NFL Power Ranking Pre-training Camp

by Barb Layton

I love this time of year. It is so interesting to see all the lists and how people rank the teams and players. This is my first one for the year and when the season starts, I will be doing one each week on Tuesday.

It was hard to put the middle of the pack teams. They could have been in a different alignment, but I think it looks accurate. I just fill the Bills and Rams are the top 2 teams.

Let’s get started:

  1. Bills
  2. Rams
  3. Packers
  4. Ravens
  5. Chiefs
  6. Buccaneers
  7. 49ers
  8. Bengals
  9. Chargers
  10. Cardinals
  11. Cowboys
  12. Broncos
  13. Eagles
  14. Colts
  15. Raiders
  16. Titans
  17. Steelers
  18. Patriots
  19. Browns
  20. Saints
  21. Vikings
  22. Seahawks
  23. Lions
  24. Commanders
  25. Jets
  26. Panthers
  27. Giants
  28. Dolphins
  29. Bears
  30. Falcons
  31. Texans
  32. Jaguars

Top 40 Fantasy Football Wide Receivers

by James Layton

Today let’s take a look at my top forty fantasy wide receivers for this season. In the past few seasons, the wide receiver position has taken off in the fantasy football world. There have been so many good receiver options you can find in almost any round the draft.

I always like to draft one around round two or three depending on how the board looks. In the past couple of days, I had to rearrange my rankings due to some roster moves.

Let’s get into the rankings.

  1. Cooper Kupp, Rams
  2. Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals
  3. Davante Adams, Raiders
  4. Justin Jefferson, Vikings
  5. Stefon Diggs, Bills
  6. Keenan Allen, Chargers
  7. Terry McLaurin, Commanders
  8. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins
  9. Diontae Johnson, Steelers
  10. Deebo Samuel, 49ers
  11. Mike Evans, Buccaneers
  12. Mike Williams, Chargers
  13. DK Metcalf, Seahawks
  14. Michael Pittman, Colts
  15. DJ Moore, Panthers
  16. Tee Higgins, Bengals
  17. DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals
  18. Amon-Ra St Brown, Lions
  19. Marquise Brown, Cardinals
  20. Chase Claypool, Steelers
  21. Ceedee Lamb, Cowboys
  22. Brandin Cooks, Texans
  23. Amari Cooper, Browns
  24. AJ Brown, Eagles
  25. Van Jefferson, Rams
  26. Kendrick Bourne, Patriots
  27. Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers
  28. Courtland Sutton, Broncos
  29. Tyler Lockett, Seahawks
  30. Michael Thomas, Saints
  31. Darnell Mooney, Bears
  32. Tim Patrick, Broncos
  33. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans
  34. Robert Woods, Titans
  35. Juju Smith-Schuster, Chiefs
  36. Hunter Renfrow, Raiders
  37. Christian Kirk, Jaguars
  38. Jerry Jeudy, Broncos
  39. Devonta Smith, Eagles
  40. Tyler Boyd, Bengals

Top 100 Fantasy Football Big Board

by Barb Layton

I just love every year looking at Fantasy Football Big Boards. So, I thought I would give it a try this year.

I generally try to draft 2 excellent running backs in my first couple picks. Then I choose the wide receivers, quarterbacks and tight ends.

So, let’s begin the big board.

