Big fan of Clay's, but in the interest of critique and creating discussion, there is a fair amount I'd disagree with, by position:
QB=I think Stafford is being overrated a bit. 5th best QB is really pushing it. I'd have him behind Herbert/Burrow.
I think Tannehill is being underrated. 14th best QB is an overreaction to last season, when he had nobody around him for much of the season. He was a top-5 guy each of the prior 2 seasons. I'd take him over Carr/Cousins.
RB=I think the Saints combo of Kamara/Ingram is a bit high at #6, I'd have the Zeke/Pollard and Jones/Dillon combos ahead of them.
I know they were banged up a year ago, but I'd have the Dobbins/Edwards combo higher. 20th place feels low, they are better than Akers/Henderson or Montgomery/Herbert.
WR=I'm not saying they aren't a great unit, but I'd disagree with the Bengals having the #1 WR group. They may get there, but I'm not ready top declare that after 1 season. Personally, I have TB #1, and I'd argue the Vikings are #2. Of course, I think Jefferson is the best WR in the NFL, and Thielen has been underrated his entire career. Frankly, I'm not sure Osborn isn't one of the league's better 3's either.
The Saints at 25th feels low with Thomas coming back. Deonte Harris (now Hardy) was a very effective slot guy, and Callaway, while overmatched as a #1, is capable as a starter. I would take that over the Eagles(Smith and...?) or the Browns (Cooper and...?)
TE=The Patriots at #5 feels high. Both Henry and Smith are ok players, but neither are difference makers, and I know depth matters, but its tough to put 2 solid players, over a team with a much better top guy. I'd take the Falcons over them, and even using the 2 solid players idea, I'd prefer the Cardinals.
I've mentioned in the past my love of Mo Alie-Cox, and Kylen Granson showed some ability. 26th best TE group is too low. I'd rather have this combo than what the Chargers or Packers are trotting out.
OL=The Bengals have made some upgrades, but its not suddenly an above average OL. 13th feels high to me, I wouldn't have them ahead of NE/NO.
The Falcons as the 25th best OL feels low. They have 3 really good starters in Matthews, Hennessy, and especially Lindstrom. I'd put them above Carolina(Bozeman/Corbett were only small upgrades) and honestly, probably the Rams too, with Whitworth and Corbett gone.
DI: Despite their large investment in the position. I don't think Washington has a top-3 interior. Payne has mostly been a bust, and Allen, while very good, is also very inconsistent. I'd take SF/Ind ahead of them.
24th is too low for TB, even if they just had practice squad guys beside Vea, but Gholston is solid enough. I'd put them ahead of the Ravens(unless they re-sign Campbell) or the Panthers.
ED: The Saints at #2 is a but high to me. Jordan is still good, but on the decline, and Davenport is good, but boom/bust. Turner was a 1st round reach in my opinion, and showed nothing as a rookie to disprove that. I can't see them ahead of Pittsburgh(Highsmith and Simon are solid, and Watt is elite) or LV with Crosby, FA signing Chandler Jones, and having Ferrell as depth.
LB: Bufalo at 7th feels really high. Edmonds is a liability at times, and Milano is just ok. I'd take the Packers over them, assuming Campbell doesn't fall off a cliff, he was arguably the best LB in the NFL in 2021. Barnes is weak against the run, but does the rest well.
Speaking of GB, I think they are very underrated. I'd put them ahead of Denver, Tennessee, and Carolina as well.
CB: The Browns being #2 at CB is extremely high. Ward is good, but has never really lived up to being the 4th pick, Hill is a decent slot CB, who was much worse outside LA, Greedy has been a bust when not injured, and Newsome is a nice prospect, but hasn't proven much yet. I'd take Green Bay and a healthy Baltimore over that for sure.
While their depth isn't great, any team with Jalen Ramsey, has to be better than 18th. He makes everyone around him look better, look no further than Troy Hill and John Johnson without him in Cleveland a year ago. I'd prefer Ramsey and...meh, over what SF and NE are trotting out.
S: Buffalo at #1 feels wrong to me. Maybe McDermott is the best coach of DBs, but Hyde and Poyer are both good, but not great, especially in Poyer's case. His 1st team all-pro was very undeserved. The Bengals S's are better in my opinion with an elite player in Bates, and a solid player in Bell. I think the Titans would be my pick for #1. Byard is a stud, and Hooker has really become a very good player.
Philly at 29th feels low. Anthony Harris is a playmaker who was elite in Minnesota, but had a down first year in Philly. He seems likely to bounce back. Marcus Epps has been ready for a bigger role, and should make for a better partner for Harris as Epps run stuffing allows Harris to stay deep, which is where he excels. I'd take them over what Detroit or the NYG have, especially if niether of them takes Kyle Hamilton.
Overall, I think the Chargers as a top-5 team is probably pushing it, and I am not as high on Dallas at #6. Conversely, I think the Titans at #17 is just silly, and I could get on board with Denver higher than #12. But I agree with a lot more than I don't.
Was waiting for this, great catch.
