Quarterbacks

Start ‘Em

Russell Wilson (@ Chi) – Russ hasn’t exactly been cooking for the Broncos but there are signs of life. Wilson has had back-to-back 300+ yard games and up next is the lowly Chicago Bears. This has breakout game written all over it for the Broncos offense. The Denver defense is still in shambles so this game should go over the current 46-point total. I wouldn’t be surprised if Wilson targets Marvin Mims Jr. more in this matchup as he has been explosive so far in limited action.

Sit ‘Em

Joe Burrow (@ Ten) – Burrow just hasn’t looked like himself thus far and the nagging calf injury is a concern. The entire Bengals offense has been limited due to Burrow’s inability to throw the ball down the field. Up next is a Titans defense that will force Burrow to throw outside of the pocket. At this point, I would like to see Burrow sit until he is completely healthy.

Running Backs

Start ‘Em

De’Von Achane (@ Buf) – If you were lucky enough to land Achane congratulations, it’s now time to slide him into your starting lineup. Sure the Dolphins have a ton of options on offense to spread the ball to but it won’t matter. Achane has shown enough that you can’t risk keeping him on your bench. I would also start Raheem Mostert (my week 3 Start of the Week) as the two combined for 8 total touchdowns last week.

Sit ‘Em

Rhamondre Stevenson (@ Dal) – Stevenson has yet to eclipse the 60+ rushing yards mark and is averaging just 2.9 yards per attempt. On top of that, Ezekiel Elliott outperformed Stevenson in week 3 rushing for 80 yards on 16 carries. The Patriots now go on the road against the Cowboys who will be looking to revenge last week’s loss against the Cardinals.

Wide Receivers

Start ‘Em

Calvin Ridley (vs. Atl) – Ridley has been a non-factor in his last two games but that will change in London. Ridley had 15 targets in weeks 2 and 3 but only 5 receptions for 72 yards in that span including some costly drops. Up next is the Atlanta Falcons which will be a revenge game for Ridley. The entire Jaguars offense needs a reset and it’s a perfect time for them to go overseas. I see Trevor Lawrence getting some of his 2022 form back on Sunday.

Sit ‘Em

Terry McLaurin (@ Phi) – Unfortunately it’s time to sit McLaurin until we see some better results. This isn’t a knock on McLaurin more so on the offense who have failed to protect Sam Howell. It’s hard to justify starting any of the Commanders wide receivers until they get their protection issues fixed. Washington now has to go on the road at Philadelphia and their d-line will be licking their chops.

Tight Ends

Start ‘Em

Sam LaPorta (@ GB) – LaPorta has been one of the surprises of the season so far for the Lions. The rookie tight finished TE1 in week 3 where he hauled in his first NFL touchdowns. He also had 11 targets which shows quarterback Jared Goff is trusting the young tight end. Up next is Green Bay on Thursday night in an old-fashioned NFC North battle.

Sit ‘Em

David Njoku (vs. Bal) – There was hope that Njoku would have a breakout year for the Browns but that hasn’t panned out yet. He has yet to score thus far and had a season-low 20 receiving yards last week. There are better options to start at the tight end position. Sit Njoku until he can carve out a bigger role.

Start of the Week

James Cook (vs. Mia) – Cook has yet to hit the endzone this season but that will change on Sunday. He has looked the part for the Bills and is averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Next up is the Miami Dolphins and this one should be a barn burner. The Dolphins are allowing 20.4 fantasy points per game to running backs through the first 3 weeks. Look for a big game from Cook in week 4.

The post 2023-24 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 4 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Quarterbacks

Justin Herbert – $7000

My number one quarterback on the main slate is going to be Justin Herbert. The Titans possess one of the best defenses in the league against the run, and Austin Ekeler is out this week, therefore we are going to watch Herbert cook. The Titans do not have a great secondary as we just watched Derek Car go for over 300 yards last week. I fully expect Herbert to get over 300 yards with at least 2 TDs.

Patrick Mahomes – $8300

In what could end up as the biggest shootout of the week, projected total 51 points, Mahomes is looking to rebound from a week 1 loss that saw him somewhat underperform. There won’t be many games that Mahomes throws the ball 40 times and him not get you 30 fantasy points. Last week Anthony Richardson had over 250 total yards and 2 TDs against this defense. Great stack opportunities with a lot of cheap chiefs pass catchers.

Baker Mayfield – $5100

Yes, that Baker Mayfield. I mentioned him last week that he had a great chance at throwing 2 TDs, and we are going right back to it. Great weapons on the outside, and a running game that isn’t getting off the ground, Baker is in another great position against the Bears. We just saw Jordan Love throw for 245 and 3 TDs, so it’s not unreal to see Baker eclipse 20 points this week. If you want to play the studs at RB and WR, this is your QB.

