Football isn't an individual sport; A quarterback can't win a game by himself. He relies on the line, receivers rely on the quarterback, running backs rely on the line and quarterback, etc. It's a team sport, and more specifically, a sport of units. So I'm going to try to find the best units in the NFL (in my opinion). This is based mostly on past performance, of course, but this is also partly predictive. Some of these units weren't necessarily the best at the position last season, but could be this season.
Offensive Line: Dallas Cowboys
For me, this one came down to the Cowboys and the Cleveland Browns. Dallas was the best offensive line in the NFL last season, and Cleveland was still among the better lines in the league after All-Pro center Alex Mack went down with a broken leg. Both teams added rookie depth (19th overall pick Cam Erving for the Browns, and La'el Collins, a first round talent who was undrafted due to being involved (though not criminally) in a murder investigation, for the Cowboys). The 'Boys return their stellar line, which includes young studs in left tackle Tyron Smith and right guard Zack Martin, two of the best in the NFL at their positions. They also have strong young center Travis Frederick and strong young left guard Ronald O'Leary, as well as veteran right tackle Doug Free. Providing depth along with Collins is huge guard/center Mackenzy Bernadeau, rookie left tackle Laurence Gibson, and right tackles Darrion Weems and Chaz Green.
Quarterback: Green Bay Packers
The Packers feature the best quarterback in the league (in my opinion) in Aaron Rodgers. Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady are also in the conversation, but right now Rodgers is the best. Last season, he threw for 4,381 yards, 38 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. The most interceptions he's thrown in a season since being drafted 24th overall by Green Bay in the 2005 draft and spending three seasons behind Brett Favre is 13. The Packers have serviceable backups in Scott Tolzien and rookie Brett Hundley (who have the benefit of throwing to a deep wide receiver group).
Running Back: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles already had one of the top running games in the NFL with the combination of LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles, but Chip Kelly wanted better, so they shipped McCoy to Buffalo and signed last season's leading rusher, DeMarco Murray, and injury-prone talent Ryan Matthews. While Murray probably won't lead the league in rushing again this season, he's a talented back, and the Eagles also still have Sproles, a 3rd down jitterbug. Philly's backfield is also helped by a strong offensive line.
Wide Receiver: Detroit Lions
The best at the receiver position was the toughest decision to make. Teams like the Falcons, Bengals, Dolphins, Cowboys, Giants, Packers, and Broncos all have strong groups of receivers, but I went with the dominating duo of Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate in Detroit. Each went over 1,000 yards receiving last season. It may not be the deepest receiving corps in the league (though it does have decent depth), but it may have the most talent at the top.
Tight End: New England Patriots
This wasn't nearly as hard of a decision as the receiver group, since the clear number one tight end resides in Foxborough. Rob Gronkowski is an unstoppable force, and one of the best players in the league, regardless of position, when healthy. Gronk had 1,124 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns last season. The Pats also got a solid veteran backup in Scott Chandler, and still have that Hoomanuwaio.... guy (actual name: Michael Hoomanawanui).
Defensive Line: Buffalo Bills
Teams like the Browns, Dolphins, and Bengals have deep defensive line groups, but the heads of the class are the Jets and Bills. The Jets already had a strong line led by monsters Muhammed Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson (who's expected to be suspended) before using the sixth overall pick in this year's draft on Leonard Williams, thought by many to be the draft's top prospect. But Buffalo takes the cake. Their line consists of Mario Williams, Marcell Dareus (who just got paid today), Kyle Williams, and Jerry Hughes, a quartet that helped the team lead the league in sacks last year.
Linebackers: Carolina Panthers
I honestly didn't think very hard about the best linebacker group, because the Panthers linebackers are as solid as they come. They are, of course, led by tackling machine Luke Keuchly, and also include Thomas Davis, who successfully came back from three ACL injuries to be a leader and contributor, and A.J. Klein, who, along with Keuchly, was a Pro-Bowler last year. The Panthers also drafted athletic and versatile Shaq Thompson in the first round, and he may eventually be Davis's replacement.
Secondary: Seattle Seahawks
An argument could be made for the Jets and Browns, who have defensive backfields with multiple Pro-Bowlers, but I'll stick with the Legion of Boom, even without holdout Kam Chancellor. They still have two of the best in corner Richard Sherman and safety Earl Thomas, along with Cary Williams and Dion Bailey. The race is much closer for best secondary now then it was when the Seahawks won the Super Bowl, but getting Chancellor back will create a bit of space between them and the other competitors.
Special Teams: St. Louis Rams
The Rams have a fun special teams group. Greg "the Leg" Zurlein has a cannon leg, and although he struggled with accuracy last season, he is still a solid kicker. Johnny Hekker is one of the best punters in the league (and he can pass when needed, which we'll get to later), and Tavon Austin is an electric punt return. Plus, Jeff Fisher likes to get creative sometimes when it comes to special teams, which leads to moments such as this and this and this.
