Biggest Mistakes of the 2023 NFL Draft

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August 17, 2023

zse4ib99rrn9xuyng7ci — Photo Cred: NFL.com

Texans: Trading Up for Will Anderson Jr.

I mentioned this trade-up in my previous article regarding the most impactful rookie classes. Please make no mistake; I believe Anderson will have a huge rookie year and possibly be one of the best in this class. The issue is the extreme capital the Texans gave up acquiring him. The Texans moved up from 12th to 3rd overall to select Anderson, giving up their 33rd overall pick alongside their 1st and 3rd round picks next year. Essentially, Anderson now must be good enough to justify the four players the Texans could’ve drafted instead. Their new head coach DeMeco Ryans supposedly pushed for this trade, as GM Nick Caserio wanted C.J. Stroud second overall. The Texans got both of their guys but made a huge move to do so, but I don’t think their roster is in the right place to make that move. They had two first-round picks the next year but gave up their own instead of the Browns. The Texans need to make massive improvements this year or they have likely given up a top-10 pick next year. It may not have been worth it if Anderson isn’t a superstar.

Photo Cred: AL.com (Anderson Jr.)

Commanders: Drafting Emmanuel Forbes Jr. Over Christian Gonzalez

The Commanders’ selection of Emmanuel Forbes 16th overall screams fit over talent level. Forbes is a good player who projects well in the Commanders’ defensive system. The problem with this pick is that the Commanders selected him over another CB prospect, one who was higher rated across the board: Christian Gonzalez. Forbes has serious size concerns, weighing under 200 pounds at 6 ft. On the other hand, Gonzalez has all the size, speed, and athletic ability one could want from the CB position. Forbes is a better fit for what the Commanders wish to run and likely a better day-one starter. However, passing up Gonzalez allowed the Patriots to select him one pick later. Bill Belichick is one of the greatest defensive minds in NFL history. Allowing him to develop Gonzalez with his physical tools may mean the Commanders will back on this draft pick with extreme disappointment.

Photo Cred: Washington Post (Ron Rivera and Forbes Jr.)

Bills: Not Drafting an OT

The Bills are a team clearly trying to win a Super Bowl. They have one of the best QBs in the league and a slam-dunk roster surrounding him. Their RT spot is one position where they lack or could still use massive improvement. Their third-round pick from 2021, Spencer Brown, has not been a very good starter thus far in his career. The Bills’ o-line has dragged them down recently, but investments in G Connor McGovern and G O’Cyrus Torrence should help improve things. Brown may still be the biggest question mark on the Bills’ entire roster, and the team is seemingly banking on a year-three leap from him to become a viable starter. They didn’t draft any OTs to compete for that spot, only addressing it by bringing in OT Brandon Shell from the Miami Dolphins. The only problem is he’s now contemplating retirement… If Brown doesn’t take that next step, the Bills’ o-line may not take one either, and this unit could cost the team the ring they so desperately desire.

Buffalo Bills: 3 offensive line free agents team should pursue Photo Cred: BuffaLowDown (Brown)

49ers: Taking a Third-Round Kicker

For a team as stacked as the 49ers, they have an oddly high number of draft misses. Look no further than Solomon Thomas, Javon Kinlaw, and all their third-round running backs. Taking kicker Jake Moody 99th overall, just their second pick in the draft, screams a terrible process as well. GM John Lynch made this pick to find a cheap replacement for longtime kicker Robbie Gould. The reliability of kickers taken high in the draft has been weary at best. For a team with question marks on the o-line and in the secondary, making a sure downgrade at kicker doesn’t seem like the best selection. It’s worked out for some teams in the past, but for others it turned into Roberto Aguayo. Only time will tell how this one turns out for the 49ers.

NFL draft: 49ers pick K Jake Moody Photo Cred: NinersWire – USA Today

Top 5 NBA MVP Candidates

By

Rives Reucassel

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August 16, 2023

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221213084621-01-nba-michael-jordan-mvp-trophy — Photo Cred: CNN

With the NBA season approaching, players are starting to get warm for the coming season. The NBA is a star-driven league and drives teams to win NBA championships. This list will display my top five MVP candidates for this coming season. This list doesn’t necessarily mean that one player is better than someone ranked higher than them, but their likelihood of winning MVP.

1. Giannis Antentokoumpo

Giannis is number one on my MVP list this coming season because he fills the stat sheet, can push the ball at point guard, and play center. He can really play all five positions and will be on a winning team. I fully expect the Bucks to play with a lot of motivation this year after their disappointing first-round exit to the Heat last season. Giannis will lead the charge and winning takes a part of who will take home the MVP trophy.

Photo Cred: NBA

2. Nikola Jokic

Jokic will be in the MVP conversation this year. Many consider him the best player in the world right now, and rightly so. After the Nuggets just won the NBA championship. Jokic will be on a winning team and putting up MVP numbers, assuming health, and many feel like he should have won last season over Joel Embiid if it wasn’t for voter fatigue Jokic will have plenty of time to prove he will still take home more MVP trophies.

Photo Cred: BasketmanNews

3. Luka Doncic

Luka is one of the bright young players in the entire league. He is big for a guard and uses that size and strength to create shots for himself and his teammates. Luka has always been able to stuff the stat sheet, but the biggest aspect for the Mavericks all-star guard to win MVP is how many wins the Mavs will have. The Mavs struggled last season and didn’t make the playoffs. If Luka wants a chance at the MVP trophy, the Mavs will likely have to be a top-four seed in the Western Conference. Luka is a terrific offensive player who can do anything asked of him on the offensive side of the ball. His teammates love playing with him, and I expect him to have an MVP-type season.

Photo Cred: SI

4. Joel Embiid

The reigning MVP, Joel Embiid will be in the mix for this award this season. Embiid is one of the most dominant players in the league and will continue to look that way for years to come. With new head coach Nick Nurse, I expect Embiid to increase production and be in the race for the MVP trophy again. Who knows what will happen with James Harden, but if he stays or leaves, it won’t affect his touches or how he plays the game.

Photo Cred: CNN

5. Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum has been in the mix for the MVP trophy for the past few seasons. But has never won the award. I expect him to be in this mix again this season and possibly take home the trophy. Tatum can do it all on the offensive side of the ball, and his defense has increased year over year. The Celtics will be a winning team, and Tatum will be the driving force. Tatum needs to increase his production in clutch time during the last five minutes of close games. This will boost his chances of winning the award.

Photo Cred: ClutchPoints

NFL 2023-24 Position Group Rankings: Pass Catchers

By

Troy Finnegan

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August 15, 2023

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It’s less than one month away from the 2023-24 NFL season, and the excitement is building as the preseason is almost underway. Over the next few weeks, I dive into each position group, from the quarterbacks to the kickers, and rank them before the season kicks off in Kansas City on Sept. 7. Today, we’ll parse the top pass-catching units in the league. This will include receivers and tight ends.

1. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals don’t have a number one and a number two receiver; they have two number ones. Everyone knows about Ja’Marr Chase and his ability, but Tee Higgins is also great. Higgins came into the league as a ball-winner but has refined the rest of his game while developing into the best-contested catch-winner in football. One of the few who can stack up to Higgins in that department is his counterpart Chase, who physically dominates defensive backs with power and speed. Add Tyler Boyd, the best number-three wideout in the NFL, and the Bengals have an unmatched trio of receivers to pair with Joe Burrow.

Photo Cred: USA Today

2. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are bringing all the pieces from their 2022 team back. That team was within minutes of winning the Super Bowl and is loaded with weapons for Jalen Hurts to work with again. DeVonta Smith is only getting better, and A.J. Brown is still one of the best wideouts in the world. They are versatile in diverse ways, creating separation at all three levels and making plays after the catch. Dallas Goedert is still a high-end tight end; a healthier year could see him reach even bigger heights. The speedy Wuez Watkins is back in the slot to stretch the defense down the field, giving the stars more room to work with underneath. The Eagles, if healthy, still have the best playmaking group in the NFC.

3. San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco enters yet another season with quarterback questions, but the weapons around him are so good that it may not matter (again). Deebo Samuel is still the do-it-all Swiss Army Knife who can play running back or receiver. Samuel is a unique runner after the catch, and the Niners will give him plenty of opportunities on screens and short passes to make big plays. George Kittle is still the second-best tight end in football, making plays after the catch and being just as good as a sixth offensive lineman in the run game. Brandon Aiyuk continues to get better each year as Kyle Shanahan trusts him more and is becoming one of the more polished route runners in football. Combine all of that with the versatility of Christian McCaffrey out of the backfield, and the Niners will be a nightmare to stop again in 2023.

4. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins lost their tight end and have no depth at wide receiver, but that matters a lot less when you have two absolute game-breakers on the outside. Both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are a touchdown waiting to happen at any moment, and the Dolphins had the most explosive offense in football when both were on the field in 2022. Mike McDaniel knows how to get the most out of both of his superstar receivers and if they’re both healthy in 2023, Miami will have plenty of highlights.

5. Minnesota Vikings

Justin Jefferson has officially evolved into someone you can build an entire passing attack around and has a convincing argument as the best wideout in the league heading into 2023. Jefferson led the NFL in catches (128) and yards (1,809) in just his second season last year and was consistently carrying the Viking’s receiving core despite being double- and even triple-teamed. To help Jefferson out, the Vikings spent a first-round pick on USC receiver Jordan Addison, who can work at all levels of the field on the other side of Jefferson and should benefit from seeing a ton of 1-on-1 coverage. T.J. Hockenson was great for the Viking’s offense after being added mid-season last year and should be even better with a full off-season under his belt. With K.J. Osborn back as the Viking’s WR3, Minnesota should have an even more lethal passing attack in year two under Kevin O’Connell.

6. Seattle Seahawks

Geno Smith’s resurgence was the story of the Seahawks in 2022, but he didn’t do it all by himself. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett have been one of the top receiver duos in the NFL for some time now, and that should be no different in 2023. Metcalf is still refining his game and showing more nuance in the position to add his incredible physical traits. Lockett is still one of the savvier slot guys in the league, getting open at the sticks while still having the ability to take the top off the defense. Rookie wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba provides a different play style from Metcalf and Lockett and can punish defenses who try to take Metcalf away with zone coverage. The addition of Smith-Njigba gives the Seahawks a three-headed monster that should allow the Seahawk’s offense to be exceptionally good again in 2023.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence and the Jags are ready to take the next step in 2023, and they have stocked up the pass-catching group to help their young quarterback reach new heights. The last time we saw Calvin Ridley in 2021, he was firmly a number one receiver with his elite route running and ability to get open against any coverage. Ridley’s addition drops Christian Kirk to the number two spot, a role he should thrive in after punching above his weight as a WR1 in 2022. Zay Jones and the explosive Jamal Agnew are back after carving out steady roles for themselves last season. Add in tight end Evan Engram, who blossomed in his first season in Duval last year, and you have one of the best groups in the league in Jacksonville.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have quietly built an arsenal of weapons for Kenny Pickett heading into year two. George Pickens was a hit as a rookie in 2022, and already has a whole highlight reel of big plays and contested catches to his name. Diontae Johnson oddly never found the end zone last season but still caught 86 passes and was a consistent target for Pickett. Tight end Pat Freiermuth established himself as a high-end starter in the Steel City and should only get better in year three. Add in the talented Allen Robinson, looking for a bounce-back year after a down season in Los Angeles, and the Steelers have plenty to work with offensively.

