Category Archives: NFL

10 Players Who Could Make Big Impacts on New NFL Teams

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10 Players Who Could Make Big Impacts on New NFL Teams
31 Mar

With NFL OTAs already starting, we can almost smell the new 2015 NFL season. With a new year comes change and possibly a move up for a few teams, and a lot of it could be because some key roster moves franchises made in free agency.

Everyone wants to believe their favorite team made the right moves and their new players will pan out, but every year there are huge pay offs and massive disappointments. Let’s focus on the guys that could actually pay off as we break down the top 10 faces in new places for 2015:

10. Mike Wallace, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Wallace crushed as a deep threat in Pittsburgh for years, but the minute he went to South Beach he couldn’t connect down the field. Blame that partially on Ryan Tannehill and partially on Miami’s system. Wallace is probably a one-trick pony, but Minnesota’s offense has a specific role for him that he should be able to thrive in. Now, the only question is if Teddy Bridgewater is ready to help everyone maximize their potential within Norv Turner’s vertical offense.

9. Torrey Smith, WR, San Francisco 49ers

The Niners lacked a true deep threat and now they have one after locking down Smith on a multi-year deal. Smith can stretch the field and also has the ability to operate as a possession receiver, so on paper he gives San Francisco exactly what their offense has been lacking. If Colin Kaepernick can make strides inside the pocket, the 49ers’ offense could soar to new heights. Of course so far this year the buzz about the 49ers has been their new black football uniforms.

8. Julius Thomas, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars

Thomas was largely a red-zone threat with the Denver Broncos the past two years (24 total touchdowns), but in 2015 he takes the training wheels off and sees if he can’t be a serious weapon. Doing so in Jacksonville with second-year passer Blake Bortles is easier said than done, but that’s what he was brought in to do. If his game from the past two years translates to his new city, the Jaguars could suddenly have a somewhat dangerous offense.

7. Andre Johnson, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Johnson was being phased out of Houston, so he bolted for their division rivals, where with Andrew Luck he will be playing with the most talented passer he ever has in his career. He may be slowing down at 33, but he’s still quite good and in Indy he won’t be asked to do everything. As the #2 guy, Johnson could make a solid impact and help round out one of the league’s more potent offenses.

6. Brandon Marshall, WR, New York Jets

Marshall could be the guy that looked on his last legs due to injury a year ago, or he could get back to full health and dominate the AFC East. Considering Darrelle Revis is on his team, that’s certainly possible. Marshall is naturally regressing, but even mild regression could have him as a solid weapon for Gang Green. Just how solid could hinge on the development of quarterback Geno Smith, who no longer has the excuse of not having weapons in the passing game.

5. Frank Gore, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Gone are the days where Indy passes every down or hopes Andrew Luck can will them out of deep holes. With no clear answer at running back over the past three seasons, the Colts finally went after a proven commodity in free agency and came away with Frank Gore. He’s an ageless wonder that could break down at anytime, but at face value he’s a steady, competent lead back that could move the pile for another year or two.

4. Sam Bradford, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

Bradford has shredded his knee in two straight seasons but as far as pure quarterback talent goes, he just might be the best pocket passer the Eagles have had since Donovan McNabb. Heck, considering he hasn’t had a chance to fully develop in the past two seasons, he could be even better. He’s a huge risk and he wasn’t lighting the league up before the injuries, but there is upside to be had here. We sure can’t knock the Eagles for going for it with this trade.

3. DeMarco Murray, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Murray could be a huge get for the Eagles, who traded away LeSean McCoy for a linebacker they needed and then still got a top shelf runner with this signing. The issue was McCoy danced too much around the line of scrimmage and too often sought out the big play. Murray brings moderate big-play ability but his main strength is being a north/south runner that takes what is blocked for him and doesn’t waste time making tough decisions: he just goes. We know he can carry a full load after pacing the NFL in rushing and leading the Cowboys to a division title a year ago. Now he’s in Philly. That might make the Eagles a problem for the rest of the NFC.

2. LeSean McCoy, RB, Buffalo Bills

Shady McCoy is potentially the second biggest move, as the Bills swapped linebacker Kiko Alonso and him in a trade with the Eagles. It’s a smart trade for both parties if Alonso’s surgically repaired knee works out, but the big winner is obviously Buffalo if McCoy ends up fitting their scheme. Rex Ryan comes in trying to lead a run-heavy offensive attack that leans on it’s defense, and on paper that sets up McCoy for a huge workload and monster numbers. If he steps up to the plate in 2015, he could play a huge hand in getting the Bills back to the playoffs for the first time since Doug Flutie was a thing.

1. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Miami Dolphins

The biggest change in scenery might just involved Suh and the Fins. Suh was stolen from right under the Detroit Lions and he’ll slide into the middle of Miami’s defensive line to give them a nasty force that can put pressure on the quarterback and also help sniff out the run. Considering Miami’s defense was already solid and their offense has been on the rise, this could be the highest impact signing of the off-season.

Related: 2015 Fantasy Football: Top Wide Receiver Sleepers 

Ranking the Best Dual Threat Quarterbacks in NFL History

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Ranking the Best Dual Threat Quarterbacks in NFL History
31 Mar

Cam Newton just became a very rich man on Tuesday afternoon, as the Carolina Panthers handed the 26-year old quarterback a six-year contract extension worth roughly $103.8 million. Newton is slated to earn well over $60 million in guaranteed money over the next three seasons and is now entrenched as “the guy” for the Panthers for the foreseeable future.

