All Division Teams (ALL DONE)

[RazorStar 4,025]

I decided to get some writing done during the offseason, so with the draft done, free agency basically over and organized team activities well underway, it felt like a good time to make my predictions for the best players at each spot in every division and make up a starting lineup featuring the best of the best. With all divisions equal in the eyes of the blind and of the faithful, I’m starting with the AFC South.

 

QB:

Andrew Luck, Colts

 

This one is a bit of a crapshoot, especially when you look at the division overall. The Titans invested a lot of money in the second overall pick of 2015, the Jags in the 3rd overall pick of 2014, and the Colts in the first overall pick of 2012. Not to mention the actual highest paid QB of that division in Brock Osweiler. Luck is the veteran of the group at the ripe old age of 26, which means there is still a lot of room for development with this squad. Which is good, considering none of these guys have really broken out onto the next stage. Sure all of these guys have had their fair share of hype, but none of them have cracked the top half of QB’s for league wide efficiency. These are guys who make splashy plays, but also the plays that have you shaking your head. Despite all that, Luck is the guy who has consistently made the most noise in the postseason, and has more division titles than all these guys combined with a team that is not much better, if at all, really. I’ll give Luck the edge, but it’s a slim margin and he can be easily overtaken.

 

HB:

1. Demarco Murray, Titans

2. Lamar Miller, Texans

 

We know what DeMarco Murray is at his best, and we know what he is at his worst. He’s a downhill runner who needs the carries to really wear down a defense, and while most teams are shying away from that style of play, the Titans are fully embracing the run, run, pass system which hasn’t been an effective offensive strategy since the early 70’s. Still, give credit to the Titans for trying, if Mariota is as effective as Troy Aikman, the Titans will suddenly have an offense. As for the spell back, why not get a guy who has been criminally underutilized in his career as a home run hitter in Lamar Miller. He’s shifty, quick and he makes yards like it’s his duty. TJ Yeldon could be a good reserve option, but we haven’t seen him break out yet.

 

WR:

1. DeAndre Hopkins, Texans

2. Allen Robinson, Jaguars

3. T.Y. Hilton, Colts

 

Though the rest of the offense may not be as stacked, the AFC South has weapons to spare, you’ve got two legitimate contenders for top 5 WR’s, and one of the best slot WR’s in the game right now not drawing double coverage anymore. I’d have to imagine Luck would be thrilled to throw to both Hopkins and Robinson… how could any defense stop those three weapons? Not to mention this list leaves solid role players like Kendall Wright, Allen Hurns and Donte Moncrief off the list.

 

TE

1. Delanie Walker, Titans

2. Julius Thomas, Jaguars

 

And the bounty of receiving options continues for the AFC South. Julius Thomas made his name in the Manning all passing all the time offense, and he’s limited to being just a receiving tight end, Which is fine, because he’s the number two to the most underrated option in football when it comes to Delanie Walker who was responsible for over a quarter of the Titans passing first downs and nearly a third of their passing yards. These guys are incredible playmakers and make it nearly impossible for any defense to stop that passing game.

 

Offensive Line

LT: Duane Brown, Texans

LG: Jeff Allen, Texans

C: Ben Jones, Titans

RG: A.J. Cann, Jags

RT: Kelvin Beachum, Jags

Swing / 3rd Tackle: Taylor Lewan, Titans

 

The offensive line however is not so great. Duane Brown is a stud left tackle, but you’re left filling in the other slots with guys who are merely OK at best, including putting another left tackle on the right side. Jeff Allen was a quiet force in KC so he gets the nod at LG, while AJ Cann did enough to be put in over disappointments like Jack Mewhort and Chance Warmack. Ben Jones makes the spot at centre, although I feel pretty confident I’ll be putting in one of the rookie centres after this year is done. Nick Martin and Ryan Kelly both have the tools to immediately take the top spot, it's just a matter of realizing that potential. Lewan comes in whenever the team needs to go heavy, but with their receiving options I think that’s few and far between.