9. Las Vegas Raiders

Davante Adams may be unhappy with things in Vegas, namely the departure of his good friend Derek Carr and Josh Jacobs’s contract dispute, but he’s still one of the truly elite wideouts in the game when he’s on the field. Adams didn’t miss a beat in his first season without Aaron Rodgers last season, catching 100 balls for 1,516 yards and 14 touchdowns. If slot man Hunter Renfrow can have a healthier year in 2023, it will give Vegas another target who can consistently move the sticks and take pressure off Adams on the outside. Vegas also added former Patriot Jakobi Meyers, another sure-handed receiver for Jimmy Garoppolo to find. The Raiders lost Darren Waller at tight end this offseason but replaced him with Austin Hooper and promising rookie Michael Mayer. Vegas knows they need weapons to compete in the AFC West and have them on paper.

Photo Cred: NFL Analysis Network

10. Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City still hasn’t found a star on the outside to replace Tyreek Hill, but it didn’t matter last year, and it may not matter this year. Travis Kelce is back and will be the focal point of the Chief’s passing game, and the future first-ballot Hall of Famer enters 2023 with seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Kelce set career highs last season with 110 catches and 12 touchdowns. On the outside, the Chiefs have speed in Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, and Kadarius Toney, but all three have their flaws. If Toney can stay healthy, he is a big play waiting to happen who can really unlock the best version of the Kansas City passing game.

11. Washington Commanders

The Commanders still have plenty of questions at quarterback, but whoever wins the job has a good trio of wideouts to work with. Terry McLaurin is a solid number-one receiver, able to win at all three levels of the field. Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel made splashes in 2022, and Samuel can be used in many different ways as a runner and receiver. Add the huge body of tight-end Logan Thomas in the red zone, and you have a solid pass-catching group in the nation’s capital.

12. New York Jets

The Jets have built a deep cast of solid weapons for Aaron Rodgers to work within his first year in the big apple, bringing over Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb from Green Bay. Corey Davis is back, and Mecole Hardman comes over from Kansas City to give this group a ton of speed. The engine is second-year man Garrett Wilson, who looked like a superstar last season as a rookie. Wilson caught 83 balls for 1,103 yards as a rookie despite disastrous quarterback play all year. With Rodgers behind center, Wilson should be in for a massive season.

13. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens have been looking for more out of the wide receiver position for many years, and this is the year they might get it. Mark Andrews has carried the passing game on his back, proving to be an elite tight end who can work the middle of the field at all levels. Baltimore has added more talent on the outside. First-round pick Zay Flowers projects as a playmaker out of the slot, and Rashod Bateman has been good when healthy in his young career. The addition of Odell Beckham Jr. raises the ceiling for this Ravens offense. We saw what he did for the Rams back in 2021-22, and he can provide a similar boost for Baltimore this season if he can stay on the field.

14. Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers have an elite quarterback and a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore, who has led top-ranked offenses before. The biggest question in Los Angeles is: can weapons stay healthy? If they could, they would easily be a top 10 unit. Keenan Allen dealt with hamstring issues for most of 2022, and Mike Williams seems is always be hurt. When healthy, Allen is one of the best slot receivers in the NFL, and Williams turns 50-50 balls into more like 80-20 balls down the field. Add in the speed of rookie receiver Quinten Johnston, and you could have a great receiver trio.

Photo Cred: Bleacher Report

15. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have been much less explosive on offense since losing Amari Cooper before last season but could be in for a bounce-back year in that department. CeeDee Lamb has established himself as a young star at receiver and can dominate both in the slot and on the outside. Michael Gallup provides a downfield threat when healthy, and new addition Brandin Cooks has been a 1,000-yard receiver six times before. If Cooks can bounce back from a down year in Houston and tight end Jake Ferguson can successfully step into a larger role in the offense, this Cowboys group can be lethal.

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay’s roster has fallen off a cliff since their win in Super Bowl LV, but the elite receiver duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin remains in pewter and red. The two complement each other perfectly, with Godwin’s route running and separation being a perfect contrast from Evan’s physicality and elite contested catch ability. With so much uncertainty at quarterback, the Bucs’ two stars will have to carry the load offensively.

17. Buffalo Bills

The Bills are running it back in the receiver room in 2023, where they have lacked depth in previous seasons. This year, it will be Trent Sherfield and Khalil Shakir doing the slot duties for Josh Allen and company. The top two are still particularly good. Stefon Diggs is one of the best route runners in the game and will be the top target for Buffalo again this year, and Gabe Davis is back to provide big play ability, once again on the other side. Dawson Knox can make his presence felt in the red zone, Buffalo is sure to have a great passing attack.

18. New Orleans Saints

The question for this Saints pass-catching group remains the same. Can Michael Thomas stay on the field? The last time he did, he set records with 149 catches and 1725 yards. That was all the way back in 2019, and Thomas has only played ten games in the three seasons since his record-breaking campaign. If Thomas is healthy, the combination of him and second year wideout Chris Olave could be lethal. If not, the Saints will rely on Rashid Shaheed, Bryan Edwards, and Tre’Quan Smith to fill that production.

19. Chicago Bears

Coming into this past offseason, the Bears knew they needed to get Justin Fields some help. The quest started last season when they traded a second-round pick for Chase Claypool and reached a head this offseason when general manager Ryan Pace traded the No. 1 overall pick to Carolina for a package that included star receiver, DJ Moore. Pairing those two with speedster Darnell Mooney and reliable tight end Cole Kmet gives Fields a diverse array of weapons. If Moore can establish himself as a bonafide number-one receiver, watch out for this Bears group.

20. Los Angeles Rams

How high should Cooper Kupp alone get you on a pass catcher ranking? Kupp is about all the Rams have as a consistent weapon. The Super Bowl LVI MVP is just that good; he’s firmly entrenched himself as one of the elite receivers in the game with elite route running, great hands, and explosive ability after the catch. After Kupp, however, the Rams are down to Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek, and veteran tight end Tyler Higbee. Kupp has dealt with double teams before; but he will see them week in and week out in 2023.

21. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are thin in the receiver room, but there is no denying the talent in their top two weapons. Drake London is entering his second year on the outside after a stellar rookie season despite inconsistent quarterback play. Tight end Kyle Pitts, on the other hand, has seen that quarterback play cut into his production significantly. If Desmond Ridder can settle into a consistent flow as the new starting quarterback, these two young targets could be in for monster seasons.

22. Denver Broncos

The Broncos dropped a few spots on this list after Tim Patrick suffered a torn achilles in training camp that ended his season before it started. Without the reliable veteran in the lineup, the Broncos don’t have the depth out wide to compete with the receiving cores of the AFC’s elite. This year could be a big year for Jerry Jeudy, who is coming off the best season of his career. If Jeudy can turn his elite route running and short-area quickness into a breakout season and Cortland Sutton can consistently be the big-bodied X receiver that Russell Wilson so often leaned on in Seattle, then this ranking could look foolish in a few months.

23. Cleveland Browns

The Browns come into 2023 with a solid pass-catching group centered around the do-it-all ability of Amari Cooper. Cooper can make plays down the field, catch balls at the sticks to move the chains or create plays after the catch. He runs the prettiest routes in football and could be in for a huge season if he clicks with Deshaun Watson. Donovan Peoples-Jones is a great ball winner who will start opposite Cooper, and a change of scenery can unlock Elijah Moore in the slot. The Browns come in low, but there’s a lot of potential here.

Photo Cred: Oddschecker

24. Detroit Lions

The Lions’ offense was excellent last season, thanks in no small part to them maximizing their receiving talent. Even after trading T.J. Hockenson, the Detroit offense didn’t miss a beat. Amon-Ra St. Brown emerged as a nightmare to cover in the slot, totaling 106 catches for 1161 yards in 2022. St. Brown is elite at separating from man coverage and is a first-down machine for Detroit, posting 68 receiving first downs last year. They’re a little thin after St. Brown, but Marvin Jones Jr. is a steady veteran, and rookie tight end Sam LaPorta has a chance to be a consistent producer. Is the wild card in Detroit? Second year wideout Jameson Williams, who is suspended for the first six games of the year but could add an element of speed and explosiveness to this group that could catapult them up this list.

25. Green Bay Packers

New quarterback Jordan Love will rely heavily on second year wideout Christian Watson in 2023, and that may not be such a dreadful thing. Once Watson settled in and established himself as a full-time starter during the back half of last season, he broke out as one of Aaron Rodgers’ favorite targets. Watson has breakaway speed and can create big plays deep down the field and by taking a short pass for big yards after the catch. Including Watson, the Packers have the youngest pass-catching group in the league, with second-year man Romeo Doubs starting alongside him. If rookie tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft can step up in year one, then Love could end up with a solid arsenal of young weapons to throw to.

26. Tennessee Titans

The Titans attempted to salvage their receiving core by adding DeAndre Hopkins to free agency, but who is going to complement him? Can 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks come into his own and form a formidable duo, or will Tennessee be turning to the likes of Nick Westbrook-Ikhine again? It could also be tight end Chig Okonkwo, who blossomed into one of the best run-after-catch tight ends in football last season. Regardless, it looks like Hopkins will be doing most of the heavy lifting for the Titan’s passing game.

27. New York Giants

The Giants tried to address their lack of weaponry this offseason by adding Darren Waller from Las Vegas, and the former Raider tight end will certainly step in as Daniel Jones’ number-one target in 2023. Waller is a matchup nightmare and can play both in-line and split out wide. The problem in New York remains the same, however. They still lack talent at receiver. Isaiah Hodgins was a pleasant surprise for Giants fans last season and is back, while Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard can eat snaps if needed. Can Parris Campbell or Wan’Dale Robinson add some explosiveness to the passing game? The Giants might need it if they want to repeat last season’s success.

Photo Cred: ESPN

28. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals lost DeAndre Hopkins and are now lacking a physical threat on the outside, but they do still have a lot of speed. Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore can both take the top off a defense, but both dealt with injuries last year and Brown still fights drop problems from time to time. Zach Ertz is recovering from a torn ACL but could provide a much-needed possession receiver in the middle of the field for Arizona.

29. Indianapolis Colts

Michael Pittman Jr. is the only thing saving this Colts group from finding themselves even closer to the bottom of this list. The former USC star has established himself as a steady force for the Colts, eclipsing 2,000 yards over the last two years. The problem is, the Colts have zero reliable pass catchers after Pittman on the roster. Second-year man Alec Pierce was solid in his rookie season but doesn’t separate from tight coverage well enough to be a true threat as a starting wideout at this stage.

