All Access: QB Big Board, AFC East Bust Outs, 1-on-1 With Johnathan Abram
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With NFL training camps getting set to start, we begin our NFL Bust Out Series with a look at the AFC East, which projects to be a very heated race. While the Buffalo Bills have won the division three straight years, the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets have all retooled. Expect every team to be in the playoff mix by the end of the regular season. We examine some of the intriguing young players who could develop into key role players.
Plus, NFL Draft Bible unveils its preseason QB Big Board (Top 60) for the 2024 NFL Draft below. First, a quick update on the NFL Supplemental Draft, which was held on Tuesday.
Neither of the two players eligible, wideouts Milton Wright of Purdue, or Malachi Wideman of Jackson State were selected. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Wright, who was timed in the high 4.6-range at his pro day, will attempt to work out in front of NFL teams once again on July 24th-25th, according to ESPN. Meanwhile, KPRC in Houston is reporting that Wideman has received a contract offer from the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL. The San Antonio Brahmas own Wideman’s XFL rights after they chose him in the league’s rookie draft. He too, will seek to work out for NFL scouts one more time before teams report for training camp.
AFC EAST BUST OUT PLAYERS
Here are some players on each AFC East team that could be depended upon to have an increased role for the upcoming 2023 season, along with a projected look at the depth for the skill positions.
BUFFALO BILLS
Last 5 Years
2022: 13-3 (1st) | 2021: 11-6 (1st)Â | 2020: 13-3 (1st) | 2019: 10-6 (2nd)Â | 2018: 6-10 (4th)
Projected Skill- Position Starters
QB Josh Allen | RB James Cook| WR Stefon Diggs | WR Gabe Davis | WR Khalil Shakir | TE Dalton Kincaid
One area the Bills will seek improvement is consistency from their complimentary playmakers to Stefon Diggs. At WR Khalil Shakir provided flashes of becoming a big time seam weapon, especially as the season wore on. In fact, quarterback Josh Allen seemed to go his direction more frequently come playoff time, connecting on five catches for 91 yards in two games. His speed can be an added dimension to the offense they sorely need. Another second-year player who is expected to see his role increase is pass-catching TE Quintin Morris, who is capable of picking up yards after the catch due to his quickness. He can be a dangerous target when lined up in 12 personnel, along with Dawson Knox and should feel a bit more comfortable with the playbook.Â
On defense, Buffalo needs CB Kaiir Elam to get over his mental and injury woes that troubled him as a rookie, in order to play like the first round pick they traded up to acquire. He was benched at times in favor of undrafted free agent CB Christian Benford. This will be a reset of sorts for Elam, who heads into camp healthy and is expected to nail down one of the starting cornerback jobs.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Last 5 Years
2022: 9-8 (2nd)Â | 2021: 9-8 (3rd)Â | 2020: 10-6 (2nd) | 2019: 5-11 (4th)Â | 2018: 7-9 (2nd)
Projected Skill- Position Starters
QB Tua Tagovailoa | RB Jeff Wilsonn Jr. | WR Tyreek Hill | WR Jaylen Waddle | WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. | TE Durham Smythe
It has been a roller-coaster ride for 2020 first round pick OT Austin Jackson. He has started at both tackle spots, in addition to guard but finally looks primed to lock down the vital right tackle position and protect the blindside for QB Tua Tagovailoa. Can DE Jaelan Phillips elevate his game to the next level and develop into one of the premier pass-rushers in the NFL? The potential is certainly there. He came on strong in year one, earning a starting role, while registering eight and a half sacks. Despite becoming a full-time starter last season, Phillips struggled early on before finishing up with seven sacks. This year, Phillips will benefit from the arrival of new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, in addition to playing opposite of DE Bradley Chubb for an entire year. Don’t be surprised to see Phillips catapult his way amongst the league leaders in sacks.Â
Second-year CB Verone McKinley III was a pleasant surprise as an undrafted free agent, earning a midseason call-up and even making two starts. He is expected to play an even larger role in the secondary and could be depended upon as a starter full-time. Coming off a season-ending ACL injury, SS Brandon Jones is a bust out candidate on the backend of the defense.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Last 5 Years
2022: 8-9 (3rd)Â | 2021: 10-7 (2nd)Â | 2020: 7-9 (3rd) | 2019: 12-4 (1st)Â | 2018: 11-5 (1st)
Projected Skill- Position Starters
QB Mac Jones | RB Rhamondre Stevenson | WR Devante Parker | WR Kendrick Bourne | WR JuJu Smith-Schuster | TE Hunter Henry
The Patriots have thrown a litany of various running backs at opponents on a weekly basis but RB Rhamondre Stevenson appears to be ready to rumble with even more of a workload. Despite just seven starts a year ago, Stevenson very quietly exceeded the 1,000-yard barrier. He could be a dark horse candidate to lead the NFL in rushing. New England lacked competence from a play-calling standpoint on offense last season. With the reunion of Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator, second-year WR Tyquan Thornton will be placed in situations to succeed and take advantage of his speed; he should see 100-plus targets.Â
Last year was supposed to be the much anticipated breakout campaign for DT Christian Barmore. Unfortunately, his knee flared up midseason, causing him to miss seven games. The good news is the injury did not require surgery and Barmore was able to rehab back to full strength with rest. Look for this year to finally be his time to shine and emerge as a key cog up front. One under the radar player is CB Myles Bryant. He saw 61% of the defensive reps in 2022, up from 27% as a rookie, while also moonlighting as a punt returner.
