Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\nThe eventual Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, were placed in the \u2018is our quarterback any good?\u2019 bucket. The answer to that, in case it isn\u2019t obvious, was a resounding yes.<\/p>\n
New England, meanwhile, was apparently all about \u2018preaching patience\u2019. Good luck selling that line this year after Drake Maye\u2019s rapid rise last season.<\/p>\n
In fact, none of the teams we had as Super Bowl contenders even ended up playing in the AFC and NFC Championship games.<\/p>\n
It was a wildly unpredictable season, but at least it\u2019s a low bar to clear this time around.<\/p>\n
So, let\u2019s get into it for 2026.<\/p>\n
SUPER BOWL CONTENDERS<\/p>\n
Seattle Seahawks <\/p>\n
Let\u2019s start with the Super Bowl champs. Sam Darnold proved last year he can be that guy. The defence is up there with the best units in the league and will continue to be this team\u2019s greatest strength, even if it has been weakened after losing Coby Bryant, cornerback Riq Woolen and outside linebacker Boye Mafe. The big question is new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury. Klint Kubiak masterminded one of the most explosive and efficient offences in the NFL last year, and that was without a consistent run game. Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker made an impact down the stretch, but now he is gone too putting all the pressure on rookie Jadarian Price to hit the ground running with Zach Charbonnet rehabbing from a torn ACL. The pressure is on Fleury to get the most out of a limited passing attack that has questions beyond standout receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba.<\/p>\n
Seattle Seahawks’ players celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon \/ AFP)Source: AFP<\/p>\n
New England Patriots<\/p>\n
Moving onto the runners-up, wherever you sit in the debate it is hard to deny that the Patriots at least somewhat benefited from the softest schedule in the league last year. However, an aggressive summer has New England positioned to take another leap in Drake Maye\u2019s third year at quarterback. Most notably, Maye finally has a true alpha receiver in A.J. Brown. Maye is one of the best deep passers in the NFL and should thrive having a consistent downfield weapon to target, while the ever-reliable Romeo Doubs will add a solid secondary option and willing blocker to the receiver room. The pass rush, however, is a concern after the Patriots parted ways with sacks leader K\u2019Lavon Chaisson.<\/p>\n
Buffalo Bills<\/p>\n
Another year of ranking the Bills inside the top tier and hoping things will be different. So, has anything actually changed? Well, as long as Josh Allen is quarterback there will always be hope. Add in D.J. Moore and Allen may have his first true top dog in the receiver room since Stefon Diggs\u2019 departure. The question, however, is whether Moore\u2019s underwhelming final season in Chicago was more a reflection of his poor fit in Ben Johnson\u2019s offence or a once-explosive player on the decline in the latter stages of his career. The change in defensive scheme from 4\u20133 to 3\u20134 (three defensive lineman and four linebackers) under Jim Leonhard will also take time to adjust to. But for the first time in a long time it feels like the Bills are flying under the radar, and it is an ominous thought for the rest of the NFL.<\/p>\n
49ers soaking up Melbourne atmosphere | 04:26<\/p>\n
Denver Broncos<\/p>\n
Are you a Bo-liever? That is the only thing that should really be holding you back from declaring Denver a genuine Super Bowl threat. The training wheels were on early under Sean Payton in Nix\u2019s rookie year but the former Oregon first-round pick has quickly silenced his sceptics and proven himself worthy of his selection at 12th overall in the 2024 draft. Adding a genuine star receiver in Jaylen Waddle to the mix should only help Nix go to another level, although there could be some growing pains early in the season under new offensive coordinator Davis Webb. Still, the defence remains one of if not the most elite unit in the league. The run game should be steady with a now healthy J.K. Dobbins leading the way, while RJ Harvey and rookie Jonah Coleman round out the ground attack.<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Rams<\/p>\n
