7:03 am | July 17, 2018 | Go to Source | Author:
Our panel of ESPN NFL Insiders is looking ahead this week, identifying teams and players poised to dominate over the next few years. They’ll answer a question every day.
Tuesday’s question: Putting the Eagles and Patriots aside, which NFL team is best set up for multiple Super Bowl runs?
Monday: Which rookie QB is in the best spot for long-term success?
Throw out the Eagles and Patriots. Which team is best set up for multiple Super Bowl runs?
Mike Clay, NFL writer: New Orleans Saints. Yes, Drew Brees is now 39 years old, but he’s signed for two more seasons and could have a few additional years in the tank, especially after the team rebuilt its defense, allowing for a more balanced attack. Young stars and high-ceiling prospects such as Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, Sheldon Rankins, Cameron Jordan, Marcus Davenport, Marshon Lattimore and Marcus Williams — along with a terrific offensive line — help supply New Orleans with one of league’s best teams on paper in both the short and long term.
KC Joyner, NFL writer: Los Angeles Rams. Jared Goff ranked tied for fifth in short pass YPA last year (7.0) and fifth in vertical YPA (12.6) last year. His numbers could get even better with the addition of Brandin Cooks, who placed second in vertical receiving yards last season. Combine that with a defensive line that added an impact player in Ndamukong Suh and a secondary that has two potential shutdown cornerbacks in Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib and it is a recipe for repeat Super Bowl contention.
Mike Sando, senior NFL writer: Los Angeles Chargers. The NFC is stacked with strong teams that could cannibalize one another in the coming years, so I’ll take the Chargers. Philip Rivers is 36, which is no longer ancient by NFL quarterback standards. He could have a few good years left, and now he finally has a good team around him.
Aaron Schatz, editor-in-chief of Football Outsiders: Green Bay Packers. Offense is more consistent than defense, and nothing gives you a better chance of winning than having the best quarterback in the game. They’ll need Aaron Rodgers to stay healthy and the young secondary talent to mature quickly.
Kevin Seifert, national NFL writer: Minnesota Vikings. The 2017 NFC runners-up have relatively young high-end players sprinkled on both sides of the ball, giving them arguably the most balanced roster in football. Most of them are signed through at least the 2020 season. That balance and security means the Vikings could absorb some injuries and still compete at a high level. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, who turns 30 in August, is signed for three years in the prime of his career, and coach Mike Zimmer is one of the NFL’s top game-day schemers. The Vikings are as poised for long-term success as any team in the league.
Which rookie QB is best positioned for long-term success?
Matt Bowen, NFL writer: Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns. The No. 1 overall pick most likely will sit at the start of the 2018 season, but this is about long-term success. That’s why I’m looking at how Mayfield’s game meshes with today’s progressive NFL offenses. He’s an accurate thrower with a quick release and the intangibles needed to lead a pro team.
KC Joyner, NFL writer: Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh Steelers. Unlike every other team that has one of the star rookie quarterbacks, the Steelers don’t ask their field general to be a savior. They know how to surround their passer with top-flight skill position talent and know how to build strong offensive blocking walls. Rudolph also should have the luxury of time before he ends up taking over for Ben Roethlisberger.
Aaron Schatz, editor-in-chief of Football Outsiders: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens. I trust Baltimore’s coaching staff more than I trust the other coaching staffs that were handed first-round quarterbacks this season. I also trust the Ravens to put a defense on the field that will keep Jackson from having to carry the team early in his career, and special teams that will constantly give him advantageous field position.
Kevin Seifert, national NFL writer: Josh Rosen, Arizona Cardinals. Coaching and roster talent are critical factors in long-term success, but nothing is more important than individual skill. Based on scouts’ assessments, Rosen is the best decision-maker and the most accurate passer in this year’s draft class. The Cardinals’ roster looks bare at the moment, but offensive coordinator Mike McCoy has a history of making the most of the talent available.
Field Yates, NFL Insider: Sam Darnold, New York Jets. There are so many factors that play into a young quarterback’s development and eventual success, many of which are unpredictable at this juncture. So let’s go with the player who — entering the draft — I felt was most capable long term. Darnold could provide the stability Jets fans have long coveted at quarterback.
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