Teams With Old QBs That They Still Like

Arizona Cardinals

While guys like Aaron Rodgers and JJ Watt play great football and vie for the MVP award if you put any emphasis on the “Valuable” part of the award Carson Palmer should have won it in a landslide. The Cardinals were beating teams left and right until he went down and then their season did a 180. Palmer is the perfect fit in Bruce Arians vertical passing attack and while the team likes Drew Stanton he’s no Palmer. WRs Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and John Brown make a nice trio if they can stay healthy (Floyd is out right now). RB Andre Ellington is a threat to score every time he touches the ball but he spends far too much time on the sidelines and he isn’t built to handle a heavy workload. David Johnson was drafted and Chris Johnson was signed as a free agent to take the pressure off of Ellington and hopefully free him to just make plays. The team has made some moves over the last couple of seasons to revamp their offensive line to hopefully keep Palmer healthy and upright. LT Jared Veldheer was signed last year, OG Jonathan Cooper was drafted, C A.Q. Shipley was signed this off season and RT DJ Humphries was drafted and the hope is all of these guys step up and become a legit starting group (they haven’t looked stellar this preseason).

The loss of DE Darnell Dockett could be seen as the biggest one of the off season but it’s actually losing DC Todd Bowles who became head coach of the Jets. Bowles did an excellent job of getting the best out of his players and scheming his way to the best defensive results. The team needs big years out of DE Calais Campbell, OLBs LaMarr Woodley and Alex Okafor, CB Jerraud Powers and a return to health by free agent signee LB Sean Wetherspoon. CB Patrick Peterson and the team’s safety group of Tyrann Mathieu, Tony Jefferson, Deone Bucannon and Rashad Johnson makes for a very good secondary if Powers can replace Antonio Cromartie but this defense might take a step back.

Biggest Off Season Move: Getting QB Carson Palmer back from injury

No team’s season was affected as much by an injury as the Cardinals losing Palmer. They were rolling along and leading the very tough NFC West when he went down and while they were able to hold on for a while and get a playoff spot they folded like a cheap suit when the pressure was on. Palmer makes the offense go because his skills fit Arian’s offense like a glove.

Player to Watch: RB David Johnson

Ellington doesn’t have the size to be an every down back and Chris Johnson is past his prime. David Johnson has a complete skill set and he’s big enough to hold up to the rigors of the NFL. He may come from a small school but he can play with the big boys and while Ellington will still have his place eventually Johnson (David not Chris) will get the bulk of the carries.

Sleeper of the Season: WR John Brown

Last year’s small school rookie played pretty well as the third WR and this year with Floyd coming in to the season with an injury and Fitzgerald not really a deep threat anymore Palmer is going to have to go deep to someone and that’s Brown. He has excellent speed and while he did some damage in the slot last year he’s primed for some more outside playing time and Palmer will look for him.

New York Giants

Eli Manning has two Super Bowl rings and he’s been a consistent for the Giants his entire career. He is under the mistaken impression that he deserves to be the highest paid QB in the league and while the Giants may give in just to keep him happy he owes his Super Bowl rings as much to the great defenses he’s played with as he does to himself. WR Odell Beckham took the league by storm last year once he was healthy and now the Giants hope he can team with Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle and give Eli the best WR corps he’s had in years. The running game will be divided between Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams on the ground and free agent signee Shane Vereen will do some damage through the air. The offensive line has been a problem lately as it has aged so the Giants tried to address it in the draft by taking OT Erick Flowers. The plan was for Flowers to take over at RT and move Justin Pugh inside to OG but then starting LT Will Beatty was lost to a pectoral tear so now Flowers moves to LT and newly signed Marshall Newhouse gets first crack at RT. Flowers is going to have some growing pains at LT especially with speed rushers but he’s the best option they have, really the only option they have.

The defense has some major questions going into the season and first and foremost is the status of DE Jason Pierre-Paul. Pierre-Paul is the biggest difference maker on the defense but his Fourth of July fireworks accident that cost him a finger has complicated his future because he was a free agent that the Giants designated with their franchise tag. Things are messy and it’s probably going to be a situation for a while. The team needs youngster Damontre Moore and rookie Owamagbe Odighizuwa to step up at DE. The LB corps never seems to be a priority for the Giants so they will go with MLB Jon Beason flanked by underwhelming Devon Kennard and Jameel McClain. CBs Dominique Rogers-Cromartie and Prince Amukamara are a solid due but injuries have ravaged the safety position and a lot will be asked of rookie Landon Collins.

Biggest Off Season Move: DE Jason Pierre-Paul losing a finger

The Giants didn’t make any grand personnel moves and the one thing they did do was designate their own free agent Pierre-Paul as their franchise player but they didn’t cut a deal before he blew his own finger off. Pierre-Paul is a devastating pass rusher when he wants to be (he hasn’t been quite as effective lately) and it’s not inconceivable that losing a finger won’t actually hurt his effectiveness. It’s more about the time it takes to heal and how he and the team approach a contract after he did something dangerous and stupid and was injured.

Player to Watch: WR Odell Beckham

At this point the hype surrounding Beckham has reached a point that anything less than 150 receptions and 2000 yards receiving will seem like a letdown. That isn’t Beckham’s fault he just played so well after finally getting healthy and made some amazing catches almost weekly that he’s a victim of his own success. The truth is with the return of Victor Cruz the Giants won’t have to rely completely on Beckham and that will help their offense but maybe slow Beckham down to 100 catches or so. He is still a human highlight reel so he’s the guy to watch.

Sleeper of the Season: RB Andre Williams

I’ve never thought Rashad Jennings was a top notch RB and while Williams has his limitations (watching him try to catch a ball is painful) he’s a better back on 1^st and 2^nd down. The best news for Williams is that the Giants signed the ultimate 3^rd down back to alleviate the need for him to play on that down. RB Shane Vereen is fantastic out of the backfield and that’s what they signed him to do. If Williams takes over as the primary RB he’s a 1200-1400 yard back.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints have Drew Brees and Drew Brees wants to play forever but that seems unlikely. Brees is one of the best in the league but his job got a little bit harder when they traded TE Jimmy Graham but his life got a little bit safer because they got back C Max Unger. Unlike some of the teams that have old QBs they like the Saints took a chance in the 2015 draft on Colorado St. QB Garrett Grayson and with some time they may have an eventual replacement for Brees. The Saints are hoping TE Josh Hill can be solid but he’s no Graham so the passing game will fall on the shoulders of veteran WR Marques Colston and second year man Brandin Cooks who’s returning from injury. The team will also lean on RB Mark Ingram and newly signed CJ Spiller in the backfield. The hope is that Spiller can fill the role once played by Reggie Bush and Darren Sproles in the Sean Payton offense. C Max Unger was a big upgrade in the middle of the line and while LT Terron Armstead has great potential the rest of the line needs to play better.

The defense took a massive hit when OLB Junior Galette was cut due to his off the field issues so now the hope is that other players step up and that the new additions in the secondary can help the pass defense. DE Cameron Jordan can be a star but he needs a pass rushing partner and the best bet right now is rookie OLB Hau’oli Kikaha. They are counting on the resurrection of Dannell Ellerbe’s career after he tanked in Miami and rookie MLB Stephone Anthony has looked good in the preseason. CBs Brandon Browner and Kyle Wilson were signed and PJ Williams was drafted to give depth and talent to a secondary that needed it. Browner will start opposite holdover Keenan Lewis while they hope either Wilson or Williams step in as the nickel back. The healthy return of Jairus Byrd could really help over the middle too.

Biggest Off Season Move: Trading TE Jimmy Graham for C Max Unger and a draft pick

While the Saints will miss the mismatch Graham created for the offense Max Unger is a terrific center and he fills a major need. The second part of the trade was Seattle’s pick towards the end of the 1^st round and the Saints took MLB Stephone Anthony. While Anthony wasn’t my favorite ILB he has played well in the preseason and he’s likely going to start in week 1. The Saints traded a TE for a starting center and a starting middle linebacker, that’s a very good move.

Player to Watch: WR Brandin Cooks

With Jimmy Graham off to Seattle and Marques Colston not getting any younger Drew Brees is going to need to find another threat in the passing game. Cooks was off to a great start last year before his thumb injury ended his season prematurely and he could step in and actually exceed what he was doing last year. He is the type of WR that beats his opponents with great route running and quickness, he won’t overwhelm an opponent physically but his change of direction is stellar.

Sleeper of the Season: OLB Hau’oli Kikaha

Rookie MLB Stephone Anthony is going to put up some numbers this year but people are starting to expect that but fellow rookie Kikaha is stepping in for Junior Galette and those are some big shoes to fill. Kikaha has his limitations but he can bend the edge and get to the QB and DE Cameron Jordan needs some help doing that and DC Rob Ryan will figure out a way to get Kikaha in a position to succeed.

Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning is closing in on the end of a fantastic career and the Broncos might even have his successor in backup Brock Osweiler. It will not be an easy task being the one to replace Manning but new coach Gary Kubiak is more likely to rely on the run game this year and beyond to help his QB out. RB CJ Anderson stepped up big last year when Montee Ball wasn’t able to handle the job but Ball still has potential and he and Anderson should excel in Kubiak’s offense. WRs Damaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders make a good duo (when Sanders is healthy) and Cody Latimer looks like he is ready for a bigger role. The offensive line took a major hit when LT Ryan Clady went down for the year with an ACL tear and the ensuing shuffling of the line could determine how the season goes. Losing TE Julius Thomas hurts but veteran Owen Daniels is a Kubiak favorite.

