This is the third part of a project of mine here at The Draft Network. The ultimate goal is to rank the top group of pass catchers in the NFL.
In order to do so, I created a 32 team bracket while listing the pass catchers for each squad. By “pass catchers” I generally mean each team’s wide receivers, tight ends and running backs. Today will be the round of 8, as the opening and second rounds were recently completed.
There had to be some structure within this tournament, so let me explain how I viewed each unit. Below, I’ve listed the depth chart of each remaining team with their top 4 wide receivers, top 2 tight ends and top 2 running backs. Beneath that, there are the major depth pieces for all three positions.
Things can get hairy when applying strict numbers to a group of players, take the now eliminated Steelers for example. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, Ryan Switzer, James Washington, Eli Rogers and Donte Moncrief make up a deep group of wide receivers. Cutting them down to just four players was a difficult task. It’s possible that you won’t agree with some players relegated to the “depth” section, but those borderline players impact the group a bit less anyway.
Something that should be noted is that these aren’t necessarily listed by standing on the team’s actual depth chart. While the Eagles are likely to give Jordan Howard a strong portion of the playing time, I’d expect them to feature Miles Sanders and Corey Clement more in the passing game. Since the passing game is what we’re looking at, that puts Howard into the depth category.
Additionally, these lists needed to be cut down to not include every player on the 90-man rosters. So while I like your favorite team’s late round picks and undrafted free agents too, they didn’t necessarily make the cut here. The players listed are those that I expect to have an opportunity to make an impact this season.
Lastly, some players are facing suspension or coming back from injury. Those players have mostly been relegated to the “Depth / Unknown” section, as their future usage is up in the air. These players are valued when comparing overall units to other teams, but it’s difficult to gauge just how effective they will be moving forward.
To structure the tournament, each team started by competing against their own divisions first, so the final 8 teams are the division champions. Today, the East division champs will face off against the West division champs, the North will face the South. Be sure to keep your eyes out for the subsequent rounds that will be posted within the coming days.
Let’s get into the depth chart of each remaining team in the AFC.
New York Jets
WR Robby Anderson
WR Quincy Enunwa
WR Jamison Crowder
WR Deontay Burnett
TE Chris Herndon IV
TE Trevon Wesco
RB Le’veon Bell
RB Elijah McGuire
Depth / Unknown
WR Josh Bellamy
TE Eric Tomlinson
Los Angeles Chargers
WR Keenan Allen
WR Mike Williams
WR Travis Benjamin
WR Dylan Cantrell
TE Hunter Henry
TE Virgil Green
RB Melvin Gordon
RB Austin Ekeler
Depth / Unknown
RB Justin Jackson
Cleveland Browns
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
WR Rashard Higgins
WR Jarvis Landry
WR Antonio Callaway
TE David Njoku
TE Seth Devalve
RB Nick Chubb
RB Duke Johnson
Depth / Unknown
WR Damion Ratley
*RB Kareem Hunt
Indianapolis Colts
WR T.Y. Hilton
WR Parris Campbell
WR Devin Funchess
WR Chester Rogers
TE Eric Ebron
TE Jack Doyle
RB Marlon Mack
RB Nyheim Hines
Depth / Unknown
WR Zach Pascal
TE Mo Alie-Cox
RB Jordan Wilkins
*Denotes player that is a surefire talent, but have an unsure outlook on their availability
Los Angeles Chargers def. New York Jets
While the Jets have an intriguing group of young pass catchers, their unit isn’t quite as complete as the Chargers. Keenan Allen is the strongest receiver of either group, and the trajectory of Mike Williams career could put him on that level next season.
While the Jets addition Le’veon Bell is exceptionally strong, Los Angeles has multiple running backs who get after it in the passing game. Add in Hunter Henry’s complete skillset as a pass catching tight end, and there are minimal holes in the Chargers overall unit. The progression of second-year wideout Dylan Cantrell could be the piece that puts Los Angeles over the top, not just in this tournament but on the field as well.
Indianapolis Colts def. Cleveland Browns
This was a tight one, as any round of 8 matchup will be. Cleveland’s addition of Odell Beckham Jr. has seemingly moved the needle for the Browns offseason, but don’t underestimate the moves that the Colts have made. While Odell is the alpha among both groups, T.Y. Hilton really isn’t too far off from him. The Colts 2-4 options at wide receiver are just about even with Cleveland’s, as Funchess is an underrated addition and Parris Campbell is a natural fit in their offense.
Where Indianapolis separates themselves is at tight end and running back, as Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle have both had more success than David Njoku to this point. Running back Nyheim Hines is equally as effective catching passes from the backfield as he is from the slot, and is a more dynamic athlete than Cleveland’s Duke Johnson.
Indianapolis’ overall unit edges out the Browns by a hair.
Now let's take a look at the depth charts from the NFC:
Philadelphia Eagles
WR Alshon Jeffery
WR Nelson Agholor
WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
WR Desean Jackson
TE Zach Ertz
TE Dallas Goedert
RB Miles Sanders
RB Corey Clement
Depth / Unknown
RB Jordan Howard
RB Wendell Smallwood
RB Donnel Pumphrey
Los Angeles Rams
WR Brandin Cooks
WR Robert Woods
WR Cooper Kupp
WR Josh Reynolds
TE Gerald Everett
TE Tyler Higbee
RB Todd Gurley
RB Darrell Henderson
Depth / Unknown
RB John Kelly
RB Malcolm Brown
Chicago Bears
WR Allen Robinson
WR Taylor Gabriel
WR Anthony Miller
WR Riley Ridley
TE Trey Burton
TE Adam Shaheen
RB Tarik Cohen
RB David Montgomery
Depth / Unknown
WR Cordarrelle Patterson
WR Javon Wims
RB Mike Davis
Atlanta Falcons
WR Julio Jones
WR Calvin Ridley
WR Mohamed Sanu
WR Justin Hardy
TE Austin Hooper
TE Luke Stocker
RB Devonta Freeman
RB Ito Smith
Depth / Unknown
WR Russell Gage
TE Eric Saubert
Philadelphia Eagles def. Los Angeles Rams
This one was a slugfest. Comparing these two units is difficult, because they’re two of the most complete groups in the entire league. However, Philadelphia’s feels like the more versatile group with talent and depth at each position.
Los Angeles has the stronger trio of top wide receivers in Cooks, Woods and Kupp. But Philadelphia’s trio of Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor and Desean Jackson really isn’t far off. On top of that, JJ Arcega-Whiteside is the more intriguing talent than Josh Reynolds.
While the Rams tight ends have had flashes, Philadelphia’s Ertz and Goedert might be the best tight end duo in the entire NFL. They have a ridiculous amount of pass catching talent in the backfield with Sanders, Clement, Smallwood and potentially even Donnel Pumphrey. That depth and versatility outweighs Todd Gurley’s pass catching, especially with his potentially uneasy health moving forward.
This matchup feels like one that happened one round too early, as both units are exceptional.
Atlanta Falcons def. Chicago Bears
Chicago has built up a deep group of talented pass catchers over the past two offseasons, but they simply don’t match up with Atlanta’s just yet. Julio Jones is one of the best wide receivers in the game, and Calvin Ridley had the best season among all rookie receivers last year. Mohamed Sanu has been a consistent and productive WR2 for years in the NFL, peaking at 838 receiving yards in 2018.
Add in tight end Austin Hooper and two running backs with receiving ability in Devonta Freeman and Ito Smith, and Chicago’s young weapons don’t quite compare.