 

Defense:3-4 (3 of 4 teams run it, and the Jags run a Leo 4-3 which has some strong similarities)

 

Defensive Line:

DE (the position I will affectionately call Red): J.J. Watt, Texans

NT: Vince Wilfork, Texans

DT/3-4 DE: Jurrell Casey, Titans

LEO / 3-4 OLB: Whitney Mercilus, Texans

Depth Pass Rusher: Brian Orakpo, Titans

 

So there is a lot of pass rushing prowess with this set of players. Watt is a god among men and an easy choice for one of the slots on this line. Wilfork ends up being the most proven nose, and it’s rare to find an athlete like him. Still, he’s one of the oldest players in the league, and once a NT hits a wall, they’re done. Jurrell Casey takes the other dedicated line slot due to being a penetrating beast. I can’t imagine any offensive line wanting to face this front. And I realise this is just the Texans front with a guy who is like 80% of a JJ Watt at the other DE spot. Mercilus gives the team a speed option on the outside, but there are a lot of young options that could help fill that spot as well.

 

Linebackers:

OLB: Telvin Smith, Jaguars

ILB: D’Qwell Jackson, Colts

ILB: Brian Cushing, Texans

Depth Linebacker: Avery Williamson, Titans

 

Runningbacks will rue the day they faced this defense. Jackson and Cushing are all about hammering the runningback and any QB foolish enough to try and run the football. Telvin Smith gets to play clean up when the offense goes small, and Telvin cleans up like a french maid. Or some other euphemism… point is, this defense is where offenses go to die.

 

Secondary:

FS: Tashaun Gipson, Jags

SS: Mike Adams, Colts

CB: Vontae Davis, Colts

CB: Johnathan Joseph, Texans

NB: Kareem Jackson, Texans

 

The secondary would be the Achilles’ Heel, or the Bophades’ Nuts of this teams defense, but even so it’s not a major flaw when considering the offseason additions to this group, and the potential of one Jalen Ramsey who only doesn’t make this list because I don’t crown rookies until they play a game. But boy do I want to… Gipson at free safety gives this group a playmaker, while Vontae plays as the aggressive press corner. Joseph adds a nice touch as a coverage wunderkind, but his age is starting to close in on him as he isn't quite the turnover maker he used to be. Mike Adams gives the group a nice veteran hand and he has an uncanny ability to find the ball and make key stops when they matter. Kareem fills out the defense in the nickel and gives the group some extra speed for those passing downs.

 

Special Teams:

P: Pat McAfee, Colts

K: Nick Novak, Texans

KR: Denard Robinson, Jags

 

Contrary to popular belief, kickers are people too.

 

Final tallies by team:

Colts: 6 players (QB, 3rd WR, ILB, CB, SS, Punter)

Jags: 7 players (WR, 2nd TE, RG, RT, OLB, FS, KR)

Titans: 7 players (RB, TE, C, Swing Tackle, DE, Depth Rusher, Depth Linebacker)

Texans: 11 players (Spell RB, WR, LT, LG, DE, NT, OLB, ILB, CB, NCB, Kicker)

 

When I find the time, I’ll do some more of these. I’m sure you’re all eager to see my awful opinions manifest. They'll be roughly the same format, 14 players on offense, 14 on defense, and the three special teamers of relevance. No one does nearly enough film breakdown to care about who the best gunner in the league is, so that's all you get.

Edited June 13, 2016 by RazorStar

[FartWaffles 1,857]

I knew Johnathan Joseph was criminally underrated by the media, but I didn't think he'd slide under your nose as well. He's much better than McCourty IMO. Other than that, your list looks pretty damn solid.

[Cherry 1,302]

Murray and Miller over Chris Ivory? Come on son.

[RazorStar 4,025]

Nobody likes Chris Ivory, Chris Ivory is the space between the balls and the asshole.

[BwareDWare94 723]

Chris Ivory is perhaps the most explosive running back in the division, but he can also disappear for stretches at a time. When used properly, Murray and Miller don't disappear.

[seanbrock 1,684]

Man, I'm not even sure the offensive line matters with receivers and TE's like that. Lamar Miller is a pretty good pass catcher out of the backfield.

[Thanatos 2,847]

I'd love to see all of these and then have TGP vote on them head to head.

[DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241]

Give me Wiliamson over Jackson... Other then that, no complaints here...

[CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025]

Give me Wiliamson over Jackson... Other then that, no complaints here...

