#1 Patrick Mahomes

Patrick Mahomes is the obvious choice, he has dominated the league since being drafted in 2017 and sitting a year behind Quarterback at the time Alex Smith. Of course his unreal arm strength and ability to “throw receivers open” is the headliner of his abilities but one under the radar ability is his scrambling.

As we will see on the rest of this list scrambling has completely evolved the Quarterback position and Mahomes still while being mainly a pocket passer makes great use of it. Taking into account all of his success makes him a prime candidate for even maybe the best quarterback of all time; 3 super bowl rings, 2 MVPs and a crazy 3 Super Bowl MVPs. 

#2 Joe Burrow

This may be an unpopular opinion but Burrow comes in at number 2. Injuries have made fanbases forget how good the Bengals QB played in that 2021 season. The main knock on Burrow had been his wideouts carrying him with YAC (yards after catch) plays, but I disagree with this.

We’ve seen Quarterbacks (besides Mahomes) almost need a number 1 wideout to explode onto the scene, for example Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts. Burrow is the only Quarterback in the NFL to really have Mahomes’ number, beating him 3 out of the 4 times they have played. After the Bengals missing the playoffs largely due to Burrow’s injuries I expect them to bounce back next year and potentially get their star studded QB to have another career year.

#3 Lamar Jackson

There is not enough you can say about Lamar Jackson and the way he has changed the game. The two-time MVP’s agility and speed on the field has been unheard of since Micheal Vick. His ability to improvise and make people miss is special, but the knock has been: Can he pass? Well the Ravens QB shut all the haters up and proved he could throw by amassing his best statistical passing year of his career.

Great accuracy, 3,700 yards and 24-7 TD-INT ratio made him nearly unstoppable for defensive coordinators not named Steve Spagnuolo. Of course Lamar got his in the run game, running for 821 yards and piling 5 touchdowns on top of his already 24 passing TDs.

#4 Josh Allen

Putting Allen this low could ruffle some feathers following his very productive (but inconsistent) season just proves my further point on how loaded the league truly is at Quarterback. Allen had a career high in interceptions this year (18) but produced more highlight plays than arguably any other Quarterback in the league. Allen had a combined 44 touchdowns this year with 29 passing and 15 rushing.

The number that pops out is the 15 rushing touchdowns. Of course most come on sneaks very close to the goal line but that also adds to his big arm and improviser skill set. If Allen can cut down on the turnovers (combined 21) he could very easily rise the rankings and even take the Bills to New Orleans, the resting place of Super Bowl LIX.

#5 Justin Hebert

This is where the list gets really challenging. There are so many guys that could’ve taken this spot but the edge goes to Justin Herbert. Herbert is the closest guy to a pure pocket passer on this list. His arm is crazy good and is a sneaky scrambler as well. The problem this year was injuries, started with an original finger fracture then got another finger fracture that ended his season in December.

Herbert has made the playoffs once and infamously lost after having as big as a 27 point lead. I’m sure with a little more time to throw Herbert will bounce back and cement himself among the elites of the elites.

The post Ranking the Top 5 NFL Quarterbacks appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

This coaching cycle was filled with big-time names and the candidate pool was large. There were some surprises along the way (see Ben Johnson) and some interesting hires. With that said, let’s break down each new coaching hire and offer grades for them.

Raheem Morris – Atlanta Falcons

It’s a full-circle moment for former Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris. Morris spent 5 years in Atlanta and filled in as head coach when Dan Quinn was fired in 2020. He spent the last three years in Los Angeles as the defensive coordinator for the Rams. Morris was part of the Rams Super Bowl winning season in 2022.

No matter where he has been one thing is certain, the players love Morris. Over the years he has had several endorsements from players including this year when cornerback Jalen Ramsey praised the hire. The offensive staff will be key for Morris in Atlanta and the Falcons recently hired Zac Robinson to fill that role. Robinson worked with Morris in LA and was the quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator.

For Morris to have success in Atlanta it will come down to the quarterback position. The Falcons will likely look at the draft to address this but it appears Desmond Ridder‘s time in Atlanta is over. This is a solid hire for the Falcons as Morris is already familiar with the organization and we already know he will get the best out of his players.

Grade: B

Dave Canales – Carolina Panthers

One of the first coaches to be hired this offseason was former Buccaneers OC Dave Canales. Although raw, Canales was excellent in his role coordinating the Bucs offense. He also helped resurrect the career of quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield is now likely to sign with the Tampa Bay long term thanks in large part to Canales.

