Next Gen: Ranking the NFL’s Future Cores, Part II

Hello readers, and welcome back to Views From the 716. This is the second of two parts of my ranking of future NFL cores. While the first half focused mainly on younger teams that have a future to look forward to, many of these teams are consistent playoff contenders with under-27 talents already contributing to team success. As such, I tried to focus as much on the present as the future when ranking and writing about these teams. Without further ado, the Futures rankings, teams 16-1.

16. Carolina Panthers

Key Young Players: WR Kelvin Benjamin, DT Vernon Butler, LB Luke Kuechly, DT Star Lotulelei, RB Christian McCaffrey, T Taylor Moton, G Andrew Norwell, RB Curtis Samuel, LB Shaq Thompson, G Trai Turner

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Cam Newton turned 28 years old recently, which plummeted the Panthers several spots in these rankings. That said, there’s still plenty of young talent to go around here. Luke Kuechly is a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year who is still in the prime of his career, Trai Turner is one of the best offensive linemen in football, and Kelvin Benjamin is a 6’5”, 243-pound linebacker disguised as a wide receiver. The team also recently signaled its intention to play a more versatile offensive system, drafting multipurpose pieces in Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel. There’s good foundation for more success in Carolina, and Newton missed this age cutoff, but he’s still relatively young, so last year’s disappointment will hopefully be an aberration.

15. Miami Dolphins

Key Young Players: S Isa Abdul-Quddus, RB Jay Ajayi, LB Kiko Alonso, DE Charles Harris, WR Jarvis Landry, CB Tony Lippett, S TJ McDonald, LB Raekwon McMillan, WR DeVante Parker, C Mike Pouncey, WR Kenny Stills, T Laremy Tunsil

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Last year was not an aberration, the Dolphins are for real. Let’s start on the offense, where weapons abound. In the backfield, we have Pro Bowl running back Jay Ajayi, who rushed for over 200 yards in two consecutive games last year, becoming just the fourth player to do so (the others are OJ Simpson, Earl Campbell, and Ricky Williams). The receiving corps is just as good, with dependable possession man Kenny Stills lining up alongside prodigious talents in Jarvis Landry and DeVante Parker. The defense isn’t at such a high level yet, but former college wide receiver-turned cornerback Tony Lippett picked off four passes in 2016, linebacker Kiko Alonso recovered from numerous injuries to return to form last season as a tackling machine, and free agent pickup TJ McDonald adds athleticism and risk-taking to the secondary. They probably won’t win the AFC East anytime soon, but the Dolphins can make noise regardless.

14. Green Bay Packers

Key Young Players: WR Davante Adams, DE Montravius Adams, T David Bakhtiari, WR Randall Cobb, S HaHa Clinton-Dix, S Josh Jones, CB Kevin King, C Corey Linsley, RB Ty Montgomery, LB Nick Perry, CB Damarious Randall, T Jason Spriggs

The Post-Crescent-USA TODAY Sports
The Post-Crescent-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews are aging, but the Packers remain a consistent playoff contender, thanks in large part to team management. The assembly line has been perfected: Ted Thompson drafts athletic freaks that fit the direction of the modern NFL, Mike McCarthy molds them to fit the Packers system, they resign for less than their market value, and the Packers continue to shape a homegrown playoff dynasty. Over the past half-decade, this process has worked with guys like Davante Adams, Ha-Ha Clinton Dix, Ty Montgomery, and Damarious Randall, and will hopefully continue this year with the likes of Kevin King and Josh Jones. In a manner much like the San Antonio Spurs in basketball, the Packers’ infrastructure is solid enough that it will outlive the greatness of any one player and ensure excellence for years to come.

13. Seattle Seahawks

Key Young Players: C Justin Britt, T Germain Ifedi, WR Jermaine Kearse, RB Eddie Lacy, WR Tyler Lockett, DT Malik McDowell, C Ethan Pocic, RB CJ Prosise, RB Thomas Rawls, DT Jarran Reed, WR Paul Richardson, LB Bobby Wagner, LB KJ Wright

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Like several teams from Part One, the Seahawks’ placement on this list is not representative of their standing in the league. Out of all the listed players, only Bobby Wagner and KJ Wright are currently considered above-average for their positions. However, most everyone else here is still relatively young with high ceilings and room for growth. Athletes like Germain Ifedi and Malik McDowell could become dominant if they hone their fundamentals and work ethics, and the sheer number of offensive skill players with diverse skill sets on this list, from brute runner Thomas Rawls to versatile scat back CJ Prosise to speed demon Tyler Lockett, should make Russell Wilson very excited for the near future. The Seahawks are very similar to the Packers in that the system John Schneider and Pete Carroll run is greater than the sum of its parts, but the Seahawks just have better young players than Green Bay, ranking them slightly higher here.

