Month: June 2023

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Joe Namath Is Hopeful, Like Every Other Jets Fan

Joe Namath is on the phone from Florida. He’s maybe 15 minutes into a conversation about the Jets, their offseason, their momentum and their blockbuster trade this spring. But if it wasn’t Namath on the line, if it wasn’t his voice, wasn’t his number, and someone happened to be reading a transcript, they’d think he was talking about … anything or anyone else.

“We can hope, you know,” Namath is saying. “Realistic hope, too. As long as there’s hope in our lives, we’ve got a chance …”

He follows that with an abrupt Oh, boy! Perhaps he has come to his senses, optimism dimming in real time. Perhaps not. “I’m looking at a shark right now,” he says. “A shark’s fin. It’s swimming through the water outside in the river. Holy cow! This is the longest time I’ve seen one there.” Long pause. “No, it still hasn’t gone under.”

This apparently happens occasionally outside the home Namath has occupied for more than three decades in the Jupiter, Fla., area, north of West Palm Beach. Not a lot. But several times.

“Sharks go wherever they want to go,” he says. “They’ve gone to New Jersey and back south, through the harbor. Man! …”

It’s been 55 years and no other QB has gotten the Jets in the position Namath did.

Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

It feels like there must be a metaphor for the J-E-T-S in there somewhere. But what, exactly? In an AFC East that appears stacked with formidable swimmers, jaws all sharpened, will the Dolphins upend another season that tends to start (with hope) and end (without) in the same places? Will Broadway Joe’s old team be attacked by the same NFL-Jaws (the Patriots) as throughout most of this century? Or will the football team that’s not really from the Big Apple but claims New York take a bite out of the apple it hasn’t tasted since Namath himself won Super Bowl III?

Namath laughs over the phone. He might have made the most famous guarantee in the history of sports in 1969 and then backed that sucker up. But there will be no similar guarantee today. After all, Namath is now a Jets fan. He cannot know what’s lurking ahead; only that it’s lurking, something, whatever it may be. Instead, he says the swimming shark reminds him of the Jets’ defense and all its elite players. Seems accurate enough.

I tell him that I covered the last Jets playoff team, the Rex Ryan–Bart Scott–Mark Sanchez–Darrelle Revis group that upended the Patriots in Foxborough before losing to the Steelers in Pittsburgh in the conference championship. The next day was my last on the Jets beat for The New York Times. “Wow, long time,” he says.

Tell me about it. The ensuing 13 years featured a change in beats, another change in beats, a change in jobs, a cross-country move, two kids and a million other things—except one. The Jets haven’t made it back into the field, let alone nabbed an ever-elusive postseason win. But here they are, Gang Green, ostensibly headed back into the playoff business, fortified and—apologies, Jets Nation—stacked.

The 2023 roster will feature a deep and talented receiving corps, talented running backs and a defense with Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams, C.J. Mosley and much more. All that, plus Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback they traded for this spring, making it feel like ’08 all over again, when Rodgers replaced Brett Favre in Green Bay, and Favre went to the Jets, to nearly topple their tortured history and … well, different movie, same endpoint.

Namath didn’t draw the connection at first—young star in waiting, veteran star pushed out, Packers, Jets, etc. When the trade first seemed likely, Namath was thinking that Tom Brady had not yet retired. And … maybe? Then he heard Rodgers’s name connected with his old team all over the airwaves. He didn’t see a need to hope for anything beyond one of two of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. It also signaled to him something else, something deeper, tied to the playoff drought that will not end. “We’re in the mix, moving forward,” he says. “I appreciate Brady, like the rest of the world. But I always go back to Kenny Stabler, Roger the Dodger [meaning, Staubach]—the No. 12 is special for me. And just thinking about Aaron, or Tom before he retired, I said, Man, if we get one of those guys, we got a shot.”

He considers the Rodgers trade a major lift for a fan base in need of hope once more. Namath likes the Jets’ offensive line improvements, loves their defense and views Rodgers the same as most Jets fans. To them, Rodgers is the final piece, another final piece, the master touch to return the franchise to the Super Bowl. For, in case anyone forgot, the first time in 55 seasons.

