Picking the NFL's best at every personnel grouping...
Key takeaways
- The Rams spearheaded an increase of 13 personnel, leading to 1,845 total plays around the league with three-plus tight ends.
- But 13 personnel is far from the only offensive grouping used in the NFL.
- As mandatory minicamps start for the 2026 season, we wanted to evaluate the offenses that excelled in these five personnel groupings.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
The Rams spearheaded an increase of 13 personnel, leading to 1,845 total plays around the league with three-plus tight ends. That was the most in a single season since ESPN has that data going back to 2007. And the uptick of 13 personnel should only continue in future seasons after a record 17 tight ends were drafted in the first five rounds this April, per ESPN Research.
But 13 personnel is far from the only offensive grouping used in the NFL. Right now, five are used widely by teams: 11, 12, 13, 21 and 22. What do the numbers actually mean? It's a system that counts running backs and tight ends on the field. For example, 12 personnel means one running back (the 1), two tight ends (the 2) and two wide receivers are on the field.
As mandatory minicamps start for the 2026 season, we wanted to evaluate the offenses that excelled in these five personnel groupings. Which teams ran them the most or least in 2025? Who ran it the best last season, and who could run it the best in 2026? Let's get into all that, starting with 11 personnel.