The NFL season is nearly upon us and it’s time to take stock. In this
piece we rank the preseason potential of each roster from worst to best.
NFL teams are gradually hitting the practice field for
training camp. That means it’s time to really dig in to what each team has. A
few transactions here and there may change the edge of some rosters, but the
vast majority of teams already have their corps intact. That means it’s time to
make some preseason judgments about who has the goods to make it to a Super
Bowl and which teams should be evaluating the top prospect in next year’s
draft.
This piece will take you through each team in the NFL. Our
only grading criteria here is what the team will look like this season. It’s
not an attempt to judge each team five years down the line. Tom Brady, even in
his 40s, is more valuable than Baker Mayfield in 2018.
Also remember that positions matter. Having a solid
quarterback in place matters more than making sure you have an All-Pro punter.
If your favorite franchise isn’t set under center, expect to find them at the
bottom of this list. We start off with a team who’s been in the news for all
the wrong reasons this offseason.
32. TAMPA BAY
BUCCANEERS
Yes, the three-game suspension of Jameis Winston has a lot
to do with this ranking. He isn’t the worst starting quarterback in the NFL,
but he isn’t in the top tier. The fact that he also brings a media circus along
with him helps the Bucs find themselves on the bottom of this list.
The offense isn’t going to be helped much by its offensive
line either. Demar Dotson is a good player at right tackle, but no one else on
the roster projects to even be league average at their position. That places
too much pressure on Winston, a quarterback who struggles to read coverages, to
make decisions under pressure.
Tampa Bay’s front office will hope their defense can prop
the offense up, but the acquisitions of Jason Pierre-Paul and Vinny Curry
aren’t enough to fix the team’s issues rushing the passer. Gerald McCoy is a
monster, but he simply doesn’t have enough help. Look for the Buccaneers to
flounder this season and head into next summer searching for a real direction.
They won’t finish with the league’s worst record, but they may be the furthest
team away from being a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
31. CLEVELAND
BROWNS
The Browns still have a lot of holes to fill, but they
deserve credit for adding some quality professionals to their roster via free
agency. Players like Tyrod Taylor and Jarvis Landry aren’t going to power
Cleveland to the playoffs, but they can make this team a lot more respectable
in 2018.
The real question for the Browns is when their high draft
picks from the last few seasons are really going to hit their stride. Don’t
expect to see much of this year’s No. 1 overall selection Baker Mayfield until
the team has given up on their playoff hopes. Recent high selections like Myles
Garrett, Denzel Ward and Corey Coleman all have nice upside.
Unfortunately for the Browns faithful, there are still too
many positions on the field where there simply isn’t enough talent. The
retirement of Joe Thomas at left tackle is particularly concerning. There are
serious doubts over whether or not Shon Coleman can hold up as anything close
to an average pass protector on the blind side. That’s part of the reason the
Browns will play Taylor early in the season. They don’t want to put their
future franchise quarterback in harm’s way.
The linebacking group also projects to be well below
average. That isn’t the most glamorous position in the NFL these days, but the
trio of Mychal Kendricks, Christian Kirksey and Jamie Collins might be the
weakest group in the league. Not only are they short on playmakers, they’re
short on guys who can make simple reads/tackles on the defense’s second level.
Add it all up and the Browns are still several years away from being postseason
contenders.
30. INDIANAPOLIS
COLTS
Obviously the outlook for the Colts changes significantly if
Andrew Luck is healthy. There’s no logical reason to expect that to happen in
2018 though. As such, Indianapolis finds themselves near the bottom of this
list.
Even if Luck is healthy, there isn’t a ton to like about his
offensive teammates. Adding Quenton Nelson in the draft will really help the
offensive line, but it’s still a weak group overall. The skill players may be
even worse. When Eric Ebron is the guy you’re touting to be your go-to receiver
in training camp, it’s a clear indication you don’t have league average
offensive talent.
The defense has a couple of interesting pieces, but like the
offense, lacks the talent across the board to be even an average unit. The best
of the bunch is Jabaal Sheard at defensive end. You’d like to see him get to
the quarterback a bit more often, but he’s stout against the run as well.
The projected starters in the back seven are troubling, to
say the least. Malik Hooker may develop into an above-average starter, but he’s
the only guy you should bet on being a part of the Colts roster long-term.
He’ll have to play great this season to mask the team’s lack of talent at
cornerback.
Colts fans are right to place their hope in Luck this
season. An MVP-caliber year from the injury-prone signal caller is their only
hope of being a competitive team in 2018.
29. NEW YORK
GIANTS
The Giants may not have behaved like a rebuilding team
during the draft, but that doesn’t change the reality of their roster. Things
are still likely to get worse before they get better in the Big Apple.
The addition of Saquon Barkley will absolutely boost the
Giants’ run game, but it’s an open question as to whether or not Eli Manning
should still be their starting quarterback. At best, he’s on his last legs. At
worst, he should’ve retired before the 2017 season began. Fans will hope Odell
Beckham Jr. can come back at full strength and make Manning look good.