Namath isn’t sure about the kicking game. But who the heck is? And he throws in the word potentially, as a caution. Because, with pro football in general and the Jets with heartbreaking specificity, there’s always a note of caution.

Still, Namath looks at the Jets and sees a team that’s fast and young and deep. That process started years ago, and he credits coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas with continuous improvement. “Those guys are giving the fans a chance to cheer a hell of a lot more,” he says.

Namath played for the Jets from 1965 to ’76, making five All-Pro teams.

Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated

People sometimes ask Namath why he wants the Jets to win so badly, why he hasn’t given up hope rather than embracing, as he is, what remains in the most optimistic of green hearts. “It’s because of the fans that have been loyal over the years,” he says. “Hell, they want to win more than just about anyone. Their loyalty deserves a championship, and I think [the team] is getting there.” Long pause. Then: God al-migh-ty!

It’s as if, at that moment, Super Bowl III flooded Namath’s veins. He pivots into competitiveness, not the process of wanting to win but the feeling when you do. He wants the Jets’ fan base to experience that feeling, since most cannot recall when he gave it to them more than half a century ago. “As bad as we’ve been, they keep coming back,” he says. “It’s just better when you win. That feeling runs through your body. Surges. Builds. The fans haven’t had that in a long time …”

He keeps going.

It’s awful …

But those other three teams … injuries … Lady Luck …

I hope Mother Nature’s good to them …

She can be pretty fickle …

I guess I am a Jets fan myself!

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Author: Greg Bishop

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The Top 25 Men’s Basketball Teams to Watch This Season

The transfer portal window and NBA draft decision deadline have come and gone, and rosters across college basketball are much closer to set than they were when the season came to a close nearly two months ago. While a few big fish in the portal have yet to find a destination, it’s a good time to refresh the national landscape and take a look at the top 25 teams for the 2023–24 season.

Here’s how Sports Illustrated sees things shaking out this season, with a blueblood resurgence headlining the top of the sport. 

Center Kyle Filipowski is one of many talented players returning for Duke in 2023-24.

Matt Pendleton/USA TODAY Sports

Top 25 Men’s Basketball Teams for 2023-24

1) Duke

The Blue Devils have rare amounts of player retention in 2023–24 after years of one-and-dones carrying the day in Durham. Duke brings back four starters from last year’s team, losing only up-and-down freshman center Dereck Lively from its 2022–23 starting unit. Kyle Filipowski averaged 15 points and 9 rebounds as a freshman and should be among the nation’s best players this season, while Tyrese Proctor showed flashes of stardom despite playing as one of the youngest players in the nation a season ago. Add in the stability of a senior point guard in Jeremy Roach, and this is a team that can cut down the nets. 

2) Kansas

Bill Self’s team played small-ball last year. This season, expect the Jayhawks to get back to their more traditional bully-ball ways. KU added the best transfer in the portal in Michigan big man Hunter Dickinson, who should be one of the best frontcourt players in the sport in Self’s offense. That means bumping glue guy K.J. Adams to power forward after playing center most of last season, which could create some shooting concerns. Still, with Dickinson, a high-level floor general in Dajuan Harri and a deep stable of wings like veterans Kevin McCullar and Nick Timberlake to go with high-scoring youngsters Arterio Morris and Elmarko Jackson, this group looks like a clear title contender. 

3) Purdue

Zach Edey’s decision to return for his senior season is massive for the Boilermakers and marks the second straight season the sport’s national player of the year is returning to school. Edey is the nation’s most dominant player, and Purdue will be among the nation’s best teams in the regular season with him in tow. The bigger question is whether they can exorcise their March demons from last year’s calamity against Fairleigh Dickinson: Young guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer getting older should help, but this group still is lacking the big-time shot-making you want to see in a team that can cut down the nets. 

4) Michigan State

Michigan State has the right mix of talent, experience and coaching to fit the bill of a potential Final Four team. The high-scoring backcourt trio of Tyson Walker, A.J. Hoggard and Jaden Akins returns for another year, and the Spartans have brought in reinforcements in the form of a top-five recruiting class per 247Sports that features three top-40 recruits. Center Xavier Booker has high upside, but big wing Coen Carr might be the most well-positioned to contribute right away. And long-term, watch for point guard Jeremy Fears to emerge into a Big Ten star. 

