Ranking NFL 2023 ‘Triplets,’ Part II: From the middle (Raiders) to the top (Packers)

Simply as we did final yr and the yr earlier than that and the yr earlier than that and the yr earlier than that, the crew right here at CBSSports.com lately got down to rank every NFL staff’s “triplets.” Why not, proper? It’s the center of the offseason and whereas this yr (in contrast to in 2023) there truly is best stuff to do for the time being, it’s an offseason custom over right here. 

So within the house beneath, we’re as soon as once more counting down the NFL’s finest QB-RB-WR/TE trios, grading the anticipated starters at quarterback and operating again and their presumed prime pass-catcher for the 2023 season. Observe that solely rookies who’re anticipated to start the season as starters are included on this train, so Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson had been thought-about the quarterbacks for the Jaguars and Jets, respectively, however Cam Newton, Andy Dalton, and Jimmy Garoppolo had been thought-about starters for the Patriots, Bears, and 49ers. 

Additionally observe that we went again to the unique format this yr, with our staff of writers and editors rating every of the trios from 1-32. The quantity in parentheses is the typical of the staff’s rating based mostly on the votes of a number of of our workers writers and editors at CBSSports.com. The rankings replicate the collective knowledge of this crowd, whereas the corresponding evaluation is mine.

We started on Thursday with the underside half of the league, and end up beneath with the highest. With out additional ado…

QB: Derek Carr RB: Josh Jacobs TE: Darren Waller

It’ll be fascinating to see how Carr performs after the Raiders gutted the offensive line that has saved him so well-protected over the previous couple of years. Amongst 39 certified passers, the 29.8% mixed stress price Carr confronted from 2018 by means of 2023 ranked fifth-lowest. Contemplating his struggles with stress, that’s fairly essential. Jacobs has been strong as a runner however the Raiders clearly don’t really feel that good about him within the passing recreation, given how typically they’ve introduced in different backs to fill that position. Waller might be the perfect non-George Kittle or Travis Kelce tight finish within the NFL, and stays underrated. 

QB: Jameis Winston RB: Alvin Kamara WR: Michael Thomas

We needed to make a judgment name right here, and selected to go along with Winston over Taysom Hill because the Saints’ quarterback. Given their respective pedigrees as passers, it appears seemingly that selecting Winston ended up boosting the Saints’ rating slightly than decreasing it. Kamara is among the small handful of finest pass-catching backs within the NFL, however with out Drew Brees to focus on him with pinpoint accuracy, we don’t but understand how he’ll play in 2023. Thomas, in the meantime, is coming off an injury-ruined season, and in addition shifting from Brees to a brand new QB. This appears like a bunch with a variety of volatility. 

QB: Joe Burrow RB: Joe Mixon WR: Ja’Marr Chase

This feels considerably excessive for this group, however there’s apparently a variety of confidence on this trio of younger gamers. Burrow appeared like he was on his technique to a robust rookie season when he tore his ACL, however he additionally tore his ACL. The Bengals selected Chase over an offensive lineman at No. 5 general. His reference to Burrow ought to ensconce him because the No. 1 goal on this offense pretty early within the season, however the Bengals would possibly nonetheless be enjoying with fireplace with their offensive line. Mixon, in the meantime, is now the clear-cut workhorse within the backfield after the Bengals reduce Giovani Bernard (who signed with the Buccaneers). 

QB: Ryan Tannehill RB: Derrick Henry WR: A.J. Brown

As you’ll be able to see from the averages, this appears to be like like the beginning of a brand new tier. The distinction in common rating between the Bengals and Titans (3.5) is the biggest between any two groups on the listing. In the meantime, the following six groups — from the Titans at No. 13 to the staff at No. 8 — are separated by simply 2.5. 

That stated, I assumed the Titans could be increased than this. Henry has been the perfect operating again within the league in every of the final two seasons, and whereas gamers together with his workload sometimes break down ultimately, they sometimes usually are not Henry-sized gamers. It wouldn’t essentially be stunning if he slowed down too simply because there’s a really lengthy historical past of that occuring, however it additionally wouldn’t be stunning if he broke the mould. Brown is an absolute monster, like a new-age Julio Jones. (And he would possibly truly find yourself enjoying alongside Julio Jones, which might be superior.) Tannehill, I assume, doesn’t get sufficient respect. The dude has simply been actually good since arriving in Tennessee. We’ll see if that’s nonetheless the case with out Arthur Smith and Corey Davis. 