Running Backs

Derrick Henry – $7400

Every year we find a game that Derrick Henry is incredibly underpriced. This is that game. The King goes against a defense in the Chargers that historically struggles to stop the run, 31st in yards allowed last year. Ryan Tannehill does not look great, so you have to imagine the game script is going to involve a lot of Derrick Henry. I expect the King to return top 3 RB numbers today.

Saquon Barkley – $8000

Essentially removed from the game script last week before halftime, there are huge bounce back opportunity in a game where the Giants should control the game. The Arizona Cardinals showed last week that they can rush the QB, and Daniel Jones did not look very good against a pass rush. I expect Barkley to touch the ball 25+ times in this game, and we chase opportunity in fantasy more than anything. Barkley will have the best opportunity than any RB on the slate today top the leaderboard today.

AJ Dillon – $5900

Aaron Jones is not expected to play giving Dillon an excellent chance today to really showcase himself as a bell cow back. Jones had 127 total yards last week as the RB is a vital tool in the success of this offense. Dillon should see most of the work in the passing game as well as 20+ rushing attempts, putting him in a great position for 18+ fantasy points today.

Zack Moss – $4700

Moss is coming back from a fractured forearm in the preseason and will get the start for the Colts today against the Texans. Last week Deon Jackson looked incapable averaging 1.1 yards per carry. Zach Moss will have all the chances to own this backfield in the interim of Jonathan Taylor’s hiatus, and it starts today against a Texans defense that allowed over 100 and 3 TDs against the Ravens last week. If Moss gets in the end zone, he will return a great score on his $4700 price.

Wide Receivers

Keenan Allen – $7100

If you are playing Justin Herbert, you are stacking him with Keenan Allen today. With Austin Ekeler out, Allen could see 15 targets against a Swiss cheese Titans secondary. Last week he had 6 catches for 76 yards on 9 targets, and we realistically could double all those numbers with a score today. Throw in a touchdown and Allen could return 25 points today. Mike Williams ($5700) is another great stack play as the three of them could put you in a great spot in tournaments.

Calvin Ridley – $7200

Last week Ridley brought in 8 of 11 targets for 101 yards as it looked like Trevor Lawrence was enjoying having Ridley on the field. The clear number one option in a game where the Jaguars will be looking to keep up with Mahomes and company, Ridley could be in line for another huge game.

Chris Godwin – $6200

Chris Godwin operates out of the slot for the Buccaneers and the Bears starting slot corner will be out for this game. That sounds like a recipe for disaster for the Bears. 5 catches 51 yards on 6 targets last week and we could be looking at double those numbers with a TD. I love a Mayfield Evans Godwin stack today.

Gabriel Davis – $5800

Last week Stefon Diggs went off against a much better Jets defense, so why would you play Gabe Davis? Many are expecting a bounce back performance from Josh Allen, and the Raiders defense can be had. They will be game planning to stop Diggs and Davis should have a lot of territory to work on Sunday. Some of the best Josh Allen performances are when Gabe Davis booms, we could be looking at one of those coming here.

Tight Ends

Darren Waller – $5500

Waller is third highest priced TE on the slate today, but still priced well below Kelce $7600. I mentioned earlier that Jones did not look great against the pass rush last week, therefore the Giants should be looking to get the ball out of his hands quickly. The Giants should be able to get into the red zone, unlike last week giving Waller great opportunity to score. The Giants love throwing to the TE in the red zone, and they haven’t had a weapon like Waller at TE in a long time.

Sam LaPorta – $3900

Last week LaPorta saw 5 targets against the Chiefs and looked like a very capable playmaker hauling in all 5. The Seahawks did not look like a solid defense last week and I believe the Lions will put up some points. Jared Goff loves to go to the TE historically in the red zone and I could see LaPorta scoring today which would give a great return at a low price.

Logan Thomas – $3100

This one is pretty simple, young QBs love them some TEs. Thomas saw 8 targets last week, and if that continues, you can’t ignore that target share at that price.

Defense/Special Teams

Dallas Cowboys – $4000

Do we expect a repeat performance of last weeks Earth shattering 37 point game? Of course not, but could we actually see it? We all know what Zach Wilson is and we could see another game with a lot of sacks and turnover potential. I don’t expect this defense to disappoint at this price.

New York Jets – $2700

While the Dallas defense made the Giants defense unplayable last week, I can’t imagine a repeat performance happening. The Jets defense just made Josh Allen look like Dak Prescott, what do you think they are going to make Dak look like? The potential is Nathan Peterman. We honestly could see the Jets do to the Cowboys, what the Cowboys did to the Giants last week.

Atlanta Falcons – $2900

Call it a hunch, I think Jordan Love comes back to Earth a bit and turns the ball over against the Falcons. Atlanta can run the ball and control the clock putting Love in position to have to make plays and potentially make mistakes. I think Atlanta is a sneaky play to be a top defense this week.

