By: Andy Davies

When Arthur Smith was hired as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, he came into the role with a great reputation for improving players after a two-season spell as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.

One player he helped improve was quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The former first-round pick arrived after a mixed spell with the Miami Dolphins. Tannehill improved massively, earning the award for Comeback Player of the Year after his first season with the franchise despite starting the season as the backup to Marcus Mariota. When Smith was promoted to offensive coordinator, he only got better.

Smith was predicted by many to help Matt Ryan get back to his former MVP self after what he did for Tannehill. Ryan has not improved or regressed in 2021. Instead, it has been Cordarrelle Patterson that has been the biggest improver under Smith. 

Here is why Patterson is Smith’s new Tannehill. 

Overcoming Expectation

The Falcons experimented with the idea of bringing Todd Gurley back to his best in 2020 but this only lasted one season. Instead of giving Gurley a new deal, they went for the versatile Patterson in Free Agency who signed a one-year $3 million deal. 

Patterson has been seen as somewhat of a journeyman during his NFL career, with the Falcons his fifth organisation since being drafted 29^th overall in 2013. For a while, he was seen as a great return specialist at best, with the occasional snaps as a running back or wide receiver.

He is a Super Bowl champion, earning a ring with the New England Patriots after their 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 53. However, he had just two rushing attempts for 7 yards and two receptions for 14 yards as well as a 38-yard kick return. He did not exactly have a big role in the game, in what is the lowest scoring Super Bowl in history. 

Patterson has started eight games this season. This is tied for the most games he has started, alongside his 2016 campaign with the Minnesota Vikings. The growth of Patterson and improvement made under Smith can be seen when you compare these two seasons.

In 2016, he recorded 43 rushing yards from 7 attempts and 453 yards from 52 receptions. In 2021, he has so far recorded 489 rushing yards from 106 carries and 518 receiving yards from 44 catches. He is having the best season of his career by some distance. 

The Falcons need to make sure he is at the franchise for more than one season. Giving him a new contract should be number one on the list of priorities for this team. He has been a brilliant addition to the Falcons offense. Kyle Pitts leads the team in receiving yards this season (770), but Calvin Ridley announced midseason that he would take a break from the sport for personal reasons. With the offseason departure of Julio Jones, Patterson’s rise in form has come at the perfect time. They currently sit at 6-7 with a chance of making the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign.

Smith’s Influence

The aforementioned Tannehill spoke about Smith during the 2021 offseason.

“He’s a great coach. Everything you look for in a coach and a leader and a great offensive mind.”

It is not just Tannehill that saw massive improvement under Smith. Running back Derrick Henry was seen as just a good running back during his first three seasons but saw his best two seasons alongside Smith. He recorded 2,293 rushing yards across his first three seasons in the NFL. His next two (2019 and 2020) saw him combine for 3,567 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns, becoming just the eighth player in NFL history to record over 2,000 rushing yards in a single season when he had 2,027 in 2019. 

Smith clearly knows how to work with running backs, as can be seen with Henry. The same is happening again with Patterson. After their 21-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in November, Smith was in high praise of Patterson.

“He’s a warrior. He’s a big physical presence that can do a lot for us.”

This was proved when he was listed as a back safety earlier this month.  It is a sign of a good coach when they can get the best out of a player and see their potential. Not even the greatest head coach of all time in Bill Belichick realised Patterson’s potential. Smith has taken a player seemingly on the wrong end of his career, to now being one of the best players this season. Some are even viewing him as an outside MVP candidate.

Patterson has a lot to thank Smith for. 

The post Is Cordarrelle Patterson Arthur Smith’s New Ryan Tannehill? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Andy Davies

The NFC East was a much-maligned division last year, with Washington winning it despite just seven wins. This is a far cry for the only division where all four teams have won at least one Super Bowl. Both the Giants and Eagles lifted the Lombardi Trophy during the 2010s.

Often called the ”˜NFC Least’ last season, it led to some questioning the playoff system and whether it should just be the teams with the seven best records rather than the division winners and three wildcard teams.

All four teams will want to prove the division is competitive. Here is a preview of the NFC East.

Dallas Cowboys (2020 Record: 6-10. Missed out on playoffs)

The Cowboys were massively disappointed after much hype going into the 2020 season, in a similar vein to the Cleveland Browns the prior season.

Quarterback Dak Prescott put up some good numbers before suffering a season-ending injury against the Giants in week 5. However, when the Cowboys went into the Giants game, they were still 1-3. This is despite Prescott’s statistics.  At the end of the 2020 season, they may have been 11th in passing yards allowed but finished 31st in rushing yards allowed and 28th in total points allowed. Have they done enough to address their defensive issues from last season?

Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is back as a defensive coordinator. Quinn, who was a coordinator for the Seahawks ‘Legion of Boom’, has been hired this summer by the Cowboys. Their draft has implied that they are looking to address this. 8 of their 11 picks were defensive players. Twelfth overall pick Micah Parsons is one of the best rookie prospects in the entire league and will be a brilliant replacement for the retiring Sean Lee, who struggled with injuries during his career. During the two seasons he played with Penn State, Parsons recorded 191 total tackles, 6 fumbles, 6.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss.

Dallas may have their issues defensively, but Dak has some excellent offensive weapons to work with. This includes wide receivers Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and second-year wideout CeeDee Lamb. Both Cooper and Gallup have combined for 32 touchdowns and 5,485 yards since they arrived in Dallas and Lamb had an encouraging rookie season. He was reportedly impressive in training camp this offseason.  Running back Ezekiel Elliot and Dak had excellent debut seasons in the NFL, with the latter winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2016. Elliot has slowly regressed. He will hope for a bounce-back year in 2021 and doing so would be a huge bonus for Prescott and this offense.

The Cowboys were the featured team on the 2021 edition of ”˜Hard Knocks’ and play in the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football. Other games against the Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, a tough Pittsburgh Steelers defense, Baltimore Ravens, and the San Francisco 49ers will challenge the Cowboys’ defense.

Their offense will perform but not as well as people think they will. The defense has made improvements this offseason but the unit is still a long way off.

Prediction: 2nd in NFC East

New York Giants (2020 Record: 6-10. Missed out on playoffs)

It has been a tough few years for the Giants, who last had a winning season when they went 11-5 in 2016.  Eli Manning’s form went downhill and he has since retired. Odell Beckham left for the Cleveland Browns. Daniel Jones was the replacement for Manning at quarterback but the 2019 sixth overall pick has flattered to deceive, with 35 touchdowns, 5,970 yards and 22 interceptions.

He has been backed this offseason, with the addition of wide receiver Kenny Golladay, who scored 21 touchdowns and caught for 3,068 yards during his four seasons with the Detroit Lions. Fellow receiver John Ross was added in Free Agency, with Kadarius Toney taken in the first round of the draft. Toney is reported to be set to have a “significant role” in the week one game against the Broncos. Tight end Kyle Rudolph joins the Giants after 48 touchdowns and 4,488 yards during ten seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.  Running back Saquon Barkley had an impressive rookie season in 2018 but had an injury-hit 2020, where he played just two games.

On the other side of the ball, Leonard Williams will hope to build on an impressive 2020. After moving from the New York Jets last year, he recorded 11 sacks, 57 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 30 quarterback hits. However, despite these impressive numbers, the Giants still ranked 17th in passing yards allowed and 10th in rushing yards allowed. Head coach Joe Judge and general manager Dave Gettleman have attempted to address their defensive issues in the draft and free agency, with linebacker Azeez Ojulari (below) taken in the second round. He is a player that I feel is one of the biggest sleeper picks in the 2021 draft. Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and nose tackle Danny Shelton were also added in Free Agency.

Their schedule isn’t too bad, with the Saints, Chiefs and Buccaneers presenting the biggest challenges, as well as their division games. They also get to face the Eagles, Denver Broncos and Falcons.

This is Jones’ time to shine. He needs to perform this year and has now been given everything he needs in terms of offensive weapons. He will see his performances improve but this won’t be enough for Joe Judge’s men to make the playoffs.

Prediction: 3rd in NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles (2020 Record: 4-11-1. Missed out on playoffs)

The Eagles had a very dysfunctional season in 2020, with the controversy surrounding their quarterback Carson Wentz and head coach Doug Pederson. Both are no longer with the organization as the franchise look to rebuild.

Jalen Hurts was the man to replace Wentz last season and be will look to improve on the 1,061 yards, 6 touchdowns and 4 interceptions he recorded in four games. He was sacked 13 times in those games, with 113 passes attempted. This amounts to be sacked every 11.4 passing attempts. With Wentz being the most sacked QB last season, this shows a problem with the Eagles offensive line, one that was around for most of Wentz’s Philly career. Free Agency signing Ryan Kerrigan will hope to improve the line between the trenches. Nick Sirianni has taken over from Pederson and will want to make an impression. However, he may find things tough for a team that ranked 24th for total offensive yards and 18th for total defensive yards allowed.

Heismann Trophy winner DeVonta Smith was taken twelfth round after the Eagles traded down via the Miami Dolphins. He recorded 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2020 with Alabama. His size has led to concerns over his durability at the NFL level. Becoming the first wide receiver for thirty years to win the award, he is not shy of breaking the trend. Running back Miles Sanders is another weapon for Hurts to hand the ball off to, with 867 yards and 6 touchdowns despite his the injury he suffered midseason. The Eagles are likely to be affected by the offseason departures of receivers DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffrey. Tight end Zach Ertz is still around, despite most feeling he would leave this summer.

The Eagles may face the Giants twice as well as the Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos but also face the NFC South teams. The Saints, Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers present difficult tasks, as does the game against the Chiefs. Philadelphia has a tough season ahead and these games do not help matters.