30. Houston Texans

Houston has some intriguing young talent out wide in Nico Collins and John Metchie III, but there just isn’t the top-end talent to have them any higher on this list. Collins is a big-body receiver who has struggled to stay healthy but can overpower corners when on the field. Metchie III is coming into his pseudo-rookie year after winning his battle with leukemia last season and should give rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud a security blanket out of the slot. Houston added a veteran presence in Robert Woods to round out the receiving core, and they paid Dalton Schultz big money to pry him away from Dallas, but it’s an unspectacular group overall.

31. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are betting on a lot of young, unproven players to catch passes in 2023. DJ Chark and Adam Thielen are solid veterans on the perimeter, but Thielen is past his prime and Chark has rarely been healthy in recent years. Beyond that, the Panthers are down to the likes of rookie Jonathan Mingo, Terrace Marshall, and Laviska Shenault. Shenault has been mostly a gadget player during his career, and Marshall has caught just 45 balls in two seasons. Hayden Hurst was a good add at tight end, but the cupboard is bare for Bryce Young in his rookie season.

Photo Cred: YouTube

32. New England Patriots

Simply put, there is just zero explosiveness or top-end talent in this New England pass-catching group. Juju Smith-Schuster is the only receiver on the roster that has ever consistently played at a WR2 level, and he lacks the big-play ability that you want out of a top target. DeVante Parker has struggled to stay healthy since his breakout 2019 season in Miami, but New England will need him to make plays down the field. The tight-end duo of Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki is solid on paper, but Henry always has durability concerns and Gesicki never quite reached the level of production in Miami that his talent suggests he could. There’s a world where this ranking ends up being low, but I don’t see the ceiling being much higher in New England.

Missouri Lands Top Defensive Lineman in the Nation

By

Ethan Burke

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August 14, 2023

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Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz and his staff made a big splash on Monday. They have landed five-star defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri. Nwaneri is ranked as the no. 1 DL in the nation and the third-best overall player in the Class of 2024, according to 247Sports.

The Lee’s Summit, Missouri native became just the third five-star to commit to Missouri since 2012. Nwaneri joined Luther Burden as the second five-star to commit during the Drinkwitz era. The lineman committed to the Tigers over Georgia, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.

Photo Cred: On3.com

Nwaneri is currently a rising senior at Lee’s Summit North High School, and he was a huge contributor to the team that appeared in the state title game last year. 247sports states that the five-star recorded 56 tackles, 12 sacks, and six pass breakups in his junior season.

The Tigers’ 2024 recruiting class currently sits at 55th in the nation after landing Nwaneri. Missouri is still awaiting the decisions of multiple talented prospects. Two such players are: David Dossett and Ryan Wingo. Dossett, a three-star receiver, is a high school teammate of Nwaneri. Wingo, a five-star wide receiver, is set to announce his decision in December.

Photo Cred: Rivals.com

Predicting the NFL’s Most Impactful Rookie Draft Classes

By

Andrew Bruner

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August 13, 2023

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Indianapolis Colts

Photo Cred: Bleacher Report

Starting this list with the Colts may be a homer take, but the Colts had one of the most acclaimed draft classes in 2023. The Colt’s draft will be looked upon by the success of QB Anthony Richardson in the league. Richardson is a massive boom-or-bust prospect. He has all the physical tools to be one of the best at his position in the NFL.

The Colt’s second-round pick, CB Julius “Juju” Brent projects to be an instant starter. WR Josh Downs, taken in the 3rd round, was applauded as one of the biggest steals in the draft by analysts. He has a chance to compete immediately with veteran WR Isaiah McKenzie as their starting slot. DE/DT Adetomiwa Adebawore likewise was considered a huge steal, taken at the top of the 4th round. Adebawore has some of the highest athletic traits at his position and could instantly impact their D-line rotation. The Colts had eight more day-three picks with huge athletic potential and excellent value.

Houston Texans

Photo Cred: ESPN

The Texans had to be on this list with their current mix of poor (though improved) overall roster talent and high capital of draft picks. QB C.J. Stroud, taken 2nd overall, will be Houston’s instant starter at the QB position. Like the Colts, the success of this draft will hinge on Stroud’s success in the league. Their draft will also hinge on the success of the 3rd overall pick, Edge Rusher Will Anderson Jr. from Alabama. The Texans gave up a massive haul to move up for the best defensive prospect in the class. Anderson will be a day-one starter on the defensive line and has all the potential to win DROY.

They’ll need him to be that type of player after giving up a second this year, plus a 1st and 3rd next year to get him. Beyond those two, C Juice Scruggs will be plugged in immediately as their starting Center. Scruggs was a surprising pick at the end of the second round. That draft capital almost guarantees he will start day 1. WR Tank Dell from Houston, taken round three, was a guy QB C.J. Stroud pounded the table for. He has a chance to immediately make an impact in the Texans’ porous WR room.

Seattle Seahawks

Photo Cred: Seahawks.com

Thanks to the Russell Wilson trade, the Seahawks had some of the most significant draft capital in the league heading into 2023. They spent that capital well, selecting CB Devon Witherspoon 5th overall and OLB Derrick Hall 37th. Witherspoon projects as a starter alongside rookie-phenom CB Tarik Woolen in the Seahawks’ secondary.

Hall should be a critical part of Seattle’s Edge rotation as a rookie and was their only notable offseason addition to a struggling unit. With their own picks, the Seahawks grabbed WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba 20th overall and RB Zach Charbonnet in round two. Smith-Njigba can make an impact in year one, operating in the slot while WRs D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett take the attention from the defense. Charbonnet forms a deadly RB duo with last year’s second-rounder Kenneth Walker and can start in his place if injuries arise.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Photo Cred: Forbes

The Steelers had two first-round picks in this year’s draft. This was due to Miami’s first-round forfeit and trading Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears. Pittsburgh started the draft by moving over the New England Patriots to 14th overall, sniping OT Broderick Jones from the New York Jets. Jones filled a massive need for the Steelers. He was the best remaining tackle at the top of the draft. Jones is seen as a project pick and should get the chance to learn the NFL from day one as their starting LT. CB Joey Porter Jr., son of former Steelers LB Joey Porter, was their next pick. Porter Jr. was seen as a consensus first-round corner, making this selection easy for Pittsburgh at the top of day two.

DT Keeanu Benton was their other second-round pick, the third player from this draft expected to start as a rookie. Benton should be able to come in immediately as the team’s NT and help fix their previous issues stopping the run. Pittsburgh’s great draft didn’t stop there, as they selected TE Darnell Washington at the end of the third round. Washington will be their TE2 behind Pat Freiermuth, and while he won’t make the same year-one impact as the rest of these guys, I had to highlight a great draft pick the team made.

New York Giants

Photo Cred: ESPN

The Giants have the draft capital or sheer amount of draft picks the teams above them did. I wanted to pick a team that should have significant contributions from their rookie class despite your more typical number of draft picks. On day 1, they moved up one spot with the Jacksonville Jaguars to select CB Deonte Banks 24th overall. Banks has a massive long-term upside as a CB1. He’ll start his rookie year opposite CB Adoree’ Jackson on a team looking to make it back to the playoffs.

The Giants’ second-round pick, C John Michael Schmitz, was a steal and will be an instant starter along their offensive line. Their third-round pick, WR Jalin Hyatt, should be able to get on the field his rookie year as a deep-ball threat the team currently lacks. Their sixth-round pick, CB Tre Hawkins, is lighting it up in training camp for them.

Memphis Spence’s Super 16 is BACK!

By

Stephen Patrick

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August 10, 2023

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1. Georgia

Photo Cred: Fox 5 Atlantic

The Bulldogs have gone 29-1 during their two-year reign as national champions. There is no question who the number one team is. The offense should be in solid shape, thanks to a veteran line and standout tight end Brock Bowers and top wideout Ladd McConkey returning. The defense will be at peak form reloading with 5 and 4-star players in the scheme.

2. Ohio State

Photo Cred: Land Grant

Back-to-back losses to hated rival Michigan have the Buckeye fanbase riled up. They should calm down with Ohio State coming off a playoff appearance and near-miss against Georgia. Scoring points should not be an issue, even with a new signal-caller – likely Kyle McCord or Devin Brown – taking over for C.J. Stroud.

3. Michigan

Photo Cred:

Coming off back-to-back Big Ten crowns and playoff appearances, the Wolverines look to take the next step. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy also returns. He is the only returning QB from playoffs teams. Explosive running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards ran behind an outstanding offensive line.

4. Alabama

Photo Cred: Alabama Sports

This year’s group has more questions coming in. First is finding the quarterback Bryce Young replacement. Speedster Jalen Milroe, highly recruited prospect Ty Simpson and Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner will all have opportunities to win the job in camp.

5. USC

Photo: ABC7

Caleb Williams no longer has Jordan Addison to throw to, but he does have four out of five top targets from 2022 back. Arizona transfer Dorian Singer also joins the team. They still have defensive issues. That weakness could cost them later in the season.

6. LSU

Photo Cred: LSU Athletics

Year one under Brian Kelly in Baton Rouge delivered an upset of Alabama, an SEC West title, and a Citrus Bowl victory. Returning quarterback Jayden Daniels was productive despite being forced to run for his life often. The offensive line must improve. He should have better protection this year. LSU will rely on defense and the running game.

7. Penn State

Photo Cred: CBS Sports

Some key talent is gone with Sean Clifford and star corner Joey Porter leaving. After that, Penn State returns enough of this defense, especially on the edges at the line. They have elite skill at running back, keys to build on as 5-star quarterback Drew Allar learns the playbook.

8. Utah

Photo Cred: Utah Athletic

Star-tight end Dalton Kincaid and stud cornerback Clark Phillips are gone. Quarterback Cameron Rising, who is at fall camp after tearing his ACL in the Rose Bowl, is returning behind a veteran offensive line. The two-time defending league champions seek to make it three straight Pac-12 football titles in a more crowded field.

9. Tennessee

Photo Cred: Tennessee Athletics

The core of college football’s No. 1 ranked offense is gone. Quarterback Hendon Hooker and receivers Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman went to the NFL. UT’s defensive struggles held the team back. They ranked 121st in pass defense. This could result in a minor step backward.

10. FSU

Photo Cred: Tampa Bay Times

Mike Norvell may have finally figured this thing out. He led the Seminoles to their first 10-win season since 2016. A lot of the skill is back: quarterback Jordan Travis, receiver Johnny Wilson, a gifted running back room, and edge rusher Jared Verse. They have one of the deepest teams in the conference. Corner Deuce Cypress and deep threat wideout Keon Coleman lead their team’s efforts.

11. Clemson

Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports

Clemson offense has been poor since Trevor Lawrence left. Dabo Swinney hopes he has found a solution by adding former TCU play-caller Garrett Riley. Cade Klubnik showed flashes of good football and he’s backed up by Will Shipley and Phil Mafah. They beefed up more elite skill at receiver, and Clemson has some surgery to do on the front seven after some major departures to the draft.

