It's been 18 years since any team finished with more wins than the New England Patriots in the AFC East, and with the rest of the division's starting-quarterback landscape consisting of a rookie from USC, a guy who threw five interceptions in his debut last season, and a veteran coming off an ACL/MCL tear, there's little reason to think the streak ends in 2018.With that said, here are my over/under win-total picks for the entire AFC East:New England Patriots Pick: Over 11 wins -127 (Bookmaker)I'll take the bait here.The Patriots get the long end of the stick with their NFC North opponents, as they'll welcome the Vikings and Packers to Foxboro and play the Lions and Bears on the road. Those are four winnable games. Of course, New England always sees the Jets, Bills, and Dolphins twice, while Houston, Kansas City, and Indianapolis will all make the trek to Gillette Stadium. Even the annual slip-up in Miami or a low-scoring home loss to Buffalo or New York won't be enough to stop the Pats from reaching 11 wins.There's nothing that can convince me the Patriots' inevitable downswing will materialize this season. The metrics like the Pats. There might not be an official defensive coordinator, but New England should be able to rush the passer more efficiently this year. Rob Gronkowski is healthy - at least for now. We can dismiss the receiving corps on paper, but would it really be a surprise if Tom Brady turns Chad Hansen into an AFC Player of the Week in September?The parity gods will eventually end the Patriots' lengthy dynasty - likely in the near future - but it's not happening this year.New York JetsPick: Under 6 wins -130 (BetOnline)I'm itching to buy into this Jets team, if only a little.In fact, I probably like New York more than I should. I'm neither high nor low on Sam Darnold, but I really like the receiving corps of Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse, Quincy Enunwa, and Terrelle Pryor. The offensive line is less than ideal, but the Jets did add some talent over the summer. The tandem of Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye highlight an improving secondary. There are pieces to work with; it's just a matter of when the leap will happen.The Jets hit the over on their 2017 win total thanks to some early-season victories. The 2018 version will have to rely on that again, because post-Thanksgiving wins will be few and far between. The Jets' final six games of the season are as follows: vs. New England, at Tennessee, at Buffalo, vs. Houston, vs. Green Bay, and at New England.That doesn't even account for home matchups against Minnesota and Denver, or road games in Detroit and Jacksonville. No matter how much I like the pieces, I'm not ready to give these Jets seven wins with that schedule.I just hope they throw the ball around and are fun this season. Perhaps the leap will come in 2019.Miami DolphinsPick: Under 6.5 wins +120 (BetOnline)You're familiar with the Bart Simpson chalkboard picture, yes? Well, here's a personalized version:I will not buy into the Dolphins.I will not buy into the Dolphins.I will not buy into the Dolphins.I will not buy into the Dolphins.Every year, I pick this team to surprise in the AFC. And each season, media pundits proclaim that Ryan Tannehill is primed for his "breakout." Let's be real - Tannehill is a 30-year-old converted wide receiver! The breakout narrative needs a headstone.Last year, the Dolphins shipped out running back Jay Ajayi, and then watched him win the Super Bowl. The franchise let Jarvis Landry go in the offseason despite seeing him average 100 catches per year since 2014. The offensive line has been hexed for years with injuries. This year, the Dolphins brought in Dowell Loggains as offensive coordinator despite him overseeing one of the worst units in football last season with the Bears (yes, salty Chicago native over here).When it comes to strength of schedule, the Fins are right in the middle. Getting the Bills and Jets for one quarter of the season should help, but can Miami overcome inexperience and poor linebacking play on defense to go .500 the rest of the way?I'm calling for a down year.Buffalo BillsPick: Over 5.5 EV (BetOnline)I'm sure even the linemakers would admit that 6.5 was a terribly set opener.Buffalo (somehow) made the playoffs last season but outperformed its Pythagorean expectation, and then traded away starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor in the offseason. Expected regression, among other factors, sent the total down to 5.5, where it is now.The Bills are my 2017 Jets - the team nobody wants to touch. Buffalo gets a tough slate to start the season with games against the Ravens, Chargers, Vikings, Packers, Titans, and Texans. It gets easier down the stretch with seven non-playoff teams from a year ago.What the betting community needs is for rookie Josh Allen to get the nod following a best-case-scenario 1-5 start and then take the world by storm. I can see it.It wouldn't be all that fun to stake claims based solely on SOS or what DVOA is projecting. If there's any team in the AFC I'm taking a flier on, it's the Bills.Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from 'Rounders' and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pete Carroll is an Air Monarch man through and through.While some people have been destroying their Nike shoes in protest of the brand's newest ad campaign featuring former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, the Seattle Seahawks head coach tweeted Thursday that he'll continue wearing his.

