Arizona Cardinals:
The only thing this team was good at was garbage time passing yards. Most games were over before they started, and it’s looking like Brissett will be a top tier tank commander this year.
Reasons for optimism:
Trey McBride is a dog. This year is about getting Marvin Harrison Jr. to let his dog out. If those two can be special at the same time, the future franchise QB is set up to be great.
Reasons for pessimism:
James Conner is 30, the defense is really bad. Let’s look forward to 2027’s QB draft class.
Draft:
Offensive line is definitely a need, but I’m not sure there’s an o-lineman worth the 3rd overall pick. Like with most teams with bad rosters, I think they should trade back for a middle pick to early 20s pick, and a 1st next year or 2nd this year.
Projected Record: 5-12
Los Angeles Rams:
I guess Matt Stafford’s back wasn’t an issue. This was one of the most complete teams in football last year. I see them being great again.
Reasons for optimism:
Stafford’s committed to returning, Kyren is closer to a top 10 RB than bottom 10, Devante Adams and Puka Nacua are cheat codes, and the defense is good. Not much to not like about this team.
Reasons for pessimism:
Puka Nacua needs some good influences in his life. He is young and naive and that mixed with bad people is a recipe for disaster. He is the biggest question mark when it comes to the question of “Can this team win it all.” Rams, get your star receiver in check now, before it’s too late.
Draft:
I’m going to go nuclear with this take. Become the Greatest Show on Turf 2.0 and trade the 12th and your 2nd for the 4th pick from the Titans and take Jeremiyah Love. He can run, he can catch, this team could drop 35+ a game with him.
Projected Record: 12-5
San Francisco 49ers:
CMC stayed healthy and this team looked great until the playoffs came around. There’s questions marks at receiver and if this defense can perform without Robert Saleh.
Reasons for optimism:
Trent Williams is coming back, and CMC is an RB that can do it all. These two help set Purdy’s floor of a solid QB.
Reasons for pessimism:
Kittle will miss most of the season, if not all of it. Mike Evans will be 33 when the season starts, so the 9ers are taking a huge gamble at receiver. I don’t think the gamble will hit, and the 49ers miss the playoffs with a winning record.
Draft:
They should use the 27th to take Denzel Boston. Maybe it’s a slight reach but this WR room is below average.
Projected Record: 10-7
Seattle Seahawks:
The last team I’m writing about…Superbowl Champions Seattle Seahawks. First off, congratulations to this team for winning the hardest championship in all of professional sports. Second, congrats to Sam Darnold for completing his redemption arc. As LeBron would say, “Everything else is extra credit.”
Reasons for optimism:
This team had a top offense with JSN winning OPTY and a really good defense to go along with it. Everything about this team looks really good.
Reasons for pessimism:
The backfield is the only thing I’m worried about. Kenneth Walker walked and Zach Charbonnet is injured. Is former Packers RB Emanuel Wilson set to be the starter come September?
Draft:
Not much to write about the last pick of the 1st round of the draft. You can never have too much talent on the offensive line. Chase Bisontis or Caleb Lomu look good here.
Projected Record: 13-4