Predicting the 4 most explosive offensive players in the NFL for this upcoming season
In the spirit of the fourth of July holiday, USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon provides his take for the four most explosive offensive players in the NFL this upcoming season.
Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson is an obvious answer but is he the lone quarterback on the list? Does Tyreek Hill make the cut after a down year by his standards. How many wide receivers and running backs make the list?
Here are the four most explosive offensive players in the NFL:
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said this offseason that Jackson will be the highest-paid player in football when he signs his next contract. There's no doubt the two-time MVP deserves that distinction.
Jackson is coming off a season in which he led NFL in passer rating (119.6), set career highs in passing yards (4,172) and touchdown passes (41), and became the first quarterback in league history with at least 4,000 passing yards and 800 rushing yards (915).
The Ravens are once again on the short list of contenders this year. And Jackson and company are motivated after a disappointing showing this past postseason.
'We're going to bounce back,' Jackson told reporters this offseason. 'We'll come back and I feel like we're gonna have vengeance on our mind."
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley
The Eagles rewarded Barkley with a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension after his superb year in Philly. He's the first running back in NFL history to earn more than $20 million per year.
Barkley's 2,005 rushing yards were the eighth most in a regular season in NFL history. And to top it off, he became the league's all-time single-season, including playoffs, rushing leader during the Eagles Super Bowl 59 win.
Barkley compiled an NFL-high 46 runs of 10-plus yards.
More: Special. Seismic. Singular: Meet the 4 most explosive defensive NFL players
The Eagles core offensive players are all set to return, including four returning starters along the O-line, so expect Barkley to have another stellar season in Philadelphia.
"It's very obvious when you watch the tape how good of a player he is, right. But the things that he has that he brings to our football team as far as his leadership, his work ethic. He's an awesome teammate. Those are the things that make him very special," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said, via the team's official website.
Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs
Good things tend to happen when the Lions give Gibbs the football.
Gibbs had a Lions single-season record and NFL-high 20 touchdowns from scrimmage last season. He became only the fourth player in league history to produce a season with at least 1,900 yards from scrimmage, 16 rushing TDs and four receiving TDs in 2024. Entering 2025, the versatile running back is tied-for-first in total touchdowns (31) and ranked third in scrimmage yards (3,190) and rushing yards (2,357) in Lions history through two-career seasons.
Gibbs has made the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons. He's the first Lions running back to do that since Barry Sanders. He's averaged 5.5 yards per carry to begin his career.
'I feel like last year was more of a breakout season for (Gibbs),' Sanders said of Gibbs this offseason. 'He eclipsed 1,000 yards. Just the type of exciting, dynamic plays that he's able to make. His speed and his vision.'
Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase
Chase earned the receiving triple crown last season. He was rewarded when the Bengals re-signed him to a massive extension this offseason, making him the NFL's highest-paid wide receiver.
Joe Burrow and Chase have one of the league's most potent connections. Chase has 395 catches for 5,425 receiving yards and 46 TDs in four seasons. His total receiving yards and receiving TDs are each the third-most in a player's first four seasons in NFL history. The wideout leads the NFL in touchdown receptions of 40 or more yards (18), 50 or more yards (13) and 60 or more yards (12) since the start of his 2021 rookie season, per the Bengals.
There's no sign of Burrow and Chase slowing down. The Bengals have both signed through the 2029 season.
'(Chase) is a special player,' Burrow said to reporters last season. 'Any way that you can get him the ball, he makes plays.'