The clear Super Bowl favourites, and that was before confirmation that Aaron Donald was coming out of retirement. Add in superstar edge rusher Myles Garrett and cornerback Trent McDuffie and this is a fearsome Rams defence. The offence, meanwhile, was one of the best in the league last year and should be the same this season. Puka Nacua is a do-it-all freak. Davante Adams was automatic on the one-yard line last year. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum keep the sticks moving in the run game. Second-year tight end Terrance Ferguson is a candidate to take a leap. And of course, Sean McVay is still there pulling all the strings. The worthy Super Bowl favourite.<\/p>\n
Puka Nacua. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Baltimore Ravens<\/p>\n
Last year didn\u2019t go to plan, and a lot of that came back to the fact Lamar Jackson couldn\u2019t stay healthy. Fingers crossed that will change this year. Jackson should benefit from a fresh vision under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, who comes from Chicago where Ben Johnson took the league by storm with his creative play-calling. There is already talk of shifts and motions added to the offence, which should help make receiver Zay Flowers even more of a central point. Then there is the force of nature that is Derrick Henry, who continues to defy the age curve at running back. Jackson should be back to his best as a rusher this season too after being limited by injury last year, while rookie receiver JaKobi Lane has been creating buzz at training camp. If there is one major question mark it is once again along the offensive line after the departure of three-time Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum.<\/p>\n
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. (AP Photo\/Nick Wass)Source: AP<\/p>\n
CONTENDERS WITH A CAVEAT (THEY\u2019RE IN THE AFC)<\/p>\n
Houston Texans<\/p>\n
This year will go a long way to determining how we think about C.J. Stroud. The Texans quarterback exploded out of the gates in his rookie year but has regressed since. There are reasons for that. The offensive line was a disaster. The run game was down there with the worst in the league. The receiving corps, outside of Nico Collins, has at times been barren. But there are also still genuine concerns Stroud is not the franchise-altering quarterback the Texans would have thought he was after his rookie year. There is unfortunately little room for patience. This is a Texans team with Super Bowl aspirations because the defence is elite. The running game is improved with the addition of David Montgomery. The offensive line could look different with center Evan Brown and rookie guard Keylan Rutledge. But this is a team that will only go as far as Stroud is willing to take them and based on how Seattle went last year with Darnold at quarterback, it isn\u2019t hard to see the Texans winning it all if Stroud can at least play at league-average level.<\/p>\n
C.J. Stroud. Kenneth Richmond\/Getty Images\/AFPSource: AFP<\/p>\n
Jacksonville Jaguars<\/p>\n
The hope is that the second half of the season was more indicative of the direction the Jaguars are heading in. It would make sense too if that was the case. It was always going to take time for the offence in particular to take shape under new head coach Liam Coen. Trevor Lawrence started to look more comfortable. The receiver room started to make sense. Brian Thomas Jr. moved to the boundary, Parker Washington emerged as a physical, yards-after-catch presence over the middle of the field and Jakobi Meyers was a do-it-all, dirty work veteran. The defence forced turnovers at an unsustainable rate, so that is something to monitor along with the run game after the departure of Travis Etienne. The offensive line is also a major question mark.<\/p>\n
Kansas City Chiefs<\/p>\n
Like Josh Allen, any team with Patrick Mahomes has to be in with a shot at the Super Bowl every year. The question mark, however, is what version of Mahomes we\u2019ll get. That is less in relation to the passing and more the scrambling, with Mahomes coming off a torn ACL. The Chiefs\u2019 superstar quarterback was one of the best in the league at extending plays with his legs and throwing on the move. That may not be a big feature of his game off the injury. Fortunately, the Chiefs have a big-name acquisition in running back Kenneth Walker to feature in a new-look offence. Kansas City\u2019s run game has lacked an explosive element for years now. If Walker stays healthy, he could put himself in the frame for offensive player of the year in a featured role. The receiver room, however, remains a question mark. Rashee Rice doesn\u2019t look healthy, Xavier Worthy isn\u2019t the picture of durability and Cyrus Allen \u2014 until he proves otherwise \u2014 is just another camp hype darling. Even Travis Kelce in the back end of his career isn\u2019t someone the Chiefs want to feature in their passing attack.<\/p>\n
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes. David Eulitt\/Getty Images\/AFPSource: AFP<\/p>\n