12. Washington

Photo Cred: The Athletic

Michael Penix elected to return to school for 2023. He’s one of the best QBs in the courty. It ensures that the most productive passer in college football from a year ago has a chance to repeat that success. And he will! Huskies bring back most of its receiving core, Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan, they were the first pairing to surpass 1,000 receiving yards each in UW history.

13. Texas

Photo Cred: UT Athletics

Texas lost all five games by seven points or fewer. A few tweaks here and there should have this team take the next step. Quarterback Quinn Ewers has high potential, and 5-star Arch Manning is waiting in the wings. Bijan Robinson is gone, but the Longhorns return their offensive line and three top receivers. The defense must hold on at the end of games.

14. Oregon

Photo Cred: USA Today

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s the new Oregon offensive coordinator Willie Stein’s task. Nix played more control last year. Stein must develop Nix and the offense that can win the Pac-12. Oregon also went 2-3 against ranked opponents last season, and this season they can’t duck USC.

15. Notre Dame

Photo Cred: CBS Sports

Notre Dame finished the 2022 season on a strong note, going 6-1 down the stretch, including wins over three ranked teams. The sudden departure of offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to Alabama hurts That could throw a wrench into Year 2 for Marcus Freeman. But the addition of transfer Sam Hartman, the ACC’s all-time leader in touchdown passes, at quarterback is a major plus for the offense.

16. Oklahoma

Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports

Brent Venables is regarded as college football’s premier defensive mind. But the unit was 123rd nationally and 90th in points per game allowed. Dillon Gabriel returns at quarterback, but he loses top target Marvin Mims and thousand-yard rusher Eric Gray. The Sooners once again went into the transfer portal to find players that can help the defense.

NFL 2023-24 Position Group Rankings: Running Backs

By

Troy Finnegan

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August 8, 2023

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Best-Running-Backs-in-the-NFL — Photo Cred: PFF

We’re just over one month away from the 2023-24 NFL season, and the excitement is building as the preseason is almost underway. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be diving into each position group, from the quarterbacks to the kickers, and ranking them before the season kicks off in Kansas City on Sept. 7. Today, we’ll take a look at which running back rooms are ready to make an impact in 2023.

1. San Francisco 49ers

Photo Cred: ABC

It was a mistake to give Kyle Shanahan the luxury of the Swiss Army knife Christian McCaffrey. After acquiring McCaffrey before the deadline last season, their offense exploded. The do-it-all back excels as both a runner and a receiver, and Shanahan’s brilliant mind and creative schemes unlocked his full range of talents. Add in the underrated Elijah Mitchell as the second leg of the one-two punch in the Bay, and you have the best running back room in football.

2. Green Bay Packers

The Packers seemingly will have to rely more on the run game this season with new quarterback Jordan Love at the helm, and they are well-equipped to do so. The duo of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon have been going strong in green and yellow for a few years now, and the two complement each other perfectly. Jones is one of the elite receiving backs in the league, topping 50 receptions in each of the past two seasons. Additionally, he has been a 1,000 yard rusher in three of the previous four years. In short yardage and early down situations, however, expect the bug bruiser Dillon to come in and do some damage.

3. Tennessee Titans

Photo Cred: Fansided

Derrick Henry is back and ready to do the heavy lifting in the Tennessee backfield again, looking for his third rushing title in the past five years. The 2020 AP Offensive Player of the Year already has one 2,000 yard campaign under his belt, and instilled fear into defenses every week with his battering-ram style inside and breakaway speed at the second level. You don’t earn a ranking this high on the list without some depth, however. The Titans added the perfect compliment to Henry in this year’s draft with Tulane product Tyjae Spears, a twitchy and explosive back who can take some of the burden off of Henry while perfectly complementing his physical style.

4. Philadelphia Eagles

The Birds’ running game should be excellent once again despite the loss of Miles Sanders. A lot of that rests on quarterback Jalen Hurts’ shoulders, but general manager Howie Roseman did an admirable job replenishing his backfield as well. D’Andre Swift is getting a second chance in Philadelphia after flaming out in Detroit last season, but the former Georgia Bulldog certainly has plenty of talent. Behind him is former Seattle Seahawk Rashaad Penny, who is one of the best pure runners in football when healthy. The Eagles also bring back franchise mainstays Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott. There aren’t any superstars in this backfield, but it may be the deepest room in the NFL.

5. Indianapolis Colts

Assuming he’s out there for week one despite his current contract dispute, Jonathan Taylor is arguably the best back in the league and will have a massive workload in the Colts ofense once again. His production was down due to injury last season, but this is still a guy who led the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in 2021. Taylor’s combination of speed, strength, vision, contact balance, and ball security makes him one of the toughest to tackle in all of football, and that alone is enough to land the Colts in the top five on this list. Indianapolis also added bruiser Zack Moss from Buffalo to take some of the weight off of Taylor.

6. New York Jets

Even if the Dalvin Cook rumors don’t come to fruition, the Jets backfield is still in a very good spot. Breece Hall’s excellent rookie season was cut short due to a torn ACL, but showed that he can be a franchise back. Hall is a very patient runner with good burst through the hole, thriving in the Jets’ zone run schemes. Hall carried the ball just 80 times last season, but gained a stellar 5.8 yards per carry, and also flashed his receiving skills with 19 grabs in just seven games. Even if Hall isn’t ready for week one, Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight, and rookie Israel Abanikanda can share the load while he’s gone.

7. Atlanta Falcons

Photo Cred: USA Today

Atlanta spent a top-10 pick on a running back, a move that would commonly be called a fatal mistake. But one look at Bijan Robinson’s college tape and he immediately pops off the screen. Robinson is a walking highlight reel with a unique combination of speed and power, allowing him to be effective both between the tackles and out on the perimeter, and at times seems to just bounce off of defenders. In the passing game, Robinson runs good routes and has shown soft hands, projecting as an immediate three-down back in the NFL. Atlanta has depth in the backfield as well, bringing back both Tyler Allgier and former wide receiver Cordarelle Patterson to form a formidable trio.

8. New York Giants

Now that Saquon Barkley’s contract holdout is behind him, he can turn his attention to terrorizing defenses in the same way that he did in 2022. Barkley was the engine of the surprise Giants last season, amassing 1650 scrimmage yards on 352 touches while playing 16 of the 17 games. He was a more consistent down-to-down runner last year, not taking as many losses by trying to create big plays, but was still good for plenty of highlights.

9. Las Vegas Raiders

There isn’t a ton of depth in the Las Vegas backfield, and they will need to figure Josh Jacobs’ holdout before the season to remain anywhere near this high on the list, but they still get a top ten spot because that’s how good Jacobs was last season. The 2022 rushing champ carried the ball 340 times for 1653 yards and 12 touchdowns a season ago on his way to over 2,000 scrimmage yards and First Team All-Pro honors. Jacobs is a physical runner who has evolved into a very well-rounded back since joining the NFL, seeing running lanes more clearly and accelerating through them with a newfound burst. If you have any more questions about Jacobs by himself earning a top-10 spot, I’ll simply direct you to his insane 303-yard performance against the Seahawks.

10. Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid get a lot of the flowers, and rightfully so, but the Chiefs don’t make their run to the Super Bowl last season without their elevated running game. 2022 seventh-round pick Isiah Pacheco carved out a role for himself by running like a madman, showing great burst and physicality between the tackles. Alongside him, Jerick McKinnon has finally found a home in Kansas City, becoming a touchdown machine in 2022 out of the backfield with nine receiving scores. The passing game will get all the press, but the Chiefs’ evolution into a balanced offense is what makes them the scariest in the league.

11. Los Angeles Chargers

Running back zoom meetings aside, Austin Ekeler is still a dynamic threat for the Chargers in both the run game and the pass game. Over the past two seasons, Ekeler has totaled over 3,100 yards and 38 touchdowns from scrimmage. He is an elite route runner out of the backfield and a nightmare matchup for the linebackers and safeties who are often tasked with covering him. Ekeler gets three down work for the most part, but the Chargers also retained Joshua Kelly for short yardage situations.

12. Cleveland Browns

Photo Cred: ESPN

There may not be a better pure runner of the football in the NFL than Nick Chubb. He has everything you want in a ball carrier: power, speed, a low center of gravity, elite contact balance, and great ball security. Give the ball to Chubb, and more often than not he’s going to get the job done. He is a bit of a one-dimensional back, however, and the Browns will miss the third-down presence of Kareem Hunt. Jerome Ford and Demetric Felton Jr. will get some receiving work, but none have the track record of Hunt.

13. Houston Texans

This ranking may come as a surprise, but it’s impossible not to love the way that Dameon Pierce runs the football. There’s only one way to describe it: Pierce runs angry. The former Florida Gator nearly hit 1,000 yards in just 13 games as a rookie in 2022, and should soar past that number if he stays healthy in his sophomore campaign. Pierce showed flashes as a receiver as a rookie as well, but the Texans also brought in former Bills back Devin Singletary to handle some of the third down duties.

14. Denver Broncos

The Broncos are hoping that Javonte Williams’ torn ACL in 2022 was just a bump in the road in his promising young career. After a strong rookie season that saw him emerge from a committee with Melvin Gordon, Williams made it only four games last year before going down. Gordon is gone, but Denver brought in Samaje Perine to help in pass protection and on third downs. With Williams back in the fold, the Broncos will need to lean on the third year back to take some of the pressure off of Russell Wilson.

15. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks may have found a gem in Kenneth Walker III. The Michigan State product had a stellar rookie season in 2022, eclipsing the 1,000 yard mark on the ground and finishing second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting despite splitting carries with Rashaad Penny for much of the year. Now, with Penny gone to Philadelphia, the backfield is all Walker’s. Pete Carroll and the Seahawks love to run the football, and they have the man for the job. Having little depth outside of rookie Zach Charbonnet knocks them down a bit on the list, but Walker could be in for a big year.

16. Baltimore Ravens

Photo Cred: CBS Sports

The Ravens run game is always going to be a headache for opposing defenses with Lamar Jackson running the show, but they also have a diverse array of familiar faces to play alongside Jackson in 2023. J.K. Dobbins has had a complicated camp so far, with a contract holdout and an appearance on the PUP list, but if his knee can get healthy, he has looked good when in the lineup for Baltimore. If not, reliable veteran Gus Edwards is back healthy after a knee injury of his own derailed his 2021 season and hampered him last year, and has been a rock solid runner between the tackles for Baltimore. Justice Hill also returns and can handle third down and receiving duties out of the backfield.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags finally leaned into the Clemson connection of Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne Jr. in the backfield over the second half of 2022, and it paid dividends for them. Etienne is explosive on the perimeter and effective in the passing game, and showed his mettle in between the tackles as he emerged as the Jags’ feature back last season. Overall, Etienne topped 1,100 yards on the ground for the year. He has some ball security questions, but the production is undeniable.

18. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas will have a different look in the backfield in 2023 with Ezekiel Elliott out of the picture, but Tony Pollard stepped into the spotlight last season and exploded. Pollard has rare home run ability, evidenced by his 131-yard outing against the Rams on just 12 carries. The depth behind Pollard remains a question, as Malik Davis and rookie Deuce Vaughn compete for the backup job, but Pollard is a must-see player and will be heavily featured for America’s Team in 2023.

19. Washington Commanders

Sometimes you don’t need to be flashy, but a solid one-two punch can get the job done. That’s exactly what the Commanders have in Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson Jr. Gibson may not have turned into the feature back that he looked like at times in 2021, and he does fumble the ball too much, but he fills the need for third down work while Robinson can work between the tackles. With an uncertain quarterback situation in 2023, the Commanders will need both of their backs to carry the load.

20. Detroit Lions

Detroit shocked everyone when they traded up in the first round to take Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 in the 2023 Draft, but the move made one thing clear: they want to be more explosive. Gibbs does just that, providing big play ability with his elite explosiveness. Gibbs routinely left defenders in the dust with his great quickness, and was also one of the Crimson Tide’s top receiving options. It’s not a sure thing, but pairing Gibbs with the bruising David Montgomery in the Detroit backfield could give them some more pop from that position.

21. Cincinnati Bengals

Photo Cred: PFF

Losing Samaje Perine is a bigger deal for Cincinnati than it may seem. Perine was a great pass protector and a good receiver, something that helped him get a majority of the third down reps. Joe Mixon is still a talented runner, but has been fairly inefficient on a per-carry basis and now has no experienced backs to spell him. If Mixon goes down, the Bengals are extremely thin on options.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers

Najee Harris has been a bell cow for the Steelers since being drafted out of Alabama back in 2021, but the efficiency hasn’t quite popped yet. Sure, some of that comes back to his offensive line, which has been bad, but the Steelers are looking for Harris to become more of a playmaker in an offense that desperately needs one. Jaylen Warren is also back to take some of the carries as the backup after a strong finish to 2022.

23. Buffalo Bills

The question for the Bills remains the same: how do they take pressure off of Josh Allen in the running game? They’re hoping that 2022 second round pick James Cook can step into a bigger role, but they also signed Damian Harris away from the division rival Patriots. Cook has more big play potential, but Harris has proven himself as a solid runner who doesn’t mind taking what the defense gives him and banging in the middle.

24. Miami Dolphins

We know the Dolphins are ultra-explosive on the perimeter, but can they supplement that with a consistent running game? Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. are back to try to provide that; a solid but unspectacular duo. Both have yet to find their footing after excelling in San Francisco under Kyle Shanahan, but if anyone can bring that production out of them, it’s Mike McDaniel.

25. New England Patriots

The duo of Damian Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson was a good duo for the Pats last year, but now Harris is gone and Stevenson is left to carry the load all by himself. Can he do it? Maybe, but it’s certainly no sure thing. Stevenson is a great runner inside, but he will need to show some more explosiveness at the second level to become a true feature back.

26. Carolina Panthers

Photo Cred: ESPN

The talented Miles Sanders is in Carolina in 2023 after spending the last few years in a committee in Philadelphia. Despite sharing carries (especially on the goal line) last season, Sanders still finished with 1,269 yards and 11 scores on the ground. The problem: he doesn’t get to run behind the Eagles’ elite offensive line anymore. It’s a new era in Carolina under Frank Reich and with Bryce Young behind center, and Sanders will have to play a vital role on the ground.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The new-look Buccaneers offense is without Leonard Fournette heading into 2023, as young guns Rachaad White and Ke’Shawn Vaughn are set to take over the running back duties. Vaughn got limited action last season while White showed strong signs as a third down back, but an overall lack of experience and track record lands them towards the bottom of the list.

28. Los Angeles Rams

Sean McVay’s offenses have always been the most successful when they’re running the football, no matter who’s behind center. However, the Rams have a serious depth problem in the backfield heading into the season. Cam Akers enters as the lead man, but comes with his share of durability concerns. Akers has been solid when healthy, but has played in just 29 games in three seasons. Behind him, it’s Kyren Williams and rookie Zach Evans, so here’s hoping that Akers can give the Rams consistent production out of the backfield.

29. New Orleans Saints

Photo Cred: USA Today

Touchdown machine Jamaal Williams is in the lead role for the first time in 2023, after coming from a plethora of running back committees during his time in Green Bay and Detroit. Williams was excellent as a goal line back for the Lions last season, scoring 17 touchdowns on the ground in a career year in 2022. Now, he’s the feature man in New Orleans, but it remains to be seen if he’s the kind of complete runner who can carry a full workload.

30. Chicago Bears

The Bears running game is going to be just fine with Justin Fields playing quarterback, but he’s now without David Montgomery alongside him. Instead, it’s third year man Khalil Herbert who will be doing the heavy lifting in 2023. Herbert has taken advantage of his opportunities when they’ve come, averaging 5.7 yards per carry in a backup role last season. If he can keep that up over a larger sample, then the Bears running game can be a force.

31. Minnesota Vikings

With Dalvin Cook still a free agent, the Vikings are down to Alexander Mattison leading the charge in the backfield. While MAttison has had some bug games in Cook’s absence before, and I’m confident that Kevin O’Connell can salvage a solid run game with his zone schemes, the Vikings aren’t in the most ideal position at running back heading into the season.

32. Arizona Cardinals

Photo Cred: SI

Spoiler alert: the Cardinals are going to find themselves near the bottom of plenty of these rankings. James Conner hasn’t reached 800 yards in a season since his breakout 2018 season in Pittsburgh, and has yet to play 16 games in a season. Behind Conner, it’s veteran backup Corey Clement, who’s never received a consistent workload, and second-year back Keontay Ingram, who barely played as a rookie. Let’s hope Conner is feeling like 2018 again.

Ranking NFL Teams by Tiers

By

Arnav Sarkar

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August 8, 2023

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The NFL preseason is underway, as the Hall of Fame game has already taken place. With the 2023 NFL regular season fast approaching, it is helpful to rank all 32 teams by tiers to get an idea of where each team stands and what to expect for the upcoming season. See which tier your favorite NFL team belongs to in this article!

Tier 1: Super Bowl Favorites- Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals

If your team is listed here, congratulations; they are one of the four teams expected to compete for a Super Bowl. Two of these teams return from last year’s big game, with the Chiefs being the defending champions and the Eagles being the runners-up. Both conference championship losers are in this tier as well, with both the Niners and Bengals expected to remain competitive and challenge for a return to the big game, as both fell short of winning it all within the last few years.

The Chiefs and Eagles return most of their Super Bowl rosters from last season and have made offseason moves to replace the players lost in free agency. The Eagles bolstered their defense in the draft, while the Chiefs helped their defense and offense get better. Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts are two of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, and they have the talent around them to return to the Super Bowl this season and remain competitive for a long time. The Chief’s receiving core is missing a deep threat but is more than capable, while their running back duo of Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon helped the Chiefs move the ball when their drives stagnated.

Travis Kelce remains the top tight end in the league, while the Chief’s defense features Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, and free agent signing Charles Omenihu on the defensive line. The Chiefs also brought in Jawaan Taylor and Donovan Smith at offensive tackle to replace Orlando Brown and Andrew Wylie and bolster one of the top lines in the country. The Eagles drafted Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith to add to the number of former Georgia Bulldogs on their defense. They also traded for D’Andre Swift and added Rashaad Penny to offset the departure of Miles Sanders as their lead running back. Their offensive and defensive lines may be the best in the NFL, while they have a top-five receiving duo in AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith.

Photo Cred: Sporting News

The Eagles are coming into this season with even more talent than last year, so the league had better watch out as they try to avenge their loss to the Chiefs and return to the Super Bowl this season. The two teams I think can seriously challenge them are the Niners and the Bengals. In the top-heavy NFC, the Eagles and 49ers are the two frontrunners to compete for the NFC championship and return to the Super Bowl. The Niners have a roster capable of winning the NFC and the Super Bowl this season. Their top defensive line, featuring Nick Bosa and offseason addition Javon Hargrave, is bolstered by a strong secondary, and the Niners have no shortage of weapons on offense, including Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel. The only question for the 49ers is at quarterback.

Will it be Brock Purdy, Trey Lance, or Sam Darnold under center, and how consistent can he be for San Francisco? If the Niners get even above-average quarterback play, they can challenge Philadelphia and anyone else in their path for a Super Bowl. The Bengals have long had the Chief’s number, even with Patrick Mahomes healthy, and they return all their top talent. The Bengals have proven it in the playoffs, and we may see another Chiefs-Bengals classic in the AFC championship game. All four of these teams have deep playoff experience and some of the most talented rosters in the league, making them my favorites to make it to and win the Super Bowl this season.

Tier 2: Super Bowl Challengers- Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets

The next tier features teams with incredibly talented rosters; they have some question marks that have me hesitant to put them in the top tier. For the Dolphins, the main question is the health of franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Star receiver Tyreek Hill pairs nicely with Jaylen Waddle, their prized offseason acquisition Jalen Ramsey has been injured and will miss a significant amount of time this regular season. The Ravens extended their own franchise quarterback in Lamar Jackson, and their talented receiving core brings in Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers. However, lead running back J.K. Dobbins and receiver Rashod Bateman are currently out with injuries, and like the Dolphins, both teams have failed to make deep playoff runs in the past.

Out of this group, the Bills have been closest to the Super Bowl. They have failed to get over the hump, falling to the Chiefs twice and the Bengals last year in the AFC playoffs. Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs lead Buffalo’s talented offense, and their defense features Von Miller and Greg Rosseau. They must overcome their playoff demons if they want to win the Super Bowl.

Photo Cred: USA Today

The Cowboys are the team most known for their inability to get over the hump, as they haven’t made it to the NFC championship game since the 1995 season, their last Super Bowl win. America’s team has made many offseason acquisitions, including bringing in Brandin Cooks to pair with Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb at wideout, and Stephon Gilmore to start at cornerback across from Trevon Diggs. However, Dak Prescott and the Cowboys will be counted out of the NFC championship game until they prove otherwise.

Meanwhile, the most intriguing team in the NFL may very well be the New York Jets. By bringing in Aaron Rodgers, the Jets improved at quarterback while retaining a lot of the team that helped the Jets stay competitive despite being in quarterback hell last season. The running game, wide receiver room, and defense remain strong, and suddenly Jets fans are dreaming of the Super Bowl. The question is how quickly Aaron Rodgers can gel with his new teammates and get the Jets off the ground and if Gang Green can hang with the Bills and Dolphins in their own division. Time will tell, but Aaron Rodgers should at least send the Jets back to the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

Photo Cred: CBS Sports

Tier 3: Pesky Playoff Teams- New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers

The next tier of teams are teams expected to make the playoffs as a wild-card team or weaker division winner but aren’t expected to make a big playoff run just yet. However, one or more of these teams may surprise viewers and win at least one playoff game. One team who did just that last season was the New York Giants. After a miserable 2021 season, the Giants hired GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, who turned around the culture and led them to a 9-7-1 record and a playoff berth.