5) Houston

The Cougars quickly reloaded in the transfer portal this spring, adding a pair of outstanding guards in L.J. Cryer (Baylor) and Damian Dunn (Temple) to offset the losses of Marcus Sasser and Tramon Mark. Cryer, Dunn and returning point guard Jamal Shead make up one of the best backcourts in the country. Up front, J’Wan Roberts returns as one of the nation’s best rebounders. If one of Emanuel Sharp and Terrance Arceneaux breaks out, this group has the type of weapons to not miss a beat moving up to the Big 12. 

6) Tennessee

The Volunteers hope they’ve addressed their scoring woes from a season ago with a pair of monster transfer portal pickups, adding sharpshooting wing Dalton Knecht from Northern Colorado and scoring wing/forward Chris Ledlum from Harvard to augment a strong returning core. Zakai Zeigler, Santiago Vescovi and Josiah-Jordan James return in the backcourt (assuming Zeigler continues to recover well from his March knee injury), and Jonas Aidoo is an intriguing breakout candidate up front. It’s up to Rick Barnes to finally get Tennessee its March breakthrough, but the Vols look like SEC favorites. 

7) Marquette

The Golden Eagles drop down slightly after losing a piece of their core in power forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper to the NBA draft, but a strong nucleus still returns from a team that won the Big East regular season and tournament titles. This should once again be one of the nation’s best offenses thanks to the remarkable passing ability of point guard Tyler Kolek and big man Oso Ighodaro, while Kam Jones and David Joplin provide plenty of scoring punch. How well they defend (particularly without Prosper) will determine whether this group has a national title ceiling, but all the other components are there for this to be a top-10 team. 

8) UConn

The defending national champions do lose a lot from the team that cut down the nets, but have a very dangerous roster still in tow for Dan Hurley. The centerpiece of this year’s group will be big man Donovan Clingan, who often looked like a future All-American as a freshman in 2022–23. The return of Tristen Newton gives the Huskies some stability at the point guard spot, and Alex Karaban should be in for more responsibilities after excelling in his role as a freshman. A late portal splash for more proven production on the wing would help, but if not, Hurley has plenty of young talent like top-10 recruit Stephon Castle to turn to. 

9) Gonzaga

Mark Few made a much-needed splash in the transfer portal to shepherd in the post-Drew Timme era in Spokane, adding point guard Ryan Nembhard, wing Steele Venters and big man Graham Ike this spring. Nembhard is the biggest fish, the top point guard in the portal and an immediate upgrade at a spot the Bulldogs were inconsistent at a season ago. Ike, a star at Wyoming in 2021–22 before missing last season with a foot injury, gives the Zags scoring punch on the block. The return of Anton Watson, one of the sport’s best glue guys, also helps.

10) Creighton

Getting Ryan Kalkbrenner and Trey Alexander back is enough to put this Creighton team right in the thick of things at the top of a crowded Big East. Kalkbrenner’s two-way impact at the center position is matched by very few players in the sport, and Alexander should pair nicely with Steven Ashworth (Utah State) and Baylor Scheierman in the backcourt. The ability for Greg McDermott to surround Kalkbrenner with high-level shooting has the potential to be one of the top offenses in the country.

11) Texas A&M

After a disastrous start, the Aggies blossomed into a 25-win team a season ago and bring back several key components from that squad. Wade Taylor IV belongs on any list of the nation’s best point guards, a dynamic shot creator who was outstanding in SEC play a season ago. Around him is a deep stable of athletic wings that fits Buzz Williams’ aggressive defensive style, and frontcourt cog Henry Coleman is one of the more underappreciated players in the conference. This is the team for Williams to win an NCAA tournament game with for the first time in his Aggies tenure. 

12) Villanova

After a disappointing first season as head coach, Kyle Neptune has built an impressive roster this spring. He first held onto star guard Justin Moore after rumors he’d hit the transfer portal swirled late in the season, then added three versatile wings in T.J. Bamba (Washington State), Hakim Hart (Maryland) and Tyler Burton (Richmond) who should be plug-and-play starters. The amount of defensive versatility with a group like that starting 1–4 is tantalizing, and the Wildcats still have Eric Dixon to plug the middle. Neptune has a lot still to prove, but on paper this group has Final Four potential.

