NFL: Chiefs are poised for dynasty
1. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4, 3-0, +1): The Chiefs, in Patrick Mahomes' second year as the starting quarterback, are Super Bowl champions. It's hard to imagine a better last two seasons for Andy Reid and Kansas City. If they can stay relatively healthy and keep their core together, the Chiefs could be on the verge of the NFL's next big dynasty. They will obviously have to compete with the Bills, Texans, and Ravens in the AFC for the next five years but with Mahomes and Reid, they can beat anyone.
2. San Francisco 49ers (13-3, 2-1, -1): The 49ers were so close to being on the other end of the Super Bowl and all of their big moves would have been completely worth it. Still, this team is relatively young and very skilled so going forward, they're still relevant. If they can keep Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa, George Kittle, Jimmy Garoppolo and Tevin Coleman for next year, they should be able to compete in the NFC West with the Rams and Seahawks. Until then, I guess we have to second guess Kyle Shanahan.
3. Green Bay Packers (13-3, 1-1, +0): The Packers have a solid roster but none of it really blows me away. Davante Adams and Aaron Jones are top tier pieces to continue building around but it's up in the air how much longer Rodgers has left in the tank. I think they have a chance to get back to the playoffs next season but the Vikings should be considered the favorites in the NFC North. As long as the three previously mentioned players are active next year, the Packers should win 9+ games.
4. Tennessee Titans (9-7, 2-1, +0): The Titans are in kind of a weird spot. They were a good team during the regular season but far from great. Then they catch lightning in a bottle in the playoffs and beat the Patriots and Ravens. Now where do they go from here? Derrick Henry is one of the five best running backs in the league but can't carry a team to Super Bowl contention by himself. I'm not sure what they're going to do at QB with both Ryan Tannehill and Marcus Mariota entering free agency.
5. Baltimore Ravens (14-2, 0-1, +0): The Ravens, like we already mentioned, are going to be at or near the top of the AFC for the next several years. Lamar Jackson, the youngest MVP in league history, is special and will always give this team a chance to contend as long as he stays healthy. Obviously John Harbaugh's team had a disappointing end to their historic year but that doesn't take away from what they accomplished in the regular season and they should be able to win 12+ games again next season. This will be a team to watch for years to come.
Free agent quarterbacks:
1. Tom Brady (Patriots)
2. Drew Brees (Saints)
3. Dak Prescott (Cowboys)
4. Ryan Tannehill (Titans)
5. Philip Rivers (Chargers)
Free agent running backs:
1. Derrick Henry (Titans)
2. Melvin Gordon (Chargers)
3. Kenyan Drake (Dolphins)
4. Jordan Howard (Eagles)
5. Carlos Hyde (Texans)
Free agent wide receivers:
1. Amari Cooper (Cowboys)
2. AJ Green (Bengals)
3. Emmanuel Sanders (49ers)
4. Robby Anderson (Jets)
5. Randall Cobb (Cowboys)
Free agent tight ends:
1. Hunter Henry (Chargers)
2. Austin Hooper (Falcons)
3. Eric Ebron (Colts)
4. Tyler Eifert (Bengals)
5. Greg Olsen (Panthers)
Free agent offensive lineman:
1. Brandon Scherff (Washington)
2. Anthony Castonzo (Colts)
3. Jack Conklin (Titans)
4. Joe Thuney (Patriots)
5. Bryan Bulaga (Packers)
Free agent defensive backs:
1. Jadaveon Clowney (Seahawks)
2. Chris Jones (Chiefs)
3. Arik Armstead (49ers)
4. Dante Fowler Jr. (Rams)
5. DJ Reader (Texans)
Free agent defensive ends:
1. Byron Jones (Cowboys)
2. Anthony Harris (Vikings)
3. Chris Harris (Broncos)
4. Justin Simmons (Broncos)
5. Devin McCourty (Patriots)
Photo Credit: USA Today.
