Mar 317 min read

Top 12 Non-QB Weapons In The NFL

People like to compile their top ten lists by position, but I think the conversation gets much more interesting if we discuss playmakers. I also wanted to do a top 12 in the NFL instead of ten because I was really splitting hairs with some of the players. These players can make a difference on the offensive end at any moment.

Some people will completely disagree with me on this list, but that's the whole point of an opinionated article like this. Each selection will have reasoning attached. Feel free to argue with me in the comments. I enjoy it.

12). Sam Laporta, TE Detroit Lions

Generally, Tight Ends take a couple of years to develop into a full-time player, but Laporta immediately busted out onto the scene. Ben Jonhson put him in multiple positions to succeed and he took full advantage of it.

What is really telling is that he performed just as well, if not better than their last superstar TE, TJ Hockenson. As a rookie, he earned 120 targets and caught 86 passes for 889 yards and ten touchdowns. He is a quality blocker and a true mismatch for most defenses.

This might be a bit premature due to having a one-year sample size, but I can feel that he will be here sooner rather than later, I like to be ahead of things.

11). Puka Nacua, WR LA Rams

Another rookie with a one-year sample size. As I said, I'm a futurist with a soft spot for a receiver who earned 160 targets, 105 receptions, 1486 yards, and six touchdowns that year in a Sean McVay offense that desperately needed another weapon. Puka delivered as he will continue to.

Nacua is faster, stronger, and smarter than most people give him credit for, hence his late draft capital. The jokes are on them because Puka is a dawg who will tear up the league for the foreseeable future. There isn't a better player to enjoy watching and rooting for doing so. Longevity is important, but trust in a player evaluation is also important.

10). Jahmyr Gibbs RB Detroit Lions

I don't care that my first three on this list are rookies; they can all play and change a game differently. Gibbs is a breakaway touchdown threat from any part of the field. Once he got his opportunity in week 7 he broke out.

His rookie season consisted of 182 carries for 945 yards, averaging about 5.2 yards per carry, and ten rushing touchdowns. He also had 71 targets, 52 receptions, 316 yards, and one touchdown.

Gibbs has much room to grow in both aspects, so we've only scratched the surface of his potential. I expect the snap share to flip in his favor next year and he can have a monster career.

9). Breece Hall, RB New York Jets

This guy has had to put up with the disgusting stink of Zach Wilson, a piss-poor offensive line, and battled a major injury in his first two years in the league. Hall is still only 22 years old and his future is extremely bright.

Hopefully, the offense can catch up to him and put him into more scoring scenarios. Hall is a walking big play waiting to happen. He has the speed and power to be a workhorse back.

This last year, he had 223 carries for 994 yards averaging 4.46 yards per carry and five rushing touchdowns. Adding 95 targets catching 76 passes for 591 yards and four receiving touchdowns. That's with playing under 50% of the snaps for the first four games.

He was dragging this Jets offense along with 50-pound weights around each of his ankles; with those removed, he will be faster than ever. He also isn't dealing with any injuries so he will be ready to take flight immediately.

8). AJ Brown, WR Philadelphia Eagles

AJ is one of the elite perimeter receivers in this league; he can do it all, but this last started hot, and the Eagles got in their own heads, and it felt like he didn't produce as much after the week ten bye.

Even with that dip in the second half of the season, he still received 158 targets, 106 receptions, 1456 yards, and seven touchdowns. After looking at the stats, it's hard to qualify it as a down year, but the fact that he could've had bigger numbers if he did better in the final eight weeks of the season is pretty insane.

He can change any offense he is on and make defenses nervous, his high point skills and the ability to make big plays consistently make him a major weapon for Hurts and the Eagles.

7). Amon-Ra St Brown, WR Detroit Lions

The "Sun God" is one of the best route runners in this league, his knowledge of zone coverage is second to none. He has always played with a chip on his shoulder because he was taken in the fourth round after so many other receivers.