13) USC

The spectacle that will inevitably surround the Trojans because of the presence of Bronny James may overshadow the fact that USC has a chance for a special season. No. 1 2023 recruit Isaiah Collier, veteran Boogie Ellis and James give the Trojans a strong ballhandling nucleus, and USC is also deep and athletic up front with Joshua Morgan and Vince Iwuchukwu manning the pivot spot. Arizona and UCLA have reloaded, but the Trojans have a strong case to be Pac-12 favorites. 

14) North Carolina

Hubert Davis enters a critical third season as head coach with a retooled roster around veteran stars R.J. Davis and Armando Bacot. Ditching Caleb Love and replacing him with lower-usage players who keep the ball moving in Cormac Ryan (Notre Dame) and Harrison Ingram (Stanford) is a positive step in the right direction. The vision here of a ball-screen offense with reclassified PG Elliot Cadeau and Davis creating and Bacot dominating at the rim is intriguing, and there’s plenty of highly-rated recruits on this roster to round out the rotation. Davis has a lot to prove after last season’s disaster, but he has the pieces to build a contender. 

15) Arizona

It has been a chaotic offseason for Arizona, losing Azuolas Tubelis to the pros and Kerr Kriisa to the transfer portal but sticking the landing with a talented portal class. The headliner is Caleb Love, with Tommy Lloyd rolling the dice on a talented but enigmatic shot-maker from North Carolina to spark an offense that will also feature Jaden Bradley (Alabama) and Kylan Boswell in the backcourt and Oumar Ballo up front. Adding Love does come with some risk, but if he puts it all together he could lead the Wildcats to a deep March run.

16) Miami

Jim Larrañaga’s team loses two huge pieces from last year’s Final Four team in Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller, but enough pieces return for this to be a clear top-20 team. Nijel Pack and Norchad Omier should thrive in their second seasons in the program; Omier’s offensive skill set continues to emerge and Pack will get to play with the ball in his hands more like he did at Kansas State. Florida State transfer Matthew Cleveland plugs in nicely at Miller’s combo forward spot and is a worthwhile reclamation project after once being projected as a potential one-and-done. Predicting a third straight Elite Eight trip would be unfair, but the pieces are here for another potential second weekend run. 

17) Florida Atlantic

Remarkably, FAU has kept its roster entirely intact from its Final Four run, a highly rare feat in the age of the transfer portal. Not a single player entered the portal, and with Johnell Davis and Alijah Martin running it back after testing the NBA waters, the Owls will have sky-high expectations in 2023–24. It’s not realistic to expect a second straight deep March run, but this team was no Cinderella last season, ranking in the top 25 of KenPom’s rankings heading into the NCAA tournament. They’ll be challenged with a tougher nonconference schedule and a move up to the AAC, but the Owls should be relevant nationally. 

18) West Virginia

Perhaps no program did more work in the portal this spring than the Mountaineers, which added plenty of firepower headlined by Syracuse transfer center Jesse Edwards. Edwards is a double-double machine and one of the best rim protectors in the sport, and his offensive game should be unlocked more by playing with a great pick-and-roll passer in Arizona transfer Kerr Kriisa. Montana State transfer RaeQuan Battle provides firepower on the wing, and WVU may not be done, as the Mountaineers are among those in pursuit of Tennessee transfer Olivier Nkamhoua. 

19) Illinois

The Illini got a huge boost from the return of Terrence Shannon Jr, who elected to play a fifth year of college hoops despite being a projected draft pick had he stayed in this year’s draft. Shannon should be one of the best players in the sport in 2023–24, and the Illinois roster around him is better built around his strengths than it was a season ago. The Illini should have better shooting and versatility surround a high-usage guy like Shannon, and also got back skilled big Coleman Hawkins, who also tested the waters. The lone missing piece is at point guard, but Illinois remains heavily involved with Toledo transfer RayJ Dennis. 