12. New York Giants

Key Young Players: CB Eli Apple, WR Odell Beckham Jr., S Landon Collins, TE Evan Engram, S Duke Ihenacho, WR Sterling Shepard, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, DE Olivier Vernon

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants have the fewest “key young players” of any of the 32 teams in this two-part piece, but what they lack in quantity they more than make up for with quality. They boast franchise and possibly league-altering talent on both sides of the ball with superstar receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and Pro Bowl safety Landon Collins, and defensive lineman Olivier Vernon built on his breakout second half of 2015 with a full season of dominance in 2016. The rest of the listed players are solid too, from veteran safety Duke Ihenacho to 2016 draft picks Eli Apple and Sterling Shepard, who started a combined 25 games in their rookie seasons. There’s no plan for a replacement for Eli Manning, and the defense isn’t loaded with depth, but transcendent talent might make up for those issues.

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Key Young Players: K Roberto Aguayo, LB Kwon Alexander, TE Cameron Brate, LB Lavonte David, WR Mike Evans, S Justin Evans, WR Chris Godwin, CB Vernon Hargreaves III, TE OJ Howard, DE Noah Spence, QB Jameis Winston

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

This is a leap of faith, ranking Tampa over established playoff dynasties, but I’m on the bandwagon and ready to fight for the Bucs. We saw an extended glimpse of this team’s offensive potential last season, as both quarterback Jameis Winston and receiver Mike Evans posted career high statistics and made their first Pro Bowl appearances. Adding former Alabama tight end OJ Howard, who many thought was a top-five prospect in the draft, to that duo makes for one of the most versatile and terrifying offenses in the entire league. The defense has yet to live up to its potential on a consistent basis, but boasts solid players, led by underrated linebacker Lavonte David and last year’s early round picks, Noah Spence and Vernon Hargreaves III. A major threat to Green Bay/Seattle/Dallas NFC hegemony is on the rise in Tampa.

10. Los Angeles Chargers

Key Young Players: WR Keenan Allen, LB Jerry Attaochu, WR Travis Benjamin, DE Joey Bosa, LB Jatavis Brown, G Dan Feeney, RB Melvin Gordon, CB Casey Hayward, TE Hunter Henry, G Forrest Lamp, LB Denzel Perryman, CB Jason Verrett, WR Mike Williams, WR Tyrell Williams

Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Ah yes, the Los Angeles Chargers, also known as the Jacksonville Jaguars, but with less managerial dysfunction (this team’s chaos takes place in the owner’s box instead). The Chargers haven’t made the playoffs since 2013, but look poised to do so once again, giving Phillip Rivers another shot at immortality. And there is potential dominance on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Rivers has quality at every level, with a standout running back in Melvin Gordon, four above-average wide receivers and an Antonio Gates replacement at tight end, and the backbone of a good-to-great line. The defense is just as good. Standouts include Joey Bosa, who showed enough greatness in just 12 games to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, and cornerback Casey Hayward, who led the league in interceptions last season. There’s a deep playoff run in the Chargers’ near future, which will give them plenty of new fans in LA.

9. Minnesota Vikings

Key Young Players: CB Mackensie Alexander, LB Anthony Barr, RB Dalvin Cook, WR Stefon Diggs, C Pat Elflein, DT Sharrif Floyd, DE Danielle Hunter, LB Eric Kendricks, CB Xavier Rhodes, TE Kyle Rudolph, WR Laquon Treadwell, CB Trae Waynes

stefon diggs

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

When the Vikings started last season with five straight wins, the football public assumed they were the next version of the 2015 Broncos- a team that would achieve playoff success despite its offense. But alas, injuries occurred, Sam Bradford regressed to the mean, and the Vikings didn’t even make the playoffs. That said, the Vikings are still ridiculously talented, especially on defense. Anthony Barr, Danielle Hunter, and Xavier Rhodes are all top-notch at their positions, and Eric Kendricks is an above-average inside linebacker. Bradford has weapons as well. Stefon Diggs looks like one of the best draft-day steals in recent memory out of the fifth round, racking up 903 yards last season, and Kyle Rudolph is a reliable tight end. If last season’s first-round pick Laquon Treadwell and this season’s second-round pick Dalvin Cook live up to their respective potentials, this team becomes a real Super Bowl threat in the next few seasons.