CONTENDERS WITH A CAVEAT (THE NFC IS REALLY HARD)<\/p>\n
Philadelphia Eagles<\/p>\n
This could be a make-or-break year for Jalen Hurts. It seems surprising given he only won a Super Bowl recently, but the Eagles are leaning into a new-look operation on offence under new coordinator Sean Mannion. The timing-based offence will require Hurts to pass over the middle of the field with confidence and anticipation, something he has not really been asked to do much of previously. Instead, Hurts has been at his best throwing outside the numbers to Devonta Smith and A.J. Brown. Now it is just Smith and rookie Makai Lemon, who made a name for himself in college football last season primarily as an inside receiver. Smith can undoubtedly win on the outside and new acquisition Dontayvion Wicks can do a bit of both. But it will all depend on how Hurts masters this new offence which will require him to operate from under center. If it fails, Hurts could enter next season under pressure to keep his job. Of course, the defence still remains Philadelphia\u2019s strength along with the offensive line and superstar running back Saquon Barkley. But Philadelphia\u2019s success this year hinges on Hurts.<\/p>\n
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. (AP Photo\/Chris Szagola)Source: AP<\/p>\n
Chicago Bears<\/p>\n
Everyone is excited about the Bears. Year two of Caleb Williams in the Ben Johnson offence. Colston Loveland and Luther Burden taking significant leaps in their second season. The offence should be among the most electric in the league. The defence, however, is unconvincing at best. The Bears forced turnovers at an incredible clip last year, but it is hard to see that repeating with some level of regression expected. Injuries to the defence in the summer only add further question marks on that side of the ball. Safety Coby Bryant is out four to six months, and nickel corner Kyler Gordon has landed on reserve\/PUP to start the year, meaning he will miss at least four games.<\/p>\n
Green Bay Packers<\/p>\n
The Packers are usually perennial contenders and in a way their reputation is mainly what has them in this tier, because on paper this team doesn\u2019t look quite as strong as those of years passed. The defence will be without Micah Parsons for at least a month, while who knows when Josh Jacobs will be back \u2014 if ever. The star running back was placed on the commissioner exempt list late last month after he was charged with two misdemeanours stemming from an alleged incident with a woman in May. Green Bay has typically been a run-first offence under Matt LaFleur. That will almost certainly change with former third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd now leading the running back room, having battled numerous injury setbacks in his first two years in the league. Jordan Love has the arm talent to be the focal point of the offence and the receiver room, if healthy, is stacked for talent with Jayden Reed, Christian Watson and Matthew Golden. It also sounds like tight end Tucker Kraft is nearing full health coming off his torn ACL, although it remains to be seen whether he has the same, insane tackle-busting ability post-injury. If the Packers can stay healthy, they should be thereabouts again in the NFC. But depth is a major concern on both sides of the ball.<\/p>\n
49ers extend NFL invite to Jai Arrow | 00:32<\/p>\n
Detroit Lions<\/p>\n
Like the Bears, this offence is also tipped to be one of the best in the league and unlike Chicago, it doesn\u2019t require much forecasting. We\u2019ve already seen it. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams are among the best receiver tandems in the sport. Sam LaPorta has hopefully put his back injury put him. Jahmyr Gibbs is the top dog in the running back room after David Montgomery was traded and is ready to go to another level. His back-up Isiah Pacheco is starting the year on injured reserve though, and he isn\u2019t the only one with center Cade Mays (wrist) and safeties Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee) also sidelined to open the season. Injuries aside, the secondary is also a major unknown which will only put more pressure on the defensive line, led by Aidan Hutchinson, to deliver.<\/p>\n
San Francisco 49ers<\/p>\n
