AFC Players to Watch

With the regular season just around the corner here's one player to keep your eye on for each AFC team.

Bengals: Carl Lawson

Carl Lawson got BIG through the summer! Sometimes things like this are just off season hype, how many times do we hear coaches say, “X player is in the best shape of his life”? All the time, right? This is different.

The Bengals pass rusher packed on some serious muscle this off season with pictures from last season and this showing a huge difference. Of course, the worry when players do this is always that they lose speed but through the preseason Lawson has been terrorizing defensive linemen and getting to the QB on a regular basis.

So why should you watch him?

Lawson lead all rookies last season with 8.5 sacks and was only one sack being Geno Atkins for the best of the Bengals squad. I'm betting he goes out and gets double digits fairly comfortably and is a constant menace off the edge in 2018.

Ravens: Joe Flacco

When the Ravens trades back into the first round to land Lamar Jackson, Joe Flacco couldn't have been impressed. Anytime a team spends a first round pick on a quarterback, they're expecting him to be their franchise guy at some point. Couple that with the fact the current starter is getting up there in age and we have an impending quarterback controversy.

Joe Flacco has been living off his Superbowl win for a while now and the respect it brought him from the organisation. However his level just hasn't been good enough since then and it's meant that the Ravens have lacked that driving force on their offense, that player that elevates those around him. Flacco also got PAID off the back of the Superbowl but everyone knows that the fashion in the NFL now is to have a top QB on a rookie deal and splash those dollars elsewhere.

So why should you watch him?

The simple question of, how long can Flacco hold off Lamar Jackson? Baltimore want Jackson to be the starter at some point but will that come this season or next? It'll be fascinating to watch a guy fight for his career even if it's fascinating in the same way that the Romans went to watch gladiators fight knowing that they'll see some guy die.

Steelers: Le’Veon Bell

It's possibly (probably) Le’Veon Bell’s final season in black and gold due to a long and drawn out contract dispute so I am sure he will want to put himself in the shop window for potential buyers for next season.

Pittsburgh will probably want to squeeze as much juice out of their star running back as possible too. I fully expect Bell to accrue 400+ touches this season because of this.

So why should you watch him?

Because the killer B’s final tour is going to contain fireworks. With Ben Roethlisberger aging and Bell (probably) wearing another uniform next season, Pittsburgh's Superbowl window is narrowing. I expect the Steelers to go all out in what could be their last chance at glory for a few years. Furthermore, it's going to have to be powered by the offense because the defense looks like it could be problematic.

So sit back and wait for the scoreboard to light up over at Heinz Field.

Browns: Josh Gordon

I, for one, am rooting for Josh Gordon this season. I think he's come back and realised this is his final, final chance to take advantage of the insane talents that he possesses. I also feel like he is approaching this season with a lot of humility and self-awareness, evident in the fact he took himself away from football during the pre season in an attempt to stay on the right track.

So why should you watch him?

So I also happen to think the Browns are going to be pretty good this year. I think they now have a really talented roster and Gordon is most definitely one of their stars. Gordon has had success when Cleveland have struggled in the past but now there's plenty of other talent to take the defense’s attention away. Don't forget that Gordon has lead the NFL in yardage before and although he was away from the game for a long time, on last year's evidence he stayed in shape and hasn't missed a beat. Don't be shocked if it happens again.

Titans: Harold Landry

I was shocked when Harold Landry fell out of the first round of the draft back in the spring. I had him down as the second best edge rusher in the class. So I was absolutely triggered when the Saints traded next year's first round pick to go up and take Marcus Davenport but that's another story altogether.

Back to Landry; he's got great speed and bend off the edge and he just knows how to get to the quarterback. That's something that's really difficult to quantify but it's also a rare trait and pretty important as a pass rusher.

Landry didn't put up great numbers for Boston College last season but he was carrying a nagging ankle injury which inhibited his flexibility when turning corners, which probably hurt his draft stock, however...

So why should you watch him?

Well if you watch his 2016 tape, where he got 16.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss as a junior, that'd be a good place to start. What's more, Landry is looking like that version of himself in a Titans uniform, so whilst everyone is looking at Bradley Chubb as a rookie rusher, keep your eye out for the Titans number 58.

Texans: DeShaun Watson

Prior to going down with an ACL injury last year, Watson was a popular pick for offensive rookie if the year amongst fans. Fortunately ACL injuries aren't what they used to be so now that Watson is back fully healthy, fans should be able to witness Watson back at the peak of his powers.

