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NFL Under 25: Ranking the Best Young Players Entering the 2023 Season

September 13th, 2023

The NFL saw the exit of top stars after last season, with Tom Brady, Devin McCourty, A.J. Green, and J.J. Watt hanging their boots after a successful career. However, the older players are leaving the scene for young stars like Micah Parsons, Justin Jefferson, and Sauce Gardner across the league to emerge and take the stage.

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Micah Parsons, Edge (Dallas Cowboys)

Parsons had another strong year as a pass rusher after continuing his excellent play from his rookie season. Registering a 92.0 pass-rush grade and 23.4% pass-rush win percentage according to Pro-Football-Focus in 2022, Parsons has established himself as one of the most impactful players in the NFL, age regardless.

Justin Jefferson, WR (Minnesota Vikings)

For the Minnesota Vikings for three years running, Justin Jefferson has demonstrated exceptional performances, earning commendable evaluations. His performances in the last three years have recorded at least a 90+ grade. He is therefore unparalleled among NFL receivers and stands head and shoulders above many others his age based on dominance and consistency.

Tristan Wirfs, OT (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Although Wirfs’ overall grade dipped from his 2022 performance from 84.3 to 83.1, his pass-blocking grade spiked to a near-elite 89.1. The stand-out Tampa Bay offensive tackle allowed only six total pressures on 696 pass-blocking snaps, consistently putting up strong play that can help him properly transition from right tackle to left tackle during the 2023 season.

Ja’Marr Chase, WR (Cincinnati Bengals)

Chase received grades during his first two professional seasons, registering 86.1 in 2021 and 85.2 in 2022. He’s recorded 3,000 receiving yards and 25 receiving touchdowns over the same period. With explosive plays of at least 20 yards, Chase is sure to be one of the top wide receivers in the NFL.

Sauce Gardner, CB (New York Jets)

Sauce Garder has displayed such an impressive outing in his rookie year that we've decided to include him in this list. The New York Jets cornerback registered an elite 90.0 coverage grade with 20 forced incompletions and less than 400 receiving yards allowed on 613 total coverage snaps. Remember that despite being targeted constantly (74 times), Sauce remained a shutdown player throughout the 2022 season.

Creed Humprey, C (Kansas City Chiefs)

Humprey has remained as rock solid as you'd expect a young offensive lineman to be. He's registered consecutive elite performances in 2021 and 2022, registering 91.8 and 89.9 respectively. On over 1,400 true pass-blocking snaps played, Humprey gave up only 28 total pressures and one sack over the last two seasons!

Patrick Surtain II, CB (Denver Broncos)

Patrick’s 66.3 coverage grade in 2021 was immense for a rookie cornerback (bar Sauce Gardner’s unbelievable feat). However, his 2022 86.7 coverage grade was what the fans expect from a player getting into elitism. Patrick allowed only 47 passing yards in coverage with eight forced incompletions.

Rashawn Slater, OT (Los Angeles Chargers)

No thanks to his injury during the 2022 season, Slater would have likely recorded a better outing. Ending his rookie year with an 83.6 overall grade on over 1,000 snaps played, the Los Angeles offensive tackle has cemented himself among the NFL International Series tops in his age range. Undoubtedly, a healthy season for the Northwestern graduate will be at the top of his priorities going into the 2023 season.

CeeDee Lamb, WR (Dallas Cowboys)

Lamb has been an immediate impact receiver for the Dallas Cowboys since his debut season. Recording just under 1,000 receiving yards in his rookie years, Lamb has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in each of the last two seasons. Meanwhile, his receiving grades have spiked, jumping from 72.6 in 2020 to 84.8 in 2021 and 87.0 in 2022. Save Justin Jefferson, Lamb has recorded more explosive plays of 20 yards or more since 2021 than any other player, old or young, in the NFL.