The additions of Nate Solder via free agency and Will
Hernandez via the draft should do a lot to stabilize the line. Unfortunately,
they’re the only two players who project to be league average starters. Ereck
Flowers has some natural talent, but he’s been awful doing his pro career.
Counting on him to start at right tackle is a significant gamble.
The defensive depth chart is even less inspiring. The
secondary has the potential to be decent if you believe Janoris Jenkins can
stay focused and Eli Apple can bounce back from a horrible sophomore season.
Landon Collins projects as a solid starter at safety as well.
The challenge is they’ll be forced to cover receivers for
long periods of time. The Giants just don’t have enough pass rushers to really
compete. Olivier Vernon may be able to replace Jason Pierre-Paul’s production,
but he’s the only legitimate hope. If he falls short of expectations, this
defense may be picked apart no matter how good the corners play.
The Giants are going to pay for failing to hit the reset
button this offseason. This year may not be the year they bottom out, but this
team has a very low ceiling.
28. NEW YORK JETS
The Jets get a slight edge over the Giants for having a
clear understanding of where they are as a franchise. They aren’t trying to
hang on to relevancy with an aging quarterback. Instead, they look poised to
hand the reins to Sam Darnold at some point this season.
Things will be ugly when they do, but it’ll be a step in the
right direction for the team’s long-term health. The offense doesn’t have the
surrounding talent to really be good this year no matter who plays under
center. They’d like to lean on Bilal Powell and Isaiah Crowell to run opponents
into the ground, but the offensive line isn’t good enough to employ that
strategy. The group is particularly weak inside with Brian Winters, Spencer
Long and James Carpenter. Expect the interior of the offensive line to be
addressed next offseason.
Defensively the Jets have the potential to be pretty frisky.
Their front seven, in particular, has the ability to rush the passer and stand
up against the run. The addition of Trumaine Johnson might have been an
overpay, but he’ll help solidify the secondary. This unit should be decent
until they’re put under too much pressure by their own offense.
The Jets’ entire goal this season should be to get Darnold
ready to be their starting quarterback in 2019. If they can walk into next
season with the confidence he can be their franchise signal caller of the
future, this year’s been a rousing success no matter what the record says.
27. MIAMI DOLPHINS
The key to the Dolphins season is probably going to be their
offensive line play. If this group meshes well and plays to their potential,
they should be able to keep Ryan Tannehill upright and productive. If they
don’t, this group is going to struggle to score points.
The biggest need the team has is for Laremy Tunsil to play
like a first round pick. If he can become a league average starter it will
really elevate the rest of the group. Josh Sitton and Ju’Wuan James both have
Pro Bowl potential. They just need three average guys to play beside them every
week.
If the offense can hold up its end of the bargain, the
defense could play average football as well. Cameron Wake is one of the best
pass rushers in the NFL. It would be nice if Miami could find one other
standout to play with him in the front seven, but perhaps Raekwon McMillan can
become that guy at linebacker.
The drafting of Minkah Fitzpatrick should really help this
secondary become competent. The Dolphins are still weak at corner, but his
ability to patrol the middle of the field should take the pressure off guys
like Cordrea Tankersley and Xavien Howard. It might take Fitzpatrick a few
weeks to get up to speed, but expect him to be a solid contributor by season’s
end.
If everything breaks right for the Dolphins they could stay
in playoff contention for most of the season. There are too many “ifs” on this
roster though. They need another good draft (or two) to really become a
dangerous postseason threat.
26. OAKLAND
RAIDERS
Jon Gruden has made his triumphant return to the NFL and
that has Raiders fans dreaming of a Super Bowl run in 2018. It’s not going to
happen. This roster has some big time pieces, but lacks the depth to be a
legitimate playoff threat.
There’s been a lot of talk about how Gruden might change the
Raiders’ offense, but his defensive unit is much further along. Khalil Mack is
one of the best defensive players in the game. His ability to rush the passer
from multiple positions is a huge boon to Gruden’s defensive game plans. Having
Bruce Irvin on the same defense is almost unfair.
Oakland also possesses an above-average secondary. The group
could become really good if Gareon Conley is as good as advertised. He’s
generated a lot of buzz in the preseason.
On offense, Gruden needs to work his magic on Derek Carr and
Amari Cooper. They have to be really good if this group is going to move the
ball consistently. Yes, Marshawn Lynch will get plenty of carries and Gruden
will extol the virtues of Jordy Nelson’s veteran leadership, but that’s all
fluff. The young guys have to get it done to make the Raiders relevant.
The Raiders have the bones of a good team, but they’re not
there yet. They need to fill in more young, quality players around their stars
to really make a push. It’s a year too early for Gruden to really work his
magic.
25. CHICAGO BEARS
If you’re inclined to believe Mitchell Trubisky is a
franchise quarterback you could easily rocket the Bears up this list. It’s too
early to reach that conclusion though. This is the year where Trubisky will
either make-or-break his NFL career.
In fairness to the Chicago front office, they’re doing
everything they can to help him succeed. The acquisitions of Trey Burton, Allen
Robinson and Anthony Miller give him an above-average group of pass catchers to
work with. If Trubisky has any meaningful talent, he’ll be able to put up
numbers with these weapons at his disposal. Jordan Howard is also a terrific
running back for him to lean on.