 

Soon to be Myles Jack but yeah, here's Jackson getting bodied by rookie drunk ass shit mechanics Bortles with his eyes for a long Hurns TD in Blake's first ever regular season game action:

 

[RazorStar 4,025]

AFC West:

 

QB:

Philip Rivers, Chargers

 

This one isn’t much of a competition, Rivers has consistently played like a top 10 QB since he took the reins for the Chargers, and while Derek Carr has been impressive for a young QB, he hasn’t been nearly consistent enough to take Rivers to task for this. Alex Smith is a limited QB, but he’s in the right system to maximize his talent and do the most for the Chiefs as he is.

 

HB:

1. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs

2. Latavius Murray, Raiders

 

While Charles took a year off due to injury last year, his explosiveness and game breaking ability cannot be denied. We know runningbacks drop suddenly and without warning though, so you always need to be cautious with those players. Latavius makes the second spot, and with an improved offensive line he should be even better at breaking out big gains. He needs to work on his fumbling issue though, he has been a major reason for a few of the Raiders losses last year.

 

WR:

1. Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos

2. Demaryius Thomas, Broncos

3. Amari Cooper, Raiders

 

We might have seen a down year from Demaryius, especially in the playoffs, but given the QB’s he had to work with, it’s an excusable lapse in play. However if this scenario continue, he may have to be scrubbed from the list, despite being a physical freak. Sanders has been the more consistent receiver of the two, which is why I gave him the decorative nod of being the top spot of this crew. Amari may only be a second year player, but he impressed for the Raiders and still has room for improvement. Keenan Allen is right on the heels of being included in this group, but he hasn’t been on the field often enough to break through.

 

TE:

1. Travis Kelce, Chiefs

2. Antonio Gates, Chargers

At the very least, the top two tight ends in the West are pretty stacked. Kelce has broken out as one of the best pass catching Tight Ends in the game, while Gates has been in that conversation since his rookie year. I’m sure Philip Rivers has longed for the day when Antonio Gates was no longer automatically his first, third and emergency option, and now he isn’t.

 

Offensive Line:

LT: Russell Okung, Broncos

LG: Orlando Franklin, Chargers

C: Mitch Morse, Chiefs

RG: Kelechi Osemele, Raiders

RT: Mitchell Schwartz, Chiefs

Swing: Eric Fisher, Chiefs

 

AKA the all tackles offensive line. Okung is a great player, but it’s likely he only plays 8 games this year. Eric Fisher may not be able to handle the pass rushers in this division, but he can push a pile and open holes for his group of runningbacks, and this team is really good at pushing a defensive line around. Mitch Morse is mosly here on potential, but no one has really stood as a strong centre candidate. And yes, I’m aware Rodney Hudson got PAID but I’ve never been that impressed with him. Morse did good work his rookie year, and if he keeps it up, then I’m vindicated. Guard play was definitely tough, and I was thinking of moving Slauson from Centre back to guard to fill a spot, but I figure Franklin was good as a RT, and we still haven’t really seen him play guard, so benefit of the doubt to my former boy. Osemele is a good fit at guard, and one of the few guys who can fill all 5 slots. Schwartz mans the RT spot as he is a legitimate RT, and not just the second best LT in a division (see Donald Penn). BEEF IT UP.

 

Defense 3-4 (3 of 4 teams run it, Oakland will have to make due)

 

Defensive Line:

DE: Derek Wolfe, Broncos

NT: Brandon Mebane, Chargers

DE: Jaye Howard, Chiefs

Rotational: Dan Williams, Raiders

 

It’s kind of unfair how stacked the defensive lines are in this division, especially when you consider I’m leaving out Corey Liuget, Allen Bailey and Sly Williams. This defense is gonna get after you, and you are not gonna have an easy time stopping them.

 

Linebackers:

ILB: Brandon Marshall, Broncos

ILB: Derrick Johnson, Chiefs

OLB: Von Miller, Broncos

OLB: Khalil Mack, Raiders

Rotational: Justin Houston, Chiefs

 

It’s also unfair how stacked the outside linebackers are in this division. Von Miller and Khalil Mack are already unstoppable, and then you add Justin Houston to the mix? Keep in mind, Melvin Ingram, DeMarcus Ware and Tamba Hali all fail to crack this list, and I’m confident they could find a few all division rosters to start on. Meanwhile Brandon Marshall and Derrick Johnson clean up the inside, picking up the tackles like dirty laundry. Johnson has been doing it for a long time, and this is the first year Marshall has really stepped up to the plate and started doing a great job cleaning up.

