All Access Football Report: Week 4

All Access Football founder Ric Serritella highlights the top teams and award watch candidates, as we are officially one month into the 2024 football season! Who got the fever???

Volume XXIV Edition LV | AAF Report Week 4

Today’s edition of the All Access Football Report is presented by Sports Management Worldwide, a proud partner of AAF. Now offering graduate programs in Sports Management, including a PhD, EdD, MASL, and MBA in Sports Leadership, in association with Concordia University. Accelerate your career tomorrow, by getting started at SMWW today. Be sure to tell them Ric sent you to waive the $250 application fee process.

Congratulations to SMWW alumni Brody Nepstad who completed the Football GM & Scouting Online Course and was recently hired by the Oregon Ducks as a scouting assistant!

A GLANCE AROUND THE FOOTBALL UNIVERSE

There are still five undefeated teams who remain after three weeks of NFL play. Unfortunately, we won’t have Mercury Morris (photo: Miami Dolphins) and his annual cork pop of champagne around anymore to remind us that his 1972 Miami Dolphins remain the lone undefeated team in NFL history (17-0). It was announced on Sunday that the former ‘Fins legend has passed away at the age of 77.

One of the current undefeated teams remains the Justin Fields-led Pittsburgh Steelers. Last year, we saw Baker Mayfield resurrect his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after landing on his fourth team in as many years. Previously, we witnessed the transformation of Geno Smith from journeyman, to franchise signal-caller for the Seattle Seahawks. Fields is just the latest example that situations matter.

In order to ensure success at the NFL level, an organization must have a combination of strong coaching development, in addition to having players, specifically a quarterback who is all-in committed in the preparation process. So then, what does the future have in store for recently benched Carolina Panthers No.1 pick Bryce Young?

To answer that question, one must first find the answer to why Young has failed to live up to the expectations. It’s likely too early in the process to tell. Remember, it was former Panthers head coach Frank Reich, along with assistant Josh McCown who desired to select Young in 2023. Gone are Reich and McCown. Enter David Canales, who we will call unproven at this point.

While we don’t know for certain how the fate of Canales or Young will unfold, listening to to the head coach speak on Monday, one characteristic that was of utmost importance was preparation. It’s a word that was constantly echoed by Canales when asked what about Andy Dalton, gave the Panthers the best chance to win. Canales never knocked Young for his lack of accountability but glowingly praised Dalton for the work he put in leading up to the shocking victory over the Bucs.

You don’t need too be Inspector Gadget to read between the lines. The amount of times Canales referenced preparation, accountability and leadership when discussing Dalton, tells you everything you need to know as to why Young was not succeeding. This will be one of the more interesting storylines to monitor during the 2024 season.

Can Dalton, a former second round pick (No.35 overall) in his own right, prove to be the answer and keep the winning going? Dalton is 84-78-2 all-time as a starter, passing for 38,830 yards and 249 touchdowns during his career. Or, will he eventually relinquish the job back to Young, whom this situation should serve as a wake up call.

The outcome could determine whether the Panthers are in the market for a quarterback again for the 2025 NFL Draft.

(Photo: Carolina Panthers)

In addition to the Panthers, other teams who would appear to be in the market for a new quarterback in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft would include the Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders, all of whom could possibly wind up drafting in the top ten. Be sure to check out our NFL Top 10 Mock Draft below for a preview of how the top of the draft could look come April.

There are not major shakeups in our NFL Power Rankings this week. The aforementioned Steelers and the unbeaten Seattle Seahawks crack the top ten for the first time this season.

A major showdown, sure to be packed with NFL GMs and decision-makers by the masses will occur this week, as the Alabama Crimson Tide host the Georgia Bulldogs. Our college football rankings remain steady for this week but one new school enters the fray—watch out for Louisville! The Cardinals have a strong chance to win the ACC and be ranked very high in the first ever 12-team College Football Playoffs. Don’t be surprised if they knock off Notre Dame this week!

Another dynamic week of football is on tap and there may not be anyone more exciting than Travis Hunter. The iron man standout for the Colorado Buffaloes is having one of the most iconic individual seasons in college football history and has taken the top spot on both our Heisman Trophy Watch List and NFL Draft rankings.

