We’re again for our annual version of preseason shock predictions — one for every of the 32 NFL groups forward of the 2025 season.
It is an odd idea, in fact, as a result of if we might predict these items then they should not actually be surprises. However the concept is to gather a number of the info I have been gathering across the league all through coaching camp and current a possible shock which will or might not have been in your radar as a fan. We hit potential stat leaders, under-the-radar groups, award candidates, sleeper gamers to look at and place teams which may look higher (or worse) than anticipated.
As at all times, I acknowledge that a few of these is perhaps extra shocking than others, and that these of you who comply with a selected workforce carefully may not be as stunned as those that do not comply with stated workforce that carefully. However we’re right here for all of the individuals, and we hope you get pleasure from it. Let’s start within the NFC East.
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NFC EAST
Do not be stunned if … the Cowboys name edge rusher Micah Parsons’ bluff.
What I am listening to: Parsons continues to take a seat out practices as he awaits a contract extension, however this case has gone sideways. Group proprietor and GM Jerry Jones believes he and Parsons agreed on the parameters of a deal again within the spring and that the deal modified materially as soon as Parsons received his agent concerned. Parsons, in the meantime, believes it is Jones who’s responsible — that the proprietor ought to have at all times anticipated that he’d be coping with the agent. Parsons has demanded a commerce and refused to take part in follow or preseason video games.
The Cowboys’ season begins every week from Thursday in Philadelphia, and because the days dwindle, it seems much less probably that Parsons will present up and play. Do not count on a last-minute Hail Mary just like the deal Dallas did with QB Dak Prescott on the morning of final season’s opener. Prescott was training, and the 2 sides had been speaking. This factor appears much more frosty, and Jones seems dug in. Except Parsons relents and instructs his agent to get a deal finished even when it is on the workforce’s phrases, it is laborious to think about him getting his extension earlier than the season begins. So then Parsons has a option to make: play on his present contract or not, with the Cowboys brazenly holding the specter of a 2026 franchise tag over him.
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Do not be stunned if … the Giants lead the league in sacks.
What I am listening to: Phrase out of Giants camp is Abdul Carter is all the things the workforce believed him to be when it made him the third decide on this yr’s draft. Including Carter to a defensive entrance that already options Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence II and Kayvon Thibodeaux ought to give the Giants one of many extra fearsome and tireless go rushes in the whole NFL.
There are a ton of questions on the offensive aspect of the ball, even past the one about when Russell Wilson should go the beginning QB job over to rookie Jaxson Dart. However the protection up entrance needs to be the workforce’s power, and it could possibly be sufficient to propel the Giants to some shock wins towards their tough-looking schedule — particularly if they will generate turnovers and provides the offense some brief fields. New York tied for eighth in sacks final season with 45.
Do not be stunned if … they preserve tinkering with the protection.
What I am listening to: The reigning Tremendous Bowl champs misplaced 5 key contributors from final season’s protection and are working to exchange them with youthful gamers they’ve drafted lately, anticipating the roster turnover. They’re enthusiastic about guys like Moro Ojomo and Jalyx Hunt. They’re extraordinarily fired up about rookie first-round decide Jihaad Campbell. And with two-thirds of their wage cap dedicated to the offense, they may want manufacturing from younger gamers on the defensive aspect of the ball.
However not each improvement timetable goes as deliberate, and asking youthful gamers to tackle bigger roles brings some danger. This Eagles group has little interest in stopping at one Tremendous Bowl title. They’re considering dynasty ideas. We have already seen GM Howie Roseman make a number of trades this month, together with one which introduced in cornerback Jakorian Bennett from the Raiders to deal with a probably skinny space of the protection. Roseman will not sit on his arms if extra questions rise.
Do not be stunned if … Deebo Samuel will get some work at working again.
What I am listening to: I do not suppose it will be precisely prefer it was in San Francisco in 2021, when Samuel was getting six, seven carries per sport and infrequently even serving because the workforce’s main working again. However Washington’s coaches imagine Samuel is usually a issue when lined up within the backfield, and so they’ll be on the lookout for methods to get him touches. Do not forget that Wes Welker, who’s on the Commanders’ employees as a personnel analyst, was the 49ers’ broad receivers coach for the primary three years of Samuel’s profession and has a powerful relationship with him — and a fairly good concept of the way to get the perfect out of him.
