Personnel groupings drive NFL offense design, and five sets — 11, 12, 13, 21 and 22 — were used widely in 2025, according to ESPN. The Rams led an increase in 13 personnel, contributing to 1,845 league plays with three-plus tight ends, the most in a single season since ESPN’s data begin in 2007. ESPN Research also notes a record 17 tight ends were drafted in the first five rounds this April.
Eleven personnel (one RB, one TE, three WR) was the most common grouping for some teams in 2025. The Dallas Cowboys logged the most snaps in 11 personnel, with 479 passing attempts, 244 rushing attempts, 4,888 total yards and 22 total touchdowns, while the Baltimore Ravens had the fewest snaps (291 pass attempts, 107 rush attempts, 1,714 total yards, 10 total TDs), according to ESPN.
ESPN explains 11 personnel forces defenses into lighter sub-package fronts and expands passing threats while still enabling creative run-game alignments. The Cowboys ranked first on 11 personnel with a 101.80 EPA and averaged 6.6 yards per play; Dak Prescott helped produce a league-best 206.7 passing yards per game and the team averaged a league-best 80.8 rushing yards per game in that grouping, per ESPN. The Buffalo Bills are listed as a team to watch in 2026; ESPN notes they led the league with 79 explosive plays out of 11 personnel and added DJ Moore and fourth-round pick Skyler Bell, while James Cook III averaged 4.9 yards per carry in the set in 2025.
Twelve personnel (one RB, two TEs, two WR) provided a balanced base for play-action and matchup creation. The Cleveland Browns took the most snaps in 12 personnel (227 pass attempts, 182 rush attempts, 1,947 total yards, 11 total TDs), while the Los Angeles Chargers had the fewest (34 pass attempts, 26 rush attempts, 295 total yards, 1 total TD), per ESPN. The Atlanta Falcons operated effectively in 12 personnel, posting a 50.16 EPA on 400 snaps, gaining an NFL-best 2,455 yards and recording 49 explosive plays (28 rushes, 21 passes), with Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts Sr. cited as key pieces.
ESPN identifies the Philadelphia Eagles as a team to watch in 2026 in 12 personnel. The report also notes Kevin Stefanski was in charge of Cleveland’s snap-leading 12-personnel offense last season, a detail cited as relevant for expectations going forward.