Andrew Thomas, OT (New York Giants)

Andrew registered a significant leap in his sophomore season in 2022, recording a jump from his 2021 78.9 grade to an elite 90.3 in 2022. Initially a first-round (4th pick overall) draft choice by the Giants in 2020, Andrew Thomas also registered an 89.9 pass-blocking grade in 2022, one of the highest in the league, allowing only seven sacks or hits on 700 pass-blocking snaps. This should provide a sufficient explanation if anyone wondered why Andrew Thomas got a record-setting contract with the Giants.

Trevor Lawrence, QB (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Lawrence has made immense progress over the last season under head coach Doug Pederson. The quarterback's skill was demonstrated in 2022, elevating him to the top spot among draught prospects in 2021. Lawrence led the Jaguars to their first playoff win since the 2017 season when Todd Wash coordinated the defense. However, the future looks bright for Jacksonville with Lawrence on the roster as he looks poised to improve his game.

Christian Barmore, IDL (New England Patriots)

Barmore makes this list because of how his impact jumps out when you watch him from the screen. The defensive tackle has wreaked havoc on opposing sides, making contributions that his stat line will heavily underrepresent (2.5 sacks in 10 games in the 2022 season). Although Barmore, 23, is frequently disregarded, the Patriots consider him to be a treasure.

Summing Up

These young stars take the top stage among their peers, displaying impressive performances in their budding careers. There are undoubtedly other young players putting out their A-game in the league, and fans can expect more from this new crop of NFL stars.

Week 1 - What Did We Learn?

By Stephen Juza

September 12th, 2023

Last Thursday saw the start of the 2023 NFL Season, when the Detroit Lions traveled to Kansas City to take on the defending Super Bowl champions. After a months-long offseason, we finally had meaningful football back in our life this past weekend. So what are the top things we learned after Week 1?

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Lions continue to roll

Halfway through the last year, the Lions were 1-6, and things looked bleak for Dan Campbell’s future. Since then, they closed out the season winning eight of their next ten games and half a game out of the playoffs. So how would they respond to the increased hype for 2023?

Traveling to the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs and coming home with a win. True, the Chiefs were without their second and third best players, but you can only play against the players that are on the field. The Lions showed promise, coming back from a 14-7 halftime deficit to clinch the win in the fourth quarter.

Purdy picks up where he left off

The San Francisco 49ers season came to an unfortunate end last season in the NFC Championship game after their entire QB room ended up injured. Rookie quarterback Brock Purdy burst out of the injury-stricken depth chart to start the final five games of the regular season and lead the team into the playoffs. He suffered a torn UCL in their final game, but had to continue playing since no other QB was healthy. So how would he look after an offseason as the starter?

Pretty sharp. The 49ers topped the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-7 with Purdy picking up right where he left off last season. 220 yards through the air, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. When he’s that efficient, the 49ers will be hard to topple. Christian McCaffery averaged almost seven yards a carry for 152 yards on the ground. The one area they need to clean up for next week is ball security - the 49ers fumbled three times.

Jets’ defense is scary, but the offense is limited by the QB position

After an entire offseason of hype for the New York Jets came crashing to earth just four offensive snaps into the game when Aaron Rodgers went down with an Achilles injury and missed the rest of the game. The Jets’ defense looked incredible, forcing Josh Allen into four turnovers and limiting last year’s second-ranked offense to only one offensive touchdown.

The Jets offense at times was hard to watch. Breece Hall had a few spectacular runs, and Garrett Wilson had a spectacular one-handed touchdown catch. But with Rodgers now missing the rest of the season, the team will need to add another quarterback on the roster or face a long season with Zach Wilson back at the helm.

Rough week for the new head coaches

This past offseason saw five head coaches hired with a wide range of expectations entering the season. Each of the five will need to wait until Week 2 to earn their first victory with their new team.

Sean Payton entered with the most expectations by virtue of his past success with the Saints, but the Broncos fell by a single point to the division rival Las Vegas Raiders. Frank Reich’s debut with the new rookie quarterback Bryce Young was spoiled by the Atlanta Falcons. Expectations may be lower for the trio of rookie head coaches (2999 does not exist, Shane Steichen, and Jonathan Gannon), but all hoped for a brighter start to their coaching careers, after having such success as a coordinator last season.

