For the majority of NFL teams, it is the skill players that make the big bucks. Take Miami Dolphins flash in the pan Mike Wallace. Wallace boasts that breakaway speed you hear analysts speak of, and recently signed a $70 million contact with the Dolphins. While Wallace is getting paid like the Brandon Marshall s of the world, his career stats don’t back it up. Why does Wallace get paid? Because Wallace is the kind of talent that puts fans in the bleachers. At the end of the day, profit margins is what really matters to owners, and those profits come from fans ready to spend top dollar to see the best athletes in the world give their all on the gridiron.

The NFC East is no exception. Featuring one of the best wide receivers in football, and two of the games’ top rushers, the NFC East is packed with prime talent, and some with the potential for stardom. Excluding quarterbacks, here are the top 20 skill position players in the NFL:

20. Leonard Hankerson , Wide Receiver, Washington Redskins

Starting with one of the lesser-known weapons in Robert Griffin III‘s arsenal, Hankerson provides yet another home-run threat to an already dangerous offense. With great breakaway speed, and above-average hands, Hankerson is a slot-receiver who will pose problems for opposing defensive-backs all season long. Now entering his third season, Hankerson is poised for a big year in the nation’s capital.

19. Roy Helu , Running Back, Washington Redskins

Helu’s 2012 campaign was cut short after he suffered a turf toe injury that required surgery. The Redskins versatile rusher was poised to become a top-20 fantasy option prior to last season, and will look to pick-up where he left off entering 2013. Before Alfred Morris was discovered, Helu was likely to become the lead back in Washington. Due to his tremendous pass-catching skills, the third year back will feature heavily into Washington’s offense nonetheless in 2013.

18. Brent Celek , Tight End , Philadelphia Eagles

An ex-college roommate once said “you know who may favorite Eagle is? Brad Celek.” While my former housemate’s statement isn’t relevant to this article, it does paint a picture of how Eagles-fans view the veteran tight end. Celek is beloved in Philadelphia for his smash-mouth run blocking ability, and versatility in the passing game. Celek will be a major factor in Chip Kelly’s new “Blur” offense in 2013, and should continue thrive in his possession receiving role.

17. Rueben Randle , Wide Receiver, New York Giants

When he entered the NFL draft a season ago, Randle was one of the top rated prospects from a mid-major. Now looking like the heir-apparent to the injury-prone Hakeem Nicks, Randle will fill the role of slot-receiver in an offense that is expected to be playing from behind frequently in 2013. Randle is one of the 10 NFC East players I expect to break out in 2013 and will continue to find his niche in the Giants’ versatile offense.

16. Fred Davis , Tight End, Washington Redskins

After having his past two seasons cut short by suspension and season-ending ACL surgery, Davis returns to Washington on a one-year, show me what you got, kind of deal. Davis must prove that he is still a tremendous threat in the passing game. If Davis can contribute in a similar manner to his 2011 season, the Redskins will have another dimension to an already talented offense. While Davis is no Jimmy Graham he possesses the tools to succeed as a receiver in the NFL, and should benefit from playing in such a high-powered offensive unit.

15. Brandon Myers , Tight End, New York Giants

As a member of the 2012 Raiders, Myers finished his tenure in silver and black in the top six among tight ends in receptions, targets, and receiving yards despite his membership in one of the worst offenses in football. Now a new face in a different place, Myers looks to replace the production left by the departure of Martellus Bennett who fled the big apple for Chicago. Myers has the chance to explode on the scene in 2013 as he has a quarterback with a much more impressive resume than Carson Palmer. At the very least, Myers should repeat his success from 2012, making him one of the top pass-catching big men in the league.

14. Bryce Brown , Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles

Change is brewing in Philadelphia, and believe it or not, the Eagles will run the football in 2013. One cannot expect Lesean Mccoy to shoulder the entire load alone, so Brown will factor heavily into the Eagles’ offense. Brown exploded onto the scene a season ago after taking the starting duties from an injured Mccoy for two games. In those contests, Brown rushed for 178 yards and two scores, and 169 yards with another pair of touchdowns respectively. If Brown can get the fumble-monkey off his back, expect big things from the Eagles’ backup in the upcoming year.

13. Jason Avant , Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles

A man who is touted as having the best hands in the NFL, Jason Avant returns for his eighth season in Philadelphia, and should have his largest role in the offense to date. A perfect slot weapon, Avant’s tremendous route-running ability and superior catching skills make him a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators. If the 2013 preseason is anything to go by, Avant could push for 100 receptions in 2013 in Kelly’s fast-paced scheme. While times are changing in Philadelphia, Avant’s role within the team has not been altered, just increased in size.

12. Andre Brown , Running Back , New York Giants

As one half of the Giants’ projected explosive backfield, Brown will handle the majority of goal-line and short yardage issues for a team in turmoil. With problems across the offensive line, Brown’s value may be hurt in the fantasy spectrum, but his on-field contributions will never be more important than early in 2013. Overcoming injuries to two starters in an already sub-par unit will be a challenge for the Giants’, but Brown’s physical rushing style should help alleviate some of the pressure felt by an injury-riddled group due to his tremendous abilities as a pass-blocker. Brown’s football IQ is above counterpart David Wilson’s, though the latter has more big-play ability Regardless, expect heavy doses of Brown as a complement to Wilson throughout the 2013 season.