The strength of the defense is its OLB’s DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller and its CBs Aqib Talib and the underrated Chris Harris. The rest of defense isn’t spectacular but they get the job done. Losing NT Terrence Knighton might hurt the run defense but getting back some healthy bodies at LB should help. The team will likely use a variable front and they can do that because of the versatility of both Ware and Miller as pass rushers. Rookie OLB Shane Ray should also help bring some extra pressure on passing downs. The loss of safety Rahim Moore may not seem big but the team will feel it more than they realize.

Biggest Off Season Move: Hiring Gary Kubiak as head coach

John Fox’s tenure was a success in almost every way except the one that counts, they never won a Super Bowl. When John Elway decided to make a change he went with someone he was extremely comfortable with in Gary Kubiak. Kubiak was Elway’s long time backup at QB on the Broncos and then was the offensive coordinator under Mike Shanahan before he took the Texans job. Kubiak isn’t a perfect fit with what Peyton Manning does but Elway took the long view at the coach’s job because he knows Manning isn’t going to be around much longer. The new offense will be designed to take some pressure off of Manning by making the running game more important.

Player to Watch: LT Ty Sambrailo

Ryan Clady’s injury was a major blow and now the important job of protecting Manning’s blindside falls to a rookie the team intended to play at RT (the Manning brothers have something in common this year). Sambrailo is the type of athletic tackle Kubiak wants but it’s a lot to ask of a rookie to take over such an important position on a team that hopes to compete for a Super Bowl. I think Sambrailo will excel and surprise people because he does have the right skill set for Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme.

Sleeper of the Season: RB Montee Ball

Ball hasn’t lived up to his college reputation so far in the NFL but I think that’s about to change. CJ Anderson has the starting job for now and even Ronnie Hillman is playing better but Ball fits what Kubiak wants in a running back. Ball racked up his yardage and touchdowns at Wisconsin running behind a big offensive line and being a one-cut-and-go runner and that’s what the zone blocking scheme needs. Perhaps Ball is overmatched on the NFL field but I think he could break through this year and be a major player.

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers have Phillip Rivers and after some unnecessary back and forth he signed a contract extension that should keep him in a Chargers uniform for the rest of his career whether it’s in San Diego or Los Angeles. The team’s offense goes as Rivers goes but the team made some moves to help him out. Rookie RB Melvin Gordon is a game changer and after years of hoping Ryan Mathews would break out they let him walk and its Gordon’s show now. The team signed offensive guard Orlando Franklin from division rival Denver and brought in RT Joe Barksdale too. Even though Barksdale is still listed as backing up RT DJ Fluker he gives the team the option of moving or replacing Fluker if he struggles like he did last year. WR Keenan Allen didn’t have huge numbers last year but he’s still a #1 caliber WR and hopefully having Stevie Johnson along with Malcolm Floyd will take some pressure off. Starting the year with all-time great TE Antonio Gates suspended for the first four games hurts but it’s time for Ladarius Green to produce or the team needs a new plan for their post Gates days.

The Chargers defense is long on potential and short on production. The defensive line is not well known but they can hold their own. The ILB duo of Donald Butler and Manti Te’o is productive and will be pushed by rookie Denzel Perryman. The outside duo of Jeremiah Attaochu and Melvin Ingram need to play big. Ingram has fought injuries throughout his career and Attaochu wasn’t a big name but both have the potential to wreak havoc. CBs Brandon Flowers and Jason Verrett aren’t big but they can both cover and they aren’t afraid of contact.

Biggest Off Season Move: Drafting RB Melvin Gordon

After years of waiting for Ryan Mathews to seize control of the running game and having to settle for guys like Donald Brown and Branden Oliver covering for him the Chargers spent a 1^st round draft pick on the incredible Wisconsin back. Gordon is a threat to score every time he touches the ball and he can carry the load in the backfield. His overall skills are impressive and his on the field speed is deceptive. Gordon is in a prime position to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year because of his talent and his opportunity.

Player to Watch: WR Keenan Allen

Allen has all the tools to be a top WR in the NFL he just needs to put it all together. With what is hopefully an improved offensive line and an actual running game the pressure should be off a bit and Allen can relax. At times he was pressing too hard to be a playmaker and he needs to just trust Phillip Rivers to get him the ball and then make plays. He’s a supreme talent that shouldn’t go to waste.

Sleeper of the Season: OLB Jeremiah Attaochu

Everyone is waiting for Melvin Ingram to have his break out season as a pass rusher and while that is certainly possible I think Attaochu could really surprise with more playing time. Ingram struggles to stay healthy but the Chargers’ defense would be much better if both these guys got it together and helped each other reach their potential. I think Attaochu could be a double digit sack guy if given the opportunity.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger had an incredible season last year and he’s found quite the partner in WR Antonio Brown. He seems to be on the same page now as OC Todd Haley and the offense should be clicking of course that would be easier with all of its parts. RB Le’Veon Bell is suspended for the first three games and now word comes down that promising second year WR Martavis Bryant is suspended for the first four games. Add in C Maurkice Pouncey missing the first half of the season with a broken leg and things aren’t going to be easy for this offense. The offensive line was finally solidified after Kelvin Beachum and Marcus Gilbert had locked down the tackle positions. It will be up to RB DeAngelo Williams and WR Markus Wheaton to fill in the first few weeks of the season for Bell and Bryant.

The Steelers defense has always been built around the strength of their LB corps and this year there are more questions than answers. James Harrison was brought back last year but he’s 37 years old, Arthur Moats is the other starter outside but he’s just a guy, Jarvis Jones hasn’t lived up to his 1^st round pick status and is running out of time and Bud Dupree is a rookie who might be the best bet to make a difference. Inside Lawrence Timmons returns but is in year nine and second year man Ryan Shazier missed most of his rookie year with an injury. The defensive line is solid but the secondary needs to play a lot better. Newly acquired CB Brandon Boykin is going to be called on to help out presumed starters Cortez Allen and William Gay, two guys that have to play better because they can’t play much worse. Shamarko Thomas gets the unenviable task of replacing Troy Polamalu.

Biggest Off Season Move: Replacing long time DC Dick LeBeau with LB coach Kevin Butler

Butler was poised to get a promotion to DC somewhere so the Steelers decided to move on from LeBeau and promote him. Butler has been in Pittsburgh awhile and has learned from LeBeau but this change may give the defense a little jolt and perhaps get some of the underachieving veterans to step up.

Player to Watch: OLB Jarvis Jones

This is Jones’ last chance to prove he’s the future of the position for the Steelers. If Jones can’t hold off the 37 year old James Harrison the team will have to look for a long term replacement. Jones was a skilled pass rusher in college and he has fought injury in his first two years but he has to become effective getting pressure at some point.

Sleeper of the Season: WR Sammie Coates

The suspension of WR Martavis Bryant means someone has to step up outside opposite Antonio Brown and with Markus Wheaton looking to establish himself full-time in the slot Sammie Coates should get some playing time and could be huge for the Steelers. Coates isn’t polished and he drops too many passes but with some consistent playing time his big play ability might shine through.

Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo is 35 years old and coming off one of his best seasons and a pretty good year for the Cowboys too. They don’t have an heir apparent but with the best offensive line in the league protecting him they don’t have to worry as much about his health. Losing RB Demarco Murray to the Eagles in free agency hurts and they hope the combination of Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden can give them enough of a running game to keep their offense moving. WRs Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley along with the ageless one TE Jason Witten give Tony Romo plenty of weapons in the passing game. The best offensive line in the league got even better with the addition of undrafted free agent La’el Collins. Collins’ unfortunate pre-draft situation turned out great for the Cowboys and it could be great for Collins’ future.

The Cowboys defense was better than anyone thought they would be even with some injuries to key players. With an offense as good as the one they have the defense doesn’t have to be great it just has to be average. They hope that getting a healthy season out of second year DE Demarcus Lawrence, adding DE Greg Hardy after his suspension and the addition of rookie Randy Gregory will seriously improve the pass rush. The return of LB Sean Lee will help and moving him outside should lessen the physical strain. CB Brandon Carr has been a disappointment since he signed as a free agent a few years and former first rounder Morris Claiborne has been a bust but with Orlando Scandrick going down with an ACL tear they need Carr, Claiborne and rookie Byron Jones to step up.

Biggest Off Season Moves: Signing DE Greg Hardy and drafting DE Randy Gregory

The Cowboys weren’t exactly sack machines last season so the team decided to roll the dice, twice. Hardy was signed after a domestic violence incident and he was initially suspended 10 games but upon appeal that was lowered to 4. Gregory dropped down the draft board because of drug related issues while in college and at the scouting combine but the Cowboys pulled the trigger hoping he can straighten his life out. Hardy and Gregory could team with second year man Demarcus Lawrence and turn the Cowboys weakness into a strength or Hardy and Gregory could fail to overcome their issues and it blows up on the team.

Player to Watch: CB Byron Jones

Orlando Scandrick just tore his ACL, Brandon Carr has never lived up to his big free agent contract and Morris Claiborne is a first round bust, enter Byron Jones. Jones is one of the most physically gifted athletes you’ll ever see and he could shoot up the depth chart very quickly on this defense. After missing most of last season in college Jones dominated the combine and the Cowboys took him in the first round. He very well could end up being the Cowboys best CB this year.

