PRESEASON EXPECTATIONS

Rhamondre Stevenson was slated as the Patriots’ RB 2 behind Damien Harris. New England does multiple RB packages so they are fresh. He had a decent rookie season where he ran for 606 yards and five TDs. It was hopeful that he would have better stats as he did have 22.70 FP in Week 17 in 2021.

DRAFT EXPECTATIONS

Rhamondre had an ADP of 110.1. With this ADP, he was the 37th RB taken in fantasy football. He would be taken around the 9th round which would be reserved for the bench. That would be a good value for someone who had a good rookie season.

OVERALL SEASON PRODUCTION

Congratulations to owners if you drafted Rhamondre Stevenson as he took over the starting job with Damien Harris getting injured. He blew everyone’s expectations after a season that put him as the 7th-best RB in all of football and 30th overall player. Through 17 games he ran for 1040 yards and five TDs. He caught an impressive 69 passes for 421 yards and a TD. Another great season is expected for Rhamondre.

CRITICAL MOMENTS DURING THE SEASON

Week 3 vs Baltimore Ravens

The Rhamondre Stevenson breakout season began in Week 3 against the Ravens. He rushed 12 times for 73 yards and a one-yard TD in the final quarter to make it a smaller lead for the Ravens. He also caught four passes for 28 yards. The combo of Stevenson and Harris was working at this point.

Week 6 vs Cleveland Browns

Week 6 was the first game where Damien Harris wasn’t available so Rhamondre had the keys to the offense. He ran through the Browns with 19 rushes for 76 yards and two TDs. He rushed for a 31-yard TD late in the 2nd quarter and a six-yard TD late in the 4th quarter to seal the deal. It looked like Rhamondre owned the backfield and Damien Harris owners would have to find alternatives. He had a season-high 25.10 FP.

Week 15 vs Las Vegas Raiders

The Patriots vs. Raiders game was one of the most memorable games of the season. What is forgotten is Rhamondre’s season-high rushing performance. Stevenson ran for 172 yards and a 34-yard TD that put the Pats up 24017 with four minutes left in the game. What will only be remembered is the Jakobi Meyers pass to Chandler Jones and the stiff arm to Mac Jones for the game-winning TD.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Las Vegas Raiders ranked 21st in sacks in 2021 (with 35 sacks), but they should really aim to be Top-10 in sacks in the upcoming season. The Raiders team that carries a rich history (especially under Al Davis), brought in the very talented pass rusher Chandler Jones to join Tom Hardy Mad Maxx Crosby in the front seven. Jones may have turned 32 in February, but he is coming off an impressive 10.5 sack season — along with 6 forced fumbles and 26 QB hits. Jones inked a contract extension for three years worth $52.5 million dollars.

Jones will ask Crosby to continue to help hunt opposing signal-callers, as well. Crosby was a wrecking ball last season — as he was named second-team All-Pro. PFF gave Crosby a very impressive 91.4 grade for his 2021 performance. He signed a contract extension for four years worth $94 million dollars last March. It was clearly an emotional day for the individual that suffered from alcoholism.

The invisible man, also known as Clelin Ferrell, needs to find his groove as a pro. The fourth overall pick from the 2019 NFL draft has 8 career sacks and 24 QB hits in three seasons. He is bound to be a free agent after the 2022 season. The Raiders could still trade Ferrell, as B/R has noted this off-season.

Let’s not forget that the Raiders should have more potent scoring offense (w/ Tae and a healthy Kenyan Drake) than last season, which will force opposing signal-callers to keep pace with their offense. This also means that the Raiders pass rushers will have a plethora of opportunities to pin their ears back and take down the likes of Russell Wilson and Justin Herbert.

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This NFL offseason has seen no other division improve more than the AFC West. The Russell Wilson trade is the blockbuster one. But both the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers made moves that now see them as Super Bowl contenders. So, who is more likely between the two? Let us find out.

Las Vegas Raiders:

The Davante Adams trade changes the landscape of the NFL.