St. Brown can be productive in all areas of the field but is truly a menace after the catch. His surprising strength makes him incredibly hard to tackle. He also has a nose for the endzone, scoring 22 touchdowns in just three seasons.

His stat line for last year was impressive: He earned 164 targets, catching 119 of them for 1515 yards and 10 touchdowns. Three Lions are on this list, all homegrown talents. This team will be in the contender mix for a while.

6). CeeDee Lamb, WR Dallas Cowboys

CeeDee Lamb is everything you want in a top-tier weapon; he has size, strength, and attitude as a primary target. He came into the league and immediately demanded 111 targets, which has increased each year.

This past season, he finally showcased his versatility, with 181 targets, 135 receptions, 1749 yards, and 12 touchdowns. He also added 14 attempts for 113 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

The Cowboys found themselves a genuine elite talent who can beat double coverage, press, man, and any number of zone looks.

5). Justin Jefferson, WR Minnesota Vikings

Justin Jefferson has dominated the NFL since he entered it with 1400 yards in his rookie year and has added an additional two hundred yards in each of his healthy seasons. Heck, he played 10 games this year and still had over 1000 yards with QBs like Nick Mullins and Joshua Dobbs.

You've seen him play. JJetta is a clear difference-maker and can turn any play into a touchdown. He can be a chain mover or big play threat, play in the slot or dominate the outside. It really doesn't matter. If he is healthy, he will have over 100 catches, 1500 yards, and 6+ touchdowns.

4). Jamar Chase, WR Cincinnati Bengals

Chase has had a bit of an up-and-down in two seasons, missing five games in his sophomore season and playing without Burrow for much of year three. However, his ability is clear during his rookie season.

He elevated the Bengals with Burrow to a Super Bowl run that should've finished it off if not for the missed pass interference call he forced Ramsey to make. Chase is built like a running back with explosive receiver talent.

Even in a season where Burrow wasn't 100% for over half the season, he still had 145 targets, 100 catches, 1216 yards, and 7 touchdowns with Jake Browning. I'm expecting a massive season with both of these players at full strength.

3). Travis Kelce, TE Kansas City Chiefs

Kelce had a season that started red hot, then cooled down to the point where many were saying he was washed. Then he went nuclear in the playoffs to push the Chiefs to their first back-to-back Super Bowl champions since the Patriots in the 03-04 seasons.

That "washed" season consisted of 121 targets, 93 catches, 984 yards, and 5 touchdowns. Then he went and added 37 targets, 32 catches, 355 yards, and 3 touchdowns over the Chief's four playoff games.

He was the engine of that offense and still provides one of the best mismatches in the league even at 34.

2). Tyreek Hill, WR Miami Dolphins

Tyreek Hill showcased why he is one of the best two weapons in football with this last season. He had 171 targets, 119 catches, 1799 yards, and 13 touchdowns. His speed is unmatched, which everyone already knows, but the way he can high-point balls and run his routes is something that should be talked about as well.

He is in an offense that suits him perfectly, with all the motion and talent around him, but he is what makes the Dolphins dangerous. Hill is nearly impossible to cover. It really doesn't matter what type of coverage is run; he can beat anything.

1). Christian McCaffrey, RB San Francisco 49ers

CMC is the best weapon in the NFL. He was with the Panthers and is still with the 49ers. He was traded there and immediately became their best player on a roster full of studs. He can carry an offense.

This is clear from his 272 carries for 1459 yards, averaging 5.36 yards per carry, and 14 touchdowns. He also had 83 targets, catching 67 of them for 564 yards and 7 more touchdowns, not to mention a passing touchdown.

It is a damn shame the 49ers didn't win the Super Bowl despite his awesome playoff stretch and incredible 30 touches and 160 yards against KC.

End Of Rant

I honestly can't wait for people to disagree with me on this article. It's as inevitable as Thanos was in The Avengers. I thought it was a decent mix of facts and feelings to create it so we can argue till the cows come home. Who knows, you might convince me to change my thoughts; regardless, I hope you enjoyed the read.

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