Sleeper of the Season: RB Joseph Randle

The plan seems to be for Randle and Darren McFadden to split carries and even to get Lance Dunbar involved in the offense. McFadden hasn’t been able to stay healthy in his career and I won’t believe it until I see it and while Randle hasn’t looked all that good in the preseason he’s a better bet than McFadden. If Randle can get the bulk of the carries behind the Cowboys’ impressive offensive line I think he’ll put up big rushing totals. Randle is a talented running back and while he isn’t Demarco Murray he can be a legitimate NFL starter.

New England Patriots

The deflated football controversy (I’m not using the stupid “gate” word) is a ridiculous story that Commission Goodell has taken too far and I hope the judge in the case smacks the league upside the head over their complete mishandling of the whole thing. Regardless of the outcome I believe the only overall effect it will have on the Patriots season is that it might give them a chance to see QB Jimmy Garoppolo if Brady’s suspension holds and it will certainly place a very large chip on Brady’s shoulder. I’m not sure the other teams in the league are all that enthused about having to play a very pissed off Tom Brady at any point. The defending Super Bowl Champions (remember they beat Seattle with fully inflated footballs) aren’t stacked with great offensive playmakers but that has never stopped Brady before. WR Julian Edelman will catch over 100 fully inflated footballs this season (once he’s healthy) and TE Rob Gronkowski will continue to be the unstoppable force. RB LaGarrette Blount is terrible but I think Bill Belichick will put together a run game between Jonas Gray, Brandon Bolden, James White and newcomer Travaris Cadet. I love the last minute signing of WR Reggie Wayne, he may not be the guy that once dominated playing with Peyton Manning but he’s still got something left in the tank.

The Patriots defense has a large hole to fill both literally and figuratively as they let stalwart DT Vince Wilfork go this off season but first round draft pick Malcolm Brown was an absolute steal and he should fit in nicely. DEs Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich should team well with free agent pickup Jabaal Sheard to bring the pass rush. The return of MLB Jerod Mayo can only help and OLB Jamie Collins blossomed during last season’s playoffs and he should only continue his rise. The secondary took major losses with the departures of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner and the team decided to throw everything they have at it with Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler and free agents Bradley Fletcher, Tarell Brown and Robert McClain joining Logan Ryan on the CB depth chart. Even Devin McCourty is seeing time at CB although that seems to be a bad idea considering how good he has become at safety.

Biggest Off Season Move: Suing the NFL and Roger Goodell

Hopefully the outcome of the suit is decided before the season starts but whether Brady misses 4 games, 2 games, 1 game or no games he is going to go into the season with something to prove and that is bad news for everyone else. Brady has won 4 Super Bowls and he could certainly add a fifth. As long as Brady and Belichick are together the Patriots are Super Bowl contenders.

Player to Watch: QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Until Brady’s status is cleared up Garoppolo is the apparent Week 1 starter and he needs to be ready. He looked good in some mop up duty last year but he hasn’t looked as sharp this preseason. It would help if WR Julian Edelman was healthy as he always seems to get open and that isn’t true of the rest of the WR corps. WR Brandon LaFell who had a good year last year also has been missing in action. RB LaGarrette Blount hasn’t helped either. Brady is a guy that raises the level of play of the guys around him; Garoppolo seems to need his teammates to help him out a bit more.

Sleeper of the Season: DE Jabaal Sheard

The Browns never seemed to get the best out of Sheard and that won’t be a problem in New England. While Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich are set as the starting DEs Sheard will be used in pass rushing situations and Belichick will rotate him in regularly to keep his starters fresh. Sheard has good pass rushing skills and in New England’s defense where he will get some one-on-one opportunities he should shine.

*****Obviously I wrote this before my new favorite judge Judge Berman nullified Roger Goodell’s suspension of Tom Brady and of course I published it about 15 minutes before the decision was announced.  My Player to Watch: Jimmy Garoppolo segment is null and void now that Brady is no longer suspended.  The reports are that the NFL will go to the Second Circuit Court and appeal but I think they lose again and someone from the ownership group should tell Roger to take this defeat and shut up.  Brady certainly has to feel vindicated but my guess is that his personality will still allow him to feel like he’s got something to prove and that is bad news for the rest of the league.*****

Teams That Wish They Had a Better QB (but are glad they don’t need a better QB)

Chicago Bears

There is no QB in the league that is loathed by his own fan base more than Jay Cutler. The problem is that he has tantalizing physical ability but rubs people the wrong way. He has one of the best arms in the league but an attitude that turns off fans and some coaches and players don’t like him either. The new offensive coaching staff led by former Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase has its work cut out for them but they may be the best suited to get the most out of Cutler. RB Matt Forte, WR Alshon Jeffery and TE Martellus Bennett give Cutler some nice weapons and even though it looks like first round WR Kevin White might miss the season the offense has plenty of potential.

The defense on the other hand looks like a mess. New head coach John Fox brought in former 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio so the entire defense is changing from a base 4-3 to a base 3-4 and they don’t have the personnel to do it. Rookie NT Eddie Goldman will be a key piece up front and they are hoping Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston can make the conversion to OLB. Free agent OLB Pernell McPhee will be counted on to play a lot more than he ever was in Baltimore. CB Kyle Fuller is the best defender on the team and he needs to stay healthy.

Biggest Off Season Move: Hiring head coach John Fox, DC Vic Fangio and OC Adam Gase

McPhee was the biggest personnel move the Bears made on the field but bringing in John Fox gives them a proven head coach, Fangio ran one the best defenses in the league the last few years in San Francisco and Gase spent the last few years running an offense with Peyton Manning. The Bears are lacking on the defense and some would say their offense needs reinforcements too but they have a fantastic new coaching staff.

Player to Watch: QB Jay Cutler

There may not be a team in the league that needs a bounce back season from their QB more than the Bears. Cutler didn’t mesh with the previous coaching staff but Adam Gase learned under Mike Martz and it was a Martz system that allowed Cutler to have his best years back in Denver. Cutler needs to take the coaching because Gase has worked with the smartest QB in the league the last few years and Cutler just needs to do what Gase tells him to do. He needs to have a better attitude and show some leadership or the Bears are going to be picking high in the draft and looking for his replacement.

Sleeper of the Season: WR Marquess Wilson

The Bears don’t have a bevy of players that look like they might break out this season. With first round WR Kevin White looking like he might miss the season the door is open for someone to step up opposite Alshon Jeffery. Veteran Eddie Royal was brought in but he is what he is and they need a more dynamic playmaker. Wilson is a third year guy out of Washington State with good height but isn’t as physical as Jeffery or Brandon Marshall was before. This is Wilson’s chance and it might be his last chance.

San Francisco 49ers

Colin Kaepernick has led his team to a Super Bowl appearance before but he has a new coaching staff and a lot of new faces around him. The confidence that the franchise and the fan base have had in the past was shaken by a rough season last year. Frank Gore is gone but RB Carlos Hyde is ready to step in as the bell cow and the offense needs him to be effective. WR Torrey Smith was signed to be the deep threat and compliment the ageless Anquan Boldin and the hope is he allows Kaepernick to throw it deep and create some room for Hyde. TE Vernon Davis is coming off a disappointing season and they need him to bounce back. The offensive line had been a strength but the early retirement of RT Anthony Davis leaves a big hole to fill.

The defense has been decimated by retirements, suspensions leading to dismissals and some free agent defections. New defensive coordinator Eric Mangini is left with a tough job of replacing all those players. The defense is going to have to count on DE Darnell Dockett, OLB’s Aaron Lynch and Ahmad Brooks and on their secondary led by safeties Antoine Bethea and Eric Reid. Those players are a far cry from the heyday of Justin Smith, Patrick Willis and Aldon Smith.

Biggest Off Season Moves: Losing DE Justin Smith, ILB Patrick Willis, ILB Chris Borland and RT Anthony Davis to retirement, OLB Aldon Smith being released for off the field issues, losing Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree and Mike Iupati to free agency. Oh and firing Jim Harbaugh and replacing him with Jim Tomsula

To call it a time of transition for the 49ers organization would be a massive understatement. No one knows if Tomsula is ready to be a head coach in the NFL but we do know that with the exception of last season Jim Harbaugh set the bar pretty high for his replacement.

Player to Watch: RB Carlos Hyde

Hyde could be an absolute beast out the backfield and the 49ers are going to ride him as far as he’ll take them. Frank Gore held down the 49ers RB spot for many years but he began to pass the torch last season and Hyde is the big, powerful back teams are going with these days. The offensive line won’t be as strong in the run game without Anthony Davis or Mike Iupati but Hyde can make yards.

Sleeper of the Season: Rookie OLB Eli Harold or OLB Corey Lemonier

Starting OLBs Aaron Lynch and Ahmad Brooks are fine but the two backups need to step up and bring some pass rush and I think one of them will. Lemonier is another year removed from injury and that might make him more effective. Harold is a solid rookie that needs some work but he can get after the QB.

Houston Texans

The Texans just settled on Brian Hoyer as their starting QB so you could say they need to upgrade and apparently they don’t think Ryan Mallet is that guy or they would have gone with him instead. The injury to Arian Foster could keep him out until midseason and that’s tough for a team that was planning on winning with defense and a running game. RB Alfred Blue is a nice backup but expecting him to be as good as Foster would be foolish. The line is solid and DeAndre Hopkins broke out last year but without Foster and the departed Andre Johnson that’s a lot of reliability missing and Hoyer needs playmakers he can rely on.