Over six seasons, Samuel has 202 rushes for 1,143 yards and 20 TDs.
NFC NORTH
Do not be stunned if … rookie tight finish Colston Loveland is a large a part of the Bears’ offense.
What I am listening to: The Bears chosen Loveland tenth on this yr’s draft, so he is not any sort of sleeper. However he took some time to stand up to hurry this offseason as a result of he was recovering from an harm, and for that purpose, some might need puzzled if it’d take a while for him to work his manner into the offense.
I do not suppose it’ll. Loveland is the man whose identify comes up each time I ask anyone about Bears camp. He is quarterback-friendly. He is large and quick. He is polished in his route working. He was wholesome to begin coaching camp, so he superior shortly as soon as August received going. And his reference to quarterback Caleb Williams is claimed to already be excellent. The Bears have a variety of excellent go catchers, with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet and Luther Burden III. However as Williams continues his improvement below new coach Ben Johnson, he might lean on Loveland so much — particularly early.
1:22
Yates: Loveland is ‘late-round flier’ TE choice in fantasy
Subject Yates breaks down what Bears rookie Colston Loveland affords fantasy managers in want of a good finish.
Do not be stunned if … Jahmyr Gibbs is the top-scoring fantasy working again.
What I am listening to: Yeah, not precisely the boldest prediction, contemplating Gibbs was second in fantasy factors per sport final season and really scored probably the most factors complete as a result of Saquon Barkley sat out Week 18. However lots of people credit score that to a livid end, which coincided with David Montgomery’s absence from the lineup.
Sure, Montgomery is again wholesome, which portends a return to the two-headed working again operation that Detroit favors. However the Lions imagine Gibbs has one other gear to achieve. They suppose an improved Jameson Williams will open up the sphere for shorter passes to the backs. And if they’ve a weak spot, it is on the inside of their offensive line, the place middle Frank Ragnow retired. That might make the Lions much less more likely to depend on Montgomery between the tackles and extra more likely to get artistic with Gibbs in house.
Do not be stunned if … quarterback Jordan Love is an MVP finalist.
What I am listening to: It appears like Love will likely be absolutely wholesome and able to go for Week 1, even after having a process a few weeks in the past to deal with an harm to the thumb of his non-throwing hand. Do not forget that Love injured his knee in final season’s opener towards the Eagles in Brazil and took some time to get again to full well being.
Bear in mind additionally that the Packers had the youngest roster within the league final season and nonetheless completed within the prime 5 in defensive EPA and defensive effectivity within the first yr of a brand new defensive system. They drafted Matthew Golden within the first spherical so as to add a possible true No. 1 WR to Love’s already deep broad receiver corps. In addition they have depth at tight finish, an impression working again in Josh Jacobs and a powerful offensive line. And of their seven losses final season, six got here to the Lions, Vikings and Eagles — the highest three groups within the NFC.
If the Packers can enhance their efficiency towards the league’s prime contenders and Love can keep wholesome, they’re set as much as win a variety of video games this season. And in the event that they try this, their quarterback goes to be a prime MVP candidate.
Do not be stunned if … Jordan Mason leads the workforce in speeding.
What I am listening to: The Vikings love Aaron Jones Sr. When you’ve ever talked to Jones, you realize why. He is a good participant and an amazing man to have in your locker room. However he is additionally 30 years previous and coming off a 322-touch season.
The Vikings traded for Mason, the previous 49ers again who they imagine provides an explosive ingredient to their run sport. To date, they have been thrilled with Mason’s play, and so they envision a fairly even break up in working again duties this season between him and Jones. However throughout some Christian McCaffrey absences in San Francisco, Mason did present the flexibility to operate as extra than simply a part of a tandem. He ran for 789 yards on 153 carries final season. So it isn’t laborious to image a situation wherein the Vikings resolve to lean extra on him because the season goes alongside. Once more, nothing towards Jones — this might simply be the pure evolution of issues in Minnesota.
NFC SOUTH
Do not be stunned if … tight finish Kyle Pitts Sr. finally ends up getting traded.