It immediately strengthens an AFC team as the Raiders become Super Bowl contenders whilst affecting a top team in the NFC. Rodgers and Green Bay’s chances of winning the Super Bowl have dramatically altered.

Adams is now entering the peak of his career. Add to the fact they have a Pro Bowl slot receiver in Hunter Renfrow, an elite tight end in Darren Waller, and a good core of running backs such as former Patriot Brandon Bolden, Josh Jacobs, and Kenyan Drake.

Not to mention Derek Carr, who will relish the opportunity to play the best football of his career. The Carr-Adams partnership will be one that will see TV games for the Raiders.

On defense, they also signed Chandler Jones. One of the best pass rushers of the last ten years, coupled with Maxx Crosby, who had 42 pressures last season in the NFL. It forms one of the deadliest pass-rushing duos in the league.

General manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels have done brilliantly because their units elevated from particularly good to elite.

Despite the Raiders needing safety and not having first and second-round picks, it puts them in a strong position with elite partnerships on offense and defense.

Los Angeles Chargers:

With the addition of J.C Jackson, the Chargers have fulfilled the need for a cornerback who provides great man coverage. He has only allowed eight TD passes in four seasons.

Staley can now develop a better defense that is more in tune with his desires. After having a terrible defense last year, upgrades were necessary. The Khalil Mack trade was a high priority one.

Despite playing only seven games in 2021, Mack was productive when he played. He had six sacks with seven QB hits in those games. He has not shown signs of being injury-prone, thus not losing his touch yet.

Mack also has one of the best edge rushers in Joey Bosa opposite him. His 10.5 sacks and 20 QB hits last season were good, but he has shown better in the past. With the addition of Mack, Bosa could get back to his absolute best.

Like the Raiders, the Chargers have formed a formidable pass-rush tandem that will make any NFL team nervous. Staley would like to get the best out of Mack as he did in 2018. The signing of Sebastian Joseph Day is also a step up, replacing DT Justin Jones.

On offense, they have added tight end Gerald Everett, operating as a replacement for Jared Cook.

Everett is a weapon in the passing game but adds much-needed youth and depth at the position. With Tre’ McKitty and Donald Parham developing, Everett becomes the top tight end of the roster. 

But the Chargers should be excited that Justin Herbert and Brandon Staley are entering their second year together. Both will develop to become better collectively.

We have seen that happen in the same division with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid in 2019. It should be no surprise if Herbert and Staley become a better pairing overall. If these two combined to become a top-five offense in year one, they could be the best in year two.

So, who is more likely to win the Super Bowl?

In terms of QBs, the Chargers are with teams such as Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, and Buffalo Bills. Justin Herbert’s 2021 season was phenomenal. But the pieces around Herbert are not as exciting as Carr’s Raiders.

Should both teams make the playoffs, the Raiders will have the broader weapons on both sides of the field, especially on offense, to make a deeper run. The difference is simple. The Chargers do not have a future Hall of Famer in Davante Adams.

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The Las Vegas Raiders have officially signed pass rusher Chandler Jones, according to Tom Pelissero. Jones was recently named the third-best free agent available by CBS Sports. It’s clear that the Raiders are getting a stud who isn’t “washed up” at this day in age. Here is a closer look at how dominant Jones has been over the past few seasons:

• 10.5 sacks in 2021
• 19 sacks in 2019
• Pro Bowl selection in 2021
• Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro selection in 2019

The Raiders are battling in the wild AFC West, which is also known as the NFL’s best division in 2022. The Chargers picked up Khalil Mack (and J.C. Jackson), the Broncos scooped up Russell Wilson, and now the Raiders strike gold with Jones.

The Raiders arguably feature the NFL’s top pass-rushing duo with Maxx Crosby and Jones. Maxx Crosby (15 sacks in the past two seasons combined) was recently extended and now they help him with the signing of DE/OLB Jones.

