2025 NFL triplets rankings, 1-32: Ravens, Lions lead top QB/RB/pass catcher trios

• Quarterback: Joe Flacco (Age: 40)
• Running back: Dylan Sampson (Age: 20)
• Pass catcher: Jerry Jeudy (Age: 26)

In hindsight, Kenny Pickett’s hamstring injury essentially decided Cleveland’s four-man QB “competition” in late July, but at least we had some fun along the way, right?! Remember the Shedeur Sanders conspiracy theory that turned into a Shedeur Sanders showcase? Good times.

With Pickett traded to Las Vegas this week, Joe Flacco opens the season as the starter, Dillon Gabriel is the backup and Sanders slots in at No. 3. No one will be surprised if both rookies eventually get a crack at the top job, but for now, the 40-year-old JUGS machine holds the post. Alas, this isn’t the only muddled situation in the Browns’ backfield! At publishing, Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned, with the NFL continuing to investigate the second-round pick for a potential violation of the league's personal conduct policy. Consequently, Jerome Ford might begin the season as Cleveland’s starting RB, but I like fourth-round selection Dylan Sampson to leapfrog the veteran at some point. 

Confused yet? Here’s one thing I do know: Jerry Jeudy is the team’s top pass catcher. The 26-year-old is coming off a stellar debut season in Cleveland, having comfortably led the Browns in targets (145), receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,229) -- all career highs. Let's move on.

• Quarterback: Tyler Shough (Age: 25)
• Running back: Alvin Kamara (Age: 30)
• Pass catcher: Chris Olave (Age: 25)

Kellen Moore named Spencer Rattler as the Saints' starting quarterback on Tuesday, so why is Tyler Shough listed as the QB above? Well, it isn’t an age thing: Shough is actually one year older than Rattler. EXACTLY one year older, as the quarterbacks share the same birthday. (Can’t make this stuff up.) But Shough is the quarterback Moore hand-picked in his first draft as Saints head coach. And seeing how this feels like it might be a rough, transitional season in New Orleans -- one that very well could net the franchise a high draft slot in 2026 -- you have to imagine the Saints want to get a nice, long look at the second-rounder before potentially taking another dip in the QB pool next April. That said, there’s no need to immediately rush the rookie onto the field, especially with a number of imposing defensive fronts/schemes in the opening stanza of New Orleans' season. Rattler starts the campaign under center, but I predict Shough ultimately starts more games.

• Quarterback: Daniel Jones (Age: 28)
• Running back: Jonathan Taylor (Age: 26)
• Pass catcher: Josh Downs (Age: 24)

By the time Shane Steichen revealed Daniel Jones would start over Anthony Richardson, the announcement felt kind of anticlimactic. Considering the decent money Indianapolis gave Jones ($14 million for one season) and Steichen’s commentary throughout the competition (major emphasis on consistency, communication and coordination), it always felt like the veteran had a leg up. With all of that in mind, I'm taking the Colts coach at his word when he says of Jones: "He's the starting quarterback for the season. I don't want to have a short leash on that." It’s not difficult to imagine AR getting another opportunity, but for the purposes of this exercise, the quarterback job goes to Dimes. As for the pass catcher position? I really struggled with that. Honestly, it might have been the most difficult roster decision in this entire undertaking. I know rookie tight end Tyler Warren has immense potential, but I remain a Josh Downs truther. If the guy can just stay healthy, I really think he’s poised for a 1,000-yard breakout.

• Quarterback: Bryce Young (Age: 24)
• Running back: Chuba Hubbard (Age: 26)
• Pass catcher: Tetairoa McMillan (Age: 22)

Through the first two weeks of last season, Bryce Young was the worst starting quarterback in the NFL. That’s not hyperbole -- during that span, he posted a league-low 44.1 passer rating. (Remember, spiking the football every play would give you a 39.6 passer rating.) Consequently, the Panthers benched Young in favor of Andy Dalton. A month later, Dalton sprained his thumb in a car accident, thrusting Young back into the starting lineup. To his credit, the second-year pro capitalized on this twist of fate. Not only did he perform admirably against powerhouses like the Chiefs and Eagles, but he closed out the season with two wins in the last three games, notching 10 total touchdowns and zero turnovers during those final 12 quarters. The question now is whether the former No. 1 overall pick has turned the corner for good. Adding Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 overall pick certainly helps the QB’s cause. The two connected on a pretty 30-yard completion down the sideline in the preseason opener. Carolina hopes to see plenty of that in Year 2 of the Dave Canales era.

• Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers (Age: 41)
• Running back: Kaleb Johnson (Age: 22) 
• Pass catcher: DK Metcalf (Age: 27)

Kaleb Johnson was 2 years old when Aaron Rodgers threw his first NFL pass. Now they’re poised to line up in the same backfield. Jaylen Warren figures to open the season as Pittsburgh’s starting running back, but I envision Johnson eventually taking over the top job, pushing Warren back into the third-down role that suited him best in previous seasons. A bigger back at 6-foot-1 and 224 pounds, Johnson offers a one-cut style that should fit swimmingly in Arthur Smith’s zone-blocking scheme. How will DK Metcalf fit on his new team? Hopefully, quite well -- not only because the Steelers immediately handed Metcalf a $132 million extension after acquiring him via trade, but also Pittsburgh’s receiver room is riddled with questions beyond the new WR1.

• Quarterback: Jaxson Dart (Age: 22)
• Running back: Tyrone Tracy Jr. (Age: 25)
• Pass catcher: Malik Nabers (Age: 22)

Yes, I’m aware Russell Wilson is the starting quarterback. No, I don’t think that will remain the case all season. Frankly, given the Giants’ brutal schedule -- which carries the highest opponent 2024 win percentage in the league -- I’ll be surprised if Jaxson Dart isn’t QB1 by Halloween. The first-round pick didn’t light the league on fire in the preseason, but he definitely showed promise. More importantly, Brian Daboll demonstrated the ability to meld college concepts into his scheme, giving the rookie the kind of easy-button throws that’ll smooth his transition into the NFL. And most importantly, this is a critical season for Daboll and Joe Schoen, considering owner John Mara stated that he’s “just about run out of patience” when he announced in January that the coach and general manager would be back in 2025. If the rookie quarterback displays competence alongside second-year pros Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Malik Nabers, the youth movement could be this regime’s lifeline to 2026 and beyond.

• Quarterback: Justin Fields (Age: 26)
• Running back: Breece Hall (Age: 24)
• Pass catcher: Garrett Wilson (Age: 25)

Aaron Glenn has made no secret of the fact that he intends to field a run-first offense in New York, which is unsurprising, given the coach’s roots on a Detroit team that features the dynamic RB duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. This could bring out the best in the Jets’ new starting quarterback, Justin Fields, whose explosive athleticism remains a trump card. But the approach at running back has been a topic of discussion throughout the offseason. Glenn has continually stressed that he plans to use a three-back rotation with Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. Those latter two guys are rugged runners in the Montgomery mold. So, can Hall be Glenn’s new Gibbs? The former second-round pick burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2022, hitting home runs as a runner and receiver before a torn ACL abruptly ended his season in Week 7. Over the past two years, he’s enjoyed some productive outings, but we just haven’t seen the same electricity that initially took the league by storm. Will the 24-year-old reignite in a contract season?

• Quarterback: Cam Ward (Age: 23)
• Running back: Tony Pollard (Age: 28)
• Pass catcher: Calvin Ridley (Age: 30)

With a whippy arm and a robust supply of irrational confidence, Cam Ward is a fun addition to the NFL quarterbacking realm. His devil-may-care approach to the position promises fireworks, but it’s Brian Callahan’s job to make sure they redound to Tennessee’s benefit. Nobody needs a repeat of the Will Levis experience. To be fair, Ward posted a sparkling 39:7 TD-to-INT ratio last season at Miami, but the consensus All-American got away with some regrettable decisions at the college level that will be punished in the pros. This year is all about the No. 1 overall pick finding out how far he can push the envelope, and I’m here for that exploration. The Titans fell into a rut of unwatchability in recent seasons, but Ward can spice up Nashville like a proper plate of hot chicken.

• Quarterback: Sam Darnold (Age: 28)
• Running back: Kenneth Walker III (Age: 24)
• Pass catcher: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Age: 23)

Sam Darnold was one of the most surprising stories of last season … until he turned into a pumpkin for the de facto playoff game at Detroit and the real playoff game in Los Angeles. Can he prove this past January was a blip, and not the inevitable correction from a magical four-month run? Mike Macdonald and John Schneider certainly believe in the Darnaissance, having traded a solid starter in Geno Smith to clear the path for Sam’s signing. They also brought in a new offensive coordinator (Klint Kubiak) whose outside-zone/play-action scheme seemingly suits Darnold’s skill set quite nicely. And although the Seahawks additionally dealt DK Metcalf as part of their offseason revamp, Jaxon Smith-Njigba just broke out as the league’s most prolific slot receiver in 2024. If Darnold can bring his Pro Bowl production to Seattle, the biggest hinge piece on this offense could be Kenneth Walker III. The fourth-year back boasts alluring ability, but he’s yet to put it all together at the NFL level.