  1. Derrick Henry, RB Titans
  2. Jonathan Taylor, RB Colts
  3. Nick Chubbs, RB Browns
  4. Dalvin Cook, RB Vikings
  5. Austin Ekeler, RB Chargers
  6. Cooper Kupp, WR Rams
  7. Christian McCaffrey, RB Panthers
  8. Davante Adams, WR Raiders
  9. Aaron Jones, RB Packers
  10. Najee Harris, RB Steelers
  11. Ja’Marr Chase, WR Bengals
  12. Joe Mixon, RB Bengals
  13. Leonard Fournette, RB Buccaneers
  14. A.J. Brown, WR Eagles
  15. Justin Jefferson, WR Vikings
  16. Darren Waller, TE Raiders
  17. Mike Evans, WR Buccaneers
  18. Mark Andrews, TE Ravens
  19. Saquon Barkley, RB Giants
  20. Travis Kelce, TE Chiefs
  21. Josh Allen, QB Bills
  22. Deebo Samuel, WR 49ers
  23. Patrick Mahomes, QB Chiefs
  24. James Conner, RB Cardinals
  25. Justin Herbert, QB Chargers
  26. Tee Higgins, WR Bengals
  27. Lamar Jackson, QB Ravens
  28. Dalton Schultz, TE Cowboys
  29. Diontae Johnson, WR Steelers
  30. Tyler Lockett, WR Seahawks
  31. Joe Burrow, QB Bengals
  32. David Montgomery, RB Bears
  33. Hunter Renfrow, WR Raiders
  34. Dak Prescott, QB Cowboys
  35. Javonte Williams, RB Broncos
  36. Kyle Pitts, TE Falcons
  37. Tom Brady, QB Buccaneers
  38. George Kittle, TE 49ers
  39. Tyreek Hill, WR Dolphins
  40. Derek Carr, QB Raiders
  41. Stefon Diggs, WR Bills
  42. Rashaad Penny, RB Seahawks
  43. Kyler Murray, QB Cardinals
  44. DK Metcalf, WR Seahawks
  45. Kirk Cousins, QB Vikings
  46. Jalen Hurts, QB Eagles
  47. Mecole Hardman, WR Chiefs
  48. Jameis Winston, QB Saints
  49. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR Lions
  50. Matthew Stafford, QB Rams
  51. Tua Tagovoiloa, QB Dolphins
  52. Mac Jones, QB Patriots
  53. Jaylen Waddle, WR Dolphins
  54. Keenan Allen, WR Chargers
  55. Chase Claypool, WR Steelers
  56. Zack Wilson, QB Jets
  57. Russell Wilson, QB Broncos
  58. Aaron Rodgers, QB Packers
  59. Michael Pittman, WR Colts
  60. Ryan Tannehill, QB Titans
  61. Mike Williams, WR Chargers
  62. Amari Cooper, WR Browns
  63. Gabriel Davis, WR Bills
  64. Miles Sanders, RB Eagles
  65. Matt Ryan, QB Colts
  66. Travis Etienne, RB Jaguars
  67. Josh Jacobs, RB Raiders
  68. Cam Akers, RB Rams
  69. D’Andre Swift, RB Lions
  70. Justin Fields, QB Bears
  71. Adam Thielen, WR Vikings
  72. D.J. Moore, WR Panthers
  73. CeeDee Lamb, WR Cowboys
  74. Elijah Moore, WR Panthers
  75. Cordarrelle Patterson, RB Falcon
  76. Daniel Jones, QB Giants
  77. Ezekiel Elliott, RB Cowboys
  78. Carson Wentz, QB Commanders
  79. Devin Singletary, RB Bills
  80. Mitchell Trubisky, QB Steelers
  81. Jared Goff, QB Lions
  82. Michael Gallup, WR Cowboys
  83. Antonio Gibson, RB Commanders
  84. Darnell Mooney, WR Bears
  85. Marlon Mack, RB Texans
  86. Trevor Lawrence, QB Jaguars
  87. Elijah Moore, WR Jets
  88. Chris Godwin, WR Buccaneers
  89. Davis Mills, QB Texans
  90. Michael Thomas, WR Saints
  91. Brandon Aiyuk, WR 49ers
  92. Pat Freiermuth, TE Steelers
  93. Alan Lazard, WR Packers
  94. Terry McLaurin, WR Commanders
  95. JK Dobbins, RB Ravens
  96. Trey Lance, QB 49ers
  97. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR Chiefs
  98. Tyler Higbee, TE Rams
  99. Dallas Goedert, TE Eagles
  100. Alvin Kamara, RB Saints

2022 1st Round Mock Draft 1.0 Post Super Bowl

By James Layton

The NFL Draft is the highlight of my year. I enjoy looking for the diamonds in the rough and turning them into stars.

