Did the NFL landscape change now that the draft is over?

[RunKC]

With FA and the draft completed, it still feels like it’s the same as last year.

Chiefs
Bills
Ravens

Think there are some changes below that though. Chargers got better than the Texans IMO. To me 3 teams improved massively: the Bears, Patriots and Raiders…Titans got a little better with Ward coming in. Of course all of those teams were at the bottom so they aren’t SB contenders by any means. Do think the Bears and Patriots will both likely make the playoffs this year.

Bengals draft sucked ass to me so no change there. Broncos got a bit better but are still a 7th seed, maybe 6th at best.

One thing is certain for me: if Josh Simmons or Jaylon Moore give us credible LT play this team is absolutely going back to the SB. No doubt in my mind.

[SHOWTIME]

Originally Posted by TwistedChief

I don't think the Patriots are a problem at all, but you're way off if you think Drake Maye looks like the 4th of 5th best QB in last year's draft. He's at worst 3rd and very likely 2nd, and he did it all with a much worse supporting cast than any of the others.

He's behind Caleb, Daniels, and Nix at the very least and maybe behind Penix. That would make him the 4th best QB in last year's class at best.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by kccrow

The Patriots may have had the best overall draft of any team this year, especially in relation to filling needs with high-end players.

Best LT with Campbell
Best OC with Wilson
Most explosive RB with Henderson
Dynamic Z/Slot WR with Williams
A steal at DT with Farmer

Those guys might all start.

Woodson can play FS and NB, great depth player
Swinson on the Edge feels like another steal.

They put another draft like that together next year, they'll be a serious contender again

They’re gonna push Buffalo this year. Vrabel is many things but one thing he is great at is defense. He’s gonna make you work for yards.

They are getting back Barmore who is a top 10 DT. That alone is gonna be a huge help. But man they added a bunch of good ass football players. Milton Williams, Harold Landry, Robert Spillane, Carlton Davis and Morgan Mosses.

The big question was their OL and weapons and they really got some good ones. They had one of the best drafts in my eyes.

[SHOWTIME]

Originally Posted by RunKC

They’re gonna push Buffalo this year. Vrabel is many things but one thing he is great at is defense. He’s gonna make you work for yards.

They are getting back Barmore who is a top 10 DT. That alone is gonna be a huge help. But man they added a bunch of good ass football players. Milton Williams, Harold Landry, Robert Spillane, Carlton Davis and Morgan Mosses.

The big question was their OL and weapons and they really got some good ones. They had one of the best drafts in my eyes.

Vrabel hasn't proven anything as a HC yet (54-45 record). And their offense doesn't look much better than last year. Defensively, yes, they look much better. Offensively, they are the same for the most part. What weapons do they have that you are afraid of? a 31 year old Diggs?

[kccrow]

I think you guys are seriously underestimating Drake Maye. He basically had 10 games of real playing time, and what he did in those 10 games works out to extrapolate to about 3800 yards and 26 TDs if he plays 17 full games. He did that with the absolute worst offensive line, the worst receiving corps in football, and a subpar overall supporting running game. Maye will have way better protection and a few more weapons at his disposal.

Nobody is claiming they are a playoff contender this year, but Maye is going to be a solid QB, and they will be on the ascent. That defense looks to be improved as well. Vrabel might not be the greatest HC of all time, but he does win games, and he usually has his squad competing for a playoff spot. If he can win with Tannehill, he can win with Maye.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by kccrow

I think you guys are seriously underestimating Drake Maye. He basically had 10 games of real playing time, and what he did in those 10 games works out to extrapolate to about 3800 yards and 26 TDs if he plays 17 full games. He did that with the absolute worst offensive line, the worst receiving corps in football, and a subpar overall supporting running game. Maye will have way better protection and a few more weapons at his disposal.

Nobody is claiming they are a playoff contender this year, but Maye is going to be a solid QB, and they will be on the ascent. That defense looks to be improved as well. Vrabel might not be the greatest HC of all time, but he does win games, and he usually has his squad competing for a playoff spot. If he can win with Tannehill, he can win with Maye.

Maye's ability to be effective and productive when things weren't great is a good indicator, for me.

I'd much rather bet on college players like him and Mahomes, who didn't have every advantage possible at their college program. There are a lot of QBs who can look like world-beaters when their team is way more talented than the ones they play on a consistent basis, but guys from less-advantaged programs learn more lessons they need to succeed in the NFL, IMO...

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by kccrow

I think you guys are seriously underestimating Drake Maye. He basically had 10 games of real playing time, and what he did in those 10 games works out to extrapolate to about 3800 yards and 26 TDs if he plays 17 full games. He did that with the absolute worst offensive line, the worst receiving corps in football, and a subpar overall supporting running game. Maye will have way better protection and a few more weapons at his disposal.

Nobody is claiming they are a playoff contender this year, but Maye is going to be a solid QB, and they will be on the ascent. That defense looks to be improved as well. Vrabel might not be the greatest HC of all time, but he does win games, and he usually has his squad competing for a playoff spot. If he can win with Tannehill, he can win with Maye.

I agree. But it's hard to extrapolate garbage time to real wins. The whole Brother****ing Cheatriot ****bag season was garbage time. I mean, it's no different for Caleb, or even Pennix, so whatever, not an argument I'm trying to make.

If they can make things harder for Buffalo all the better, but FFS will the NFC do something? Anything? Christ.

[SHOWTIME]

Originally Posted by kccrow

I think you guys are seriously underestimating Drake Maye. He basically had 10 games of real playing time, and what he did in those 10 games works out to extrapolate to about 3800 yards and 26 TDs if he plays 17 full games. He did that with the absolute worst offensive line, the worst receiving corps in football, and a subpar overall supporting running game. Maye will have way better protection and a few more weapons at his disposal.

Nobody is claiming they are a playoff contender this year, but Maye is going to be a solid QB, and they will be on the ascent. That defense looks to be improved as well. Vrabel might not be the greatest HC of all time, but he does win games, and he usually has his squad competing for a playoff spot. If he can win with Tannehill, he can win with Maye.

With Maye as the starter, the Pats went from picking 3rd overall in the draft to 4th overall...

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by SHOWTIME

With Maye as the starter, the Pats went from picking 3rd overall in the draft to 4th overall...

They had arguably the worst coach in the NFL as well as one of the worst talented teams.

[Jerm]

Originally Posted by SHOWTIME

Vrabel hasn't proven anything as a HC yet (54-45 record). And their offense doesn't look much better than last year. Defensively, yes, they look much better. Offensively, they are the same for the most part. What weapons do they have that you are afraid of? a 31 year old Diggs?

What?

Adding Diggs, Henderson, and Kyle Williams alone puts them light years above their offense last year….

[SHOWTIME]

Look I know we are all hoping the Pats give Buffalo a run for their money, but New England is what the Broncos are to our division. In the AFCW, as long as Mahomes and Reid reign supreme, Denver has no shot at a division title. Same thing in the AFCE with Josh Allen and the Bills - the Pats cannot compete. Maybe they can contend for a wild card spot in a few years, once they sort out their offensive line.