What I am listening to: A part of that is what I am seeing — or fairly not seeing. Pitts is within the ultimate yr of his contract, taking part in for $10.878 million on the fifth-year choice from his rookie deal. The Falcons have made no transfer to increase him past this season. The fourth decide of the 2021 draft has averaged 49 catches per season and caught a complete of 10 landing passes in his four-year profession whereas struggling to constantly keep wholesome.
When No. 2 receiver Darnell Mooney went down with an harm early in coaching camp, there was a variety of discuss Atlanta filling that void by taking part in two-tight finish units and mainly utilizing Pitts as a receiver. And the Falcons completely would possibly nonetheless attempt that. However there are undoubtedly indicators that they do not view Pitts as an amazing match for what they’re making an attempt to do on offense. Mooney’s coaching camp absence gave a number of the youthful receivers on the roster an opportunity to indicate what they will do, and if a number of of them has emerged as a dependable contributor by the point the commerce deadline rolls round, do not be shocked if Pitts is on the transfer.
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Do not be stunned if … quarterback Bryce Younger is in line for a contract extension subsequent spring.
What I am listening to: The Panthers imagine the development Younger confirmed towards the tip of final season will carry over into 2025 — not simply due to the way in which he carried out on the sphere but in addition due to how snug he received in his position as beginning quarterback. Coaches really feel like Younger has turned a nook when it comes to his confidence and outward competitiveness. And now Carolina added broad receiver Tetairoa McMillan within the first spherical of this yr’s draft to a receiver room that already included final yr’s first-round decide Xavier Legette and veteran Adam Thielen.
The Panthers might need an extended solution to go earlier than being aggressive (although possibly not, if their offseason enhancements on protection have a variety of prompt impression). However they suppose they’ve Younger heading in the right direction after a disappointing rookie yr in 2023 and a tough begin to 2024 that noticed him benched for veteran Andy Dalton.
Do not be stunned if … Spencer Rattler will get a fairly future as beginning quarterback.
What I am listening to: The Saints introduced Rattler as their beginning QB on Tuesday. He beat out rookie Tyler Shough in a really shut coaching camp competitors. Shough was the fortieth decide within the draft and turns 26 subsequent month, so it is affordable to suppose they need him to play quickly. However Rattler has already surpassed expectations by beating out Shough, and if he performs within the common season the way in which he did all through camp, he might maintain on to the job longer than many count on.
Rattler had followers within the Saints’ constructing final season who felt he had extra room to develop. Shough will get his probability, and if the Saints begin dropping a variety of video games, possibly they go to him only for the sake of change. However Rattler has the job for now, and I do not get the sense that it is a brief leash.
Do not be stunned if … rookie Emeka Egbuka is the Bucs’ main receiver.
What I am listening to: The workforce has been completely raving about first-round decide Egbuka all through the summer time, praising him as hyper-advanced for a rookie in all sides of his sport. Chris Godwin, who’s working his manner again from a serious season-ending ankle harm, is on a really unsure timetable for returning to the sphere and an much more unsure one for returning to his previous self. Veteran Mike Evans’ subsequent sub-1,000-yard season will likely be his first, however he’s 32 and missed three video games final season. And Jalen McMillan, final yr’s rookie standout who caught seven landing passes within the ultimate 5 video games of the season, will miss the beginning of 2025 due to a neck harm.
If he is all the things we’re being advised he’s, Egbuka can play any of the broad receiver spots within the Tampa Bay offense, already has the belief of quarterback Baker Mayfield and seems in line for a large share of the goal alternative on one of many league’s greatest offenses.
NFC WEST
Do not be stunned if … tight finish Trey McBride is the Cardinals’ main receiver once more.
What I am listening to: Positive, the Playing cards drafted broad receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth decide in 2024. And sure, all the things we have heard out of Arizona this offseason has indicated Harrison is enhancing on his reference to quarterback Kyler Murray and needs to be a much bigger a part of the offense than he was as a rookie. However that also does not imply he’ll be the largest a part of it.
Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s system is constructed to characteristic McBride as its prime goal, and all indications are that the Cardinals see no purpose for that to alter. McBride is an distinctive participant who has been a dependable performer for Murray each time they have been on the sphere collectively. And sure, fantasy soccer managers, I believe you possibly can count on his landing numbers to climb. McBride had 111 catches for 1,146 yards final season, however he scored simply two TDs.