The Jumpman logo will appear on NFL fields for the first time this season.Jordan Brand announced Thursday that all of its athletes will now don Jumpman-branded cleats.The company also unveiled the newest additions to the Jordan Brand family: Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner, 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, Bears running back Jordan Howard, Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell, Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas, Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard, and Texans safety Tyrann Mathieu. That brings its NFL roster to more than 50 members.Each player worked with Jordan Brand to design PE (Player Exclusive) cleats using their team's colors, their personal logo, and materials of their choice.Le'Veon BellMichael ThomasJamal AdamsJalen Ramsey (Photos courtesy: Nike)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys announced a partnership with WinStar World Casino on Thursday, making them the first NFL team to partner with a casino.Related - Report: Regulated gambling could earn NFL $2.3B per year"The Dallas Cowboys take great pride in aligning themselves with the best brands in the world," Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said, according to Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com. "It is a privilege to stand shoulder to shoulder as partners with such a prominent entertainment brand like WinStar World Casino."WinStar World Casino and Resort is located in Oklahoma, where sports betting isn't legal yet. A bill that would have legalized it was recently introduced, but politicians didn't take any action on it before the state's legislative session ended in May.- With h/t to Pro Football TalkCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's safe to say Chicago Bears fans are embracing Khalil Mack.Just a few days after the blockbuster trade that sent him from the Oakland Raiders to the Bears, the All-Pro edge rusher leaped to No. 5 on Fantatics' preseason top-selling jerseys list.New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, the No. 2 pick from April's draft, holds the top spot, while last year's breakout star quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Carson Wentz come in at second and third, respectively.

Former NFL wide receiver Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson supports players kneeling during the national anthem, but says he would've protested differently.On the latest episode of Complex's "Open Late With Peter Rosenberg," Johnson reiterated comments he made a year ago about Colin Kaepernick's protest being "whitewashed" and explained how he would've gotten the message across."The kneeling issue is great; the message is what got whitewashed, forgetting why (Kaepernick's) kneeling," Johnson said. "A lot of people always turn the question around and ask me what I would've done. I don't think I would've kneeled, but I would've gotten the exact same message across and intertwined it with my play on the field."Did I follow NFL rules in the first place? Think about it. Therefore, I'm going to get the message that he's trying to get across, but I would've tied it in the game of football, which would've probably been in a celebration. I would've gotten the fan(s) involved, I would've had them drape a ... just all types of stuff that was extremely creative."Johnson also weighed in on Kaepernick's collusion case against the NFL."It's gotten too far, it's far beyond repair, you know, especially now that the collusion suit has been filed and everything is going forward," he said. "He won't play again, but I have a very strong feeling that he's going to win."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL player prop betting is a season-long grind that forces you to root for individuals on a weekly basis while praying they don't get suspended, benched, or broken into many small fragments.Here are five of the most popular large-scale prop bets, along with my picks for the top favorites, underdogs, and long shots (odds courtesy: BetOnline):Most passing yardsTop favorite: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (+500)There hasn't been much variance in this department in the recent past. Aside from Matt Schaub glitching the system and pacing the NFL in passing yards in 2009, only five different quarterbacks have led the league over the past 14 seasons. Drew Brees is one of those five players, and he's done so seven times in that 14-year sample.Last season was a different story. Brees finished with his lowest passing total since joining the Saints. With a running back tandem of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, New Orleans became more balanced.This season, Brees has two new weapons in Cameron Meredith and Tre'Quan Smith joining All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas. And while Ingram is suspended for the first four games, he and Kamara (139 combined receptions in 2017) are still the best one-two backfield receiving punch in football.Top underdog: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (+1,200)Stafford has a pair of receivers in Marvin Jones Jr. and Golden Tate capable of sailing over the 1,000-yard mark. Throw in a solid third option in Kenny Golladay, and the fact that Detroit hasn't been able to run the ball since the Prohibition era, and Stafford should pad his stats plenty.Top long shot: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (+4,000)Sometimes it's just backyard football with Wilson, who makes it look easy. I look forward to Seattle abandoning the ground game early each week and letting Wilson launch 70-yard bombs to Doug Baldwin.Most rushing yardsTop favorite: Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys (+250)Zeke is an obvious choice for several reasons.Barring injury, Elliott should play a full season and is running behind a behemoth line. And the Cowboys' passing game looks downright abysmal on paper, which means plenty of ground work. If any running back is a lock for 1,500 yards rushing, it's this guy.Top underdog: Saquon Barkley, New York Giants (+1,200)More on Barkley below.Top long shot: Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers (+4,000)Hey, you never know. McCaffrey will make his living bringing down passes outside of his usual role as a running back, but he ran the ball more during the preseason. So, naturally, expect the Stanford product to pick up about 4,000 yards from scrimmage. OK, not really ... but maybe.Most receiving yardsTop favorite: Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers (+250)You can make the case Julio Jones (+450) deserves this spot, but