The defense is set up to be an above average unit. Akiem
Hicks will anchor a defensive front that does a decent job of occupying
defenders. The real key will be whether or not Roquan Smith can play a
meaningful role as a rookie. If he can become a playmaker at linebacker, the
front seven could go from good to great. That’s a big ask, but it’s possible.
The secondary has some big names, but their play may be
trending in the wrong direction. Kyle Fuller got paid this summer, but may not
live up to his contract. Prince Amukamara is also heading towards the twilight
of his career. Don’t be surprised if this group gives up more yards than you
might expect.
It’s the year of Trubisky in the Windy City. Time will tell
whether or not that’s a good thing for the Bears.
24. BUFFALO BILLS
Assuming LeSean McCoy is able to play this season, the Bills
should lean heavily on their running game to move the ball. That’s good,
because they don’t have a quarterback who projects to be anything other than
below average in 2018.
Whether it’s A.J. McCarron, Nathan Peterman or Josh Allen,
the Bills are going to be erratic throwing the football. A big receiver like
Kelvin Benjamin can help cover up some of those errant throws, but he has to
get somewhat open first. That’s not the former Panthers strong suit. Expect the
Bills to find weapons for Allen next offseason.
The defense profiles as a unit that can be average, but will
struggle to really be anything more. Buffalo spent big money to bring in Star
Lotulelei this offseason but he’s not a very dynamic player in the middle. He
can take up space, but the Bills need first round pick Tremaine Edmunds to be
good right away. He lacks the instincts to make a quick transition to the pro
game.
In the secondary, the Bills can count on Tre’Davious White,
but Vontae Davis really fell off last season. If he doesn’t bounce back, teams
are going to pick on anyone White isn’t covering on a play-by-play basis.
The Bills roster just lacks the star power to really be
good. They need to add big-time talent through the draft to go with the rank
and file players that fill their roster.
23. DENVER BRONCOS
Von Miller is still one of the most disruptive defensive
players in the league. Quietly, the talent level around him has been slipping
for the Broncos. John Elway and Co. are hoping that drafting Bradley Chubb can
reverse that trend. If it pays off the Broncos will rush the passer like no
other team in football.
They’ll need to, because the Denver secondary is the very
definition of average. Bradley Roby and Chris Harris are both decent players,
but they aren’t anything special. The safety pairing of Su’a Cravens and Darian
Stewart won’t provide them much help. The less time they’re forced to cover,
the better.
The Broncos offense has some talent, but it’s almost built
backwards. The signing of Case Keenum gives them a solid quarterback to throw
to talented receivers, but the offense line is a major question mark. Outside
of Ron Leary and Matt Paradis, Denver would like to see everyone improve in
2018.
Almost all of the attention during the preseason will be
focused on Keenum, but the variance of his performance level isn’t all that
high. Expect the Broncos offense to be decent, but unspectacular. Their
inability to run the football could ultimately become their undoing. This
remains a franchise firmly in transition.
22. ARIZONA
CARDINALS
Larry Fitzgerald is still playing at a pretty high level,
but when he looks around the Cardinals locker room he doesn’t see a ton of
familiar faces. The rest of this offense is much younger than the future HOF
wide receiver.
Even so, Fitzgerald leads a pretty intriguing group of skill
position players. Rookie Christian Kirk should help take some pressure off of
everyone in the receiving corps. David Johnson is a solid bet to bounce back in
a big way in 2018.
The trouble is there isn’t much talent on this offensive
line to block for whoever ends up playing quarterback. D.J. Humphries is a
solid left tackle, but that’s the only guy who should be trusted to protect Sam
Bradford or Josh Rosen. The rest of the group all project to be below average
starters.
Chandler Jones and Patrick Peterson anchor what should be a
solid, but thoroughly unspectacular defense. The lack of talent at the
linebacker position is pretty troubling. It’s a surprise that the front office
didn’t try to do more to strengthen the front seven during the offseason.
If the Cardinals can keep their quarterback upright, there’s
an outside chance they can sneak into the playoffs. Given the lack of talent on
the line and the brittle nature of both Bradford and Rosen, that seems
unlikely.
21. CINCINNATI
BENGALS
Marvin Lewis believes
his team has the ability to win the Super Bowl this season, but we
respectfully disagree. In particular, Cincinnati is going to struggle to score
enough points to be a real postseason threat.
In many ways Andy Dalton epitomizes the team’s entire offense.
He probably isn’t bad enough to get you fired, but he’s not good enough to get
you to the promised land. He’s utterly average. The same can be said for most
of this offense outside of A.J. Green. Specifically, Dalton will need his
offensive line to play much better in 2018 to make this group effective. The
Bengals hope drafting Billy Price will help solidify their interior.
The defense is slightly better than the offense, but that’s
not a huge compliment. Geno Atkins is a stud in the middle of the defensive
line. Vontaze Burfict is a solid talent, but his questionable temperament makes
him a liability at times. Don’t underestimate Carlos Dunlap’s ability to rush
the passer either.
The Bengals will need Dre Kirkpatrick to bounce back in 2018
to help improve the secondary. Fortunately, the rest of their defensive back
group is pretty solid. Again, not great, but pretty good.
