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The best non-QB on every NFL team
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The best non-QB on every NFL team

The quarterback is the most important player on the football field, but it takes an entire team of talented players to build a champion. These are the best non-quarterbacks for all 32 NFL teams going into the 2021 season.

 
1 of 32

Arizona Cardinals: DeAndre Hopkins, WR

Arizona Cardinals: DeAndre Hopkins, WR
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

The Cardinals are loaded with top-end talent, including pass rushers J.J. Watt and Chandler Jones, along with safety Budda Baker, but Hopkins remains arguably the best wideout in the NFL. He has over 10,000 yards receiving and 60 touchdowns in eight seasons and has made the Pro Bowl in five of the last six years.

 
2 of 32

Atlanta Falcons: Calvin Ridley, WR

Atlanta Falcons: Calvin Ridley, WR
Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports Images

Atlanta continues to shed talent, but Ridley is one of their main building blocks. He had his first 1,000-yard season in 2020 with Julio Jones sidelined for much of the year and could take another step forward with Jones gone to Tennessee. Jones finished the season with 1,374 yards receiving and has 26 touchdowns in three years.

 
3 of 32

Baltimore Ravens: Marlon Humphrey, CB

Baltimore Ravens: Marlon Humphrey, CB
Tommy Gilligan / USA Today Sports Images

Baltimore's defense has loaded with big-time talent, including Humphrey. He's made the Pro Bowl in back-to-back seasons and led the NFL with eight forced fumbles in 2020.

 
4 of 32

Buffalo Bills: Tre'Davious White, CB

Buffalo Bills: Tre'Davious White, CB
Jamie Germano / USA Today Sports Images

White is the anchor of a talented Bills defense, making back-to-back Pro Bowls in Buffalo. He has 15 interceptions in four seasons, including three picks last year.

 
5 of 32

Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey, RB

Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey, RB
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

McCaffrey was injured for most of last season but is still considered the most dynamic running back in the game. He has an All-Pro in 2019 with nearly 2,400 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns and has caught over 100 passes in two of his four NFL seasons.

 
6 of 32

Chicago Bears: Khalil Mack, OLB

Chicago Bears: Khalil Mack, OLB
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Mack might not be the player we saw early in his career, but he's still made six consecutive Pro Bowls with at least 8.5 sacks in each of those seasons. There will be more pressure on Mack this year after several notable losses on the Bears defense.

 
7 of 32

Cincinnati Bengals: Jessie Bates, S

Cincinnati Bengals: Jessie Bates, S
Albert Cesare / USA Today Sports Images

Bates had a strong argument to make the Pro Bowl last year, finishing the season with 109 tackles and three picks. He's been one of the most consistent safeties in the league in his first three seasons but has yet to get the attention he deserves.

 
8 of 32

Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE

Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

Garrett has done all he can to fulfill the hype has the No. 1 overall draft choice in 2017. He has 42.5 sacks over four seasons and was an All-Pro for the first time last year with 12 sacks in 14 games.

 
9 of 32

Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith, LT

Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith, LT
Chuck Cook / USA Today Sports Images

Smith failed to make the Pro Bowl last year for the first time since 2012, playing only two games due to injury. His absence was clearly felt in the Dallas offense, and the team should be relieved to have the seven-time Pro Bowler back in 2021.

 
10 of 32

Denver Broncos: Von Miller, OLB

Denver Broncos: Von Miller, OLB
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

Miller missed all of last season to an ankle injury, so it remains to be seen if he can return at an elite level at age 32. He has had a Hall of Fame career with eight Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl MVP and remains the heart and soul of Denver's defense.

 
11 of 32

Detroit Lions: Frank Ragnow, OC

Detroit Lions: Frank Ragnow, OC
Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA Today Sports Images

The Lions are seemingly tanking, but their offensive line remains strong. Ragnow has emerged as one of the top interior linemen in the league during his three-year career, making his first Pro Bowl last season.