The post DFS Plays for Week 2 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1 PM EST on CBS)

The best game of the NFL week 2 schedule is when the Chiefs go on the road to take on the Jaguars. It was a disappointing opening game for Kansas City as they struggled against the Detroit Lions at home.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes put up rather pedestrian numbers in week 1 but he was without Travis Kelce. Kelce and stud defensive tackle Chris Jones are set to return for the Chiefs in this one. Jones will be needed to help stop the rushing attack of Jacksonville led by Travis Etienne Jr. and rookie Tank Bigsby. Etienne and Bigsby each found the end zone in week 1 against the Colts.

On the outside, Calvin Ridley made a splash in his debut for the Jaguars. Ridley did not look rusty after his 1 year suspension as he hauled in 8 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. Ridley will be a challenge for the Chiefs secondary all game long.

Baltimore Ravens (+3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (1 PM EST on CBS)

Cincinnati would very much like to burn the tape of their week 1 performance against the rival Browns. Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense could never find a rhythm as he was held to under 100 yards passing. It was the first time in his career that Burrow was held under the 100-yard passing mark. Burrow will look to get back on track versus the rival Ravens at home.

Meanwhile, the Ravens are coming off a dominating performance against the Houston Texans. Baltimore may have found its next star in rookie Zay Flowers. Flowers looked electric in his debut as he had 87 yards from scrimmage in week 1 including 9 receptions. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will be without J.K. Dobbins who is now out for the season. Expect another classic AFC North battle in this one.

Seattle Seahawks (+4.5) @ Detroit Lions (1 PM EST on FOX)

Jared Goff and the Lions looked like an NFC contender in their week 1 win at Kansas City. Their defense which struggled all last season looked completely different in the opener. If they can get this type of performance consistently from their defense the Lions will be a threat come playoff time.

Seattle on the other hand looked lackluster as they were beat at home in week 1 by the Rams. Geno Smith who was the Comeback Player of the Year in 2022 struggled with a Rams defense that lacks playmakers. It was troubling to see for a Seahawks team that was set to take the next step this year. Look for this one to be another high-scoring affair. The Seahawks won 48-45 when the two teams met last season.

San Francisco 49ers (-7.5) @ Los Angeles Rams (4:05 PM EST on FOX)

Before the season started this looked to be an easy win for the 49ers. Now they may have more of a battle on their hands when they visit LA. This game will be a classic example of whether week 1 was a fluke or not. If the Rams keep it close many will start to give them respect. The problem is they will be dealing with the elite 49ers defense who will put pressure on Matthew Stafford all day long.

Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua was the story of week 1 as he seemingly came out of nowhere. The Rams will need a repeat performance from Nacua who hauled in 10 receptions for 119 yards in his debut.

Washington Commanders (+3.5) @ Denver Broncos (4:25 PM EST on CBS)

Washington is looking to start 2-0 when they travel to the Mile High City on Sunday afternoon. The Commanders looked a bit shaky in their week 1 win against the Cardinals. Washington’s defense was dominant but the offense struggled at times. Quarterback Sam Howell had two costly turnovers but showed poised in leading Washington to a come-from-behind victory. Howell will need to be mistake-free on the road in Denver for Washington to have a chance.

The Broncos will be getting one of their best weapons back in Jerry Jeudy on Sunday. This is exactly what Russell Wilson and this offense needed as they look to bounce back from their week 1 loss. Wilson did have 2 touchdowns in the opener but the offense lacked explosiveness. They will need big plays to be able to beat the stingy Washington defense.

The post 5 Biggest Games of NFL Week 2 (2023) appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The Good

Like many rookies coming into the NFL, Trevor Lawrence struggled through his first year. The former #1 pick from Clemson was tied for the lead league in interceptions during his debut season in Jacksonville with 17. While the interceptions were troubling Lawrence showed the ability to quickly move on from his mistakes and move to the next play. This trait is especially important for young quarterbacks as they continue their development.

Flash forward to the 2023 playoffs can you can see tremendous growth from Lawrence. He was able to rally his team from a 27-point deficit to the Chargers despite 4 first-half interceptions. Lawrence has always had the physical traits of an elite quarterback but this type of mental fortitude bodes well for his future.

The Bad

If you’re looking for a weakness on this Jaguars team, it’s the offensive line. With the suspension of LT Cam Robinson for PED use, Jacksonville will be thin on o-line for the first 4 games. It looks like they will also start rookie RT Anton Harrison who they drafted in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. RG Brandon Scherff is really the only player upfront with no question marks. In order for the Jaguars to be successful they will need to protect Lawrence. Whether they can do so remains to be seen.