Prediction: 4th in NFC East

Washington Football Team (2020 Record: 7-9. lost in Wildcard Round)

Washington went from worst to first in 2020, losing to the eventual champions in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the postseason. This is despite the valiant effort from Washington.

This is a credit to Ron Rivera, who did an excellent job during his first year in charge. He was fired by the Carolina Panthers in the 2019 season but it didn’t take him long to find work. Rivera came into a franchise with a lot going on during the offseason. They retired the ”˜Redskins’ part of their team name and for now, are called the Washington Football Team until they decide on their team name for the future. There were also plenty of issues surrounding behaviour in the front office.  Rivera also battled through some personal battles, overcoming cancer whilst on the job. He has installed good values back into this organization and is the perfect man to take Washington to the next step.

Dwayne Haskins failed to deliver and the 2019 fifteenth overall pick was cut by the franchise midseason in 2020. Alex Smith was the fairytale story, coming back from the career-ending injury he suffered. He came onto the field against the Los Angeles Rams in week 5 to a chorus of cheers. He would retire at the end of the season after winning Comeback Player of the Year. Both he and Kyle Allen suffered injuries, which meant Taylor Heinicke came in. He had the game of his life during the Buccaneers playoff loss, leading to some feeling he should have been given a chance to start this season.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is his replacement, arriving in Free Agency after two seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He recorded 13 touchdowns and  8 interceptions in 2020 despite spending the second half of the season mostly as a backup. He did come in midgame against the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders, the latter where he threw a heroic pass to Mack Hollins despite a facemask that put the Dolphins in field goal range. Jason Sanders converted the game-winning field goal that followed that pass. He threw for 8 touchdowns and 1 interception after the opening two games of the 2018 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and became the first quarterback to throw for more than 400 yards in three straight games.  He is one of the most loved players in the entire league thanks to his infectious personality. Washington fans will take to him, especially if he plays as he did in 2020.

Fitzpatrick has plenty of weapons around him to throw the ball to and also hand the ball off to. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin recorded 1,118 yards and four touchdowns in 2020 and will want to continue the upward trajectory that his career has gone so far. Free Agency signing Curtis Samuel offers flexibility in the receiver position whether this is out wide, in the slot or the ground game. He had 851 receiving yards, three touchdown receptions and two rushing touchdowns. Adam Humphries arrives from the Tennessee Titans to add depth, most likely as a third or fourth choice wideout. Running back Antonio Gibson had 795 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns in his 2020 rookie season, with J.D. McKissic a capable backup. Tackle Sam Cosmi was taken 51st overall and his biggest strength is said to be run blocking. If he is to fulfil his potential, then this could open things up for Gibson and McKissic.

Washington’s prize asset is their defensive line. Predominately using a 4-3 scheme, they have the threat of both Montez Sweat and Chase Young on the edge, who recorded 16 sacks between them in 2020. With Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen on the interior, there is no mercy for any offensive lines or quarterbacks that face this front four. It doesn’t get any easier for Washington’s opponents this season, with linebacker Jonathan Bostic having 118 total tackles, 3 sacks and 6 quarterback hits in 2020. Washington added to the linebacker room in the draft, with Jamin Davis being selected nineteenth overall. During his time in college with Kentucky, he had excellent numbers. This was especially the case in his 2020 season. He posted 102 total tackles and 3 interceptions combined for 90 yards, with one resulting in a defensive touchdown. Sweat also had 45 total tackles, one defensive touchdown, 20 quarterback hits and 12 tackles for loss, with Young tallying up 44 total tackles, 12 quarterback hits and one fumble recovery for a touchdown. Jonathan Allen had 63 total tackles and Daron Payne had one interception, 3 forced fumbles, 3 sacks, 7 tackles for loss and 8 sacks.

Washington faces the Buffalo Bills, Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, Buccaneers and Seahawks in 2021. This appears a hard schedule but as it will for any team in the NFC East,  the two games against their division rivals will offer plenty of chances for wins.

Due to head coaching and a more complete roster than Dallas, Washington will take home a second consecutive division crown.

Prediction: 1st in NFC East

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By: Andy Davies

Welcome to the most topsy turvy division in the NFL. This is a division featuring two teams that are expected to make the playoffs and two teams that are expected to have no more than 5 or 6 wins. In the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans, the AFC South presents a very contrasting division. During the past seven seasons, all four teams have at least once tasted the division crown.

With it only being one of two teams that are likely to win the division this season, here is a preview of the AFC South.

Houston Texans (2020 record: 4-12. Third worst record in the NFL)

The Texans are in a dysfunctional mess. It seems just yesterday that they were 24-0 up against the Kansas City Chiefs during the Divisional Round in January 2020. The franchise has overseen massive changes and none are for the better.

Star wide receiver Deandre Hopkins was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in the 2020 offseason, which had a massive role to play in the Texans finishing 4-12 last season. Quarterback Deshaun Watson had his best statistical season despite the team’s record and the loss of his number one wideout, earning the award of passing yards leader. A request for a trade followed by legal troubles leaving his chances of suiting up once again in a Texans jersey slim to none. Defensive end J.J. Watt, who is probably the best player in franchise history, said an emotional goodbye to the Texans this offseason, with his move to the Arizona Cardinals in Free Agency confirmed.

The team has attempted to address the QB situation in the offseason, with Tyrod Taylor picked up in Free Agency and Davis Mills being taken in the third round of this year’s draft, the team’s first selection. The running back room is one area where Houston will be happy. Along with David Johnson, who was part of the aforementioned Hopkins trade, will be joined by three free-agent signings. Mark Ingram, Phillip Lindsay, and Rex Burkhead have all joined this summer via the Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, and Denver Broncos respectively.

Wide receiver Chris Conley, defensive tackle Maliek Collins, linebackers Christian Kirksey, Kamu Grugier-Hill, and cornerback Desmon King are five other notable additions but none of these players are likely to make much of an impact. With the exception of Watson, who has an uncertain future both in the NFL and as a Texan, offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and linebacker Zach Cunningham are the only two players that would start for the majority of teams in the league.

The Texans face a difficult season and new head coach David Culley has a tough task on his hands. Expect them to finish last in the division and have the worst record in the entire league.

Prediction: 4th in AFC South

Indianapolis Colts (2020 record: 11-5. Lost in Wildcard Round)

Indianapolis has the longest period without a division crown, with their last AFC South title coming in the 2014 season. Head coach Frank Reich has done an excellent job since being appointed in 2018, a job that was given to him after Josh McDaniels’ u-turn.

They started 1-5 in 2018 before turning it around to finish 10-6 and bow out in the Divisional Round. Quarterback Andrew Luck had an excellent 2018 campaign but announced his retirement on the eve of the 2019 season, Jacoby Brissett would come in as the starter before 2020, where Phillip Rivers arrived for what ended up being the final season of his career.

Carson Wentz departed the Philadelphia Eagles for the Colts this offseason but an injury put his season in doubt. It has since been reported that he has recovered way better than expected and may even play in week one. The more realistic outcome is Wentz playing in either week two or three.

He is reunited with his former offensive coordinator in Reich, someone who was a big part of his 2017 campaign. This is a season where he was everyone’s favourite for the MVP before injury prevented this. If there is anyone that can get him back to the player we once saw, this is Reich. Wentz knows the Reich system and once he starts for the Colts, the transition from franchises should be a smooth one.

Wentz comes into a very talented offense. He firstly will have running backs Jonathan Taylor, Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines to hand the ball off to. Michael Pittman showed flashes of what he can do in the NFL last season in his rookie year. Zach Pascal and Parris Campbell have the opportunity to make their mark, especially with the injury concerns surrounding T.Y. Hilton.

The offense will be massively helped by what is an excellent offensive line. Alongside centre Ryan Kelly, the Colts have the best offensive lineman in football. Guard Quenton Nelson has been a force in the league ever since being drafted sixth overall by Indianapolis in 2018. It is not only the offensive line where the Colts excel. They have an excellent defensive unit.

Darius Leonard, Bobby Okereke, DeForest Buckner will be joined by 2021 first round pick in defensive end Kwity Paye, who was one of the best defensive prospects in this year’s draft.

Games against the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots as well as two division games against the Titans makes for a tough schedule. These are mostly all Super Bowl contenders. Two games against the Texans and Jaguars will offer the Colts some wins, as well as their games against the inconsistent Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders.

Had it not been for Wentz’ injury, the Colts would be my tip to win the AFC South. However, the uncertainty around his health and the NFL readiness of backup Jacob Eason means that the Colts will find it tough to win this division.

Prediction: 2nd in AFC South

Jacksonville Jaguars (2020 record: 1-15. Worst record in NFL)

Hope surrounds Jacksonville, with new head coach Urban Meyer and number one overall pick Trevor Lawrence. Fans are left extremely excited over how the next three to four seasons will play out.

However, there have been some setbacks this offseason. Fellow first-round selection Travis Etienne was making good waves in training camp. The running back was said to be playing snaps as a receiver, which would allow fellow back James Robinson to kick on from his excellent rookie campaign. Etienne is now out for the season after suffering a foot injury.

Meyer’s body language has not exactly been positive and the three preseason games have highlighted the issues with the Jaguars offensive line, despite the win over the Dallas Cowboys. Lawrence will struggle to become the quarterback we all expect him to be if his line cannot protect him. If they can get that part of their team right, then the Jaguars can be a team to shock a few. Lawrence has the chance to throw to what is a very underrated wide receiver room in Jacksonville.