It’s hard to blame the Panthers for handing out such a massive deal, as Newton definitely deserved to get paid after putting up solid stats through his first four NFL season and helped Carolina reach the playoffs in each of the past two years. Newton’s deal has some thinking about the Panthers in the Super Bowl, but all we can think about is how great of a dual threat quarterback he is and where he might rank with the other great dual threat passers in NFL history.

We decided to put it to a ranking:

Note: Our ranking considers athleticism, rushing ability and numbers, passing ability and success as a pro quarterback.

10. Kordell Stewart (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Stewart was never a great quarterback, but for a while he was a competent one. He was good enough to play a hand in the Steelers getting to a Super Bowl and he passed for over 14,000 yards, while running for another 2,874 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns on the ground. He’s not just on this list because he played quarterback and could run. He was one of the most versatile and dynamic players the league has ever seen. Slash would be much higher on this list had he been a better pure passer and not flamed out of the league, but we can’t ignore the impact he had as a dual threat runner.

9. Roger Staubach (Dallas Cowboys)

Stewart was a better athlete than Staubach and he had better rushing numbers, but Staubach was easily the superior pocket passer and he also won two Super Bowls. On top of being one of the better flat out quarterbacks the league has ever seen, he also contributed over 2,200 yards and 20 touchdowns with his legs.

8. Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers)

Newton had to make our list, both for what he’s done already and what he still could very well do. Newton has tasted the playoffs at a young age and has plenty of time to add to his stats and playoff record. What he’s already done is astonishing, as he holds the record for rushing touchdowns in a season (14) and has rushed for at least 500 yards in every season he’s played. Newton has already made a name for himself as one of the best dual threat quarterbacks and he’s nowhere near finished.

7. Steve McNair (Tennessee Titans)

McNair was a highly effective and productive rusher early in his career, as he leaned heavily on that aspect of his game until he developed into a very strong pocket passer. That’s obvious by his career stats, as he put up nearly 3,600 yards and 37 touchdowns on the ground. McNair was actually even better through the air, though, and even helped his Titans to a foot within a Super Bowl win.

6. Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles)

McNabb never won a Super Bowl, but he got to one and played in three straight NFC title games. He was easily one of the more menacing quarterbacks to face in the NFC for most of his career and he was especially a terror on the run. McNabb had the athletic ability and build to run over or around defenders, while he also had a cannon that could keep the defense guessing. His running numbers aren’t good enough for a top-five spot, but his collective production and talent bring him awfully close.

5. John Elway (Denver Broncos)

Longevity and winning help Elway in the end, as the ageless wonder still used his legs in big moments even at the ripe age of 37. Elway ended his long, illustrious career with two straight Super Bowl wins, bt was known long before that as a deadly dual threat passer who has one of the league’s best arms. Elway ended his career high in the ranks as a rusher (3,407 rushing yards and 33 running scores), but his elite play under center has him cracking the top-five.

4. Randall Cunningham (Philadelphia Eagles)

The first true freak athlete to play quarterback, Randall Cunningham was a highlight reel runner who could avoid the rush or spring big plays with his legs. He had the best single season rushing performance by a quarterback and also had the most career rushing yardage before Michael Vick came along. Mostly known for his terrorizing days in Philly, Cunningham resurfaced later in his career with one magical season with the Minnesota Vikings. Cunningham will always be known as a special player and a legit top-five candidate for best dual threat passer of all-time, but injuries and inconsistency under center keep him from going any higher.

3. Michael Vick (Atlanta Falcons)

Criteria is a big thing with rankings. If you want to go by single-season or career rushing stats, then Vick should be #1 on this list. He holds all of the main yardage records and also has 36 career rushing scores. The problem? Vick was the definition of a tuck and run quarterback, as he relied almost solely on his athleticism for the majority of his career and never once topped 3,500 passing yards or 21 passing touchdowns. Vick also proved to be extremely fragile and struggled with accuracy, touch and reading defenses. More of a running back playing the quarterback position, Vick sticks at #3 due to an inability to have the necessary balance.

2. Steve Young (San Francisco 49ers)

Easily one of the more balanced dual threat passers of the modern era, Young brought the 49ers a Super Bowl post-Joe Montana and was a highlight reel waiting to happen when on the run. As gifted and productive of a runner as he was, though, he never abandoned the importance of accuracy and pocket presence and was routinely one of the highest rated passers in the league. It took him time to develop, but had he not spent so much time behind Montana, we could have seen an even greater player from a statistical perspective. Regardless, Young ranks third all time with over 4,200 yards on the ground and still holds the NFL record for quarterbacks with 43 rushing scores. The Michael Vick before Vick existed, Young wasn’t quite the athlete Vick was, but he was just as productive and a vastly superior passer.

1. Fran Tarkenton (Minnesota Vikings)

As great as Young and a lot of these other quarterbacks were, there still doesn’t seem to be a match for Tarkenton. Tarkenton never won a Super Bowl but he led his Vikings to the big game three times and when he retired he held the majority of the passing records in the NFL. On top of all of that, there truly was not a better scrambler to exist and Tarkenton even proved his worth as a true runner, piling on 3,674 rushing yards and 32 running scores.