In Carolina, Canales will look to do the same for former #1 pick Bryce Young. Young had a disappointing rookie season but due to the coaching turnover and turmoil, it’s tough to judge his on-field performances. Next year will be different for Young. Canales will work with his strengths and get the most out of his talent. If Young fails again then it won’t be on coaching more so his limitations.

For me, this is an underrated hire for the Panthers. They didn’t go after the big name but instead found the next great offensive mind. The only part I didn’t like about this hire was the 6-year contract. It’s likely that Panthers owner David Tepper needed to add the extra year to seal the deal.

Grade: B+

Antonio Pierce – Las Vegas Raiders

When Antonio Pierce took over for the fired Josh McDaniels he wasn’t given much of a chance to keep the job long-term. As the season went on though it became clear Pierce was an excellent leader and he led the Raiders to a 5-4 record down the stretch. That was good enough for 2nd in the AFC West and once the season ended it was up to ownership to make the move.

Like Raheem Morris, Pierce received several ringing endorsements for current Raiders players. None bigger than Maxx Crosby who essentially stated he would want to be traded if the Raiders didn’t bring on Pierce long term. Las Vegas ownership heard the chatter loud and clear and decided to bring on Pierce full-time.

This is another solid hire and I give credit to the Raiders leadership for listening to their players. Pierce is a natural leader and will get the most from his players. There are also indications that Las Vegas will bring in Kliff Kingsbury as their OC which is a smart move.

Grade: B+

Jim Harbaugh – Los Angeles Chargers

Perhaps the biggest name on the market this offseason was former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh had just won the National Championship and there were many indications that this was the year he would jump back to the NFL.

No matter where he’s been, Harbaugh has proven to be a winner. From Stanford to San Francisco and eventually at Michigan, Harbaugh has been successful at each stop. The former Chargers quarterback will now get a chance to coach one of the best young quarterbacks in the league Justin Herbert. Herbert still has untapped potential and Harbaugh will teach him how to be a winner.

To me, this is the best hire of this coaching cycle. Harbaugh and the Chargers are the perfect match and I expect them to compete for Super Bowls. The only downside is how long he will last in LA. Harbaugh has a tendency to not stick around long at any of his stops. If the Chargers can get a Super Bowl out of him it won’t matter in the end.

Grade: A

Jerod Mayo – New England Patriots

After it became clear Bill Belichick would not be back in New England owner Robert Kraft had a choice to make. He could either go out and find a fresh face in the coaching pool or stick with the Belichick tree and hire within. Kraft ultimately decided to hire within and promote Jerod Mayo to head coach.

Mayo spent the last 5 seasons in New England as the inside linebackers coach. Like Antonio Pierce, Mayo was praised by former Patriots players including Tom Brady who called him an excellent leader. At just 37, Mayo is still young and if he works out the Patriots will be set long term.

What’s interesting about the New England situation is that Mike Vrabel wasn’t considered. Vrabel seemed like the perfect successor to Belichick. For whatever reason the Patriots decided not to pursue him and it may come back to bite them. By all accounts, Mayo seems like a solid hire but I fear the Patriots will once again be looking for a new coach in just a of couple years.

Grade: C

Mike Macdonald – Seattle Seahawks

One of the hottest names of this coaching cycle was Ravens DC Mike Macdonald. He did wonders for Baltimore’s defense and shut down some of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL this year. Before his stop in Baltimore, Macdonald spent 1 year as defensive coordinator at Michigan.

Although only 36, Macdonald has also been praised for his leadership qualities. He will have big shoes to fill in Seattle taking over for Pete Carroll. The Seahawks have a bunch of young talented players on defense and solid pieces in place on offense. The question for Macdonald will be if he decides to keep Geno Smith.

In all, I am a fan of this hire for the Seahawks. Seattle targeted him early on and eventually got their man.

Grade: B+

Brian Callahan – Tennessee Titans

In Tennessee, it’s the end of the Vrabel era. This was perhaps the most surprising of the offseason firings. Although they had a down year the Titans were respectable with Vrabel at the helm. Former Bengals OC Brian Callahan will step in his place.

Callahan has been with Cincinnati since 2019 and helped to tutor quarterback Joe Burrow. He is somewhat of a quarterback whisperer as he was able to do wonders for Jake Browning who filled in for the injured Burrow this season. If the Titans decide to stick with Will Levis I expect to see a big improvement in his game.