The Bengals have enough ability to make the playoffs if
everything breaks right, but they should discard any notions of a Super Bowl
run immediately. There isn’t enough high-end talent on this roster to make
those dreams come true.
20. TENNESSEE
TITANS
Lots of fans are putting pressure on Marcus Mariota to break
out this season, but the Titans haven’t done enough to help their supposed
franchise quarterback. Delanie Walker is an excellent tight end, but Tennessee
lacks anything resembling a No. 1 wide receiver. That will continue to limit
Mariota’s ceiling this season.
The good news for the Titans offense is that the offensive
line should help the team move the chains on the ground. Derrick Henry and Dion
Lewis will likely split carries in the backfield, but both should enjoy plenty
of room to run. This offense is built to pound defenses on the ground. It may
not be flashy, but it should be effective in 2018.
The defense returns a lot of big names, but doesn’t have
quite as many playmakers as you think. DaQuan Jones and Brian Orakpo can rush
the passer, but aren’t great against the run. That’s why Rashaan Evans was
drafted to help solidify the middle of the defense.
The secondary could also turn into a real strength this
season. The acquisition of Malcolm Butler is risky, but it could pay serious
dividends. Adoree’ Jackson is one of the most talented corners in the NFL that
you don’t hear a ton about.
In the end, the Titans’ lack of upside keeps them relatively
low on this list. If one legitimate offensive playmaker emerges at wide
receiver they could rocket up this list, otherwise, their margin of error on
offense is simply too thin to be a great team.
19. BALTIMORE
RAVENS
This offense wants to pound opponents with the ground game,
and a healthy Marshal Yanda could help them do that in 2018. Don’t be surprised
to see the Ravens try to take a lot of pressure off of Joe Flacco by feeding Alex
Collins a massive workload.
When Baltimore is forced to throw the ball, things could get
ugly. Flacco is clearly on the downside of his career. Making his primary pass
catching targets Michael Crabtree and John Brown isn’t going to help him look
better. The less the Ravens ask Flacco to do this season the better off they’ll
be.
The defense will continue to rely on Terrell Suggs to play
at a Pro Bowl level. At some point that’s going to stop happening, but no one
really knows when that will occur. The team will hope C.J. Mosley can help
solidify the middle of their defense in 2018.
The secondary is getting pretty old, but they’re still going
to be an effective group. Jimmy Smith has a pretty common name, but his talent
level is pretty rare. Eric Weddle is also getting up there in age, but he’s
still playing at a high level as well.
Ravens fans need to enjoy this season, because their
performance could start to drop off precipitously at any time. The clock is
ticking until massive roster turnover is required.
18. HOUSTON TEXANS
If the Texans had even an average offensive line they’d
shoot up this list. Unfortunately, Deshaun Watson is going to have to create
plays with his feet all season long. He’s capable of that if he can stay
healthy, but there aren’t any guarantees he can last a full season.
If he can, he and DeAndre Hopkins are going to hook up for a
ton of big plays. Will Fuller will also help stretch the field vertically. This
passing game will require defenses to defend them at all three levels.
Lamar Miller’s ability as a runner will help cover up some
of the line’s deficiencies, but he can’t do everything by himself. The run game
in Houston will struggle until they can acquire some offensive line help.
There are injury issues on the defense too. J.J. Watt can be
a dominating pass rusher when he’s healthy, but he’s sustained multiple serious
injuries now. It’s fair to wonder whether or not he, Whitney Mercilus and
Jadeveon Clowney can torment offenses all season long.
Luckily, the Texans have a talented secondary that can hold
up even if the pass rush isn’t great. Moving to safety should help Kareem
Jackson bounce back from a disappointing season. Adding Tyrann Mathieu at
safety will give the coaching staff even more scheme versatility.
The Texans season is all going to boil down to health. If it
breaks their way, they could make noise in the playoffs. If the only breaks are
bones, they could be armed with a high draft pick next year.
17. WASHINGTON
REDSKINS
Much has been made about the quarterback change from Kirk
Cousins to Alex Smith, but that really shouldn’t hurt the offense that much.
The lack of playmakers at receiver is a much bigger issue in the nation’s
capital.
Jamison Crowder is an adequate NFL starter, but he’s not a
No. 1 wideout. That means either Josh Doctson or Paul Richardson is going to
have to step up and play at that level. That’s a massive ask for either player.
Expect the Redskins to keep searching for the right receiver combination all
season long.
The organization hopes Derrius Guice can rejuvenate the run
game, and that’s definitely a possibility. He’s the type of downhill runner
that could thrive playing behind the likes of Trent Williams and Brandon
Scherff. Don’t be surprised if he garners offensive ROY consideration.
The defense has some quality pieces, but remains a few
players short of what they need to be a top 10 unit. Josh Norman is obviously a
shutdown corner. The only problem is that Orlando Scandrick on the other side
is a major question mark.
The defensive front will need first round pick Da’Ron Payne
to play well from the word go. He’s talented, but sometimes it takes rookie
nose tackles a year or two to adjust to the NFL. The Redskins cannot afford to
give Payne that kind of time.