Think another dual threat quarterback deserves the #1 nod more? Let us hear who it is in the comments below!

2015 NFL Position Battles: Predicting the Top Quarterback Battles

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Predicting the Top NFL Quarterback Battles
31 Mar

NFL organized team activities (better known as OTAs) get started on Tuesday afternoon, as teams are starting to move past the draft process and prepare for the new 2015 NFL season. With OTAs come the thought of competition and roster battles transitioning to new starters at various positions. Depending on how those position battles shake out, certain teams could rise or fall in the standings.

No other position is probably more important than quarterback, and we’re in for several quarterback battles once again in 2015. Let’s break all of the biggest ones down and see who the likely winner is, as well as how that winner may impact their team this season:

Tennessee Titans – Zach Mettenberger vs. Marcus Mariota

Some people felt the Titans didn’t need to spend the #2 overall pick in this year’s draft on Mariota. It turns out management did. Whether it was because they saw the athletic Mariota as their true franchise passer or the current regime just panicked, they made the call and Mariota is likely going to be the guy for quite some time.

The big question is whether or not Mettenberger can delay the inevitable and perhaps increase his own trade value in the process. While selecting Mariota can’t really be knocked, the Titans did have a solid prospect in Mettenberger, who displayed great pocket presence and a strong arm as a sixth round rookie a year ago. The best part? He actually was a legit first round talent heading into the 2014 NFL Draft, and had he not suffered a knee injury he may have gone in the top three rounds.

The future doesn’t have Mettenberger in Tennessee, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t make starts in 2015. However, the new regime got off to a slow start in 2014 and they needed a permanent answer under center – one that could save them now, as well as down the road. Because of that, Mariota will almost surely get the nod right away as a rookie.

Buffalo Bills – Matt Cassel vs. E.J. Manuel vs. Tyrod Taylor

Buffalo has been a bit of a wasteland when it comes to offense and especially when it comes to starting quarterbacks. E.J. Manuel was drafted in 2013 to be the guy that gets these Bills back to the playoffs, but he’s showed to be ever bit as raw as he was coming out of college. He’ll get a shot at stealing back his starting gig, though, but this figures to be a wide open competition with Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor getting a fair shake.

Cassel is the easy favorite as the best, most stable game manager of the group, while Manuel is shakier but has youth and upside. Taylor might be a fun dark horse to cheer for, though, since he’s been biding his time behind Joe Flacco the past four years. I think Manuel’s time is over and Cassel wins the gig, but keep your eye on Taylor as a mid-season starter.

Houston Texans – Ryan Mallett vs. Brian Hoyer

Mallett served under center briefly for the Texans last year, but he did well enough to convince Bill O’Brien to bring him back. He’ll compete with Hoyer to see who has the goods to lead Houston’s offense and the early lead is probably in favor of the younger Mallett. Hoyer is a “what you see is what you get” passer who is average at best and abysmal at worst. We know from past play that Mallett can also nose dive, but he has a cannon for an arm and untapped potential.

Hoyer probably has the better head on his shoulders and knows O’Brien’s system, so he has a decent chance to unseat Mallett. However, this is probably Mallett’s last real shot to prove he’s not just a big name with a big arm. I like Mallett to take over this competition and lead an underrated Texans offense into 2015.

Cleveland Browns – Josh McCown vs. Johnny Manziel

The Browns just had a quarterback competition last year and it went up in smoke. Johnny Football returns to try to win it again after failing to make an impression during his rookie season. He seems to have his head on straight this time around, though, and it’s fair to say McCown is no more formidable of a presence than Brian Hoyer was.

Manziel’s biggest competition really is himself, as he simply needs to stay focused and put in the work. He arguably has the talent to make a positive impact, and if he can learn the offense and execute consistently, he’ll find himself under center going into week one. McCown wasn’t added merely as an upgrade, after all. He was also signed because of his mentoring ability. That bodes well for Manziel and possibly the Browns, in general.

Think we got the winner of any of these quarterback battles wrong? Let us hear who you think is a lock to nail down the starting gig in the comments below!

5 NFL Stars That Could Be Traded in 2015

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5 NFL Stars That Could Be Traded in 2015
31 Mar

It’s far too early in the NFL off-season to assume teams as we see them are already in their final form. We just got done with the 2015 NFL Draft and teams will be finalizing their key rookie and free agent signings, but before long some will be looking for a major change via another venue: trades.

Some big names are floating around the rumor mill as possible trade candidates, and some could even dramatically change the fortunes of their new team, should they be traded. While trade rumors involving guys like Philip Rivers and Sam Bradford once ruled the headlines, those guys are now near-locks to stay put. Let’s take a look at the five biggest names that could actually be on the move, who could trade for them and why you should care:

Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears

There are several reasons why the ever talented, yet always disappointing Cutler could be on his way out of Chi-town. On top of Cutler seemingly always being hurt, always having a poor attitude, turning the ball over too much and not winning enough, we also have to face the reality that a new regime is in town. Chicago declined to draft a new franchise passer in the 2015 NFL Draft, but if John Fox and co. don’t think they can win with him, they might be best served to just start over.