Marvin Jones has come in during the offseason after 36 touchdowns in 5 seasons with the Detroit Lions. Alongside 2020 draft pick Laviska Shenault and D.J. Chark, who has recorded 13 touchdowns throughout his three-year NFL career, the Jaguars are set at the wide receiver position. Offensive weapons should be the last of their concerns in the 2022 draft.

Defense should be a concern going into the 2021 season, considering they finished 27th in passing yards allowed and 30th in rushing yards allowed last year. No matter whether their offense excels or struggles, their defense will let them down. This is a far cry from the 2017 Jaguars defense that were proclaimed ”˜Sacksonville’, a unit that was dismantled year by year until all of those individuals left the franchise.

Expect the Jaguars to show their potential in short spells as the rebuild continues for this franchise. Improvement will be made on last season.

Prediction: 3rd in AFC South

Tennessee Titans (2020 record: 11-5. Lost in Wildcard Round

Under an excellent head coach in Mike Vrabel and the reigning Offensive Player of the Year in running back Derrick Henry, the Titans go into this season with plenty of excitement. They are seen as a dark horse for an appearance in Super Bowl 56 but can they surprise a few and make it to the big game?

With an exciting offense, anything is possible. Ryan Tannehill has rejuvenated his career in Tennessee after being traded from the Miami Dolphins, with 55 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and 6,561 passing yards since arriving at the franchise in 2019. He will hope to continue his success despite the departure of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who is now the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

Of course, there is Henry. He became just the eighth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards. He is the hearbeat of this offense. His sheer size and athleticism makes him a terror for any NFL defense. His importance to this team means that opponents can draw up a gameplan that aims to take him out of the game. If they are successful, then this can often be Tennessee’s downfall. This is a big if. Teams who take Henry out of the game often still get bullied by him and those that deal with Henry often then get stung by the Titan’s passing offense.

Wide receiver A.J. Brown had an excellent 2020, where he caught for 1,075 yards and 11 touchdowns. Josh Reynolds has arrived in Free Agency but the biggest headline addition is Julio Jones. He joined from the Falcons after 10 years and likely to be a first ballot Hall of Famer. Injuries halted his 2020 campaign but if the Titans get a Julio at his best, then they have a very exciting and deep receiver room. By double teaming either Jones or Brown, this can open up space for the other to capitalise and get Tennessee down the field. Tannehill is excellent when running play action. His ability to move around the pocket and evade defenses is a massive plus to this Titans team.

Defensively is where Tennessee struggled in 2020, ranking 29th in passing yards allowed and 19th in rushing yards allowed. There was a clear intent this offseason to address the defensive issues, with stopping the pass a clear priority, with 5 of Tennessee’s 8 picks on the defensive side of the ball, with three of those being defensive backs. Cornerback Caleb Farley was taken 27th overall with second-round pick Dillon Radunz and third rounder Elijah Molden both expected to be taken higher than what they were. Bud Dupree has come in during Free Agency to add some quality to the defense. The Pittsburgh Steelers were 11-0 when Dupree suffered a season ending injury. They finished the season 12-4 and lost in the Wildcard Round. This shows how crucial he was to the Pittsburgh team.

The Titans have a fairly tough schedule. This is despite having the same fortunes as Indianapolis in that they will play the Jaguars and Texans twice. Games against the Bills, Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Rams, Seattle Seahawks and 49ers await Tennessee as well as two games against the Colts.

This may impact Tennessee’s chances of winning the division but their stacked roster, particularly on offense, has the capabilities to win it and go far in the playoffs.

Prediction: 1st in AFC South.

The post Latest AFC South preview appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Andy Davies

The AFC North is currently one of the league’s best divisions. Three of the four teams made the playoffs last season, the most of any division in the NFL.

All four teams have strengthened this offseason as the three teams look to take a trip back to the postseason, whilst the Cincinnati Bengals also look to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2015 season.

Here is a preview of the AFC North in the upcoming 2021 season.

Baltimore Ravens (2020 Record: 11-5, lost in Divisional Round)

Baltimore went into the 2020 season with plenty of hype, particularly around quarterback Lamar Jackson. He was crowned MVP after his brilliant 2019 season, with many predicting their week three clash with the Kansas City Chiefs seen as a preview of the AFC Championship game. It seemed that every pundit had the Ravens v Chiefs as a foregone conclusion for this game.

However, the 2020 season didn’t pan out this way. Whilst they made the Divisional Round and were one game away from the AFC Championship, they were outclassed by the Buffalo Bills in the postseason and almost didn’t make the playoffs altogether. Jackson saw some regression, particularly when it came to passing the football. After throwing for 36 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and 3,127 yards in 2019, Jackson threw for 26 touchdowns, 9 interceptions and 2,757 yards in 2020. After a three-game losing streak, Baltimore won their last five games as they reached the playoffs at the expense of the Miami Dolphins. Can they get back to the team we saw in 2019 that earned the number one seed in the AFC?

They have addressed their biggest concern, getting help for Lamar. Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins has joined in Free Agency and Rashod Bateman was taken 27th overall by the Ravens in this years’ draft. Along with Marquise Brown, Lamar has some great options. Offensive line help had also been added, with Kevin Zeitler and Alejandro Villanueva taken in Free Agency. Baltimore also selected guard Ben Cleveland in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Everyone knows Jackson’s ability to run with the ball, with 2,906 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns during his first three seasons in the NFL. If he is to succeed with the throwing of the football, the Ravens have certainly done all they can.

Baltimore’s defense finished sixth in passing yards allowed in 2020 and only the Los Angeles Rams allowed fewer overall points than the Ravens. Their defense will hope to have a similar impact in 2021 and will want to improve on their run defense, finishing eighth overall. Losing Matt Judon to the New England Patriots will be a big loss, considering he recorded 21 quarterback hits and 6 sacks. However, the Ravens defense has all the talent to atone for losing a big part of their unit.

Linebacker Patrick Queen recorded 106 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 10 quarterback hits, and 3 sacks during his rookie 2020 season. Tyus Bowser recorded three interceptions and cornerback Marlon Humphrey recorded 8 forced fumbles, 11 passes deflected 82 total tackles, and four quarterback hits. Head coach John Harbaugh won’t allow this defensive front to slack.

Games against the Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Browns, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Rams make for some tough fixtures, but games against the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, and two games against a rebuilding Bengals side will offer the Ravens some rest bite.

Baltimore’s season hopes rest on the form of Lamar. If they get the 2019 version, then expect the Ravens to be Super Bowl contenders. If we see the Lamar of the majority of 2020, then they will make the playoffs but should expect to be playing on Wildcard Weekend.

Prediction: 2nd in AFC North.

Cincinnati Bengals (2020 Record: 4-11-1, missed out on playoffs)

When the Bengals went all the way to the Super Bowl during the 1988 season, nobody would have predicted them to play in just nine further playoff games and win just once in the 33 seasons that have followed. They have been one of the league’s poorest performers over recent years. They were offered hope in the 2020 NFL Draft when LSU quarterback Joe Burrow was taken first overall. However, a season-ending knee injury midseason that included a torn ACL and MCL meant that his campaign was cut short despite a promising start that saw 13 touchdowns thrown, 5 interceptions, and 2,688 yards in ten games. This amounts to 268.8 yards, 1.3 touchdowns and 0.5 interceptions per game.

Burrow showed a lot of promise worthy of being a number one overall pick, even earning praise from Lebron James on Twitter. Can he get back to full health and become the quarterback everyone expects him to be?

He will be reunited with his college receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who recorded 20 touchdown receptions and 1,780 receiving yards in the 2019 season that saw LSU go all the way and win the National Championship. There have been some concerns in the preseason with Chase’s dropped passes but these are teething problems and the rookie wideout may need some time to adjust to the pros.

Safety Jessie Bates is one of the more underrated in the league in his position and at just 24, he can offer many more years to this franchise. Further on the defensive side of the ball, the Bengals added defensive end Trey Hendrickson and cornerback Mike Hilton in Free Agency along with linebacker Joseph Ossai in the third round of the draft. Hendrickson recorded 13.5 sacks in 2020. He will want to prove he is more than just a one-season wonder who performed well on their contract year. Hilton offers depth to the Cincinnati secondary. Late pick Wyatt Hubert suffered a season-ending injury in July but he offers potential for the future, with 8.5 sacks for Kansas State in 2020 and 20 across the 34 college games he participated in.

Expect the Bengals to struggle in 2021 in what is a big year for head coach Zac Taylor. They are certainly a team to watch for the future, especially with receiving talent such as Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins as well as a running back as impressive as Joe Mixon.

Prediction: 4th in AFC North

Cleveland Browns (2020 Record: 11-5, lost in Divisional Round)

The Cleveland Browns had been starved of success, with no playoff appearance since the 2002 season. They finally ended this hoodoo by reaching the postseason, beating the Steelers 48-37 in the Wildcard Round. Their journey would end against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round despite their valiant effort. Can they go one or two steps further by reaching the AFC Championship or even the Super Bowl?

Cleveland’s first target in 2021 will be to win the division, which they last won in the 1989 season. It has been so long since they won the division, that two teams have won it more recently than the Browns who aren’t even in the division anymore. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans won the AFC North in 1999 and 2000. They have a genuine chance of winning this division. It will be a tough challenge for any of the four teams to win it but the Browns have had the best offseason and this could be a deciding factor.

Safety John Johnson was added in Free Agency as well as defensive end Jadaveon Clowney, who could be a real difference-maker to this defensive line. Fellow defensive end Myles Garrett is one of the league’s best. The 2017 first overall pick recorded 12 sacks in 2020, making it 42.5 across his four-year career. You could make the case that only Aaron Donald is more feared by opposing offenses than Garrett.