Look for the Redskins to stay in playoff contention until
deep in the season. Ultimately their lack of dynamic receivers will probably
cost them a postseason berth, but it will be close.
16. SEATTLE
SEAHAWKS
At some point the Seahawks have to get Russell Wilson some
help on offense. They cannot continue to expect him to carry this group all by
himself. The team hopes that drafting Rashaad Penny will help boost the run
game. That’s going to be tough to do behind a pretty wretched offensive line.
The receiving corps also leaves a lot to be desired. Brandon
Marshall is a big name, but he’s not even a lock to make the Week 1 roster.
Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett can both make big plays, but they lack the
consistency to really help this group move the chains on a regular basis.
In case you hadn’t heard, the Legion of Boom is also a relic
in the Pacific Northwest. Some of the names are still the same, but those
players are starting to age out. It’s particularly harmful to the Seattle
secondary. Kam Chancellor has all but retired and Earl Thomas is openly
advocating for a trade to the Cowboys. The Seahawks should still be good
against the pass, but they aren’t great any longer.
This team can still rush the passer. The combination of
Frank Clark and Dion Jordan gives Pete Carroll two legitimate rush ends who can
play all three downs. As time goes on, the front seven will be the strength of
this defense.
The Seahawks are still a threat out west, but they don’t
have the talent they used to possess. Look for them to sneak out a playoff
berth in 2018, but don’t be shocked if they fall out of contention due to
injury.
15. JACKSONVILLE
JAGUARS
If the Jaguars offense was as good as their defense they’d
be No. 1 on this list. Unfortunately for the Jacksonville faithful, that just
isn’t the case.
The team continues to place their faith in Blake Bortles at
quarterback, but it’s clear he isn’t anything more than an average starter (at
best). That means you can expect to see plenty of Leonard Fournette again this
season. The signing of Andrew Norwell in free agency should give the powerful
back even more room to run inside the tackles this season.
Occasionally, Bortles will utilize play-action to try to
find Marqise Lee for a big play down the field. That won’t happen enough to
make this a really dangerous unit. It’s going to continue to be a vanilla
offense.
The defense, however, is spectacular. The front seven, in
particular, is loaded with high-end talent. Calais Campbell and Marcell Dareus
anchor one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. Jalen Ramsey might emerge as
the best corner in football this year. This is a group with zero legitimate
weaknesses.
The Jaguars defense is going to keep them in games every
week. It’s up to the offense to make just enough plays to help them get into
the postseason. If they can get in the playoffs, they are going to be a
nightmare out for whoever faces them.
14. LOS ANGELES
RAMS
Jared Goff improved more than any other quarterback in
football last season. Sean McVay deserves a lot of credit for how much he
improved this offensive unit. The addition of Brandin Cooks should make the
Rams offense even more dangerous in 2018.
Of course, the bread and butter of the Los Angeles attack is
the running of Todd Gurley. He is a terrific rusher, but he could use more help
from this offensive line. Andrew Whitworth and Roger Saffold are both solidly
above average, but the other three spots could use some work. The line’s lack
of talent is what’s holding this offense back from being elite.
The good news for Rams fans is that this defense has the
ability to be truly special. Adding Ndamukong Suh to a front that already has
Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers is downright unfair to the rest of the
league. They’ll make life simple for Mark Barron and the rest of the team’s
linebacking corps.
If there’s a concern for the defense, it’s the mercurial
nature of the secondary. Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters are two of the most
talented corners in football, but there’s a reason their previous teams have
given up on them. McVay will have to work hard to manage both egos in his
locker room.
If everyone plays nicely, the Rams can reach the Super Bowl.
The downside of unrest in the locker room is a legitimate cause for concern
though. This team may be a year short of maturity to reach the Promised Land.
13. LOS ANGELES
CHARGERS
Philip Rivers may not be young, but he’s still an excellent
quarterback for the Chargers. His ability to push the ball down the field to
Keenan Allen and Travis Benjamin makes this offense really dangerous.
What Rivers and the Chargers need, is for the ground game to
become equally as productive. Melvin Gordon is a talented runner, but he
struggled behind a porous offensive line last year. Mike Pouncey should have a
bounce-back season at center. If he can do that, his combination with Russell
Okung and Forrest Lamp should give Gordon plenty of room to run.
The defense has a chance to be elite. Joey Bosa and Melvin
Ingram combine to be one of the best pass rushing duos in the NFL. The team
needs better play out of Hayes Pullard at middle linebacker, but he’s shown
flashes of becoming a quality starter.
The secondary is built around two really outstanding
cornerbacks in Casey Hayward and Desmond King. If Derwin James lives up to his
reputation at the free safety spot, this group will be a nightmare for opposing
quarterbacks.
This might be Rivers’ last season as an elite quarterback,
but he’s got a real chance to make some noise with this group. The Chargers
roster isn’t littered with big names, but there’s a ton of quality here.
12. SAN FRANCISCO
49ERS
Jimmy Garoppolo may not have a ton of starts under his belt,
but his talent level is obvious. The 49ers committed big money to him for a
reason. They correctly have no doubts about his ability to be a really good
starting quarterback in the NFL.