I am somewhat neutral on this hire. It’s not flashy by any means but Callahan will come in and elevate the Titans offense. The big question is if he is a good leader as he will be replacing Vrabel who is known for his leadership.

Grade: B-

Dan Quinn – Washington Commanders

For Washington Commanders fans this offseason got off to a perfect start. The new ownership group led by Josh Harris was now fully in control and they took no time hiring new GM Adam Peters. Peters knows how to build NFL teams as he helped build the 49ers into a championship contender.

Many expected the next move for Peters and the Commanders was to hire Ben Johnson as their head coach. As we all know that didn’t happen as Johnson decided to stay in Detroit. We don’t really know what happened behind the scenes and perhaps Johnson was never their preferred choice but in the end, Washington decided to hire former Cowboys DC Dan Quinn.

Now Quinn was not the most popular candidate on the market but it’s hard to ignore what he has done for the Cowboys defense. Quinn completely turned around that side of the ball and will need to do the same for the Commanders. Like the other defensive coaches that were hired, Quinn will need to pick the right staff to run his offense. So the next few hires will be key.

By all accounts, Quinn seems like a great leader of men and should help change the culture in Washington. I am just not sure about the fit. I would’ve liked to see the Commanders go after a young offensive mind. Washington is going through a full rebuild and I think they should’ve gone outside of the box on this hire.

Grade: C+

The post Grading the NFL Coaching Hires of 2024 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The best game of the week will be Monday night in San Francisco where the 49ers welcome the Baltimore Ravens. This could be a Super Bowl preview matchup so get your popcorn ready. Before you check out our fantasy football rankings, let’s highlight injuries to monitor this week.

C.J. Stroud – It looks as though Stroud will miss a second straight game due to a concussion. Case Keenum filled in admirably last week in his absence but this offense is obviously not the same without Stroud. It remains to be seen if Stroud can return for week 17 as the Texans continue to fight for a playoff spot.

Ja’Marr Chase – Chase injured his shoulder last week vs. the Vikings and was officially diagnosed with an AC joint sprain. Unfortunately for Chase owners, it looks like Chase will be out this week and possibly more. Fellow receivers Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins will get a bump in our rankings due to this.

Keenan Allen – Allen missed last week’s game with a heel injury and may also miss his week 16 matchup. He did not practice on Tuesday and it’s likely the Chargers will be cautions on his return. With Justin Herbert now out for the season LA will not risk further injury to one of its superstars.

The post 2023-24 Fantasy Football Week 16 Rankings 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.

Quarterbacks

QB Derek Carr $5300
Derek Carr plays against the Titans today whom were 29th in the league in fantasy points to opposing QBs last year. Allowing 274.8 YPG through the air, ranking dead last at 32nd this Titans team didn’t do a whole lot to improve their secondary. They are great up front as they were the number 1 defense against the run last year. Carr is my favorite stack play of the day.

QB Justin Herbert $6900
This game has the highest over under of any game on the slate today. Two high powered offenses with a whole lot of talent, and two defenses while boasting many talented players, do give up a lot of points. Dolphins gave up 23.2 PPG while the Chargers gave up 22.7. Herbert could be in line for a QB1 performance as the Dolphins were 30th in the league last year in fantasy points per game allowed to QBs.

Dart Throws at QB
Desmond Ridder/Baker Mayfield $4900
If you’re looking to play a lot of high priced studs, I can see either of these guys throwing for 2 TDs today.

Running Backs

RB JK Dobbins $6600
Finally healthy with a lot more weapons on the outside will mean that Dobbins will be in an excellent position to succeed. He should see less men in the box as there is more attention paid to the pass catchers in this offense. Dobbins also gets a juicy opportunity against the team that allowed the most rushing yards(170.2) and fantasy points(28.5) to RB per game last year in the Houston Texans.

RB Raheem Mostert $5400
The Chargers allowed 144.2 YPG on the ground last year as they were one of three teams to give up over 2000 yards last year. With Jeff Wilson Jr going on IR the only competition he will really have in the backfield will be rookie Devin Achane. He could be in line for a 100 yard game with a TD.

RB Brian Robinson Jr $5100
The Cardinals are going to be bad this year, and not in the good way. They ranked 29th in fantasy points against RBs as they gave up a lot of over 100 receptions to RBs last year. I expect a huge day in check downs on top of his work on the ground.