QB: Kyler Murray RB: Chase Edmonds WR: DeAndre Hopkins

Chase Edmonds out-playing Kenyan Drake final yr seemingly performed at the very least a little bit of a job in pushing the Cardinals up the board right here. He was higher as each a runner and a pass-catcher in 2023, and now he ought to enter the season because the staff’s No. 1 again. Murray’s dual-threat capabilities make him an especially harmful participant, and he confirmed off robust chemistry with Hopkins final yr. (However nearly none of his different wideouts.) 

QB: Baker Mayfield RB: Nick Chubb WR: Odell Beckham Jr.

The Browns undergo from the triplets format, as a result of the energy of their staff is their offensive line and operating again duo. Chubb is terrific, however the Browns even have Kareem Hunt behind him, and that makes them totally different from different groups with Chubb-caliber operating backs. Beckham was injured for a lot of final season and Mayfield truly performed higher as soon as he was out, however let’s not child ourselves right here: he’s nonetheless the perfect pass-catcher on the staff. That stated, there are nonetheless main damage issues with him, in addition to consistency issues with Mayfield. Nonetheless, this spot feels about proper for Cleveland. 

QB: Matthew Stafford RB: Cam Akers RB: Robert Woods

You would go along with Woods or Cooper Kupp and the Rams would seemingly rank about the identical. They’ve bought an above-average quarterback who will probably be dropped into the perfect offensive atmosphere he’s skilled in fairly a while. They’ve bought a operating again coming off a robust end to his rookie season. And so they’ve bought one among two huge receivers who’re primarily Co-No. 1 and No. 2 choices, with both of them wanting like the highest man within the pecking order relying on the week or the matchups. If all goes nicely, this rating will look low by the tip of the season. 

QB: Lamar Jackson RB: J.Okay. Dobbins TE: Mark Andrews

Jackson clearly took a little bit of a step backward final season, however I feel the diploma to which he was unsuccessful has been overblown. Jackson nonetheless completed the yr eighth in QBR and tied for thirteenth (with Stafford) in EPA per go try. Throw in his worth as a runner and it’s clear he was nonetheless fairly good. He ought to stay good this season, and now that the Ravens have given him some extra weapons, he ought to have extra room for his throws. He additionally appears unlikely to have as poor a deep-ball season as he did final yr, contemplating that had lengthy been one among his strengths. Dobbins ought to cut up carries with Gus Edwards however he appears more likely to be the lead man, and the one who’s focused within the passing recreation. Andrews stays a wonderful over-the-middle weapon, even when he doesn’t play fairly as many snaps as another prime tight ends. 

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9.1)

QB: Tom Brady RB: Ronald Jones II WR: Mike Evans

Possibly you’re extra of a Chris Godwin man. I might be, relying on the day. However Evans (19.3%) and Godwin (19.1%) had been focused on nearly precisely the identical proportion of their routes run final season, so it doesn’t a lot matter right here. They’re each actually good, they usually’re each catching the ball from the GOAT. With the Bengals having introduced in Bernard to be the pass-catching again, the cut up of touches and position between Jones and Fournette is up within the air, however they appeared to choose Jones for many of final season earlier than he was injured and Fournette grew to become Lombardi Lenny down the stretch. We’ll see what occurs this yr. 

QB: Josh Allen RB: Zack Moss WR: Stefon Diggs

That is fairly a leap for the Payments, who ranked twenty third heading into final season. That’ll occur when you could have perhaps probably the most improved participant within the NFL, and that participant is your quarterback. Allen was a significantly below-average participant throughout his first two NFL seasons. Final yr, he was a official MVP candidate. With the entire offensive line coming again, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll in some way not getting a head teaching job wherever, and the receiving corps nonetheless intact (with Emmanuel Sanders changing John Brown), he ought to stay productive this yr. Diggs is absurdly good, and rattling close to inconceivable to cowl. The Payments don’t make the most of their backs all that always, however it’s not tough to see them being ranked increased if individuals had extra confidence in Moss or Devin Singletary.