 
12 of 32

Green Bay Packers: Davante Adams, WR

Green Bay Packers: Davante Adams, WR
Mike De Sisti / USA Today Sports Images

It's debatable how productive Adams would be without Aaron Rodgers throwing him passes, but he's clearly been Rodgers' favorite target over the last several years. Adams has made four consecutive Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro last season, leading the league with 18 receiving touchdowns while adding 115 catches for 1,374 yards in only 14 games.

 
13 of 32

Houston Texans: Laremy Tunsil, LT

Houston Texans: Laremy Tunsil, LT
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Houston is likely headed for a long year with cap issues and a lack of draft picks, but Tunsil remains on the roster. The left tackle was acquired for a huge trade haul from Miami two years ago and has made back-to-back Pro Bowls since then.

 
14 of 32

Indianapolis Colts: Quenton Nelson, OG

Indianapolis Colts: Quenton Nelson, OG
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Nelson is arguably the most dominant guard in the NFL, being named an All-Pro in all three of his seasons. He's helped transform the Colts offensive line during that time. Linebacker Darius Leonard also has an argument as the best non-quarterback on the roster.

 
15 of 32

Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack, LB

Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack, LB
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

There's a reason the Jaguars had the top pick in the 2021 draft, as their roster talent was lacking. Jack has been one of their most consistent players over the last several seasons. Despite never making a Pro Bowl, he has made a big impact as a run stuffer and had a career-high 118 tackles in 14 games last season.

 
16 of 32

Kansas City Chiefs: Travis Kelce, TE

Kansas City Chiefs: Travis Kelce, TE
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

Kelce has established himself as the best tight end of his generation and could be the best player to ever play the position when all is said and done. He's made six consecutive Pro Bowls with five 1,000 yard seasons and had a career-high 1,416 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns in 2020. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill also has a very strong argument as the top player on the roster not named Patrick Mahomes, as an uncoverable deep threat who has made the Pro Bowl in all five of his seasons.

 
17 of 32

Las Vegas Raiders: Darren Waller, TE

Las Vegas Raiders: Darren Waller, TE
Vincent Carchietta / USA Today Sports Images

Waller has emerged as a star with the Raiders over the last two seasons, with back-to-back 1,100-yard years. He also scored nine times last year, leading the Raiders with 107 catches to make his first Pro Bowl.

 
18 of 32

Los Angeles Chargers: Joey Bosa, DE

Los Angeles Chargers: Joey Bosa, DE
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Injuries have been an issue for Bosa in his five-year career, but he's still made three Pro Bowls with 47.5 career sacks. He had 7.5 sacks in 12 games last season as the anchor of the defense.

 
19 of 32

Los Angeles Rams: Aaron Donald, DT

Los Angeles Rams: Aaron Donald, DT
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

With four Defensive Player of the Year Awards, Donald has an argument as not only the best active defensive player in the NFL but one of the best defensive players ever. He tallied double-digit sacks for the fifth time in his career last season and has 85.5 career sacks in seven seasons.

 
20 of 32

Miami Dolphins: Xavien Howard, CB

Miami Dolphins: Xavien Howard, CB
Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports Images

Howard was an All-Pro in 2020, with a league-high 10 interceptions. It was the second time in three years that he led the league in interceptions, helping transform Miami's defense to one of the best of the league last season.

 
21 of 32

Minnesota Vikings: Dalvin Cook, RB

Minnesota Vikings: Dalvin Cook, RB
Brad Rempel / USA Today Sports Images

The Vikings offense has plenty of weapons, but Cook has been the most consistent. He's made the Pro Bowl in consecutive years, finishing last season with a career-high 1,918 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns in only 14 games.

 
22 of 32

New England Patriots: Stephon Gilmore, CB

New England Patriots: Stephon Gilmore, CB
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

A contract dispute has clouded Gilmore's future in New England, but he's continued to be one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL with three Pro Bowls in four years. Gilmore also won the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Award with six interceptions and 20 passes defended.