JJ Watt is one of the rare defenders in the NFL that changes a game so much he legitimately deserves MVP consideration. He has redefined what a 3-4 DE should be and he’s a one man wrecking crew. The Texans wish he didn’t have to be a one man wrecking crew and they are hoping Jadeveon Clowney can come back from his knee surgery and be the player they thought he could be when he was drafted #1 overall. There is a lot of potential on this defense with free agents NT Vince Wilfork and FS Rahim Moore brought in to fill key holes and rookie Benardrick McKinney hopefully lining up at ILB next to a healthy Brian Cushing. Rookie CB Kevin Johnson was added to starters Kareem Jackson and Jonathan Joseph so they should be good there. The Texans have a lot of ifs and plenty of potential but they have to play up to it.

Biggest Off Season Move: Letting WR Andre Johnson leave and watching him sign with Indianapolis

Johnson has been a mainstay with the franchise for a long time and while DeAndre Hopkins surpassed him last year as the top WR he was still a very good player. The other issue is that he went and signed with division rival and champion Indianapolis. Andrew Luck is in the driver’s seat of the division and he just got a very good veteran complement to youngster TY Hilton.

Player to Watch: QB Brian Hoyer (for now)

Hoyer is a pro but he’s never been able to seize the starting job anywhere and hold on to it. He has knowledge of Bill O’Brien’s offense from his time with the Patriots but so does Ryan Mallet and while Hoyer may be the steady choice if he doesn’t make a few plays he could be out the door, again. Hoyer is a placeholder and the only advantage he has in Houston that he didn’t have in Cleveland last season is that the Texans actually have some good offensive skill players.

Sleeper of the Season: Rookie WR Jaelen Strong

From what I’ve heard about Strong in training camp he is coming along slowly. Hopkins is the sure thing of the WR group and free agents Nate Washington and Cecil Shorts are solid veteran guys but Strong can be something more. He has size, strength and speed and with the right playing time and good QB play he can break out. He was one of my favorite WRs in the draft and I hope he gets a chance to show why.

Kansas City Chiefs

It isn’t completely Alex Smith’s fault that the team didn’t have a TD completion to a WR for the entire 2014 season but he deserves plenty of the blame. Dwayne Bowe and Donnie Avery weren’t exactly lighting up the place but you would have thought eventually the law of averages would have caught up and one of them would get in the end zone. WR Jeremy Maclin was signed to add some playmaking to the team but he’s a deep threat and that has never been Smith’s forte. RB Jamaal Charles and his backup Knile Davis might be the best tandem in the league and Davis would start for a lot of teams but the offensive line is still suspect so the offense needs some balance. If TE Travis Kelce could have a fully healthy year he would be a nice weapon for Smith. Alex Smith is just good enough to keep this team from drafting high enough to pick his replacement but if the draft pool is deep enough this next season the Chiefs shouldn’t hesitate to grab his eventual replacement.

OLB Justin Houston got paid this off season and when you register 22 sacks on the year and nearly break the league record the money is well worth it. Houston is the playmaker on defense but he has plenty of help around him. OLB Tamba Hali is the grizzled veteran that keeps chugging along and while he isn’t as dynamic as he once was and isn’t as dynamic as Houston he’s the heart and soul of the unit. CB Sean Smith played well last year as the #1 corner and while he has to sit the first three games due to suspension he should come back strong. The last player to mention is safety Eric Berry who is making an awesome comeback from cancer and if he can make it back at all it’s a victory but he was once a very bright future star for the team and I hope he recaptures that magic.

Biggest Off Season Moves: Resigning OLB Justin Houston and signing WR Jeremy Maclin

Keeping Houston was expensive and it was a no-brainer. He’s the best player on the team and he’s still young and extremely effective. Andy Reid reached back to his Philadelphia Eagles days and grabbed Maclin who had a pretty good year coming back from a knee injury and fills a gigantic hole on the offense. Dwayne Bowe had ceased to be effective and it was time for him to go now the Chiefs just have to hope Alex Smith can find a way to get Maclin the ball.

Player to Watch: LT Eric Fisher

The Chiefs offensive line is in a state of flux with Ben Grubbs coming over from New Orleans, Eric Kush and Mitch Morse fighting to take over the center spot from the departed Rodney Hudson and the right side being less than stellar. Fisher was the #1 overall pick a few years ago in a less than impressive draft but his transition hasn’t been smooth. Fisher needs to solidify the left side of the line so the offense can move the ball. He has the talent he just needs to put it all together.

Sleeper of the Season: Rookie CB Marcus Peters

With CB Sean Smith suspended for the first three games rookie CB Marcus Peters is going to have to step in next to Phillip Gaines and my guess is when Smith returns in game 4 it will be Gaines that loses playing time. Peters had his issues in college but he seems to have matured and he’s an incredible talent. He has great natural coverage instincts and ability.

Cincinnati Bengals

Andy Dalton has been a pretty good QB in the regular season during his career but when it comes to the playoffs he turns into a pumpkin. The Bengals are a loaded team both offensively and defensively so Dalton usually carries the weight of the franchise and determines their destiny. Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard form an excellent duo in the backfield and AJ Green is a dynamic WR. The offensive line is aging but it is still a very good unit. TE Tyler Eifert needs to step up and become more of a threat but that is certainly possible if he stays healthy.

Last year the defense dealt with many injuries at LB and the return from injury of its most important player DT Geno Atkins. All reports this preseason say Atkins looks like he’s back to his pre-injury form and that is a scary thing for opposing offenses. Atkins is a destructive force when healthy and he makes this a better defense. The team needed a better outside pass rush than it got last year so they re-signed former DE Michael Johnson and he could be key. The health of OLB Vontaze Burfict is also key as he’s a playmaker they count on heavily and they don’t have a strong replacement for him. The secondary needs either Dre Kirkpatrick or Darqueze Dennard to step up opposite Leon Hall and it would be helpful if both of them play well because every team needs as many good CBs as they can find.

Biggest Off Season Move: Re-signing DE Michael Johnson

A year ago the Bengals let Michael Johnson walk when the Bucs offered him a huge free agent deal and it didn’t work out for either party. Johnson had a less than stellar year in Tampa Bay and was cut after only one season and the Bengals pass rush just wasn’t the same. Both sides are hoping that you can go home again and that Johnson can be the type of pass rusher he was that earned that huge free agent deal a year ago.

Player to Watch: RB Jeremy Hill

Something tells me that the Bengals are going to do everything they can to make sure that their season doesn’t hinge on the play of QB Andy Dalton and the best way to do that is to rely on the strength of the running game. Hill is the big, physical back that can carry the load and he gets better the more carries he gets. Giovani Bernard is a great complement as he’s a faster and more elusive player but it’s Hill’s downhill pounding style that wears out a defense and that is what the Bengals need to help Dalton be effective.

Sleeper of the Season: Rex Burkhead

I didn’t list a position for Burkhead because every report this preseason has him playing all over the offense. With Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard clearly ahead of him in the RB pecking order Burkhead has used his versatility to find a way to help the Bengals’ offense. He has lined up as a slot receiver quite a bit and while they have Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones after AJ Green both of those players are more possession type receivers while Burkhead brings a more dynamic element. He gives them versatility not only on the field but with possible roster flexibility too.

These next two teams are linked together

Philadelphia Eagles

Chip Kelly’s bold off season move was to trade Nick Foles for Sam Bradford and hitch his wagon to a player that has missed the lion’s share of the last two seasons because his ACL is made of tissue paper. Bradford has talent coming out of his ears but it doesn’t really help when he spends most of his time with the training staff rehabbing a knee injury. He is a nice fit in the up tempo style of offense that Kelly likes but the Eagles have to hope they get more snaps from Bradford than Mark Sanchez because they aren’t really a contender otherwise. In the last two years Kelly has lost or sent packing DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin meaning he’s replaced a number of playmakers. Bradford will rely on Kelly’s guys like Jordan Matthews, Riley Cooper and rookie Nelson Agholor but mostly on RB DeMarco Murray who brings a different style than McCoy did.

The Eagles defense wasn’t very good and they are mostly hoping for improvement from within up front but they did an almost complete rebuild in the secondary. Free agent CB Byron Maxwell was the big move, drafting CB Eric Rowe was a smart move and hoping Walter Thurmond III can be the free safety is a questionable move. Trading for ILB Kiko Alonso should really help the run defense if he’s healthy and they need all the help they can get.

Biggest Off Season Moves: Trading LeSean McCoy for Kiko Alonso, trading Nick Foles for Sam Bradford and signing DeMarco Murray.

Chip Kelly took over as the personnel decision maker this year and he wasted no time making major moves. He decided Nick Foles wasn’t his QB of the future and he rolled the dice on Bradford’s questionable knees. He didn’t think McCoy was his type of RB so he shipped him to Buffalo for a guy he knows is his kind of LB. Then when it looked like he was ridding his team of all playmakers he went out and signed the league’s leading rusher DeMarco Murray, his kind of RB.

Player to Watch: QB Sam Bradford

As much as the team is going to rely on DeMarco Murray’s running ability Chip Kelly’s offense is still QB centric. There is no denying Bradford’s talent and he played in an up tempo, spread type of offense at Oklahoma where he won the Heisman and was the #1 overall pick in the draft. Anyone that thinks he doesn’t fit is mistaken but his career has been defined by the time he has missed due to injury and not by his talent. If he stays healthy he could be the future for the club but if he goes down again with a season ending injury, any season ending injury, Kelly won’t hesitate to replace him for good.