Meanwhile, the Raiders have traded their “old” pass rusher Yannick Ngakouye (10 sacks in 2021) to the Indianapolis Colts, according to Ian Rapoport. Gus Bradley, who is the Colts defensive coordinator, was the Raiders prior defensive coordinator in 2021. Bradley will have his former defensive stud back in his arsenal. Ngakouye will now be partners with Deforest Buckner on the Colts scary DL. They also have Darius Leonard in their front seven.

The Raiders had a terrific pass-rushing duo last season, but they were still ranked 21st in sacks a season ago. That is not a formula for success in the AFC West, where they play Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Russell Wilson twice a season. The Raiders were wise to make a splash move at their DE spot and I fully expect them to display a Top 15 pass-rushing unit next season.

The Raiders new DC in 2022 was a Patriots assistant from 2009-2019, where he worked with the Pats DL and LB unit. It’s clear that he coaches Jones and that the former Patriots sack artist has strong ties to Graham. The Raiders DC will nicely move Jones around the DL and put him in the perfect position to succeed next to Mad Maxx.

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The New York Jets have a lot of ammunition (third-most in cap space, fourth pick in draft) to be a potent team in 2022. Robert Saleh will surely press the pedal to the metal, as his marriage with Zach Wilson is entering year two.

The Jets will look to be a very active squad in the 2022 free agency period. They certainly need to strike big on a few profiles and they have the firepower to do so. Well, who exactly is atop of the Jets free agency wishlist? Well, here are a few names.

• Allen Robinson – WR – Chicago Bears

Allen Robinson would be the focal point of the Jets offense and he would make a ton of money in the process. According to Heavy., the Jets could sign A-Rob on a prove-it deal. Their former BYU QB would needs his own juice in an AFC East division that features Josh Allen, Ma Jones, and Tua Tagovailoa. Robinson ousted 102 catches, 1,250 yards, and six touchdowns with Micthell Trubisky often starting at QB in 2020.

• Tyrann Mathieu – S – Kansas City Chiefs

The Honey Badger would be a very exciting signing for the Jets and he might be fascinated by the big lights in the Big Apple. Mathieu could arguably receive the biggest offer from the Jets and he could be a star in NY under Saleh. The Jets likely need to replace Marcus Maye, who is coming off an injury and may not be brought back. I’d like to see them target a safety like the Honey Badger or Marcus Williams over Maye, too.

• Chandler Jones – DE/OLB – Arizona Cardinals

If Chandler Jones (10.5 sacks in 2021) doesn’t want to return to the Cardinals, I have a feeling he will be overpaid by a team elsewhere. The Jets could honestly be the team to give him a universal amount of money. The Dolphins overpaid for Ndamukong Suh and I believe Jets could cough up the most for Jones. Still, I do believe he will not be a bust and he could be a pivotal factor in the Jets pass rush.

Jones and Quinnen Williams would be a surreal duo on the Jets DL. He could likely play 4-5 more seasons at a high level and that will be important for the Jets in the AFC who look to make a quick turnaround, just as Cincy did recently in their same conference.

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The Baltimore Ravens pass rusher Justin Houston might be 33, but he’s still a productive player at this stage in his career. Houston unleashed 4.5 sacks in 2021 and 8 sacks in 2020. Here is a closer look at how productive Houston has been in his career.

• 102 career sacks
• 22 sacks in 2014
• Four time Pro Bowl selection
• eight seasons of 7.5+ sacks

It’s clear that Houston has been one of the best pass rushers of all time. Houston is still seeking to add a Lombardi trophy to his legacy. With that said, which team could look to obtain Houston? Here are a few squads that would make a ton of sense.

• Kansas City Chiefs

It wouldn’t only be poetic if Houston returned to Arrowhead Stadium, but they desperately need him. The Chiefs inked Melvin Ingram, but they won’t be head over heels to bring him back after his earth-shattering 1 sack in 2021. They were aching for pass rush help in the AFC Championship matchup against Cincy and they get a pass rush boost from an old friend in Houston.

• Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens mistakenly let Yannick Ngakouye and Matt Judon leave the building and they can’t afford to let Houston leave, too. The Ravens really need Houston in their lineup, especially after they finished 24th in sacks last season. The Baltimore Ravens and not the Cleveland Browns were last in the AFC North last season. They can’t allow Lamar Jackson, who received the torch from Tom Brady, to miss the playoffs for the second season in a row.

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals will likely lose Chandler Jones this offseason, but they can replace him with a cheaper veteran edge rusher in Houston this offseason. Houston and J.J. Watt can wreak havoc on opponents next season. It may not be 2015, but the two pass rushers can still be stars on the big stage in 2022. The Cardinals would be a nice fit scheme-wise, plus he can really pursue a Super Bowl trophy with Watt and Kyler Murray.

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The elite pass rusher Chandler Jones enters an interesting period in his career. The two-time All-Pro, four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher, and one-time Super Bowl champion is a 2022 free agent and it’s clear he will have plenty of interest this offseason. Here is a look at how special Jones has been in his career thus far:

*stats are according to Pro Football Reference

• 107.5 career sacks
• seven seasons of 10+ sacks
• 19 sacks in 2019 (single-season career high)
• NFC Defensive Player of The Year in 2019

Jones has been a force to be reckoned with at every point of his career thus far. The question is: where his next destination be? Here are the potential landing spots for the former 21st overall pick.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have the tenth most cap space in the league and they have the Hulk, also known as T.J. Watt. Jones could be tired of playing with J.J. Watt and move to play with the new and improved Watt. The Steelers have the money to tempt Jones to wreak havoc across from T.J. and Cameron Hayward in the AFC.

The Steelers led the NFL in sacks last season and they could look to build on it with Jones and potentially create the most superb pass rush of all time. The days of the Steel curtain and the James Harrison-led defense might be in the review mirror, but Mike Tomlin can bring the team back to its roots in 2022. The Steelers are truly a team capable of making the playoffs in the near future, especially if they add a quality QB. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals may not have Kyler Murray, so Jones (and J.J. Watt) may not be thrilled to play in AZ for potentially the rest of his career.

Miami Dolphins

The Mike McDaniels-led Miami Dolphins have swag and the most cap in the NFL. The Dolphins could add a new toy to join Jaylen Waddle for Tua Tagovailoa and they can swing big for a few other free agents. Life won’t get easier for the Dolphins in the AFC East, as they frequently play Josh Allen, Mac Jones, and the young Zach Wilson.

Florida is another relaxing state for Jones to consider living in. Jones could also be a big fan of the second-half success he witnessed the Dolphins have. The combination of talent, location, and money could help Jones ink a massive deal with the Dolphins. Jones would be the second future Hall of Fame DL to sign with the Dolphins over the past several years (Ndamukong Suh being the other).

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals could soon ink a few more big profiles in a similar way that the Los Angeles Rams did last season. The Rams signed Von Miller to play with Aaron Donald and now it could be time for Cincy to add Jones to play with Trey Hendrickson (14 sacks in 2021). The Bengals have the resources (fourth in cap space) to make Jones very tempted to sign with the 2021 AFC champions.

The Bengals may have 2021 Offensive Rookie of The Year Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow, but they shouldn’t take the gas off the pedal. There’s been a reoccurring theme of “dynasty” teams like the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs taking a step back after getting to the Super Bowl. Zac Taylor could really capitalize off Trey Hendrickson’s prime years and the WR band being together (Chase, Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins) by bringing in an elite defender like Jones this offseason.

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By: Grant Schwieger

Is it crazy to say a game in Week 2 of the NFL season, before Minnesota has even played at home, feels like a must-win already? The Vikings entered Cincinnati last week as road favorites and quickly alerted their fans and the league why being confident or optimistic about them is a terrible idea. There were more than 8 months between Minnesota’s last two games, yet Week 1 seemed as if the team picked up right where they left off at the end of the 2020 season. This team is too good to be blown out every game, but they also are not good enough to put away the teams that they should. This results in a lot of gut-wrenching endings like the game against the Bengals was in every sense of the word.