 

Secondary:

CB: Chris Harris, Broncos

CB: Aqib Talib, Broncos

SS: T.J. Ward, Broncos

FS: Eric Berry, Chiefs

NCB: Marcus Peters, Chiefs

 

You only need to watch the Broncos run in the playoffs to see just how dominant our secondary was at shutting down the weapons of the teams of we faced. Chris Harris has always been able to man up against anyone, and Talib is about the only cornerback insane enough to try and cover Gronk 1 on 1. TJ can hit like a truck, and spread out into coverage, and Eric Berry is a do it all hybrid safety which just makes it impossible for any offense to make a lot of positive plays on them. Nickel Corner was a bit of a debate for me, but I figured the sheer playmaking potential of Marcus Peters is worth more Jason Verrett shutting down a weapon. When you consider the defensive talent across the board, having a guy who can score some points on the defense is a valued commodity.

 

Special Teams:

K: Brandon McManus, Broncos

P: Dustin Colquitt, Chiefs

KR: Taiwan Jones, Raiders

 

They play special teams, they might even score a touchdown when no one expects it. Kickers are good people.

 

Chargers: 4 players (QB, TE, LG, NT)

Raiders: 6 players (Spell RB, WR3, RG, rotational DL, OLB, KR)

Broncos: 10 players (WR1, WR2, LT, DE, OLB, ILB, CB1, CB2, SS, K)

Chiefs: 11 players (RB, C, RT, Swing Tackle, DE, ILB, 3rd pass rusher, FS, NCB, P)

Edited June 7, 2016 by RazorStar

[seanbrock 1,684]

Phillip Rivers would be tough to stop with this team. Charles and Murray are a perfect 1-2 punch and no division will come close to matching this defense. Jaye Howard is one of the most underrated players in the game. I'm not sure I have Mebane at Nose but I guess you can stick Dan Williams in there in certain situations. Special teams is beyond stacked too. Not sure this team would be beatable tbh.

[RazorStar 4,025]

Random Chance leads us to the NFC East, so I'm sure you're excited for that.

 

QB:

1. Eli Manning, Giants

 

Here’s the deal, I think Romo is a better QB than Eli, if Eli didn’t have two championship rings, there wouldn’t even be an argument. However I am also aware that Romo has missed a lot over the past two seasons, and his injuries are not gonna heal stronger, they’ll get weaker and weaker over time. I wouldn’t realistically count on Romo to play for more than half a season, and you can’t put a QB who doesn’t play half the time on here. Eli has the chops to move the ball down the field, make weapons out of mediocre players, and legends out of alright rookies with banana hairdos. He’ll be good, I promise. (I don’t like Kirk Cousins yet and the Eagles are a joke at QB right now)

 

HB:

1. Alfred Morris, Cowboys

2. Rashad Jennings, Giants

 

I’m not super fussed about this group in all honesty, and that’s just because there isn’t much in the way of competition. Matt Jones was poor for the Skins last year, shifting the blocking scheme made the ZBS back Morris fairly useless, and Darren McFadden has always been a back with one note who battles injuries on the reg. The Giants have a bunch of role players at runningback, but Jennings at the very least is good when he gets a consistent amount of carries in a game and not the 5/5/5/5 nonsense Coughlin was messing around with all year. In the end I’m picking two guys who are not great by a league standpoint, but they are good solid players in the right scheme. Ezekiel Elliott has the potential to blow this crew out of the water, but my gut screams Curtis Enis, not Curtis Martin.

 

WR:

1. Dezly Bryant, Cowboys

2. Odell Beckham Jr. Giants

3. Pierre Garcon, Redskins

 

No way you can make this list without Dezly, he’s basically the conduit through which the Cowboys offense ran through, and he can make plays all over the field. Dude is a beast. Same story with ODB, but I hate his guts so that’s enough praise from me. Garcon rounds out the group, because hell if I’m gonna put anyone from the Eagles on this list after the debacle that was last year. Looking at you Jordan Matthews. Try using your hands, they aren’t just on your body to scratch your ass and jack off. Pierre makes a good slot receiver to round out the group regardless, and it’s nice to see some high powered weapons in this division for once.