Garrett is often a victim of his success, with many teams choosing to double-team him. Adding someone in of Clowney’s quality, despite struggling with injuries and consistency, will help ease the pressure off Garrett and elevate this defense. If Garrett is double-teamed, this will open the door for Clowney to get to the quarterback.

Defensively, the Browns also added one of the best defensive prospects in the draft. Notre Dame Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah somehow fell into the second round, with Cleveland taking him 52nd overall. Alongside Sione Takitaki, who recorded 67 total tackles in 2020, this pair can help this team in the middle of the field as well as from the outside.

One of Cleveland’s best assets last season was their run game. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt were excellent and both combined for 1,908 yards and 18 touchdowns between them. They were protected well by an offensive line that was excellent at opening up gaps for their two running backs. This was guard Wyatt Teller’s specialty and he is one of the best in the league at it. Alongside Jedrick Wills, Jack Conklin, and Joel Bitonio, this forms one of the league’s best offensive lines that also massively helped quarterback Baker Mayfield.

The Oklahoma QB impressed in his 2018 rookie season after being taken first overall but suffered a sophomore slump in 2019. Last year saw a massive improvement in Mayfield, with 3,563 yards and 26 touchdowns. He had better numbers in previous seasons but there was a much more mature Baker, someone who came up big in important situations. He combined for 467 yards, four touchdowns, and just one interception across the two playoff games last season.

With Odell Beckham back healthy, it will be interesting to see how the season goes considering how better the team looked without him on the field. He is being backed by some for Comeback Player of the Year, but injuries have played a part in recent years and there is no guarantee that they won’t reappear in 2021. Jarvis Landry was the lead receiver but will want to improve on the three touchdowns and 841 yards he racked up in 2020. He may find this tough under a system that excels when predominantly using the run game. Head coach Kevin Stefanski won Coach of the Year last season and will look to build on what was an impressive first season as an NFL head coach. The Browns have long searched for a good head coach and they appear to have finally found this.

There is trepidation about backing the Browns. They went into the 2019 season with similar hype and ultimately disappointed, with just six wins. However, this time they arent going into the season with a new head coach. Stefanski already knows the players and it is unlikely that he has a falling out with Mayfield as we saw with Freddie Kitchens in 2019. Mayfield will become the first Browns quarterback to start in week 1 in three consecutive seasons. This level of consistency has been hard to find for a franchise that has been perennial strugglers during the Super Bowl era.

It has been dangerous to trust the Browns over the years, but this year feels different. Hello first division title in over thirty years.

Prediction: 1st in AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers (2020 Record: 12-4, lost In Wildcard Round)

Along with the New England Patriots, the Steelers’ six Lombardi Trophies put them as the joint-most successful franchise in NFL history during the Super Bowl era. Pittsburgh is always there or thereabouts, with playoff appearances in 13 seasons since the turn of the 21st century. However, they have only won consecutive playoff games in the same season once since the conclusion of the 2011 campaign.

The trio of Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell failed to make the most of a very impressive offense. Both Bell and Brown have left, with the latter winning a ring and scoring in Super Bowl 55. Big Ben is likely to be in his last season, hoping for one last chance at a third Lombardi.

Wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster recorded 9 touchdowns and 831 yards in 2020 and Chase Claypool recorded very similar numbers during his rookie season. Diontae Johnson scored seven touchdowns and racked up 923 yards in the same campaign. Despite these numbers, they are going to struggle to put up similar numbers with the arm of Big Ben regressing and on the decline.

Pittsburgh was dead last in rushing yards record in 2020 (1,351), with running backs Derrick Henry and Dalvin Cook both recording more yards than the entire Steelers offense. James Conner was the Steelers’ leading rusher (721) but is now an Arizona Cardinals player. The franchise went out to address this, by taking Alabama’s Najee Harris 24th overall. He will hope to add to a run game that struggled immensely last season.

Defensively, Bud Dupree may have moved to the Tennessee Titans during Free Agency but the Steelers still have T.J. Watt, Devin Bush, Joe Schobert, Joe Haden, Cameron Heyward, and Minkah Fitzpatrick. All of these players are fearsome on the defensive side of the ball and will give Pittsburgh a chance to win games if the offense struggles. Combine this with the head coaching of Mike Tomlin, then the Steelers should never be written off. However, the overall strength of division rivals Baltimore and Cleveland means that the Steelers may have to prepare for missing out on the playoffs altogether.

Prediction: 3rd in AFC North

The post Latest AFC North preview appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Andy Davies

The San Francisco 49ers are one of the most successful franchises in NFL history. Only the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers (both 6) have more Super Bowl wins than the 49ers (5). The 49ers’ five Super Bowls all came between the years of 1981 and 1994. They have lost two since, in the 2012 and 2019 seasons. The quarterbacks that led the 49ers to the Lombardi Trophy were Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Steve Young. Three of those five wins saw Montana as the starter and Young as the backup.

Young is seen by many as the best backup quarterback in history, considering the gold jacket that he earned despite many years as the backup to Montana. He would win a Super Bowl as the starter after the franchise moved on from Montana. Ever since Young decided to hang up his cleats, the 49ers have struggled to find his replacement. Have they found the guy in Trey Lance?

Perhaps, but here is why the quarterback situation involving Lance and current starter Jimmy Garoppolo could prevent the 49ers from winning the NFC West during the 2021 season.

Struggles Since Young

Jeff Garcia was the man to come in for Young. During his five seasons in the Bay, he threw for 113 touchdowns and 56 interceptions as well as 16,408 passing yards. He had a 35-36 record as a starter for the 49ers in the regular season and a 1-2 record in the postseason, meaning he never hit the heights of his predecessor.

Alex Smith was the number one overall pick in 2005, shattering Aaron Rodgers’ dreams. However, he was a good quarterback, not a great quarterback. Colin Kaepernick replaced Smith and took the 49ers to the Super Bowl. They ended up losing to the Baltimore Ravens in a game often called the ”˜Blackout Bowl’. Kaepernick failed to live up to the standards he set that season.

He would be kicked out of the league for taking the knee in a protest against police brutality in 2016. He has not played a snap in the NFL since. Jimmy Garoppolo was traded from the Patriots to the 49ers midway through the 2017 season. He gave hope to the organization after winning all five of the games he started in 2017. The fanbase had hope going into the 2018 season.

Many non-49ers fans had San Francisco down as their dark horse for the season. A season-ending injury to Garoppolo in Week 3 saw the starting role shared between Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard. However, the 49ers finished 4-12 as they went into 2019 with the second overall pick. Nick Bosa was selected and transformed the defense of San Francisco and Jimmy G had the best season of his career. He threw for 3,978 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Despite these stats, Garoppolo saw his production limited in the NFC Championship game as the coaching staff decided to use more of their running game. This led to many questions leading to the Super Bowl. The 49ers threw away a ten-point lead in the fourth quarter as they would end up losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 54.

Garoppolo was criticized heavily for an overthrown pass to Emmanuel Sanders that would have given San Francisco back the lead. His 2020 season saw a mixture of poor form and injury. During the 2021 offseason, the 49ers traded up with the Miami Dolphins to gain the number three overall pick. They took Lance with the pick, showcasing their intentions to eventually move off from Garoppolo. There is now talk of whether San Francisco and head coach Kyle Shanahan will start Lance in week one. The other scenarios discussed are either Lance coming in mid-season or sitting out the whole campaign as the backup to Garoppolo. The uncertainty will have a significant impact on the 49ers’ season.

The Strength of the NFC West

This is a problem that will affect all four teams in the best division in the NFL. There is a chance that all four teams can make the playoffs. Los Angeles has an exciting new quarterback in 2009 first overall pick Matthew Stafford. Both the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals have quarterbacks in Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray that they would never dream of trading away. Meanwhile, the 49ers’ starting quarterback is largely unpopular by fans, due to a mixture of the overthrown pass in the Super Bowl, his poor 2020 campaign and his injury record.

San Francisco has the least trusted quarterback in the division. With the position being one of the most crucial in all sports, it does not bode well for a team when there is uncertainty in the position. Garoppolo may be benched at some point during the season for Lance. However, the 49ers would be putting a rookie that will still be learning the system into the toughest division in the NFL.

Learning From Mahomes, Jackson, Tua and Burrow

If San Francisco are to help Lance succeed, they will need to take some lessons from recent draft classes. Patrick Mahomes, widely seen as the best quarterback in the league, spent all but one game of his 2017 rookie season as a backup to Alex Smith. The Chiefs then traded Smith the following offseason and Mahomes has never looked back. In his first three full seasons as a starter in the NFL, he has reached two Super Bowls, winning one. He has also been crowned MVP and Super Bowl MVP and reached three successive AFC Championship games. All three have been at home. On the flip side, 2020 first overall pick Joe Burrow started in week one of his rookie year. He wouldn’t last the season, only playing ten games before injury curtailed his first NFL campaign. He was impressive before his injury but there are no guarantees he will be the same player when he returns.

Lamar Jackson was a backup to Joe Flacco during his 2018 rookie year but won the starting role midseason. He has since gone on to win an MVP award and is the future of the franchise. Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins brought Tua Tagovailoa in mid-season but he struggled in his rookie season. He is seen to already be on the hot seat, with many feeling the Dolphins rushed him in. These examples all show there are reasons for the 49ers to be hasty when it comes to choosing when to bring Lance into the starting role.

Lance Or Garoppolo In 2021?