The Giants took advantage of their surprise playoff berth, going on the road and upsetting the 13-4 Minnesota Vikings. The offense adds new weapons in the passing game with tight end Darren Waller and wideouts Parris Campbell and Jalin Hyatt. Saquon Barkley returns after negotiating a one-year deal that allows him to beat the franchise tag with incentives and Daniel Jones looks to build on the best season of his career after receiving a $160 million contract extension over four years. Big Blue added players to join their ferocious defensive line and linebacker core and drafted cornerback Deonte Banks to join Xavier McKinney in the secondary.

Photo Cred: Sports Business Journal

The Giants are still a few years away from competing with the top NFC teams, but they are vastly ahead of schedule on their rebuild, and Super Bowls might not be too far away for Big Blue once again. Another team looking to compete for a wild-card spot is the Seahawks. Like Daniel Jones, Geno Smith had a breakout season for Seattle and led the Seahawks to the wild-card round. They lost and were outmatched by the Niners. The Seahawks have the roster to build on last season, but it depends if Geno Smith can retain his form from this past season.

Over in the AFC, the Jaguars are on the rise, led by star quarterback Trevor Lawrence and his college and current running back Travis Etienne. The receiving core improved with Calvin Ridley returning from a year-long gambling suspension to join Christian Kirk and Zay Jones and tight end Evan Engram. The offensive line has some question marks now. The defense is led by the linebacker duo of Josh Allen (not to be confused with the Bills quarterback of the same name) and former #1 pick Travon Walker. The Jaguars are now the clear-cut favorites to win the AFC South, with the rest of the division having taken a step back, but there’s work to do if they want to compete with an improved AFC playoff field, which includes not only teams like the Chiefs, but upstarts like the Jets as well.

Photo Cred: Fox Sports

The Detroit Lions have vastly improved and continue to head in the right direction after missing the playoffs last season. Dan Campbell has led the turnaround in Detroit, and if the Lions can get off to a good start this season, they are also in decent shape to make the playoffs as a wild card, if not outright win the division.

The Minnesota Vikings is not a team to count out in the north. Fresh off a 13-4 campaign, the Vikings benefitted by winning numerous one-score games but also returned sufficient talent on both sides of the ball. Despite losing Dalvin Cook, the Vikings’ receiving room led by Justin Jefferson looks solid, and so does their defense. The Lions and Vikings will battle for the NFC North, but more experienced and talented teams like the 49ers and Eagles will dispatch them with relative ease as they get deeper into the NFC playoffs.

Photo Credit: Pride of Detroit

To finish this tier, the Chargers have the talent to be a deep playoff team, their combination of bad coaching and inconsistent play have them with a ceiling of a playoff team. Quarterback Justin Herbert is a top-five quarterback in the NFL and is surrounded by talent on offense and a capable defense. However, the Chargers continue to get in their own way, and until proven otherwise, I cannot rank them any higher than they are here. They will finish second in the AFC West behind the Chiefs and ahead of the Broncos and have the potential to win a few playoff games, but they could also flame out in the first round or miss the postseason entirely.

Tier 4: Potential Wild Cards- Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, Washington Commanders

This next tier has teams with the talent to challenge for a Wild Card spot but have too many questions for me to project them in the playoff field. The Broncos are coming off a miserable season. New head coach Sean Payton looks to revitalize Russell Wilson in his second season with the Broncos. Wilson is coming off the worst season of his career, but he seeks to get back on track with a better scheme and a great supporting cast. My question is how much Russell Wilson, and the Broncos will be able to raise their level from the 5-12 team they were last season. Although I think they will make improvements, finishing ahead of teams like the Chargers and Chiefs still seems a little bit out of reach for Denver, and I see them falling a little bit short in a crowded AFC playoff picture.

Another team in a comparable situation to the Broncos is the Cleveland Browns. After being suspended for the first eleven games last season, quarterback Deshaun Watson was not the same player upon his return. He had the lowest passer rating of his career. The Browns feature star running back Nick Chubb and add receivers Elijah Moore and Amari Cooper for Watson to throw to, in addition to tight end David Njoku. On defense, Myles Garrett remains one of the top defensive ends in the game. The Browns are in a tough division, and finishing ahead of teams like the Bengals and Ravens will be a tall task, they may be able to sneak into a Wild Card spot if everything breaks right for them.

Photo Cred: Bleacher Report

The rough equivalent in the NFC to these two teams would be the Washington Commanders. Although this team is behind the three other teams in the NFC East, the Commanders could be a feisty team all season that could sneak into the playoffs as a lower NFC Wild Card. Washington is starting a new quarterback again this season, with Sam Howell set to be under center. The Commanders have a solid receiving core, good options at running back, and a talented defensive line led by Chase Young and Montez Sweat. First-round draft pick Emmanuel Forbes highlights the young secondary.

Competing in the tough NFC East will not be easy for last year’s last-place team. The Commanders finished 8-8-1 and tied the Giants in one game while taking a game from the Super Bowl-bound Eagles and the Cowboys. I wouldn’t count Washington out, as they were a few plays away from making the playoffs last year. It will depend heavily on the performance of Sam Howell and how the team performs in divisional games this season.

Photo Cred: WDBJ

Tier 5: NFC South Contenders- Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints

This next tier features three teams from the NFC South that would not be able to compete in any other division, in this division, one of these teams will make the playoffs, with a sub-.500 record. The Carolina Panthers is expected to start first-overall pick Bryce Young right off the bat, with veteran signal-caller Andy Dalton scheduled to back him up. The Panthers signed Miles Sanders from the Eagles in free agency to be the lead running back, and they also signed receivers Adam Thielen and D.J. Chark Jr. to lead the team’s pass-catching group. Another young team in the division is the Atlanta Falcons.

After starting Marcus Mariota for most of last season, Desmond Ridder will be the starting quarterback for Atlanta going forward. Falcons newcomer running back Bijan Robinson will be starting in the backfield. On defense, veteran Grady Jarrett is joined by new additions Jeff Okudah and Jessie Bates III in the secondary, as well as Calais Campbell on the d-line. Often the class of this division, the Saints bring in Derek Carr from the Raiders to take over at quarterback.

The Saints retain top-flight running back Alvin Kamara, and Michael Thomas looks to pair with rookie sensation Chris Olave. On defense, Cameron Jordan is the star of the defensive line, with Tyrann Mathieu and Marshon Lattimore anchoring the secondary. Any of these three teams are good enough to win the NFC South, however, I do not see any of these teams advancing any further in the postseason, as they will run into a vastly more talented NFC Wild Card team.

Tier 6: In the Hunt- Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers

This tier features teams who will fall short of making the playoffs. They will remain in the mix throughout the season and will still be competitive, avoiding a high draft pick. To start with the Titans, they have a few options at quarterback, with Ryan Tannehill competing with much younger recent draft picks in Malik Willis and Will Levis for the starting job. Generational talent running back Derrick Henry pairs nicely with newly added receiver DeAndre Hopkins, however, the Titans’ defense looks suspect, and outside of the stars, their offense looks mediocre as well. The Jaguars have overtaken Tennessee after years of the Titans running the AFC South, and the Titans look to be an average team at best this season.

Another team in this category is the Steelers. Kenny Pickett continues to improve at quarterback and with Najee Harris, George Pickens, and Pat Friermuth on the offense, the Steelers look capable of surprising teams. Pittsburgh’s defense features T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Alex Highsmith, as well as veteran corners Minkah Fitzpatrick and Patrick Peterson in the secondary. Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season coaching the Steelers, and if that continues to be the case, the Steelers will hang around the AFC playoff picture.

Photo Cred: Silver and Black

The rest of the AFC North proves to make things difficult for the Steelers and I have them falling short of a playoff berth. The Raiders are another team welcoming in a new quarterback, with Jimmy Garoppolo set to take over for the departed Derek Carr. Josh Jacobs is currently holding out, unsatisfied with his franchise tag, while star receiver Davante Adams remains for the Silver and Black. On defense, star edge rusher Maxx Crosby pairs nicely with Chandler Jones, while Marcus Peters was an excellent addition at cornerback, however, the Raiders may struggle to keep up in a loaded AFC West, and their roster has too many holes for them to truly contend for a playoff spot.

Over in New England, the once-dynastic Patriots have fallen to a projected last-place finish in the AFC East and will struggle to stay in the mix for a playoff spot at all. Quarterback Mac Jones must continue to show improvement while adding JuJu Smith-Schuster gives the Pats a downfield weapon. Rhamondre Stevenson is a solid running back, and the defense is one of the league’s best with a particularly talented secondary. Bill Belichick will always coach the team well, which will help leave them in games against more talented opponents. However, the Patriots feel like the odd team out in the AFC East. With the Bills, Dolphins, and new-look Jets, the Patriots will be on the outside looking in come January.

Another historically talented team currently in this situation is the Packers. Without Aaron Rodgers, the Packers will struggle even more this season. Especially more so considering the wide receiver room has little experience. Aaron Jones should help pick up the slack at running back, and Jordan Love has shown promise under center for Green Bay last season. The defense features young stars such as Rashan Gary and Jaire Alexander, but not enough talented pieces to make up for a lackluster offense. The Packers no longer run the NFC North, and this season without Aaron Rodgers will see them struggle to cling to the outer edges of the playoff picture. While these five teams will highly likely miss the playoffs, they will at least remain competitive this season. The teams in the next categories will have trouble even doing that much.

Photo Cred: The Boston Globe

Tier 7: Intriguing Rebuilds- Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams

The next tier of teams is all rebuilding but have enough pieces where they will be better than the teams fighting for the #1 pick. This includes a couple of teams who recently won a Super Bowl and another who has been mediocre for quite some time recently. Starting with the Bears, franchise quarterback Justin Fields enters his third season in the NFL, and Chicago has some talent surrounding him, including running back Khalil Herbert, tight end Cole Kmet, and wide receivers DJ Moore, Chase Claypool, and Darnell Mooney.

On defense, the Bears signed Yannick Ngakoue as their lead edge rusher. But the team is still too young and inexperienced to compete in a tough division in the NFC North. With not much going for them, the Bears may surprise and win more games than people would expect, but not enough to challenge for a playoff spot. Another team in a comparable situation is the Buccaneers. With Tom Brady, the Bucs barely edged out of a miserable NFC South division with an 8-9 record. They followed this by getting blasted by the Cowboys in Wild Card Weekend. With the retirement of Brady, the Bucs turn to a quarterback competition featuring Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask. They are two options who are not exactly inspiring.