Bill O’Brien’s team are once again a popular pick for a playoff spot in a stacked division and if those predictions are going to come to fruition it's going to take some top quarterback play.

So why should you watch him?

Well there's a reason why DeShaun Watson was a rookie if the year candidate; he's exciting to watch and that's not really been said about any Texans QB for a long while, if ever, over an extended period of time.

Watson has got the big arm, big game mentality, great leaders and he's athletic enough to make plays with his legs too.

Also, if Jalen Ramsey is to be believed, Watson is going to be duking it out with Carson Wentz for the league MVP title for the next few years.

Jaguars: Jalen Ramsey

Speak of the devil… how could I not advise you to watch the man who likes to be heard?! He is box office.

Jalen Ramsey can often been seen running alongside the guy he's guarding, with his mouthpiece flailing in the breeze, hanging off his face mask. There's little reason to where it when you're always talking, I guess…

The chirping and trash talking isn't for everyone but I love it. I love players a with a chip on their shoulder… as long as they have the play to back it up. Yes, Ramsey says silly things that aren't necessarily true but it's not his job to do so. He's a player not a writer or analyst, he's out there playing football, he's not a guardian of facts.

So why should you watch him?

Well, he's the best corner in the league, playing on one of the better teams in the AFC. He's entertaining on and off the field… I mean, why wouldn't you watch him? You'd even watch him if he was erasing your favourite team's wide receiver out of the game. He's that good.

Colts: Andrew Luck

Is Andrew Luck’s shoulder back to full strength? Is he going to be able to take hits? Is he going to be able to put the Colts on his back and carry them to a competitive wins total?

Well, so far so good on the first two through the preseason, not so sure on the last question but if he doesn't I don't think that'll be Luck’s fault.

I'm sure all Colts fans just want the best possible version of Andrew Luck on the field and hopefully that's what we'll see.

So why should you watch him?

Well, if you're a Colts fan it's going to get you excited about your team again after a couple of down years. This roster was absolutely destroyed during the Ryan Grigson era but a healthy number 12 can paper over a lot of those cracks whilst the team recovers and rebuilds.

Patriots: Tom Brady

From one great 12 to another. The man that some people call the GOAT is always the center of attention in New England.

I feel like it could be one last farewell tour for Brady this season which probably means TB12 will be more locked in than ever. When it comes to protecting his legacy, Brady is not matched on the football field. Just think about how he played in the 12 games after his deflategate suspension… I feel like it's going to be like that, but maybe better (or worse, depending on the views on Brady/The Patriots).

So why should you watch him?

No matter your opinion on Tom Brady, the NFL is going to be worse without him. Well, unless your someone who hates endless memes on social media… I guess we'll always have to put up with Cowboys memes, but anyway I digress.

Brady will once again to trying to win with no start receiver and without the first round running back or tackle that the team just acquired. Although with Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels in his corner, it barely e we matters. The Patriots scheme their way down the field and win by giving their opponent a thousand paper cuts, rather than striking a killer blow and in the GOAT, they still have the perfect pilot for their offense.

Dolphins: Laremy Tunsil

It's kind of now or never for Laremy Tunsil. A few days before he was drafted, he was being talked about as the best player in his draft class, then on draft night, the now infamous gas mask video dropped and so did the former Mississippi lineman.

Tunsil hasn't played up to the talent everyone thought he had coming out of college or even his mid first round draft position. Even though everybody thought the dolphins had got a bargain by getting may be the best player on the board at 13th overall.

So why should you watch him?

After opening his career at guard, Tunsil is now in his more natural position of left tackle, where he played in college. So the Dolphins are looking for him to make big strides and show everybody his talents.

If he fails to live up to expectation again this season, we might start to hear the word bust mentioned and Miami may look elsewhere instead of wanting to pay him big money as a franchise left tackle.

Bills: Tre’Davious White

Last season was a great year for young corners and Tre White was one of the best amongst them. I feel like the NFL is awash with a lot of corner talent and especially young guys. If it wasn't for Marshon Lattimore last season. Tre’Davious White would have been the top rookie corner and maybe even defensive rookie of the year; he's very talented.

So why should you watch him?

Well I think it's going to be tough sledding in Buffalo this year. I feel the defense is going to be decent and White will probably be a bright spot again. The problem may be that they'll be on the field often and maybe for long periods unless they can force done turnovers, because I don't see the Bills offense being too potent.