Many today are in the win it now mode. This way of thinking can come back to bite them. I still like building a team from the ground up. Draft picks are the way for most teams to be a champion.

So, let’s get started on my first round 1 draft. See how I feel the first round could fall.

  1. Jaguars: Evan Neal, OT Alabama
  2. Lions: Aiden Hutchinson, EDGE Michigan
  3. Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE Oregan
  4. Jets: Kyle Hamilton, S Notre Dame
  5. Giants: Derek Stingley, CB LSU
  6. Panthers: Kenyon Green, G Texas A&M
  7. Giants: Charles Cross, OT Mississippi State
  8. Falcons: Chris Olave, WR Ohio State
  9. Broncos: George Karlaftis, EDGE Purdue
  10. Jets: Andrew Booth, CB Clemson
  11. Commanders: Malik Willis, QB Liberty
  12. Vikings: DeMarvin Lewis, DT Texas A&M
  13. Browns: Garrett Wilson, WR Ohio State
  14. Ravens: Trevor Penning, OT Northern Iowa
  15. Eagles: Ikem Ekwonu, OT NC State
  16. Eagles: Tyler Linderbaum, C Iowa
  17. Chargers: Ahmad Gardner, CB Cincinnati
  18. Saints: Drake London, WR USC
  19. Eagles: Devin Lloyd, LB Utah
  20. Steelers: Matt Corral, QB Ole Miss
  21. Patriots: Daxton Hill, S Michigan
  22. Raiders: Nakobe Dean, LB Georgia
  23. Cardinals: Zion Johnson, G Boston College
  24. Cowboys: Jordan Davis, DT Georgia
  25. Bills: Jameson Williams, WR Alabama
  26. Titans: Chad Muma, LB Wyoming
  27. Buccaneers: Kenny Pickett, QB Pittsburgh
  28. Packers: David Ojabo, EDGE Michigan
  29. Dolphins: Kenneth Walker, RB Michigan State
  30. Chiefs: Kaiir Elam, CB Florida
  31. Bengals: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT Ohio State
  32. Lions: Jahan Dotson, WR Penn State

Reserve/Future Signings 2022 for the AFC North

By Barb Layton

Bengals

Browns

  1. K Chris Blewitt
  2. TE Miller Forristall
  3. G Hjalte Froholdt
  4. TE Nick Guggemos
  5. LB Willie Harvey
  6. DB Nate Meadors
  7. G David Moore
  8. OL Elijah Nkansah
  9. FB Johnny Stanton
  10. T Alex Taylor
  11. DE Curtis Weaver
  12. RB John Kelly

Ravens

  1. DB Robert Jackson
  2. OT Jaryd Jones-Smith
  3. G/OT Khalil McKenzie
  4. WR Jaylon Moore
  5. C James Murray
  6. TE Tony Poljan
  7. DB Kevin Toliver
  8. WR Binjimen Victor
  9. DT Isaiah Mack
  10. G Nate McCrary
  11. TE/FB Ben Mason

Steelers

  1. DE Daniel Archibong
  2. WR Rico Bussey
  3. DT Khalil Davis
  4. G Nathan Gilliam
  5. G Malcolm Pridgeon
  6. LB Deiontae Scott
  7. K Sam Sloman
  8. DB Linden Stephens
  9. TE Jace Sternberger
  10. S Donovan Stiner
  11. LS Rex Sunahara
  12. WR Tyler Vaughns
  13. DB Isaiah Johnson
  14. WR Steven Sims
  15. RB Trey Edmunds
  16. OL Chaz Green
  17. WR Anthony Miller

Way To Early 1st Round Mock Draft For The 2022 NFL Draft

By James Layton

With the 2021 NFL Draft ending Saturday. It’s never to early to start taking a look at the next years class. This is my first mock draft for the 2022 NFL Draft.