Sleeper of the Season: WR Jordan Matthews

Matthews was one of my favorite receivers in last year’s draft and he had a pretty solid rookie year. He did that without much consistency at QB as they started with Nick Foles and then went to Sanchez and he never had a chance to establish a connection. If Bradford stays on the field he’s an upgrade and he’ll love the way Matthews can get open. He doesn’t “wow” you but he’s effective and he’ll catch a lot of passes from Bradford and keep the offense moving.

St. Louis Rams

The Rams and Eagles are linked together because of the QB trade they pulled off in the spring. It’s pretty rare to see two teams trade their starting QBs for each other and this one could work out for both teams or it could blow up in their faces. Nick Foles was dynamite two years ago in Chip Kelly’s offense but last year was rough and he missed time with an injury. The Rams see Foles as a better bet to stay healthy after two lost years of Sam Bradford and they need some consistency at the position. Jeff Fisher wants to build his offense around first round RB Todd Gurley and a remade offensive line but Foles quick throwing ability might just make WR Tavon Austin a worthwhile player too.

The Rams defense is excellent and it’s built around one of the league’s finest defensive lines. DEs Chris Long and Robert Quinn are fantastic and Quinn is a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate and could win it if JJ Watt were human. DTs Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers are great complements to each other. LBs James Laurinaitis and Alec Ogletree are playmakers and the secondary has added some good talent over the past few years.

Biggest Off Season Move: Trading for Nick Foles and drafting Todd Gurley

After two lost years of Sam Bradford Jeff Fisher decided it was time for change and Nick Foles was a pretty nice get for a QB coming off back-to-back torn ACL seasons. No one is quite sure if Foles is the guy from last year or the player from two years ago but he’s worth the risk. Fisher drafted Gurley with visions of his Tennessee heyday with Eddie George carrying the load and Gurley is a special talent. It looks like he’ll be ready to open the season and while the Rams can afford to ease him in with last year’s RB Tre Mason still around eventually it’s Gurley’s job and it’s his offense.

Player to Watch: RB Todd Gurley

I’m not sure how much more I can say about Gurley but I’ll try. In college his running style was most often compared to Marshawn Lynch as he had a tendency to look like he was going into his own version of “Beastmode”. When Jeff Fisher drafted him the comparison became to Eddie George as Gurley has a similar build and upright running style and was headed to George’s former coach. Now that he’s made a quick recovery from his ACL tear and is such an amazing physical specimen he could be compared to Adrian Peterson, in a good way. Lynch, George and Peterson are three incredible talents to be compared to and Gurley has the ability to live up to those three.

Sleeper of the Season: WR Stedman Bailey

Everyone has been waiting for former first round pick Tavon Austin to break out but I still think he is limited and while he can be a weapon I don’t see him being a top WR. Bailey isn’t a #1 WR either but he’s a very good #2 and I think with a more consistent QB he could really blossom. He has the size to play outside and he’s a solid all-around talent. He may not by the dynamic athlete Austin is but I think he’s a better football player and he knows how to be effective.

Teams With Young QBs They Like (they just got these guys so they are going with them for the foreseeable future)

Tennessee Titans

The Titans are filled with hope and everything is just rosy because they have a shiny new franchise QB and that makes everything better. Okay so maybe not everything but it certainly helps the optimism around training camp. Marcus Mariota is the type of person you want to succeed and to build your team around. Whether or not he can be a true franchise QB is still up in the air but he’s doing and saying all the right things. They Titans are working on getting their offensive line squared away (LT Taylor Lewan is a nice building block to start with) and they just need a few playmakers to emerge at WR. TE Delanie Walker is an underrated player that should make Mariota’s life a lot easier.

The defense added a few free agents they hope can make a difference. OLB Brian Orakpo is the big name and they need him to stay healthy and provide a pass rush. CB Perrish Cox and safety Da’Norris Searcy were added to improve a poor secondary. They have some steady veterans like OLB Derrick Morgan, CB Jason McCourty and safety Michel Griffin but they need the playmaking of Orakpo because steady really means “we couldn’t find anyone better”. DE Jurrell Casey looked like a potential star after 2013 but he took a step back in 2014 and they hope the attention Orakpo gets will take some pressure off of him so he can return to his 2013 form.

Biggest Off Season Move: Signing OLB Brian Orakpo

A few years ago the Titans brought in Kamerion Wimbley hoping to boost their pass rush and it didn’t really work out but Orakpo is younger and has more potential. He doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to staying healthy but if he can stay on the field it’s possible Dick LeBeau and Ray Horton can get the best out of him.

Player to Watch: RB Bishop Sankey

Someone needs to emerge from the WR corps to help out Mariota but what would be most helpful would be if second year RB Bishop Sankey would become the playmaker they need out of the back field. Sankey’s rookie year was disappointing but he’s still a talented back that could provide a nice security blanket for Mariota.

Sleeper of the Season: RB David Cobb

If Sankey fails to impress again the team has a nice backup plan and I’m guessing they would go to it pretty quickly. Cobb is a talented back that won’t wilt under the pressure of a lot of carries because he was used to carrying the load at Minnesota. He might be a better every down back than Sankey and he knows how to get the tough yards.

Oakland Raiders

After years upon years of questions at QB it finally looks like Derek Carr might actually be the answer. Carr had a pretty good rookie year especially given the lack of talent surrounding him on offense. Now that he has some help the Raiders may be on to something. They are still a little lacking overall on offense but adding players like WR Amari Cooper, WR Michael Crabtree and C Rodney Hudson means they have legitimate NFL caliber players around a good QB.

The defense is still suspect and counting on a few older players at key positions; DE Justin Tuck, S Charles Woodson, DT Dan Williams and MLB Curtis Lofton. However, the defense is built around one budding superstar OLB Khalil Mack and has some nice young pieces in DT Justin Ellis, OLB Sio Moore and they hope young CBs DJ Hayden and TJ Carrie. They still have a ways to go but it finally looks like the Raiders are heading in the right direction.

Biggest Off Season Moves: Signing C Rodney Hudson and WR Michael Crabtree

The Raiders have a history (including very recent history) of signing over-the-hill free agents but this time they actually signed a couple of guys with something left in the tank. Rodney Hudson is a major upgrade to the line and he should help Derek Carr feel more comfortable in the pocket. Michael Crabtree has had health issues in the past but he was pretty solid last year when healthy and he’s a major upgrade to the WR corps and should shine playing next to Amari Cooper.

Player to Watch: WR Amari Cooper

Carr to Cooper is going to become a major part of the Raiders’ offense and Amari Cooper will be a breakout star. He is a #1 WR that the Raiders haven’t had since Tim Brown’s heyday. Cooper will make Carr’s development much easier and he’ll give Raiders fans hope for the future.

Sleeper of the Season: OLB Sio Moore

I’m going to sing his praises one more time and hope that Moore can stay healthy long enough to live up to his potential. Playing opposite Mack should make Moore’s life easy but he can’t seem to stay healthy long enough to take advantage. He is a talented player and he could be a major difference maker if he makes it through the year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

If you think the Titans are happy and optimistic about Mariota the Bucs are even more so because they took Jameis Winston #1 overall. The Buccaneers have never had a franchise QB and they think Winston can legitimately be that kind of player. He has a better group of skill position players to work with than Mariota with WRs Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins and even rejuvenated RB Doug Martin. The one thing that could slow Winston’s development is the offensive line that may start two rookies. OG Ali Marpet is taking a major step up in competition but he looks like he can actually handle it. New LT Donovan Smith should be able to handle his assignment but he’s unlikely to excel because he’d be better suited on the right side.

The Tampa defense has some serious talent in DT Gerald McCoy, LB Lavonte David and even CB Alterraun Verner but they need some players to really step up. MLB Bruce Carter looks like an upgrade and they hope DE George Johnson can bring some pressure off the edge. It’s still a work in progress but they invested more draft picks on the offensive side so the defense hasn’t seen the influx of talent it needs.

Biggest Off Season Move: Drafting QB Jameis Winston

Winston still has plenty of doubters and they exist because of his off the field and maturity issues but it’s hard not to see him as a huge upgrade over last year’s opening day starter Josh McCown. Like I said the Bucs have never had a franchise QB and Winston certainly looks the part. They have given him enough talent to work with that he shouldn’t struggle finding playmakers. If Winton stays out of trouble he can be the type of QB that stabilizes a franchise for years.

Player to Watch: RB Doug Martin

As much as Winston will drive the offensive success his job will be a whole lot easier if Martin can reclaim his rookie year form. After his fantastic rookie year Martin has had a few unspectacular seasons and is down to his last chance but he has stepped up this training camp. He is a talented RB that can do so many things well that he would make Winston’s transition to the NFL much easier.

Sleeper of the Season: TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins

Seferian-Jenkins is a big, physical and athletic TE that was underutilized last season and could breakout under the right circumstances. Winston liked to rely on his TE (Nick O’Leary) at Florida St. and he’ll find Seferian-Jenkins to be a very nice security blanket. Evans and Jackson are two big, physical targets on the outside and they demand a lot of attention meaning Winston should find Seferian-Jenkins in plenty of one-on-one matchups.