11. Miles Austin , Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys

The second name on the Dallas Cowboys’ wide receiver depth chart has fallen into the shadow of last year’s breakout star, Dez Bryant. Miles Austin is one of the most underrated receivers in the NFL, though he is certainly injury-prone. Now entering his eight professional season, Austin has missed six games or more twice in his career, though he has made the most of his chances while on the field. Austin has amassed 4,237 yards receiving and 34 touchdowns as a member of the Cowboys, and will look to add to that total this season. The Cowboys receiver has great hands and route running ability, in addition to the fact that Austin is a physical receiver and stands at 6’2”, making him a nightmare for opposing corners. When healthy, Austin is a more than capable possession receiver, and would be a commodity to any franchise.

10. Pierre Garcon , Wide Receiver, Washington Redskins

A former disciple of Reggie Wayne and Peyton Manning, Pierre Garcon is an athletic wide receiver with a lot to prove after missing 10 games to a foot sprain in 2012. As a member of the Redskins’ high-powered offense, Garcon has the ability to score every time he touches the ball. If Garcon can stay healthy, the Redskin’s receiver and Hankerson could be one of the more dynamic wide receiver duos in the NFL, if not in their division.

9. David Wilson , Running Back, New York Giants

The glory days of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs are over in New York, but the new crop of stumbling rumblers in New York has a new face of franchise. David Wilson is an explosive tailback with breakout speed who puts defenses on their heels with his ability to switch direction quickly. As a complement to grind-out runner Andre Brown, Wilson is a factor in the receiving game as well due to his tremendous speed and pass-catching ability. Wilson could be headed for a breakout year in 2013, so keep an eye on the sophomore speedster.

8. DeSean Jackson , Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles

Entering a contract year, Philadelphia’s lightening in a bottle has massive potential in a new offense. Jackson may be the fastest player in football, and is a major factor on special teams due to his tremendous return ability. While Jackson does struggle catching passes over the middle, the sixth year man shines in one-on-one coverage due to his quickness and burst speed. With just one season to show a new coaching staff he deserves top wide receiver money, Jackson will be a major factor in the Eagles’ offense in 2013.

7. DeMarco Murray , Running Back, Dallas Cowboys

With his third season on the horizon, DeMarco Murray will look to add another dimension to a talented Cowboys’ offensive unit. Murray is a bullish runner with above-average speed for his size, but has struggled to stay on the field during his short career. In just 23 games, Murray has recorded over 1,500 yards in portions of two seasons. Averaging 4.8-yards per carry, Murray has the ferocity to succeed as a starting NFL tailback, if he can shake his injury woes.

6. Hakeem Nicks , Wide Receiver , New York Giants

As one half of second best receiving tandem in football, Hakeem Nicks returns to New York for his fifth season. After missing at least one game in each of his four professional seasons, Nick enters a contract year looking to prove he has the ability to stay on the field. Despite missing nine games in four years, Nicks has 3,726 yards receiving, and boasts a yards per catch average of 14.6. Nicks is truly one of the game’s best possession receivers, and is an easy target for quarterback Eli Manning due to his six-foot stature. In what may be his last season as a Giant, Nicks will have the ability to prove he is one of the best receivers in the NFL.

5. Alfred Morris , Running Back, Washington Redskins

Nothing was expected of Alfred Morris entering the 2012 training camp. Now, 1,613 yards, 13 touchdowns, and one stellar rookie campaign later, Morris has made a name for himself as one of the league’s most dominant rushers. Morris has also worked on his pass-catching and route-running skills during the offseason, making a dangerous physical rusher a factor in the passing game as well. As a former sixth round pick Morris has competed against all-odds, and will look to cement himself as one of the league’s best in 2013.

4. Victor Cruz , Wide Receiver, New York Giants

Is a fiesta at hand, or did Victor Cruz just score another touchdown? Salsa has become the favorite dish of Giants’ fans, as their most dominant offensive player recently signed a deal to keep him in New York for the foreseeable future. After almost being cut by the Giants’ after his rookie season, Cruz had a tremendous training camp in 2011, and the rest is history. Cruz has caught 19 touchdowns in two seasons as the Giants’ starter, and totaled 2,628 yards receiving as well. As one of the game’s true stars, Cruz has break-neck speed and tremendous pass-catching ability. With above average height and speed for an NFL wide receiver, Cruz shows the kind of dominance offensive coordinators dream about. A miss-match for almost every defensive player, Cruz is one of the game’s best, but second in his division. 

3. Jason Witten , Tight End, Dallas Cowboys

Father time has looked kindly on Dallas Cowboys’ icon Jason Witten in his 10-year NFL career. Truly one of the best the game has ever seen, Witten just seems to get better with age. With more than 80 receptions in six of his 10 NFL seasons, Witten is a possession dynamo. The man who crossed the threshold of 30 two seasons ago set a personal record in 2012 with 114 receptions, but found the end zone only three times. Regardless, Witten is one of the best receiving tight ends in the league, and will look to continue his climb into the hall of fame with another stellar campaign in 2013.