NEW YORK JETS
Last 5 Years
2022: 7-10 (4th) | 2021: 4-13 (4th) | 2020: 2-14 (4th) | 2019: 7-9 (3rd) | 2018: 4-12 (4th)
Projected Skill- Position Starters
QB Aaron Rodgers | RB Breece Hall | WR Garret Wilson | WR Allen Lazard | WR Mecole Hardman Jr. | TE Tyler Conklinn
We have all heard about the arrival of QB Aaron Rodgers on Broadway and some of the new toys brought in for the passing attack. The free agent additions of proven wideouts such as WR Allen Lazard and WR Mecole Hardman certainly boasts the offense firepower. However, a big part of the four-time NFL MVP success at his new destination will be dependent upon a reliable ground attack.Â
The Jets have assembled their own edition of ‘Earth, Wind and Fire’ with a three-headed running back rotation that features various styles. Former second round pick RB Breece Hall is expected to assume lead-back duties but we saw him deal with various ailments throughout the season. When healthy, he is able to run it inside, outside, in addition to being a very effective receiver out of the backfield. With change of pace RB Michael Carter in the fold, along with RB Zonovan ‘Bam’ Knight who can pound the rock between the tackles, New York has accumulated fantastic backfield depth. Each runner totaled at least 80 carries each a year ago. Look for more of the same form the talented trio, who could turn out to be the secret ingredient towards their championship aspirations.
ALL ACCESS FOOTBALL NETWORK
Be sure to subscribe to our new-look All Access Football YouTube Channel, featuring NFL Draft player previews, exclusive interviews and top pro prospects from around the world! Coming soon: All Access Football Podcast, hosted by Hype.
New Video Alert! Watch our latest one-on-one interview with New Orleans Saints safety Johnathan Abram here. A fervent pitch by his former Las Vegas Raiders teammate David Carr, lead Abram to ‘The Big Easy.’ He sat down with Ric Serritella to share why he ultimately decided to sign with the Saints, his expectations headed into the season and provides a behind the scenes glimpse into his recent USO Tour experience in Japan.
Note: This article originally appeared in Lindy’s 2023 Pro Football Magazine, now available here.
NFL DRAFT BIBLE 2024 PRESEASON QB BIG BOARD
Overall, the QB Class of 2023 would appear to be very strong and has already generated plenty of excitement within the scouting community. The search for the ‘next Patrick Mahomes’ may sound cache but USC star signal-caller QB Caleb Williams is the closest comparison known to date. His ability to extend plays, alter arm angles and air it out would project him to be the top quarterback prospect in the last three years. It has been a rebirth in Chapel Hill for QB Drake Maye. After a brief stint at Alabama, the sniper-accurate Maye possesses prototypical size, awareness and arm strength. In Colorado, excitement is pouring in with much ado about QB Shedeur Sanders who followed his dad over from Jackson State and could be the ultimate wild card amongst the draft class. Meanwhile, once-heralded prospects such as QB Spencer Rattler of South Carolina and DJ Uiagalelei of Oregon State look too recapture some of the luster that has been lost on their draft stock. One player worth keeping an eye on is Tulane dual-threat QB Michael Pratt who accounted for 37 touchdowns and just five interceptions in 2022. There is no limit as to how high he could ascend come next April.