This draft I did make one trade down. But in my following drafts I will be including trades that could happen.

Let’s get in to the draft!

  1. Lions: Spencer Rattler, QB Oklahoma State
  2. Texans: Derek Stingley Jr, CB LSU
  3. Jaguars: Kyle Hamilton, S Notre Dame
  4. Eagles: Sam Howell, QB North Carolina
  5. Bengals: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge Oregon
  6. Jets: Ahmad Gardner, CB Cincinnati
  7. Giants: Christian Harris, LB Alabama
  8. Falcons: Garrett Wilson, Edge Ohio State
  9. Broncos: Drake Jackson, Edge USC
  10. Giants: Evan Neal, OT Alabama
  11. Washington: Kedon Slovis, QB USC
  12. Titans: Chris Olave, WR Ohio State
  13. Browns: Brenton Cox, Edge Florida
  14. Vikings: Bubba Bolden, S Miami (FL)
  15. Cardinals: Zach Harrison, Edge Ohio State
  16. Buccaneers (from Steelers): Isaiah Spiller, RB Texas A&M
  17. Chargers: Jalen Wydermyer, TE Texas A&M
  18. Patriots: Rasheed Walker, OT Penn State
  19. Cowboys: Zion Nelson, OT Miami (FL)
  20. Eagles: Edefuan Ulofoshio, LB Washington
  21. Raiders: Derion Kendrick, CB Clemson
  22. Colts: Treylon Burks, WR Arkansas
  23. Jets: DeMarvin Leal, DT Texas A&M
  24. Saints: George Karlaftis, Edge
  25. Panthers: Kaiir Elam, CB Florida
  26. Dolphins: Breece Hall, RB Iowa State
  27. Ravens: Tyler Linderbaum, C Iowa
  28. Lions: Charles Cross, OT Mississippi State
  29. Packers: Aidan Hutchinson, Edge Michigan
  30. Bills: Justyn Ross, WR Clemson
  31. Steelers (from Buccaneers): Desmond Ridder, QB Cincinnati
  32. Chiefs: Ed Ingram, G LSU

Steelers 7-Round Mock Draft

By James Layton

The 2021 NFL Draft is just 91 days away. So I thought it’s time to start to do my Steelers Mock Drafts again. The Steelers had a great start to the 2020 Season going 11-0, but the last 6 games of the season they didn’t seem to have the same fire they did to at the start. A lot of this I believe had to do with injuries to key players on both sides of the ball. Along with not being able to get the run game going all season, even though they did have a couple of 100 yard rushers during the early part of the season.

The Steelers need to start to look at building for the future, since Ben probably only has one year left. They do have Mason Rudolph and newly signed Dwayne Haskins at the Quarterback Position. The Offensive Line is another spot where we need to draft some players. Longtime Center Maurkice Pouncey is likely retiring in the coming weeks, and we don’t know if Guard David DeCastro is in the teams plans going forward with his Cap hit.

With that all being said, let’s get in to the Mock Draft. I did make one trade during the Draft with the Bengals. I traded out the 4th (121st) Round to pick up a 5th (135th), 6th (168th), 7th (198th) Round picks, because the player I was targeting was drafted two picks ahead of my pick.

Here is the Draft:

Round 1

24th Pick: Mac Jones, QB Alabama

Mac Jones looks to be the polished Quarterback in this years class behind Trevor Lawrence. He is not the most athletic prospect at the position, but he has a great sense of where the pressure is coming from when in the pocket. He does a very good job going through his reads. He would be a great fit in the Matt Canada offense going forward.

Other players considered: OT Samuel Cosmi, C Creed Humphrey, CB Asante Samuels Jr.

