Tag: espn rankings

Ravens named major contenders in ESPN tier-based rankings for all 32 NFL teams

The Baltimore Ravens were named major contenders in an ESPN overhaul tier-based ranking of all 32 NFL teams

The Ravens were the NFL’s best team during the 2023 regular season but fell short of a Super Bowl appearance after a 17-10 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Chiefs.

With the NFL combined and free agency’s fast approach, ESPN took an early look at the trajectory for all 32 teams, ranking clubs around the league in tiers based on their potential for success in the future.

Baltimore landed atop the list, earning the label of “major contender” from Jeremy Fowler.

Baltimore Ravens (13-4)
Average age of roster: 27.2
Salary cap space: minus-$0.6 million
Total 2024 draft picks (projected): 8

What’s next: Baltimore is plug and play. The Ravens have just about everything they need to make another run. A major decision looms on defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, one of the most coveted free agents after a 13-sack season. Baltimore typically lets free agents test the market, but he would be gone fast absent the franchise tag or a long-term deal. Some personnel people inside the league believe the Ravens will target a running back with pedigree in free agency. Baltimore has a few tough salary cap decisions but should be able to keep most of its veteran base intact.

The Ravens are stacked on both sides of the football but will have decisions to make at the wide receiver, running back, offensive line, pass rusher and safety positions.

The two biggest storylines will center on Justin Madubuike’s potential franchise tag and Patrick Queen’s potential exit for a significant deal in free agency.

Where Texas lands in ESPN’s top 25 college football power rankings

Texas cracks the top 10 in ESPN’s initial college football power rankings for the 2023 season.

We’re a little over a week away from the 2023 college football season. Continue reading “Where Texas lands in ESPN’s top 25 college football power rankings”

Eagles’ Darius Slay lands in the top 5 of CB rankings from NFL execs, coaches and players

Philadelphia #Eagles star Darius Slay lands in the top 5 of an ESPN CB rankings featuring surveys and votes rom NFL execs, coaches and players

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Darius Slay is still an Eagle after negotiating a two-year contract extension after it was initially assumed that he’d be released or traded.

An All-Pro and Pro Bowl talent, Slay is the pulse of Philadelphia’s secondary and a highly respected player.

That respect is evident in Jeremy Fowler’s annual cornerback rankings for ESPN, where NFL executives, coaches, and players placed Slay firmly in the top 5.

5. Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 32 | Last year’s ranking: Honorable mention

Slay returns to the top five for the first time since 2020 after a banner year for Philadelphia.

He embodied the Eagles’ tough attitude on defense with three interceptions and an 18.7% ball-hawk rate.

“I think he was better because he was allowed to match wide receivers on both sides of the field and truly fulfilled those No. 1 corner duties,” an NFL pro scouting lieutenant said.

Slay has broken up 133 passes over the past 10 seasons, more than any player in that span.

“He’s always the forgotten guy in that top group of corners, but he’s been a benchmark, honestly,” an AFC personnel evaluator said. “His game has held up really well. Can still really run, physical, wants the big matchup, always consistent.”

The perception was that Big Play Slay slowed down as the season progressed, but he’s still dominant among the NFL’s elite.

Slay allowed 54.7% of passes thrown into his coverage to be caught during the regular season and let up fewer than 25 yards in his three playoff games.

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Wisconsin class of 2024 tight end ranked in top 5 of ESPN list

Grant Stec, a four-star tight end and class of 2024 Badger commit from Illinois was ranked as the fourth best at his position by ESPN.

Grant Stec, a four-star tight end and class of 2024 Badger commit from Algonquin, Illinois was ranked as the fourth at his position in the country by ESPN. The 6-foot-6, 220 pound athlete committed to Wisconsin in late January, becoming the first pass-catcher to join the program for 2024.

Stec is a multiple sport athlete, playing both football and basketball at Jacobs High School back home and his junior season was his first with the football team. He recorded 17 catches for 300 yards and three touchdowns while playing in six games this year.

His unique size offers Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo a unique long-term weapon for incoming four-star quarterback Mabrey Mettauer (The Woodlands, Texas) next season and beyond.

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Badger commit ranked in top 5 of ESPN quarterback list

Mabrey Mettauer, a four-star class of 2024 quarterback and future Badger was ranked the the fifth best dual threat QB in the country by ESPN.

Mabrey Mettauer, a four-star class of 2024 quarterback and future Badger was ranked the the fifth best dual threat QB in the country by ESPN. The 6-foot-5, 215 pound athlete committed to Wisconsin in December and is one of the highest rated recruits in program history.

Mettauer fits the bill of being from Texas considering he is one of the larger quarterbacks in the nation, playing his high school ball in The Woodlands. In his junior season, he finished with 2621 passing yards and 32 touchdowns while also adding 613 yards and seven scores on the ground.

He is truly shaping up to be a potential generational player for new head coach Luke Fickell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo in Madison.

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ESPN lists the ceiling, floor and biggest variable for Texas football in 2023

Texas has a ceiling of 11-1 according to Bill Connelly.

Bill Connelly of ESPN recently listed the floor, ceiling and biggest variable for each Top 25 college football team for the 2023 season. Continue reading “ESPN lists the ceiling, floor and biggest variable for Texas football in 2023”

Where Wisconsin lands in ESPN’s 2023 ‘way-too-early’ top teams in college football

Where do the Badgers stand?

Wisconsin football has reloaded for 2023, and it started at the top. The Badgers’ new head coach Luke Fickell has retooled the quarterback room, brought in a number of Cincinnati transfers from his old stomping grounds, and hired completely new offensive and defensive staff.

Immediately following Georgia’s takedown of TCU, ESPN posted their way-too-early top 35 teams in the country, with Wisconsin just outside of the top 25.

Unsurprisingly, the Georgia Bulldogs started at No. 1 in ESPN’s list. Fresh off of their second consecutive national championship, the Bulldogs are expected to return 12 starters, 6 on each side of the ball.

Where did the other Big Ten powerhouses land? Here is a look:

Two Texas players among ESPN’s top impact transfers this season

ESPN ranked the top 50 impact transfers, Quinn Ewers isn’t the highest ranked Texas player.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff added several talented playmakers to the roster this offseason via the NCAA transfer portal. Continue reading “Two Texas players among ESPN’s top impact transfers this season”

Where Miles Sanders landed in an ESPN ranking of the NFL’s top 10 running backs for 2022

Where Philadelphia Eagles’ explosive star Miles Sanders landed in an ESPN ranking of the NFL’s top 10 running backs for 2022

Miles Sanders is one of the more talented running backs in the NFL and if Nick Sirianni can properly utilize the former Penn State star, 2022 could be a record-setting season.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler just released his rankings for the top-10 running backs in the NFL and despite missing out on a coveted spot, Sanders did receive some votes.

Derrick Henry landed the top spot on the list again, followed by Jonathan Taylor (Colts), Nick Chubb (Browns), Dalvin Cook (Vikings), and Alvin Kamara (Saints) to round out the top five.

Joe Mixon (Bengals), Christian McCaffrey (Panthers), Najee Harris (Steelers), Aaron Jones (Packers), and Javonte Williams (Broncos) rounded out the top 10.

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Texas among ESPN’s top remaining quarterback battles in college football

Texas’ Hudson Card and Quinn Ewers are amid one of the most interesting quarterback battles in the country.

The Texas quarterback battle this offseason between Quinn Ewers and Hudson Card is one of the most publicized competitions in the country. Continue reading “Texas among ESPN’s top remaining quarterback battles in college football”