2. Dez Bryant , Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys

If this Cowboy receivers’ mantra isn’t “don’t dwell on the past” I don’t know whose would be. After two disappointing seasons both on and off the field, Dez Bryant finally put his name in lights with a superb 2012 campaign. All mother-battery aside, Bryant had the best season of his short career a year ago, tallying 1,382 yards receiving on 92 receptions and 12 touchdowns. Though he has only broken the 1,000 yard mark once, Bryant has shown tremendous growth over the past two years, and truly looks the part of one of the game’s best. Though he sits atop the NFC East’s wide receiver rankings, Bryant will stay behind one of the best running backs in football for at least another season. With a repeat performance of his 2012 campaign, Bryant has the ability to top this list when the 2014 training camp rolls around.

1. LeSean McCoy , Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles

Topping this list is the greatest rusher in the city of brotherly love since the departure of Brian Westbrook. The man they call “Shady” is one of the game’s most remarkable players. With stellar speed and the ability to cut on a dime, Mccoy is an elite rusher in the NFL while drawing comparisons of Barry Sanders. In 58 games over four seasons, Mccoy has 3,866 yards rushing, and 30 touchdowns with just 8 fumbles. Mccoy is a versatile threat as well, having caught 220 passes for an additional 1,588 yards and 8 touchdowns. Boasting dazzling numbers and behind one of the best offensive lines in football, 2013 could be another dynamic step toward greatness by one of the game’s most established rushers. Truly one of the game’s best, Mccoy can cement his status as the best skill player in the NFC East with another strong performance this year and continue to earn his twitter handle: @CutonDime25.

Deciding between numbers 1-3 was a real coin-flip. While Witten is established veteran, Bryant and Mccoy are true superstars at their positions. The rigors of growing pains are years behind the Cowboys’ established superstar tight end, but Mccoy and Bryant have large portions of their career ahead of them, and have the ability to score every time they touch the ball. Ultimately, youth topped experience, but will the same prove true for the NFC East’s quarterback list?

QUARTERBACK BONUS ROUND

4. Eli Manning , Quarterback, New York Giants

Despite being the only Super Bowl winner in the division, Manning is fourth on this list due to his less than spectacular play over the past few seasons. Unlike brother Peyton, Eli Manning is not one of the game’s elite, but is a more than capable game manager. The Giants have surrounded the youngest Manning with one of the best groups of skill players in the game today, but the Mississippi graduate has never been able to separate himself from the average quarterbacks across the league. Manning’s best season to date occurred in 2011 when he threw for nearly 5,000 yards and 29 touchdowns, however, Manning’s miracle season was marred by 16 interceptions and six fumbles. For his career, Manning has 211 touchdowns, and 198 turnovers, not nearly an elite ratio.

3. Michael Vick, Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles

After wresting the starting job from counterpart Nick Foles, the injury prone Vick will look to reinvent himself in a new offense that draws comparisons to those captained by Vick during his pre-incarceration tenure with the Falcons. Fresh out and ready to grab hold of a potentially dominant offense, Vick’s lack of passing accuracy and turnovers may be the only thing holding Philadelphia back from a division crown.

2. Robert Griffin III , Quarterback, Washington Redskins

The least experienced man under center for an NFC East team returns for his sophomore season with a tremendous arsenal at his disposal. With the likes of Davis, Hankerson, Garcon, Morris, Helu, and Santana Moss under his direction, Griffin III will look to improve on a stellar rookie campaign. With such a small sample size, Griffin could not top the list of quarterbacks, but things could change next season with a successful and injury-free season.

1. Tony Romo , Quarterback, Washington Redskins

If the NFL was organized crime, the man the call Tony is no Soprano. The best of what there is in the NFC East signed a six-year extension with his beloved Cowboys, becoming one of the highest paid men in sports. With over $40 million guaranteed, Romo certainly is the most financially-sound quarterback in the National Conference’s East. Due to the tremendous weapons at his disposal, experience as a starter, and regular season statistics, Romo is truly the best quarterback in the NFC East. As one of six starters to eclipse 4,500 yards in 2013, Romo out-threw the starters of the other division teams over the full season by an average of 1,799 yards. If Romo can limit turnovers, specifically in high-pressure situations, he has the opportunity to get rid of the “choke artist” moniker he has acquired in his 10 NFL seasons. Now entering his 11th year, Romo’s best years are behind him. However, Dallas has the best all-around team it has had in Romo’s tenure, and looks ready to contend for a title. These factors contributed to place Romo atop the NFC East’s quarterback rankings, but for how long? A youth-movement has begun in Washington, and another division title delivered to the nation’s capital could change the pecking order in the quarterback rankings. If Romo can’t deliver a title to Dallas, Griffin III will overtake Jerry Jones’ favorite gunslinger and become the Beast of the NFC East.