Cutler’s hefty contract is rather tricky, as few teams will both want to eat his salary and actually see him as their answer. There is also the matter of the Bears not having a legit, competent passer in place of the potentially departing Cutler. Even so, the Bears could opt to unload Cutler if the right deal comes to them. Teams that could be a quarterback away from competing include the Bills, Jets and possibly even the Browns.

Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings

The latest buzz has Peterson staying put in Minnesota, but it’s possible Minnesota’s steadfast love for their franchise player could be a PR ploy to make him look like the bad guy, and not them. They also could just want to get all they can out of one of the best running backs in the league. Peterson may end up staying put, but he surely won’t want for suitors. The Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals have been tied to him in rumors in the past and could once again emerge as trade suitors.

Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A once promising talent that put up a staggering 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground as a rookie, The Muscle Hamster has been in a free fall over the past two years. It arguably had much more to do with a shaky offensive line, injury and then a new coach and system in 2014, but Martin has still not been the elite back many expected him to be. The Bucs also just declined his option for next season and appear to have “their guy” in Charles Sims. If Martin isn’t traded this year, he’ll find a new home next year.

Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers

If Davis has any trade value left, the 49ers may want to take advantage of it. Davis regressed severely in 2014, thanks to injury and Colin Kaepernick failing to find him as he had in the past. There’s still a chance Davis buys into the new system and rebounds in 2014, but the Niners could also choose to cut bait with four other tight ends on the roster ready to compete for a bigger role. Now 31 years old and in a contract year, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Davis traded from the only team he’s ever known.

Mychal Kendricks, LB, Philadelphia Eagles

Normally a smart team wouldn’t try to trade such a solid player in Kendricks, who is a balanced inside presence at linebacker. Unfortunately, he’s entering a contract year and the Eagles don’t seem too excited about paying him. More importantly, they appear content with Kiko Alonso and Demeco Ryans operating on the inside of their 3-4 defense and they don’t want to lose a talented player like Kendricks for nothing in free agency. With value to be had, there have already been whispers that Philly has tried to get as high as a second round pick for him. That won’t happen, but teams seeking help on the inside like the Packers could engage in talks regarding as high as a fourth-round pick.

Have an idea where these guys might be headed or have other trade candidates in mind? Let us hear about it in the comments below!

2015 NFL Predictions: Who Will Win Rookie of the Year?

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2015 NFL Rookie of the Year Predictions
31 Mar

The 2015 NFL Draft has blessed us with another large crop of young, talented football players. In less than a full year, we’ll have a pretty good idea which ones are well on their way to great careers. And whether or not that ends up being the case, we’ll at least know which were the best of their class during their rookie seasons.

More importantly, we’ll know who the very best rookie performers are, via the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Years honors. The best overall rookie will stand above the rest, however, and claim the 2015 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year Award.

In 2014 it was Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. The year before that it was San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen. We’ve seen some guys prove themselves to be the top rookie and go on to do nothing with their careers (Vince Young and Cadillac Williams, to name a couple), while studs like Adrian Peterson, Ben Roethlisberger and Ndamukong Suh were rightfully named the top players in their draft class and really never looked back.

It’s the NFL’s dark period now that we’re in the month of May, so pondering the 2015 ROY award is as important now as it will be when we actually find out who the winner is. Let’s pass the time by taking a look at the top contenders for the crown this year and see if we can’t predict the ultimate victor:

Note: To keep ourselves from finding an argument for every single player, we’ll pick our favorite for each main position that may have a case.

Quarterback – Jameis Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Quarterbacks win the award more than any other position and he’s the top pick for a reason. Winston may be a bit of a headcase off the field, but he gets it done on it. He’s going to turn the ball over and lose some games on a bad team, but overall the good will outweigh the bad in year one.

Running Back – Todd Gurley (St. Louis Rams)

Gurley’s knee injury is his lone true obstacle to overcome as a rookie, and by all accounts he’s well on his way back to being 100%. As long as he’s the guy we’ve grown to enjoy watching and he doesn’t miss any action, he’ll be the top running back to watch in 2015. If he can be the Rams’ savior on offense like they seem to think he can be, he might be in contention for ROY honors, too.

Wide Receiver – Amari Cooper (Oakland Raiders)

Derek Carr and the Raiders are closing in on a turn around, but they were lacking big plays out of their offense. Cooper follows a long line of immediate impact stud receivers emerging from the draft and should look to open up the Oakland offense in his first season. Depending on how successful he is, he could become the second receiver to win ROY honors in the past three years.

Tight End – Maxx Williams (Baltimore Ravens)

Rookie tight ends don’t usually take the league by storm. Even the likes of Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham took a while to find their footing, while the only tight end to ever win the modern Pepsi ROY award was Jeremy Shockey back in 2002. Williams may be the guy to watch at his own position, but it’s unlikely he’s ever in serious contention.

Offensive Line – Andrus Peat (New Orleans Saints)

The offensive line is the Rodney Dangerfield of the NFL. They don’t get “no” respect. It’s unfair, but it’s the truth. You could make a case for numerous o-linemen to emerge as the top guy in their class, but Peat is going to a Saints team that wants to shove the ground game down opponent’s throats. If they accomplish that, he could be a big reason why.