 

TE:

1. Jordan Reed, Redskins

2. Jason Witten, Cowboys

 

Reed provides the explosive playmaking threat, while Witten is business as usual. Witten doesn’t have the claim to most well rounded tight end anymore, but being the second most well rounded tight end is not a significant step down in this case. His age may be starting to show in his top end speed, but basic fundamentals and good blocking will keep you in the league for a long time. It may be a little soon to give Reed the top spot here, but he was Kirk Cousins’ most reliable weapon and he certainly has improved his game year after year. I’m willing to take that chance on him, because it’s a pretty low risk bet.

 

Offensive Line:

LT: Tyron Smith, Cowboys

LG: Justin Pugh, Giants

C: Travis Frederick, Cowboys

RG: Zack Martin, Cowboys

RT: Morgan Moses, Redskins

Swing Tackle: Jason Peters, Eagles

 

I have to admire the effort that went into forming the Cowboys offensive line, and it’d be a lie if I said I wasn’t tempted to just put their entire offensive line there and call it a day. Smith, Frederick and Martin are all rising stars at their respective positions, and while being a cowboy does help with their hype, each of those guys actually deserve it. Especially Tyron Smith who proves me wrong every day… As for the other slots, I devoted Morgan Moses to the Right Tackle spot as that would be considered the weak link on the dallas front, and Moses did an exceptional job in both run and pass blocking. He’s definitely another young talent to keep your eye on. As for Pugh on the Left Guard, I’m giving him praise for being the rock of the Giants offensive line in addition to being the best offensive lineman for the giants to run behind. I think La’el Collins deserves some mention, but I feel comfortable with Pugh. Jason Peters is great as a swing option as he’s played both the left and right sides in his career, and can still move a pile like no one’s business.

 

Defense: 4-3 (3 of the 4 teams run it, sorry Redskins.)

 

Defensive Line:

DE: Olivier Vernon, Giants

DT: Damon Harrison, Giants

DT: Fletcher Cox, Eagles

DE: Ryan Kerrigan, Redskins

Depth Pass Rusher: Connor Barwin , Eagles

 

I love the effort the Giants put into improving their defensive line in the offseason. Vernon had a relentless motor in Miami and makes a great fit here. Damon Harrison is a big mean wall of muscle, fat, and self loathing that every defense loves and every offense has to respect, especially when Fletcher Cox is penetrating the inside, and Ryan Kerrigan is hitting up the strong side tackle. Connor Barwin provides a strong pass rushing presence when the situation calls for a little more speed and a little less snacks.

 

Linebackers:

MLB: Rolando McClain, Cowboys

WLB: Sean Lee, Cowboys

SLB: Devon Kennard, Giants

Depth Linebacker: Mychal Kendricks, Eagles

 

There is a lot of injury concern when it comes to this group. We all know Sean Lee is a great player when he’s healthy, but that’s not all that often. Devon Kennard has already missed 11 games in two years, but he’s the only Strong side linebacker on these rosters with a nose for the football. Rolando is your prototypical thumper middle linebacker with good focus and a relentless motor. He also seems to be on the right track after some early hiccups with the law in his career. Mychal Kendricks stopped being just a fast guy last year, and started being an actual linebacker, which is good because he’ll probably be seeing a fair amount of time with this roster.

 

Secondary:

CB: Josh Norman, Redskins

CB: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Giants

FS: Rodney McLeod, Eagles

SS: Malcolm Jenkins, Eagles

NCB: Orlando Scandrick, Cowboys

 

Free Agency has does good work for the NFC East, nabbing a top flight corner and a very solid safety turns what probably would have been this group’s greatest weakness last year into a strength. Norman can match up with any number 1 and make good results, and DRC has shown what he can do when he doesn’t have to face off against the best weapon on every single play. McLeod and Jenkins help ensure the last line of defense is the strongest, which is especially good news for the Eagles because I don’t know who any of their cornerbacks are. Scandrick has always been the unsung hero of the Cowboys defense, and he’ll continue to be the unsung hero of the NFC East defense.