 
23 of 32

New Orleans Saints: Alvin Kamara, RB

New Orleans Saints: Alvin Kamara, RB
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

The Saints offense is set to take on a new identity this season without Drew Brees. Kamara could be key to the new offense, especially consistently wide receiver Michael Thomas's struggles last season. Kamara led the NFL with 21 touchdowns last year and also had a career-high 1,688 yards from scrimmage. He's averaged over 1,500 yards in his four seasons.

 
24 of 32

New York Giants: Kenny Golladay, WR

New York Giants: Kenny Golladay, WR
Danielle Parhizkaran / USA Today Sports Images

Golladay signed in New York after four seasons in Detroit, giving the Giants wideouts instant credibility. While he played only five games last year due to injury, Golladay was still productive when he played and already has two 1,000 yard seasons in his career.

 
25 of 32

New York Jets: Quinnen Williams, DT

New York Jets: Quinnen Williams, DT
Robert Hanashiro / USA Today Sports Images

The Jets continue to rebuild, but they have to like what they've seen from Williams so far. The third overall pick in the 2019 draft, he had seven sacks in 13 games last season and could continue to increase his stats with more talent around him.

 
26 of 32

Philadelphia Eagles: Lane Johnson, RT

Philadelphia Eagles: Lane Johnson, RT
Eric Hartline / USA Today Sports Images

Philadelphia's offensive line was one of the best a few years ago, but injuries have taken their toll. The return of a healthy Johnson at right tackle this year should go a long way to helping. He was one of the elite tackles in the NFL before battling injuries last year, making three consecutive Pro Bowls.

 
27 of 32

Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J. Watt, DE

Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J. Watt, DE
Rich Barnes / USA Today Sports Images

Watt is just one elite piece in arguably the most talented defense in the NFL. He's following in his older brother, J.J Watt's, footsteps by becoming a superstar. Watt has been an All-Pro in consecutive seasons, leading the NFL with 15 sacks last year and accumulating 42.5 sacks over the last three seasons.

 
28 of 32

San Francisco 49ers: Trent Williams, LT

San Francisco 49ers: Trent Williams, LT
Kyle Terada / USA Today Sports Images

The seasoned Williams regained his old form last year after some time away in Washington, making the Pro Bowl for the eighth time. He's put together a Hall of Fame resume, and still has more time to go entering his age 33 season.

 
29 of 32

Seattle Seahawks: Jamal Adams, S

Seattle Seahawks: Jamal Adams, S
Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports Images

The Seahawks gave up a massive package of picks to acquire Adams from the Jets last year and for good reason. The playmaker made his third consecutive Pro Bowl despite playing only 12 games, racking up 83 tackles and 9.5 sacks at safety. Of course, Seattle still has plenty of star power elsewhere with D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Bobby Wagner ranking near the top of their positions, too.

 
30 of 32

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans, WR

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans, WR
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

The Bucs roster is loaded with talent from top to bottom, which helps explain how they won the Super Bowl last year. Evans leads an imposing wide receiver corps, with over 1,000 yards in each of his seven NFL seasons and three Pro Bowl appearances. He also had a career-high 13 touchdowns last year.

 
31 of 32

Tennessee Titans: Derrick Henry, RB

Tennessee Titans: Derrick Henry, RB
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

Henry is coming off an illustrious 2,000 yard rushing season and has now led the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in back-to-back years. He seems to get better with each passing year, with his yards-per-carry average that has increased in three consecutive years despite some moving parts on the Titans offensive line. He will now get more help after the Titans acquired star-wideout Julio Jones.

 
32 of 32

Washington Football Team: Chase Young, DE

Washington Football Team: Chase Young, DE
Geoff Burke / USA Today Sports Images

Young has only one NFL season under his belt but is already looking like an elite defensive player. He has the Defensive Rookie of the Year last season, tallying 7.5 sacks and 12 quarterback hits in 15 games.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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