He pilots an offense that is pretty solid in every aspect of
the game. The offensive line isn’t full of stars aside from Joe Staley, but it
projects to be above average in both pass and run blocking. Pierre Garcon and
Marquise Goodwin aren’t All-Pros, but they combine to make up an above average
pair of starting receivers.
The hope is that Jerick McKinnon can produce more explosive
plays on the ground. They may have overpaid him in free agency, but he should
give this offense an extra gear. Don’t be surprised if he emerges as a fantasy
football star at the very least.
The front seven is a group that is feast or famine. DeForest
Buckner and Reuben Foster are two of the best players in football at their
respective positions. If the other five guys can raise their play to league
average, this group can be special.
The coaching staff hopes that Richard Sherman can be the
player to galvanize this secondary. Even if he doesn’t pan out, there’s enough
talent here to be decent. If he can play like the Sherman of old, he can make
this a top five group in the league.
The 49ers won’t speak up on anyone given how they closed
2017, but they have enough talent to win anyway. Look for San Francisco to make
the playoffs in 2018.
11. DETROIT LIONS
The Lions offense is still all about Matthew Stafford’s
ability to fling the ball all over the field. He’s gotten a little wiser as the
years have gone by, but the electric arm is still there. His ability to combine
with Golden Tate and Marvin Jones still keeps defensive coordinators up at
night.
The question is whether or not Detroit can get the run game
going. Theo Riddick and Kerryon Johnson aren’t the most established rushers in
football, but they could form an intriguing tandem this season. Frank Ragnow
will need to play well as a rookie to unlock the Lions’ run game.
Ezekiel Ansah is still the leader of this defense from his
rush end position. He really needs one more player in the front seven to step
up and match his level of production. A’Shawn Robinson is probably the other
guy with a ton of upside or the group.
It would be hard to imagine Darius Slay playing better than
he did in 2017. He led the league
with eight interceptions and 21 passes defensed. Even if his play drops
a notch or two, he’s still comfortably the team’s best defensive back. Look for
Teez Tabor to increase his production significantly from his rookie campaign.
The Lions are a solid bet to make the playoffs, but are a
big time talent or two short from being legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
10. DALLAS COWBOYS
A lot has changed for the Cowboys over the last decade, but
the strength of this offense remains rooted in the offensive line. Zack Martin
and Travis Frederick do a lot of hard work in the trenches to make Ezekiel
Elliott and Dak Prescott look good. That’s why Martin became the highest paid
guard in the league this offseason.
Elliott will continue to shoulder a heavy load for this
offense. Much of what Jason Garrett does on this side of the ball is set up by
his star running back’s ability to keep eyes in the backfield. When the Cowboys
run the ball effectively, Prescott can get the ball out on time to his
playmakers. When the running game gets stifled, nothing looks quite as crisp
for this unit.
The defense is loaded with big-time talent. Sean Lee isn’t
the flashiest linebacker on Earth, but he’s the unquestioned leader of this
defense. DeMarcus Lawrence also gives the team a legitimate Pro Bowler off the
edge. The Cowboys could use a little more depth up front, but it’s a really
good unit.
The secondary is full of guys who played pretty well last
season, but aren’t necessarily great bets to repeat that level of performance.
Byron Maxwell was excellent last season, but he doesn’t look like much more
than an average corner. The same can be said for Jeff Heath at safety.
In the end, the Cowboys are good enough to make the
playoffs, but probably not good enough to challenge for a title. There are too
many questions on the roster to win it all.
9. CAROLINA
PANTHERS
The Panthers front office continues to pile a ton of
pressure on Cam Newton to make this offense go. He’s a transcendent talent, but
he’d look a lot better with a quality offensive line and a few standout wide
receivers.
In fairness, Newton will have some new weapons to throw to
this season. First-round pick D.J. Moore is off to an impressive start to his
rookie season and will be counted on heavily. The return of Greg Olsen from
injury should also increase Newton’s comfort level. It’s easy to see Newton
having a big year given his new toys
The question is whether or not this team can run the
football. Daryl Williams and Trai Turner are two good offensive lineman on the
right side, but the left side is a mess. That may make life difficult for C.J.
Anderson and Christian McCaffrey to crank out yards on the ground.
Fortunately for Panthers fans, the defense projects to be
well above average. Kawaan Short and Luke Kuechly combine to make this group
deadly up the middle. The ability of Julius Peppers and Mario Addison to rush
the passer only makes life more difficult for opposing quarterbacks.
The secondary was a weakness last season, but there’s cause
for optimism here too. James Bradberry should bounce back from a subpar
campaign and second round pick Donte Jackson should help give him support. Mike
Adams needs a quality partner to emerge at safety, but that’s not a huge
concern for this group.
The Panthers will be force to fight for their lives every
week in the NFC South, but they have the talent to make a Super Bowl run. It’s
not the most likely outcome, but it’s within the realm of possibility for
Carolina.
8. KANSAS CITY
CHIEFS
ALEX SMITH THREW FOR OVER 4,000 YARDS LAST
SEASON but Chiefs fans are on board for the start of the Patrick
Mahomes era. He’s expected to put up massive numbers in his first season as a
starter. That’s a risk for the Chiefs, but he’s got the talent to make it work.
