Name: QB support index: Analyzing the gap between the NFL’s haves and have-nots
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QB support index: Analyzing the gap between the NFL’s haves and have-nots

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May 14, 2020The offensive support teams provide their quarterbacks can be a sensitive subject. The ’ without securing receiver help for set off alarms. ’s departure from the New England to the compels us partly because Brady might fare better with his new team’s superior receiving talent. As the work toward a new contract for , skeptics question how the quarterback would fare without so many Pro Bowlers surrounding him on offense. Elsewhere, under-talented teams such as the New York simply want to give their young QBs a chance.We illustrate these disparities in quarterback support by ranking the 32 teams by how many starts they have received over the past four seasons from Pro Bowl players at running back, wide receiver, tight end and offensive line. To qualify, players had to be named to the Pro Bowl initially, not as replacements. Starts are counted only for those seasons when the players were Pro Bowlers. The four-year period aligns with when Prescott, and entered the league.The Pro Bowl obviously is not a perfect measure of player performance, but this exercise captures massive disparities between haves and have-nots. The and Cowboys have had Pro Bowl players account for more than one-third of starts at those positions. At the other extreme, the Jets have not gotten a single start from a Pro Bowler at those positions during the time frame in question (including even injury replacements to the Pro Bowl). Brady’s Patriots also rank well down the list.The entry for each team shows:Remember, all starts and stats refer to the past four seasons only, 2016-19.1. Pittsburgh Steelers (235)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (17): WR 13, FB Roosevelt Nix 4Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: SecondOffensive PPG rank: 11thQB with most starts: with 47 (31-15-1, .670)The offensive talent isn’t the same without Brown and Bell, while Pouncey and Villanueva have arguably declined. The Steelers’ ability to draft and develop replacements is key for the future. They have drafted four wide receivers in the second or third rounds over the past four years: Smith-Schuster, , and .2. Dallas Cowboys (208)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (54): WR 25, TE Jason Witten 16, WR Dez Bryant 13Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: FirstOffensive PPG rank: FifthQB with most starts: Dak Prescott with 64 (40-24, .625)Adding first-round wide receiver should only help Prescott. It could also help Cooper, a four-time Pro Bowler who has been voted to the team outright once, while with Oakland in 2016. Cooper set career highs last season with 1,189 receiving yards, 15.1 yards per reception and eight touchdown catches. Losing Frederick to retirement hurts.3. (155)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (27): Johnson 27Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: FourthOffensive PPG rank: EighthQB with most starts: Carson Wentz with 56 (32-24, .571)The Eagles’ success in building an offensive line shines through. They would love to see wide receivers on that list as well. Before selecting with the 21st pick last month, Philadelphia has drafted five wide receivers in the first round since 1980. Mike Quick, chosen 20th in 1982, was the only one to earn Pro Bowl honors. (2015), Jeremy Maclin (2009), Freddie Mitchell (2001) and Kenny Jackson (1984) were the others. Of course, Ertz is a primary receiver as a tight end.4. (125)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (33): TE 17, T 16Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: FifthOffensive PPG rank: FourthQB with most starts: with 63 (35-28, .556)Jones has missed only four regular-season games over the past six seasons after a season-ending foot injury in 2013. He has 412 more yards than any other player over the past four seasons. It’s probably unrealistic to expect newly acquired running back Todd Gurley to recapture the Pro Bowl form he showed with the , but the Falcons would take it.5. (123)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (zero): Hill and started games during seasons when they were named to Pro Bowls as return specialists, not as wide receivers.Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: SeventhOffensive PPG rank: SecondQB with most starts: with 31 (24-7, .774)Some evaluators think first-round pick can become a Pro Bowl-caliber running back. They compare him to , but with less speed. As it is, Mahomes has 76 touchdown passes over the past two seasons, 10 more than runner-up , who has played in two additional games.6. (117)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (36): Penn 16, TE 14, Cooper 6Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: SixthOffensive PPG rank: 21stQB with most starts: with 62 (29-33, .468)Seven of the first eight teams on this list rank 11th or better in offensive scoring over the past four seasons. The Raiders lag at 21st, which is why perennial quarterback speculation doesn’t surprise. Tight end should be in the Pro Bowl mix — and were the choices last season — after breaking out with 90 receptions for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns. The Raiders’ talent should improve after