Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks knows the ins and outs of this league, providing keen insight in his notebook. Today's installment covers:
But first, a look at one young player who might be on the verge of superstardom ...
Sauce Gardner entered the league as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and immediately made his mark, finishing his debut season with a full allotment of accolades: first-team All-Pro, Pro Bowl and Defensive Rookie of the Year. Ever since, the New York Jets cornerback -- who again earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors this past season -- has been hailed by many as the prototype at the position, consistently suffocating wide receivers on the perimeter by utilizing his superior size, length, athleticism, competitiveness and general savvy to dominate one-on-one matchups. At a position that certainly isn't lacking in personal pride, Sauce seems like the current king of the mountain. But I have a feeling that another third-year pro is coming for the CB1 throne in 2024.
Derek Stingley Jr. has reached contender status after flourishing as the Houston Texans' No. 1 corner in 2023. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder finished his second season with 39 tackles, 13 passes defensed and five interceptions, despite missing six games due to a hamstring injury. Fast-forward to this preseason, and the Texans' CB1 not only looks like a potential All-Pro, but I believe he could supplant Gardner as the NFL's top corner by season's end.
While some will snicker at that sentiment, the Texans certainly believed in his potential when they selected him one pick ahead of Gardner in the 2022 draft. That decision surprised some observers -- due to Stingley's injury-riddled, inconsistent final two years at LSU following a spectacular freshman campaign in the Tigers' national championship run -- but Houston was willing to bet on his tools and raw talent. When I spoke to some scouting buddies about Stingley just after the 2022 draft, they suggested the cover man's stellar play against Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase in one-on-one drills at LSU prompted evaluators to place high grades on the ultra-talented corner. Scouts had been able to view that practice tape and loved what they saw. While there is a difference between game-day intensity and practice competition, the fact that Stingley held his own as a true freshman against a pair of future elite NFL pass catchers helped cement his status as a top prospect at the position.
Now entering Year 3 of his professional career, Stingley could vault to the top of the CB charts as a talented playmaker with true shutdown skills. He possesses the tools and talent to eliminate half the field as a cover corner, from his textbook technique to his superb ball skills to his competitive stamina. Just look at what he did against Pro Bowl wideout Amari Cooper in last season's playoff win:
Hearing the buzz coming out of Texans camp this month, I couldn't help but get even more bullish in my view that Stingley's on the verge of a full breakout campaign. And then, watching the way he performed in last week's preseason game against the New York Giants -- deftly erasing talented rookie first-rounder Malik Nabers, among others, while also hauling in a nice interception -- I needed to write this take. The stage is set for Stingley to become a household name as a lockdown artist. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans can pick and choose how to deploy his star corner based on matchups, and I can't wait to see how it plays out.
Given the crowded field at the top of the CB ranks -- with guys like Gardner, Patrick Surtain II, Jaylon Johnson, Jalen Ramsey and Charvarius Ward vying for the No.1 spot -- Stingley will need to be special to claim the crown. But he possesses the talent and tools to get it done. As Ryans creates more opportunities for his star corner to make plays on the ball while providing a platform for the 23-year-old to showcase his skills as a lockdown specialist, Stingley could emerge as the marquee player at a high-profile position.
Seattle OC = NFL's next great innovator?
A few months ago, I wrote about how new Seahawks boss Mike Macdonald is on the cutting edge of defensive strategy in the league today, but the head man isn't the only avant-garde coach on Seattle's staff.
New offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb is poised to modernize the Seahawks' offense with strategies he used to help the Washington Huskies reach the national title game in college football. The star-maker not only helped Michael Penix Jr. become a surprise top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft -- he also put the UW playmakers (Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan) in position to showcase their skills and rise up the charts.
The offensive wizard utilizes a mix of vertical and horizontal passing concepts from condensed formations, stacked and bunched alignments, and pre-snap motion to create easy completions and big-play opportunities. The football world is salivating over the possibilities for Geno Smith, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba in a new-look attack.