It\u2019s really an age thing with the 49ers. This is a talented group on paper, but injuries could prove their undoing and expose just how fragile this roster is. Mike Evans, the new addition at receiver, is 33. Left tackle Trent Williams is 38. Superstar running back Christian McCaffrey is at 30, and even though he is still a weapon in the passing game he seems to have lost some of his explosiveness and twitch between the tackles. Center Jake Brendel is 34. Tight end George Kittle is 33 and coming off a torn Achilles. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk is 35. Fred Warner is 30. It\u2019s not just that the roster is old, but it\u2019s old at key positions and so this seems like a team that could either go to a Super Bowl or very quickly be looking at some tough decisions entering the summer.<\/p>\n
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle. (AP Photo\/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)Source: AP<\/p>\n
WE CAN\u2019T QUITE GET THERE\u2026 YET<\/p>\n
Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n
Like Dallas, this could be one of the league\u2019s most explosive offences. But all the questions are on the defensive side of the ball. The defensive front looks a lot stronger this time around after Cincinnati got aggressive and traded for Dexter Lawrence II while also adding Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen. The Bengals also found the answer at cornerback last year in Dax Hill and DJ Turner. The hope and expectation is that this will be a transformed unit and if they are at least middle of the pack, a trip to the Super Bowl could be in the mix. As long as the offensive line can stay healthy, the Bengals could be right up there. It\u2019s hard to get there yet given we haven\u2019t quite seen it yet from this defensive unit, but it may not take long for them to move up a few tiers.<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Chargers<\/p>\n
The hype in L.A. this offseason is real, and it\u2019s hard not to buy in. Justin Herbert has long been billed as a superstar quarterback and while there is little doubting his talent, he hasn\u2019t quite taken that next step yet to truly establish himself among the league\u2019s elite. There have been excuses, whether it was poor offensive line play, unimaginative coaching or injuries but that is why he has quickly earned the nickname as the \u2018If Man\u2019. If this happened… if that happened. If he got the right offensive co-ordinator. Well, he\u2019s got that man now. Mike McDaniel\u2019s arrival has Chargers fans dreaming of that breakout Herbert season. McDaniel is the man behind Miami\u2019s hyper-efficient run game, and imagine what he\u2019ll do for Omarion Hampton and speedster Keaton Mitchell. And how about Ladd McConkey? The chess piece he can move all over the formation. Then there\u2019s Quentin Johnston, who struggled as a rookie in an X receiver role that he simply wasn\u2019t ready for but could thrive as a yards-after-the-catch machine in the McDaniel offence. All the ingredients are there. But the injury to big-name signing Tyler Biadasz in the summer was a brutal reality check because yet again, injuries to the interior offensive line could derail the hype train before it gets on the tracks. Granted, McDaniel proved in Miami he could find ways to work around poor offensive line play but expectations are much higher in L.A. with Herbert. <\/p>\n
Justin Herbert. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Dallas Cowboys<\/p>\n
It all hinges on the defence. There aren\u2019t any real questions on the other side of the ball. Dak Prescott, when healthy, is an MVP-calibre quarterback. He has two bonafide studs at receiver in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, while Ryan Flournoy stepped up when Dallas needed him last year. Javonte Williams will get what is blocked for him. The offensive line was a strength, but the thumb injury to Tyler Smith that will sideline him for four to six weeks is not ideal. The defence is where there is questions though. Outside of star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, the front seven lacks punch and then the depth at both cornerback and lineback is a concern.<\/p>\n
PLAYOFFS\u2026 BUT NOT MUCH MORE<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh Steelers<\/p>\n
Time and time again, the Steelers seem to somehow find a way to scrap out enough wins to make the playoffs but beyond that point they lack the true difference-makers on offence to make much noise. It looks like that will be the case again this year with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. The additions of Michael Pittman Jr. and Germie Bernard should ease the pressure on DK Metcalf to always be the go-to target while the defensive front remains one of the more feared units in the league and should keep the Steelers in most games. The offensive line is the swing factor, particularly when you consider Rodgers needs a clean pocket to get some explosives going on an otherwise uninspiring offence.<\/p>\n