the team selected two wide receivers and hybrid receiver/running back in the first three rounds.7. New Orleans (101)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (96): G Larry Warford 44, G 23, Kamara 22, TE Jared Cook 7Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: ThirdOffensive PPG rank: FirstQB with most starts: Drew Brees with 58 (39-19, .672)The Saints are loaded offensively. They rank seventh in starts by qualifying Pro Bowlers, first in starts by Pro Bowl replacements and third in the combined total. Possessing an elite play caller in Sean Payton and unconventional weapon in doesn’t hurt. Warford was released last week after the Saints used a first-round pick on another interior offensive lineman, .8. (91)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (32): T 16, C Jeremy Zuttah 16Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: SeventhOffensive PPG rank: SixthQB with most starts: with 41 (21-20, .512)The Ravens overhauled their wide receivers with first-round pick and third-rounder in 2019, plus third-rounder this year. Linemen, backs and tight ends dominate the offensive Pro Bowlers for the Ravens over the past four seasons, and there’s a 1,000-yard rusher you won’t find in the table: quarterback Lamar Jackson, arguably their most dangerous threat on the ground.9. (87)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (11): Walker 11Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: 12thOffensive PPG rank: 18thQB with most starts: with 49 (26-23, .531)A.J. Brown’s sensational rookie season suggests the Titans could have a Pro Bowl wide receiver in the mix shortly. He would be the first for Tennessee since Derrick Mason in 2003, when it finished 12-4 and quarterback Steve McNair shared MVP honors with the ’ Peyton Manning. Former Titans tackle does not appear in the table because he was not a Pro Bowler despite earning Associated Press All-Pro honors.10. Green Bay Packers (86)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (30): Bakhtiari 16, Adams 14Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: 10thOffensive PPG rank: eighthQB with most starts: Aaron Rodgers with 55 (33-21-1, .609)The Packers are in the top 10 despite concerns surrounding their receiving corps (including tight ends) beyond Adams. The No. 8 ranking in offensive scoring includes nine games when Rodgers was not in the lineup. Since 2016, Green Bay has averaged 24.7 offensive points per game when Rodgers started, compared to 15.8 when he did not.11. Washington Redskins (84)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (zero): NoneRanking if non-qualifying starts were included: 15thOffensive PPG rank: 22ndQB with most starts: with 32 (15-16-1, .484)flashed Pro Bowl potential as a rookie with 58 receptions for 919 yards and seven touchdowns, but the Redskins are strongest in their defensive front. They have not placed a wide receiver in the Pro Bowl since following the 2005 season.12. San Francisco (66)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (15): T Joe Staley 15Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: 16thOffensive PPG rank: 15thQB with most starts: with 24 (19-5, .792)Staley’s retirement might improve the chances San Francisco places a tackle in the Pro Bowl. Newcomer fills the void and, with Staley retired, will have one fewer top tackle to compete against in the conference. The 49ers have drafted four wide receivers in the first three rounds over the past four drafts: , , and . They are looking for their first Pro Bowl wideout since Terrell Owens in 2003.13. (60)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (15): RB 14, Tunsil 1Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: 17thOffensive PPG rank: 20thQB with most starts: with 37 (24-13, .649)Hopkins is out. and are in. Tunsil will be back. Watson should be getting paid soon. The reallocation of resources on offense is dizzying. Perennial Pro Bowl status would help Tunsil justify his new market-setting contract for left tackles, valued at $22 million per year.14. (57)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (42): Allen 16, T Russell Okung 15, Gordon 11Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: 11thOffensive PPG rank: 12thQB with most starts: Philip Rivers with 64 (31-33, .484)Okung is out, but newly acquired guard accounted for 55 Pro Bowl starts in Carolina (13 qualifying, 42 as a replacement) despite missing nine games to injury over the past three seasons. He turns 27 in June. Wide receiver , chosen seventh in 2017, broke out with 1,001 yards receiving and a league-leading 20.4-yard average last season.15. Indianapolis Colts (56)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (63): TE 31, Hilton 16, C 16Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: NinthOffensive PPG rank: 14thQB with most starts: Andrew Luck with 31 (18-13, .581)Indianapolis used second-round picks on a wide receiver (Michael Pittman Jr.) and running back () after subtracting Ebron in free agency. The Colts have not had a Pro Bowl running back since Joseph Addai after the 2007 season. Hall of Famer Edgerrin James was a regular before that.T-16. (48)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (46): G 32, Landry 14Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: 13thOffensive PPG rank: 28thQB with most starts: with 29 (12-17, .414)Three seasons have passed since Odell Beckham Jr. earned Pro Bowl honors while