The team does have talented players including receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, as well as a defense featuring Vita Vea and Shaquil Barrett. However, they are missing pieces from the Super Bowl run and are expected to lag behind the rest of the division. Similarly, the Rams are a few years removed from their own Super Bowl run, and they too are missing a lot of pieces that got them there. Coming off a Super Bowl hangover season that saw them go just 5-12, the Rams aren’t expected to be too much better this year.

Photo Cred: Bucs Nation

Matt Stafford should have Cooper Kupp as his star receiver, along with Van Jefferson and Ben Skowronek, and Aaron Donald continues to be among the league’s best defensive linemen. However, losing players such as Jalen Ramsey, Sony Michel, and Odell Beckham Jr. hurts their chances of improvement. With the Seahawks and 49ers projected to be much better, the Rams are expected to finish third in their division and well out of a playoff spot.

Tier 8: The Future is Bright- Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals

In the lowest tier, these NFL teams are playing more for the future than the present. Although two of these teams have young rookie quarterbacks, all three teams are undergoing a rebuild and should be the favorites for the top few picks in the draft. The Houston Texans are expected to start first-round pick C.J. Stroud right out of the gate, and they also drafted the best defensive player in the class in Will Anderson. Both players should make an immediate impact. Dameon Pierce performed well as the lead back last season, and Houston adds tight end Dalton Schultz from the in-state rival Cowboys.

Unfortunately, there are question marks about everywhere else. The Texans will not be able to turn things around so quickly. They will win a few more games this season, but it will take a few years before anything really gets going. Their division rival Colts might be in an even worse position. They also drafted a young quarterback in Anthony Richardson to compete with new addition Gardner Minshew. But with star running back Jonathan Taylor asking for a trade, and lack of skill players make the Colts likely to be one of the worst teams in the NFL regardless of who starts at quarterback.

Finally, the Arizona Cardinals may be in the most precarious position in the entire NFL. With star quarterback Kyler Murray out with an injury to start the season, the Cardinals turn to career backup Colt McCoy, and the team’s best weapons are running back James Conner and wide receiver Marquise Brown. Tight end Zach Ertz is out to start the season as well, and the inexperienced offensive line does little to help.

On defense, the lone bright spot is free safety Budda Baker. The inexperience on the defensive front will make things difficult for the Cardinals, in addition to a new head coach in Jonathan Gannon, who many Eagles fans disapproved of and wanted out of the door as Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator last season. Luckily for the Cardinals, they are projected to get the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. They can draft another generational quarterback in USC’s Caleb Williams. This season, the team has not shown much to inspire fans.

Photo Cred: Fox Sports

So, there you have it. All 32 NFL teams have been placed into a tier. From Super Bowl favorites to teams playing for future years and everywhere in between. Hope you enjoyed the article and good luck to your favorite NFL team this season!

NFL Position Group Rankings: Quarterbacks

By

Troy Finnegan

-

August 6, 2023

0

Regular-season football is one month away from the 2023-24 NFL season, and the excitement is building as the preseason is almost underway. Over the next few weeks, I’ll dive into each position group, from the quarterbacks to the kickers, and rank them before the season kicks off in Kansas City on Sept. 7.

First, we look at the most critical position on the field: the quarterback.

Kansas City Chiefs

If there was any doubt about Patrick Mahomes as the best quarterback in the league coming into 2022, it’s gone now. The signal-caller picked up a second MVP and a second Super Bowl MVP, capping it off with a virtuoso performance against the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.

Mahomes combines an unmatched ability to create plays off-script with a rock-solid game from the pocket. His arm talent pops off the screen every week, and he has excellent accuracy and field awareness to go with it. Entering just his sixth season as the full-time starter, Mahomes is only getting better and is at the mountaintop entering 2023.

Phot Cred: Fox News

2. Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow lacks some physical traits other elite quarterbacks have, but his resume speaks for itself. The 2019 Heisman Trophy winner has already taken the Bengals to the Super Bowl, and his swagger galvanizes a Bengals squad that plays with immense confidence.

He may not make the eye-popping highlight plays that someone like Mahomes does, but his elite ball placement, pocket presence, and pre-snap acumen make him a surefire top-tier quarterback. Burrow is a gamer, and there aren’t many I trust more to get the job done in big moments. If his calf injury suffered in training camp doesn’t bleed into the regular season (head coach Zac Taylor said Burrow would be out for several weeks), Burrow should be ready to compete in the AFC again.

Photo Cred: PFF

3. Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert is one of the most polarizing quarterbacks in the league, and that comes from the contrast in his traits and his team results. The Chargers have yet to win a playoff game with Herbert at the helm and are coming off one of the most embarrassing postseason losses in league history.

However, the 2020-21 Rookie of the Year is still more than deserving of this ranking. Herbert has set records for completions, passing yards, total touchdowns, and 300-yard games in his first three seasons, and has eclipsed the 4,000-yard mark in each of them. His rocket arm and pinpoint accuracy into tight windows, even deep down the field, allow him to create explosive plays out of thin air. With the new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore in 2023, expect Herbert to open it up even more and take this Chargers offense to new heights.

4. Buffalo Bills

2022-23 ended sourly for Josh Allen and the Bills when Cincinnati dominated them on their home field in the Divisional Round, but Allen remains one of the NFL’s brightest young stars. Possessing the strongest arm in the sport, Buffalo will always be able to move the ball in chunks through the air with the former Wyoming star at the helm.

Allen’s dual-threat ability has been apart of the Bills’ offense over the past few seasons. Last year, he became the first quarterback in NFL history to record 100 passing touchdowns and 30 rushing touchdowns in his first four seasons, and leads Buffalo in rushing touchdowns over that time frame. His massive 6’5” frame makes him a nightmare in the red zone, and the Bills should put up huge numbers on offense with Allen at the helm again this year.

5. Baltimore Ravens

The only question I have about Lamar Jackson’s game coming into 2023 is his health. If Jackson is on the field, he’s answered every other question about his skill set. We know he’s arguably the most explosive runner at the quarterback position of all time, but Jackson’s development as a passer over the last few years has flown under the radar just a bit. With new offensive coordinator Todd Monken in the fold, Jackson has the potential to get back to his MVP heights.

Photo Cred: SI

6. New York Jets

It’s been a long time since the Jets have slotted in this high on a quarterback ranking, but that’s what a blockbuster trade for Aaron Rodgers will do for you. Rodgers took a slight step back from his MVP form last season but is stepping into a much better situation in New York with a young star out wide in Garrett Wilson and a defense that should be exceptionally good once again. Rodgers is still one of the best in the game, and his savvy veteran experience should do wonders for a young Jets team who are hungry to make noise in the AFC East.

7. Philadelphia Eagles

Before 2022, the big question surrounding the Eagles was whether Jalen Hurts could be a franchise quarterback. Just one year and a Super Bowl appearance later, it’s where Hurts ranks among the top 10 quarterbacks in the league. The dual-threat star had an incredible season in 2022-23 through the air and on the ground, showing massive strides as a passer while providing consistent production. If he can repeat that without offensive coordinator Shane Steichen this season, he will firmly cement himself as an elite quarterback for years.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars

After a tumultuous rookie season, Trevor Lawrence settled in 2022-23 and showed flashes of the generational talent he showed coming out of Clemson. His incredible poise and pocket presence allowed him that extra half-second to find an open receiver down the field, allowing him to use his big arm to fit the ball into tight windows. A second year in Doug Pederson’s system and the addition of star wideout Calvin Ridley should mean another leap for Lawrence in 2023.

9. Dallas Cowboys

Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports

Say what you want about Dak Prescott, but he has consistently been a solid option for America’s Team behind center since he entered the league in 2016. He desperately needs to cut down on the turnovers (league-leading 15 interceptions in 2022-23), and his Divisional Round performance in San Francisco was ugly, but other teams would love to have Prescott as their quarterback heading into 2023.

10. Minnesota Vikings

Kirk Cousins is seen as an average quarterback over the past few seasons, but his consistency earns him and the Vikings the final spot in the top 10. Numbers-wise, Cousins has been as rock-solid as they come, eclipsing the 4,000-yard mark in seven of the last eight years. He showed a good rapport with new coach Kevin O’Connell in 2022, and his connection with Justin Jefferson is still elite, so Cousins should be in for another good year in 2023.

11. Los Angeles Rams

Matthew Stafford is aging and injured in a disastrous 2022 season, but I’m not writing the 2021 Super Bowl champion off yet. Assuming his elbow is healthy after an offseason off, Stafford still has one of the best arms in the sport and should still be able to light it up with Sean McVay in charge and Cooper Kupp running routes.

12. Miami Dolphins

We know Tua Tagovailoa is limited physically as a passer, but he makes up for the lack of arm strength with elite anticipation and great accuracy. This allowed him to pair seamlessly with speedsters Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in head coach Mike McDaniel’s offense in 2022, and the Dolphins possessed one of the most explosive passing attacks in the league when Tua was out there. Should Tagovailoa miss time again in 2023, Mike White was solid in relief for the Jets last year and is one of the better backups in the game.

13. New Orleans Saints

Photo Cred: USA Today

The Saints’ trade for Derek Carr is an upgrade over Andy Dalton, but it has the potential to be a better version of the same thing. Carr is a smart veteran quarterback but tends to be very conservative. Nevertheless, Carr has reached 3,500 yards in seven of his nine seasons, and having Jameis Winston as a backup if needed gives New Orleans a solid quarterback room.

14. Detroit Lions

2022 was Jared Goff’s best season since taking the Rams to the Super Bowl in 2018, as he led a surprisingly explosive and efficient Lions offense to the brink of a playoff appearance. Detroit had the chance to draft a new, young signal caller in April but opted to go with the veteran from Cal for at least another year. Why not run back what was a top-five offense in 2022? Goff can get the young Lions into the playoffs in 2023.

15. Seattle Seahawks

Geno Smith was somewhat of a revelation in 2022, putting together a strong season after being a career backup up to that point. Smith led the NFL in competition percentage without relying solely on check-downs, routinely taking calculated risks, and pushing the ball downfield to DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. If Smith can repeat that in 2023, the Seahawks could make a return to the playoffs.

16. Cleveland Browns

This was the hardest ranking to place. Deshaun Watson was well on his way to being one of the league’s premier passers after over a year off due to a contract holdout in Houston and more than 20 different alleged instances of sexual assault, Watson was downright awful when he returned from suspension in 2022. So which Watson will show up in 2023? The elite, explosive improviser who ascended to star status in Houston or the inaccurate, erratic Watson who finished 2022?

17. Denver Broncos

Photo Cred: WJTV

Russell Wilson is another tough evaluation coming into this season. The former Seahawk has been one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks over the past decade, but 2022 was an all-around dumpster fire in Mile High City. Nathaniel Hackett is out, Sean Payton is in, and Wilson is poised for a bounce-back year.

18. New York Giants

Daniel Jones is coming into 2023 with a playoff victory and a new contract, but can he take another leap to become a true franchise quarterback? He has shown excellent flashes, such as his excellent performance in Minnesota in the 2022 Wild Card Round but has still been too inconsistent and unable to make post-snap adjustments to be higher up on this list.