20) Arkansas

Unsurprisingly, it was a busy spring in the transfer portal for Eric Musselman, who added four talented guards in the portal. I’m buying the most stock in former Houston guard Tramon Mark, the type of bigger wing playmaker that has thrived under Musselman over the years. That said, the star of this team could be Trevon Brazile, who flashed enormous promise early in 2022–23 before a knee injury ended his season. Brazile is the safest bet to be the next first round pick out of Fayetteville and could have a huge year if he returns healthy. 

21) Baylor

Scott Drew has been making noise on the recruiting trail lately, and in this class adds a trio of top-50 recruits headlined by wing Ja’Kobe Walter. Addressing the point guard spot is the primary concern: Freshman Miro Little could capably fill that role, but the Bears have also looked into portal options for its 2023–24 floor general. Fixing a defense that ranked outside the top 100 on KenPom last year also needs to be a priority. 

22) UCLA

The Bruins lose a lot from a nucleus that took the program to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament three straight seasons. Gone are Tyger Campbell, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Jaylen Clark, all turning pro after strong careers. The biggest returners: Big man Adem Bona, an elite defender, and point guard Dylan Andrews, a dynamic ballhandler who showed promise in limited action as a freshman. The Bruins have also hit the international market hard with upside bets on Ilane Fibleuil and Jan Vide, and are still in the mix for top transfer Cam Spencer. 

23) Kentucky

The Wildcats had a disastrous draft decision deadline, losing Oscar Tshiebwe and Chris Livingston to leave the Wildcats with just eight scholarship players. Meanwhile, Antonio Reeves withdrew from the draft, but remains the subject of transfer portal rumors and isn’t a lock to return to Lexington still. The talent of this year’s top-ranked recruiting class, headlined by guard D.J. Wagner and wing Justin Edwards, gives this nucleus enough talent to still slot in the back end of these rankings. But winning with youth is getting harder and harder, and the 2023 high school class is considered among the worst of the past two decades. John Calipari needs to find multiple playable pieces to add to the mix this summer to position the Wildcats for success this fall. 

24) St. John’s

Rick Pitino taking over the Red Storm gives St. John’s a chance to crack these rankings despite a virtually brand-new roster. Pitino added 11 scholarship players, retaining just Joel Soriano and Drissa Traore. Soriano is a huge piece, a skilled offensive player at center and a double-double machine. A backcourt featuring high-scoring Penn transfer Jordan Dingle, Iona transfer Daniss Jenkins and UMass import R.J. Luis also presents plenty of intrigue. There weren’t as many flashy moves as some expected when Pitino took the job, but the talent here is enough for Pitino to have them in the thick of the national conversation.[

25) San Diego State

Fresh off a trip to the national title game, the Aztecs will look to build on that momentum and have enough returning pieces to be in the national conversation again in 2023–24. Darrion Trammell and Final Four hero Lamont Butler return in the backcourt for some much-needed stability, and big man Jaedon LeDee should be in for a bigger role. The Aztecs also added Reese Dixon-Waters from USC for some scoring pop on the wing after being plagued by scoring droughts a season ago. 

Also considered: Texas, Virginia, Indiana, Colorado, Saint Mary’s

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Author: Kevin Sweeney

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The Top 10 Wide Receivers in the NFL Right Now, Ranked

In today’s pass-happy NFL, narrowing this group to the top 10 was quite a challenge.

Just last year, a whopping 22 players amassed at least 1,000 receiving yards, with all of them being wideouts save for Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. To make this list, there needs to be a combination of track record and likely future success.

With a plethora of young receivers pushing to see inclusion on this list in the near future, including second-year men Chris Olave of the Saints and the Jets’ Garrett Wilson, it was a competitive group. But for now, here are our top 10 receivers heading into the 2023 season.

10

CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

Since being a first-round pick in 2020, Lamb has established himself as one of the game’s best. The former Oklahoma star has posted consecutive 1,000-yard seasons while totaling 15 touchdowns over that span.

As a two-time Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro, Lamb gives the Cowboys an elite deep threat who also runs a quality route tree. The 24-year-old is just entering his prime and is hoping for a career year as he waits for an extension from Dallas.

9

Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

Has anybody done more with less over the past four years than McLaurin? In Washington, the 27-year-old has mostly caught passes from Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke and Dwayne Haskins. Still, he’s posted three straight 1,000-yard seasons, earning his first Pro Bowl berth last year.