with the . He ranks 28th in receiving yards over that span, one spot behind . Sixteen games missed to injury has been a factor. The Browns have drafted one wide receiver in the first three rounds over the past nine seasons: 2016 first-rounder Corey Coleman, who is on his fourth team and has 61 career receptions.T-17. (48)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (zero): NoneRanking if non-qualifying starts were included: 24thOffensive PPG rank: 23rdQB with most starts: Carson Palmer with 22 (9-12-1, .432)Adding Hopkins gives the Cardinals another established target for second-year quarterback , although earning Pro Bowl honors in the NFC won’t be easy for the former Texans wide receiver. The conference is stacked at the position. Larry Fitzgerald was voted or named to 10 Pro Bowls in 11 seasons before missing the last two.18. (47)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (16): Incognito 16Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: 20thOffensive PPG rank: 24thQB with most starts: with 29 (15-14, .517)The Bills’ most recent Pro Bowl wide receiver was Eric Moulds in 2002. Four different running backs have represented Buffalo since then (Travis Henry, Marshawn Lynch, C.J. Spiller and LeSean McCoy). Newly acquired wideout has potential. He averaged a career-high 17.9 yards per reception for Minnesota last season. He averaged better than 26 yards per catch on play-action throws, ranking second to Washington’s McLaurin in yards per catch on those plays (minimum 10 play-action receptions).19. (47)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (42): Turner 42Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: 14thOffensive PPG rank: 16thQB with most starts: Cam Newton with 46 (23-23, .500)Newly acquired left tackle Russell Okung earned Pro Bowl honors as a starter when he was with Seattle and as an injury replacement while with the Chargers. The Panthers are betting on Okung, who turns 32 in October, to play well after he recovered from a pulmonary embolism and started six games last season.20. (46)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (23): TE 16, FB C.J. Ham 7Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: 18thOffensive PPG rank: 17thQB with most starts: Kirk Cousins with 31 (18-12-1, .597)First-round pick replaces Diggs and should benefit similarly from the Vikings’ strong play-action game, but the offense will presumably go through Thielen and Cook. Minnesota hasn’t had a Pro Bowl offensive lineman since Matt Kalil was named as a replacement for Washington’s Trent Williams following the 2012 season. The Vikings tried to land Williams by trade before the draft and used a second-round choice on tackle .21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (43)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (16): Evans 16Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: 21stOffensive PPG rank: 13thQB with most starts: with 54 (22-32, .407)The Buccaneers rank lower on this list than the quality of their weaponry would suggest, mainly because they have lacked quality along the line and in the backfield. If plays enough, he could become the second Pro Bowl tight end in franchise history, joining four-time choice Jimmie Giles, who last played for the team in 1986.22. New York Giants (32)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (zero): NoneRanking if non-qualifying starts were included: 28thOffensive PPG rank: 26thQB with most starts: Eli Manning with 51 (20-31, .392)The Giants haven’t had an offensive lineman reach the Pro Bowl since Chris Snee following the 2012 season. They hope first-round tackle can help end the streak. Their next Pro Bowl wide receiver might be playing in high school or college. It’s hard to find a likely one on the roster. Beckham was the most recent, but that was in 2016, the last time the Giants had a winning record.23. Los Angeles Rams (29)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (15): T 15Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: 25thOffensive PPG rank: 7thQB with most starts: Jared Goff with 54 (33-21, .611)The Rams have spread their receiving production across multiple solid wideouts and Gurley, who was once a dangerous threat out of the backfield. They used a second-round pick on wide receiver after trading Brandin Cooks to Houston early last month. They brought Whitworth back for another year and are banking on younger linemen to develop.24. (26)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (16): Whitworth 16Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: 27thOffensive PPG rank: 25thQB with most starts: with 56 (20-35-1, .366)Talent awaits new franchise quarterback — on paper, at least. The Bengals are stocked with highly drafted talent at the skill positions, from first-rounders in Green and to second-rounders , , and Gio Bernard. Green has played only nine games over the past two seasons amid questions about his long-term future, Ross has missed half the games in his three seasons and Higgins could face challenges as a rookie navigating this potentially truncated offseason.25. New England Patriots (21)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (zero): NoneRanking if non-qualifying starts were included: 30thOffensive PPG rank: ThirdQB with most starts: Tom Brady with 60 (47-13, .783)The Saints, Chiefs, Falcons and Cowboys are the other teams ranked among the top five in offensive points per game