• Quarterback: Drake Maye (Age: 23)
• Running back: TreVeyon Henderson (Age: 22)
• Pass catcher: Stefon Diggs (Age: 31)

Drake Maye showed immense potential as a rookie, but the young quarterback struggled from a supporting cast that sorely lacked playmakers. Which leads us to the other two players in this trio. New England signed Stefon Diggs in free agency, clearly hoping for a quick recovery from last October’s ACL tear. This offseason hasn’t exactly gone as planned for the 31-year-old wideout -- with some shenanigans off the field and a reported lack of explosiveness on it -- though it appears now that he is on track to make his Patriots debut in Week 1. While Diggs has brought some drama to New England, TreVeyon Henderson has provided pure delight. The second-round pick made quite a first impression at Gillette Stadium, taking the opening kickoff of the Patriots’ preseason 100 yards to the house. The Henderson hype train’s off and running, and I’m onboard for the ride. Hopefully, the Ohio State product can avoid the injuries that plagued his college career.

• Quarterback: J.J. McCarthy (Age: 22)
• Running back: Aaron Jones (Age: 30)
• Pass catcher: Justin Jefferson (Age: 26)

After missing his entire rookie campaign following a preseason knee injury, J.J. McCarthy could be the NFL’s biggest wild card in 2025. If the No. 10 overall pick from last year’s draft can hit the ground running, Minnesota has the pieces in place on both sides of the ball to make another run in the league’s best division. If not, the Vikings are bound to take a significant step back from the second-winningest regular season in franchise history. No pressure, kid. Fortunately, the 22-year-old enters his first season as a starter in an ideal environment. In addition to a ferocious defense that will keep him in games and a rebuilt offensive line that should keep him upright, J.J. takes the field under the watchful eye of Kevin O’Connell, a certified QB whisperer who just transformed Sam Darnold from a mega bust to a $100 million man. Not to mention, McCarthy’s flanked by the two highly accomplished veterans listed above: Aaron Jones, a rock-steady back who just ran for a career-high 1,138 yards; and Justin Jefferson, who just might be the best receiver in football. This ranking could prove to be too low -- or too high. McCarthy's readiness looms LARGE.

• Quarterback: Bo Nix (Age: 25)
• Running back: RJ Harvey (Age: 24)
• Pass catcher: Courtland Sutton (Age: 29)

RJ Harvey hive, unite! Denver’s second-round pick has been a buzzy name this offseason, and I’ve done my part to spread the word, most recently giving him a spot on my projected All-Rookie Team. A densely-built back with 4.40 speed and a nose for the endzone (SEE: 43 TDs in his last two seasons at UCF), Harvey captured my attention in the pre-draft process. Once Denver selected him, I was smitten. I love Harvey because it’s abundantly clear Sean Payton loves Harvey. The offensive guru brilliantly brought along Bo Nix in the quarterback’s rookie season, allowing Denver to finish 10th in scoring. Harvey feels like the kind of rusher who can ultimately leapfrog J.K. Dobbins to front Payton’s committee backfield, giving this ascending offense another shot in the arm.

• Quarterback: Trevor Lawrence (Age: 25)
• Running back: Bhayshul Tuten (Age: 23)
• Pass catcher: Brian Thomas Jr. (Age: 22)

As the offensive coordinator last season in Tampa Bay, Liam Coen turned fourth-round pick Bucky Irving into one of the most potent running backs in football. Now serving as the head coach in Jacksonville, Coen just grabbed another fourth-round back in Bhayshul Tuten, so ... could Bhayshul be this year’s Bucky? That’s a lofty goal, as Irving finished 10th in rushing yards (1,122) and scrimmage yards (1,514). Though both backs stand 5-foot-9, they have different play styles. While Irving’s game is built on lateral agility, elusiveness and contact balance, Tuten is a thicker one-cut runner with explosive 4.32 speed. One thing that could prevent the rookie from rising to the top of this backfield: poor ball security. Tuten fumbled nine times over the past two seasons at Virginia Tech and drew Coen’s ire for putting the ball on the turf during OTAs.

