan Bullard-Jerry Tillery front needs a playmaker.
16) Los Angeles Rams
QB: Matthew Stafford
Roster strength: WR. Puka Nacua posted a 105-1,486-6 line in his first NFL season, breaking just about every rookie receiving record on the books. Cooper Kupp battled injuries last year but should still have some juice if he can stay healthy. Even DeMarcus Robinson is an underrated, professional wide receiver.
Roster weakness: Safety. The Rams have decent options almost everywhere, but they could have questions at safety, where Russ Yeast allowed a 115.7 passer rating and missed 21.8% of his tackles in 2023. Kamren Curl was a good value signing, but there’s a reason the league told the former Commanders safety he was only worth $4.5 million per year.
15) Seattle Seahawks
QB: Geno Smith
Roster strength: WR. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are already among the league’s most productive wideouts, while 2023 first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba would join them with improved play next season. Defensive tackle — where the Seahawks boast Byron Murphy II, Dre’Mont Jones, and Leonard Williams — also deserves a mention.
Roster weakness: iOL. Seattle has given itself options at guard this offseason, signing Laken Tomlinson in free agency before stealing Christian Haynes in Round 3. Still, the Seahawks don’t have any sure things at guard, while center Olu Oluwatimi is a virtual unknown.
14) Pittsburgh Steelers
QB: Russell Wilson
Roster strength: EDGE. The Steelers were one of only three teams with two players who ranked top 20 in pass-rush win rate last season. T.J. Watt has led the NFL in sacks in three of the last four seasons and has four first-team All-Pro nods to his name. Alex Highsmith’s sack numbers weren’t quite there in 2023, but he was effective on a per-snap basis.
Roster weakness: WR. George Pickens led the league in yards per reception in 2023 despite working with sub-par quarterback play. Beyond Pickens, Pittsburgh’s cupboard is relatively bare. The Steelers are banking on either Roman Wilson thriving as a third-round rookie or Van Jefferson or Quez Watkins suddenly becoming a starting-caliber wideout.
13) Baltimore Ravens
QB: Lamar Jackson
Roster strength: Safety. The Ravens are the only team with two safeties inside the top 10 of PFN’s safety rankings. Kyle Hamilton might already be the most versatile defensive back in the league, while Marcus Williams is a true center fielder. TE, DT, and CB could also warrant a mention here.
Roster weakness: WR. Zay Flowers looked like a superstar in his 2023 NFL debut. However, Rashod Bateman hasn’t delivered on his first-round promise, while Odell Beckham Jr. left in free agency. While Baltimore has several position groups that could be considered strengths, OL and EDGE could join WR as problem areas for the Ravens.
12) Jacksonville Jaguars
QB: Trevor Lawrence
Roster strength: DL. Josh Allen posted a career-high 17.5 sacks last season, earning a $28.25 million-per-year extension that made him the league’s second-highest-paid EDGE. Former No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker improved, finishing 24th among EDGE defenders with 59 pressures. Arik Armstead was exactly the pass-rushing force the Jaguars needed along the interior.
Roster weakness: CB. While Tyson Campbell was outstanding in 2022, he missed six entire games and parts of three others last season while dealing with nagging injuries. Free agent signing Ronald Darby has generally been productive, but he’s no stranger to health concerns and is entering his age-30 campaign.
11) Green Bay Packers
QB: Jordan Love
Roster strength: OL. The Packers just keep finding mid- and late-round linemen. Rasheed Walker, a former seventh-round pick, started 15 games at left tackle last season. Zach Tom, an undersized fourth-rounder, is Green Bay’s right tackle. The club has so much depth that 2024 first-round choice Jordan Morgan will likely either play guard or serve as a backup.
Roster weakness: CB. Jaire Alexander has played in seven or fewer games in two of the last three years. Eric Stokes has appeared in 11 total games since 2022; last year, he had two IR stints and a stretch on the PUP list. As much as the Packers may like 2023 seventh-round pick Carrington Valentine, CB is a potential concern.
10) Houston Texans
QB: C.J. Stroud
Roster strength: WR. Nico Collins became an alpha WR1 in 2023, breaking out for an 80-1,297-8 line while catching passes from Stroud. Third-round rookie Tank Dell posted 17.1 yards per reception and scored seven times before fracturing his fibula in Week 13.
Oh, and did we mention the Texans traded for Stefon Diggs this offseason?
Take QBs out of the equation — which team has the best roster in the #NFL? 🤔
Here's @DallasDRobinson's top 🔟. pic.twitter.com/ywL6YAiBhV
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) May 15, 2024
Roster weakness: DT. Houston doesn’t have many holes, but the one spot it may not have a true playmaker is at defensive tackle. Even then, EDGE Denico Autry should see plenty of time on the interior, while Foley Fatukasi, Tim Settle, and Mario Edwards were smart depth signings.
9) Cincinnati Bengals
QB: Joe Burrow
Roster strength: WR. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are both WR1s, but the Bengals have other intriguing pass catchers behind their imposing duo. Third-round rookie Jermaine Burton should’ve been a Day 1 pick on talent alone, while 2023 draft choice Andre Iosivas showed explosion and burst last season and could be involved again in 2024.
Roster weakness: RB. Cincinnati didn’t select a running back in the draft, signaling its comfort with Zack Moss and Chase Brown as full-time Joe Mixon replacements. The Bengals have room for another RB and could sign a free agent before training camp begins. Cornerback might also be on the club’s summer to-do list.