since 2016. Those teams also rank among the top seven in starts made by Pro Bowlers at wide receiver, running back and tight end, and on the offensive line, over that span. The Patriots are well down the list. Brady and the offensive coaching presumably bridged the gap.26. (13)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (55): WR Doug Baldwin 31, Graham 15, T 9Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: 19thOffensive PPG rank: 10thQB with most starts: Russell Wilson with 64 (40-23-1, .633)Wide receiver has 2,020 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns since becoming a full-time starter over the past two seasons. D.K. Metcalf’s size and speed changed the dynamic at the position for Seattle as a rookie last season. The Seahawks need better health from tight end and possibly veteran reinforcements.27. (8)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (46): WR 16, WR Demaryius Thomas 16, WR 14Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: 23rdOffensive PPG rank: 30thQB with most starts: with 24 (13-11, .542)First-round pick and second-rounder K.J. Hamler join rising star Courtland Sutton (1,112 yards last season) to give the Broncos great potential at a position that has generally been strong during John Elway’s time as general manager. Denver hasn’t had a Pro Bowl offensive lineman since Ryan Clady in 2014.T-28. (0)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (57): C 16, T 16, RB 13, G Josh Sitton 12Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: 22ndOffensive PPG rank: 31stQB with most starts: Mitch Trubisky with 41 (23-18, .561)After investing in various wide receivers, tight ends and running backs without getting the desired results, the Bears took a two-pronged approach this offseason. They changed up at quarterback by acquiring and they used a second-round choice on Notre Dame tight end . Chicago has not had a Pro Bowl wide receiver since having two in 2013, when Brandon Marshall made it outright and Alshon Jeffery replaced the injured Calvin Johnson.T-28. (0)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (44): WR 32, RB Jay Ajayi 12Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: 25thOffensive PPG rank: 29thQB with most starts: with 24 (13-11, .542)led the AFC with 1,202 receiving yards last season while scoring nine touchdowns — — as many as he had in four previous seasons. The Dolphins extended his contract but otherwise have not funneled significant resources to the receiving positions recently.T-28. (0)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (29): WR 16, G T.J. Lang 13Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: 29thOffensive PPG rank: 19thQB with most starts: with 56 (27-28-1, .491)Golladay averaged 18.3 yards per catch last season with 11 touchdowns, earning Pro Bowl honors as an injury replacement for . The Lions have had one Pro Bowl offensive lineman since Kevin Glover and Lomas Brown were regular choices in the 1990s. That was guard T.J. Lang, who made it as an injury replacement for Washington’s Scherff after the 2017 season.T-28. (0)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (14): WR D.J. Chark 14Ranking if non-qualifying starts were included: 31stOffensive PPG rank: 27thQB with most starts: with 44 (16-28, .364)The Jaguars used top-five picks on wide receiver Justin Blackmon, tackle Luke Joeckel and running back over the past nine drafts without exercising fifth-year options for any of them. Chark was the eighth wide receiver selected in 2018 and the No. 4 producer among them with 1,008 receiving yards last season. Second-round choice should get opportunities as a rookie.T-28. New York Jets (0)Non-qualifying Pro Bowl starts (zero): NoneRanking if non-qualifying starts were included: 32ndOffensive PPG rank: 32ndQB with most starts: with 26 (11-15, .423)The Jets are the only team with zero starts over the past four seasons from any kind of Pro Bowler, original or replacement, at running back, wide receiver or tight end or on the offensive line. was a Pro Bowl return specialist when he made a single start at wide receiver in 2018. Le’ earned Pro Bowl honors over the past four seasons, but that was when he played for Pittsburgh. The Jets had three offensive Pro Bowlers in 2015: running back Chris Ivory, center Nick Mangold and wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The Jets had every reason to draft for offense this year, and did so, using a first-round pick on tackle and a second-rounder on wide receiver .(Photo of , left, and Dak Prescott: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

May 14, 2020The offensive support teams provide their quarterbacks can be a sensitive subject. The ’ without securing receiver help for set off alarms. ’s departure from the New England to the compels us partly because Brady might fare better with his new team’s superior receiving talent. As the work toward a new contract for , skeptics question how the quarterback would fare without so many Pro Bowlers surrounding him on offense. Elsewhere, under-talented teams such as the New York simply want to give their young QBs a chance.We illustrate these disparities in quarterback support by...

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Mike Sando

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QB support index: Analyzing the gap between the NFL’s haves and have-nots

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