Perhaps more importantly, Kansas City has the surrounding
offensive talent to make his transition as easy as possible. The Chiefs are
absolutely loaded at the skill positions. Kareem Hunt is a dynamic option at
running back. The combination of tight end Travis Kelce with wide receivers
Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins gives the team an embarrassment of riches. This
team is going to score a ton of points.
The valid questions about Kansas City’s roster are on the
other side of the ball. The front seven has plenty of potentially good players,
but lacks a great player. Their best hope of a player having that kind of
season is likely Justin Houston at outside linebacker.
The secondary has two really good pieces in the form of
Kendall Fuller and Eric Berry. They should be enough to make this group solidly
above average. That is, of course, if Berry can make a full recovery from his
torn Achilles.
The Chiefs are a safe bet to be a pretty good team, but it’s
up to Mahomes’ development to see if their ceiling can be raised to legitimate
Super Bowl contender. He’s going to be given every opportunity to succeed, but
it’s up to him to cash in on those chances.
7. NEW ORLEANS
SAINTS
As long as Drew Brees is healthy and playing at this level,
the Saints are going to have a chance to win any game they play in. This
offense can be just that good. The combination of Brees, Michael Thomas and
Alvin Kamara make the group a threat to score on any play.
There is some question as to whether or not the Saints can
run the ball effectively this season. That will be a particular challenge
during Mark Ingram’s four game suspension to start the season. No lasting
conclusions should be drawn about the Saint offense until Ingram is back into
the fold.
The New Orleans defense is also armed with two All-Pro
players. Both Marshon Lattimore and Cameron Jordan can change the game from
their respective positions. It’s up for debate whether or not the Saints have
enough surrounding defensive talent to maximize their talent.
That means players like Marcus Davenport will need to really
step up. The Saints paid a high price on draft day to acquire him, but making
the jump from UT-San Antonio to the pros is not easy. The way he’s playing at
the end of the season is much more important than how he looks during Week 1.
Expect the Saints to be in contention for a division title
down the stretch. The NFC South is going to be a fist fight, but Brees gives
this team a chance to win it all.
6. GREEN BAY
PACKERS
Make no mistake about it; Aaron Rodgers is still one of the
top handful of quarterbacks in this league. As long as he’s on the Packers
roster, they are going to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
That doesn’t mean this roster is perfect. The offense, in
particular, could use a lot of help on the offensive line. They will struggle
to open running holes for Ty Montgomery or whoever ends up getting the bulk of
carries in Green Bay this season.
The Packers will still score loads of points. Rodgers’
ability to make plays in and outside the pocket helps cover up a multitude of
offensive sins. Players like Randall Cobb and Davante Adams are still going to
get lots of chances to make plays down the field. Expect all the skill players
to put up big numbers.
The defense may lack star power but it’s a surprisingly
solid group overall. Muhammad Wilkerson, Clay Matthews and Nick Perry give the
coaching staff serious punch off the edge. Kenny Clark is a solid,
underappreciated nose tackle.
The secondary also has a chance to take a massive leap
forward in 2018. Jaire Alexander projects to play a meaningful role as a rookie
and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is a real playmaker at safety. If Kevin King and Josh
Jackson can perform as adequate starters, this will be one of the top five
secondaries in the NFL.
The Packers are doing everything they can to keep Rodgers’
competitive window open. As long as he stays healthy, they have a puncher’s
chance to make a deep playoff run this year.
5. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
The Vikings pushed all their chips to the middle of the
table when they signed Kirk Cousins to a massive contract this season.
Minnesota hopes he’s the player who can make their offense as good as their
defense.
The only problem is they didn’t spend any money on offensive
lineman this offseason. Quietly, this was one of the weakest groups in the
league last season. Hoping for internal improvement isn’t a sound strategy, but
it’s all the Viking have.
Fortunately, Cousins is blessed with exceptional talent at
the skill positions. Dalvin Cook can be a game-changer at running back if he
can stay healthy. The combination of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen give the
Vikings two Pro Bowl-caliber wideouts. This group may struggle to run the ball
consistently, but they will make big plays.
The strength of this team remains the defensive line.
Danielle Hunter, Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph and Sheldon Richardson all have
All-Pro talent. They can literally control a football game by wrecking a team’s
offensive scheme.
The only place you can attack this team is in the secondary.
That’s tough to do given the pressure the Vikings can put on quarterbacks, but
it’s what opponents have to try to do. Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith are
both excellent, but Mackensie Alexander can be a target. Watch closely to see
how he holds up this season.
The Vikings may have difficulty keeping all of their stars
in the future, but they’re positioned to make a deep postseason run in 2018.
4. ATLANTA FALCONS
The Falcons just missed a return trip to the Super Bowl last
season and they want revenge in 2018. Matt Ryan and this team’s offense will
give them a chance to go further this season.
Obviously the offense’s ability to succeed depends largely
on Julio Jones’ presence on the field. Ryan gets paid the big bucks, but Jones
is the team’s best offensive player. His current holdout is a significant
injury to watch going forward.
