Tag: top 10

Paulson Adebo missed the cut for ESPN’s top corners list, but Marshon Lattimore didn’t

Paulson Adebo missed the cut for ESPN’s list of the top cornerbacks, but Marshon Lattimore still has a strong reputation despite missing time with injuries:

Who are the best cornerbacks in the NFL? ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler set out to answer that by polling nearly 80 team executives, coaches, and scouts to rank their top 10 players at the position. And while New Orleans Saints corner Paulson Adebo didn’t make the list, his teammate Marshon Lattimore was included as an honorary mention.

Here’s what Fowler’s sources told him about Lattimore:

Across 90 games, Lattimore has recorded 66 pass breakups, 15 interceptions and 5 forced fumbles. “Still love the physicality and the man-coverage traits but he’s no longer an ascending player and he’s missed a lot of time in recent years,” an NFL personnel evaluator said.

A couple of freak accidents forced Lattimore to miss a lot of time — he suffered a lacerated kidney in 2022 and an injured ankle in 2023 that sidelined him for 17 games over the last two years. But he’s still a highly respected talent. There aren’t many corners with his combination of football acumen, overall athleticism, and playmaking ability.

Still, it’s a little surprising to see Adebo not receive a single vote. He was arguably the Saints’ best defensive back last season, having recovered well from a 2022 campaign derailed by injuries and penalties. He tied for the team lead with four interceptions, and his 18 passes defensed were most on the team by a healthy margin. Adebo also forced a pair of fumbles with two recoveries. He’s peaking at the right time with free agency coming up in 2025.

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Demario Davis returns to ESPN’s top-10 linebacker rankings yet again

Demario Davis returned to ESPN’s top-10 linebacker rankings. His proficiency in rushing the passer sets him apart from his peers:

Most NFL players don’t hit their prime at 30 years old. Demario Davis is not most NFL players. That’s why the New Orleans Saints linebacker finds himself on ESPN’s rankings of the top-10 off-ball linebackers in the game yet again at age 35. ESPN’s list is sourced from “nearly 80” voters around the NFL, including everyone from general managers to coaches and scouts.

Davis was a first team All-Pro player in 2019, a year after coming to New Orleans. It was the first All-Pro team of his career, and he’s been a second team All Pro every year after that. His streak sits at five consecutive All-Pro seasons. This is all after the age of 30.

Davis dropped from No. 5 to 8 on the list this year, but he remains praised for his ability to rush the passer. It’s this part of his game that separates him from his peers of position and age.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler cited an AFC assistant coach who praised Davis’ “inline pass-rush ability.” That same coach added, “you probably want him out of coverage on third downs at this stage, but he’s better than those other guys at getting pressure,”

Davis is human, so he may not be the same athlete in coverage, but his aggression moving forward is a new facet of his game that has greatly benefitted the Saints defense. Davis registered a career-high 6.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons. Interestingly, he has actually blitzed less frequently in that time frame, but he’s been more effective. When the Saints send him after the quarterback he finds ways to get home.

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Derek Carr misses the cut for ESPN’s list of the 18 top quarterbacks

ESPN polled dozens of NFL personnel to rank the game’s best quarterbacks, but Derek Carr didn’t receive a single vote. 18 other passers did:

Yikes. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has been busy polling personnel around the NFL on their top-10 rankings at every position, seeking feedback from general managers, coaches, and scouts alike. And of the “nearly 80 voters” he spoke with, not a single one was willing to rank Derek Carr among the game’s best quarterbacks.

Between the top-10 list, six honorable mentions, and two other quarterbacks receiving votes, there were 18 passers highlighted by ESPN’s rankings. And the New Orleans Saints’ $150 million man was not among them.

Carr has been on a decline in these annual rankings, frequently appearing as an honorable mention but never cracking the top-10. He was listed at 12th in both 2021 and 2022 but slipped down a few spots in 2023. And this summer there wasn’t anyone willing to put his name on their ballot:

  • 2024: Not listed
  • 2023: 14th
  • 2022: 12th
  • 2021: 12th
  • 2020: 16th

It’s not hard to figure out why. Carr’s version of the Saints offense was hard to watch last season. Outside of constant checkdowns to Alvin Kamara and the occasional deep shot to Rashid Shaheed, it wasn’t very entertaining. Much of that is on the poor play-calling from Pete Carmichael and mediocre pass protection, but there’s enough blame to go around. Carr just didn’t play well enough last season. He missed too many open receivers and opportunities for big plays and wilted under pressure.

Can he improve in 2024? Of course he can. The Saints have done what they can to help him out. Klint Kubiak is calling plays now and he’s shown a willingness to emphasize the things Carr does well that Carmichael hesitated to embrace, like a heavier reliance on play action passes and more innovative run designs. Pre-snap motion was an afterthought in New Orleans while the NFL’s best offenses were leaning on it hard. Carr’s situation at least looks on paper much better than it did a year ago.