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ravens WR Reveals He 'Could Be That Piece'
Ravens WR Reveals He 'Could Be That Piece' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Former Clemson standout receiver DeAndre Hopkins signed a one-year, $5 million deal to join the Baltimore Ravens for 2025, adding depth and experience to the receiver room for two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson. Advertisement The Ravens have seemingly teetered on the brink of greatness, but have not been able to break through to a Super Bowl during the Jackson era. The closest they've come is 2023's AFC Championship game at M&T Bank Stadium, where the eventual champion Kansas City Chiefs beat them 17-10. Hopkins recently spoke with Ravens insider Jamison Hensley about joining the Ravens and how he might fit in. "It seems like there's been a piece that's been missing," Hopkins said, per Hensley. "I could be that addition. I could not be that addition." Hopkins isn't worried about developing chemistry with Jackson, either. He said the two have been playing football long enough that that'll happen eventually. Advertisement "I don't think it's a [set] time frame," Hopkins said. "A guy like Lamar, who's a veteran quarterback, he's played a lot of football. Myself, I play a lot of football. We see things differently, but I've had rookie quarterbacks who have taken longer. So, it differs." Jackson is already a fan of Hopkins and can't wait to get on the field with him. "He is different," Jackson said. "He caught the ball so smoothly and got up [easily]. I don't even think he put his other hand on the ground to get up; he just caught the ball and just started [running]. That's some super vet type of stuff. It's just dope to have him [here], and I am looking forward to throwing a lot of touchdowns to him this year." Related: Ravens Hilariously Named Biggest Losers of Jalen Ramsey Trade Related: Ravens' Star QB Reveals Hardest Part of NFL This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
25 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Eagles Vet Reveals Truth About Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown Duo
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As the Philadelphia Eagles' passing game was under a microscope, a popular narrative suggested that Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown were on bad terms. Recently, Philly's star tight end, Dallas Goedert, addressed that situation months after the Eagles silenced their critics with a Super Bowl victory. The local media were blamed for the narrative that took shape and generated a national spotlight. "Sometimes the Philadelphia media likes to stir stuff up," Goedert told EssentiallySports. When AJ Brown arrived to join the Eagles in Philly in 2022, he was known to have a strong relationship with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. As Hurts was officially taking over as the Eagles' franchise quarterback, the front office knew they had to get him another weapon to share the field with Devonta Smith and Goedert. Brown had wrapped up a three-year run with the Tennessee Titans. He was coming off of a down year by his standards, catching 63 passes for 869 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games. Before that, Brown exceeded 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons and totaled 19 touchdowns. Jalen Hurts #1 meets with A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles following an overtime win against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on October 1, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jalen Hurts #1 meets with A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles following an overtime win against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on October 1, 2023 in Philadelphia, Hurts in Philadelphia, Brown was right back on track, immediately notching a career-high in receiving yards and touchdowns. In his first run with Hurts under center, Brown accounted for 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Eagles went on to make a Super Bowl run, where they were stopped just short of the Kansas City Chiefs. Over the next two seasons, Brown and Hurts continued finding success, but it became clear they weren't clicking as they did in that first season. There was a strong narrative about a rift going on behind the scenes. Now-former Eagles pass rusher Brandon Graham didn't do the duo any favors when he mentioned they weren't on strong terms anymore. However, Dallas Goedert doesn't seem to see it. The veteran tight end claims that all is well with the two NFL stars at this stage. "I think they've got a great relationship," Goedert explained. "They're both passionate. They're both very meticulous at what they do. You know, I think they got a great relationship." Brown appeared in just 13 games during the Eagles' 2024 run. He caught 67 passes for 1,079 yards and scored seven touchdowns. Statistically, it was his weakest showing since joining the Eagles. If that's a down year, then the duo remains in great shape. Whether it was battling off-field narratives or dealing with injury-related setbacks, Hurts and Brown went through a lot during the 2024 run. Still, they finished the season on top. AJ Brown caught three passes in Super Bowl LIX. He totaled 43 yards and scored a touchdown. For all of the criticism the Eagles' passing game received throughout the year, they showed up in a big way on the NFL's biggest stage. Hurts passed for 221 yards and two touchdowns. While the assumptions that Hurts and Brown aren't on great terms are still alive and well, Goedert hopes to get NFL fans to understand that the two stars are more than fine. For more Philadelphia Eagles and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jason Kelce Taking Heat For His Fourth Of July Announcement
Jason Kelce Taking Heat For His Fourth Of July Announcement originally appeared on The Spun. Retired NFL lineman Jason Kelce took some heat on social media for his Fourth of July social media post. Kelce, who retired following the 2023 season, doesn't get political very often. Neither he nor his brother, Travis, said much about the 2024 election. They haven't said much about President Trump, either. Advertisement However, on Friday, in honor of the Fourth of July, Jason Kelce made it clear how he feels about the United States of America. He made it clear that this was a day that everyone should feel proud to be an American. But not everyone felt that way. Kelce is now taking heat on social media for his comment. SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Jason Kelce, ESPN analyst, looks on before the Detroit Lions take on the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 30, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images Kelce took to social media to share his thoughts. "Man I love the 4th! One of the great days we all can set aside our differences in this country, and enjoy the one thing we all share in common. That we are American! Cheers to you oh beautiful America," he wrote. Not everyone was a fan of it, though. Advertisement "The funny thing he IS a leftist himself, just trying to play both sides for the money/fame," one fan wrote. "He didn't realize his brother dating Taylor Swift would mean he couldn't have opinions anymore," another fan wrote. "They're free to dress in black and scream at empty federal courthouses on July 4. The rest of us enjoyed the time with friends and family and maybe made s'mores and roasted a few hot dogs over the fire pit. To each their own. Jason's a good dude. He's got it right—as usual," one fan added. "How can you find fault in that? Wouldn't it be nice if more of us could put aside our differences?" another fan added. Advertisement "That's a great statement, I don't see anything wrong with it," one fan added. "That's a wonderful post! What could anyone not like about that?" another fan wondered. ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 18: ESPN broadcaster Jason Kelce presents from the desk prior to the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium on November 18, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by)Kelce, as he should, is very much standing by his post on social media. Hopefully, everyone had a good Fourth of July weekend. Jason Kelce Taking Heat For His Fourth Of July Announcement first appeared on The Spun on Jul 6, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