• Quarterback: Kyler Murray (Age: 28)
• Running back: James Conner (Age: 30)
• Pass catcher: Trey McBride (Age: 25)

Trey McBride deserves more love, but in order to receive it, he needs to score more touchdowns. The tight end earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2024, piling up 111 catches for 1,146 yards … and two scores. On the plus side, he actually finished last season on a heater, notching those two TDs in his final two games. On the minus side, this scoring scarcity is nothing new. Back in college, McBride became the first unanimous All-American in Colorado State history, winning the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top TE. But his prolific senior stat line still ended with a thud: 90 catches for 1,121 yards ... and one touchdown. Having signed a four-year, $76 million extension this offseason, McBride rightfully earned his payday. Now it’s time for him to hit paydirt.

• Quarterback: Tua Tagovailoa (Age: 27)
• Running back: De’Von Achane (Age: 23)
• Pass catcher: Tyreek Hill (Age: 31)

Given the well-documented injury history, Tua Tagovailoa’s health is always top of mind for Fin fans. So, it’s nice to have nothing negative to report on that front. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the other two members of this trio. De'Von Achane (calf) and Tyreek Hill (oblique) have been limited this month by soft-tissue injuries. Now, to be clear, we haven’t heard that either player is in jeopardy of missing Week 1, but these kinds of ailments aren’t ideal for two high-octane playmakers. If the Dolphins are to get off the mat from last season’s disappointment, Mike McDaniel’s offense needs to get its groove back.

• Quarterback: Jordan Love (Age: 26)
• Running back: Josh Jacobs (Age: 27)
• Pass catcher: Matthew Golden (Age: 22)

Who is Green Bay’s No. 1 receiver? It’s a question Matt LaFleur just loves ...

“I want to vomit every time I hear ‘No. 1 receiver,’ to be honest with you,” the Packers coach memorably said last August. “It drives me crazy. That’s something that you guys talk about.”

Indeed we do! Apparently, though, we’re not alone. After Green Bay spent a first-round pick on a wideout for the first time in 23 years, GM Brian Gutekunst reportedly met with Jayden Reed’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to stress that his client would remain top dog in the passing game. But while a foot sprain sidelined Reed for most of August, Matthew Golden created plenty of buzz as a three-level playmaker, increasing the feeling that the No. 23 overall pick could be WR1 in Year 1. Now, Jordan Love’s still likely to spread the ball across the receiving corps. Admittedly, I don’t know how Green Bay will divide up the target-share pie. Maybe we should ask LaFleur for some clarity.

• Quarterback: Geno Smith (Age: 34)
• Running back: Ashton Jeanty (Age: 21)
• Pass catcher: Brock Bowers (Age: 22)

As the odds-on favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Ashton Jeanty enters his debut campaign with great expectations. The Boise State back was must-see TV every time out last season, eclipsing 100 yards in all 14 games, with a whopping six 200-yard efforts on the ledger. Will his stupendous Saturday exploits translate to the Sunday game? I assume 49ers CB Deommodore Lenoir would answer that question with an emphatic YES. And his new backfield mate, Geno Smith, certainly approved of the viral bulldozing: “Man, it fires me up, just seeing him, the way that he runs. He's running through people, and he's not shying away from contact. I think he's going to be a really special player.” Brock Bowers already is a special player, having earned first-team All-Pro honors in a transcendent rookie season.

• Quarterback: Dak Prescott (Age: 32)
• Running back: Javonte Williams (Age: 25)
• Pass catcher: CeeDee Lamb (Age: 26)

Dak Prescott wasn’t great in the first two months of last season, and then a gnarly hamstring injury sidelined him for the remainder. But the man is only one season removed from an MVP runner-up campaign in which he led the NFL with 36 touchdown passes. And he still has one of the league’s most prolific pass catchers in CeeDee Lamb. With the addition of outside ball winner George Pickens, CeeDee figures to spend even more time in the slot, where he eats defenses alive. The clear shortcoming here is the running back position. Fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue has been dealing with recurring ankle issues throughout August, dashing any hopes that the rookie could provide an immediate solution. Javonte Williams is in line to carry the load, and the former second-round pick of the Broncos just hasn’t been the same beastly back we saw in his rookie season since tearing his ACL/LCL/PLC in 2022.  