The Prediction

Despite the concerns on the offensive line, I still see the Jaguars winning the AFC South. The talent on offense along with the emergence of Trevor Lawrence will push the Jaguars to one of the best teams in the AFC. If Calvin Ridley can return to his old form the Jaguars will be even that much more dangerous.

2023 Record: 12-5 (1st in the Division)

The post Jacksonville Jaguars Record Prediction for 2023 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Brock Wells

When the Atlanta Falcons fought tooth and nail with the New Orleans Saints last week, it surprised a lot of people. Being just Week One of the new season, perhaps that assessment was a bit unfair and premature for people. But with Matt Ryan heading out of town to play in Indianapolis with the Colts leading to uncertainty at quarterback, as well as a general lack of excitement surrounding the team in training camp and preseason, it isn’t surprising that was the case.

By all accounts, this Falcons team is expected to be a rebuilding one in 2022. Their days of being competitive are a couple of years behind them, and they’re putting out a roster that stands as a bit of a mystery to many people. Their best player, Calvin Ridley, isn’t even going to play a single down this season, as he serves his gambling suspension. Kyle Pitts, by all accounts, is the best player taking the field for the team this season.

The Falcons started Marcus Mariota at quarterback, who hadn’t started in an NFL game since 2020 with the Las Vegas Raiders. He didn’t look great in the passing game, but he didn’t look bad either, throwing for 215 yards, hitting on 60.6% of pass attempts, but without a touchdown. He did, however, score a touchdown in the running game, as well as going for 72 yards on 12 carries. The running game is where the team’s offense did best throughout the game.

Cordarrelle Patterson rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. For not getting a lot of coverage or fanfare on the national level, Patterson has rather quietly been one of the more consistent running backs in the NFL over the last couple of seasons, after being converted from the wide receiver position he played throughout his career. The Saints had a difficult time slowing him down during the game.

Ultimately, the Falcons were haunted by a familiar issue. They gave up a big lead to lose a game. No Falcons fan wants to be reminded of 28-3, but the team this time gave up 17 points in the fourth quarter alone to the Saints offense. The Falcons did a good job on defense of containing Alvin Kamara, who rushed for just 39 yards on nine carries. They had less success containing Taysom Hill, who had 81 yards and a touchdown on just four carries.

Jameis Winston came up clutch in the fourth quarter, throwing for his two touchdowns and leading the Saints to a victory. But for the Falcons, giving up 17 points in the fourth quarter to lose a game you were clearly controlling up to that point is very disappointing. If this team is going to have any chance at being a competitive squad this season, they need to lock down when they have leads as they did in Week One and avoid falling into the trap that has been their reputation in recent history. If they can do that, maybe this team will have a shot at being underrated. But right now, it appears there’s some extra work to be done.

The post Are the Falcons underrated right now? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Tennessee Titans won the AFC South and managed to snatch the number one seed in the AFC last season. I believe the Indianapolis Colts could have a 2022 outcome that is similar to the Titans 2021 expedition. Jonathan Taylor is entering his prime, while Derrick Henry appeared slightly worse and beaten up in the back end of 2021.

Taylor will be joined by the stud veteran Matt Ryan moving forward, as well. It’s clear that Ryan is the best QB in the AFC South. Here is a closer look at how productive Ryan Tannehill was last season:

• 2021: 3,734 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, 14 interceptions

Tanny will also not have Julio Jones, who has officially broken up with Ryan and Tannehill. It’s hard to foresee him being a stat machine in 2022.

With that said, here is an overview of Ryan’s success last season:

• 2021: 3,968 yards, 20 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions

Ryan was slightly more efficient than Tannehill last season, but I believe Ryan was still significantly more impressive than Tanny in 2021. Pro Football Focus stated that the Titans had a Tier 2 offense heading into the 2021 season, while the Falcons were a Tier 3 offense with Calvin Ridley. It’s obvious that Ryan was fighting with a Tier 4 or Tier 5 offense after Ridley missed a whopping 12 games last season.

Ryan’s presence will be pivotal in head-to-head matchups against the Titans. The Titans edged out the Colts in both matchups last season. The Colts couldn’t manage to beat the Titans in a game that was fought in overtime. I would be shocked if the Colts don’t split games with the Titans at the very least next season.

The Titans also won six games by 3 or fewer points in 2021. Meanwhile, the Colts lost four games in overtime or by 3 or fewer points. I expect the Colts to win more utterly competitive games under Matty Ice next season, while the Titans should be less attractive in close matchups next season. It would be ideal if the Colts are expected to win 11+ games next season, while the Titans are unveiled as a 9+ win squad in 2022.

The post Why the Colts can win the AFC South in 2022 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The Atlanta Falcons may have only won 7 games in 2021, but they did outplay expectations in the eyes of many Falcons fans. It wasn’t an easy task for the Falcons offense to lift off without Ryan’s best friend Julio Jones and the talented Calvin Ridley.