Defensive Line – Danny Shelton (Cleveland Browns)

Shelton is a bit of a freak, as he’s a meaty space-eater that can sniff out the run, but he also has the quickness and pursuit of a sack artist. That could make him a menace in the middle of Cleveland’s nasty 3-4 defense and if he’s as good as the Browns think he can be right off the bat, he could end up being just the second defensive player (and defensive lineman) to win the Pepsi ROY award.

Linebacker – Alvin “Bud” Dupree (Pittsburgh Steelers)

You could throw any of the versatile rookie edge rushers in this group or consider a stud inside linebacker, but Dupree is the only one operating out of a 3-4 system and that also has the talent to make an immediate impact. He’s unlikely to win, but he could be a terror on the edge from day one.

Defensive Back – Trae Waynes (Minnesota Vikings)

Landon Collins is probably the only safety Waynes has to worry about and he’s easily the most talented corner in this draft class. Add that he’s being inserted into a talented, rising Mike Zimmer defense that will know how to deploy him and he has to be one of the top defensive players to monitor.

The Winner: Jameis Winston

Since 2000 the Offensive Rookie of the Year has been a quarterback six times and the overall Pepsi ROY has been a quarterback six times, as well. History suggests Winston would have a solid chance just by being decent, while he seems to have the offensive set up (Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson) to find success as a rookie. That may not translate into a ton of wins and he does have solid competition, but he’s got the swagger and talent to get it done.

Have another rookie in mind that you think is a lock to win the crown in 2015? Let us hear who your pick is in the comments below!

2015 NFL Power Rankings: Post-NFL Draft Rankings

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2015 NFL Power Rankings: Post-NFL Draft Rankings
31 Mar

It’s May and the NFL is headed into the “dead period” of the off-season. The NFL Draft is over, training camps don’t start for almost three months and even mini-camps are roughly two months away. Despite pro football taking a backseat to the NBA playoffs and the MLB regular season at the moment, die hard NFL fans can’t help but think ahead to the new season. Will the Green Bay Packers avenge their NFC title game loss? Will the Seattle Seahawks make it three trips to the Super Bowl in a row? Can the New England Patriots repeat?

These are just a few of the burning questions. With the draft in the back of our minds, we also must contemplate which losing teams could force their way up the ranks. Via power rankings, some already may have. Let’s take a closer look at the shift of each team’s stock as we power rank all 32 NFL teams following the results of the 2015 NFL Draft:

1. Seattle Seahawks

Had Seattle run Marshawn Lynch at the goal-line, they may have been back to back champs. Now they have Jimmy Graham and they’re angry. Watch out, rest of league.

2. New England Patriots

They’re the defending champs, true, but they’ve lost a ton of defensive talent. Tom Brady and co. could still get back to the big game, but it’s unlikely they win again.

3. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay was a meltdown away from making it to the Super Bowl. With Aaron Rodgers, the Pack is never counted out, but until their defense improves, they’ll be one game short again.

4. Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning looked like he was regressing late last year, but on paper he and his Broncos still are built to win. If he doesn’t crumble, they just might.

5. Arizona Cardinals

Arizona rode an elite defense to a playoff spot and had Carson Palmer been healthy, they may have made a run for the Super Bowl. Palmer is back, so the Cards are in the mix to start 2015.

6. Dallas Cowboys

Was DeMarco Murray the Cowboys a year ago? Thanks to letting him go in free agency, we’re about to find out.

7. Indianapolis Colts

Indy needed major help on defense and they spent their first round pick on a wide receiver. Smart.

8. Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore had a great draft and looks balanced enough to make another deep playoff run. If their defense can be elite again, they just might win it all.

9. Cincinnati Bengals

Andy Dalton continues to hold back a very solid and balanced Bengals team. Can he finally take his game to the next level?

10. Detroit Lions

Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley are gone. Does Detroit’s intimidating defense go with them? If so, the Lions could sink down these ranks early in 2015.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers lost some serious veteran talent on defense but have the offense and young defensive pieces to rise up. That’s if they can get by through the first three games of the year, when stud running back Le’Veon Bell serves a suspension.

12. Philadelphia Eagles

Chip Kelly may have looked like a mad man as he swung trades and still failed to land Mariota, but he’s still fresh off of two straight 10-6 finishes to start his career. If Sam Bradford ends up being a steal, his Eagles just might be even better this year.

13. San Francisco 49ers

Jim Harbaugh is gone but the Niners still have the foundation to get back into the playoff mix. Their defense is still a solid group, but everything ultimately falls on Colin Kaepernick progressing in the pocket.

14. San Diego Chargers

Philip Rivers is here to stay and the Bolts should have a solid running game with Melvin Gordon in town. The rest hangs on a solid defense taking their play to an elite level.

15. Miami Dolphins

Miami appears to be on the fringe, but with a solid draft and free agency under their belt, they could finally be ready to overtake the Patriots in the AFC East.

16. Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton didn’t get the offensive line help he needed, but Carolina still has a balanced attack and a gritty defense. If they play like they did in the second half of 2014, they should be dangerous.

17. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo has the defense to win right now, as well as a potentially deadly running game backed by LeSean McCoy. They still don’t know if they have a quarterback, though.

18. Houston Texans

Houston should be stout on defense in 2015 and a healthy Arian Foster keeps them in the playoff discussion. They won’t go anywhere unless they get solid play out of the quarterback position, however.