8) Philadelphia Eagles
QB: Jalen Hurts
Roster strength: OL. The Eagles still have the best offensive line in the NFL, even after center Jason Kelce retired this offseason. Tackles Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson and guard Landon Dickerson are elite, while Cam Jurgens was impressive at guard and should stay productive when he replaces Kelce at the pivot.
Roster weakness: LB. Philadelphia typically refrains from heavily investing in linebackers, and this season will be no different. New DC Vic Fangio will try to patch things together with a combination of Devin White, Nakobe Dean, Oren Burks, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and Zack Baun.
7) Chicago Bears
QB: Caleb Williams
Roster strength: WR. Williams is walking into a luxurious Bears offensive environment with no real weaknesses. DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and first-round pick Rome Odunze form one of the NFL’s best WR trios. Williams has the best weapons of any QB drafted first overall over the past 15 years.
Roster weakness: EDGE. Montez Sweat bolstered the Bears’ pass rush after joining the club last October, posting six sacks in nine games. Chicago rarely blitzes, so it needs another edge rusher capable of winning 1-on-1 matchups. DeMarcus Walker appears likely to hold onto his starting job unless the Bears make a late free agent addition.
6) Miami Dolphins
QB: Tua Tagovailoa
Roster strength: WR. Tyreek Hill led the NFL in receiving yards (1,799) and receiving TDs (13) in 2023, earning first-team All-Pro honors for the second consecutive year. Jaylen Waddle battled injuries last year but still crossed 1,000 receiving yards for the third time in as many seasons. Beckham can still be a competent WR3.
Roster weakness: G. Miami will stage a guard competition between the likes of Isaiah Wynn, Robert Jones, Jack Driscoll, and Lester Cotton, which automatically makes this position group a potential area of concern. Cornerback depth — especially behind aging perimeter starters Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller — should also be on the Dolphins’ radar.
5) Kansas City Chiefs
QB: Patrick Mahomes
Roster strength: iOL. The Chiefs may have the best G-C-G combination in the NFL. Left guard Joe Thuney was a first-team All-Pro in 2023. Kansas City may have difficulty keeping this unit together when center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith reach free agency next spring. But for now, Mahomes should feel secure along the interior.
Roster weakness: CB. Trent McDuffie made first-team All-Pro last season. DC Steve Spagnuolo can develop cornerbacks as well as anyone in the NFL. It’s hard to call CB a weakness for a team that pumps out competent defensive backs with the Chiefs’ regularity.
However, Kansas City didn’t add anyone to help replace Sneed, whom it traded to the Titans in March. Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams, neither of whom has hit a 60% snap rate through two NFL campaigns, will be relied upon as full-time starters in 2024.
4) New York Jets
QB: Aaron Rodgers
Roster strength: CB. Sauce Gardner is the best cornerback in football. D.J. Reed finished 10th in PFN’s CB rankings. Even slot corner Michael Carter II is undervalued. New York could use more depth pieces, but no NFL team has a better nickel trio than Gang Green.
Roster weakness: Safety. Gardner and Co. might need to compensate for a talent loss at safety, where the Jets watched Whitehead depart in free agency. Tony Adams and Chuck Clark are serviceable starters, but New York makes too much sense as a Justin Simmons landing spot.
3) Detroit Lions
QB: Jared Goff
Roster strength: OL. The Lions don’t have a hole along their offensive line after replacing guard Jonah Jackson with Kevin Zeitler. Right tackle Penei Sewell became the NFL’s highest-paid tackle after making first-team All-Pro in 2023. Center Frank Ragnow has two second-team nods on his resume.
Roster weakness: WR. It’s almost baffling that Detroit didn’t add a receiver in free agency or the draft, especially after losing Josh Reynolds, who played the second-most snaps among Lions WRs in 2023. Detroit has plenty of weapons in RB Jahmyr Gibbs, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, and LaPorta, but the club is hoping for a Jameson Williams breakout.
2) Cleveland Browns
QB: Deshaun Watson
Roster strength: OL. Offensive line coach Bill Callahan represents a tremendous loss for the Browns. But Cleveland will bring back its same front five in 2024 and cross its fingers for better health.
Roster weakness: RB. The Browns don’t have any genuine weak spots outside of quarterback — which is why it will be so frustrating for Cleveland fans if Watson struggles or gets injured again next season. We’ve listed running back because Nick Chubb (knee) might not be ready for Week 1. Even then, the Browns have Jerome Ford and added D’Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines over the offseason.
1) San Francisco 49ers
QB: Brock Purdy
Roster strength: WR. Several positions could be listed here. Christian McCaffrey is the best RB in football, and the 49ers have ample depth. Linebacker might’ve been a shoo-in for the 49ers if Dre Greenlaw weren’t recovering from a torn Achilles.
But it’s hard to argue with wide receiver as San Francisco’s biggest roster strength. The Niners not only hung onto Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and Jauan Jennings through the draft, but they also selected fellow pass catchers Ricky Pearsall in Round 1 and Jacob Cowing in Round 4. They’re overflowing with receiving options for Purdy.
Roster weakness: OL. The 49ers ranked 20th in pass-block win rate and 23rd in run-block win rate last year but mostly opted for continuity this season. San Francisco re-signed right guard Jon Feliciano and gave right tackle Colton McKivitz an extension through 2025. Third-round rookie Dominick Puni could compete for playing time at guard. Trent Williams’ presence at left tackle means that OL can only be so much of a problem for San Fran.