Do not be stunned if … quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has to begin in some unspecified time in the future.
What I am listening to: The Rams imagine beginning QB Matthew Stafford is on monitor to be wholesome and begin Week 1 after struggling all through camp with a again harm that stubbornly refused to comply with his or the workforce’s restoration timetable. However Stafford is 37 years previous and has handled again points previously. (To his credit score, he has discovered methods to play via them.) My understanding is that this is not one thing the Rams count on to sideline Stafford for an extended time frame or have an effect on his play early within the season, however that it’s one thing that may must be monitored and managed all through the season.
Which means there might come every week when Stafford feels he cannot play via it. And that is the place you would see backup Garoppolo — who began one sport final season — having to step in and preserve issues buzzing. Once more, I count on Stafford to robust this out and make it via the season; this Rams workforce has him satisfied he can win one other Tremendous Bowl earlier than he is finished. Nevertheless it may not at all times be the smoothest course of.
1:02
Why Orlovsky is not overly involved concerning the Rams
Dan Orlovsky outlines why Matthew Stafford’s again harm is not impacting his expectations for the Rams.
Do not be stunned if … the 49ers find yourself again within the Tremendous Bowl.
What I am listening to: Good issues! I do not perceive why so many individuals are sleeping on the 49ers, who have been within the Tremendous Bowl two seasons in the past and noticed their 2024 season utterly disintegrate due to accidents. They misplaced some guys this offseason, certain, however they nonetheless have Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, George Kittle, Nick Bosa, Fred Warner … I might go on, however you get the concept. Lots of expertise.
At this stage of their careers, McCaffrey and Williams specifically need to be thought of harm dangers, but when they keep wholesome, there isn’t any purpose this cannot be an elite offense for quarterback Brock Purdy. Ricky Pearsall, the workforce’s 2024 first-round decide who was recovering from a gunshot wound at the beginning of final season, seems poised to tackle a number one position whereas Jauan Jennings figures out his calf/contract scenario and Brandon Aiyuk works his manner again from a knee harm.
This workforce has a very good probability to bounce all the way in which again to being probably the greatest — if not the perfect — within the NFC, particularly towards a schedule that features simply 4 video games towards groups that made final season’s playoffs.
Do not be stunned if … their protection retains them within the playoff race.
What I am listening to: The Seahawks ranked within the prime 10 in defensive effectivity and defensive EPA final yr in Mike Macdonald’s first season as their coach, however they nonetheless completed in the midst of the pack in yards allowed and factors allowed. Of their second yr in Macdonald’s system, they need to be dominant. His protection has labored in all places he has been, together with the Ravens and the College of Michigan. His skill to scheme up pressures is nearly as good as anybody’s. It takes time to be taught a brand new scheme, however after taking part in in it for a yr, Seattle’s defensive gamers are primed for a large season on that aspect of the ball.
AFC EAST
Do not be stunned if … the Payments make a commerce or two to enhance their protection.
What I am listening to: Buffalo feels nice about its offense, which outscored each workforce within the NFL final yr besides the Lions. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless placing issues collectively on the defensive aspect of the ball, the place the Payments completed within the backside half of the league final season with 5.5 yards allowed per play. The protection place has been a very thorny query mark, particularly contemplating how vital that place is in coach Sean McDermott’s protection.
McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich have finished a superb job lately of constructing in-season changes and bringing that group collectively. However do not be shocked if the entrance workplace seems to assist them out right here within the coming weeks or months with a strategic addition or two.
Do not be stunned if … the Dolphins are literally a wild-card contender.
What I am listening to: The entire vibes are unhealthy, I get it. The Tua Tagovailoa-Tyreek Hill factor. A cornerback getting harm seemingly each different day. The truth that the Mike McDaniel magic mud appeared to all blow away final season in Yr 3. McDaniel is the most well-liked identify on the entire preseason sizzling seat lists, and expectations for the Dolphins couldn’t be decrease.