But it’s ultimately up to to him. Carr must step up and prove he can lead the Saints to the playoffs after coming up short last season. We did see some growth from him especially in the red zone once the Saints made it a point to rehearse their reps in scoring position late in 2023. He finished the year with a ton of momentum. That must carry over to a fast start inn 2024. If it doesn’t, not appearing in offseason rankings like this one at ESPN will be the least of his worries in 2025.

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Alvin Kamara snubbed from ESPN’s top-10 running backs rankings

Is Alvin Kamara still a top-10 running back? The anonymous NFL coaches, scouts, and executives that ESPN polled don’t think so:

One of the more interesting exercises ESPN runs each summer is polling dozens of NFL personnel to rank different position groups, speaking with sources ranging from general managers and team executives to position coaches and regional scouts. It gives us a great idea of how players are perceived around the league, highlighting those whose stars are rising and others who may be growing dim.

And the first entry in this year’s series feels like a slight to Alvin Kamara. The New Orleans Saints running back won the team’s touchdowns record in 2023, but his contract is set up for the team to cut him in 2025 and he’s understandably pushing for an extension in 2024. But how much money that may cost the team is a sticking-point. We don’t know what kind of offers Kamara might find on the open market, but as far as ESPN’s sources around the league are concerned, he isn’t a top-10 player at his position.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler shared the top-10 rankings his voters decided on, and Kamara didn’t make the cut. He wasn’t even the first honorable mention (or the second, third, or fourth). Here’s more from Fowler’s piece:

Kamara has been a fixture in the top 10, ranking as high as No. 2 in 2021, but Kamara’s production has been less efficient in recent seasons. He has averaged 3.87 yards per carry since 2021, which is good enough for 830 yards per season. “He might have hit a wall a little bit,” an NFL running backs coach said. “He’s still a great all-purpose back and can run all the different schemes, has burst and contact. But the production hasn’t been there. Though I think [offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s] system will be really good for him.”

It’s true that Kamara’s numbers have fallen off. He’s averaged fewer yards per carry but more rushing attempts per game than we saw earlier in his career as the Saints lean on him more and more, and the sky-high scoring output we saw with Drew Brees leading the huddle hasn’t resurfaced while the Saints looked for Brees’ replacement. Between a massive downgrade at quarterback, a deteriorating offensive line, and subpar play calling Kamara hasn’t gotten much support and his production reflects that.

But as Fowler’s source said, there’s reason for optimism in 2024. A modernized offense with Kubiak calling plays will do so much for a playmaker like Kamara. If the offensive line’s youth movement pays off with younger, more athletic blockers like Taliese Fuaga, Nick Saldiveri, and even Trevor Penning finding their way, that makes Kamara’s life easier, too. And we can’t say that Derek Carr won’t throw him the football (Kamara’s 5.8 receptions per game last year tied his career-high). The question is whether Carr can put him in a more advantageous position rather than just check it down when under pressure.

Hopefully Kamara turns it around. But he’s reaching that age and state of wear and tear that tends to separate good running backs from the greats.

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Chiefs celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with video of top-10 Mahomes plays from 2024

The #Chiefs celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by sharing videos of Patrick Mahomes’ top highlights from Kansas City’s 2023 Super Bowl campaign.

The Kansas City Chiefs had no shortage of highlight plays during their 2023 Super Bowl LVIII campaign. Players like Trent McDuffie, L’Jarius Sneed, Isiah Pacheco, and Travis Kelce made their mark in the team’s latest championship season.

But Super Bowl LVIII MVP Patrick Mahomes was undeniably Kansas City’s most impactful contributor, and on St. Patrick’s Day, the Chiefs took to Twitter to celebrate his efforts with this video of his top-10 plays from 2023:

While Mahomes might not be the namesake of the Irish-themed holiday, there is never a bad time to re-live the magical moments that he created on the gridiron last season en route to winning his third Super Bowl ring.

Without him, Kansas City may have faltered in the playoffs or even fallen victim to a late-season skid and missed the postseason altogether.

One thing is certain: There is never a bad time to watch Mahomes’ top plays, especially on a holiday that bears his first name.

Sooners Soaring: Fox College Football’s Joel Klatt includes Oklahoma in top 10 after week 6

The Oklahoma Sooners earned a huge win over Texas and Fox College Sports’ Joel Klatt thrusted OU into his top 10 after week 6.

Through the first five weeks of the season, there was a hesitancy from the national media regarding the Oklahoma Sooners.

Coming off the season they had in 2022, many folks had adjusted expectations for the Sooners.