The 49ers will have to decide soon who their starter will be in 2021. Considering Lance has only played one full season (2019), he is likely to start the season as the backup. He only threw for a combined total of 31 passing attempts, two touchdowns and 1 interception across the 2018 and 2020 seasons, albeit the latter campaign being disrupted by the pandemic. He is likely to be a work in progress but his 28 touchdowns and 0 interceptions in 2019 mean that he is one for the future.

Garoppolo will likely start in week one but it was clear from the NFC Championship game that Shanahan doesn’t completely trust him.

Jimmy G is a capable quarterback but his health is a concern. Expect Garoppolo to remain as the starter provided the 49ers are winning games but for Lance to come in should Garoppolo either be injured or start the season poorly.

Should this happen, this will be the end of Garoppolo’s time in San Francisco. Depending on timing, he will then be traded either before the deadline or in the 2022 offseason.

Can The 49ers Returning Players Avoid A Repeat Of 2020?

This is key if the 49ers are to challenge for both the NFC West and the NFC. After earning the number one seed and reaching Super Bowl 54 during the 2019 campaign, San Francisco finished 6-10 in 2020 and bottom of the division. A ”˜Super Bowl Hangover’ played its part but the main cause of such a decline was down to a colossal amount of injuries the team suffered. Along with the aforementioned Garoppolo, the 49ers also saw Bosa, Dee Ford, George Kittle, Raheem Mostert, Deebo Samuel and Solomon Thomas miss large chunks of the 2020 season due to injury.

San Francisco had 33 players reported questionable and there were 186 occasions when the 49ers reported a player on injured reserve. They had the second-most injuries of any team in the NFL over the past twenty years. Should all these players come back, then this 49ers roster will be one of the best in the league. This will make life much easier for whoever the San Francisco starting quarterback is.

However, from the strength of the division to the uncertainty at quarterback, San Francisco will find it tough to win the NFC West.

The post Why the QB situation may prevent the 49ers from winning the NFC West appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Andy Davies

Despite the offseason additions, no one appears to have the Ravens in their list of Super Bowl contenders. This is a stark contrast to twelve months ago, where everyone had them playing the Chiefs in the AFC Championship. This is partly due to increasing concerns over the arm talent of Jackson and whether it is good enough to take the Ravens to a Super Bowl.

Jackson v Mahomes was seen as the next Manning vs Brady, but instead Jackson is yet to beat Mahomes in three outings. Can Lamar Jackson and the Ravens bounce back in 2021?

Lamar’s NFL Career So Far

Jackson is often criticized for lacking the same arm talent of the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Aaron Rodgers but he sure can run. He has a 30-7 record as a starter and was an MVP for a reason.

Lamar initially started his professional career as a backup to Joe Flacco, who had been such an instrumental figure in recent Baltimore history. He won Super Bowl 47 MVP after the Ravens’ 2012 season saw them lift their second ever Lombardi Trophy. In similar fashion to Eli Manning at the New York Giants, it is not easy to say goodbye to figures that have bought you success in the past. On 18th November 2018, Lamar earned his first start, in a 24-21 win against the Cincinnati Bengals.

He may not have thrown for a touchdown pass in the game but it was the start of the Lamar Jackson era in Baltimore. He finished the 2018 season with 1,201 passing yards and 6 touchdowns thrown for.  He also recorded 695 rushing yards and ran for 5 touchdowns. Their season was ended by the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wildcard Round.

Lamar’s MVP Season

When the Ravens took Jackson 32nd overall in 2018, Jackson said that they were going to get a Super Bowl out of him. This could have easily been construed as an over confident comment. However, he backed this up with a sensational season, which won him the MVP award. Jackson threw for 3,127 passing yards in the regular season along with 36 passing touchdowns. He also ran for 1,206 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns in 2019. Additionally, he was responsible for breaking various NFL records as he had a season for the ages.

2019 saw Lamar break Michael Vick’s 2006 record for rushing yards recorded by a quarterback in a single season, with his total of 1,206 beating the 1,039 recorded by the former Atlanta Falcon and Philadelphia Eagle. Jackson had more rushing yards than the whole Miami Dolphins and New York Jets offenses. He had as many rushing touchdowns as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions, with his seven TD’s more than the Jets (5) or Jacksonville Jaguars (3) managed all year.

Jackson is the only quarterback to amass over 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in any single-season and is the only player in NFL history in his position to record over 1,000 rushing yards whilst also passing for 30 touchdowns or more. Along with Aaron Rodgers in 2011, Jackson’s 9% in 2019 is only topped by Peyton Manning (9.9%) for any single-season touchdown rate. Jackson (9) broke the record set by Vick (6) in 2004 for consecutive games with 60 rushing yards or more and Jackson stands as the quarterback with the most ever fantasy points (417.7). He posted a perfect passer rating (158.3) on two occasions, something only Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has previously achieved. He also had a quarterback rating of 100 or more in nine games.

No quarterback has recorded more rushing attempts than Jackson in 2019 (176), with only 22 players in the entire league recording more than Lamar that season. This shows the faith Baltimore and head coach John Harbaugh have in Jackson using his feet.

The Baltimore Ravens went 14-2 during the 2019 season, with those two defeats coming in weeks 3 and 4. They won their next twelve games, earning themselves the number one seed in the AFC and a playoff bye, with many expecting them to go to and battle it out with the Kansas City Chiefs for a place in Super Bowl 54. Quarterback Lamar Jackson would later earn an MVP award but the Ravens suffered a shock defeat to the Tennessee Titans in the Divisional Round, losing 28-12 at the M&T Bank Stadium.

A Difficult 2020

Despite the surprise defeat, many predicted Baltimore to challenge once again during the 2020 season. Their week 3 matchup against the Chiefs was seen as the preview to the AFC Championship. However, the Ravens were outplayed in the 34-20 defeat and Jackson openly referred to the Chiefs as his kryptonite. The Ravens would go on to win their next three games before only winning one of their next five games, with their playoff hopes in serious jeopardy. They won their final five games, albeit only one of those wins coming against teams with winning records. This included a thrilling 47-42 win over AFC North rivals the Cleveland Browns.

Baltimore got revenge on the Titans in the Wildcard Round but the Buffalo Bills would eliminate the Ravens out of the playoffs in the Divisional Round. He may have finally ended the tag that he couldn’t win a playoff game but there still remains doubt over his arm.

Finally Giving Lamar Weapons

One factor that was often used in support of Lamar was the lack of talent to throw to. Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown had an encouraging rookie season in 2019 but struggled for large parts of the 2020 season.

Ravens have addressed the wide receiver issue, with the acquisition of Sammy Watkins via the Chiefs in Free Agency. He spent three seasons in Kansas City, where he won Super Bowl 54. He is reunited with Greg Roman, who was his offensive coordinator when he played for the Bills. Watkins had his best season in terms of yardage whilst with the Bills and alongside Roman. He also recorded two of his three best touchdown scoring seasons during his time in Buffalo. His 2015 sophomore season saw him record more touchdowns than his three seasons with the Chiefs combined.

He was not the first choice receiver in Kansas City but he was for the Bills. Watkins will be the first or second choice receiver in Baltimore, which may see him put up numbers reminiscent of his time with the Bills.

Baltimore have also drafted help for Jackson, with the addition of two wide outs within the first four rounds of the 2021 draft. Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman was taken with the 27th overall pick before selecting Oklahoma State receiver Tylan Wallace with the 131st overall pick.

Bateman played thirteen games in both the 2018 and 2019 seasons. He recorded 704 yards and six touchdowns from 51 receptions in his rookie year. This works out as 13.8 yards per reception and 8.5 receptions per touchdown. His sophomore season saw Bateman improve on his stats, with 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns from 60 receptions. This amounts to 20.3 yards per reception and a touchdown every 5.5 receptions.

The 2020 COVID-19 affected season saw Bateman play just five games and record 36 receptions. Bateman recorded 472 yards and two touchdowns despite his limited game time, resulting in 13.1 yards per reception.

Wallace spent four seasons in college and had impressive numbers, particularly his second campaign. 2017 saw a limited role, with just seven receptions recorded. In 2018, Wallace manage to tally up 1,491 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns and 86 receptions at a rate of 17.3 yards per reception and a touchdown every 7.2 receptions. Wallace also recorded 903 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2019 and despite the pandemic, Wallace scored 6 touchdowns and tallied up 922 yards in 2020.

With Brown, Rashod Bateman and Tylan Wallace to throw to along with tight end Mark Andrews, Lamar has plenty of talent to work with.

Will The Loss Of Orlando Brown Prove Pivotal?

In April this year, the Chiefs traded for Ravens offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. The Chiefs gave Baltimore their first, third and fourth from this year’s draft along with a fifth round pick from 2022. This was in exchange for Brown and the Ravens’ second rounder from this year along with a sixth-round selection in 2022. Many felt that this would impact the Ravens going into the upcoming season.

Lamar Jackson was the thirteenth most sacked quarterback in 2020 and the Ravens have gone out and beefed up their offensive line this offseason despite the loss of Brown. Former New York Giants guard Kevin Zietler has joined the franchise in Free Agency along with guard Michael Schofield and offensive tackles Alejandro Villanueva and Ja’Wuan James.

Brown will be a hard act to follow, but Baltimore have certainly replaced him along with adding depth to their offensive line. This will help them when it comes to divisional games.

Can The Ravens Claim Back The North?