However I do not know. I hate simply saying the identical factor everybody else is saying, and a go to to their coaching camp final month received me considering it may not be as horrible as people are saying. The Dolphins began 2-6 final season however rebounded to win six of their subsequent eight and finally finish the season 8-9. We have seen groups fold up in these conditions, and this one didn’t. McDaniel and the entrance workplace used that have to establish the sturdy tradition guys, transfer on from most of those that weren’t and herald exterior veterans with sturdy management reputations.
A ton rests on the Dolphins’ skill to maintain Tagovailoa wholesome; actually everybody you discuss to in that constructing mentions it. And the favored exterior opinion is that they did not make investments sufficient within the offensive line this offseason. However McDaniel was 20-14 in his first two seasons in Miami and made the playoffs each occasions. There’s an opportunity — an opportunity — he would possibly have the ability to get the Dolphins again to the place they have been in 2022 and 2023. I do know I am out on a limb right here, however generally you have to exit on a limb.
Do not be stunned if … rookie TreVeyon Henderson is the workforce’s No. 1 working again all season.
What I am listening to: When you’ve been prepping for fantasy drafts, you are already throughout this. Henderson has been probably the most explosive ingredient of the Patriots’ offense all through camp, and the teaching employees is wise sufficient to know New England wants some explosiveness. The issues about Henderson are whether or not he can maintain as much as a full-time beginning RB’s workload, contemplating he break up carries with Quinshon Judkins final yr at Ohio State. Rhamondre Stevenson remains to be there if the Patriots need to preserve the rookie’s workload lighter early within the season. However there’s some sentiment in Foxborough that Henderson goes to be the kind of participant they do not need to take off the sphere.
1:36
Why TreVeyon Henderson is making a bounce in fantasy
Subject Yates and Daniel Dopp clarify why TreVeyon Henderson is such an intriguing participant in fantasy.
Do not be stunned if … the Jets lead the league in speeding.
What I am listening to: They’re extraordinarily excessive on second-year working again Braelon Allen, the 2024 fourth-round draft decide who’s nonetheless solely 21 years previous. In addition they know what they’ve in Breece Corridor, who is usually a main ball provider, a receiving again or some mixture of the 2. And in Justin Fields, the Jets have probably the most electrifying runners on the quarterback place the league has ever seen. This workforce’s offensive DNA goes to lie in its run sport. And if Fields can present a constant skill to get the ball downfield to Garrett Wilson within the passing sport, it’ll solely open issues up extra for the Jets to run, run, run.
AFC NORTH
Do not be stunned if … broad receiver Zay Flowers takes a third-year leap.
What I am listening to: The Ravens’ offensive identification remains to be going to be of their excellent run sport, however Flowers is their No. 1 broad receiver, and his absence from final season’s divisional spherical playoff sport in Buffalo (knee) performed an element of their loss. He is wholesome now and has had a pleasant camp. However the primary purpose I am searching for Flowers this season is the truth that DeAndre Hopkins has been on the workforce for the reason that spring.
Final yr on the Tremendous Bowl, Chiefs coaches have been raving to me concerning the impression Hopkins had after Kansas Metropolis acquired him — not as a go catcher however as a instructor, significantly for rookie wideout Xavier Worthy. They talked about how Hopkins would seize the pill after a drive, stroll over to Worthy and educate him a number of the finer particulars about route-running strategies. They felt Worthy’s improved efficiency all through the season was due partially to Hopkins’ assist, and Ravens coach John Harbaugh advised me after I visited their camp that he has seen related issues from Hopkins since he has been in Baltimore. Maybe Hopkins has the identical sort of impression on Flowers that he had on Worthy.
Do not be stunned if … the Bengals return to the AFC Championship Recreation.
What I am listening to: The surface concern about the way in which the protection has seemed in preseason video games just isn’t shared by these contained in the constructing. The Bengals are putting in a brand new scheme below new defensive coordinator Al Golden, and the teaching employees made a aware resolution to place as little of that scheme on tape as potential within the televised preseason video games. Individuals who have been at follow say the first-team protection has carried out pretty nicely towards Joe Burrow and probably the greatest offenses within the NFL — even with defensive finish Trey Hendrickson not collaborating earlier than agreeing to his new deal.