Aaron Rodgers. Joe Sargent\/Getty Images\/AFPSource: AFP<\/p>\n
Washington Commanders<\/p>\n
Honestly, playoffs also seems like a stretch for the Commanders given the state of their offensive line. Losing Laremy Tunsil for the season to injury was a gut punch and left guard Sam Cosmi as the best offensive lineman on Washington\u2019s books. It was a crushing blow since the biggest priority for the Commanders this season will be keeping Jayden Daniels upright. That now will be a challenge. The receiver room is solid, with Stefon Diggs a handy addition and Chig Okonkwo a more dynamic option at tight end. But the run game looks like it will be inconsistent and it will be a surprise to see Washington finish above Dallas or Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
PLAYOFFS… BUT THEY\u2019RE THE NFC SOUTH<\/p>\n
New Orleans Saints<\/p>\n
Tyler Shough was one of the more pleasant surprises of last season and this year will be all about proving it wasn\u2019t a fluke and that he can continue to improve now that opposition teams have more tape of him and have taken notice of the former second-round pick. He was going to have two stud receivers but rookie Jordyn Tyson went down injured in training camp, so it\u2019ll be Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson as his top two targets again. Travis Etienne adds a much-needed explosive element to the run game that was missing last year, and if the offensive line can stay healthy the Saints are a good bet to top the NFC South. Depth is a concern though, as is Shough\u2019s ability to play at a high enough level to go deep in the playoffs. But that is a problem for a few years down the track. Right now, Shough is a major win considering where he was drafted.<\/p>\n
Tyler Shough. (Photo by Stacy Revere\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/p>\n
The offensive line is healthy, which is a big plus because keeping Baker Mayfield on his feet will be key. Mayfield didn\u2019t look the same after suffering a shoulder injury last year that saw him spraying throws. Bucky Irving, meanwhile, also struggled through injuries as Tampa Bay\u2019s once efficient run game cratered. Should Mayfield\u2019s accuracy improve and Irving return to form, the Bucs have enough depth on both sides of the ball to remain competitive in the NFC South. It\u2019s still hard to see much beyond then in that conference.<\/p>\n
MOST LIKELY TO HAVE THEIR COACH FIRED MID-SEASON<\/p>\n
New York Jets<\/p>\n
Will the real Geno Smith please stand up? Last year\u2019s version in Las Vegas was a disaster. The Jets are hoping that was more a product of poor offensive line play than Smith reverting to old habits. If they can get solid quarterback play from Smith that is somewhere in between that Vegas experience and his heights at Seattle it will be a pass mark. Fortunately, New York\u2019s offensive line is a genuine strength and this is also a much-improved skill position group after the Jets added Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq in the draft. But if things unravel quickly, it won\u2019t be long before the Jets pull the trigger on Robert Saleh. The front seven gives Saleh a chance of getting strong play on defence too, but the secondary is a major concern.<\/p>\n
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn. (AP Photo\/Adam Hunger)Source: AP<\/p>\n
Indianapolis Colts<\/p>\n
There aren\u2019t too many other teams that fit cleanly in this bucket because so many franchises have new head coaches, which makes it hard to see them moving on mid-season unless something disastrous happens. Realistically, the Colts shouldn\u2019t be moving on from Shane Steichen either. He had this offence humming as one of the most efficient units in the NFL last season before Daniel Jones went down injured and the entire operation crumbled. Realistically, it should be GM Chris Ballard losing his job if Jones doesn\u2019t look the same after the torn Achilles since he gave him the contract. But time and time again in the NFL it is the coach who is on the hot seat first. So if the Colts struggle early, don\u2019t be surprised if Steichen goes \u2014 even though he shouldn\u2019t. Fortunately, by all reports Jones has looked great in training camp.<\/p>\n
IS OUR QUARTERBACK ACTUALLY ANY GOOD?<\/p>\n
Minnesota Vikings<\/p>\n