19. New Orleans Saints

The Saints traded away Jimmy Graham and have publicly admitted Drew Brees is regressing. Now a run-balanced offense, it’s impossible to predict which direction they’re truly headed right now.

20. New York Giants

Odell Beckham Jr. lit a fire under the G-Men last year. That was on offense, though. If the Giants are going to return to the playoffs in 2015, that once stout defense will have to come back to life.

21. Kansas City Chiefs

Alex Smith has shown he can manage games. With Travis Kelce and Jeremy Maclin ready to blow up, we may find out if he can dominate them in 2015.

22. St. Louis Rams

The Rams have a top-10 defense and a good coaching staff. With Todd Gurley, they may now have the running game to compete in the NFC West. The rest hangs on Nick Foles.

23. Atlanta Falcons

Rookie head coach Dan Quinn had a heck of a draft and should have a once soft Falcons squad playing mean football. If the defense brings the punch, Matt Ryan and the offense could deliver the knockout blow.

24. New York Jets

There’s little doubt that Gang Green has a championship-level defense. It’s quarterback that is the real concern. Can Geno Smith or Ryan Fitzpatrick rise from the ashes, or will Bryce Petty end up being their savior?

25. Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota is trending upward with a solid defense and a steady young quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater. If Adrian Peterson sticks around, this just might be a dangerous playoff contender.

26. Chicago Bears

Jay Cutler is better than what we saw in 2014. That’s the hope, at least. Even if he turns it around, though, this Bears defense still has a ways to go.

27. Washington Redskins

If Robert Griffin III can get out of his own way the ‘Skins might be able to turn things around in 2015. That’s assuming the moves on defense pay off, of course.

28. Cleveland Browns

Is Johnny Manziel the answer? If the Browns are to do anything in 2015, he just might have to be.

29. Oakland Raiders

Derek Carr has a legit weapon in Amari Cooper and Oakland’s defense is on it’s way up. Can they make some real noise in the competitive AFC West?

30. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville has made key moves on defense and offense. The rest depends on the development of Blake Bortles.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I can’t see a Lovie Smith team staying down for long, while Jameis Winston is ready to win games right now. If the Bucs are better on defense, they’ll steadily rise up these ranks.

32. Tennessee Titans

Drafting Marcus Mariota was a step in the right direction, but he’s too raw to trust for more than a few wins. Tennessee could be back in the bottom three again come the next draft.

Think your team is ranked too low? Tell us where they belong in the comments below!

2015 NFL Draft: Analyzing the Top Winners and Losers

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2015 NFL Draft: Analyzing the Top Winners and Losers
31 Mar

The 2015 NFL Draft is officially behind us, which should allow us to move forward as we anticipate another exciting NFL season. The new season naturally could bring some new contenders to the field, and could have some other teams taken down a peg or two. We can’t know for sure who will rise or fall just yet, but we can clear up the picture by taking a look at who won and lost this year’s draft.

With that, let’s break down the top winners and losers of the 2015 NFL Draft:

Winners

Cleveland Browns

The Browns left the draft without an answer at quarterback, but the jury is still out on Johnny Manziel. They also failed to land an impact wide receiver, but appear to have addressed every other key need. Danny Shelton and Cameron Erving take care of needs in the trenches, while Nate Orchard helps their pass rush and Duke Johnson gives their running game a boost. Cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu may be the steal of the draft when it’s all said and done. Cleveland still has some questions to answer, but they did a terrific job ignoring outside noise and just building out their team.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Gus Bradley enjoyed a fantastic 2015 draft, as he and his Jaguars secured an elite edge rusher in Dante Fowler with their first round pick. They didn’t stop there, as they got the bruising feature back their offense demands via Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon. Yeldon is a serious steal in round two and could be exactly what their balanced offense needs. Offensive guard A.J. Cann was another solid steal in round three, while the Jags continued to be all about value by snagging hometown product Rashad Greene in round five and space-eater Michael Bennett in round six. From top to bottom, the Jags may have had the best draft based on immediate impact and total value.

Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta needed a pass rusher and they got a total stud with Clemson edge rusher, Vic Beasley. He stands out the most in their 2015 draft class, but they landed stud corner Jalen Collins to give their shaky pass defense a major boost and also beefed up their running game with the electrifying Tevin Coleman. That’s three impact players for rookie head coach Dan Quinn in what should go down as a very solid draft.

Houston Texans

The Texans only miss in this draft was failing to acquire some much-needed offensive line depth, but they otherwise hit home run after home run. Kevin Johson is a fine cornerback prospect that will round out their secondary, Benardrick McKinney can pair with Brian Cushing in the middle of their 3-4 defense and Jaelen Strong can be a long-term Andre Johnson replacement. Kenny Hilliard was even a solid steal in round seven to provide the offensive backfield with more depth.

Miami Dolphins

Miami landed an impact wide receiver in DeVante Parker and a powerful defensive tackle in Jordan Phillips to pair with Ndamukong Suh for the future. Both picks were solid values, but their value didn’t touch their fifth round selection of running back Jay Ajayi. Ajayi has a shaky injury history but was insanely productive at Boise State and could be one of the top steals of this year’s draft. Overall, Miami did a fantastic job addressing all of their key needs with just seven picks.