Speaking of divisional games, the Ravens are in one of the NFL’s toughest divisions. The Steelers won the AFC North in the 2020 season, starting 11-0 before only winning one of their final five games. They were embarrassed by the Cleveland Browns in the Wildcard Round, starting the second quarter 28-0 down. The loss of linebacker Bud Dupree to injury coincided with the end of their unbeaten run and the struggles down the stretch. He left the Steelers in Free Agency, as did cornerback Mike Hilton, running back James Conner and Villanueva. Wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster has struggled to make the jump from a number two to a number one receiver, with his TikTok dances causing nothing but a negative impact.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger showed signs of a decline in 2020, with the upcoming season widely expected to be his last. With the excellent head coaching of Mike Tomlin along with linebacker T.J Watt and wide receiver Chase Claypool, who impressed in his rookie season, they will still look to be a contender. This is especially so with the excellent head coaching of Mike Tomlin.

Last season saw the long wait for a Cleveland Browns playoff appearance and playoff win come to an end as the Browns made it all the way to the Divisional Round where they came ever so close to reaching the AFC Championship, narrowly losing to the Chiefs. The Browns have continued their momentum with an excellent offseason. They added safety John Johnson and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney in Free Agency, the latter who is a great player when he decides to turn it on. They have also added linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who is seen as one of the top prospects of the draft in his position. These players will join a franchise with a roster already filled with a plethora of talent.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield had a resurgent season in 2020 and has Jarvis Landry to throw to along with Odell Beckham, who saw his season cut short thanks to injury. It is safe to say Beckham’s time in Cleveland has not gone to plan so far, with his relationship with Baker on the field yet to develop. On his day, he can be an excellent receiver and the Browns need to find a way to make it work. There is also the best running back duo in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. All of these offensive weapons have a great offensive line ahead of them, with Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Wyatt Teller and Jack Conklin. Defensively, Clowney will line up in the defensive line alongside one of the league’s best in Myles Garrett.

The Cincinnati Bengals have an encouraging quarterback in Joe Burrow who will be reunited with his college teammate Ja’Marr Chase, who was seen as the top receiver in the draft. However, they are too early in their rebuild to aim for the AFC North but can beat any of their division rivals on their day. They can have an impact on the overall division standings, even if they won’t be the ones benefiting.

Baltimore has a tough task in winning the division, as do all four teams in the AFC North. The Ravens defense is excellent and will take them far. Calais Campbell, Patrick Queen and Marlon Humphrey all make the Ravens a threat on that side of the ball. If they are to win the division, they need Jackson back to his 2019 form, with the addition of the receivers and offensive lineman likely to play a big part in Lamar’s success throwing the ball.

The post Why the Ravens will climb in 2021 under Lamar Jackson appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Chris Thomas

In recent memory, it is hard to recall so many extremely talented free agent players still available at this point of the offseason. The reasoning may be that teams wanted to wait till after the draft to see if they could fill the remaining needs on their roster in the early rounds. Teams may also want to wait till training camp to see if the players on their roster have developed to a point where they could fill that need. On top of that in recent years veteran free agents have decided to wait till after the draft and training camp to sign with teams so they can look at a team’s overall roster before signing and skip training camp and get ready for the season with their own personal trainers. 

One of the deepest positions in this free-agent class is running back. Multiple former Pro Bowl running backs are still on the market. There are a couple of teams around the league who could still use a veteran to add to their running back rotation. Here is where the top free agent edge rushers could land.

Le’Veon Bell to the Miami Dolphins

Less than a year ago Le’Veon Bell had the option to sign with the Miami Dolphins. But Bell decided to join the Kansas City Chiefs backfield with 2020 first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire than to become the lead back in Miami or Buffalo. Bell was more interested in joining a championship contender than joining an unproven contender like the Bills and Dolphins who both ended up with over ten wins this past season. 

Bell started his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he quickly became known as one of if not the best running back in football. He had three seasons with over 1,800 scrimmage yards and 10+ touchdowns. Bell was voted to three Pro Bowls, named a First-Team All-Pro twice, and Second Team All-Pro once in 2016. After a conflict with the Steelers involving a contract extension, Bell hit the market as a free agent and signed with the New York Jets for 4 years $52 million. He only had 789 rushing yards in his first season in New York. Bell was released by the New York Jets following his return from injury in Week 5. this past season He had demanded that the team trade him, but after not finding a trade partner the Jets decided to release him. Bell rushed for 328 yards and two touchdowns on 82 attempts in games with both teams last season. He only started four games combined for both the Jets and Chiefs.

It felt like the Miami Dolphins were beat out in multiple situations when they attempted to add a star running back this offseason. Miami went after Chris Carson, Kerryon Johnson, and 2021 Second Round pick Javonte Williams at different points of the offseason. But they could not land any of those three backs. The Dolphins were able to sign former Los Angeles Ram Malcolm Brown to a two-year $3.5 million contract this offseason and still have Myles Gaskin on their roster from the year before. Gaskin led the Dolphins in all rushing categories putting up 584 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 142 attempts in ten games (seven starts). Miami also has Salvon Ahmed who was a great find for them last offseason. Last season’s undrafted free agent rookie rushed for 319 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 75 attempts in six games (four starts). 

If Miami signed Bell they realistically cannot expect him to be the player he was in Pittsburgh. But they can hope he can compliment Gaskin by putting up the production that he did in New York. It is at least worth it for the Dolphins to kick the tires on the former All-Pro since their backfield is still very unproven. Miami is expected to still be a run-first team despite adding Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle this offseason. So it would make sense for the Dolphins to make sure they have as much talent as they can get at this point in their backfield. Miami has playoff aspirations and may look to achieve more. Signing Bell would make sure the Dolphins did all in their power to make sure their backfield isn’t holding them back.

Prediction: Le’Veon Bell signs with the Miami Dolphins for one year $1 million 

Todd Gurley to the Kansas City Chiefs

Out of all of the remaining free-agent running backs, Todd Gurley had gained the most attention from teams. Gurley had visited the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens this offseason. The Lions had an interest in signing Gurley “on their terms“. The Lions would make a lot of sense considering they appear to be embracing a run-first approach with their lack of weapons at receiver, new Lions general manager Brad Holmes was a major part of the Rams front office who drafted Gurley who almost won them to a Super Bowl in 2017-18. Gurley would also be reuniting with former Rams’ teammate quarterback Jared Goff who was traded to the Lions this offseason. However, it appears at this point the Lions won’t be signing Gurley and don’t need to with a backfield featuring D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. 

During his time in St. Louis/Los Angeles Gurley was one of the most dominant running backs in the league. In three of his five seasons with the Rams Gurley rushed for 1,100+ yards and had over ten touchdowns. In two of those seasons, Gurley led the league in rushing touchdowns. His accolades with the Rams include Offensive Rookie of the Year (2015), Offensive Player of the Year (2017), three Pro Bowls, two First-Team All-Pro selections, and Second Team All-Pro recognition in 2015. Following the 2019-20 season, the Rams released Gurley two seasons into his four-year $60 million deal. He then signed a one-year $5.5 million prove-it deal with the Atlanta Falcons. He rushed for a career-low 678 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 195 carries. The Falcons decided not to bring back Gurley and elected to sign veteran Mike Davis to a two-year $5.5 million deal. 

The Kansas City Chiefs were in the middle of the pack in most major rushing stats last season. However, they were in a five-way tie for 22nd in the league in rushing touchdowns with 13. Only six teams had fewer rushing touchdowns than the Chiefs did a season ago. Having Patrick Mahomes as the face of the offense can be to blame for most of that. However, it would be a major help to the offense to have a running back on the roster capable of punching it into the endzone when they’re close rather than relying upon Mahomes to scramble or shovel pass it to All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce. Clyde Edwards-Helaire was one of the worst running backs in the league in the red zone last season. Within the five-yard line, Edwards-Helaire was one for nine on attempts to punch it into the endzone. Edwards-Helaire is a great pass-catching running back but struggles in short-yardage situations. 

Although Todd Gurley’s health issues have regressed him to the point where he runs like he has been in the league for ten years despite only playing in the league for six, one constant throughout Gurley’s career has been his ability to score when his teams get in close. Since 2015, Gurley has rushed for 67 touchdowns. Last year in arguably Gurley’s worst season he still managed to have nine rushing touchdowns which was tied for 11th last season. Kansas City should consider pairing Edwards-Helaire with a former All-Pro running back for the second season in a row, but pair him with a back who compliments his skillset in Gurley. Signing in Kansas City would give Gurley another opportunity to be a part of a Super Bowl team and allow him to display what he is still capable of. 

Prediction: Todd Gurley signs with the Kansas City Chiefs for one year $1.5 million deal

Adrian Peterson to the Los Angeles Chargers

Adrian Peterson is one of the few running backs in the NFL who definitely will be receiving a gold jacket in Canton, Ohio after he retires. Peterson spent his first ten seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. A majority of running backs don’t even play in the league ten seasons, let alone play as dominant as Peterson had during that span. During his time in Minnesota, he led the league in rushing three separate times and led the league in rushing touchdowns twice. Peterson accumulated multiple accolades including league MVP (2012), NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year, seven Pro Bowl appearances, four First-Team All-Pro acknowledgments, and three Second Team All-Pro acknowledgments. He also was a unanimous selection onto the 2010’s All-Decade Team.

Since leaving Minnesota Peterson had defied the odds and continued to be a major part of multiple team’s backfields for the next four seasons. After a tough 2017 season where he split time with the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals, Peterson ran for over 1,000 yards at age 33 in his first season in Washington. He followed it up the following season with just under 900 rushing yards in his second season in Washington. This past year Peterson started ten games for the Detroit Lions at age 35. As it stands right now Peterson is the fifth all-time in rushing yards in NFL history. 