QB: Justin Herbert RB: Austin Ekeler WR: Keenan Allen

Who would have thought these guys could be right here, earlier than final season? Herbert put collectively top-of-the-line rookie quarterback seasons we’ve ever seen, and appears like a star within the making. Ekeler has lengthy been a remarkably environment friendly runner, and he’s a fair higher pass-catcher. Allen is among the finest receivers within the league, and the reigning captain of the At all times Open Membership. We’ll see what adjustments this offense makes with Joe Lombardi calling the performs, however the expertise right here is extraordinarily excessive stage. 

QB: Kirk Cousins RB: Dalvin Cook dinner WR: Justin Jefferson

Jefferson simply had maybe the perfect rookie season within the historical past of huge receivers. Take into consideration that for a minute. He broke Randy Moss’ document for receiving yards in a rookie yr, and added 88 catches and 7 touchdowns to go together with his 1,400 yards. Cousins was clearly on the helm for that improbable season, and will probably be once more this yr regardless of the presence of third-round decide Kellen Mond on the roster. Cook dinner is among the finest two-way operating backs within the NFL, and he’s been principally wholesome the final two years after scuffling with accidents early in his profession. 

QB: Russell Wilson RB: Chris Carson WR: DK Metcalf

The Seahawks lastly determined to Let Russ Cook dinner final season… for just a few weeks. He was the main MVP candidate for some time, however then after a pair turnover-happy video games, they went again to their run-oriented methods. It’d be good if we might assume they’d return to letting Wilson management the offense, however that appears unlikely. Nonetheless, there are few groups with higher-level expertise at these positions. Carson is a strong runner who can even contribute within the passing recreation, and Metcalf is, nicely, a ridiculous bodily specimen and receiving expertise. 

QB: Dak Prescott RB: Ezekiel Elliott WR: Amari Cooper

The Cowboys had been one among solely three groups to obtain at the very least one first-place vote right here. Prescott’s ankle damage was scary and gross, however on condition that it was a joint damage and never one thing having to do with a ligament or tendon, it hopefully shouldn’t linger and have an effect on the rest of his profession. Cooper nonetheless looks as if his No. 1 goal, however CeeDee Lamb or Michael Gallup might find yourself overtaking him in some unspecified time in the future this yr or subsequent. (Gallup is a free agent after the 2023 season, whereas Cooper’s contract doesn’t comprise far more assured cash after that. It appears seemingly that solely one of many two will probably be on the roster in 2023.) Elliott was not as efficient as backup Tony Pollard final season, however the Cowboys are dedicated to Elliott financially and thru Jerry Jones’ ego and love for advertising and marketing, so he’ll seemingly nonetheless be the staff’s lead again. 

QB: Patrick Mahomes RB: Clyde Edwards-Helaire TE: Travis Kelce

Mahomes remains to be the perfect quarterback within the NFL. He could not have had the perfect 2023 season, however he’s bought probably the most expertise, and probably the most expertise at his disposal. Andy Reid will put these guys in place to succeed, and succeed they’ll. Edwards-Helaire, billed as an ideal match for Kansas Metropolis’s offense, didn’t essentially appear like one final yr, however his ability as a pass-catcher ought to nonetheless make him a invaluable contributor this season and past. Whether or not you wish to use Kelce or Tyreek Hill for the pass-catcher spot, the Chiefs would nonetheless find yourself at or close to the highest of those rankings. 

QB: Aaron Rodgers RB: Aaron Jones WR: Davante Adams

So, there’s clearly a query mark right here. I used to be tempted to run two variations of our rankings with everyone grading the Packers as if Rodgers was the quarterback and as if Rodgers wasn’t, however as an alternative we determined to simply use the incumbent. The Packers are nonetheless sustaining that they gained’t commerce him, and his contract makes it financially disadvantageous for them to take action. It’s considerably stunning that Jones ended up again in Inexperienced Bay on condition that they Packers drafted A.J. Dillon within the second spherical final yr, however they elected to re-sign him as an alternative of Jamaal Williams, they usually’ll be higher off for it — at the very least on the sphere. Adams, in the meantime, was the league’s finest receiver final season and as a result of his intense reference to Rodgers, has a superb shot to be simply that once more in 2023.