Obviously being on the field often means plenty of opportunities to impress; can White shine again and become a star?

Jets: Jamal Adams

Safety is another position with some quality young talent mattered across the league and one of the best is the Jet’s, Jamal Adams.

Adams has fantastic leadership skills and isn't afraid to hold his own teammates accountable. This was evident in comments that were made earlier this year but published in early August; Adams lamented the vibes within the locker room, the losing mentality and the work rate of teammates last season.

In some situations this could cause issues within the locker room but for me it's part of what makes Adams a special player and person.

So why should you watch him?

Due to this personality and leadership Adams clearly demands A lot from those around him, which is turn should improve those players and stop them from playing within themselves.

Adams is a vocal leader so look for the Jets defense to make a leap and in particular, the secondary. Todd Bowles’ scheme has never relied on heavy pressure up front (hence the lack of edge rushing stars) but does rely on great coverage. Adams is the perfect leader on this defense.

Broncos: Bradley Chubb

The signing of Bradley Chubb may just have saved or at least extended John Elway’s stay as GM of the Broncos, so no wonder he was elated to have him slide to him at 5th overall.

If it's possible to have a bargain in the top 5 of a draft, this is it. Of course, it was completely unexpected too as most had Chubb going to Cleveland a pick earlier to team up with Myles Garrett.

As it turned out, Chubb is now creating an even scarier duo off the edge by teaming up with Von Miller. Elway will be hoping this pair of premier pass rushers cab fuel the defense and get it back to the heights of the Superbowl defense they had not too long ago.

So why should you watch him?

Quarterbacks and offensive linemen beware. It's going to be a tough ask for any team to keep their QB clean when they're having to block both Miller and Chubb.

Having two, as opposed to one elite edge rusher has an exponential effect, due to the fact that the defense can't pour all their resources into snuffing one guy out.

As I mentioned earlier on, I think that Chubb and Harold Landry will be the best rookie rushers, so it'll be fun to watch them develop through the year.

Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes

Times are changing in Kansas City and there's a new gun slinger in town, Patrick Mahomes II.

The move from Alex Smith to Mahomes signifies a change in culture, a shift in mentality and it should mean the offense is more explosive.

The huge arm of the former Texas Tech star should lead to more shots down the field as opposed to the dink ‘n’ dunk style of Smith. This should allow Andy Reid to become more creative with his play design and in the play calling.

However due to being essentially a rookie year for Mahomes there will likely be some errors and some mental mistakes leading to turnovers.

So why should you watch him?

Kansas City are possibly going to be a very exciting team to watch with Mahomes slinging it deep to Sammy Watkins and Tyreek Hill, with Travis Kelce down the seam and Kareem Hunt in the backfield.

Another aspect of this is just seeing the development of a young QB under the tutelage of a very experience and successful Head Coach.

Raiders: Maurice Hurst

Maurice Hurst is a first round talent who slid to the 5th round due to medical concerns so he could ultimately prove to be the steal of the draft.

A genuine game wrecker on the interior offensive line with the ability to move, or even destroy the pocket. I believe Hurst has the chance to be truly special if he checks out medically over his career and isn't affected by the possibly heart issue that was flagged up at the combine.

So why should you watch him?

Hurst may force people to sit up and take notice of the Raiders by annihilating interior offensive linemen all year long. It could be a nice little comebacks story for a guy who was clearly taken off of some team's draft boards back in the spring.

Chargers: Kyzir White

Another mid round pick out west who I think will out play his draft position by far is Kyzir White.

Brother of Bears wide receiver, Kevin White, Kyzir is a converted safety who is going to line up at the Will linebacker spot for Los Angeles.

The 4th round selection out of West Virginia will be looking to put his bone crunching tackling and coverage skills to good use for the Bolts in his rookie year.

So why should you watch him?

White has had a fantastic training camp and preseason and may have already climbed the depth chart and unseated Jatavis Brown as the starting Will.

He's going to be a little bit of a Swiss army knife for the Chargers in that spot too as I think he'll perform multiple roles, so he'll have plenty of opportunity to make plays.

I base defense, he'll be at the Will but could also play some man coverage against tight ends and be an eraser. He could also slip back into a deeper position and play some safety from time to time in some packages as he's obviously going to be pretty comfortable with that assignment.

What the Chargers and fans such as myself will want to see from the defense as a whole is an improvement in tackling and an improvement in run defense, that's that's exactly what I'll be expecting White provide… and more!

#AFCRankings