No one wants to start 0-2, but the season is 17 games long now. The season would not be over. However, games against the Seahawks and Browns loom on the horizon and the Vikings might be underdogs in both of those as well. There is also this statistic that team reporter Courtney Cronin dug up:

There is no reason to ignore the obvious. If the Vikings start 0-2, Minnesota might be in for a looooong season. The Vikings face the tall task of taking on a Cardinals team that dropped 38 points on the road in Tennessee. Let’s take a look at what the Vikings need to do in Week 2.

Slowing down Kyler Murray and Company

If Mike Zimmer gets double-digit hours of sleep this week while trying to gameplan for Kyler Murray, I think we would all be surprised. There is simply no way to truly prepare for someone who can do this.

Zimmer intelligently said earlier this week that he knows the Vikings’ defense will not be able to keep Murray in the pocket all day, and of course, he is right. That does not mean they can’t slow him down, though. The entire defense has to stay disciplined and trust their assignments and their teammates. For Minnesota to do that, though, they would need their defense, specifically their linebackers, to be healthy. That doesn’t look to be the case with Anthony Barr out and Eric Kendricks questionable as well. If the Vikings are trotting out a full backup LB core on Sunday, this could be one of those times Minnesota gets blown out.

After looking past Kyler Murray’s insane athletic ability, there are Arizona’s receiving weapons. They have future Hall of Famer DeAndre Hopkins as a headliner, but he and Christian Kirk, AJ Green, and Rondale Moore all received 5+ targets in Week 1. Running back Chase Edmonds also caught all 4 of his targets and is joined by James Connor in the backfield. The Cardinals’ offensive line is also not a big weakness. Either the Vikings’ pass-rush needs to overtake the game (Arizona RT Kelvin Beachum will be a game-time decision, looking at you, Danielle Hunter), or the secondary needs to have the game of their lives and fly towards the ball. Murray led the NFL in Big Time Throws (per PFF) with 6 in Week 1, but he is also good for about one Turnover Worthy Play a game over the last 2 seasons as well. This Minnesota coverage unit needs to take advantage of when that play pops up. There can be no mistakes like this one from Kris Boyd Week 1.

Containing Chandler Jones

As good as Murray and the offense were for the Cardinals last week, Chandler Jones single-handedly made their game a blowout. He had 7 pressures, 5 sacks, including 2 forced fumbles in just 33 pass-rushing snaps. The Titans mistakenly kept their LT Taylor Lewan isolated on Jones all game and it resulted in Lewan’s worst pass-blocking game in what is his 8^th season. Bad news for Vikings fans, Taylor Lewan is MUCH better than Rashod Hill. The good news is, though, that Tennessee outlined exactly what NOT to do when facing Chandler Jones. Expect a lot of chips from TEs and RBs and double teams sent Jones’ way. That may open the way for JJ Watt and the rest of Arizona’s pass-rushers to make an impact, but Minnesota just cannot afford to replicate plays like this from last week.

That was one of the best games that Jones has ever played as a pass-rusher, so Minnesota might just be hoping for some regression on his part in Week 2. He is, however, wanting a new contract, so his motivation seems to be at an all-time high. If the Vikings are unable to contain Chandler Jones and Kirk Cousins sustains some of the hits Ryan Tannehill did last week, this game might end with Sean Mannion or Kellen Mond under center. Expect a lot to be thrown Jones’ way by Klint Kubiak.

Exploiting the Arizona Secondary

If there is one area of this Cardinals team the Vikings should be able to take advantage of, it is their secondary. They brought Malcolm Butler over in the offseason to be their #1 CB, and he has since retired. Budda Baker is an underrated safety who has been solid his entire career, but his safety partner Jalen Thompson is mostly unproven. Byron Murphy, Robert Alford, and rookie Marco Wilson make up Arizona’s top three CBs. Murphy is in his third season and has had an up and down career thus far. Alford played Week 1 for the first time since 2018, and Wilson is a 4^th round rookie.