8. Kansas City Chiefs

Key Young Players: LB Dee Ford, WR Tyreek Hill, DE Chris Jones, TE Travis Kelce, DE Tanoh Kpassagnon, QB Patrick Mahomes II, CB Marcus Peters, T Mitchell Schwartz, RB Spencer Ware

Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The Chiefs are perhaps the NFL’s on-the-field version of the Spurs. Since head coach Andy Reid arrived in KC, they’ve been consistently good, making the playoffs in three of his four seasons, but because quarterback Alex Smith is as mediocre as it gets, people consistently overlook them as a threat. However, if you look deeper, you realize just how dangerous this team really is and will be for the near future. The offense is sneakily versatile, boasting one of the league’s dynamite players in receiver-returner Tyreek Hill alongside tight end Travis Kelce, affectionately referred to as “Baby Gronk” for his comparably extraordinary play on the field. The defense, by the way- also incredible. Marcus Peters has intercepted an incredible 14 passes in the first two seasons of his career, and Dee Ford finally broke out into stardom last season, recording 10 sacks. A great present and a dangerous future lie ahead at Arrowhead.

7. Houston Texans

Key Young Players: G Jeff Allen, DE Jadeveon Clowney, LB Zach Cunningham, RB D’Onta Foreman, WR Will Fuller, WR DeAndre Hopkins, CB Kevin Johnson, C Nick Martin, LB Benardrick McKinney, LB Whitney Mercilus, RB Lamar Miller, QB Deshaun Watson

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Last year, the football punditry bemoaned the Texans for signing Brock Osweiler, as his inability to function as a starting quarterback hindered an elite defense from leading Houston to the promised land. Now, the Texans probably don’t have an excuse after trading up to the 12th pick to draft college football legend Deshaun Watson. Growing pains are expected to be sure, but he has a well-rounded cast to back him up, from reliable back Lamar Miller to speed demon Will Fuller to superstar wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. However, the defense is where they’ll really shine in the coming years. Former first overall pick Jadeveon Clowney emerged last season as the player we all hoped he’d be, recording six sacks, and pairing him with athletes like Whitney Mercilus and Benardrick McKinney at linebacker makes for a scary pass rush. As a Colts fan I hate to say it, but the Texans are likely in control of the division now.

6. Atlanta Falcons

Key Young Players: S Ricardo Allen, LB Vic Beasley, LB De’Vondre Campbell, RB Tevin Coleman, RB Devonta Freeman, WR Taylor Gabriel, DT Grady Jarrett, LB Deion Jones, LB Takkarist McKinley, S Keanu Neal, DT Dontari Poe, S Brian Poole, LB Duke Riley, WR Mohamed Sanu, CB Desmond Trufant

Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Gone is Kyle Shanahan, still here is…pretty much everyone else of importance, and with a long list of quality young players, there’s potential for a long-standing run of dominance in the ATL. The offense was more often discussed with the Falcons last year, and the future there is versatile, with Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman forming a “thunder and lightning” duo in the backfield, and Taylor Gabriel and Mohamed Sanu adding vertical and possession elements to Steve Sarkisian’s new offense. However, the much-maligned defense grew up rapidly during the playoffs, and additions like UCLA linebacker Takk McKinley and former Chiefs tackle Dontari Poe to a defense featuring such threats as 2016 NFL sack leader Vic Beasley, versatile linebacker Deion Jones, and secondary ballhawks Keanu Neal and Desmond Trufant make this team a two-way threat that will muscle its way to the long-term contender table.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers

Key Young Players: RB Le’Veon Bell, WR Martavis Bryant, G David DeCastro, LB Bud Dupree, TE Ladarius Green, C Maurkice Pouncey, LB Ryan Shazier, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, DE Stephon Tuitt, LB TJ Watt

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Up and down the Steelers roster, there are terrific talents. Let’s start with Le’Veon Bell, who missed four games to start last season and still finished fifth in the league in rushing. He is a unique talent, the best receiving back in the league with a running style uniquely his own characterized by stops and starts that should be impossible to do successfully. The rest of the offense is also chock full of talent, led by Pro Bowl linemen David DeCastro and Maurkice Pouncey, tight end Ladarius Green, and big wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who returns this season after a year-long suspension. The future defensive pieces are younger, but are also starting to come into their own, especially the dynamic linebacker duo of Pro Bowler Ryan Shazier and Bud Dupree, who recorded 4.5 sacks in just seven games last season after returning from injury. The Steelers have been great for a while, and they’re not going anywhere.