Jacksonville Jaguars

There were times last season where Blake Bortles looked pretty rough but it wasn’t always his fault and he had plenty of moments where he flashed his true potential. He was asked to do a lot because the offense was very green and he didn’t get much help. The running game was pretty bad with the exception of a few games where Denard Robinson looked good, then he got beat up. Three rookie WRs, draft picks Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee and undrafted Allen Hurns, and a suspect offensive line made the passing game inconsistent. The Jaguars addressed the offensive line with free agents C Stefen Wisniewski and RT Jermey Parnell and even drafted OG AJ Cann. The running game welcomes back a healthy Denard Robinson but the team drafted a more likely every down back in Alabama’s TJ Yeldon. Yeldon and Robinson could make a nice backfield combination and free agent TE Julius Thomas should help Bortles progression. Thomas is a major upgrade at TE for the passing game and a good pass catching TE can be a QBs best friend.

The Jaguars defense was far better than it should have been last year and somehow Gus Bradley got more out of this unit than the sum of its parts. It is a defense made up of no names and if the offense had been a little better and the defense had had to play a little less this team may have made some noise. Guys like Chris Clemens, Telvin Smith and Dwayne Gratz are not household names but they played pretty well last year. The Jaguars were hoping to add a major playmaker when they drafted Florida defender Dante Fowler Jr. in the first round but as the Jaguars luck would have it Fowler tore his ACL within minutes of putting on his practice jersey for the first time. Bradley will have to work some magic again with this unit but he can hope the offense takes a little pressure off. The addition of DL Jared Odrick from Miami was a solid one that should help the defensive front as Odrick can play all along the line.

Biggest Off Season Move: Signing C Stefen Wisniewski and RT Jermey Parnell

The Jags offensive line was a sieve last year and center and right tackle were the two biggest holes. Wisniewski has never been great but he’s a major upgrade in the middle and Parnell filled in at RT for the Cowboys last season and looks to have a big upside. LT Luke Joeckel has to play better and guard Brandon Lindor and Zane Beadles can hold their own and if they don’t rookie AJ Cann can step in. Fixing the offensive line was a major priority because the best way for Blake Bortles to be effective is to be protected.

Player to Watch: RB TJ Yeldon

While the offensive line upgrade will certainly help Bortles the best thing the team can do for him is find a running game to balance out the offensive attack and Yeldon can do that. Denard Robinson had a few good games last season but he can’t carry the ball 20-25 times a game because he won’t hold up. Yeldon has the size, the power and the speed to be a top back and he has a complete skill set that will make Bortles and the Jaguars very happy.

Sleeper of the Season: WR Allen Robinson

The Jaguars need a go-to WR and Robinson has the skills to be that guy. Last year the passing game was inconsistent for all the reasons I’ve mentioned above but now that the offensive line is better, the running game gets a boost and Julius Thomas adds an actual threat at TE Blake Bortles can find his #1 WR. Allen Hurns was a revelation last year as an undrafted free agent and hopefully someday Marqise Lee can get healthy but Robinson has legitimate #1 WR ability and this year he steps up.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings found their QB of the future in Teddy Bridgewater and he had an excellent final month of the season last year to show just what he can do. He also played last season without Adrian Peterson and the offense can only be better with Peterson lining up behind Bridgewater and taking the pressure off of him. They replaced the aging Greg Jennings with Mike Wallace and found a nice second WR in Charles Johnson. They need LT Matt Kalil to play better and RT Phil Loadholt was just lost for the season with an Achilles tendon tear so rookie TJ Clemmings needs to step up. If TE Kyle Rudolph can stay healthy he would be a very nice weapon over the middle for Bridgewater and if Cordarrelle Patterson can regain his rookie year form the offense could actually be good.

The Vikings defense looks like it could be strong if a couple of guys step up at key spots. The defensive line looks very good with Everson Griffin, Sharrif Floyd, Linval Joseph and Brian Robison. Anthony Barr is a rising star at OLB and Chad Greenway is the savvy veteran now. Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes have a chance to be a fantastic CB pair and if Harrison Smith can stay healthy at safety that would really help. MLB Audie Cole has to step up or rookie LB Eric Kendricks needs to step in and SS Robert Blanton must play well to help up the middle.

Biggest Off Season Move: Return of RB Adrian Peterson

Peterson’s suspension/roster designation was the storyline that dominated everything last year for the Vikings but the thing is they did okay without him. Now he returns and while it has taken awhile for things to settle back down it looks like Peterson is ready to get after it and he makes this team’s offense very dangerous.

Player to Watch: LT Matt Kalil

I could have gone with Peterson or Bridgewater or even Mike Wallace but Kalil will be crucial to all of those guys living up to their potential. Kalil had a horrible year last year and he’s more talented than the way he played. If he can play his absolute best it would go a long way in getting Peterson back on track, helping Bridgewater succeed and giving Wallace time to run deep and open up the offense the way he should.

Sleeper of the Season: WR Stefon Diggs

Diggs has been a bit of a star during camp and early in the preseason with his ability to return punts but he’s more than just a returner. The Vikings want former 1^st round pick Cordarrelle Patterson to step back up but Diggs may not let that happen. Diggs is a blur on the field with incredible change of direction ability and he would excel as a slot receiver with Wallace and Johnson on the outside and Rudolph going down the seam. Jarius Wright is in the way as a slot receiver too but Diggs is game breaker.

Every year I try to figure out how best to break down my NFL preview and in the past I’ve done it by division and I’ve done it as power rankings but I’ve decided to try something different this year. The NFL has obviously become a passing league and that means the QB position becomes more and more important every year. In the NFL the belief is that you either have a franchise QB or you’re looking for a franchise QB and while that’s generally true it’s a little more complicated than that. I’ve broken the league down to five categories of QB and they range all over the spectrum. I’m not simply going to preview each teams QB situation I’m just using it to group them together. Not every team relies on its QB to be successful but if you look at the teams that made the playoffs last season and the teams that did well in the playoffs the common theme is a pretty good QB (the Cardinals making the playoffs after Carson Palmer went down was the exception and their disastrous playoff exit told the real story).

Teams That Need a New QB (these teams are hoping that Connor Cook, Christian Hackenberg, Cardale Jones, Trevone Boykin and Jared Goff all have fantastic college football seasons and are available in next year’s draft)

New York Jets

Geno Smith had his jaw broken by a now former teammate and it might be a blessing in disguise. The Jets defense might be good enough to win 6 or 7 games with Smith at QB and might provide the team with hope for the future but I’m not sure the defense can do that with Ryan Fitzpatrick at the controls of the offense. The team needs to fail miserably on offense and get a high draft pick it can use on a new QB so they can start over at the position. Smith will be out several weeks and that will put them in a bit of a hole. Even with the addition of WR Brandon Marshall giving the Jets a legitimate WR corps and perhaps a solid passing game the rest of the offense is suspect. The offensive line is just okay and the running game is lacking a playmaker. Chris Ivory, Stevan Ridley, Bilal Powell and Zac Stacy are a hodgepodge of average RBs that isn’t scaring anyone.

The Jets defense is immensely talented and with new head coach Todd Bowles running things they should be pretty good. They have started the year off a little rough with DL Sheldon Richardson getting a suspension and Muhammed Wilkerson unhappy with his contract situation but Bowles did more with less in Arizona as defensive coordinator so the defense should be fine. The revamped secondary led by Darrelle Revis should be a massive upgrade while Bowles will get the most out of the LB corps.

Biggest Off Season Moves: Signing WR Brandon Marshall, CBs Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Buster Skrine and S Marcus Gilchrist

Last season the Jets WR corps had a lot of nice complementary parts but no real #1 receiver, enter Brandon Marshall. He’s getting a bit older and he usually wears out his welcome but for now he’s a fantastic addition. Revis is the big name they added on defense but it was just a small part of their overall remodeling of the secondary. The brought back Cromartie to pair with Revis and signed Buster Skrine to be their new nickel corner. They also hope Marcus Gilchrist can pair with second year safety Calvin Pryor to improve their play over the middle.

Player to Watch: Rookie DL Leonard Williams

When the Jets drafted Williams in the first round it looked like they were just grabbing the best available player even though it wasn’t at a position of need, now with the suspension of Richardson and the contract issues with Wilkerson the pick looks pretty brilliant. Williams is an impressive player and Richardson’s immaturity might make it easy for the Jets to satisfy Wilkerson’s contract demands and let Richardson go if Williams fills the role.

Sleeper for the Season: Rookie OLB Lorenzo Mauldin

He’s having a good camp and they need his pass rushing speed off the edge. Todd Bowles could turn this kid into a star. Calvin Pace is 34 and has lost a step pass rushing and Quinton Coples has never been a big sack guy. Mauldin has looked good and behind a good defensive line he could create a lot of havoc.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills have the pu pu platter of Matt Cassel, Tyrod Taylor and EJ Manuel at QB so as soon as they can get better at that position they will take that opportunity. It’s unfortunate because with guys like RB LeSean McCoy, WR Sammy Watkins, WR Percy Harvin, TE Charles Clay, WR Marquise Goodwin and WR Robert Woods the Bills actually have some skill position talent that could be dangerous if they had a decent QB. Rex Ryan took over as coach this off season and he’ll have the same issue he had with the Jets, bad QBs. RB LeSean McCoy was brought in from Philadelphia and while he’s a supremely talented RB he may not be able to hold up under the ground and pound style Ryan prefers to use. This team will go as far as their QB position takes them and right now it’s a two man race between Cassel (he shouldn’t hurt you) and Tyrod Taylor (he’s never really played so we don’t know if he sucks or not). Manuel has basically played his way out of the job and may be playing his way off the roster (that’s a dramatic fall in two years).