• Quarterback: Caleb Williams (Age: 23)
• Running back: D’Andre Swift (Age: 26)
• Pass catcher: DJ Moore (Age: 28)

Caleb Williams took a league-high 68 sacks last season, with 52 of those occurring on dropbacks longer than 4.0 seconds, per Next Gen Stats. Simply put, the rookie just held onto the football too damn long. Like most quarterbacks, a decisive Caleb is the best Caleb. Just look at the time to throw (TTT) statistics from last season.

• Quick (under 2.5 seconds): 78.0 comp%, 6:0 TD-to-INT ratio, 98.9 passer rating.
• In rhythm (2.5-4 seconds): 55.6 comp%, 13:5 TD-to-INT ratio, 86.1 passer rating.
• Extended (4+ seconds): 40.0 comp%, 1:1 TD-to-INT ratio, 59.8 passer rating.

Insert new head coach Ben Johnson, who’s hell-bent on speeding up his gifted quarterback’s internal clock, and I think we get a much more efficient Caleb in 2025.

FANTASY SIDE NOTE: I was very close to projecting Rome Odunze as this team’s primary pass catcher over DJ Moore. No disrespect to DJ, but I could see the silky-smooth sophomore taking up that mantle this season.

• Quarterback: Michael Penix Jr. (Age: 25)
• Running back: Bijan Robinson (Age: 23)
• Pass catcher: Drake London (Age: 24)

Bijan Robinson and Drake London fully broke out last season, with the running back making his first Pro Bowl and the receiver posting a 100/1,271/9 stat line. But what can we expect from the trigger man entering his first season as a full-time starter? Raheem Morris kept Michael Penix Jr. on the sideline for the entire preseason, so we haven’t seen the quarterback in live action since last winter. During that three-game soft launch of the Penix era, the rookie flashed enticing arm talent, functional athleticism and infectious moxie. That said, he completed just 58 percent of his passes with a 3:3 TD-to-INT ratio and 78.9 passer rating, showing his game was still far from refined. And Atlanta’s offensive line just took a substantial hit: Right tackle Kaleb McGary suffered a season-ending leg injury in the final practice of training camp. With Penix being left-handed, McGary was his blind-side protector. That hurts.

• Quarterback: Jayden Daniels (Age: 24)
• Running back: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Age: 24) 
• Pass catcher: Terry McLaurin (Age: 29)

Who is Jacory Croskey-Merritt? Well, the first thing you should know is that the seventh-round rookie prefers to go by “Bill,” a nickname with roots in a cartoon character. Secondly, his college career spanned across three different schools -- Alabama State, New Mexico and Arizona -- but a bizarre NCAA eligibility issue limited him to only one game last year, helping explain why he remained available for the Commanders to draft at No. 245 overall. Most importantly for this exercise, the physical rusher made an immediate impression on Dan Quinn and Co. Following Washington’s trade of Brian Robinson Jr. to San Francisco, it really feels like Bill could take on a majority share of the early-down duties as the season progresses, with Austin Ekeler serving as the Commanders’ primary receiving back.

• Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes (Age: 29)
• Running back: Isiah Pacheco (Age: 26)
• Pass catcher: Xavier Worthy (Age: 22)

Ranking a Patrick Mahomes-led group outside of the top 10 on any list feels like risky business, if not rank stupidity. But after the rollicking start to the quarterback’s NFL career, his statistical downturn over the past two seasons has been pretty stark:

• Mahomes in 2018-2022: 303.3 passing yards per game, 8.1 yards per attempt, 106.0 passer rating, with a total TD-to-INT ratio of 192:48.
• Mahomes in 2023 and ’24: 253.5 ypg, 6.9 ypa, 93.0 passer rating, with a total TD-to-INT ratio of 53:25.

Stats aside, Mahomes and Co. are clearly still getting the job done. Kansas City’s been in five the past six Super Bowls, for god’s sake, earning three Lombardi Trophies in that span. But football’s just better when Mahomes is unleashed, providing laser light shows on a weekly basis. Make the Chiefs fun again!