4. Arizona Cardinals

Key Young Players: S Budda Baker, LB Deone Bucannon, LB Markus Golden, RB David Johnson, LB Chandler Jones, S Tyrann Mathieu, DT Robert Nkemdiche, CB Patrick Peterson, LB Haason Reddick

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals’ offseason hype train outdid the success of the team significantly in 2016, but lucky for GM Steve Keim, his prowess at drafting, trading, and signing free agents is such that Arizona might be alright in the long run, regardless of the team’s quarterback situation. The Cardinals are given credit for ushering in the era of positionless defense, and rightly so. Deone Bucannon essentially invented the safety-linebacker hybrid, Tyrann Mathieu is just as effective at cornerback as he is at safety, and this year’s drafting of Haason Reddick and Budda Baker continues the theme. Incredibly, I haven’t even mentioned arguably the two best players on the team and two of the best at their positions in corner Patrick Peterson and running back David Johnson. Palmer is old, and some of these guys are coming up on free agency, but management has really outdone itself in putting together a supremely well-rounded and talented roster.

3. New England Patriots

Key Young Players: TE Dwayne Allen, C David Andrews, CB Malcolm Butler, WR Brandin Cooks, DE Kony Ealy, DT Trey Flowers, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, CB Stephon Gilmore, LB Dont’a Hightower, RB Dion Lewis, G Shaq Mason, CB Eric Rowe, RB James White

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Patriots have been a dominant force in the NFL for almost two decades, and there’s unfortunately a great chance they will continue to be into a third one. This offseason alone, Sith Lord Bill Belichick added 1000-yard receiver Brandin Cooks, Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback Stephon Gilmore, and two starting quality talents in tight end Dwayne Allen and defensive end Kony Ealy. These moves, combined with existing young stars like top-tier cornerback Malcolm Butler, above-average linebacker Dont’a Hightower, and dynamic running back tandem Dion Lewis and James White, make for an excellent young core. By the way, Tom Brady might be getting old, but his eventual replacement in Jimmy Garoppolo is on hand, and he’s looked good in a small sample size. I hate this as much as anyone, but ready or not, the Patriots will continue to be good for a while.

2. Oakland Raiders

Key Young Players: QB Derek Carr, CB Gareon Conley, WR Amari Cooper, C Rodney Hudson, G Gabe Jackson, S Karl Joseph, DE Khalil Mack, S Obi Melifonwu, G Kelechi Osemele, WR Cordarrelle Patterson

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It’s going to be an awkward time in Oakland while the team waits out the next few years for their new home in Las Vegas to be built, but at least the fans will be rewarded with some awesome football. Like with most teams near the top of these rankings, the Raiders are loaded from top to bottom with All-Pro talents. Before his season was ended by a fractured fibula, Derek Carr looked like an MVP candidate last year, wide receiver Amari Cooper has recorded over 1,000 receiving yards in both of his two seasons in the league, linemen Rodney Hudson and Kelechi Osemele have each made Pro Bowls, and defensive end/linebacker Khalil Mack finally broke through last season to win his first Defensive Player of the Year trophy. This offseason added to the hype, as GM Reggie McKenzie drafted athletic specimen in the secondary in cornerback Gareon Conley and safety Obi Melifonwu. The Raiders are great again, just in time for their latest move.

1. Dallas Cowboys

Key Young Players: CB Chidobie Awuzie, DE Taco Charlton, T La’el Collins, RB Ezekiel Elliott, C Travis Frederick, S Byron Jones, DE DeMarcus Lawrence, CB Jourdan Lewis, G Zack Martin, QB Dak Prescott, LB Jaylon Smith, T Tyron Smith, WR Terrance Williams

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Well, it took us 25 years and a lot of controversy and turmoil, but the Cowboys are back at the top of the NFL totem pole. To be honest, there wasn’t a whole lot of drama when I was ranking the Cowboys over the Raiders and several other teams- they have that much stellar young talent. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott finished first and second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting last season (both garnered legit MVP consideration as well), and the offensive line is unquestionably the best in football. And those are just the returning players. Jerry Jones drafted well yet again, picking up athletic Michigan end Taco Charlton and tough Colorado defensive back Chidobie Awuzie. Additionally, 2016’s high-risk pick, Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith, considered by many to be the top prospect in that draft before suffering a horrific leg injury in his final college game, will also be making his NFL debut. The Cowboys went out early last season, but make no mistake, this team will be dominant for years to come.

That’s the end of Part II. If you have any questions or comments, leave them below, and thanks for reading!