RANK | PLAYER | SCHOOL | YEAR | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | FORTY
Caleb Williams, USC, Jr, 6005, 220, 4.48
Drake Maye, North Carolina, rSo, 6043, 220,4.58
Michael Penix Jr., Washington, rSr, 6021, 213, 4.64
Jayden Daniels, LSU, rSr, 6030, 200, 4.52
Quinn Ewers, Texas, rSo, 6021, 207, 4.76
Tyler Van Dyke, Miami, rJr, 6041, 224, 4.80
Bo Nix, Oregon, rSr, 6016, 213, 4.62
JJ McCarthy, Michigan, Jr, 6030, 196, 4.56
Joe Milton III, Tennessee, rSr, 6045, 245, 4.68
Spencer Rattler, South Carolina, rSr, 6002, 215, 4.70
Devin Leary, Kentucky, rSr, 6012, 217, 4.75
Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina, rSr, 6020, 215, 4.67
Riley Leonard, Duke, Jr, 6030, 212, 4.54
DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State, Sr, 6040, 235, 4.76
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, Jr, 6006, 215, 4.78
Michael Pratt, Tulane, Sr, 6030, 220, 4.73
Phil Jurkovec, Pittsburgh, rSr, 6051, 219, 4.72
Jordan Travis, Florida State, rSr, 6010, 212, 4.52
Cameron Rising, Utah, rSr, 6010, 218, 4.64
Cameron Ward, Washington State, rJr, 6021, 220, 4.87
Kedon Slovis, BYU, rSr, 6025, 212, 4.78
Sam Hartman, Notre Dame, rSr, 6010, 210, 4.76
Brennan Armstrong, North Carolina State, rSr, 6010, 210, 4.67
Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland, rSr, 5104, 210, 4.70
Will Rogers, Mississippi State, Sr, 6020, 210, 4.84
Jaxon Dart, Mississippi, Jr, 6020, 220, 4.72
KJ Jefferson, Arkansas, rSr, 6025, 230, 4.74
Austin Reed, Western Kentucky, rSr, 6012, 222, 4.78
Garrett Shrader, Syracuse, rSr, 6042, 228, 4.58
Jeff Sims, Nebraska, rSr, 6016, 219, 4.59
Jayden de Laura, Arizona, Sr, 5104, 203, 4.64
Tyler Shough, Texas Tech, rSr, 6046, 229, 4.74
Spencer Sanders, Mississippi, rSr, 6010, 219, 4.50
Gavin Hardison, UTEP, rSr, 6026, 205, 4.78
Jack Plummer, Louisville, rSr, 6041, 214, 4.90
Collin Schlee, UCLA, rSr, 6034, 217, 4.63
John Rhys Plumlee, UCF, rSr, 5116, 200, 4.42
JT Daniels, Rice, rSr, 6026, 226, 4.86
Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma, rSr, 5112, 203, 4.83
Carter Bradley, South Alabama, rSr, 6030, 217, 4.89
Tanner Mordecai, Wisconsin, rSr, 6015, 216, 4.76
Payton Thorne, Auburn, rSr, 6011, 210, 4.73Â
Spencer Petras, Iowa, rSr, 6045, 231, 5.06
Jalon Daniels, Kansas, rJr, 5117, 211, 4.56
Theo Day, Northern Iowa, rSr, 6050, 231, 4.96
Kurtis Rourke, Ohio, rSr, 6041, 230, 4.73
Ben Bryant, Northwestern, rSr, 6030, 213, 4.90
Seth Henigan, Memphis, Jr, 6021, 210, 4.87
Matt Sluka, Holy Cross, Sr, 6021, 215, 4.58
Doug Brumfield, UNLV, rJr, 6036, 225, 4.78
Conner Bazelak, Bowling Green, rSr, 6026, 224, 4.89
Parker McKinney, Eastern Kentucky, rSr, 6021, 208, 4.94
Cade McNamara, Iowa, rSr, 6006, 206, 4.82
Emory Jones, Cincinnati, rSr, 6015, 210, 4.54
Michael Hiers, Samford, Sr, 6006, 211, 4.86
Davius Richard, North Carolina Central, rSr, 6022, 200, 4.59
Frank Harris, UTSA, rSr, 5116, 205, 4.59
Hank Bachmeier, Louisiana Tech, rSr, 6010, 205, 4.78
Darren Grainger, Georgia State, rSr, 6025, 195, 4.73
DJ Irons, Akron, rSr, 6051, 205, 4.73
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