Piece by: Michael Angiulo | Twitter: @Michael8230
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow is already looking like he can be A very good NFL QB. If not for his season ending injury, he probably would have broken every rookie QB record out there. I get that some Bengals fans wanted an offensive lineman in the 1st round, but Jamar Chase and Burrow were a dynamic duo during their last season together in Baton Rouge and I think having that previous experience will help their connection to be A good one in year 1 for Chase.
With the additions of Chodibie Awuzie, Trey Hendrickson, Larry Ogunjobi and Mike Hilton the defense should be improved as well. If the Bengals can get steady offensive line play, this team could surprise some people next season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
After finishing last season 1-5 after their amazing 11-0 start the Steelers seem to be on the decline. But, Mike Tomlin has never had a losing record during the past 14 seasons, also Big Ben quietly had a very productive season last year with over 3,800 yards, 33 TDs and 10 Interceptions. The addition of Najee Harris should help the Steelers have a better run game and keep defenses honest.
Ben Roethlisberger’s record is an unbelievable 106-20 when he has a running back go for over 100 yards in a game and I think Harris will do that at least a couple times this season. Maybe it is the fact that I am a Browns fan that is so used to the Steelers being good year in and year out, but I would not be surprised if this team were at least in the mix for a playoff spot next season.
Arizona Cardinals
When I saw that Vegas was projecting the Cardinals to only win 8 games this season, I thought that projection was a little low. The additions of Rodney Hudson and Brian Winters should help the Cardinals to have an improved offensive line and adding Malcolm Butler, JJ Watt and Zaven Collins should help the defense too.
AJ Green and Rondale Moore were good pickups as well, if Green can regain his previous form and the Cardinals can somehow trade for Julio Jones this could be one of the best wide receiving corps in the NFL. Even without Jones, I think the Cards can exceed expectations this season.
Carolina Panthers
Sam Darnold is getting a fresh start with the Panthers after 3 tough seasons with the Jets, Darnold will be motivated to prove that he can be the guy for Carolina with his second contract looming in 2 years and wanting to get a multiyear deal with someone. Getting back Christian McCaffrey at 100% after he missed much of last season should be a big help too.
The Panthers lost 6 games last season within A touchdown in large part because of their secondary. The additions of Jaycee Horn, Rashaad Melvin and AJ Bouye should help Carolina to have an improved secondary. With Drew Bree’s retiring and Julio Jones likely leaving Atlanta, the NFC south should be wide open this season. (Outside of Tampa Bay)
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are already a good NFL team that has had success in the past few years, getting above average QB play can help them take the next step. How far the Colts go will largely depend on one of their offseason additions, sometimes a change of scenery is what you need to succeed. Carson Wentz came to the Colts this offseason, after he was benched at the end of last year in favor of Jalen Hurts. Colts head Coach Frank Reich was Wentz Offensive Coordinator (OC) in 2017 with the Eagles when Wentz had his best season by far and probably would have won league MVP if not for his season ending ACL injury.
The Colts have the right recipe for Wentz to succeed, they have one of the best Offensive lines in the NFL, a solid defense, and a good enough offense to win games. Will we get the 2020 version of Wentz? Will we get the 2017 version? I would not be surprised if the Colts got above average or better play from Wentz due to his history of success in Reich’s system, and wanting to prove himself again to the league. The Colts will likely be in the mix for the playoffs, how far they can go in the playoffs however will depend on Wentz’s play.