Cincinnati’s protection has just one path to go after final season’s collapse. Opponents scored 25.5 factors per sport on the Bengals, tied for seventh most within the league. If that unit can get again to even the center of the pack, this can be a harmful workforce with a potent offense and gamers who know the way to win playoff video games. As poorly because the previous two seasons have gone in Cincinnati, the Bengals nonetheless managed to complete 9-8 in each of them. If that is all-time low, you have got a contending roster.
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Do not be stunned if … rookie tight finish Harold Fannin Jr. catches a variety of passes.
What I am listening to: Fannin was probably the most productive faculty tight ends of all time at Bowling Inexperienced, the place he set FBS single-season information for catches (117) and yards (1,555) by a good finish in 2024. He slipped to the third spherical of the draft due to a disappointing 40-yard sprint time on the mix (4.71 seconds), however Browns coach Kevin Stefanski noticed a hyper-versatile, hyper-productive prospect who could possibly be utilized in quite a few alternative ways in his offense.
Incumbent David Njoku remains to be part of the plans, do not get me fallacious. However I believe we’ll see a variety of performs with Njoku and Fannin on the sphere collectively. And whoever’s taking part in quarterback for the Browns — which is Joe Flacco in the intervening time — may have a simple time discovering the rookie.
Do not be stunned if … they use a variety of tight ends.
What I am listening to: Commerce acquisition broad receiver DK Metcalf will likely be Aaron Rodgers’ prime goal within the passing sport, and the Steelers like their working again room with rookie Kaleb Johnson growing behind Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. Nevertheless it’s the depth at tight finish that would make coordinator Arthur Smith’s offense shocking and unconventional.
Veteran Pat Freiermuth leads the group, but it surely additionally contains Jonnu Smith — who performed for Arthur Smith in Tennessee and Atlanta — Connor Heyward and the large Darnell Washington. The Steelers imagine the depth and selection in that group will permit them to indicate quite a few totally different seems to opposing defenses. With the broad receiver depth chart considerably skinny and filled with query marks after Metcalf, look for lots of 12- and 13-personnel units from the Steelers in 2025.
AFC SOUTH
Do not be stunned if … the Texans have the perfect protection within the league.
What I am listening to: Houston is extraordinarily excited concerning the high quality and depth of its defensive roster. On the again finish, second-year cornerback Kamari Lassiter and second-year security Calen Bullock appear to be rising stars alongside celebrity nook Derek Stingley Jr. The Texans are additionally deep at linebacker and have a pair of high-end edge rushers up entrance in veteran Danielle Hunter and second-year man Will Anderson Jr. If there are questions, they’re most likely at defensive sort out — although Houston added a handful of veterans like Sheldon Rankins, Folorunso Fatukasi and Mario Edwards Jr. to shore up its depth there.
The Texans have been within the prime 5 in defensive effectivity and defensive EPA final season, and solely Denver, Baltimore and Dallas had extra sacks than their 49. There are a variety of eyes on the Houston offense and whether or not quarterback C.J. Stroud can cause them to a bounce-back season behind a rebuilt offensive line and below a brand new coordinator. However regardless, the Texans needs to be a dominant protection week to week.
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Do not be stunned if … the Colts pull an upset and win the division.
What I am listening to: They’ve an enormous query mark at quarterback. Daniel Jones beat out Anthony Richardson Sr. for the starter’s job as a result of he was steadier, not as a result of he was spectacular. But when Jones can keep wholesome and play the way in which he did for the Giants of their shock 2022 playoff season, the Colts imagine they will construct a consultant offense behind working again Jonathan Taylor, a powerful offensive line and rookie tight finish Tyler Warren (who they imagine is usually a star immediately). The protection added some key items, not the least of which is former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, and Indy needs to be so much higher on that aspect of the ball than most suppose.
No workforce within the AFC South has gone longer with out profitable it than the Colts, who final completed atop the division in 2014 with Andrew Luck at quarterback. With that sort of drought and the workforce below considerably new possession (the late Jim Irsay’s daughter Carlie Irsay-Gordon is the workforce’s new CEO), there’s a variety of stress on the teaching employees and entrance workplace to ship — and shortly.
Do not be stunned if … a pair of rookies takes over the backfield by yr’s finish.