Matt Ryan didn’t allow the noise or obstacles to prevent him from throwing 3,968 yards and edging out foes like the Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints in very competitive matchups. Ryan is the highest-paid NFL player this offseason, as it’s widely enunciated. Nonetheless, Arthur Blank has spoken strongly of Ryan and I believe he will restructure his contract to remain a Falcon for the rest of his career.

I would love to see the Falcons add weapons to join Matt Ryan and Kyle Pitts. The Falcons can jolt their offense this offseason, rebuild their defense over the next couple of seasons, and I believe the Falcons can be a strong NFC contender for 1-2 seasons with him before he retires. They could also be immediate NFC South favorites in 2022 with Tom Brady out of the division if they retain Ryan and slightly improve their roster. If the Falcons ship off Ryan and they don’t have a Pro Bowl QB in the near future, the Falcons could really struggle for a few seasons.

I expect the Falcons and Ryan to not divorce in 2022 and I expect them to add a few talented players to come out guns blazing next season. Here are a few profiles that would be logical fits for the Falcons.

JuJu Smith-Schuster

I don’t expect the Falcons to ink the golden free agent Michael Gallup or risk signing Odell with his injury and age, but I believe JuJu Smith-Schuster would fit in perfectly for the Falcons. JuJu (129 yards, 0 touchdowns) will likely take a prove-it deal and I think it would be tempting for him to take that route with Ryan and the Falcons. He can join a proven QB in Ryan and he can be the focal point of the offense with Ridley most likely finding the exit. The Steelers WR could also be fascinated about playing the Buccaneers and Panthers mediocre secondary twice a year. The Saints have Marshon Lattimore, but the points are always high in the Saints-Falcons showdowns.

Xavier Rhodes

The Indianapolis Colts star cornerback Xavier Rhodes is old (31), but he has still been playing at a high level (19 pass deflections, 3 interceptions over the past two seasons). Rhodes could be interested in helping the Falcons defense match the Matt Ryan and Kyle Pitts-led offense. I wouldn’t place the chances of the Falcons inking JC Jackson or Patrick Peterson on a good level. They could be aggressive for getting a talented CB like Rhodes after the top free-agent CBs sign elsewhere. Rhodes would match up well against big, physical WRs like Michael Thomas and Mike Evans.

Desean Jackson

Desean Jackson is clearly past his prime, but I feel strongly about him being a nice value pickup for the Falcons. Jackson ousted 454 yards and two touchdowns at this very late stage in his career. He could certainly be a deep threat that the Falcons are missing. He might have one or two years left, but the Falcons could make more magic happen with him than nearly all WR-needy teams in the last breaths of his career. If the Falcons don’t bring back Cordaralle Patterson, it would especially be wise to replace him with the special deep threat WR. It may be time for Jackson to return to the NFC South.

The post Top free agent targets for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Atlanta Falcons brought in Cordarralle Patterson in the 2021 offseason. Patterson has was an electric special team player for the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears notably. He made the All-Pro team twice with the Bears and once with the Vikings. The comparisons between Devin Hester and Patterson were often made.

The Falcons knew he had special team talent, but they didn’t expect him to be a complete force as an all-purpose weapon on offense. He recorded 618 rushing yards (career-high), six rushing touchdowns (career-high), 548 yards (career-high), and hauled in five touchdowns (career-high).

Matt Ryan was clearly pleased to have Patterson transcend into a RB/WR threat in his offense, especially with Julio Jones in Tennesee. Calvin Ridley also retired in the middle of the season for mental health reasons, so it was really a pleasant surprise that Ridley elevated to become a quality pass catcher for Arthur Smith’s offense.

Patterson evolved into being a gifted, unique player in the NFL in 2021. He will be a free agent in 2022, so many teams will have dreams of obtaining the versatile profile. The question is: which team will ink the talented RB/WR/KR? Well, here are the potential suitors for the former Vikings first-round pick.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons really helped Patterson turn around his career at 30 years old (31 in March). He has to be very comfortable with the scheme fit in Atlanta. He may not win a Super Bowl in ATL, but he will be a focal point of their offense for many years ahead.

The Falcons really need Patterson as a RB and WR. The Falcons backup RB Mike Davis is under contract in 2021, but the Falcons could save $2.5 million by cutting him. In theory, the Falcons could use resources aimed at Davis to kelp keep the starter, Patterson, in town. They will likely lose Calvin Ridley this offseason and the WR position is a serious need. Russell Gage is a modest slot weapon, but they need more guns on the outside. They can’t afford to bring in a WR like Michael Gallup or OBJ, too. It would make sense if they hone in on bringing back Patterson to play next to 2021 rookie sensation Kyle Pitts (1,026 yards).