This Cardinals secondary performed pretty well last week, but that was mostly due to Chandler Jones and the Titans self-destructing. Tennessee owns what is easily the NFL’s top WR duo in AJ Brown Jr and Julio Jones, yet the two received only 13 combined targets, the first of which being an incompletion to Brown with 10:59 to go in the second quarter. If Minnesota waits that long to target Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, Kirk Cousins and/or Klint Kubiak may find fans with pitchforks at the Minneapolis airport when the team gets home.

If the Vikings want to expose this Cardinals secondary, they need to make life easier on themselves with play-action, something the Titans did not do last week. Former Tennessee Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith led such great offenses the last few years that he is now the head coach in Atlanta. Ryan Tannehill had the highest percentage of play-action dropbacks in the NFL last year. Last week, Tannehill had the second-lowest percentage. The blame for that complete 180 on offense for Tennessee falls on new OC Todd Downing. Is it difficult to run play-action when you are down by 25 points? Yes, but it also might be the reason why you are down 25 points. Play-action has been a staple of Kubiak-led offenses for years, so this should not be an issue for Minnesota.

The Vikings also might finally have themselves a solid third WR in KJ Osborn. He caught all of his 7 targets for 76 yards, forcing one missed tackle, and converting 3 first downs, the biggest of which being on 4^th and 4 on Minnesota’s game-tying drive in regulation. The Vikings do not need Osborn to be a star, they just need him to be capable of taking advantage of the opportunities left by defenses focusing on Jefferson and Thielen. Through one week, he seems up to the task. Osborn could prove to be an important piece to this offense moving forward.

Prediction

It is hard to be optimistic entering Week 2 for Minnesota after Arizona’s beatdown of Tennessee and the Vikings’ loss in Cincinnati. However, games like this are why the NFL is so unpredictable. Minnesota could easily come out and look impressive on the road, similarly to how they did in Seattle last season. That game, of course, ended in heartbreak for the Vikings, which is how I envision this one going as well. The Cardinals try to throw the ball too much to AJ Green instead of their three superior receiver options, allowing Minnesota to keep it close. Arizona’s rushing game will prevent the Vikings from getting the ball back at the end of the game, though, with the final score being Arizona 27, Minnesota 20.

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By: Reese Nasser

Nine-year NFL veteran Chandler Jones could be on the way out of Arizona. The linebacker has spent the last five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals but, at some point during this off-season, requested a trade. This could lead to Jones being gone before the start of the season. 

Joens has been one of the NFL’s most prolific pass rushers since he entered the league in 2012. He spent the first four years of his career with the New England Patriots. In those four years, Jones recorded 36 sacks and 38 tackles for loss. 

After being traded to Arizona in 2016, Jones took his play to an even higher level. Excluding the 2020 season where he appeared in just five games, Jones has been one of the NFL’s most prominent defensive players since he joined the Cardinals. From 2016 to 2019, his stretch was among the NFL’s elite. He racked up 60 sacks, 67 tackles for loss, and 98 quarterback hits.

With a potential trade on the horizon, there is speculation around where Jones could eventually be moved. There are multiple teams that could see Jones as the final piece needed for a strong Super Bowl run. Here are three potential landing spots for the two-time all-pro linebacker.

New England Patriots 

A return to New England could prove to be a real possibility for Jones. The Patriots have a deep group of veteran linebackers led by Kyle Van Noy, Donta Hightower, and Matt Judon, but Jones could join this defense and become their best pass rusher.

Jones is able to do things that Van Noy and Hightower cannot. And a pass-rushing duo of Jones and Judon could quickly become one of the best in the NFL. 

A trade would more than likely be centered around veteran Cornerback Stephon Gilmore. The Patriots could see a trade of these two defenders as necessary in order to get them closer to a top defense than they are. 

Miami Dolphins 

The situation in Miami is very similar to the one taking place in New England. Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard has asked for a restructured contract and the Dolphins could decide to package a deal around him instead of giving him the new deal. 

The Dolphins defense is fairly young in particular spots. Jones could step into a spot where he would not only be the lead edge rusher but where he could mentor younger players.