Round 2

55th Pick: Creed Humphrey, C Oklahoma

Humphrey would be a great pick to pair with Kevin Dotson and David DeCastro. This would really help to get the Run game going. Humphrey would be great replacement for Pouncey. He Looks to be the top Center in this years class.

Others considered: WR Amari Rodgers, OT Spencer Brown, LB Dylan Moses

Round 3

87th Pick: Kary Vincent Jr, CB LSU

Vincent has a very high Football IQ. He is efficient in and out of his breaks, allowing him to close separation rapidly on shallow routes, He also has displayed an ability to play both Nickel and post safety. He would be a great replacement for Mike Hilton.

Others Considered: WR Nico Collins, RB Chubba Hubbard, G Ben Cleveland

Round 4

121st Pick traded to the Bengals.

Round 5 (from Bengals)

135th Pick: Elijah Mitchell, RB Louisiana

Mitchell has size, build and strong lower half. Along with his ability he can fit in Zone or Gap scheme, and his vision and play speed to find gaps and hit the gas. His Career stats are really good 527 carries, 3,267 yards, 6.2 YPC, 41 TD’s, 49 Receptions, 597 yards, 12.2 YPR, 5 TD. He would be a great fit for Canada’s Offense.

Others considered: G Quinn Meinerz, OT Alaric Jackson, TE Tre McKitty

Round 6 a. (from Bengals)

168th Pick: Quinn Meinerz, G Wisconsin-Whitewater

Meinerz has position versatility where he can play both Guard and Center. At the Senior Bowl Meinerz showed his ability to go up against some of the top Defensive Linemen in the Draft.

Others considered: G Tommy Kraemer, WR Tarik Black, DT Lorenzo Neal

Round 6 b.

192nd Pick: Tony Poljan, TE Virginia

Poljan has a rare frame for the position, great size and length, looks every bit his listing. He also has good hands, reliable safety valve, adjusts well to balls thrown outside his frame, good body control. They did very good the last time the drafted a Tight End from Virginia.

Others considered: WR Frank Darby, LB Garrett Stuad, S Ja’Von Hicks

Round 7 a. (from Bengals)

198th Pick: Tuf Borland, LB Ohio State

Borland would be nice depth at the Linebacker position. He can be a good player on special teams, and also would be a nice rotation player on defense.

Others considered: LB Paddy Fisher, OLB Wyatt Hubart, DT Cam Sample

Round 7 b.

211th Pick: Cade Johnson, WR South Dakota State

Johnson would be a good depth player for the Steelers, since Juju will more in likely not be resigned. Johnson is a low risk high reward pick. He probably will go on day two of the draft.

Others considered: WR Dez Fitzpatrick, OT Josh Bell, P Drue Chrisman

NFL Top 10 Wide Receivers Week 7

By Barb Layton

I love the position of wide receivers. They have so many things they are asked to do. So this is how I would rank them this week.

  1. Deandre Hopkins, Cardinals
  2. Stefon Diggs, Bills
  3. Amari Cooper, Cowboys
  4. Robby Anderson, Panthers
  5. Allen Robinson, Bears
  6. Tyler Boyd, Bengals
  7. Chase Claypool, Steelers
  8. Calvin Ridley, Falcons
  9. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
  10. Terry McLaurin, Washington

NFL Top 10 Running Backs Week 7

By Barb Layton

The running backs is not so hard to choose. It is easy to see who is playing well each week. Derrick Henry is a beast. He will most likely always be in the top 3.

  1. Derrick Henry, Titans
  2. Miles Sanders, Eagles
  3. Clyde Edward-Helaire, Chiefs
  4. Joe Mixon, Bengals
  5. Ronald Jones, Buccaneers
  6. Aaron Jones, Packers
  7. Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys
  8. Kenyan Drake, Cardinals
  9. Kareem Hunt, Browns
  10. James Conner, Steelers