 

Special Teams:

K: Dan Bailey, Cowboys

P: Chris Jones, Cowboys

KR: Darren Sproles, Eagles

 

The Boltons changed their house words to “Poisoned by our Enemies”.

 

Redskins: 5 players (Slot WR, TE, RT, DE, CB)

Eagles: 7 players (Swing Tackle, DT, Depth Pass Rusher, Depth Linebacker, FS, SS, KR)

Giants: 8 players (QB, Spell RB, WR, LG, DE, DT, SLB, CB)

Cowboys: 11 players (HB, WR, 2nd TE, LT, C, RG, WLB, MLB, NCB, K, P)

 

My personal opinion on this group is that this is the weakest team we’ve seen so far, but it’s not by as much as I was thinking going into this. It’s got the offensive weapons to match other squads, and the best offensive line we’ve seen, but the linebacking corps is pretty weak, and the defensive line and secondary are good, but not to the insane level of the AFC South and West’s DLine nor the AFC West’s secondary. It’s also the group I’m probably least familiar with due to being mountain time zone scum, so I’m not as confident on my defensive choices as I am for the other divisions.

Edited June 8, 2016 by RazorStar

[oochymp 2,393]

no Trent Williams?

[seanbrock 1,684]

Bennie Logan should have been on this list and I think after this year Vinny Curry will take his increased snaps and turn it into a 12 sack season. I really think the potential is there for him to be a top 10 at least 4-3 DE.

 

Also I know DeSean Jackson isn't well liked but he'd be seeing a lot of single coverage which means a lot of big plays. How many 3rd corners can run with him and how many safeties are shitting themselves with OBJ, Dez and Jackson coming at them?

[ATL_Predator+ 1,196]

Man there's a lot of Bronco Bias for that AFCW...

 

 

Give me Crabtree over Sanders all day. Far more reliable

Crabtree is a possession type that is more consistent than Amari at this point in time. Sanders? Dude is hit or miss.

 

Hudson... let me just say did you watch the Raiders after Hudson got hurt? Totally changed the dynamic of the offense.

 

Penn is also far more reliable and consistent than Okung simply due to injuries. Pass pro Penn is still on par with Okung even when healthy.

 

Same goes for Gabe Jackson over Franklin...

 

RZ pls.

[seanbrock 1,684]

You would take Crabtree over Sanders?

[Thanatos 2,847]

A lot of people don't like Sanders on this board. Crabtree over Sanders after one decent year is just Raiders bias, though.

[BwareDWare94 723]

If not for injuries, I'd have Maclin on that board.

[Bay 2,003]

I knew Johnathan Joseph was criminally underrated by the media, but I didn't think he'd slide under your nose as well. He's much better than McCourty IMO. Other than that, your list looks pretty damn solid.

I was under the impression that he had declined considerably. I don't follow CBs as closely as I used too though.

[BJORN 679]

If not for injuries, I'd have Maclin on that board.

But almost more importantly, if not for Alex Smith....

[CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025]

I agree with Bjern not having Alex Smith as the All Division QB is a farce

[FartWaffles 1,857]

I was under the impression that he had declined considerably. I don't follow CBs as closely as I used too though.

He quietly had one of his best seasons last year. Only one INT, but his 22 PDefs was incredible for an at the time 31 year-old corner. He didn't have the flashy plays that you'll see replayed on ESPN, but he practically shutdown his side of the field.

[Bay 2,003]

He quietly had one of his best seasons last year. Only one INT, but his 22 PDefs was incredible for an at the time 31 year-old corner. He didn't have the flashy plays that you'll see replayed on ESPN, but he practically shutdown his side of the field.

Always preferred JJ to Hall when they were both in Cincy.

[FartWaffles 1,857]

Easily the best FA acquisition the Texans have ever made in their short history.

 

Hopefully Brock and/or Lamar can change that, but I'm not holding my breath.

[RazorStar 4,025]

Yeah I decided to go over my notes, check some more metrics, and leaving off Joseph was probably a mistake, I;m remembering Kareem's great 2014, and McCourty being more like his brother Devin than like he actually has been the past coupla years.