As the 2023 NFL season approaches, there are star-studded rosters that stand out above the rest. Since the Kansas City Chiefs hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in February, the NFL has gone through free agency, the draft, and trades. NFL teams and general managers work day and night throughout the off-season to find the right players to retool their roster.
There are still a few quality free agents available, like Dalvin Cook, DeAndre Hopkins, and Yannick Ngakoue. Aside from the few remaining free agents or potential trades, NFL rosters are mostly set heading into July.
This list is a comprehension of a team’s entire roster, top to bottom. Overall talent and depth of the team are taken into account in this ranking. This list is not a power ranking heading into the season, but which team has elite talent and depth at all levels.
The 5 Best NFL Rosters Entering the 2023 Season
1. Philadelphia Eagles
The reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles will enter the NFL season as the top overall roster in the league. Looking to bounce back from the Super Bowl LVII loss, the Eagles still come in with a stacked roster.
Although the team did lose multiple starters, they were able to retain, Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Darius Slay, and James Bradberry. Over the course of the offseason, they also added talent like Georgia teammates Jalen Carter & Nolan Smith, in addition to former Bulldog D’Andre Swift.
Pairing the retention and acquisition of these players with stars like Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, Lane Johnson, and Haason Reddick, the Eagles are primed for another great season. The Eagles are a truly complete team. The most talented of all the NFL rosters will look to advance to their second straight Super Bowl appearance.
2. San Francisco 49ers
There may be no team with better overall weapons than the 49ers. They possess stars that create separation, bring speed & toughness, and eat up yards after the catch. Regardless of who is quarterbacking the 49ers, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle will be making plays in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. They also happen to have the league’s best left tackle, Trent Williams as a bonus.
The 49ers are able to match the same level of explosiveness on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa leads the stacked defensive line, wreaking havoc on a weekly basis against opposing offenses. Not far behind Bosa is All-Pro Fred Warner, arguably the best linebacker in all of football.
Key contributors to one of the most stacked NFL rosters in football also include Arik Armstead, Talanoa Hufanga, Javon Hargrave, and Charvarius Ward. Although the 49ers are entering yet another year with quarterback questions, the team has the talent to take it the distance.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
Perhaps the greatest talent we have ever seen at the quarterback position, 2x Super Bowl Champion, 2x Super Bowl MVP, 2x MVP, the incredible Patrick Mahomes. No one has done it better since his first year under center in 2018. Adding to the great talent of Mahomes on the offensive side of the ball, both Travis Kelce and Creed Humphrey are ranked #1 at their respective positions by Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Defensive Player of the Year Candidate Chris Jones and budding star Nick Bolton provide play-making ability, leadership, and nastiness on the defensive side of the ball.
Behind their stars, the Chiefs have great depth along the roster, but some still need to prove that they can produce in this league. We will see which receivers step up to be Mahomes’ top target behind Kelce. Whether it is Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, Rashee Rice, Justyn Ross, etc., they all possess the talent to contribute to this offense. The Chiefs will look to bring home a Lombardi for the third time in five years.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
The receiving duo of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins is towards the top of the list, if not THE top. Make a trio with Joe Burrow and that is certainly tough to beat. The offensive line should also see an additional uptick in production with the addition of Orlando Brown Jr. and the rest of the bunch healthier.
On the defense, the Bengals are strong at every level, with no real weakness, and talented depth players at every position. DJ Reader, one of the best interior defensive linemen in the game, can ruin game plans in the middle. They also possess one of the best linebacker tandems in the league with Germaine Pratt & Logan Wilson. The corners are no slouch either with top nickel, Mike Hilton, who always seems to be making plays when the Bengals need it most. Chidobe Awuzie will be back healthy, and Cam Taylor-Britt showed a lot of potential last season.
Joe Burrow says the window is his whole career. He will look to lead the Bengals to the promised land for the first time in franchise history.
5. Miami Dolphins
The name of the game is SPEED for the Miami Dolphins, and they have it all over the place. Wide receiving duos are all over this list, and Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have an argument for the top spot. Speed is not exclusive to the wide receiver position either. The Dolphins already had track star, Raheem Mostert, and now they added Devon Achane, who ran 4.32 at the combine.
Miami’s claim to one of the top rosters in the NFL doesn’t stop on the offensive side of the ball, as they also boast a top cornerback duo with Jalen Ramsey & Xavien Howard. They are also stacked along the defensive line with Christian Wilkins, outside linebackers Jaelan Phillips, and Bradley Chubb. Jerome Baker and Jevon Holland line up all over the field and are always making plays. Vic Fangio should bring this talented group to another level in 2023.
People seem to forget the Dolphins took the Bills to a final score of 34-31 Buffalo in the playoffs with a third-string quarterback under center. They have the talent needed to succeed, and much of it will rely on the health and success of quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa.
Just Missed the Cut
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback, playmakers, athletic offensive line, and disrupters on the front 7 and back end. On paper, the Chargers have what it takes to compete for a Super Bowl.
Dallas Cowboys
A top wide receiver and running back in today’s game, a top cornerback duo, and perhaps the best defensive talent in the game. The Cowboys are fast and physical. They can compete with any team, any week.
New York Jets
A Hall of Fame quarterback, playmakers, and a defense not to be messed with. The New York Jets are talented enough to make some noise in the NFL this season.
Main Photo: Cheryl Evans – USA Today Sports
