NFL
Three Teams To Look Out For This NFL Season
As the calendar rapidly flips to July, the NFL season is just around the corner. With most of the major offseason moves in the rear-view mirror, the 32 NFL rosters are taking shape.
With the season just a few months away, it’s time to highlight a few young teams that could rise to claim a playoff spot in 2018.
Through minicamp, recently signed rookies have gotten acclimated to their new teams and are ready for the upcoming season. In particular, the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers boast much-improved rosters.
With young talent acting as the focal point of these teams, their ceilings are incredibly high. In the 2018-19 season, these three young teams in particular are looking to surprise:
Browns Ready To Succeed
It’s safe to say that the Browns are tired of losing. Holders of the league’s longest playoff drought, Cleveland players and fans are in desperate need of a turnaround. At this point, Browns will do whatever they can to get another chance at the Lombardi and seize it.
No team made a bigger splash than the Browns this offseason, who made a plethora of moves for big money players. The biggest additions to the team were Damarious Randall, Tyrod Taylor, Carlos Hyde and Jarvis Landry.
The Browns also secured their long-term quarterback in Baker Mayfield. The Oklahoma superstar and Heisman winning quarterback will most likely play the understudy to Taylor until he is ready. It could be good for Baker considering he and Tyrod are both mobile, athletic quarterbacks who make their money off of scrambling in many cases. The Browns hope that Baker could eventually be the end of the Browns quarterback woes.
To pair with Taylor and Mayfield, the Browns receiving corps is looking more polished than ever. With Josh Gordon back from his suspension and Jarvis Landry joining via trade the Browns receiver corps got a huge boost. Joining them are second-year tight end David Njoku and third-year receiver Corey Coleman.
They are also developing a very young defense filled with potential. Jabrill Peppers (S), Denzel Ward (CB), Myles Garrett (DE), Joe Schobert (LB), and Emmanuel Ogbah (DE) all look to be key factors on defense. They also have veterans Jamie Collins (OLB), and new addition Mychal Kendricks (LB).
A key on defense this year will be one of their first-round draft picks, cornerback, Denzel Ward. An Ohio State product, Ward knows how to win and is ready to take this secondary to the next level.
49ers On The Come Up
The Niners are coming into this season with momentum. They finished off last season on a five-game winning streak thanks mostly to their new star QB Jimmy Garoppolo.
In the offseason, the young QB was rewarded with a blockbuster contract worth $127.5 mil across 5 years. After 3 seasons studying under Tom Brady, Jimmy G is ready to lead his own team to stardom.
The Niners also added talent around Garoppolo this offseason. Adding running back Jerrick Mckinnon and center Weston Richburg on big contracts have provided huge upgrades along the offense. The Niners also extended speedy WR Marquise Goodwin and OG Laken Tomlinson, for three years each, to shore up holes.
On the defensive side of the ball, they landed star corner Richard Sherman. The former Seahawk will help the 49ers rebound from a year where their defensive efficiency ranked 26th in the NFL. Reuben Foster is another impact player on the Niners defense. Receiving the 4th highest grade among linebackers in 2017 by Pro Football Focus, Foster is a beast. The duo of Sherman and Foster look to lead an upward trending defense in 2018.
With a new leader like Garoppolo, key pieces to throw the ball to, and a defense that is only growing there is no reason the 49ers don’t compete for a playoff spot this year.
Chargers Becoming A Threat
After a few years of stagnant play, it looks like the chargers are ready to cement themselves a spot in the win column. Each year their record is improving. In 2016 it was 5-11 and in 2017 it was 9-7.
This offseason the Chargers added star Florida State safety, Derwin James to their secondary. While surrendering the 3rd least passing yards per game last season, the Chargers are crafting an even stronger unit. After spending their first 5 draft picks of this year on the defensive side of the ball, it’s safe to say they are trying to create one of the game’s elite defenses.
On offense, the Chargers will see a huge boost as well. Getting back 2017 1st round wide receiver Mike Williams, will instantly improve the group. Williams alongside Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen will be a very dangerous combo, which should make it easy for Philip Rivers.
With elite players in the pass and the run plus a dangerous defense, the Chargers will be out for blood this season.
Browns, Niners, and Charges Look Poised For Big Seasons
By adding talent both via Free Agency and the Draft, the Browns, 49ers, and Chargers are huge contenders in 2018. With high-powered offenses and lock-down defenses, these squads have the tools to play into January. Fueled by young stars and established veterans, each of these teams have the building blocks for sustained success in today’s NFL. Make sure to keep an eye open for these teams come football season or you might miss their rise to greatness.
This article was originally written by former TSJ101SPORTS writer