The secret is out: Matt Ryan is the highest paid player in the NFL this offseason. Still, the owner Arthur Blank has made it clear they want him back. They will likely restructure his deal and save a boatload of money. He could also retool his contract beyond what it is expected, so they can keep Patterson onboard, as well.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders really need some speed demon wideouts for Derek Carr. Desean Jackson is infamous for torching defenses, but he is past his prime at 35 years of age (221 yards, 1 touchdown in 2021). Hunter Renfrow was a pleasant surprise in 2021 with 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns last season, but Renfrow and Darren Waller need more help.

The Raiders could get aggressive for Patterson, as they have roughly $21 million in cap space. They don’t have to swing big for a top-shelf WR, but they could bring in a talented WR that can be an x-factor in many ways (RB/WR/KR). Plus, a backfield exhibiting Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake (free agent in 2023), and Patterson, could prove to be one of the best in the league.

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins new head coach Mike McDaniels will look to bring the Miami Dolphins back to the playoffs in 2022. He’s a very creative coach and he would fantasize about having Patterson in his offense. The Dolphins also have the most cap space in the NFL (roughly $64 million). The value of adding Patterson has to be very tempting for McDaniels. They could opt to ink Patterson and still swing big at a few other positions if they desire.

The deep threat Will Fuller and RB Duke Johnson are also a free agents in 2022, so they need to replace them. Patterson could help fill in two pair of shoes at once. The Dolphins need to get over the hump and Patterson would be a big assist in that direction. Jaylen Waddle, who unveiled 104 receptions, 1,015, and six touchdowns, could formulate a dangerous WR combo with Patterson.

Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson is still singing “Somebody to Love” by Queen in the 2021 offseason. He has DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, but they could use another spark to their 21st ranked passing offense. Freddie Swain wasn’t an earth shattering prescense with 343 yards and four touchdowns last season. Patterson could be another valuable deep threat for Wilson and he could also bring value to their rushing attack.

Rashaad Penny was a stud with 749 yards, while averaging 6.3 YPC. Although, there’s a serious question mark after Penny. Chris Carson underwent neck surgery in November, was placed on IR, and he is a 2022 free agent. It seems very likely that Carson isn’t reuniting with Seattle in the near future. They could ink Patterson to be a much needed RB2 and third WR for Wilson to help him return to MVP form.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars first overall pick in 2021 had nightmare season in year one. Trevor Lawrence saw his rookie RB and former Clemson teammate Travis Etienne suffer a season ending injury before the season. He would proceed to witness his head coach Urban Meyer get fired before the end of the season. It was a year to forget for Lawrence, as he threw 17 interceptions and only 12 touchdowns. He will hope that former Super Bowl champion Doug Pederson has a plan to turn it around.

The Jags signed Marvin Jones last offseason, but he can’t solve all of their problems. Jones was still a quality WR in the chaotic Jags offense (73, 832, 4). They could use an all purpose weapon in the pass game and the running game to help Lawrence cut his turnovers down and be a more efficient passer. The Jags also have roughly $60 million in cap space, so they could bring in a couple of toys for T-Lawrence.

Honorable mention:

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals don’t need Patterson, but they could have a plan and money for him. The AFC Champions have roughly $50 million in cap space. Plus, they would have to be towards the top of the best cultures to potentially land him. He may not have a superb offer from Cincy, but he could chase a ring and be a part of an elite, ascending team in the Bengals. Joe Burrow is one of the best young QBs in the league and Ja’Marr Chase hauled in 81 receptions, 1,455 yards, and 13 touchdowns as a rookie in the NFL.

The Bengals could benefit from his talent in the special teams area and as a backup to Joe Mixon. The Bengals backup RB Samaje Perine unleashed a mere 246 yards and two touchdowns. It’s safe to say Patterson could be a better partner to Mixon and help the Bengals have more speed in the backfield. The Bengals also aren’t perfect, as they will aim to take revenge against an NFC foe in aims of winning their first ever Super Bowl.

The post Landing spots for Cordarrelle Patterson in 2022: Falcons top the list appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The marriage between Calvin Ridley and the Atlanta Falcons appears to be coming to an end in the new 2022 season. The Falcons wideout stepped away after five games in 2021 “to focus on his mental wellbeing”. Ridley hasn’t contacted the Falcons about a return, but a change in scenery looks like it’s in line for the 27-year-old.

Ridley has accumulated 3,342 yards, 28 touchdowns, and he’s averaged 13.5 YPC in his short career thus far. The career season from Ridley unequivocally came in 2020 when he emerged as a Top 8 WR in the league. Ridley flashed his elite caliber of play by recording 90 receptions, 1,374 yards, 9 touchdowns, 15.3 YPC, in 15 games. Ridley obtained 31 receptions, 281 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and had 9.1 YPC with Matt Ryan in five games this past regular season.