Dart Throws at RB
Devin Achane $4900
AJ Dillon $5200
Gus Edwards $4500

Wide Receivers

WR Chris Olave $6500
If Derek Carr is going to dice up this defense, I want to stack him with Olave. As bad as the Titans were against the QB last year, they were the worst against the WR in fantasy, ranking 32nd. I expect multiple Saints receivers to be celebrating in the end zone today, Olave has the best chance at topping 100 yards as well.

WR Justin Jefferson $8800
He was the number 1 player drafted in fantasy for a reason, he’s the highest salaried player for a reason. If you’re playing him, you’re going to need a lot of value plays to match him up. Not much else to say here, he’s amazing.

WR Keenan Allen $7300
I’m expecting a huge bounce back season from Allen as he and Herbert continue to grow their connection. Great matchup to start as Allen should see somewhere near 12 targets today, and a few of those in the red zone.

Dart Throws at WR
Drake London $5400
Michael Thomas $5100
Could see either of these guys in the end zone today.

Tight Ends

TE TJ Hockenson $5900
After trading for Hockenson last year, he quickly became one of Kirk Cousin’s favorite targets. The number two to JJ, in a very solid matchup, Buccaneers ranked 29th against TEs last year. I could see a double digit target number with a TD for Hock today.

TE Greg Dulcich $4000
Sean Payton loves his TE in the red zone, but Dulcich is a solid route runner with above average athleticism. He should have a great year in this system and I would look for him to have a solid return on a low price point today.

TE Logan Thomas $3200
These are the kind of values you need to play other than the higher priced studs. The cliche is a young QB needs a good TE to get the ball out quickly, and I believe the cliche will ring true today. I expect a 8 target day for Logan Thomas and wouldn’t be surprised to see him score.

Dart Throw at TE
Taysom Hill $3700
He could throw a pass, run the ball, and catch the ball. Taysom Hill is the Ultimate Dart Throw.

Defense/ST

D/ST Washington $2800
The Commanders are a better defense than they get credit for. They can pressure the QB and create turnovers. Big upside play.

D/ST Baltimore $4000
Highest defense on the slate, if you have the money left over, don’t be afraid to spend it on the Ravens.

D/ST Eagles $3700
Sacks, sacks, sacks, and of course sacks.

Optimal lineup
QB Derek Carr
RB Brian Robinson Jr
RB JK Dobbins
WR Chris Olave
WR Michael Thomas
WR Keenan Allen
Flex Raheem Mostert
TE TJ Hockenson
D/ST Washington Commanders

Good Luck everyone, I’ll see you out there. Let’s make that money.

The post DFS Plays for Week 1 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Quarterbacks

Start ‘Em

Justin Herbert (vs. Mia) – Herbert has an enticing matchup this week against a Miami Dolphins team that will be without Jalen Ramsey. Herbert threw for 367 yards in week 14 last year against the Dolphins and posted a 76.5 completion percentage. Expect similar results for Herbert along with 2 passing touchdowns.

Sit ‘Em

Aaron Rodgers (vs. Buf) – Rodgers has a tough matchup in his opening game with the New York Jets. The Jets offensive line will be tested all game long and even without Von Miller the Bills will be able to generate pressure. Rodgers struggled last year at Buffalo when he threw for just 203 yards.

Running Backs

Start ‘Em

Aaron Jones (vs. Chi) – Jones is in for a big day when the Packers visit the Chicago Bears. Green Bay is dealing with injuries to their top 2 receivers (Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs) which means more targets for Jones. We don’t know what to expect yet from Jordan Love but the Packers will likely rely on the run game in this one.

Sit ’em

Najee Harris (vs. SF) – Harris and the Pittsburgh Steelers have a tough opening matchup against the 49ers and their stout defense. San Francisco allowed only 3.4 YPC in 2022 and they just got Nick Bosa back in action. The Steelers will need to attack the 49ers defense through the air to have a chance in this one.

Wide Receivers

Start ‘Em

Jahan Dotson (vs. Ari) – Dotson is no longer under the radar after his impressive rookie season in Washington. The Commanders get a juicy matchup against a Cardinals defense that will struggle all season. Fellow receiver Terry McLaurin looks to be ready to play but he may not be 100% yet.

Sit ‘Em

DeAndre Hopkins (vs. NO) – We don’t know yet what to expect from Hopkins in this Titans offense. I plan to wait and see how he’s utilized before I put him in the starting lineup. The Saints will have a better-than-average defense this year and will be tough at home.

Tight Ends

Start ‘Em

Evan Engram (vs. IND) – It could be a long day for the Indianapolis Colts when Jacksonville comes to town. The Colts will need to play keep away to have any chance in this one. Expect Engram to have a big day against the Colts who struggled at times to stop tight ends in 2022.