*Last minute update: Even though EJ Manuel played well in the latest preseason game the Bills announced Tyrod Taylor their Week 1 starter.

The Bills defense was very good last year and they shouldn’t lose a step under Ryan. DEs Mario Williams and Jerry Hughes both registered double digit sacks and no one should expect less. The LB corps lost Kiko Alonso in the McCoy trade but he missed last season with an injury and they were fine without him. The secondary should be tough if Leodis McKelvin and Stephon Gilmore can stay healthy.

Biggest Off Season Move: Trading for RB LeSean McCoy

The Bills let CJ Spiller walk in free agency and they traded LB Kiko Alonso to Philadelphia to get one of the most talented RBs in the league. McCoy has a vast array of skills but he didn’t fit what Chip Kelly wanted to do with the Eagles. Ryan likes to run the ball but he would be wise to find ways to get McCoy the ball in space and not just run him into the ground.

Player to Watch: RB LeSean McCoy

McCoy is a true talent and does so many things well but if Ryan runs him over and over again between the tackles he’ll break down physically and it won’t do them any good.

One Last Chance: WR Percy Harvin

Harvin is a mirage, it’s the glimmer of hope you see once in a great while that makes teams think he’s a playmaker. This is his last chance, he wore out his welcome in Minnesota, then in Seattle and he never really settled in with the Jets. Rex Ryan is taking another shot but this team would be wise to lean on real playmakers like McCoy, Sammy Watkins and even try to use Marquise Goodwin’s potential instead of counting on Harvin.

Sleeper of the Season: RB Karlos Williams

Williams dropped down the draft board but he’s the player on the roster that has the physical stature and running style that would fit Ryan’s preferred running game. He’s big, strong and powerful and he could handle pounding on a defense. If McCoy needs some help it could be Williams who steps in to lend a hand.

Washington Redskins

New GM Scot McCloughan brings a completely different philosophy to team building than Daniel Snyder has had in the past, McCloughan prefers good players not just expensive ones. The problem for the Redskins is that their entire season hinges on Robert Griffin III and how he plays. RGIII had a nice rookie season and has been an unmitigated disaster since. Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy proved last year that they aren’t the answers either. Washington’s opening preseason game was a debacle and Griffin barely made it out alive. The offensive line is a work in progress with rookie Brandon Scherff trying to figure out playing right guard while Morgan Moses tries to settle in at right tackle. It’s going to take some time for the new offensive line to get it together.

*Last minute update: RGIII is dividing the ownership from the coaching staff and front office.  According to reports the coaches and front office are ready to move on from Griffin and Snyder isn’t (surprise, surprise).  Jay Gruden has named Kirk Cousins the opening day starter (that should not inspire confidence).

The replaced departed free agent OLB Brian Orakpo with recently released former Saint Junior Galette and he promptly tore his Achilles. Galette is a talent and he could have been a great addition but he was available because of his off-the-field issues and he was a gamble anyway. They needed his pass rush to complement Ryan Kerrigan and his injury is a pretty big blow. Taking chances on guys like Galette and reclamation projects like safety Dashon Goldson often backfire and they ‘Skins can’t afford to have that happen.

Biggest Off Season Move: Hiring GM Scot McCloughan

I had Galette here until he was lost for the season but McCloughan was a big move too. The Redskins have been a front office wreck since Dan Snyder bought the franchise. The last few years were even worse when Mike Shanahan was trying to make moves and Snyder was overpaying players for no reason. McCloughan is a smart personnel man and if Snyder gets out of his way and he can find a legitimate QB (and he won’t spend three 1^st round picks to do it) he could turn this team around. Jay Gruden might be on thin ice but it is probably more because McCloughan didn’t hire him and he might want his own coach.

Player to Watch: QB Robert Griffin III

This team goes as RGIII goes and I don’t think that’s going to be a good thing. The odds makers have Jay Gruden as the most likely head coach to be fired first and I would have to agree. I think the Redskins might be the worst team in the league this season and that’s in large part because I don’t think Griffin will hold up and they won’t be very good when he fails.

Sleeper of the Season: Rookie OLB Preston Smith

With Galette going down for the year someone is going to have to step in opposite Kerrigan. Washington didn’t draft Smith by accident and his versatility will come in handy. He can play all over and move around on the defense and be utilized in so many ways he’ll make a big impact.

Cleveland Browns

By all accounts Johnny Manziel is having a very good training camp and has gotten his life straightened out. However, he is still the backup to Josh McCown, the same McCown who is a career backup and flamed out last year in Tampa Bay. Maybe Manziel has a future as the starting QB in Cleveland but if the Browns have a chance to grab a franchise QB in next year’s draft they won’t pass on it. QB is obviously an issue but even if they had Peyton Manning in his prime I’m not sure he could do much when his WR corps is made up of Dwayne Bowe, Brian Hartline and Andrew Hawkins, his TE is Gary Barnidge and his RBs are Isaiah Crowell and Terrence West. At least they have the best LT in football Joe Thomas.

The Browns run defense put up about as much resistance as a matador last year and while it’s hard to say one player can fix an entire run defense new NT Danny Shelton is a nice start. The defense needs better play out of OLB Barkevious Mingo to complement Paul Kruger but if Mingo continues to disappoint rookie LB Nate Orchard could bring some pass rush off the edge. Free agent addition CB Tramon Williams should work well opposite Joe Haden but they still need second year man Justin Gilbert to shake off his terrible rookie year and lend a hand.

Biggest Off Season Move: Drafting NT Danny Shelton

Literally and figuratively Shelton was a big addition. A man that is 340 lbs. should not be as agile and athletic as Shelton but he is and he will make a major difference on this defense. Simply having to run around him will improve the run defense and he’ll occupy blockers making it easier on the linebackers. He is also a scary sight chasing a RB down the line of scrimmage but he will make plenty of plays that way too.

Player to Watch: QB Johnny Manziel

I debated putting RB Isaiah Crowell or OLB Barkevious Mingo here but it’s really all about Manziel. McCown is a stopgap and not a very good one at that. With an offense seriously lacking in playmakers they need Manziel to step up if they want a chance at winning games. The defense should be better but the offense scares no one except Browns fans.

Sleeper of the Season: Rookie OLB Nate Orchard

Orchard would probably be better suited to be a DE in a 4-3 defense but head coach Mike Pettine is a pretty smart defensive guy and he’ll find a way to use Orchard’s natural pass rushing skills. Barkevious Mingo is a terrific athlete that just lacks the natural instincts as a pass rusher so I think the Browns will turn to Orchard sooner rather than later.

I’m far more optimistic about the potential for a good season out of the Hawkeye defense than I am the offense.  The defensive line has some very good players led by DEs Drew Ott and Nate Meier.  While replacing starting DTs Carl Davis and Louis Trinca-Pasat won’t be easy Jaleel Johnson and Nathan Bazata bring a lot of talent and drive inside.  The secondary is led by three returning starters; CBs Desmond King and Greg Mabin and FS Jordan Lomax and an upgrade at SS with Miles Taylor taking over.  The performance of the defense will hinge on the play of the linebackers.  Last season the inexperience of the LB corps was evident again and again but there is talent there.  Three sophomores will start and they will need to play considerably better than they did last year.  Defensive Coordinator Phil Parker needs to be more creative like he was two years ago and less like he was last year with his play calling.  It will be easier given the playing experience this defense now has under its belt and he shouldn’t have to be so worried about inexperienced mistakes.

Defensive Line

The defensive line is interesting as last year’s line was built around DTs Davis and Trinca-Pasat while this year’s will be built around the strength of DEs Ott and Meier.  The depth behind Ott and Meier is suspect at this point because it’s made up of two redshirt freshmen Matt Nelson and Parker Hesse.  Much like Iowa’s offensive tackle position the Hawkeyes had some very lean years in recruiting at DE.  Having two seniors backed up by two redshirt freshmen means you have too many years in between where you’re devoid of talent.

Defensive End

Starters:  Drew Ott   Senior                                        Nate Meier   Senior

Backups:  Matt Nelson   Redshirt Freshman              Parker Hesse   Redshirt Freshman

Ott is a beast and has been an All-Big Ten selection so there are a lot of expectations for him in his senior year.  He’s big and powerful but he needs to refine his pass rushing technique and while he’s been solid against the run he could pick it up a bit there too.  Ott will be a marked man on this defense but he’s been in the lineup since his freshman year so there isn’t anything he hasn’t seen.  He could be a top notch NFL prospect if he lives up to his ability and shows improved pass rushing skills.

Meier has always been an undersized DE but he makes up for his lack of size with heart and a motor that never quits.  He was supposed to be a situational pass rusher last year but he was good enough to win the starting job outright and he proved very capable.  He loses battles when he gets overwhelmed by size but he never quits on a play and he’s usually in position.  Both Ott and Meier struggled at times last year against the outside running game and they need to do a good job of setting the edge and keeping the linebackers clean to make plays against the run.

Matt Nelson was a top flight prospect coming into Iowa last season and if he had been a bit bigger he may have seen playing time.  At 6’8 it has taken a lot of hard work and time for his body to catch up to his height so he didn’t look like he could be broken in half.  He is up to 270 lbs. and there is a good chance he is going to be a terror off the edge once he gets some experience.  Parker Hesse came to Iowa as a LB but made the move to DE last year after he grew out of the position and other LBs took over.  He is raw and undersized and the fact that he’s in the two-deeps doesn’t say much for the classes above him.