Kyler Murray isn\u2019t a disaster by any means. He can still run a functional NFL offence and is a starting-calibre quarterback. But with a fresh flux of talent at the position entering the league next year via the draft, a quarterback like Murray could be a surprise contender to be closer to back-up than fully-fledged starter if he struggles this year. The biggest question is how Murray will fare running Kevin O\u2019Connell\u2019s offence, which requires the quarterback to access the middle of the field. Murray is adept at throwing deep crossers, but there may be some early teething problems. It will be interesting to see how O\u2019Connell uses Murray\u2019s legs too given he typically hasn\u2019t had a quarterback as athletic as Murray. J.J. McCarthy was sneaky athletic too, but clearly not quite up to NFL level last season. Murray doesn\u2019t have any excuses. He has an elite playcaller, top weapons in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and a strong offensive line. The defence is also among the best units in the NFL and should give him plenty of favourable field position to work with. It\u2019s all on Murray, and to extent O\u2019Connell too to prove he is the quarterback whisperer after last year\u2019s failed McCarthy experiment.<\/p>\n
Justin Jefferson and Kyler Murray. Stephen Maturen\/Getty Images\/AFPSource: AFP<\/p>\n
Carolina Panthers<\/p>\n
This is it for Bryce Young. Not in the NFL, but at Carolina. The former first overall pick is nearing the end of his rookie deal with no extension on the horizon. There is the option that the Panthers could place the franchise tag on Young if they are undecided on whether he is the long-term option. Otherwise, contracts like the $10 million one Sam Darnold first signed with the Vikings don\u2019t really exist in this current market. Look at what Malik Willis signed on at Miami from a few games with the Packers. This year is all about determining whether there is enough of a ceiling with Young for the Panthers to continue with him at quarterback. Young is an NFL-calibre quarterback, make no mistake. But his size limitations restrict the kind of offence Carolina can run, and his arm talent just doesn\u2019t make up for it. The loss of rookie Chris Brazzell and injuries to the offensive line won\u2019t help, but Young has enough weapons with Jalen Coker healthy and Tet McMillan looking to take a second-year leap.<\/p>\n
Bryce Young. (Photo by Mike Carlson\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Atlanta Falcons<\/p>\n
Well, it certainly sounds like Tua Tagovailoa isn\u2019t the answer. All the talk in the pre-season was about how accurate Tagovailoa was and how that should have allowed him to easily win the quarterback battle against Michael Penix given training camp is the kind of environment he should have thrived in. Instead, it appears Tagovailoa nearly lost the quarterback battle against himself given Penix has been largely banged up all pre-season. Penix himself is far from a sure thing, with a long injury history that makes it hard to rely on him. Undrafted rookie Jack Strand has developed somewhat of a cult following, although that says more about how desperate Falcons fans are for something new to latch onto. With superstar weapons in Bijan Robinson and Drake London along with tight end Kyle Pitts, this is a Falcons team that should be favourites for the NFC South. Instead, they remain stuck in quarterback purgatory.<\/p>\n
Tennessee Titans<\/p>\n
It is only early, but the Titans could face an interesting dilemma next year given the potential strength of the quarterback class. Cam Ward has shown flashes of brilliance but has also been equally maddening with his decision-making. The pre-season offered yet another reminder of just how far away Ward looks. He makes his best plays out of structure but that just isn\u2019t a consistent recipe for success. Otherwise, he looks reluctant and shaky when sitting in the pocket and while Tennessee\u2019s poor offensive line isn\u2019t helping it doesn\u2019t look like Ward is helping himself either by inviting the pressure at times. He has a much-improved receiving corps with rookie Carnell Tate and easy button Wandale Robinson but if Ward himself doesn\u2019t show growth, the Titans may be having an uncomfortable conversation this time next summer.<\/p>\n
Cam Ward. Johnnie Izquierdo\/Getty Images\/AFPSource: AFP<\/p>\n
New York Giants<\/p>\n
Jaxson Dart is that guy in the cartoon movies with the devil and angel on his shoulder and in his rookie season, most of the time it was the devil winning out. It doesn\u2019t seem like Dart gets it either based on his comments in the pre-season, where he admitted to being \u201cpuzzled\u201d by his latest concussion test. New coach John Harbaugh wants Dart to slide or run out of bounds, but it doesn\u2019t sound like that is an option for Dart. It just isn\u2019t in his nature. As long as that remains the case, Dart doesn\u2019t seem long for the NFL. His play style is fun to watch and he showed potential particularly passing deep in his rookie season, but down-to-down consistency was a question mark. Getting stud receiver Malik Nabers back should at least help. But if Dart doesn\u2019t show more maturity in his second season, he is still a late first-round pick with no connections to the current coaching staff and there is every chance they could bring in competition next year.<\/p>\n
