Football is the ultimate team sport; the output of one player is directly impacted by the play of his teammates. Collectively, a dominant position group helps catalyze success all over the field.
Using both past production and future performance as barometers, here is a look at my top 10 offensive position groups in the NFL:
1. Dallas Cowboys offensive line
It's important to note that a critical element to strong offensive line play is cohesion among the five parts. Dallas enters the 2016 season with a left-to-right lineup of Tyron Smith, La'el Collins, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin and Doug Free, the same players who ended last season as starters. Smith, Frederick and Martin are already in the conversation for the best in the NFL at their respective positions, while Collins has limitless athleticism paired with power. Free isn't merely the spare part in this group; he can be a tone-setter, and his toughness can't be overlooked.
2. Arizona Cardinals wide receivers
Defenses essentially have to pick their poison when playing Arizona, as the Cards have three stud receivers, plus another blossoming wideout. Larry Fitzgerald looked rejuvenated in 2015, and his route running and catch radius make him one of the game's most effective wideouts, even at the age of 32. John Brown is an electric field flipper who will run past a defensive back who settles his feet for even a second, while Michael Floyd has the best combination -- at this point in their careers -- of size, speed and vertical leap (a valuable skill in the red zone) of the crew. J.J. Nelson, a second year wideout out of UAB, has rare speed and looks like an Olympic sprinter on the field.
3. New England Patriots tight ends
The presence of Rob Gronkowski alone makes the Patriots' tight end group dominant, as there is perhaps no greater gap between a player and the rest of his position group than the one between Gronk and other tight ends. And when the team acquired Martellus Bennett via trade this offseason, it tipped the scale even further. Between these two, New England has a pair of 6-foot-6, 270-pounders who aren't statues -- each is a standout athlete. Gronk is the uncoverable force in the Patriots' passing game, but Bennett should help the team dictate matchups even more. A defense that plays its base personnel will struggle to hold up in man coverage, while sub packages will face a challenge defending the run. Clay Harbor is in line to be the third tight end in New England.
4. Cincinnati Bengals offensive line
Cincinnati has relied on a draft-and-develop mantra that has helped fortify one of the best rosters in football. The Bengals' offensive line has quietly emerged as one of the best in football and shouldn't fade any time soon. Andrew Whitworth remains a steady force at left tackle, while the interior trio of guards Kevin Zeitler and Clint Boling and center Russell Bodine is talented and dependable. The trio collectively missed just 15 offensive snaps last season. The right tackle job remains up for grabs with Andre Smith now in Minnesota, but between veteran Eric Winston and 2015 first-round pick Cedric Ogbuehi, there are good options. Jake Fisher, a 2015 second-round pick who was a super-sub last season, has versatility to play almost anywhere on the line.
5. Arizona Cardinals running backs
Another skill position group of note in Arizona cracks our top five, as the Birds' backfield had an exceptional season in 2015. David Johnson is the star of the group, as the third-round rookie was unbelievable down the stretch last season. He's powerful, has sensational speed and is a natural pass-catcher. His balance and body control stood out once he emerged as the starter. Veteran Chris Johnson rebounded in 2015 and was among the most productive backs in football before suffering a season-ending broken leg. Andre Ellington offers pass-catching skills and change-of-pace as a third option.
6. Oakland Raiders offensive line
When building an offensive line, I think it's important to have an identity for the group in mind. In Oakland, there is clearly one, as the team added top young lineman Kelechi Osemele and re-signed left tackle Donald Penn to form one of the most physically imposing lines in the league. The five layers of protection for quarterback Derek Carr stand, on average, at 6-foot-4 and 328 pounds. Penn is exceptionally reliable -- he has has started 140 straight games -- while the interior trio of Osemele, center Rodney Hudson and right guard Gabe Jackson could be the best in football. Austin Howard -- all 6-7 of him -- anchors the right side.
7. Kansas City Chiefs running backs
Many wondered -- myself included -- if Jamaal Charles' torn ACL in Week 5 would cripple the Chiefs' running game. Nope. Charles' injury was devastating, but Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware emerged in a major way to help catalyze a 10-game winning streak to close the regular season. Charles remains the top back in this group -- he has excellent body control and breakaway speed -- but West and Ware are an enviable group of backups. They pitched in a combined 1,037 rushing yards in relief of Charles. West is a nifty, weaving back with good catching skills, while Ware is a no-nonsense power back. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry last season.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers
Despite Martavis Bryant, who has rare explosive ability, being suspended for the 2016 season, this inclusion is still a no-brainer. The Antonio Brown-led receiving corps is too good to ignore, with or without Bryant on the field this season. Brown is the Picasso of route running and is an impossible cover at any juncture on the field. Markus Wheaton has flashed signs of greatness in his first three seasons, but 2016 may be his best chance yet to make a notable impact. Sammie Coates, a 2015 third-rounder, has an impressive frame (6-foot-1, 212), but with just one career catch, we're in wait-and-see mode as to how he will progress. There's promise there.
9. Carolina Panthers interior offensive line
The entire Panthers offensive line more than held its own throughout the 2015 season, though the Broncos' scorching pass rush got the best of the group in Super Bowl 50. It's the interior of the offensive line that really stands out, anchored by veteran center Ryan Kalil, who was recently given a two-year extension through 2018. Kalil is tough, dependable and flanked by a pair of ascending young guards. Andrew Norwell is a former undrafted free agent who has rapidly emerged, while left guard Trai Turner is a cross between a bulldozer and a battering ram -- don't get in his way. Quarterback Cam Newton is behind good company with this offensive line foundation.
10. Buffalo Bills running backs
Under offensive coordinator Greg Roman, the Bills are going to continue to be a run-heavy offense. The team is well-stocked in the backfield, led by LeSean McCoy. He's slippery and elusive -- few players have better change-of-direction skills -- and is an outstanding pass-catcher, too. McCoy is backed up by Karlos Williams, a 2015 rookie whose north-south approach complements McCoy's shiftiness. Williams was a touchdown-maker last season, while Mike Gillislee was a solid mid-season find. He showed explosive skills with a run of at least 30 yards in three of his five games in Buffalo.