Minnesota Vikings

Already a team seemingly on the rise, the Vikings beefed up a solid defense even more with key additions, Eric Kendricks and Trae Waynes. Those two are likely impact starters, while T.J. Clemmings was a steal in round four that could help a shaky offensive line. Minnesota already has the makings of a playoff contender, especially if Adrian Peterson stays in town.

Losers

Buffalo Bills

Rex Ryan’s first draft was quite underwhelming, as the Bills had just six picks to use and arguably grabbed zero impact players. Ronald Darby, their best prospect, comes in at a position the Bills were already stacked at (cornerback). Buffalo still has no answer at quarterback, either.

Carolina Panthers

Carolina might be teetering on the fence here, but they simply didn’t make a splash in this draft. They took Shaq Thompson and Devin Funchess, two guys without true positions, and failed to address defensive end or cornerback. If Funchess can’t be a wide receiver at the NFL level, they failed to land another impact wideout, too, while they waited until round four to take their lone offensive lineman in this draft.

Green Bay Packers

Ted Thompson reached for a safety when he had two already, then drafted a basketball player in round two. In round three he selected a wide receiver when the Packers already have at least three legit options and he later grabbed a quarterback when he has Aaron Rodgers. For a team that sorely needed a lot of pieces on defense, Thompson failed the Packers this year.

Indianapolis Colts

Indy reached for a wide receiver in round one and failed to land any legit impact players on defense. They were stacked at receiver and badly needed to improve in various spots on defense, so they’re an easy pick for this side of the winner/loser debate.

Philadelphia Eagles

Chip Kelly and co. came out of the draft without Marcus Mariota, and after offering half of their picks and a bunch of their players to try to make it happen, they couldn’t even save face. The Eagles did land an impact wide receiver and addressed some needs, but no Mariota should leave fans quite disappointed.

While other teams had good or average drafts, the teams above best fit into a clear “winner” or “loser” slot. Think someone else deserves to be mentioned above? Let us hear it in the comments below!

2015 NFL Draft: Top Prospects Remaining on Day Three

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2015 NFL Draft: Top Prospects Remaining on Day Three
31 Mar

The first two days of the 2015 NFL Draft have come and gone, yet several big name prospects with loads of talent remain on the draft board. Which star players that have plummeted to day three are the biggest steals and where could they go?

In a draft with few trades or crazy surprises, we should be mildly shocked that these guys haven’t heard their names called yet. Let’s take a look at who they are and where they could go on the final day of the 2015 NFL Draft:

Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor

Easily one of the top passing prospects in this draft class, Petty has been overlooked to this point due to his college system and a misconception that he can’t adjust to a pro-style system. Petty has a good head on his shoulders and has also displayed a strong arm and nice mobility. He should be drafted in round four, while his suitors could stretch from the Jets to the Broncos.

Brett Hundley, QB , UCLA

Hundley is just as surprising to still be around as Petty, because he has even more natural ability and upside. Scouts may be worried about Hundley’s pocket presence and accuracy, but he’s a big bodied passer with a big arm and top level athleticism. Even as a project, someone should take a stab at home in round four.

Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State

Ajayi was long considered one of the top running back prospects, but has seen his stock crushed due to concerns over injuries and some poor off field decision-making. He was extremely productive in college, however, and has the build and athleticism to be a feature back at the next level. His place in this year’s draft will come down to medical concerns. A team like the New England Patriots might look past his medical issues and give him a chance in round five.

Rashad Greene, WR, Florida State

Greene has simply been negatively impacted by a truly deep wide receiver draft class. A big time athlete who comes up in big moments, Greene is largely held back by his small stature and poor run blocking. If he’s just a situational threat, he’s a total gem. However, teams normally don’t spend a pick in the first three rounds on that type of player. Greene could hear his name called in round four, however, where teams like the Patriots, Ravens and Saints could look to add another deep threat.

La’el Collins, OG, LSU

Collins was without a doubt a stud guard coming into this draft, but some off field drama has destroyed his stock. The once locked-in first rounder may now not even be drafted. Someone looking for elite guard play like the Saints could sniff around him in the fifth or sixth round, though.

T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh

A stud offensive tackle that many felt had a chance at sneaking into the tail end of round one, Clemmings has seen himself free fall due to concerns over the health of his foot. Unable to qualm the fears of scouts, this stout blocker is slated to dip into the fourth or fifth round. Any team that needs help regarding custom football jersey and beefing up their pass protection should jump at the chance to get him this late. The Colts, Dolphins and Falcons could show interest.

Tre’ Jackson, OG, Florida State

One of the top offensive guards still on the board, Jackson is everything you look for in a guard, minus the technique and proper weight control. Teams likely are slightly afraid of his ability to refine the fundamentals and also keep his weight in check. Beyond those two concerns, though, teams are passing on a legit starting guard.

Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State

Defensive tackle seems to be oddly undervalued in this draft, as we’ve already seen stud interior linemen like Malcom Brown, Jordan Phillips and Eddie Goldman fall down draft boards. It seems to be more of a necessity thing, as teams are using earlier picks on flashier prospects. That shouldn’t take anything away from Bennett, though, who is built to man the end of a 3-4 base defense. The Packers and 49ers could take a look at him, among other teams.

