On pretty much every given offensive play, one quarterback and five offensive linemen are accompanied to the line of scrimmage by five other players - some combination of running backs, receivers, and tight ends.
Each different combination of positions is called a personnel grouping, all of which have a corresponding number. Many different formations can be run using each personnel grouping depending on the versatility of the players filling the positions.
Excluding quarterbacks and blockers, we took a look at the seven most-used personnel groupings - 11, 12, 21, 00, 10, 20, and 23 - to see which teams have the players that are best suited to use each combination.
11 - Cowboys
1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs: Ezekiel Elliott, Jason Witten, Dez Bryant, Cole Beasley, Terrance Williams
Witten may not be the elite talent he once was but his blocking and reliability as a checkdown receiver are enough when combined with Elliott's rushing and the receivers' play-making ability.
Bryant is still a top-10 talent at receiver while Beasley and Williams give the Cowboys' passing game versatility and toughness. Combining this type of balance with Dallas' O-line allowed the Cowboys to have tremendous success in 2016 and made for an easy transition for Dak Prescott.
12 - Packers
1 RB, 2 TEs, 2 WRs: Ty Montgomery, Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendricks, Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams
Versatility is key for the Packers, who like to run a hurry-up offense to take advantage of matchups.
Montgomery's background as a receiver allows him to line-up behind center as easily as he could in the slot or out wide with Nelson and Adams. Bennett's proficiency as a blocker and a receiver gives this set an equal chance to be a run or pass play. Kendrick can also do damage as a pass catcher, averaging over 10 yards per reception through his six-year career.
21 - Patriots
2 RBs, 1 TE, 2 WRs: Dion Lewis, Mike Gillislee, Rob Gronkowski, Brandin Cooks, Julian Edelman
The Patriots were in the conversation for several groupings on this list, but the 21 package is their best.
Gronkowski is a matchup nightmare regardless of which formation or personnel group he is in. Lewis' production in the passing game makes him a receiver more or less already, while Gillislee is more of a between-the-tackles runner. Cooks' ability to take the top off a defense can create room for the others and Edelman's shiftiness can be used from sideline to sideline, not to mention his background as a college quarterback.
00 - Chargers
5 WRs: Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Travis Benjamin, Tyrell Williams, Dontrelle Inman
No other team can say their fourth- and fifth-best receivers caught over 1,000 and 800 passing yards, respectively, last season.
Injuries pushed Williams and Inman into the spotlight last season which has only strengthened the Chargers' 2017 receiving corps. With Allen healthy and Williams drafted in the first round, Philip Rivers will have the best five-wide set in the league.
10 - Giants
1 RB, 4 WRs: Paul Perkins, Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, Sterling Shepard, Roger Lewis
The dread that Beckham, Marshall, and Shepard are putting in the minds of defensive backs throughout the NFC East is too much to not put them somewhere on this list.
Shepard was quietly the second-best rookie receiver in 2016, while fellow first-year pass catcher Lewis managed to notch two touchdowns after going undrafted. Beckham and Marshall will be the true stars, each demanding coverage from opponents' top defenders. Perkins came on strong at the end of his rookie year, but has high hopes, having been named the Giants' starter in May.
20 - Steelers
2 RBs, 3WRs: Le'Veon Bell, James Conner, Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Eli Rogers
With arguably the best running back and receiver on the roster, there's no way the Steelers were going to escape this list unmentioned. Without a threatening tight end on the roster, the 20 personnel is the biggest handful Pittsburgh can put on the field.
Conner and his powerful rushing style are the perfect complement for Bell. Bryant is expected to return to similar form as he left in 2015 and stretch the field opposite Brown. Rogers is a dangerous player from the slot, but could also be replaced by rookie JuJu Smith-Schuster, Justin Hunter, or Sammie Coates - all of whom can be a thorn in the side of any team who chooses to gloss over them.
23 - Eagles
2 RBs, 3 TEs: LeGarrette Blount, Darren Sproles, Zach Ertz, Brent Celek, Trey Burton
The 23 personnel is almost exclusively used for goal-line and short-yardage situations, but the Eagles could draw up some dangerous passing plays with this group.
Sproles and Blount are polar opposite types of running backs, giving the Eagles power, speed, and versatility out of the backfield. At tight end, Ertz is the top receiving threat, Celek is the best blocker, and Burton can do a bit of both, while lining up as a fullback too. Ertz, Sproles, and Burton can all conceivably play from the slot as well, allowing the Eagles to venture from the typical goal-line formation with this group.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)