The good news is that the Falcons are still set up to run
the football with authority. Devonta Freeman will get tons of carries this
season. Running behind guys like Jake Matthews and Alex Mack should allow him
to put up big numbers.
The biggest weakness Atlanta possesses is their inability to
rush the passer. Adrian Clayborn was their leading sack artist a season ago,
but he left for the Patriots via free agency. Grady Jarrett and Vic Beasley
will need to pick up the slack. Beasley, in particular, needs to bounce back
from a disastrous 2017.
If the pass rush can perform, the secondary should hold up
its end of the bargain. Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford give the team two
solid corners to work with. As long as they aren’t overexposed, they should
play pretty well.
The Falcons have the high-end talent and roster depth to
make a deep postseason run. Just how deep will depend on the defense’s ability
to rush the passer when it counts.
3. NEW ENGLAND
PATRIOTS
Bill Belichick and company gave the Eagles a run in Super
Bowl LII and there’s no reason to think they won’t be there until the end in
2018. Having Tom Brady at the controls of your offense has a strong effect on a
team’s success.
It’s not just Brady that makes this offense tick though. Rob
Gronkowski is also a huge factor when he’s healthy. He’s more than just a tight
end. He’s one of the most dangerous receivers in the game. Look for Julian
Edelman to reestablish himself as a trusted Brady target when he returns from
suspension.
New England’s offensive line doesn’t get nearly enough
credit for how it plays either. They’ll miss Nate Solder at left tackle, but no
one should be shocked if Isaiah Wynn outplays him by the end of the season.
He’s more athletic and should, theoretically, be a better run blocker. No
matter what, this line is one of the top five groups in the NFL.
There are some valid questions about the Patriots defense,
but Belichick’s ability to cover over any cracks has to be accounted for.
Signing Adrian Clayborn in free agency and adding Danny Shelton in a trade
should turn into strokes of genius for the Patriots front office. The
linebackers aren’t anything other than below average, but that’s the least
important position in the team’s defensive scheme.
The secondary could turn into one of the best units in the
NFL this season too. The McCourty brothers give Belichick some interesting
options in the secondary. Stephon Gilmore also has what it takes to be a Pro
Bowl player. This is definitely an underrated group.
The Patriots aren’t quite the favorites to win the Super
Bowl, but they have more than enough talent to make it happen. Tom Brady and
company will fall off one day but don’t bet on it happening this season.
2. PHILADELPHIA
EAGLES
When Carson Wentz is healthy and at the controls of the
Eagles offense it’s the most dangerous group in the league. It isn’t full of
All-Pro players, but the talent spread all over the starting group makes it
impossible to defend.
Don’t forget just how dangerous this team can be running the
football. A full season of Jay Ajayi behind this talented offensive line could
produce massive rushing totals. In particular, keep an eye on Jason Kelce who’s
becoming one of the best centers in the NFL.
If defenses load up against the run the Eagles have more
than enough firepower to beat them through the air. Wentz has a cannon for an
arm. The presence of Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor on the outside can
punish single coverage in any direction. There’s no good way to defend the
Eagles attack.
Philadelphia’s defensive front is just as good. Fletcher Cox
is one of the most disruptive defensive tackles in the league. Brandon Graham
and Michael Bennett will give the team plenty of pass rush off the edge. The team
needs more out of Jordan Hicks at middle linebacker, but expects him to play
better in 2018 or else he’ll be replaced.
The one potential weakness for the Eagles is in the
secondary. Ronald Darby and Michael Jenkins are both above average players, but
the other starters are susceptible to big plays. Specifically, Jalen Mills and
Sidney Jones need to play much better at corner.
Looking at the total roster it’s clear the Eagles have the
most overall talent. That doesn’t make them a lock to win back to back Super
Bowls, but it gives them a real chance to accomplish the impressive feat.
1. PITTSBURGH
STEELERS
This offense is going to score a ton of points this season.
Le’Veon Bell may be playing his last season for the Steelers, but he’s going to
have a big year regardless. Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t have to be great every
week to make this group go.
Big Ben has a pretty interesting group of pass catchers too.
Antonio Brown is one of the best receivers in football. JuJu Smith-Schuster is
one of the best No. 2 wideouts in the game. Everywhere Roethlisberger looks
there’s a weapon who wants the ball.
The offensive line could be better, but David DeCastro and
Maurkice Pouncey should provide some push in the middle. Pouncey needs to play
better than he did in 2017, but he’s supposedly healthy this year.
The defense is the side of the ball where the Steelers need
to see real improvement. Stephon Tuitt and Cameron Heyward are both above
average defensive lineman, but they need more help up front. In particular,
Pittsburgh would benefit from a bounce back season from Bud Dupree.
The secondary is pretty talented as well. Joe Haden and
Artie Burns combine to be one of the best cornerback duos in the league. If
Morgan Burnett and Terrell Edmunds can do the same at safety this could be one
of the best back ends in the NFL.
If the Steelers stay healthy they have every chance to make
it to the Super Bowl this season. It’s not an overwhelming roster, but it has
every piece necessary to achieve massive success.
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