What I am listening to: Barring a commerce between now and Week 1, the Jaguars look poised to enter the season with a working again room that features Travis Etienne Jr., Tank Bigsby, fourth-round rookie Bhayshul Tuten and seventh-round rookie LeQuint Allen Jr. Etienne and Bigsby may lead the backfield to begin the season, however the brand new teaching employees and entrance workplace inherited them. They drafted Tuten, whose residence run velocity is engaging sufficient that he ought to drive his manner into a serious position comparatively quickly, and Allen, who they imagine will be their third-down again. Etienne is a free agent at season’s finish, and Bigsby is signed via 2026. So a altering of the guard within the Jags’ backfield could possibly be afoot earlier than lengthy.
Do not be stunned if … rookie Elic Ayomanor is the No. 2 receiver.
What I am listening to: The fourth-rounder out of Stanford has developed a powerful rapport with rookie QB Cam Ward and has impressed coaches together with his efficiency all through coaching camp. Calvin Ridley tasks because the No. 1 receiver, however after him, it is veterans Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson and rookies Ayomanor and Chimere Dike. Ward has publicly pumped up his broad receiver group as a top-five unit within the league. And whereas that is perhaps an exaggeration, it does so much for a large receiver when his quarterback speaks extremely of him. Do not be shocked if Ayomanor is an element.
AFC WEST
Do not be stunned if … veteran J.Okay. Dobbins is the Broncos’ lead working again.
What I am listening to: The Broncos like second-round rookie RJ Harvey so much, however he is nonetheless engaged on his pass-protection expertise, and it appears like Denver trusts Dobbins extra in that division. That is a requirement for a working again in a Sean Payton offense. If Dobbins can do all the things the Broncos want there (and Harvey cannot fairly but), I might count on Dobbins to open the season because the workforce’s primary early-down working again with Harvey mixing in a very good variety of touches.
Because the season goes alongside, might Harvey tackle extra of a starter’s workload? In fact, and which may even be the workforce’s hope. However at the very least to begin the season, count on Dobbins to get the vast majority of the work.
0:45
Why Subject Yates likes the ‘reliability’ of J.Okay. Dobbins
Subject Yates explains why J.Okay. Dobbins is a greater guess than RJ Harvey in drafts.
Do not be stunned if … the Chiefs commerce for a working again.
What I am listening to: Isiah Pacheco is wholesome and able to resume the lead again position the workforce deliberate for him earlier than his early-season damaged proper leg final yr, however the room is skinny behind him. Veteran Kareem Hunt simply turned 30, and the Chiefs would possibly use rookie Brashard Smith in a extra nontraditional position that takes benefit of his receiving expertise as he develops. The Chiefs might use a third-down again with some go safety skill and will likely be commerce and waiver potentialities as rosters get tinkered with forward of Week 1.
Do not be stunned if … quarterback Geno Smith units a profession excessive in passing yards.
What I am listening to: Smith’s present profession excessive is the 4,320 he put up final season in Seattle behind a substandard offensive line. Las Vegas does not have an amazing O-line, however there are indicators that it needs to be higher than what he had in Seattle. Plus, second-year tight finish Brock Bowers and rookie working again Ashton Jeanty deliver explosiveness to the offense and can supply new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly the flexibility to get artistic with alignments and play calls.
Smith wished to be in Las Vegas and reunite with former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, so he is in a very good headspace and taking part in a number of the greatest soccer of his profession.
Do not be stunned if … working again Omarion Hampton wins Offensive Rookie of the Yr.
What I am listening to: The Chargers actually like veteran working again Najee Harris. They gave him $5.25 million assured in free company and anticipated him being their beginning working again, even after drafting Hampton within the first spherical. However Harris suffered an unlucky eye harm in July that price him a ton of coaching camp follow time. Within the meantime, my understanding is that Hampton emerged shortly.
Harris ought to nonetheless be within the combine as soon as he is again and absolutely wholesome, and that would nicely be in time for Week 1. However regardless of what offensive coordinator Greg Roman has been saying concerning the backs splitting snaps, I believe Hampton is in line for a serious position because the starter for the Chargers. And if he is what they thought he could possibly be once they spent that first-round decide on him, he would possibly simply take the starter’s job immediately and by no means look again.
