We take a look at the top offensive NFL players from the Pac-12
(Photo: Danny DeRego/Cougfan.com)
Article By: Christopher Caravello
For the purpose of this article: rookies, free agents, and any players who have decided to opt out of the 2020 season will not be ranked.
1. Christian McCaffrey RB (Stanford)
After one of the best statistical seasons in NFL history for a running back, there is no doubt who tops this list currently. The former Stanford Cardinal set an NFL record with 116 receptions and became only the third player ever to record 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season.
NFL Team: Carolina Panthers
2. Aaron Rodgers QB (Cal)
Although his age has caused some of his dynamic skillset to slightly decline, the former Cal Bear was voted to his 8th Pro Bowl last season while leading his team to the NFC title game. In 2019, Rodgers became the only QB in NFL history to achieve 4,000-plus passing yards, 25-plus passing TDs and four or fewer INTs in a single season.
NFL Team: Green Bay Packers
3. Keenan Allen WR (Cal)
Allen has been a model of consistency the past 3 seasons in which he has tallied almost 100 catches and 1,200 yards per season. He was rewarded for his efforts last season with his 3rd Pro Bowl selection.
NFL Team: LA Chargers
4. Zach Ertz TE (Stanford)
One of the most productive TE’s over the past several seasons, Ertz is coming off a 2019 season in which he amassed almost 1,000 yards receiving on 88 catches. The former Stanford Cardinal also holds the record for most catches in a single season for a TE.
NFL Team: Philadelphia Eagles
5. David Bakhtiari T (Colorado)
A 4 time All-Pro, the former Buffalo has been one of the best tackles in the NFL for several years while protecting Aaron Rodgers. Over the past 4 seasons, Bakhtiari has a pass-blocking grade of 95.9 (out of 100) from Pro Football Focus, the highest in the NFL.
NFL Team: Green Bay Packers
6. Mitchell Schwartz T (Cal)
A stalwart on the Super Bowl champion Chiefs, Schwartz raised his usual dominant play to another level as he allowed no sacks, no QB hits and just one QB hurry in three playoff games after giving up zero sacks in the regular season.
NFL Team: Kansas City Chiefs
7. Tyron Smith T (USC)
A member of the 2010’s NFL All Decade Team and 7-time Pro Bowl selection, Smith is a prominent fixture of the Dallas offense. The former Trojan has had bouts with injuries shortening his seasons lately, but when healthy he is still dominant allowing only a single sack in 2019.
NFL Team: Dallas Cowboys
8. Rob Gronkowski TE (Arizona)
The only reason the former Wildcat TE and winner of multiple Super Bowls is not higher on this list is the fact that he is coming off a 1-year hiatus. If Gronk even comes close to his prior skill level, he is undoubtedly one of the best Pac 12 players in the NFL. Even after missing the 2019 season, he still leads the NFL in receiving TDs since he was drafted in 2010.
NFL Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9. Robert Woods WR (USC)
Coming off back to back seasons of 1,000 receiving yards, Woods posted 90 receptions, 1,134 yards in 2019 and should see his role expanded even more in Los Angeles going forward.
NFL Team: LA Rams
10. David DeCastro G (Stanford)
Entering his 10th season in the league, DeCastro is coming off a year in which he made the Pro Bowl for the 5th straight year and played every single offensive snap.
NFL Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
11. Brandin Cooks WR (Oregon State)
Although the former Beaver is coming off a year in which he was not able to crack 1,000 yards receiving, the speedy WR has been very productive throughout his six seasons in the NFL. Cooks is one of only four players to produce four 1,000- yard seasons before turning 26.
NFL Team: Houston Texans
12. JuJu Smith-Schuster WR (USC)
The former Trojan got off to a blazing start to his NFL career, becoming the youngest player ever to reach 2,500 career receiving yards and the first player to have two offensive touchdowns of at least 97 yards. Smith-Schuster will look to bounce back from an injury marred 2019 campaign that saw him post career lows after missing several games.
NFL Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
13. Phillip Lindsay RB (Colorado)
After going undrafted, the former Buff RB has produced over 1,000 yards rushing in both of his NFL seasons. Lindsay became the first undrafted player in NFL history with over 100 yards of offense in each of their first two games and was selected to the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2018.
NFL Team: Denver Broncos
14. Alex Mack C (Cal)
A six-time Pro Bowl selection over his 11 years in the NFL, Mack has started every single game that he has played in. Recently, Pro Football Focus ranked Mack #44 on its All-Decade team for the 2010’s.
NFL Team: Atlanta Falcons
15. Gardner Minshew II (WSU)
The former WSU QB continued his rise from obscurity to one of the greatest seasons in Coug history, and last year stepped into the starting role for the Jacksonville Jaguars. As he enters the 2020 season as the incumbent starter, Minshew can further develop after his promising rookie campaign in which he became the first QB in NFL history to throw for at least 200 passing yards with a passer rating of at least 95.0 in each of his first five career games, and he also led the entire league in passer rating on throws 20+ yards downfield.
NFL Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
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