• Quarterback: C.J. Stroud (Age: 23)
• Running back: Nick Chubb (Age: 29)
• Pass catcher: Nico Collins (Age: 26)

Yards per route run is an intuitive figure from the good folks at Next Gen Stats that distills receiving production into one simple measurement. Unsurprisingly, the leaderboard is a who’s who of the NFL’s best pass catchers. That said, the top dog over the past two seasons (min. 500 routes run since 2023) might take some by surprise:

1) Nico Collins, Houston Texans: 3.2 yds/rt

T-2) A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles: 3.0

T-2) Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams: 3.0

4) Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins: 2.9

T-5) Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers: 2.8

T-5) Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings: 2.8

T-7) George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers: 2.7

T-7) CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys: 2.7

T-9) Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2.5

T-9) Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions: 2.5

T-11) Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals: 2.3

T-11) Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals: 2.3

T-11) Malik Nabers, New York Giants: 2.3

In summation, Nico’s an elite receiver. The only thing holding him back is injuries. Speaking of which, Joe Mixon just landed on the reserve/non-football injury list due to a lingering foot issue, and on Wednesday, GM Nick Caserio wouldn't even commit to the Pro Bowl RB playing this season. Yikes. How much tread does Nick Chubb still have on those well-worn tires?

• Quarterback: Matthew Stafford (Age: 37)
• Running back: Kyren Williams (Age: 25)
• Pass catcher: Puka Nacua (Age: 24)

It appears Matthew Stafford has turned a corner on the health front, with Sean McVay opening this week on a very positive note: “I can’t see into the future, but I certainly, if you just look at what the last week has entailed, feel really good, and there’s nothing that would lead me to believe, unless we have an unforeseen setback, that he’s not going to be ready to roll against the Texans.” I can’t see into the future, either, which is unfortunate for this assignment. Because if Stafford is truly out of the woods, this ranking is too low. But if the 37-year-old’s back starts barking again, the Rams’ entire season is in jeopardy, much less their placement on this hypothetical hierarchy.

• Quarterback: Justin Herbert (Age: 27)
• Running back: Omarion Hampton (Age: 22)
• Pass catcher: Ladd McConkey (Age: 23)

Justin Herbert remains one of the more polarizing players in the league, while Omarion Hampton oozes fantasy intrigue as a first-round back who could carry the load in a run-heavy offense. And yet, Ladd McConkey strikes me as the most interesting individual in this group. A second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Georgia product comfortably led the Chargers in catches (82) and receiving yards (1,149), with most of that production coming from an inside alignment. The 6-foot, 185-pounder actually finished last season with the second-most slot yards in the league: 801, per Next Gen Stats, only trailing Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s striking total of 956. But before you label Ladd as SLOT-ONLY, pop in the film from the Wild Card Weekend game at Houston, when McConkey torched the Texans’ talented secondary to the tune of nine catches for 197 yards. Yes, he scored an 86-yard touchdown on a post from the slot, but he also piled up seven catches for 102 yards while aligned out wide. This is notable heading into the 2025 season. With Keenan Allen back in the fold, some are worried about a potential logjam in the slot. Not me, though -- I think Ladd will keep winning, inside and outside.

• Quarterback: Baker Mayfield (Age: 30)
• Running back: Bucky Irving (Age: 23)
• Pass catcher: Mike Evans (Age: 32)

This triad runs the gamut. Mike Evans is old faithful, having built a Hall of Fame résumé by eclipsing 1,000 yards receiving in each of his 11 NFL seasons. Bucky Irving is the new sensation, fresh off a spectacular rookie campaign that saw him finish 10th in the league in scrimmage yards (1,514) despite starting just three games. And Baker Mayfield? He’s an adventure. On the macro level, his football career has taken more turns than an Agatha Christie novel. On the micro level, he finished last season tied for second in touchdown passes (41) and tied for first in interceptions (16). How will the quarterback perform with his fifth offensive coordinator in as many seasons? I expect this loaded offense to score points in BUNCHES.

• Quarterback: Josh Allen (Age: 29)
• Running back: James Cook (Age: 25)
• Pass catcher: Khalil Shakir (Age: 25)

As a superstar quarterback at the peak of his powers, Josh Allen is the obvious headliner here, but don’t disparage his two 25-year-old bandmates, especially now that they’ll stay on tour for the foreseeable future. With James Cook and Khalil Shakir both signing extensions this offseason to remain under contract through 2029, the reigning league MVP will continue through his prime with a binky in the backfield and a go-to target in the slot. After logging nine total touchdowns over his first two seasons, Cook exploded for 18 scores last year. Shakir comfortably led the Bills in targets (100), receptions (76) and receiving yards (821) during the regular season, then caught six balls in each of Buffalo’s three postseason games. The future's bright for this triumvirate.