Miami selected linebacker Jaelen Phillips with the 18th pick in the draft. Having a player of Jones’ talent to learn from could be exactly what the rookie linebacker needs to become one of the NFL’s next great defensive players. 

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers could be an underrated trade partner for the Cardinals. Los Angeles finished 2020 with a 7-9 record and will look to build on that heading into this upcoming season. With the offense led by young quarterback Justin Herbert, this team has money to build.

If Jones wants a new contract, the Chargers could be the team that gives it to him. And the pairing of Jones alongside Joey Bosa could be too good to pass up on. 

Bosa appeared in 12 games last season and still recorded almost double-digit sacks and had 15 tackles for loss. He and Jones on both sides of the defensive line would be one of the top pass-rushing duos in the NFL. It could also be what this defense needs to be a top-5 unit in the league. 

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By: Chandler Hyler

Following a monstrous 2019 season for star pass rusher Chandler Jones, 2020 was disastrous. In a season that started slow for Jones, he was diagnosed with a season-ending biceps injury after week 5.

Needing to be mentioned, Jones amassed just 1 total sack to this point. That being said, pass rushers like Jones can get into a rhythm, much like any other athlete.

Prior to 2020, Jones showed no signs of slowing down. In what some may say has been an underappreciated career, he has totaled 97 sacks in just 9 seasons.

It’s an “odd” year in 2021; Jones seems to be more productive in odd seasons, for whatever reason. There isn’t actually a reason for this, so coincidentally, can Jones hop back on the train tracks?

Now, a teammate of Chandler Jones, JJ Watt is another candidate to be poised for a rejuvenating 2021. Between the star-studded duo of Jones & Watt, they have just under 200 sacks combined. Quarterbacks in the NFC West should be frightened.

JJ Watt is a physical freak, but has only toppled double-digit sacks once since 2016. His best recent season came in 2018 when he had 16 sacks. In the years prior 2018, Watt also had just 1.5 sacks combined in 2016 & 2017.

Watt was drafted 11th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft and has been a wrecking ball when on the field. Like the 2nd overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft Von Miller, JJ Watt was one of the most feared defenders during the 2010’s.

Von Miller, who has undoubtedly been the face of the Denver Broncos franchise since Peyton Manning retired, faced a similar fate. Unfortunately for Miller, he never even seen the field in 2020.

In an offseason that reaped high praise for Miller was cut short, just before the beginning of the preseason. Anyone who was invested in this Denver Broncos team must have heard about how impressive Miller looked in camp.

It was noted that Miller did not take a vacation during the offseason leading up to the 2020 season. Determined to come back from multiple years of decreased production for the future Hall-of-Famer, Miller spent his summer improving his craft.

Having Von Miller on your defensive front is one thing, but having Von Miller with a chip on his shoulder is a different animal. With question marks now swarming his production, but also his availability is going to have Miller motivated again.

Miller is also an unrestricted free agent in 2022, everyone seems to perform better during a contract year. Whether it is coincidence or not, Miller has multiple reasons to bounce back in 2021.

With Jones, Miller, and Watt all coming back from disappointing seasons, I think they could all come out on fire. All being uber-talented, a little extra drive to prove they’re not meeting father time could be all the motivation they need.

If I had to point my finger at one of the previous decade’s top defenders to shine in 2021, it would be Von Miller. Like Jones and Watt, Miller will also have a Pro Bowler on the opposite side of him. Bradley Chubb just recently underwent a minor procedure but should be full go by the beginning of the season.

Miller seems hungrier than ever to prove doubters wrong with his age and declining sack numbers in a previous couple of years. It wouldn’t shock me to see Miller and Chubb combine for 30 sacks in 2021. After all, it is a contract year for Miller.

That alone should be enough motivation for Miller to get back to wreaking havoc on opposing signal-callers. While Chandler Jones & JJ Watt will benefit from being teammates in 2021, it is my prediction Miller will put his name in the conversation once again for Defensive Player of the Year Honors.

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