Through six games and coming off a win over Texas, the Sooners are beginning to look like a tough, hard-nosed Brent Venables team.

Each week, Fox Sports College Football’s Joel Klatt updates his top 10. After Week 6 action, here’s a look at Klatt’s top 10.

FOX Sports NFL ranks Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes as league’s top signal caller

FOX Sports NFL recently ranked #Chiefs signal-caller Patrick Mahomes as the league’s top quarterback ahead of the 2023 season.

Preseason accolades have already started piling up for Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who was ranked as Fox Sports NFL’s top signal called in the league ahead of the 2023 season on Wednesday.

This should come as no surprise to fans given that Mahomes is the league’s reigning MVP and has a shiny new Super Bowl ring to show for his efforts in 2022. It seems that the soon-to-be 28-year-old quarterback is leaps and bounds ahead of any competition he might have for the superlative title of “NFL’s best” given his production and ability to win games on the biggest stage.

For his part, though, Mahomes seems to be entering the 2023 season with the same underdog mentality that motivated him to find success in years past. He and the Chiefs will have a massive target on their backs as they endeavor to defend their Super Bowl LVII championship, and it will take another stellar campaign for Mahomes to end the season atop FOX’s Sports NFL’s best quarterback list in February 2024 after the playoffs.

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ESPN: Chargers fail to land a wide receiver in top-10

None of the Chargers’ veteran wide receivers managed to crack ESPN’s top-10 list.

The Chargers wide receiver corps looks to be one of the strongest parts of the team’s roster ahead of their 2023 campaign. Still, a recent survey of NFL bigwigs revealed that decision-makers around the league aren’t so bullish on the group.

Neither Keenan Allen nor Mike Williams managed to crack ESPN’s top-10 receiver rankings based on the review’s results in a surprising turn of events that will give the veterans fodder to claim that they are underrated in NFL circles.

The same survey found that quarterback Justin Herbert ranked behind Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers earlier in the week, so results from the poll are to be taken with a grain of salt.

If the Chargers’ veteran pass catchers weren’t already motivated to step up their game in 2023 after Los Angeles provided them with competition in April’s draft, the results of this survey are sure to give them plenty of reason to prove their doubters wrong when the regular season starts

Here’s what NFL execs, coaches and players think of Chiefs’ interior offensive line

The #Chiefs were the only team in the NFL to have two interior offensive linemen make ESPN’s annual top-10 list.

ESPN has continued to unveil its annual top-10 lists from reporter and analyst Jeremy Fowler.

The latest poll of NFL executives, coaches and players identifies the Kansas City Chiefs interior offensive line group as perhaps the best in the league. They were the only team to have two players make the top-10 list. They also had a third player appear in the honorable mentions.

Here’s a quick look at where Chiefs players rank on the list, along with the information that anonymous execs, coaches and players told Fowler:

Here’s what NFL execs, coaches and players think of Chiefs TE Travis Kelce

#Chiefs TE Travis Kelce wasn’t the undisputed best in ESPN’s top-10 rankings, but he did receive more first-place votes than ever before.

Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce undeniably had the best tight end season in the NFL in 2022.

He had 24 more receptions than the next closest player and over 400 more receiving yards. His 12 touchdowns were the most by a tight end in the NFL on the year. Frankly, his numbers stacked up better against those at the wide receiver position than they do against those playing tight end.

In a poll of NFL decision-makers and players from ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler, there was finally some agreement that Kelce was all alone at the top.

“For three years, many league evaluators clung to believe that George Kittle was a better tight end than Travis Kelce because of his all-around game,” Fowler wrote. “A major shift happened this year, with Kelce receiving a whooping 84% of first-place votes”

For the past several years, Kelce fell squarely at the No. 2 spot after 49ers TE George Kittle, mainly because of some silly narrative around blocking ability. Kelce is not listed as the undisputed best as he should be, but he’s still first in the top-10 rankings. It is perplexing that he received a third-place vote this year, as I’m not sure you could successfully argue that there were two better tight ends in the NFL last season.

At the same time, the anonymous NFL sources quoted in this one seemed to be in awe of Kelce’s game and how it has evolved throughout his career.

“You got to see a different element of his game last year as the focal point of the offense with Tyreek Hill gone, with an appreciation and respect for what he does,” an AFC personnel evaluator told Fowler. “He can take over a game.”

Another veteran NFL scout likened Kelce to NBA star Stephen Curry for his longevity and playstyle.

“He has that Steph Curry thing, like, how long can be he an All-Pro? He ages well because his game is not predicated on speed,” they said.

Everyone seems to wonder when father time will catch up to Kelce, but he’s insistent on playing until the wheels fall off. 2022 marked his seventh consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season. He’s shown no signs of slowing down in terms of his production and play.

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