Week 1 - What Did We Learn?

By Stephen Juza

September 12th, 2023

Lions continue to roll

Purdy picks up where he left off

The 49ers season came to an unfortunate end last season in the NFC Championship game after their entire QB room ended up injured. Rookie quarterback Brock Purdy burst out of the injury-stricken depth chart to start the final five games of the regular season and lead the team into the playoffs. He suffered a torn UCL in their final game, but had to continue playing since no other QB was healthy. So how would he look after an offseason as the starter?

Jets’ defense is scary, but the offense is limited by the QB position

After an entire offseason of hype for the Jets came crashing to earth just four offensive snaps into the game when Aaron Rodgers went down with an Achilles injury and missed the rest of the game. The Jets’ defense looked incredible, forcing Josh Allen into four turnovers and limiting last year’s second-ranked offense to only one offensive touchdown.

Rough week for the new head coaches

This past offseason saw five head coaches hired with a wide range of expectations entering the season. Each of the five will need to wait until Week 2 to earn their first victory with their new team.

Sean Payton entered with the most expectations by virtue of his past success with the Saints, but the Broncos fell by a single point to the division rival Las Vegas Raiders. Frank Reich’s debut with the new rookie quarterback Bryce Young was spoiled by the Atlanta Falcons. Expectations may be lower for the trio of rookie head coaches (DeMeco Ryans, Shane Steichen, and Jonathan Gannon), but all hoped for a brighter start to their coaching careers, after having such success as a coordinator last season.

Cowboys’ Destruction of the Giants

It’s hard to picture a more complete victory than the Dallas Cowboys dismantling of the New York Giants on Sunday, a 40-0 shutout that included all areas of the game. Dallas scored their 40 points in unconventional ways. In the first quarter alone, the Cowboys returned an interception and a blocked field goal for a touchdown. Their defense limited the Giants’ offense to less than 200 yards of offense, harassing Daniel Jones to the tune of seven sacks and two interceptions.

If there was a question remaining after the game, it was that we only got to see a limited Cowboys’ offense because they were rarely on the field. The Cowboys were already at a 16 point lead by the time the offense trotted out for their second drive.

The Giants had high hopes coming into this season, with reigning coach of the year Brian Daboll and the Daniel Jones of 2022 looking like a solution to their long term QB needs. They were thoroughly outplayed by the division rivals to kick off the season.

The second week of the season will kick off Thursday when the Vikings travel to the Eagles on Thursday Night Football.

Week 1 Games to Watch

By Stephen Juza

September 6th, 2023

After a long offseason, the NFL returns to action this week. The season kicks off on Thursday with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Detroit Lions. With a full slate of games, which ones should capture your attention? Here are our top three games for Week 1, all in different time slots to offer you maximum viewing opportunities.

Lions at Chiefs:

The NFL selected an exciting game to kick off the NFL season, with the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Detroit Lions, a team desperate to prove that last season was not a fluke. The Chiefs enter the season primed for another championship run behind head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

However, the league seems to be buying into the Lions’ hype for 2023. Coming off their strongest season since 2017, the Lions are looking to capture their first division title in 30 years. Dan Campbell hopes to show that last season’s surprise outcome was not a fluke, while quarterback Jared Goff is hoping to show he can be a long term solution at the position.

A Lions win would be a surprise, but would show the entire league that 2022 was not a fluke and, while putting them squarely in contention for the NFC North title.

Bills at Jets:

The AFC East could be the toughest division in the league this year, with both the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets figuring to be competing for something more than just the division title. The Bills remain the team to beat, coming off three straight division titles. However, the Jets made probably the biggest splash of the offseason, trading for future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers.

The Jets suffered from arguably the worst quarterback play in the league last season, but somehow still managed seven wins behind an otherwise loaded squad. While the offense may have tons of talent and experience, it remains to be seen if the offensive line can keep Rodgers upright for the season.

Buffalo is still clearly the team to beat in the East. But with everyone eager to see what Rodgers can still be capable of, the league has a great Monday Night Football matchup to kick off the season for these teams.