• Quarterback: Brock Purdy (Age: 25)
• Running back: Christian McCaffrey (Age: 29)
• Pass catcher: George Kittle (Age: 31)

I like Brock Purdy and I love George Kittle, but when it comes to Christian McCaffrey, I ... don’t know what to think. The raw talent is undeniable, but availability is NOT his best ability. The former top-10 pick actually played in every single game during his first three pro campaigns, culminating in his 1,000/1,000 season in 2019. But in the first five years of this decade, McCaffrey has missed double-digit games three times, with Achilles tendinitis and a PCL sprain costing him 13 contests in 2024. Coincidentally, while San Francisco’s roster has been ravaged by injuries this August, CMC’s apparently operating with a clean bill of health. Earlier this month, Kyle Shanahan said, “He's doing awesome. He's as fast as he's been, as quick, as strong. He's Christian McCaffrey.” Love the optimism, but given the 29-year-old back’s advancing age and injury history, I have to hedge a bit in this ranking.

• Quarterback: Joe Burrow (Age: 28)
• Running back: Chase Brown (Age: 25)
• Pass catcher: Ja’Marr Chase (Age: 25)

Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase have been a dynamic duo since back in their national championship days at LSU. We all know what each of them offer, and it’s elite. But while Chase Brown’s clearly the least-accomplished member of this crew, he’s far more than just a third wheel. After Zack Moss’ season-ending neck injury last November, Brown was thrust into a bell-cow role in Cincinnati’s backfield, and he seized the opportunity, clearing 90 scrimmage yards in each of his final eight games. A bursty runner with true pass-catching ability, Brown has clearly endeared himself to the Bengals coaching staff, with offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher calling him “a top-10 back in the league.”

• Quarterback: Jalen Hurts (Age: 27)
• Running back: Saquon Barkley (Age: 28)
• Pass catcher: A.J. Brown (Age: 28)

Jalen Hurts is the reigning Super Bowl MVP, Saquon Barkley just ran away with the Offensive Player of the Year award, and A.J. Brown earned second-team All-Pro honors for the third straight season. So, how on earth does this power troika rank third?! Because I’m worried about one figure: 482. That’s the number of touches Saquon racked up in the regular season and playoffs. It’s an astounding -- and inherently concerning -- total, especially for an RB who has already dealt with myriad injuries in a roller-coaster NFL tenure. When Barkley’s right, he’s as talented a back as the league has seen. But after last year’s magnum opus, I’m afraid the health bill could come due.

• Quarterback: Jared Goff (Age: 30)
• Running back: Jahmyr Gibbs (Age: 23)
• Pass catcher: Amon-Ra St. Brown (Age: 25)

Jared Goff just finished fifth in MVP voting, while Amon-Ra St. Brown earned first-team All-Pro honors for the second straight season. But the triplet I’m absolutely obsessed with -- the man I’ve been gassing up throughout the offseason -- is Detroit’s third-year running back. A home run threat every time he touches the football, Jahmyr Gibbs isn’t just a speed merchant at the position -- the 23-year-old packs plenty of power into his 5-9, 202-pound frame. In fact, when it came to the Lions’ ballyhooed backfield combo of Gibbs and David Montgomery last season, “Sonic” actually averaged more yards after contact per carry than “Knuckles” (3.2 to 3.0, per Next Gen Stats). Montgomery should continue to play an important role in Detroit’s ground attack, but new offensive coordinator John Morton seems determined to feed Gibbs the football in as many ways as possible. This only underscores the feeling I’ve had all summer: Jahmyr Gibbs is about to emerge as the best running back in football.

• Quarterback: Lamar Jackson (Age: 28)
• Running back: Derrick Henry (Age: 31)
• Pass catcher: Zay Flowers (Age: 24)

In last year’s triplets rankings, Baltimore didn’t crack the top three because I was worried about how Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry would fit together, given their past experiences in divergent offensive systems. That concern proved hilariously unfounded, as Lamar authored the best statistical season of his career while King Henry ran for 1,921 yards and a league-high 16 touchdowns. I guess Todd Monken kind of knows what he’s doing. Meanwhile, Zay Flowers took a nice step forward in his second NFL season -- eclipsing 1,000 yards receiving and making his first Pro Bowl -- and he bulked up heading into Year 3. With the ascending 24-year-old complementing a pair of future Hall of Famers, this Ravens trio offers breathtaking dynamism and brute force. It’s a devastating combination.