Ty Ranks the 2023 NFL Teams: Is Pepsi Ok? Division
Welcome back to my NFL preseason rankings. I hope you all had a good, relaxing weekend. It is football time yet again. Let’s get to it.
At number 20 I have the New Orleans Saints. A lot of people think they are going to be better than I do. A lot of people seem to think that Derek Carr is going to be the answer they have been seeking at QB since Drew Brees left. I disagree. I do not think that Carr has any type of answer. He is too needy, too sensitive to the media and not a QB I would count on to lead any team on a deep playoff run. I kind of thought they were going to stick with Jameis Winston, and I thought that may be better. Alvin Kamara is still very good, but on the wrong side of his prime and he is going to miss some games at the start of the season due to suspension. Chris Olave was a great draft pick, had a good rookie year and should build on that. Michael Thomas is back as well, but he is, much like Kamara, is on the far other side of his prime. They have brought back Jimmy Graham, but he is clearly going through some stuff. And I don't think Taysom Hill has any kind of answer. The o line is fine. The defense has taken some chances in the draft, but no one has lived up to the hype yet. Cam Jordan is good, but old. Tyrann Matieu gave his best years to the Chiefs. Marshon Lattimore has skills and looks to be the best of the defensive players they have drafted as of late. The rest of the defense is kind of unknown. The Saints have a solid roster on paper, and they play in the worst division in football, but I do not trust Derek Carr, don't like that Kamara is injured, their best receiver is young and defense is not the best. Eight wins may win this division, but the Saints will be lucky to get that many wins at all. I think their ceiling is seven wins.
At number 19 I have my team, the Green Bay Packers. I am so very stoked that they finally got rid of Aaron Rodgers. I was stoked when the trade finally happened. I was ready to move on from him years ago. Jordan Love takes over, and while he is not an upper tier QB, if he can manage games well enough the Packers could surprise. I still have faith, although it is dwindling, in the backfield duo of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. Aaron Jones has definitely had his best years already, and Dillon needs more touches. But I like that they have two good running backs. The wideout position has changed, but I like the youth forward look. Romeo Doubs has potential. Christian Watson has the tools to become elite. Luke Musgrave could be a solid tight end. And the o line is still very elite, but has to deal with injuries far too much. The defense has always been this team's problem though. Rashan Gary is an awesome edge rusher, but he is never fully healthy. Preston Smith is a great pass rusher and QB sacker, but he is a zero in coverage. Jaire Alexander is amazing, but he is not an upper level corner back. Darnell Savage can hit, but cannot cover consistently. Rasul Douglas can get some picks, but those usually come after a blown assignment. I can't trust this defense as much as I may want to. The Packers will not be great this season. I wouldn't be shocked if they only win five or six games. But to be rid of Rodgers makes all the difference in the world.
At number 18 I have the New England Patriots. I have never liked the Patriots, but I never really rooted against them either. I root against them now. I cannot stand Mac Jones and his rookie year is looking like a flash in the pan. He has struggled the past two years. They signed Ezekial Elliot, who I have never been a fan of and I fully believe his best days are behind him. The receiving corp is full of has-beens. JuJu Smith-Schuster has had one good season in his career. Davante Parker has done nothing since he was a Dolphin. I don't know a thing about Kendrick Bourne. Hunter Henry is cashed and the o line is a far cry from their Super Bowl days. The defense is what keeps this team ranked this high. Matthew Judon is awesome. Josh Uche is going to surprise a lot of people with his rushing ability. Jabrill Peppers is still kicking in the league. Kyle Dugger can play. Johnathan Jones is a skilled corner. The Patriots d is what keeps them ticking. That and Bill Belichek's punkass. The Patriots may not make the playoffs, but they will be a pain all season long for opponents.
The final team for the day, at number 17 I have the Cleveland Browns. The hype train is up and running once again for this team, but I am not buying it like I never did before. Deshaun Watson should not be in the NFL. He should be answering for the accusations he is facing from multiple women. He should be paying consequences for his actions. That is the only thing that seems fair. Nick Chubb is pretty awesome, but can he duplicate last season's success? That is going to be tough. Donovan Peoples-Jones is a solid wideout, but he is not a number one guy. Amari Cooper is past his prime, but can still run clean routes. David Njoku is an okay tight end, but he is what he is going to be in this league. The o line is fine. They did open up some big holes for Chubb last season. Myles Garrett is still the best dude on that d line, and one of the best in the league. He is incredible. Za'Darius Smith is there now, but this is something like his third team in four seasons. Denzel Ward seems closer to being done. Greg Newsome is talented but still hasn't shown his full potential yet. The Browns should be good. They should be a true playoff team, but you never know what you are going to get from this team, and I tend to believe they won't be as good as others think. But they could win nine or ten games and make the playoffs. Who knows.
That is it for today. Come back tomorrow for the next four teams.
Ty
Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.
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