Ranking Super Bowl position groups

Quarterback: Patriots

While Sam Darnold has played well since coming over from the Vikings, he just isn’t quite on the level of Drake Maye.

Maye has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league this year, taking a massive leap in his sophomore season

Running Back: Seahawks

While Zach Charbonnet is out, I still think Kenneth Walker III is the best back in this game.

He has exploded since Charbonnet went down and has been nearly impossible to bring down.

While the Patriots group of Rahmondre Stevenson and Treyveon Henderson is great, I think Seattle has the slight edge here.

Wide Receiver: Seahawks

Jaxon Smith-Njigba alone gives Seattle the point here, but they have an incredible group around him.

Cooper Kupp has had a renaissance in Seattle, coming back from being on the verge of retirement after injuries in Los Angeles.

Rasheed Shaheed is going to be one of the top free agents this summer, and his explosive play ability is crucial.

Tight End: Patriots

This is one of the weaker pairs in this matchup, but I give the slight edge to Hunter Henry over second-year AJ Barner.

Offensive Line: Patriots

This was arguably the most difficult comparison, but I would take New England.

The tackle duo favors Seattle, as Charles Cross has been incredible in year four. Will Campbell has been surprisingly bad for New England as well.

However, the interior offensive line group is in New England’s favor, and I think it just puts them above.

Edge Rushers: Seahawks

The Seattle edge room has one of the most underrated players in the league, Derik Hall.

His pass-rush win rate and pressure rate were both above 16%, which is very strong.

Seattle has plenty of great pieces around him as well, including Boye Mafe and DeMarcus Lawrence.

New England has a good group as well, but I think Seattle barely takes this one.

Defensive Tackle: Seahawks

If you made me pick before the playoffs, I would’ve given this to Seattle. However, with how New England has played, they’ve flipped my opinion.

The trio of Christian Barmore, Milton Williams and Khyiris Tonga has been outstanding for them.

They have contained the opposing running backs they’ve faced to incredible margins, only allowing a net of five rushing yards before contact all postseason.

Seattle’s group, led by Leonard Williams, isn’t one to scoff at, but I think New England takes it.

Cornerback: Seahawks

This was probably the easiest pick of all.

Devon Witherspoon is the legitimate lockdown, No. 1 corner that Seattle was dreaming of when they drafted him.

Tariq Woolen, although a boom or bust type of player, is one of the premier ball hawks at the corner position, and Josh Jobe has had a nice season.

Christian Gonzalez is amazing and is the best corner in this game, but I take the cast surrounding Witherspoon over the cast surrounding Gonzo.

Safety: Seahawks

The New England safety pairing is elite at stopping the run, but its coverage is lacking a bit compared to Seattle.

Julian Love was a guy whom I always thought was better than advertised when he was in New York, and he has shown that since moving across the country.

Coby Bryant has been great as well, giving Seattle a great pairing.

Special Teams: Patriots

Rookie Andres Borregales has been great for New England, hitting some incredibly crucial kicks for them.

I also really like Bryce Barringer, the punter. He has a rocket of a leg and is incredibly valuable at getting the Pats out of tough field position.

Edison Pellumbi is a first-year student studying broadcast journalism. To contact him, email him at ejp5889@psu.edu.