Offensive Line: Dallas Cowboys
For me, this one came down to the Cowboys and the Cleveland Browns. Dallas was the best offensive line in the NFL last season, and Cleveland was still among the better lines in the league after All-Pro center Alex Mack went down with a broken leg. Both teams added rookie depth (19th overall pick Cam Erving for the Browns, and La'el Collins, a first round talent who was undrafted due to being involved (though not criminally) in a murder investigation, for the Cowboys). The 'Boys return their stellar line, which includes young studs in left tackle Tyron Smith and right guard Zack Martin, two of the best in the NFL at their positions. They also have strong young center Travis Frederick and strong young left guard Ronald O'Leary, as well as veteran right tackle Doug Free. Providing depth along with Collins is huge guard/center Mackenzy Bernadeau, rookie left tackle Laurence Gibson, and right tackles Darrion Weems and Chaz Green.
Quarterback: Green Bay Packers
The Packers feature the best quarterback in the league (in my opinion) in Aaron Rodgers. Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady are also in the conversation, but right now Rodgers is the best. Last season, he threw for 4,381 yards, 38 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. The most interceptions he's thrown in a season since being drafted 24th overall by Green Bay in the 2005 draft and spending three seasons behind Brett Favre is 13. The Packers have serviceable backups in Scott Tolzien and rookie Brett Hundley (who have the benefit of throwing to a deep wide receiver group).
Running Back: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles already had one of the top running games in the NFL with the combination of LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles, but Chip Kelly wanted better, so they shipped McCoy to Buffalo and signed last season's leading rusher, DeMarco Murray, and injury-prone talent Ryan Matthews. While Murray probably won't lead the league in rushing again this season, he's a talented back, and the Eagles also still have Sproles, a 3rd down jitterbug. Philly's backfield is also helped by a strong offensive line.
Wide Receiver: Detroit Lions
The best at the receiver position was the toughest decision to make. Teams like the Falcons, Bengals, Dolphins, Cowboys, Giants, Packers, and Broncos all have strong groups of receivers, but I went with the dominating duo of Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate in Detroit. Each went over 1,000 yards receiving last season. It may not be the deepest receiving corps in the league (though it does have decent depth), but it may have the most talent at the top.
Tight End: New England Patriots
This wasn't nearly as hard of a decision as the receiver group, since the clear number one tight end resides in Foxborough. Rob Gronkowski is an unstoppable force, and one of the best players in the league, regardless of position, when healthy. Gronk had 1,124 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns last season. The Pats also got a solid veteran backup in Scott Chandler, and still have that Hoomanuwaio.... guy (actual name: Michael Hoomanawanui).
Defensive Line: Buffalo Bills
Teams like the Browns, Dolphins, and Bengals have deep defensive line groups, but the heads of the class are the Jets and Bills. The Jets already had a strong line led by monsters Muhammed Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson (who's expected to be suspended) before using the sixth overall pick in this year's draft on Leonard Williams, thought by many to be the draft's top prospect. But Buffalo takes the cake. Their line consists of Mario Williams, Marcell Dareus (who just got paid today), Kyle Williams, and Jerry Hughes, a quartet that helped the team lead the league in sacks last year.
Linebackers: Carolina Panthers
I honestly didn't think very hard about the best linebacker group, because the Panthers linebackers are as solid as they come. They are, of course, led by tackling machine Luke Keuchly, and also include Thomas Davis, who successfully came back from three ACL injuries to be a leader and contributor, and A.J. Klein, who, along with Keuchly, was a Pro-Bowler last year. The Panthers also drafted athletic and versatile Shaq Thompson in the first round, and he may eventually be Davis's replacement.
Secondary: Seattle Seahawks
An argument could be made for the Jets and Browns, who have defensive backfields with multiple Pro-Bowlers, but I'll stick with the Legion of Boom, even without holdout Kam Chancellor. They still have two of the best in corner Richard Sherman and safety Earl Thomas, along with Cary Williams and Dion Bailey. The race is much closer for best secondary now then it was when the Seahawks won the Super Bowl, but getting Chancellor back will create a bit of space between them and the other competitors.
Special Teams: St. Louis Rams
The Rams have a fun special teams group. Greg "the Leg" Zurlein has a cannon leg, and although he struggled with accuracy last season, he is still a solid kicker. Johnny Hekker is one of the best punters in the league (and he can pass when needed, which we'll get to later), and Tavon Austin is an electric punt return. Plus, Jeff Fisher likes to get creative sometimes when it comes to special teams, which leads to moments such as this and this and this.
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