ESPN’s No. 1 playmakers ranking leaves no excuses for Jared Goff without Ben Johnson

The Detroit Lions had a truly disappointing 2025 season. Detroit went 9-8 and missed the playoffs after securing the No. 1 seed in the NFC just one season before. Now the Lions have no excuses ahead of the 2026 season, at least on the offensive side of the ball.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell ranked every skill position group in the NFL in his latest article. Lions fans should be proud to learn that Detroit claimed the top spot on the list.

It all starts with superstar running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who played at an elite level in 2025.

“Gibbs was able to maintain elite efficiency as a rusher and a receiver despite a struggling offensive line, with the former first-round pick averaging more than 5 yards per carry for the third consecutive season,” Barnwell wrote. “The only other back to do that on three consecutive 150-plus-carry seasons to begin a career is Nick Chubb. Good company.”

Gibbs ended the season with 1,839 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns. It is no surprise that Gibbs could land a record-setting contract before the 2026 season.

Barnwell also praised Detroit’s top pass catchers in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. He even called Williams “one of the league’s best No. 2 wideouts” after logging a career-high 1,117 receiving yards in 2025.

The Lions could get a year two jump out of Isaac TeSlaa, and tight end Sam LaPorta is coming off a season-ending back injury.

QB Jared Goff clearly has all the weapons he needs to succeed on offense, even without Ben Johnson in the picture.

“But this core also validated it could be among the most productive in the NFL, even without Ben Johnson in the mix,” Barnwell concluded. “And while 2025 might have been disappointing for the Lions as a whole, it was the season that proved Detroit has the best playmakers in all of football.”

It will be exciting to see if Goff and the Lions live up to expectations during a crucial 2026 campaign.

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