Most valuable non-QB for each team

Philadelphia Eagles running back

(25). Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles RB LeSean McCoy

You might as well just flip a coin between LeSean McCoy and Evan Mathis, because there really is no right or wrong answer. It’s such a nuanced debate, too, because you can argue that McCoy benefits an awful lot from his offensive line, but then you could say that Mathis is just one amazing piece to a line that contains Jason Kelce and Jason Peters (Lane Johnson and Todd Herremans are also plus run blockers). Mathis is easily the best guard in the league and clearly the best of the bunch on the best offensive line in the league, but I just think that McCoy is so integral to what the Eagles do with the fastest and most explosive offense in the league. While they do have a great passing attack, Chip Kelly’s offense runs through the NFL’s second-best running back, and McCoy really might not be far off from Adrian Peterson for the top spot after dancing for over 1,600 yards last season. Throw in his work as a receiver, which will be scaled down due to the presence of Darren Sproles, and you get an explosive, elusive beast with a great all-around game.

Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant

Tyron Smith and maybe even Travis Frederick should garner some attention (Sean Lee, too, but he’s obviously out for the year), but Dez Bryant gets the pick here. A truly dominant receiver, Bryant had a career year with 93 receptions for 1,233 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, though you could also say that he was better in 2012 (more receiving yards overall). An elite wideout, Bryant is a matchup nightmare, and he’ll free up younger wideouts Terrance Williams and Devin Street for success next season. The trio of Bryant, Tony Romo, and DeMarco Murray nearly carried a putrid Cowboys defense into the playoffs last season, and they are among the best ten players at their respective positions.

New York Giants WR Victor Cruz

It’s difficult to single out one player on the New York Giants, because they have a roster comprised of many solid players rather than a few top-notch standouts. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is an excellent choice, but I’m going to surprise (hopefully not anger, but that’s also possible) a few people by pulling their best wide receiver. I actually stated in the offseason last year that Victor Cruz wasn’t a true No. 1 receiver in this league and that the Giants WR1 was Hakeem Nicks, but Cruz made me stuff my face with crow by nabbing 73 receptions for 998 yards as the team’s lone, consistent threat in a passing offense that included pressure and interceptions galore. It seemed like Cruz was the only person who had a positive season, as Rueben Randle flashed but was inconsistent, and Nicks cared so little that the “Don’t Carree” memes might as well have switched from Jay Cutler to him. Cruz’s value goes down a bit with Odell Beckham Jr. on the team, but that’s a very good thing for the Giants offense. DRC is a new addition and has a sketchy track record on big contracts, so I’m going to wait to reserve judgement and go with the guy who was probably the team’s MVP last year.

Washington Redskins LT Trent Williams

Pierre Garcon led the league in receptions last year, but he’s no longer the only guy keeping the Redskins passing attack afloat with uber-talented young TE Jordan Reed, the explosive DeSean Jackson, and steady slot guy Andre Roberts now on the roster. Brian Orakpo could get some votes, but the Redskins have Ryan Kerrigan in tandem with him and now Jason Hatcher helping the pass rush out as a DE. Plus, the best player on the Redskins is Trent Williams anyway, who is one of the league’s elite left tackles. He was money all year in 2013, and, like Monroe, he rarely gets beat as either a pass or run blocker.