Hope for Health:  If the reports that Terrance Harris has moved inside to DT are true and he doesn’t end up at DE than the DE depth after the top 4 is made up of a senior that has never played a meaningful snap and three true freshmen.  Senior Melvin Spears isn’t going to do anything more than give someone a quick breather and even that’s a stretch.  True freshmen Anthony Nelson, Brady Reiff and Michael Slater are all undersized and need a redshirt year but if there are injuries at the position the Hawkeyes may have no choice but to call on one of them whether they are ready or not.

Defensive Tackle

Starters:  Jaleel Johnson   Junior                     Nathan Bazata   Sophomore

Backups:  Faith Ekakitie   Junior                    Kyle Terlouw   Junior

Johnson got playing time last season backing up Carl Davis and while he did plenty to show his ability he has very large shoes to fill.  Davis was an athletic big man that made plays all over the line while Johnson seems to be a bit more of an anchor.  That could be good news given Iowa’s poor run defense last season and perhaps Johnson’s less attacking style will keep him in position to stop the run.

Bazata fits the mold of Trinca-Pasat and also former Hawkeyes like Karl Klug, Mitch King and Matt Kroul.  Those are lofty standards to live up to and it’s a lot to ask for a guy that has never started before, he won’t be as productive as those guys eventually were, however, Bazata is that type of player, an undersized penetrating tackle that never quits and creates havoc on the interior.

Ekakitie is not as big as Johnson and he’s moved back and forth between DT and DE but he seems to have finally found a home on the interior.  He has good size and strength and he should help keep Johnson fresh.  Terlouw transferred to Iowa as a walk-on last year from Iowa Central Community College, he redshirted and then earned a spot in the two-deeps in the spring.  Iowa isn’t exactly teeming with talent inside but he did overtake Brant Gressel and apparently Terrence Harris for the spot.

The Future:  Luckily the Hawkeyes only have one senior DT and that is Darian Cooper who is still recovering from two micro-fracture knee surgeries and may never play again.  I say it’s lucky because they only recruited one true DT in Grady Jansen so restocking the position will have to wait for the 2016 recruiting class.

Linebackers

This position was a major issue last year as players shuffled around and the youth movement took over by the end of the season.  Josey Jewell and Bo Bower are two young and talented players that forced their way onto the field last year but both needed time to mature both mentally and physically.  Jewell was hampered early with an injury and Bower was moved here and there trying to find the best combination of players.  Ben Niemann was a true freshman that eventually started to get some time late in the year after only playing special teams early.  The coaches seem to have settled on who is going to play where and that is a big help.

Middle Linebacker

Starter:  Josey Jewell   Sophomore

Backup:  Travis Perry   Senior

Jewell can play all three LB positions but the coaches have finally decided he’s the best choice in the middle and I think they are right.  He’s a good athlete who is smart and he has a little more size than Bower so he should hold up better inside.  Quentin Alston was supposed to be the guy to replace James Morris last year but he struggled and even though Jewell moved all around and never really settled into a position he’ll be an upgrade over Alston’s play last year.

Travis Perry was a walk-on that earned a scholarship and he’s played multiple LB positions too but he’s never been great at any one in particular.  He’s a very good special team’s player that can hold his own if called upon.

Strongside (Outside) Linebacker

Starter:  Ben Niemann   Sophomore

Backup:  Cole Fisher   Senior

Niemann is new to the starting lineup but he brings length and athleticism to a position that needs it.  The Hawkeyes were abysmal at pass coverage by the linebackers last season and Niemann takes over the spot where he’ll have to cover TEs and some RBs out of the backfield.  He is a little taller and lankier then Bower or Jewell and he certainly can’t be any worse in coverage than they were last season.  Niemann played WR in high school so his understanding of the passing game should help him in coverage.

Fisher is another senior that has seen very little playing time on defense but has played on special teams.  He has plenty of practice time at LB and can fill in in a moment’s notice so he’s a valuable sub to have.

Weakside Linebacker

Starter:  Bo Bower   Sophomore

Backup:  Aaron Mends   Redshirt Freshman

Bower is the fast athletic type that Iowa really likes on the weakside.  He plays better in space and he has the speed and athleticism to chase a play down from behind.  He was moved around a bit last year like Jewell but his best position is on the weakside.  Bower was a walk-on his redshirt year but he earned a scholarship before last season and he’ll prove to be a very good linebacker in time and that time could come this year.

Mends redshirted last year and it took some conviction on the coaches’ part to not play him when he may have helped at LB and certainly would have helped on special teams.  Mends is a bit undersized which is why he is playing on the weakside where he will have room to roam.

The Future:  The Hawkeyes brought in four true freshmen LBs in this class; Jack Hockaday, Angelo Garbutt, Justin Jinning and Nick Wilson.  Much like Niemann last season it’s certainly a possibility that at least one of these players will play on special teams this year.  If I were a betting man I’d say Hockaday is the most likely and Garbutt is a close second.

*Redshirt freshman Jameer Outsey has moved to TE this year.  It’s likely he saw the glut of underclassmen at the position and the need for more depth at TE and made the switch. 

Defensive Backs

There is a very real chance Iowa has an embarrassment of riches at CB this year led by arguably the best CB in the Big Ten Desmond King.  King and Greg Mabin return as starters and are backed up by Reese Fleming and Sean Draper two very capable players.  Jalen Embry may have played last year as a true freshman if academic issues hadn’t kept him sidelined and now it looks like those are cleared up and he’s ready to get back on the field.  Omar Truitt is another talented redshirt freshman that may play CB or safety.  Miles Taylor thankfully takes over SS from John Lowdermilk while Jordan Lomax returns at FS.

Cornerback

Starters:  Desmond King   Junior                    Greg Mabin   Junior

Backups:  Reese Fleming   Sophomore           Sean Draper   Senior

I can certainly argue that Desmond King is the best CB in the Big Ten this year and it’s not a tough case to make.  He is powerful and physical and he has incredible instincts and coverage skills at his position.  He supports the run as well as any CB and the only down side to this upcoming season is that he is draft eligible after it’s over.  He locks down one side of the field and makes things easier on the entire defense.

Mabin won a three man race for the starting spot last year over Fleming and Draper even though he had less time at the position than either of them.  He played pretty well last season minus a few bumps in the road but they were almost all because he lacked experience.  He has fantastic athletic ability and he’s only going to get better.

Mabin has to continue to get better because the two guys backing up the position aren’t slouches either.  Reese Fleming and Sean Draper have starting caliber talent and if Mabin regresses at all either of them could step in and play in his place.  Fleming is a superior athlete that has been held back at times by injury and Draper has had some rough moments when he’s played but he can hold his own.

Jalen Embry is one of the most intriguing players on the roster because the coaches were ready to give him a chance to play last year until some academic issues made him ineligible.  The kid stuck around got his academics in order and now we may actually get to see him play.  That isn’t something you see a lot and it’s far more common for a guy to just give up and leave in a situation like that but Embry stuck around and that shows some solid character.  Omar Truitt is another interesting athlete that just needs to find where he fits best.

Strong Safety

Starter:  Miles Taylor   Sophomore

Backup:  Anthony Gair   Junior

Free Safety

Starter:  Jordan Lomax   Senior

Backup:  Brandon Snyder

The second biggest issue with last year’s defense (after the rough LB play) was the inability of John Lowdermilk to cover anyone.  The strong safety is usually one to attack the line of scrimmage but in today’s college game of spread offenses and multiple receiver sets the strong safety has to cover too.  Welcome Miles Taylor.  Taylor can come up and hit with the best of them but it’s his ability to cover just a little that will improve this defense.  He was in a dog fight with Brandon Snyder for this spot but he seems to have won it at this point.

Anthony Gair has been a backup in the two-deeps for several years now and he’s played a little and held his own.  The truth is he’s the fourth safety for now and he’s fine being that and playing some coverage teams.

Jordan Lomax is the leader of the secondary and has taken very well to his switch from CB to safety.  He should be even better paired with Taylor as they can both cover and tackle.  Lomax surprised me last season with his willingness to come up and hit people and he’s really taken to his leadership position as the senior of the group.

Brandon Snyder fought Taylor for the starting spot at SS but the truth is that he’s the backup at both positions, Phil Parker basically uses a third safety when he needs one and that will be Snyder.  He has the versatility to play both spots but he’ll get practice time at FS because the expectation is that he’ll take over for Lomax next year so getting him reps there now is good for the future.  Snyder is still a walk-on but if someone leaves the team during camp or if DT Darian Cooper can’t make it back from his injury issues my expectation is the first open scholarship will go to Snyder.

The Future:  Most of the future is going to have to come from the 2016 recruiting class because the Hawkeyes only brought in one safety in the 2015 class and that was Michael Ojemudia.  He is almost assuredly going to redshirt this season.

Punter

Connor Kornbrath is still on scholarship but he won’t be with the team, that’s addition by subtraction.  Dillon Kidd was just as inconsistent as Kornbrath last year but he’s still around and the hope is he can handle the job.  Placekicker Marshall Koehn has taken up punting and according to reports he’s looked pretty good so he very well could handle all kicking and punting duties if Kidd can’t get it together.