Now with Sam Howell, McLaurin may once again have to elevate his quarterback while drawing every defensive coordinator’s toughest assignment. If the first four seasons of his career are an indication, he shouldn’t have any issues.

8

Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

After leading the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and receiving touchdowns (16) in the Rams’ championship season of 2021, Kupp was expected to do big things last year. Unfortunately, injuries limited him to only nine games.

Kupp was the eighth receiver to be named Super Bowl MVP in 2021. 

Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA TODAY Sports

Now healthy once more, the Rams need Kupp to be at his All-Pro best if Los Angeles is going to contend for a playoff spot. While he’s had only a single 1,000-yard season, few receivers are better route-runners, or a tougher cover, than Kupp.

7

Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

Waddle is the only receiver on this list who benefits from being the second target on his team, which means almost never drawing double coverage. The Dolphins star dominated last year with Tyreek Hill opposite him, catching 75 passes for 1,356 yards and eight touchdowns.

Entering his third season, Waddle’s numbers could continue to increase if quarterback Tua Tagovailoa can avoid the injury bug. A former first-round pick out of Alabama, Waddle led the league last season with 18.1 yards per reception.

6

A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

After posting two 1,000-yard campaigns in three years with the run-heavy Titans, Brown was traded to the Eagles and became one of the league’s best. In 2022, Brown went for 88 catches, 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns to earn second-team All-Pro honors.

One of the NFL’s premier deep threats, Brown combines elite size, at 6’1″ and 226 pounds, with 4.49 speed. Paired with quarterback Jalen Hurts and fellow wideout DeVonta Smith, Brown has the perfect setup in Philadelphia. 

5

Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills

Few players at any position have been more dominant than Diggs over the past five seasons. Spending his first two with the Vikings before being traded to the Bills, Diggs has totaled five straight 1,000-yard seasons while making three Pro Bowl trips and earning All-Pro honors twice.

Last year, Diggs caught 108 passes for 1,429 yards and 11 touchdowns in Buffalo, despite not having a consistent threat on the other side to draw coverage. He’s the total package for a wideout: one that’s able to stretch the field while also serving as a dominant third-down talent.

4

Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

There’s a legitimate chance that Chase eventually goes down as the best receiver to ever play in Cincinnati. Through two seasons, he’s been quarterback Joe Burrow’s favorite target, totaling 2,501 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Already a two-time Pro Bowler, Chase is among the league’s best at high-pointing the ball while also showcasing elusiveness in the open field. At 6’1″ and 200 pounds, Chase has good size but plays bigger, giving Burrow a deep target even in tight or double coverage.

Chase said his wish list with the Bengals is to break “every receiver record they have.”

Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports

3

Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders

It’s hard to find a more consistently dominant receiver than Adams. After leaving Green Bay in a trade last offseason, many expected his numbers to dip going from Aaron Rodgers to Derek Carr. Instead, Adams authored another All-Pro season, totaling 100 catches, 1,516 yards and a league-high 14 receiving touchdowns.

Even without elite quarterback play, Adams ranked third with 24 receptions of 20+ yards and 10th in yards per catch with 15.2. This year, Adams will have another new signal-caller to work with, this time in Jimmy Garoppolo.

2

Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins

Hill absolutely has a case to be atop this list. After being dealt from the Chiefs to the Dolphins last winter, the former fifth-round pick posted his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl season while earning first-team All-Pro honors for the fourth time.

In his first season with Miami, Hill caught 119 passes for 1,710 yards and seven touchdowns, while finishing second in the NFL with 25 catches of 20+ yards. Though many try, there’s nobody more terrifying to defenders than Hill with the ball in his hands.

1

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

Jefferson is the best at his craft. Only three seasons into his career, Jefferson has never failed to make both the Pro Bowl and an All-Pro team in each. Last year, the LSU product caught 128 passes for 1,809 yards, leading the NFL in both categories while being named the Offensive Player of the Year.

When Jefferson eventually signs his extension, it would be stunning if the contract isn’t the largest in league history at his position. Jefferson is a good bet to shatter a few records during his career and, perhaps, become the first receiver to crack the 2,000-yard barrier in a single season.

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Author: Matt Verderame