The Falcons top WR that was tasked with replacing Julio Jones (left to Tennesse) as the go-to target for Matt Ryan is seen as a late holiday gift in 2022 to many organizations. With that said, what NFL team would truly be the best fit for Ridley’s talents? Let’s take a look. 

1. Detroit Lions 

The Detroit Lions desperately need a top-shelf WR and more firepower on offense. The Lions 19th ranked passing offense and 25th ranked scoring offense in 2021 really missed Kenny Golladay & Marvin Jones Jr. The rook Amon-Ra St. Brown was a pleasant surprise as a 4th round draft pick and that was evident with his 912 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns in 2021. 

The Lions should still be aggressive to acquire Ridley, especially with their current predicament. They have the highest draft picks after the Jacksonville Jaguars (and lots of cap space), so they basically have a more sexy second-round pick to offer Atlanta than nearly every other team. If the Lions and Dan Campbell can send a second-rounder to the Falcons for Ridley, the Lions offense would be a lot more attractive for quarterbacks shopping for a new home. A rookie in this year (or next year’s draft) or FA QB would have Ridley, Amon-Ra St. Brown, T.J. Hockenson, and D’Andre Swift to utilize on the field. 

The NFC North has a murky outlook. Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins could realistically be out of the division within a couple of years. The Chicago Bears just axed Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace, as well. If the Lions can build up their defense, add Ridley on offense, and find their franchise QB by the 2023 season, they can be serious NFC North competitors. 

The NFL world witnessed Ja’Marr Chase unleash an incredible 2021 season and really help turn the Cincinnati Bengals from the worst team in the league to AFC North champions. If the Lions obtain Ridley, the Lions could find themselves with a similar path as the Bengals of recent memory. 

2. New England Patriots 

The New England Patriots need to add a spark to Mac Jones’s offense in 2022. The Patriots were “out-lapped in the track meet” against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC wildcard contest. The Pats were also outgunned by the Cowboys, Saints, and Tom Brady’s Buccaneers in pivotal matchups in 2021.

Bill Belichick’s offense was 14th in passing YPG and 15th in passing touchdowns on the regular season. Meanwhile, Tom Brady and his offense were ranked “first in passing yards and first in passing touchdowns”. Belichick is well known for picking up wide receivers in unique ways. He gave the troubled Josh Gordan and controversial Antonio Brown a chance when they were facing personal hurdles in free agency. He also sought out the legendary WR Randy Moss which helped Brady put up “Madden-like” numbers on offense. It’s time for the genius Belichick to help his talented 23-year-old QB take the next step and they could get a steal with Calvin Ridley. 

Mac Jones was a playmaker in 2021, but there’s a lot of room for improvement. Here were the former Alabama QB’s key stats:

• 3,801 passing yards
• 22 passing touchdowns to 13 interceptions
• 67.6 completion percentage
• 92.5 passer rating

Ridley would slot in well as the number WR1 on an offense featuring Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne. Ridley, Hunter Henry, and the other veteran WRs could help Jones put up his own video game-like numbers.

The Pats could risk trading their first-round draft pick (21st overall) for Ridley. I would say that dealing the first-round pick for Ridley would be a better option than selecting a WR in the first round, but Belichick may elect to keep their golden ticket and take a different position in the first round.  

3. New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are a complex team and Sean Payton ensures that they’re tough to judge. The Saints have been in cap hell, yet they’ve signed big free agents like Jairus Byrd or Keenan Lewis. Payton has also been creative and aggressive with shipping out rare talents in Jimmy Graham for offensive lineman and draft picks. In reality, it may seem like the Saints can’t or shouldn’t trade for Ridley in 2022, but that won’t stop Payton from doing so if he pleases. 

The Saints passing offense was flat-out atrocious in 2021. The once juggernaut passing attack strangely ranked 32nd in passing yards last year. The Saints also had five games where they failed to score over 12 points. The Saints made a bold decision to let Emmanual Sanders leave in free agency to the Bills in 2021, which clearly came back to haunt them in the 2021 regular season.

The Saints will surely prioritize the WR position in the 2022 offseason (potentially more than 31 NFL teams) and the most attractive option could be Calvin Ridley. The former Offensive Player of The Year in 2019 Michael Thomas has been “hot and cold” with the Saints organization and I really wouldn’t be surprised if Payton sent him packing out of the big easy because of his inconsistent behavior (despite on-field talent). The Saints head coach once paid the troublesome pass rusher and team captain Junior Galette a lot of money to be cut from the team (because of Galetee’s guaranteed money). The All-Pro return man Deonte Harris has excelled at WR, but he’s not a go-to WR that can mow down defenses consistently. The PR/WR Harris isn’t a big body target to say the least, too.