TANKING FOR THE FIRST OVERALL PICK<\/p>\n
Miami Dolphins<\/p>\n
This one is fairly simple \u2014 and brutal \u2014 for Malik Willis. He got his first big shot in the NFL after signing to a three-year deal that includes $45 million guaranteed. But shortly after signing that deal Willis found himself without a top target in the passing game after Miami traded Jaylen Waddle. It left Malik Washington as the primarily option along with rookies Chris Bell and Caleb Douglas. The run game should at least be fun with both Willis and DeVon Achane, who is also electric with the ball in hands and could be an easy button check down target. But this is a team with a limited offensive ceiling and poor defence that may well lock the Dolphins in to be drafting Willis\u2019 replacement next year, even if they didn\u2019t give him much of a chance.<\/p>\n
Cleveland Browns<\/p>\n
By all reports Deshaun Watson looked terrible in training camp and based on the pre-season alone, it won\u2019t be long before he is replaced by second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Neither is the answer though and after trading Myles Garrett it is clear the Browns are looking to the future. That is also clear based on this quarterback room. If Cleveland had any intention of competing it would have traded for or signed a cheap veteran. Instead, the Browns already have one eye on next year\u2019s draft and with new offensive weapons in Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion, there is already the talent in place for that next quarterback to shine.<\/p>\n
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. (AP Photo\/Carolyn Kaster)Source: AP<\/p>\n
SHOULD BE TANKING FOR THE FIRST OVERALL PICK<\/p>\n
Arizona Cardinals <\/p>\n
The Cardinals are loaded for talent on offence. Trey McBride is a top-two tight end in the league. Michael Wilson has been a revelation at receiver. Marvin Harrison Jr., even if he hasn\u2019t lived up to his lofty draft expectations, is still a more than functional NFL player. Jeremiyah Love has been billed as a generational talent at running back. The offensive line should be better than expected, even if the loss of rookie guard Chase Bisontis hurts. The problem? The defence, even if healthy, is still one of the worst units in the NFL. And more than anything, they are in the NFC West. Lock the Cardinals in for fourth place in the division. This will be a fun team to watch, but really they should be positioning themselves to draft their quarterback of the future. The problem is that this front office is under pressure to not only justify taking Love so high in this year\u2019s draft but to get some results after a few down years, even if theoretically it makes more sense to tank.<\/p>\n
PREACHING PATIENCE<\/p>\n
Las Vegas Raiders<\/p>\n
This one is quite simple. The Raiders have a plan and it is to start number one overall pick Fernando Mendoza when they believe the time is right. That could be very early in the season, potentially in early November against the Jets so Mendoza can be spared the match-up against the Rams\u2019 fearsome pass rush. But otherwise, the main focus will be on getting Mendoza valuable reps to put himself in a position to hit the ground running in 2027. There are some key foundational pieces already in place in Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty. The 2027 class should offer Las Vegas a true number one receiver to draft for Mendoza too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We\u2019re back again and this time around hoping for a bit more success. Last year, foxsports.com.au had a…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":884929,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[559],"tags":[64,63,593,85],"class_list":["post-884928","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-nfl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/884928","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=884928"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/884928\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/884929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=884928"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=884928"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=884928"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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