At the beginning of the cycle, before games had gotten going and we had any sense of what would go down between high-powered offenses and new faces in PML, I predicted a superstar for each team in the league, who had to start the cycle at normal dev. I’ll now revisit my predictions and see if they boomed, busted, or are still potentially developing.
If you want specifics, these predictions were made after three games played, when Z was still our Bengals user.
Awful Prediction
There’s Still Hope
What a Call!
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AFC
Colts: QB Anthony Richardson
“If he gets extended, QB Blast and enough passing touchdowns will make AR the demon he can be.”
He should still be the QB all five seasons and can get there eventually, but no dev in season one, with how good he played has got to hurt.
Titans: 2026-2027 Rookie WR
“They have pieces all over on both sides of the ball, but a little thin and weak at wide receiver so that’s where I think Tennessee goes and gets a real playmaker.”
Doc do not draft a QB. This prediction should be real.
Jaguars: CB Jarrian Jones
“Ke is a special defensive user, and a young, speedy corner like Jones can be built by him for sure if Travis is getting used heavily on offense.”
I was right about him being a special defensive user but Travis is good enough that Jarrian hasn’t gotten the snaps to succeed, but he’s still solid.
Texans: 2026-2027 Rookie TE
“Just like Jacksonville, Houston is set up really well on offense, except for tight end down the line. Casper is going to be locked in trying to keep up and beat Ke and the Jaguars.”
I was wrong. Casper is not locked in, maybe a TE will change that but I’m not sure anymore.
Browns: WR Isaiah Bond
“This would be Shedeur Sanders, but I don’t think Spdot is going to use him after this season. He can draft a better prospect than where he’ll end up after season one. However, Bond will benefit from all the positive passing in Cleveland.”
Crazy development from Bond who barely cracked 1000 yards, but still went up 18 overall and is star dev as of Super Bowl week.
Bengals: HB Chase Brown
“Surrounded by a sured up passing game, Z can give Brown ample touches and build him into a superstar back that competes with any draft demon from JT’s classes.”
It’s not Z anymore and it won’t be Chase Brown either. He didn’t get going and now he’s 26.
Ravens: SAM LB Teddye Buchanan
“Mark has so many young stars all over, but this athletic linebacker who spells his name like an idiot has a good chance to be unaccounted for and blow up plays.”
Only to star so far, but it’s clear Teddye has a role amongst the superstars as he becomes one himself.
Steelers: EDGE Nick Herbig
“This front line is really scary and aggressive, so when Herbig gets on the field, it should be 1 on 1 every time.”
DK loves his established players, Herbig barely played let alone developed.
Chiefs: FS Bryan Cook
“The Chiefs have talent like Chris Jones and Trent McDuffie to help a bunch of other skilled stars and I can see Cook riding that wave and putting up impressive stats.”
The Panthers are targeting him in FA! Everyone run! KC sucks in PML, by the way.
Chargers: WR Quentin Johnston
“I’m not so sure this new user, Sweat, will last even a full season, but Johnston is a lock to develop if he sticks around.”
I called Sweat leaving but even with Johnston still a normal dev, I’m not out on him becoming a WR1 this cycle. If you’re reading this, trade him to Chicago.
Raiders: 2026-2027 Rookie QB
“The Raiders will find a new quarterback, and Vegas has the team around him for him to grow.”
Smoke and mirrors is a Las Vegas specialty. The new QB will succeed if Geno could.
Broncos: WR Troy Franklin
“Maybe if Pat Bryant wasn’t 85 speed he’d make Franklin irrelevant, but that isn’t the case and I think Fallen can do what he does best with speed and develop Franklin into a superstar. Bo Nix and the RJ Harvey can complete the young trifecta and make Denver a scary team on offense.”
Fake fan trading Troy Franklin, but he’s turning into a bust either way. Crazy how 93 speed isn’t fast enough for Fallen.
Jets: TE Mason Taylor
“Lowkey got scammed being just normal dev as an early second round tight end that’s just 21 years old, but Arod is off to a solid start and Taylor is the kind of piece I believe he can build.”
He didn’t do nearly enough to develop in his rookie season, but he’s still young so give it time.
Dolphins: HB Jaylen Wright
“Achane is there and elite, but Wright is another young speedster that can be built and make this offense more dynamic.”
Very similar to Taylor, he still can, but the user doesn’t seem interested in developing. In this case, the fast rookie only had 18 carries in all 17 games.
Patriots: SS Craig Woodson
“Woodson should be a starting safety in New England and the elite corners should get him thrown at enough to make some plays.”
He’s deved up to star, and Puffy’s offense might be lacking, but Woodson and the defense seem to be intact.
Bills: WILL LB Dorian Williams
“The defensive line is star studded, and I think the young speedy linebacker has a good chance to take advantage if JP can user him well and blitz him occasionally.”
Defense in this game is hard enough, but Williams also didn’t do anything and he probably never will this cycle.
