NFL OFFENSIVE POSITIONS EXPLAINED

In the NFL, the game is played between two sides, the Offense and the Defense, with each side having a role to play. The offense playing the role of trying to score the most points while the Defense plays the role of stopping the offense from doing this. This is contrary to most sports where players have to play both roles.

In this article, we'll focus on the positions played on the offensive side of the ball

Each offense and defense has 11 players. We'll start with the Offensive Line

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Offensive Line includes 5 players ranging from the LT to the RT(Offensive Linemen) 

It is divided into 3 positions:

CENTER(C) : The Center is the player who snaps(a backward pass to start a play) the ball to the Quarterback or any other legal player. In addition to this, he also is responsible for blocking the Defensive Tackle(Soon to be explained) from rushing(getting to) the Quarterback. 

GUARD(G) : There are 2 Guards on Each side of the Center. Their main job is to block and to create lanes for the Running Back to  exploit when the offense decides to hand him the ball. They often follow the Running Back upfield preventing the defense from tackling him

TACKLE(T) : There are 2 Tackles on Each side of the Guards. They have a very important job of blocking the fastest and most explosive defensive players. They are also key in blocking for the Running Back .Probably the most underrated position in the whole game. 

Offensive Linemen are very big and could weigh up to 180+ kg

Offensive Linemen blocking for University of Alabama Quarterback C.J. Stroud

QUARTERBACK(QB)

The next position is the most important position in the whole game, The Quarterback(QB)

The Quarterback gets the ball every single possession and is responsible for commanding the whole offense. They are responsible for:

- Calling Plays(Tactics/Strategy) for every single possession in coordination with the Coaches 

- Throwing the Ball Downfield to Receivers

- Reading NFL Defenses and making adjustments on the play(Audibles)

- Changing the routes that various receivers run

Peyton Manning changing a play after reading a defense
He is regarded as the Smartest Quarterback to ever play

These are just the basic responsibilities and could involve a lot more depending on the Quarterback's abilities.

For Example, some Quarterbacks such as Justin Fields and Lamar Jackson are majorly Quick, Shifty and Athletic to the point where they can take off and run in the case that no Receivers are open downfield. 

This ability makes Quarterbacks like these very valuable and forces Defensive 

Coordinators to make specific plans to counter against them.

Lamar Jackson(QB) avoids multiple defenders before scoring against the Bengals
He is regarded as arguably the best Running Quarterback of all time 

Quarterbacks are relatively tall with the average height being 6'3" which allows them to see the whole field better.

They also should have very strong passing arms with elite accuracy.

Brett Favre is regarded as having the Strongest Arm of all time(Not in that way)

Quarterback is arguably the hardest position to play in the WHOLE OF SPORTS

RUNNING-BACK(RB)

The next position is Running Back(RB).  There are two types of plays in any offense:

Passing Plays and Running Plays. In the Running Plays, the Running Back is given the ball by the QB and runs with it trying to avoid defensive players as the offensive players block for him. This is their main responsibility.

However, they may also Pass block for the QB and run downfield to catch passes.

Former Los Angeles Chargers Running Back Ladainan Tomlinson(LT)
He is one of the most versatile Running Backs as he ran the ball, caught passes and even threw passes

Running Backs are normally very strong and buff and come in many sizes-short or tall

Freak of Nature Derrick Henry stiff arms(pushes) a defender out of his way 

WIDE RECEIVERS(WR)

Next, we'll talk about Wide Receivers. They are comparable to Wingers in football. Their main job is to run routes and catch the ball when thrown by the Quarterback.

Wide Receivers are often Physical beasts and some of the most Athletic humans on Earth as they MUST have Elite Speed, Quickness, Jumping Ability, Strength, Safe Hands etc

Here is a Advanced Diagram Showing Most Routes that are possible for them to run:

Routes can be modified but these are the main ones
The Quarterback can also changed the route a receiver runs in the middle of a play

WRs can also be of help in the blocking game during running plays and even some passing plays

The Most Athletic Wide Receiver of All Time, Calvin Johnson Jr. , catches the ball over 3 Bengals Defenders
He was 6'5" tall but one of the fastest as well
ABSOLUTE BEAST

Former Houston Texans Wide Receiver, DeAndre Hopkins, makes an insane adjustment to catch the ball against Miami Dolphins Cornerback(CB) Xavien Howard

TIGHT END(TE)

Last but not least is the Tight End. The Tight End is quite similar to the Wide Receiver but the Tight End is usually bigger and stronger but with less speed.

Tight Ends majorly run routes and block for the Quarterback. However, depending on the type of System, they may end up doing more than the other.

Robert Gronkowski falling after being tackled by a Chiefs Defender

If Lebron James played in the NFL, he would play as a Tight End as they have an average height of 6'4''

Those are the basic about the Offensive positions and in the next article we'll explore the Defensive Positions.