Buckle up, dive in and thank you for reading! AAF is your home for REAL football talk.

NFL POWER RANKINGS

1. Kansas City Chiefs - Opponents not only have to outplay the Chiefs but also overcome the referees.

2. San Francisco 49ers - Adapt and adjust is the name of the game and few deal with adversity better.

3. Baltimore Ravens - The backfield combination of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry is a mega force.

4. Detroit Lions - A stingy defense, strong ground attack, competent quarterback and solid depth.

5. Buffalo Bills - New look Bills seem care free when everyone eats, plenty of weapons for Josh Allen.

6. Houston Texans - The Texans ran into a buzzsaw that is the Minnesota Vikings, they will rebound.

7. Philadelphia Eagles - Plenty of talent in Philly but Nick Sirianni needs to maintain the focus.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers - A pleasant surprise to some, as the Justin Fields truthers get to revel.

9. New Orleans Saints - There is no denying that this team has been as tough as any in the league early on.

10. Seattle Seahawks - Being able to it in the draft on all three days has really replenished the depth.

CFB POWER RANKINGS

1. Ole Miss Rebels - Our preseason No.1 remains steady.

2. Texas Longhorns - Our preseason No.2 is now No.1 in national polls.

3. Georgia Bulldogs - A clash with The Tide brings early season ramifications.

4. Ohio State Buckeyes - Stacked with as much talent as any school in the country.

5. Alabama Crimson Tide - A big first test upon which Kalen DeBoer will be judged.

6. Tennessee Volunteers - Is this the best Vols team of the century?

7. Miami Hurricanes - You can argue that no one is playing better than Cam Ward.

8. Penn State Nittany Lions - Taking care of business and working overtime.

9. Oregon Ducks - The Ducks savvy leader, Dillon Gabriel guides the way.

10. Louisville Cardinals - Keep an eye on ‘The Ville’ to win the ACC.

TOP 10 MOCK DRAFT

1. Tennessee Titans: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

2. Carolina Panthers: Carson Beck, QB, Georgia

3. Denver Broncos: James Pearce Jr. ER, Tennessee

4. New York Giants: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

5. Miami Dolphins: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

6. Washington Commanders: Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado

7. Indianapolis Colts: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

8. New England Patriots: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

AAF ON SXM CH.159 EVERY TUESDAY ON SPORTS GRID

Ric Serritella of AAF joins Gabriel Morency on Sports Rage for the final 30 minutes.

NFL QB RANKINGS

1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

2. Lamar Jackson, Ravens

3. Brock Purdy, 49ers

4. Josh Allen, Bills

5. Aaron Rodgers, Jets

6. Matthew Stafford, Rams

7. Jalen Hurts, Eagles

8. CJ Stroud, Texans

9. Kyler Murray, Cardinals

10. Sam Darnold, Vikings

HEISMAN TROPHY WATCH

1. Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

2. Jaxon Dart, QB, Ole Miss

3. Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

4. Cam Ward, QB, Miami

5. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State  

6. Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee

7. Carson Beck, Georgia

8. Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon

9. Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

10. Arch Manning, QB, Texas

NFL DRAFT TOP 10 PROSPECTS

1. Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado

2. James Pearce Jr., ER, Tennessee, Jr.

3. Carson Beck, QB, Georgia

4. Mykel Williams, ER, Ohio State

5. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

6. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

7. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

8. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

9. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

10. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

HOUSTON — PRO FOOTBALL FREE AGENT SHOWCASE

FA Showcase: Saturday, October 5, 2024 | C.E. King High School - Houston, Texas

Today’s edition of the AAF Newsletter is presented by FA Showcase. For street free agents in seek of pro football opportunities, be sure to register for the upcoming FA Showcase, to be held on Saturday, October 5th in Houston, Texas. Verified measurements, testing, positional drills and 1-on-1’s to be conducted. All Access Football founder and Edmonton Elks scout Ric Serritella will be on-site to assist with the workout. For those interested, register here.