Cowboys at Giants:

Turning to the other East division, the Sunday Night game features two division rivals in the Dallas Cowboys against the New York Giants. Both teams made the playoffs last season and are hoping to build on that this season.

A major story throughout the offseason was disgruntled running backs, with the Giants’ Saquon Barkley playing a major part in the story. Running backs across the league expressed a lot of frustration and anger this offseason at their diminished salaries and the lack of long term deals. After being tagged with the franchise tag, Barkley signed a 1-year deal for $11 million, much smaller than Barkley hoped. However, if the Giants want to improve this year and compete for the NFC East title, they need Barkley to be at his best.

Expect the Cowboys to secure the win. The Cowboys returned many key players from last year’s 4th ranked offense, and it will be too much for the Giants to contain.

A Brief Analysis Of How Technology Has Changed In The NFL Specifically Helping Players and Coaches

By Oliver Vaughn

September 5th, 2023

In the modern sports arena, technology isn't just a sideshow—it's become one of the main acts. Long gone are the days when chalkboards and hand signals were the only tools at a coach’s disposal. Today, technology fundamentally alters the dynamics of many sports, and the National Football League (NFL) is a prime example. From advanced analytics to state-of-the-art injury prevention, technology has become an invaluable asset for players and coaches alike, elevating the game to unprecedented heights.

Sideline Tablets: A Game-Changer

Traditionally, NFL coaches would be seen flipping through printed sheets of paper, studying black-and-white photographs of plays. However, the introduction of sideline tablets has made those paper snapshots obsolete. Coaches and players now have real-time access to HD footage of ongoing games.

This immediate feedback loop allows them to adapt strategies on the fly, making tweaks to plays based on their observations rather than waiting for halftime adjustments. Furthermore, tablets can also store digital playbooks, play sequences, and specialized analytics, making them a portable war room of sorts.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): The New Assistant Coach

AI technology is rapidly becoming the 21st-century assistant coach. Programs can sift through enormous datasets, spotting trends and patterns that human eyes may miss.

For example, AI can analyze an opponent's third-down conversion rate under specific weather conditions, offering a level of granularity that can be instrumental in game planning. This same real-time data analysis is also transforming the world of NFL live betting, providing fans and bettors with insights that were unimaginable just a few years ago.

Biometric Data: Peak Performance and Safety

One of the significant advancements in technology comes in the form of wearables. These aren’t your everyday fitness trackers but specialized devices designed to collect extensive biometric data.

Players wear GPS trackers and heart rate monitors during practices and games, giving coaches insights into their physical condition in real time. This data can help manage fatigue levels, reducing the risk of injuries. Coaches can now make informed decisions about when to rest a player or push for more effort, all based on solid data rather than gut feeling alone.

Virtual Reality: Beyond the Gridiron

Virtual reality (VR) is one of the most intriguing innovations in the NFL. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys and the New England Patriots use VR to improve offensive and defensive schemes.

Players can wear VR headsets to simulate game situations without the physical toll of a real practice. This helps starters fine-tune their skills and gives bench players a chance to virtually experience game-speed scenarios, thus becoming better prepared for real-life action. It's like having an extra practice field, but one that can be tailored to simulate any opponent.

Video Analysis: The Eye in the Sky Doesn't Lie

The adage "the eye in the sky doesn't lie" has taken on a whole new meaning in the digital age. Advanced video analysis software can break down game footage into meticulous details, analyzing player movements, speed, and even predicting future actions based on past behaviors. Coaches can study these analyses to understand not only their team’s performance but also that of future opponents, planning out strategies with a level of detail previously unattainable.

Conclusion: The Future is Now

While the core essence of football remains a test of skill, strategy, and physicality, technology has become the force multiplier in the equation. The advancements in real-time data analysis, biometric tracking, and simulation technologies are not just flashy additions; they are essential tools players and coaches leverage to gain a competitive edge. Far from diluting the spirit of the game, technology is enriching it, offering new dimensions of mastery and excitement. In the NFL today, the most successful teams are those that can best integrate the power of technology into the age-old art of football.