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon

A stud corner for the Ducks, Ekpre-Olomu has seen his once promising draft stock plummet due to injury. Some thought he could contend for a first round pick a year ago, while even with his injury he arguably had the talent to be a day two pick. Instead, the earliest he’ll hear his name called today is round four. He’s going to be an absolute steal by this point, though, as plenty of teams need corner help and he’s a fine talent when healthy. Teams like the Packers, Steelers and Patriots would all be wise to show interest.

Is there another prospect that belongs on this list? Let us know in the comments below!

Peyton Manning and 10 NFL Players Who Could Retire Soon

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The end is always just right around the corner. This off-season we’ve said goodbye to the likes of Troy Polamalu and Patrick Willis, while second-year linebacker Chris Borland even decided to hang’em up. That just goes to show that retirement is always an option and one that isn’t quite as far in the future as we tend to think. That’s especially the case with some of the NFL’s older stars, as each year brings another chance for them to call it a career.

Who mails it in after the 2015 NFL season? We can’t know for sure, but these 10 stars just might be ready to ride off into the sunset:

Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos

Manning was supposedly already thinking about whether or not he wanted to return for the 2015 season, so he may have one foot out the door. The 39-year old legend probably would like to pad his stats and go out on top with a second Super Bowl win, but this season could easily be his last, regardless of how his final game of the year goes.

Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers

Rivers is an interesting case, as he’s refusing to extend his contract with the Chargers due to a lack of desire of playing in Los Angeles (where the franchise may move the team). It’s not known whether or not he’ll change his mind or what his actual motives are, but any uncertainty has to be paid attention to. Some think he’ll get traded, while others think he could just play out his final year in San Diego and call it a career. At just 33 years old, Rivers would be walking away from the game still in his prime.

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Lynch is another peculiar case, as he’s very much in his prime and has helped the Seahawks reach back to back Super Bowls. In fact, he’s been a dominant force for basically his entire stay in Seattle and had the ‘Hawks given him the ball on the game’s final fatal play, he may have pushed them to their second straight Lombardi Trophy. Lynch isn’t necessarily old, but he’s an odd personality that is extremely tough to gauge and there have been whispers of him considering retiring in the past. If Seattle won another Super Bowl would he finally be ready to walk away at age 29? He’d still arguably be in his prime, but he’d leave the game on top, ala Barry Sanders.

Frank Gore, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Gore is quite a rarity, as he’ll enter 2015 as Indy’s feature back despite being 31 years old. Despite never truly looking to be on his last legs with the 49ers, Gore is obviously getting up there in age for an NFL running back and could be entering his career’s final stanza. Whether he wants to quit or not, a bad 2015 showing could mark the end of the road for the ageless wonder.

Steve Smith, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Everyone seemed to think Smith was washed up after a down 2014 season, but it turns out all the soon-to-be 36-year old needed was a change of scenery. Smith signed with the Ravens last off-season and started the year as one of the league’s hottest receivers. He even finished in style, totaling 79 receptions, 1,065 yards and six scores. Smith looked plenty quick and athletic a year ago, but another NFL season could easily break him down. Going into 2016 at 37 years old, it’s possible he could call it quits.

Andre Johnson, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Johnson might be in a similar situation as Smith was, as he seemed to be being phased out of the offense in Houston, but could emerge as a dangerous weapon in Indy. However, even if Johnson enjoys a successful debut season with the Colts, the end could be near. Johnson will turn 35 before the 2016 season and has already visibly lost some speed and explosiveness. If he regresses further in 2015, he may not fulfill the three-year deal he signed with the Colts.

Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers

Gates could have a few good reasons to make 2015 his last NFL season. He’s already going to be 35 when the new season starts, his quarterback (Rivers) may not stick around for long and the guy behind him, LaDarius Green, continues to threaten to unseat him from his starting role. Gates looked about as good as ever in 2014, but constant foot issues could be another reason why he ultimately decides against playing beyond this season.

Charles Woodson, S, Oakland Raiders

Woodson looks like an easy retirement call at first glance, but he keeps trucking along at age 38. Woodson is somehow still a decent safety for a rising Raiders defense, but time is certainly running out on his career. Woodson’s current deal is only for one year and he’ll turn 39 during the 2015 season. If this isn’t his last year in the league, it’d be quite a surprise.

Jared Allen, DE/OLB, Chicago Bears

Allen spent 2014 with the Chicago Bears after bleeding purple with the Minnesota Vikings for six years and seemed to regress in his new city. Allen apparently dealt with a herniated disc, however, and at 32 years old was still able to rack up six sacks in his first season with his new team. While his debut season with the Bears wasn’t all bad, he’s now 33 and learning a brand new position as an edge rusher on the outside of Chicago’s new 3-4 system.

The saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” could ring true here if the aging Allen can’t transition successfully to the new defense. If that ends up being the case, he’d enter 2016 going on 34 and seemingly running out of gas. By that point, would Allen try to prove he still has gas left in the tank or just call it a career?

Justin Smith, DE, San Francisco 49ers

Smith might be the easiest call on this last, as he’s literally contemplating retiring as we speak. In other words, if he does in fact suit up for the 2015 season, there’s a pretty good chance it will be his last. The same probably goes for the likes of Reggie Wayne or Wes Welker if someone signs them, as well.

Did we miss someone or listed someone that you don’t think will be retiring anytime soon? Let us hear it in the comments below!