Sit ‘Em

Kyle Pitts (vs. Car) – After a disastrous 2022 it’s hard to put your trust in Pitts. The Panthers finished in the top 10 in points allowed to tight ends last year. That along with the fact we don’t know what to expect from Desmond Ridder has me sitting Pitts this week.

Start of the Week

Jamaal Williams (vs. Ten) – Williams is a must-start for week 1. With Alvin Kamara sidelined due to suspension Williams will get the majority of the workload against the Titans. I don’t expect to see that many touches from rookie Kendre Miller until he gets up to speed. Don’t forget, Williams led the league with 17 rushing touchdowns last year.

The post 2023-24 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 1 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The Good

There were a handful of young quarterbacks that were due big deals this offseason. One of those is the Chargers Justin Herbert. Herbert had his share of struggles in 2022 where he posted his lowest QBR of his career at 58.2. Despite that, he has shown time and again that he belongs as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today. The Chargers agreed and paid him a massive 5-year, $262.5 million contract extension right before training camp. With the contract out of the way, Herbert is poised to take another step forward in his young career.

One of the main reasons Herbert and the Chargers offense are in for a big year is new OC Kellen Moore. In somewhat of a surprising move, Moore decided to leave the Dallas Cowboys for the Chargers this offseason. Moore and the Cowboys offense had been one of the top offensive units in the NFL the last two seasons. He now comes over to a loaded Chargers offense full of weapons. If they can stay healthy I expect the Chargers to finish near the top in total offense for 2023.

The Bad

If you’re looking for a weakness on this Chargers team it’s on the defensive side of the ball. The secondary in particular has question marks beyond SS Derwin James Jr. At the FS position the Chargers will rely on Alohi Gilman who will need to take another step forward this year. Gilman has only nine total starts in his young three-year career. With not much depth behind him, I am not sure he is ready yet to be the full-time starter.

The Chargers also have to get better against the run for the defense to be successful. In 2022, the Chargers ranked 32nd in yards per rushing attempt at 5.42. They brought in LB Eric Kendricks for that reason as he should fit in well for the Chargers.

The Prediction

This is a big year for Chargers head coach Brandon Staley. In my mind, he will need to make the playoffs and at least win one game to be safe. I expect the Chargers to do that on their way to the AFC Championship game.

2023 Record: 11-6 (2nd in the Division)

The post Los Angeles Chargers Record Prediction for 2023 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The Big Three

The ‘S’ tier is for the elite and that’s exactly what these three quarterbacks are. There isn’t much room to debate that Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow and Josh Allen are on another level. One could make an argument that Justin Herbert is sneaking into that conversation but he is not there yet.

Crowded B Tier

In all 13 quarterbacks made it into our ‘B’ tier. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett just made it into this tier as the last quarterback selected. Pickett had a strong finish to his rookie season winning his last 3 starts. Expect him to get better in the Steelers offense as the year goes on.

One quarterback to watch in this list is Justin Fields. Fields carried the Chicago Bears offense for much of the 2022-2023 season. The key now will be if Fields can become a more complete quarterback. He will have a better receiving core with the addition of D.J. Moore and the offensive line is improved.

Started From the Bottom

As expected many of the rookie quarterbacks are in the ‘C’ and ‘D’ tiers. Anthony Richardson is still raw and will take some time to adjust to the NFL. Once he does, look out. He could quickly climb up these rankings as he is a dynamic playmaker. Fellow rookies C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young make it into the ‘C’ tier. At this point in time, they are more polished than Richardson and should be slated to start in week 1.

Colt McCoy made it into our tier list over Kyler Murray due to Murray’s injury. We already know Murray will miss the start of the 2023-2024 season with his ACL injury but it could be more than that. ACL injuries are tricky to navigate and it’s possible we won’t see Murray until the 2nd half of the season.

The post NFL Quarterback Tiers for 2023 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Denver Broncos: How will Sean Payton work with Russell Wilson?

It was a disaster of a season for Russell Wilson and the Broncos after all the moves they made. One small positive was when Wilson started doing better in the last few games of the season. The Broncos made a home run hire with Sean Payton as the HC. He did wonders with Drew Brees who was aging at the time. Maybe if he can let Russ cook by targeting more short and intermediate passes, he can bring out the inner Drew Brees in him. This team is very talented but they are in a stacked division. If the two can work together, they can get a Wild Card spot to erase the memories of last season.

