For being a seasonal operation, the NFL seems to find a way to stay in the news steadily. With that said, I'm taking a different approach to what's going on around the league.
Two for Duuuuval
Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye was interviewed on NFL Network late last week and he said that he was disappointed that he and fellow Jaguar cornerback Jalen Ramsey weren't both first team All-Pro in 2017. I hate even writing that sentence considering the fact that the Texans face the Jaguars twice. That said, it's hard to argue that those two are nasty as all get out. Are they better than Rams cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters? Are they the best duo in the league?
Here's my Ultimate 11 duos in the NFL:
11. LB Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright, Seahawks
10. WR Jarvis Landry and Josh Gordon, Browns
9. Edge Bruce Irvin and Khalil Mack, Raiders
8. DL Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham, Eagles
7. LB Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis, Panthers
6. DE J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney (with a Whitney Mercilus chaser), Texans
5. RB Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, Saints
4. Edge Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, Chargers
3. CB Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters, Rams
2. DT Ndamukong Suh and Aaron Donald, Rams
1. CB Bouye and Ramsey, Jaguars
Reich's Luck
New Colts head coach Frank Reich said this week that Andrew Luck is getting "real close" to throwing a football. We have heard that before and Luck actually did just that in 2017 at some point. I think. Perhaps not. Who really knows? The Colts' message has always been that Luck will throw again and that (insert upcoming year) will be the year he returns. I can imagine Colts fans are still holding their breath.
Here's my Ultimate 11 most anticipated returns in the NFL:
11. G Marshal Yanda, Ravens
10. WR Jullian Edelman, Patriots (although he'll miss the first four games of the year, pending appeal)
9. RB Dalvin Cook, Vikings
8. WR Josh Gordon, Browns (for a full season)
7. RB David Johnson, Cardinals
6. S Eric Berry, Chiefs
5. DE J.J. Watt, Texans
4. WR Odell Beckham Jr., Giants
3. QB Andrew Luck, Colts
2. QB Deshaun Watson, Texans
1. Head coach Jon Gruden, Raiders
Duke remains a Brown
Browns running back Duke Johnson inked an extension with the Browns on Thursday. Even though Johnson isn't thought of as one of the top running backs in the league, he's highly valuable to his squad. He was tied for 17th in the AFC with seven total touchdowns (four rushing and three receiving). Of course, he's wildly underrated as well.
Here's my Ultimate 11 underrated players in the AFC:
11. LB Kyle Van Noy, Patriots
10. LB Demario Davis, Jets
9. RT Jack Conklin, Titans
8. RB Duke Johnson, Browns
7. TE Jack Doyle, Colts
6. OLB Whitney Mercilus, Texans
5. RB Alex Collins, Ravens
4. WR Robby Anderson, Jets
3. S Jordan Poyer, Bills
2. OLB Bruce Irvin, Raiders
1. LB Joe Schobert, Browns
Face in a new place
Broncos left tackle Garret Bolles said this week that the "season that (Case Keenum) had in Minnesota was no fluke." The former Houston Cougar/Houston Texan quarterback has impressed his new Broncos teammates since arriving via free agency. He's gotten all of the first team reps in the offseason for the first time in a while, if not ever.
Here's my Ultimate 11 most significant/impactful faces in new places:
11. QB Alex Smith, Redskins
10. WR Brandin Cooks, Rams
9. WR Danny Amendola, Dolphins
8. RB Saquon Barkley, Giants (R)
7. CB Aqib Talib, Rams
6. QB Sam Darnold, Jets (R)
5. DT Ndamukong Suh, Rams
4. CB Marcus Peters, Rams
3. QB Case Keenum, Broncos
2. S Tyrann Mathieu, Texans
1. QB Kirk Cousins, Vikings