The combination of Ridley, Alvin Kamara, Sean Payton, and Jameis Winston or Russell Wilson for the next five-plus years would be a lethal attack in the NFC. The Saints simply pose as the best combination of “position need and gutsy GM”, but there is a downside of Ridley’s chances to land in New Orleans. The biggest reason against Ridley catching passes in the Cesar dome next year is that the Saints play in the same division as the Falcons (NFC South), so the Falcons may not be tempted to accept the potential Saints offer first. Still, there shouldn’t be someone to cast the first stone at dismissing the boldness of Sean Payton, who attempted an onside kick in the Super Bowl XLIV. After all, the Saints may tempt the Falcons by offering a player from their secondary or OL in return.

4. Cleveland Browns 

It’s widely enunciated that the Cleveland Browns have been declared the biggest disappointment in 2021. The Browns were once 7-6 and in a seat for a wildcard spot, but they proceeded to lose to the Raiders, Packers, and Steelers in three straight contests. The “boring” Browns with the brilliant Myles Garrett could also potentially be trading Baker Mayfield after already ending the experiment with Odell Beckham Jr. If the 27th ranked passing offense lost Baker, the offense would require a lot of work to be rebuilt well. They could jumpstart the offensive attack by lobbying for Ridley. 

The fourth-placed AFC North squad shouldn’t go into full rebuild mode and they should realize they can still be a competitive team in 2022. If the Browns traded for Ridley, the dog pound would have a lot more life on their offense and Ridley would recreate lots of excitement in Cleveland. Ridley would quickly fill in the shoes of OBJ, as well. The next best WR on the Browns is arguably Donovan Peoples-Jones, who recorded 597 yards in 2021.

Jarvis Landry is a fan favorite and valuable from the slot, but he should likely be another Brown out the door within a couple of seasons. Landry hauled in a career-low 570 yards and an all-time low two touchdowns last season. Landry was once a WR that made five straight Pro Bowls (4 with the Dolphins, 1 with the Browns), but his decline in production coupled with his age (29) don’t make him an attractive long-term fit in the Dogpound.

The Browns are yet another team on this list that may be looking for a new QB and having Ridley at WR would make Cleveland a more attractive QB destination. An offense featuring Nick Chubb, Calvin Ridley, and an ascending Donovan Peoples-Jones could really be tempting for a talented QB to join and the hypothetical offense could really lift off in 2022. The Browns GM Andrew Berry, who is the youngest GM in the league and a graduate of Harvard, is ultimately a very creative GM. Don’t be surprised if Berry and the Browns shock the NFL by obtaining Ridley in 2022. 

5. Kansas City Chiefs 

The Kansas City Chiefs may seem like a fairy tale landing spot for Calvin Ridley, but the Chiefs have the resources and desire to win another Super Bowl. If the Chiefs fall short of winning the Lombardi this postseason, it would make a lot of sense for Andy Reid to be aggressive and potentially trade their late first-round pick for a special, young offensive profile. Ridley and Kelce would form a strong red-zone threat, plus Ridley would help defenses struggle to contain Tyreek Hill even more. Ridley could be the final piece of the puzzle to Patrick Mahomes’s offense. 

The Chiefs may be spending a boatload of money on Patrick Mahomes and his toys, but the 16th ranked team in cap space could find a way to keep Ridley in the building for at least a few seasons. The Chiefs could even find room for improvement in their own passing attack. The Chiefs were fourth in passing yards and sixth in passing touchdowns last season.

The Chiefs could edge out other teams wishing to send a second-round pick to the Falcons for Ridley, as they could ship out a very late first-round pick for his talented presence. It would be hard to imagine a defense in the AFC or NFC slowing down the Chiefs offense with Calvin Ridley as a WR2.

6. Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders have asked the disgruntled Desean Jackson to give their offense a helping hand late in 2021. Jackson has been modest with a few big plays in big moments. Still, the former speed demon at 35 years of age isn’t the long-term solution at the WR position for Derek Carr. His days of torching defenses for the Philadelphia Eagles notably are in the rearview mirror.

The Raiders missing ingredient is truly an elite WR amid an offense featuring Derek Carr, Josh Jacobs, and Darren Waller. The Raiders offense put up a lot of passing yardage, but they were surprisingly a lousy 17th in passing touchdowns in 2021. A big body wideout like Ridley would be a big help in the red zone for Carr and company. Hunter Renfrow was one of the league’s top slot wide receivers and he really exploded onto the scene with 1,038 receiving yards. The next leading “WR” in yards was Bryan Edwards, who hauled in 571 yards.

The Raiders once gave Randy Moss and Jerry Rice a call later in their careers. In 2022, the Raiders could look to make a big splash at WR once again. If the Raiders add some juice with Ridley on offense and add a few more quality pieces on defense, the Raiders could really surprise the NFL world and they even could be the next surprise one seed in the AFC.

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