Kansas City Chiefs: How long will the core be intact?

The trio of Andy Reid, Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes will be one for the history books. While Mahomes is still young, Andy Reid is 65 years old and Travis Kelce is turning 34 in October. Kelce has made some comments that Andy Reid will be the last coach he’ll play for. So retirement has been on the mind of the great TE. Even if Patrick Mahomes continues, there is no guarantee he will have the same success without the two. For now, we should enjoy this trio while we can.

Las Vegas Raiders: Is Jimmy Garoppolo an upgrade over Derek Carr?

Derek Carr had a long and difficult career for the Raiders. He was strong throughout all the negative moments that the Oakland/Las Vegas team experienced. But it was time to make a move and Carr is a Saint while Jimmy G is the face of the Raiders. The favorite of HC Josh McDaniels, Jimmy G will be challenged. He has had an amazing record with the patriots and 49ers but has not won the big one yet. For now, Carr was a good QB with what he had. Jimmy G in the 49ers has always been blessed with weapons. With a team less stacked and less expectations, can Garoppolo have his best season and show he’s more than just a system QB.

Los Angeles Chargers: How much pressure is Justin Herbert facing?

Justin Herbert had a tough season and the future is a little uncertain. We saw a lot more checkdowns and we saw less of what Herbert’s arm can do. They ended the season blowing a 27-point lead in the Wild Card against the Jaguars. After spending a few years in the league, Herbert needs a good bounce back season to show he is one of the elite young QBs in the game. With Ekeler and Keenan Allen‘s days possibly coming to an end, the Chargers will have some challenges in the future. If Herbert has a strong season and a playoff win, all the noise will quiet down for now.

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PRESEASON EXPECTATIONS

Justin Herbert was dominant in his second season in fantasy football. In both STD and PPR, he finished 2nd overall with 394.76 FP. A lot of expectations were on his shoulders as the AFC West got stronger with big-time additions such as Russell Wilson, Davante Adams, and many more. A big season was in the cards for the Chargers as their offense would have to be better in order to compete with everyone in the division.

DRAFT EXPECTATIONS

To no one’s surprise, Justin Herbert was easily a 1st round pick in fantasy football. He would be the 5th QB taken behind big names such as Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Jalen Hurts. Owners were excited to see another year of Justin Herbert.

OVERALL SEASON PRODUCTION

The Chargers QB had surprisingly his worst season this year. On the eye test alone, many fans were wondering about the playcalling by the Chargers’ OC. Herbert threw a lot more check-downs and short routes compared to previous years. The stats also showed Herbert’s bad year. He threw just 25 TDs this season compared to 38 last season. His rushing was also bad as he only averaged 2.72 yards per run in 54 attempts. Kellen Moore was hired as the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator so hopefully, we get to see an improved Herbert next season.

CRITICAL MOMENTS DURING THE SEASON

Week 2 vs Kansas City Chiefs

Week 2’s TNF showcased a divisional matchup between the Chargers and the Chiefs. Justin Herbert looked good in the matchup going for 334 yards and three TDs. The Chargers were up 17-7 with 10 minutes left in the 3rd quarter before Kansas City made their run. Jaylen Watson caught a pick-6 for a 99-yard TD for the Chiefs in the 4th quarter. This was an exciting game to start the NFL season.

Week 6 vs Denver Broncos

The Chargers were on MNF when they took on the Broncos in Week 6. This game was dominated by the defenses as they made both teams’ offenses look mediocre. Herbert threw 37-57 for just 238 yards and no TDs. This was a disappointment for both teams on such a big game. LA Chargers won 19-16

Week 12 vs Arizona Cardinals

After having mostly subpar performances, Justin Herbert had his best game of the season against the Cardinals. Justin threw for 274 yards and three TDs with no interceptions. He also ran for 38 yards in four attempts, his best of the season. Herbert threw a one-yard TD pass to Austin Ekeler to make it a 24-23 game. He then threw the game-winning 2-point conversion to Gerald Everett with time running out. This was a good way to break their two-game losing streak. Herbert scored 28.76 FP and was QB3 for the week.

Week 16 vs Indianapolis Colts

The “worst” scoring game for Justin Herbert belonged to the Week 16 matchup vs the Colts. The Chargers’ defense did their thing as they only allowed three points all game to Nick Foles. Herbert threw for just 235 yards and had an INT. With the wild card being super close with many teams still in it, this was a crucial win for the Chargers. He only scored 5.50 FP. Sorry to his fantasy owners.

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