Last offseason the Los Angeles Chargers gave their lead back Austin Ekeler a 4 year $25.4 million contract. Ekeler had outshined former first-round pick Melvin Gordon and was well deserving of being paid like the team’s lead back. But last season Ekeler got hurt and missed six games last year. The Chargers struggled to run the ball during that six-game stretch. Their best running back when Ekeler got hurt was Kallen Ballage who is now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It would make a lot of sense for the Chargers to bring in Peterson for a lot of reasons. Los Angeles is a warm-weather city that is extremely attractive to free agents and playing there could open up opportunities for Peterson in media after he retires. Secondly, his playstyle compliments Ekeler very well. Ekeler is most dominant as a receiver out of the backfield. If Peterson was brought in to Los Angeles, he could take on some of the between the tackles and short-yardage runs while Ekeler can focus on being a receiving threat out of the backfield. The Chargers could even explore the option of having both Peterson and Ekeler on the field at the same time, lining up Peterson in the backfield and Ekeler in the slot as a wide receiver for a couple of plays a game.

Also, another feature of the Chargers that would be attractive to Peterson is the fact that they are considered a borderline playoff team. Despite being one of the greatest running backs to ever play the game, Peterson had only been to the playoffs four times in his career and hadn’t been to the playoffs since the 2015-16 season. At this of his career, Peterson has done it all except play winning and meaningful football. Peterson has only played past the Wild Card round of the playoffs once in his career back in the 2009-10 season.

Prediction: Adrian Peterson signs a one year $2.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers

Frank Gore to the Arizona Cardinals

Similar to Adrian Peterson, Frank Gore is one of the only running backs still in the NFL that will be enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame shortly after he retires. He has played for four different teams over the last four seasons. But Gore began his career with the San Francisco 49ers. During his ten seasons with the 49ers, he had been named to the Pro Bowl five times and was named a Second Team All-Pro in 2006. After leaving San Francisco, Gore played three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and followed that with one-year stints with the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and New York Jets After only starting one game his rookie season, Gore has started 217 of 227 games since 2006-07. That is an unreal feat for a running back. Gore has the NFL record for most games played for a running back (241) and is the first player in NFL history with 12 consecutive seasons with 1,200+ scrimmage yards. A resume like that earned him a spot on the 2010’s All-Decade Team.

It is unclear what to expect out of the Arizona Cardinals backfield this upcoming season. Their projected starter Chase Edmonds has only started four games in his career at this point and has never reached 500 rushing yards in a single season. Last season Edmonds took snaps away from starter Kenyan Drake being the team’s primary receiving back. He had a career-high 53 receptions for 402 yards and four receiving touchdowns last season. They also signed former Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner to a prove-it one year $1.75 million deal. In Conner’s first season as a starter in 2018-19, he was voted to the Pro Bowl after rushing for 973 yards and 12 touchdowns along with 497 receiving yards. Since then multiple injuries have kept Conner off the field or limited in the action he has seen. Pittsburgh decided to move off of Conner and go in another direction at running back.

The best-case scenario for Arizona’s backfield in 2021-22 is for Kliff Kingsbury’s offense to put Conner in a position to play similar to his best similar to what it did for Kenyan Drake while reducing his carry count having him split carries with Edmonds. For a team that has playoff aspirations, there is a lot of uncertainty in Arizona’s backfield. That is why the Cardinals should bring in Frank Gore. Over the last couple of seasons, Gore has remarkably been extremely consistent with his production despite being in his late thirties. At worst Gore could be a veteran presence in a locker room filled with both veterans and young players. But if Conner cannot remain healthy and Edmonds struggles to play like a lead back, Gore can be a safe option in the backfield that could be good for between 8-12 carries a game.

Arizona is also a great landing spot for Gore because it has been the final landing spot for multiple veterans and future Hall of Famers looking to finish their career in a great warm-weather city. At age 38 Gore will likely be playing his final season this year if he hasn’t already.

Prediction: Frank Gore signs a one year $1.75 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals

Duke Johnson Jr. to the Atlanta Falcons

For just over half of a decade Duke Johnson Jr. has been one of the best complimentary backs in the league. Despite only starting 17 of 91 career games, he has been an important part of the offenses he has played for during his time in Cleveland and Houston. During each of his first three years in Cleveland, Johnson had over 800 scrimmage yards. In his last season in Cleveland Johnson’s role was reduced. Then after receiving a three-year contract extension Johnson asked to be traded and was moved to the Houston Texans for a 2020 Third Round pick. Johnson had a career-high 410 rushing yards in his first season in Houston then split carries with David Johnson this past season. The new Texans administration cut Duke Johnson this offseason.

The Atlanta Falcons lost their best two running backs Todd Gurley and Brian Hill in free agency. They replaced them with veteran running back Mike Davis. The Falcons signed Davis to a two-year $5.5 million deal after a career year with the Carolina Panthers.

Davis was drafted in the fourth round by the San Francisco 49ers in 2015 then after two seasons was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle started Davis for six games in 2017 after being activated off the practice squad late in the year. The following season Davis posted career highs in a rotational role. Davis signed a two-year $6 million deal with the Chicago Bears in 2019 but did not finish his first season with the team. He was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers. During his first full year with the Panthers this past season, Davis was forced into a large role because of multiple injuries to former All-Pro Christian McCaffrey. Davis showed during his twelve starts last season that he is capable of being a team’s starting running back. T

His performance last season was enough for the Falcons to feel comfortable with Davis being their lead back next season. Based on Atlanta’s running back depth chart Davis may be the workhorse back for the Falcons next season. For a team trying to be competitive in 2020, it is risky having Davis as the team’s only capable running back on the roster. Atlanta should add a veteran backup or change of pace back in case Davis gets hurt or needs help carrying the load. That role would be perfect for Duke Johnson. That is the exact role Johnson had last season in Houston. Johnson could serve as Davis’ primary backup and take a couple carries a game when Davis needs a breather.

Prediction: Duke Johnson Jr. signs a one year $990,000 deal with the Atlanta Falcons

The post Top fits for the remaining FA RBs appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jayson Snyder

Now that the dust has cleared on an eventful NFL Draft, teams have shifted their focus to the remaining needs that their rookie class may have failed to address.  As a club in transition, the Eagles’ offseason has been turbulent throughout and there’s no reason to suspect that the winds of change will die down any time soon.

According to overthecap.com, a respected purveyor of salary cap information, the Birds currently find themselves extremely cap strapped with less than a quarter million dollars of effective cap space to speak of.  However, this figure includes the lofty $12.7 million cap hit for tight end, Zach Ertz, who was surprisingly not moved during draft weekend.  Despite his iconic standing with the franchise, Ertz’s talent and salary are both luxuries that the Eagles cannot afford and thus it is likely that he is either traded or released prior to the season.

So, assuming a pending influx of cap space, which areas of the roster are in most dire need of reinforcement?  And, which currently unsigned free agents might be best suited to fill those roles?  Let’s have a look.

Cornerback

With the approach of the draft, mock after mock seemed to suggest that the Eagles would address the glaring need in their secondary by selecting a corner at pick number 12.  As it turned out, two of the premier defensive backs in the 2021 class, Surtain and Horn, were selected within the top 9.  

We may never know if a first-round cornerback was in the plans for the Eagles.  However, after pivoting to acquire WR DeVonta Smith in the first, we can say with certainty that the need in the defensive backfield persists.  After bidding adieu to the finger wagging Jalen Mills in free agency, an established positional weakness has become even more obvious.  

With the NFC East boasting receiving talent like Lamb, McClaurin, Galladay, and Cooper, a weak cast of corners is certainly inideal.  Darius Slay remains to headline the corps, but the talent drops off sharply after top billing.  Avante Maddox has been afforded multiple opportunities to man the outside, but at this point it is safe to assume that he is best suited as a slot corner.  That leaves an uninspiring group of Craig James, Lavert Hill, and 4th-round rookie Zech McPhearson to battle it out for a starting job.  Not great.

The good news?  There are quite a lot of unsigned corners available in the free agent market.  Additionally, there are few teams with significant cap space, so player agents are on the verge of slashing their asking prices.  The premium names on this list include the likes of Richard Sherman, Steven Nelson, and Bashaud Breeland.  However, don’t be surprised if the Eagles seek out a more affordable option like Cre’Von LeBlanc, a player that they have familiarity with and can likely sign at a discount.

Tight End

The premise that the Eagles will have money to fill gaps rests firmly on the presumption that they move on from Zach Ertz and his significant salary.  However, in doing so, they will naturally create a void in their roster.

Dallas Goedert will almost certainly be the team’s featured tight end and is poised as a breakout star.  However, the depth dries up quickly beyond this point.  A bench consisting of Jason Croom and two positional converts in Hakeem Butler and Tyree Jackson represents raw upside in dire need of development.

Head coach Nick Sirianni has preached the benefits of utilizing ”˜12 personnel’ featuring two tight ends, thus it’s reasonable to suspect that a more seasoned weapon at the position may be coveted in the immediate.  The list of available free agent tight ends is unfortunately not quite as appealing as the aforementioned corners.  

Trey Burton, of ”˜Philly Special’ fame, may be a name worth monitoring as he has obvious ties to both the franchise and the head coach, coming off his most recent stint being coached by Sirianni with the Colts in 2020.  The once promising Tyler Eifert could be another player that the Eagles may consider in a backup capacity, if they can acquire him at the right price.  Lastly, Richard Rodgers is a well rounded veteran with organizational familiarity that the Eagles may envision as a low-risk, dependable option.

Punter

Though perhaps not as appealing to speculate upon, to quote Rich Eisen, “Punters are people too.”  As a team in search of an offensive identity, it is likely that the punter will play a significant role for the underdog Eagles in 2021.  A specialist with a big, accurate leg can significantly impact field position and provide a boost for a team in need.

