Coach Chance'sFranchise Players:
Mahomes - QB - Chiefs; Mahomes is a generational talent that has changed the face of the league from Tom Brady to himself. He brings a new look and style at QB with his athletic playing style mixed with a strong arm that reminds you of Big Ben. He will be a top QB in the league for the next 10+years. With his 5th season coming soon, the season will start with memory of the butt whooping in the Super Bowl loss to the goat, Tom Brady winning his 7th ring with his new team, Tampa Bay. Athletically, Mahomes is easily a franchise type of player but this season will really show how much of a true leader he is after a loss like that.
Lamb - WR - Cowboys; Lamb had a top rookie WR year even though he lost his starting QB just a few weeks in to the start of the season. Lamb showed explosive route running with great ability to use his length to catch the ball when it was thrown far outside away from the defender. The Cowboys did a great job at making Lamb a threat each week with him working in the slow but now, it will be a nice test to see if Lamb can consistently get off a press when he lines up outside and becomes a threat at all receiving positions.
Surtain II - DB - Broncos; showed great defensive skills and play while at Alabama which made him a easy pick for the Broncos this year for a team that needed a face lift at DB. His physical play reminds me of Patrick Peterson with the discipline of Stephon Gilmore. Surtain II may be tested early this season against the Giants, Jags and Jets but his real first challenge will come in week 5 when the Broncos play the Steelers. It will be hard for Surtain II to live up to the former Bronco Bailey who is viewed to most as a cornerstone of the organization but if anyone can do it, I would bet on Surtain II.
K. Murray - LB - Chargers; Murray is the still the young dawg starting at linebacker; Kenneth Murray still has and showed the physical and mental capacity to be a All-Pro Linebacker in the NFL. His play recognition was big last year for him, and Murray provides the future leadership every defense and team want from a player. From player at Oklahoma in a spread you out conference, Murray is able to adapt easily to the NFL's play style. I have Murray listed as a Linebacker instead of a Middle Linebacker because of his speed, he has the ability to play inside, outside and edge easily makes him a force to be recognized by any offense. The Chargers offense will be better and more efficient, this will lead to the defense being more rested and we could see Murray's 107 tackles and 1 sack his rookie year, turn into a 130 tackle year with 5 sack potential.
TJ Watt - Edge - Steelers; TJ is still a top Edge player and becoming a force in the AFC. He is showed a strong performance last year that got overshadowed by a none efficient offense. He may have only had 50+ tackles but his 15 sacks left a huge impact on the field and shows he can maintain a high sack level. I can see his sack numbers lowering this year to 10-12 but his tackles jumping up to 70 this year.The 26 year old is still learning and this Pittsburg defense continues to get better.