19. Tennessee Titans

Though there has been no official announcement, Ryan Tannehill is the Titans’ week one starter again in 2023. 2022 third-round pick Malik Willis showed nothing to indicate that he was ready to start as a rookie, and 2023 second-round pick Will Levis is unlikely to unseat Tannehill before the regular season begins. Until it’s time for the young guns to get their chance, Tannehill is a solid veteran quarterback who can help Mike Vrabel’s squad compete for an AFC South crown.

20. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinal’s only slot in this low because Kyler Murray is out for the near future with a torn ACL, which he suffered late last season. Colt McCoy is one of the better backups in the league, but Arizona can’t expect to compete with him as the starter coming into the season. When healthy, Murray is one of the most dynamic young quarterbacks in the league, and here’s hoping we can see him back by midseason.

21. Carolina Panthers

Photo Cred: USA Today

No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young is the presumed starter under new head coach Frank Reich, and the Panthers have much to be excited about in the Alabama product. The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner was accurate during his time in Tuscaloosa and consistently make plays outside the pocket. Much has been made of his size, but Young avoids big hits with his pocket awareness, mobility, and feel for where defenders are always. This Carolina roster has a long way to go, but putting Young behind center is a suitable place to start. If Reich isn’t ready to go with Young right from the jump, they have longtime vet Andy Dalton who can step in.

22. Chicago Bears

It’s safe to say that 2023 is a big year for Justin Fields. The 2021 first-round pick is incredibly explosive as a runner and consistently broke off big gains as a scrambler last season but has a long way to go as a passer before he can be declared the future of the Bears franchise. It’s not a talent issue, as Fields has a huge arm and is one of the best athletes at the position, but the decision-making and consistency need to improve in 2023.

23. Las Vegas Raiders

Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t winning any MVPs anytime soon, and it’s still unclear why Las Vegas willingly downgraded from Derek Carr after 2022-23. Garoppolo has been consistently average throughout his career, but if he can limit his turnovers, and lean on Davante Adams, and Josh Jacobs, the Raiders’ offense can have a solid season.

24. Houston Texans

No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud will battle it out with 2022 starter Davis Mills for the week one starting job in Houston, but even if Mills prevails, it is hard to imagine Stroud will be on the bench for long. The Ohio State product is a very polished pocket passer who showed flashes of creativity in the Buckeyes’ CFP semifinal loss to Georgia. Stroud’s pinpoint accuracy should make him a solid quarterback from day one, and the Texans are hoping for the rest of his game catches up to make him an elite quarterback in the future.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers

Photo Cred: NFL.com

Kenny Pickett came on strong at the end of 2022-23 as the Steelers made a playoff push and will be looking to build on that coming into his second season in Steel City. Pickett has no elite traits but can create plays off-schedule and is accurate enough to be a solid NFL starter. The Steelers also still have Mitchell Trubisky as a backup, who has flaws but has experience as an NFL starter.

26. New England Patriots

This is too harsh of an assessment of Mac Jones, but I’m not sure how much higher his ceiling is. His situation was admittedly bad last year with Joe Judge and Matt Patricia running the offense and a porous receiving core on the outside. Jones doesn’t have the physical abilities to become an elite quarterback. If he cuts the reckless decisions out of his game, he has the smarts and the accuracy to be a solid starter but trending in the wrong direction after a solid rookie year in 2021.

27. San Francisco 49ers

Nobody knows what the 49ers quarterback situation will look like in 2023. Brock Purdy is back from offseason UCL surgery and will begin the season as the starter. Last year, Purdy was very steady, keeping the Niners’ floor high and allowing the defense and the running game to help contend in the NFC. Will Kyle Shanahan turn to the higher ceiling of Trey Lance at any point? Or will he make Sam Darnold his latest reclamation project? Regardless, the Niners’ Super Bowl window is closing, and they will need to get good quarterback play in 2023 to capitalize on it.

28. Green Bay Packers

Photo Cred: USA Today

This low ranking isn’t about Jordan Love’s talent, but more that he hasn’t had a chance to show it. In limited exposure last season, Love showed encouraging signs, flashing the arm talent that earned him a first-round selection in 2020. If Love can turn that into a consistent season in 2023, he and the Packers will skyrocket up this list.

29. Indianapolis Colts

No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson is battling it out with Gardner Minshew and Sam Ehlinger for the starting job in camp, but it would be a shock if the Florida product isn’t the starter in due time. Richardson has been one of the best athletes to come into the league in a long time but is still extremely raw as a passer. However, if he can consistently make good decisions and increase accuracy, he has the arm to be a great passer and is already a nightmare to manage in the run game.

30. Washington Commanders

The Commanders enter the preseason with Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett battling for the starting job in the nation’s capital. Brissett is a solid veteran who has been around and played good football for the Browns last season before Watson returned, but Howell will get a shot at some point this year. The 2022 fifth-round pick has a big arm and is a good athlete, and the Commanders will want to see what they have in him.

31. Atlanta Falcons

Desmond Ridder enters 2023 as the Falcons’ full-time starter after spending most of 2022 behind Marcus Mariota. Ridder is a good athlete who is comfortable throwing from the pocket but can be a little wild and should use his athleticism more than he likes to. 2023 is a big year for Ridder, as there was rumbling about Atlanta taking a quarterback last spring, and they may not pass on the chance twice.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Photo Cred: NBC SPorts

Amazingly, the Bucs have no plan for life after Tom Brady, as they enter the season with Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask as their top two options behind center, and in 2023, that’s simply not going to cut it. Mayfield is a journeyman at this point, and Trask hasn’t played outside of garbage time since being picked in the second round in 2021.

Analyzing Offseason Moves of NFL Contenders: Philadelphia Eagles Part 2

By

Andrew Bruner

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August 4, 2023

0

It’s time to finish up this list of offseason moves of NFL contenders. Last week, we went through the Eagles’ defense in part 1, so now let’s wrap up the offensive moves in part 2. There is an important update to add from last week’s piece. The Eagles recently added LBs Zach Cunningham and Myles Jack to similar one-year, $2.5M deals. This is comparable to how the Eagles got DTs Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph as rotational d-linemen last year. Hopefully, this added linebacker depth will help improve the team overall. Now, let’s jump into the offensive side of things!

Quarterback

Photo Cred: PFF

After Jalen Hurts’ breakout year, a long-term extension for the young quarterback seemed inevitable. Hurts signed a massive five-year, $255 million deal, making him the third highest-paid QB in the league, only behind Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson. Joe Burrow’s looming extension looks to drop him further. While it’s a lot of money, Hurts showed upside last season as capable of being a consistent top 5-10 QB in the league. The amount he signed for is the reality of the value of guys who can play at that level. The biggest worry with Hurts’ extension is how he looks when he doesn’t have the 2022 Eagles roster surrounding him. That’s an answer we will really get to see once his extension kicks in and some guys are lost. Hurts’ play last year guaranteed he would get paid by somebody, and the sooner the Eagles paid him, the better.

Running Back

Photo Cred: Section 215

The Eagles running back room was the offensive position that saw the most turnover this off-season. Out is RB Miles Sanders, who led the team with close to 1,300 rushing yards in 2022. Sanders heads off to the Carolina Panthers, signing a four-year, $25 million deal. Like Hurts’ production, Sanders had the best year of his career last season behind the Eagle’s offensive line and supporting cast.

Letting Sanders walk was always a given. The team has spent little money on the position since trading star RB LeSean McCoy to the Bills in 2015. The team will rely exclusively on a committee of RBs to manage the job next year, including returning RBs Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott. On draft night, the Eagles traded a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Detroit Lions in exchange for RB D’Andre Swift to contend with their in-house guys. RB Rashaad Penny of the Seattle Seahawks comes through free agency and will project as a possible starter heading into next year.

Pass Catchers

Photo Cred: Fox Sports

In a stacked room with minimal turnover, the Eagle’s top four options in the passing game will remain the same in 2023. WR A.J. Brown, WR Devonta Smith, TE Dallas Goedert, and WR Quez Watkins project as an elite group of weapons again next season. The team’s only moves here were to add depth at both positions, most notably signing WR Olamide Zaccheaus from the Atlanta Falcons as WR4 and TE Dan Arnold from the Jacksonville Jaguars as TE2. Both players are low-upside signings that can step in and play reliably if one of the team’s top three options goes down.

Offensive Line

Photo Cred: USA Today

The core of the Eagle’s O-line returns, setting the stage for another dominant effort along the trenches in 2023. G Isaac Seumalo is the main departure along this front, signing a three-year, $24 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Seumalo is an exceptionally good get for the Steelers but is not irreplaceable. The team’s third-round pick, OT Tyler Steen, projects to move inside to guard. He’ll take Seumalo’s spot next to RT Lane Johnson. How he plays as a rookie in 2023 remains to be seen.

Last year’s second-round pick, C Cam Jurgens, could also fill that role. Jurgens is the long-term replacement for star C Jason Kelce, but Kelce will return next year after signing a one-year extension worth $14 million. Former first-rounder Andre Dillard, who was supposed to be the team’s LT of the future, also left to sign with the Tennessee Titans for three years, $29 million. The Eagles also brought back 2012 fifth-round pick, tackle Dennis Kelly. Kelly has received generally good Pro Football Focus player grades since he left Philadelphia, with an average of 65.2 in the regular season and 68.4 in the preseason. He even topped off with a 10 in approximate value in 2020 and a 75.4 PFF grade in 2018.

Outlook

Photo Credit: USA Today

Provided that new in-house offensive coordinator Brian Johnson lives up to his potential, the Eagles project to have an electric offense in 2023 once again. The weak NFC Conference is again wide open, where only the 49ers stand in the team’s way. Expect a lot of wins in 2023 and a lot of hope for the future. The success of the Eagles upcoming season will depend on whether QB Jalen Hurts can replicate his play in 2022. The Eagles roster is loaded and ready to compete again.

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15. Dallas Cowboys

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

17. Buffalo Bills

18. New Orleans Saints

19. Chicago Bears

20. Los Angeles Rams

21. Atlanta Falcons

22. Denver Broncos

23. Cleveland Browns

24. Detroit Lions

25. Green Bay Packers

26. Tennessee Titans

27. New York Giants

28. Arizona Cardinals

29. Indianapolis Colts

30. Houston Texans

31. Carolina Panthers

32. New England Patriots

Indianapolis Colts

Houston Texans

Seattle Seahawks

Pittsburgh Steelers

New York Giants

1. Georgia

2. Ohio State

3. Michigan

4. Alabama

5. USC

6. LSU

7. Penn State

8. Utah

9. Tennessee

10. FSU

11. Clemson

12. Washington

13. Texas

14. Oregon

15. Notre Dame

16. Oklahoma

1. San Francisco 49ers

2. Green Bay Packers

3. Tennessee Titans

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