The previous iteration of Seattle's scheme too often stifled the talents of its primary playmakers with a lack of creativity, putting Smith in a straitjacket. The vanilla approach has been replaced by a spectacular flavor (Rocky Road is my choice of ice cream) that should better maximize the group's individual and collective talents. From the increased utilization of condensed formations, bunch sets and motions to featuring more high-percentage throws with receivers catching the ball on the move or over the top of the coverage, the Seahawks have the potential to blitzkrieg opponents. Considering the explosive playmaking talents of Metcalf and the crafty route-running skills of Lockett and Smith-Njigba, the marriage between personnel and scheme should produce much better results for Seattle, which ranked 17th in scoring and 21st in yards last season.
Most importantly, the system should put Smith in a better position to play to his strength as a deep-ball passer. Moving to a vertical-based passing game will also give Metcalf more chances to utilize his superior size and speed against smaller defenders. In addition, it will help the 'Hawks tee up their designated big-play threat as a decoy to create more opportunities for Lockett and JSN to terrorize defenses on underneath routes.
With opponents also forced to defend a diverse running game sparked by a dynamic 1-2 punch featuring size (Zach Charbonnet) and speed (Kenneth Walker III), the Seahawks can create a juggernaut that overwhelms teams with force or finesse.
With a new offensive coordinator keen on unlocking the talents of his playmakers through innovative schemes and tactics, the most fun offense to watch in 2024 could reside in the Pacific Northwest.
No D in Atlanta? Not so fast!
Back in the spring, the Atlanta Falcons aggressively attacked their most pressing need, giving veteran Kirk Cousins a four-year, $180 million contract. But then, instead of using the No. 8 overall pick in the draft to fill holes elsewhere on the roster, particularly on defense, they doubled down on the QB position, selecting Michael Penix Jr. The move sent a shockwave through the football world, leading many observers to question Atlanta's team-building approach under general manager Terry Fontenot and new head coach Raheem Morris.
The naysayers' moment might have passed, however. Because over the past few weeks, the Falcons have made some moves that should silence the haters and fortify the team's chances of taking the NFC South this season. New outside linebacker Matthew Judon and safety Justin Simmons are established defensive playmakers with the experience and expertise to help a young squad take the next step. The additions also address a few needs (pass rush and coverage) that have prevented the team from reaching its potential as a playoff contender.
The trade earlier this month for Judon upgrades an edge rush that has been virtually non-existent since John Abraham last suited up in Atlanta in 2012. Only one Falcon has notched double-digit sacks between 2013 and 2023: Vic Beasley, a one-year wonder in the Super Bowl season of 2016 who was unable to sustain his success as a disruptive force off the edge. With countless draftees and free agents failing to make their mark as pass rushers, the Falcons are turning to a blue-collar veteran with 66.5 career sacks on his résumé, which also includes back-to-back extra-productive seasons (12.5 sacks in 2021 and 15.5 in '22) as the Patriots' designated playmaker.
In the first three weeks of 2023, Judon racked up four sacks -- but then a torn biceps ended his season in Week 4. The ninth-year pro is a seasoned pass rusher with Pro Bowl-caliber talent (he's a four-time selectee) and game-changing skills. As a versatile edge player with hand-in-the-dirt and stand-up capabilities, he provides the Falcons with a unique chess piece to feature on the defensive front.
Released by the Broncos in March, Simmons signed with Atlanta the day after the Judon trade. The two-time Pro Bowler has earned second-team All-Pro honors in four of the past five seasons, including 2023. The 6-foot-2, 202-pounder is a punishing enforcer with the athleticism and anticipation to eliminate throws between the hashes, having logged 30 career picks, including a league-high six in 2022. He'll team with fellow veteran standout Jessie Bates (who ranked third in the NFL with six picks last season) to form a dynamic duo with big-play potential over the middle of the field. And this week, Atlanta inked cornerback A.J. Terrell to a blockbuster extension, keeping the former first-round pick in the fold as a core member of a secondary that should flourish in Morris' scheme.
Suddenly, the Falcons' defense nicely complements the high-powered offense that is expected to light up Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2024.