The current depth at punter for the Eagles consists of the one and only Arryn Siposs, a 2020 undrafted free agent who inked a futures contract with the Eagles just a couple of months ago.  Siposs, a former Australian Rules Football player and rugby style punter, offers some distinct athletic pedigree.  However, his skills were not sufficient to beat out Lions punter Jack Fox, ultimately finding his way onto the Eagles roster as a castoff.

Even if the Eagles are intrigued by Siposs as a prospect, they would be wise to add a second punter to their camp roster for the sake of competition.  The most notable names available are longtime Saint, Thomas Morstead, and former Cowboy, Chris Jones.  These punters are seasoned veterans who are capable of winning the job outright or, at the very least, imparting some sage wisdom to the unproven Siposs.  Additionally, neither would likely not fetch significant free agent dollars, making them very attractive upgrades for a team in need.

Conclusion

The youth movement is clearly in motion for an Eagles team looking to lay the foundations for a new era of success.  The investment in draft capital and a young, vibrant coaching staff has signaled a new direction for the storied franchise.  

However, as an engaged owner, Jeffrey Lurie is not likely to accept the on-field failure typically associated with a conventional rebuild.  To the contrary, the Eagles are likely to make every effort to stay competitive as they turn over the roster. 

Look for the Birds to make aggressive additions at the aforementioned weak spots in the coming weeks and months as they fine tune for what is sure to be a fascinating 2021 season.

It was my pleasure to bring you this piece, and I would love to continue the conversation.  Please comment below or contact me @Spydes78 on Twitter with your thoughts.  Also, thank you to @x_prosports for the opportunity to contribute to their top notch offerings.  Be sure to browse their archive of talented writers for excellent insights to all aspects of professional sports.

The post Post-Draft remaining Areas of focus for the Philadelphia Eagles appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Courtney Burrows

The off-season for the New Orleans Saints was a doozy, wasn’t it.  We said goodbye to the leader of the pack, Drew Brees.  The Saints resigned CB PJ Williams, S Marcus Williams, QB Jameis Winston, and brought EDGE Tanoh Kpassagnon over from the Chiefs.  They also added Ty Montgomery and Dwayne Washington both running backs who will contribute mightily to special teams and returns.  The Saints also released LB Kwon Alexander, TE Jared Cook, WR Emmanuel Sanders, DT Sheldon Rankins, and Malcom Brown, CB Janoris Jenkins, DE Trey Hendrickson, and punter Thomas Morstead.  Needless to say, there are holes to fill that can be addressed in the draft but some can be fixed right now.  The Saints cleared up $111 million in cap space to releases, retirements, contract restructures, so let’s look at the top 3 free agency needs for the Saints and how they might be secured. 

KJ Wright Linebacker- Wright is 6’4” and 246 lbs. and has not yet been resigned by the Seahawks and reports out of Seattle state that they are not interested either, so he could be cheap and would be able to step in day one and produce.  In 2020, he had 86 tackles and 11 for losses, he is been a quiet, consistent linebacker.  Even tough he turns 32 this summer, if the Saints drafted a LB, Wright could be the plug and play needed while the new prospect develops under the coaching staff.  This would be a very low risk move by the Saints, as Wright was already passed over the Cowboys which should make his price even lower now.  Wright wants to play and given the chance despite his age, could easily move onto the line and help the Saints fill immediate holes. 

Richard Sherman Cornerback-The Saints have an all-star CB in Marshon Lattimore but releasing Jenkins hurt in having a reliable, speedy corner to complement him.  The re-signing of Jenkins helps but having to rely on other defensive backs to cover is not ideal.  There are many great talents in the draft that the Saints could easily slot into the role, but for now, let’s shift our eyes to veteran Sherman to help the defense cover the slot.  Sherman is aging and missed out on numerous 2020 games due to injury, but don’t sleep on him just because he is older.  Remember Sherman is a 5-time Pro Bowler and elite secondary machine that plays with grit and fire in his belly.  In just five game sin 2020, he still managed 18 combined tackles, one pass defended, and one interception.  The point is Sherman can still produce and should be a steal in terms of money because so many teams have already passed him by.  New Orleans is a perfect fit for a 1 to 2-year contract for Sherman.

Jurrell Casey DT- Losing defensive tackles Rankins and Brown definitely hurt the Saints, but salary cap had to be refined.  Casey is someone that makes me scratch my head in wonder because his 2020 season was cut short due to a bicep tear, so can he regain his explosive power?  Is he worth the gamble and cheap enough to consider?  Those questions I cannot answer, but in 142 career games, Casey has had 51 sacks and 507 tackles.  Again, this is another aging player who might be worth the risk for a year to help round out the defense for the Saints.

Bottom line is that the Saints need to address more defensive free agents now so that they can focus on the offensive side of the ball earlier in the draft.  That does not mean that they ignore talented, raw defensive players that fall in their laps like a potential DE or LB in rounds three and four.  The Saints first grab in round one should be a wide receiver to complement Thomas as they must rebuild the confidence in the offensive after losing Brees, unless they make a move up for a shot at a QB.  If that does happen, round two should then be a WR.  I also could see the Saints grabbing a cornerback in round two, which means adding Sherman now for security and depth makes perfect sense. 

The post Remaining Free Agent Targets for New Orleans Saints appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Written by Benedetto Vitale: Twitter (@TalksVitale)

After coming back from one of the more serious injuries in NFL history, Alex Smith aims to continue playing next year. He played in eight games, taking over as the starter after Dwayne Haskins failed to meet expectations. Smith finished with 1,582 passing yards, six touchdowns, and a 66.7% completion percentage. 

Smith just okay in the games he played in. It wasn’t anything spectacular to behold. However, he played well enough to where he could still play at least one more season in the NFL. With the Washington Football Team moving on with Taylor Heinicke and possibly another young quarterback, Smith will be searching for a new home next year. 

In an article written by Zach Koons, the author states, “According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Smith isn’t ready to retire just yet and ”˜does want to play somewhere’ next season. He’ll be 37 by the time offseason workouts ramp up this summer, but still hopes to find a role in 2021.”

Although Smith isn’t the QB he used to be, he can still provide excellent veteran leadership for any franchise. There seems to be only one team Smith may earn starting time for, however, everywhere else would use him more as a high-end backup. Here are three top destinations for Alex Smith.

A Potential Starter for the New England Patriots?

The only team who could potentially use Alex Smith as a starter, the New England Patriots are at the top of the list of top destinations for the 16-year vet. The Patriots had one of the worst offenses in the league this season. They finished 30th in passing yards (3,124), 32nd in passing touchdowns (12), and were in the bottom five in interceptions thrown (14). 

They’re not one of the most desirable destinations in the league anymore after Tom Brady’s departure. It’ll be difficult for the front office to acquire top talent through the free-agent market. For that reason, this franchise will have to nail the NFL draft before returning to relevancy. 

The Patriots may select a rookie in the draft this year, and according to Zack Cox at NESN, finding QB talent in the draft is typically found in the early first round. He states, “Recent history suggests the safest place to find a franchise QB is in the top 12 picks of the draft.”

With that said, it may be a smart move to sign Alex Smith either way. He’s good enough to play competitively and would be a great player to learn behind for any rookie quarterback. However, if Alex Smith is truly searching for playing time, signing a deal with the Patriots is his best bet. 

Could the Denver Broncos Sign Alex Smith?

It was a rough year for Drew Lock, as he dealt with injuries throughout the season. Furthermore, while he was on the field, he struggled through most of his games for the Denver Broncos. The team only finished with 3,673 passing yards, and 21 touchdowns, ranking them at the bottom of the league in both categories. 

There have been numerous reports of Denver’s front office showing interest in trading for Deshaun Watson. The Houston Texans haven’t made any claims they’re selling their superstar quarterback, but it seems the Broncos are favored to get a deal done this offseason. 

It may take quite a bit for the Broncos to pull off that feat. Sayre Bedinger, a writer at Fansided, seems to agree. The author explains, “”¦ Matthew Stafford being traded from the Detroit Lions to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff and three picks, as well as Carson Wentz going from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Indianapolis Colts for two picks”¦”

The Broncos are clearly interested in trading for Watson, but at what cost? If the front office doesn’t want to give up a ton of draft capital, they may be searching for a veteran leader to take over in case Lock goes south again. 

For Alex Smith, this would be a similar situation he was in during 2020. He’d come in as the backup behind a young quarterback but have a fair chance of earning legitimate playing time. I like this potential destination for Smith, as he could provide better QB play to help the Broncos improve next year. 

Alex Smith Lands in Philadelphia?

It was a horrendous year for the Philadelphia Eagles as they struggled in nearly every game in 2020. Carson Wentz was recently traded away to the Indianapolis Colts, giving the starting job to Jalen Hurts. The Eagles aim to improve their passing game after finishing with just 3,728 passing yards and 22 touchdowns, making them one of the worst offenses through the air. 

The consensus is that Jalen Hurts jumps in as the starting quarterback of the Eagles. However, there are reports the front office plans to bring in some competition for their young quarterback. In Michael David Smith’s article for Yahoo Sports, he claims, “But the job isn’t being handed to Hurts. Instead, the Eagles plan to bring in competition for Hurts, according to ESPN.”

For that reason, this could be a fantastic landing spot for Alex Smith. It’s not likely he plays in Philadelphia, but this could be a great signing for Jalen Hurts’ development. Smith played a similar style throughout his career but stayed in the pocket more often than not. With Hurts a running QB, Smith can be a great mentor for the young prospect. 

The post Top 3 Fits for Alex Smith in 2021 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.