the addition of Calvin Ridley adds another mouth to feed on offense in Atlanta. Go with the most targeted receiver from a year ago.Top underdog: T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts (+1,600)Hilton is unbelievably undervalued with Andrew Luck back in the fold. In general, the Colts' scheme will offer plenty of opportunities. Expect new head coach Frank Reich to push the tempo with a boatload of no-huddle. Also, you have to figure the Colts will play from behind plenty, translating to more throwing and, perhaps more importantly, meaningless yards in garbage time when defenses are backpedaling into prevent. Tie it all together, and Hilton is a terrific underdog play after racking up a league-high 1,448 yards back in 2016.Top long shot: Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns (+5,000)If Landry continues to haul in 100-plus passes despite serving mainly as a horizontal slot receiver, there's plenty of value here on volume alone.Offensive Rookie of the YearTop favorite: RB Saquon Barkley, New York Giants (+225)Barkley was a big-play machine at Penn State and should see a hefty workload in a running back-friendly Giants offense. New York has handed the offensive reins to Mike Shula, whose game plan with the Carolina Panthers last season translated to nearly 1,100 yards from scrimmage for McCaffrey during his rookie season. And Barkley is just so much better.I won't read too far into headlines or quotes from the coaching staff, but everything points to the Giants deploying Barkley in a variety of ways. Given he adds a multidimensional wrinkle out of the backfield that the franchise hasn't had in a while, I expect him to be used frequently in both the running and passing games.Top underdog: WR Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (+3,300)Take this for what it's worth, but a source within the Denver organization dropped an interesting tip on Sutton, saying he "wouldn't be surprised" if the SMU product led the team in receiving touchdowns based on how the team plans to use him.The last time the Broncos had a prime red-zone weapon? Tight end Julius Thomas in 2014. That's a long time ago in football years.Top long shot: WR James Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers (+4,000)It was just last year that a Steelers rookie wide receiver burst onto the scene. Have they struck gold again?Washington was a home-run hitter at Oklahoma State. If he gets opportunities, he'll make 'em count.Defensive Rookie of the YearTop favorite: S Minkah Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins (+800)Fitzpatrick is your typical plug-and-play defensive back who will see time at both free and strong safety, nickel and corner. Don't be surprised to see him return an interception the other way, as he took four of his nine picks to the end zone with the Crimson Tide.He can blitz. He can cover. There isn't much Minkah Fitzpatrick can't do. And he'll be relied upon to make an impact right away in Miami.Top underdog: LB Harold Landry, Tennessee Titans (+1,600)This was one of my favorite picks in the draft and I'll be damned if I don't let it ride for as long as I can. Landry was a stud at Boston College and he'll be making life hell for opposing quarterbacks sooner than later. I'm betting it happens immediately.Top long shot: CB Mike Hughes, Minnesota Vikings (+5,000)A Minnesota defender? Sign me up. The Vikings added the UCF product to an already-strong secondary early in the draft. If Xavier Rhodes is nice, maybe he'll let Hughes bag a couple of picks in his debut season.Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers were dealt their first big loss before the season even started when Jerick McKinnon tore his ACL on Saturday.The running back was the Niners' prized offseason addition. The team signed him to a four-year, $30-million deal on the first day of free agency."Since the day we signed him, we've been game-planning for Minnesota. So I'm not going to lie - it changes things pretty drastically," head coach Kyle Shanahan said of McKinnon's season-ending injury Wednesday, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle."That was (our) first target in free agency, so once you do it, you have a plan on how to use him, especially going into Week 1."The lucrative McKinnon deal was one of the more surprising moves of the offseason, leaving critics curious about how he'd be used in Shanahan's offense.Instead, the 49ers will turn to Matt Breida and Alfred Morris to carry the load out of the backfield.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to the first scheme preview piece of the 2018 season.Each week, we'll examine three schematic questions that should go a long way toward determining the outcome of contests in the upcoming weekend. The following week, we'll examine how these questions were answered (if they were) while also looking at some other cool concepts and designs that teams used on the ground, in the air, and even on defense to secure wins.So, let’s dive into three of Week 1's most notable matchups:Patriots' D vs. Deshaun WatsonThe recent editions of the New England Patriots have struggled mightily when facing mobile quarterbacks.Aaron Rodgers, Alex Smith, Russell Wilson, and Deshaun Watson have averaged 30.1 points in their previous eight games against New England. In those games, the quartet combined to complete over 65 percent of their passes for an average of 302 yards per game, 9.1 yards per passing attempt, and 2.5 touchdown passes per contest. Their combined passer rating was 115.1, and they averaged less than an interception per game.Watson, whom the Patriots are tasked with defending in their season opener against the Houston Texans, went 22 of 33 for 301 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions at Foxboro as a rookie in Week 3 last season - good for a quarterback rating of 90.6. He also chipped in 41 rushing yards on eight carries, and only a last-second touchdown drive by Tom Brady prevented the Texans from pulling off the upset.Here's an example from Watson's game in New England that illustrates what makes a mobile quarterback so difficult to defend - in this case using a zone coverage:On the play, New England deploys a Cover 3 in the secondary and - as Watson breaks the pocket - the defenders lose track of tight end Ryan Griffin, who's all alone on the right sideline. Watson finds his tight end, and the Texans have a huge gain.This poses a dilemma for defenses facing quarterbacks like Watson. They can rely on the guys in the back half to play man coverage and stay on their receivers deep into plays, but that choice can result in the quarterback taking off to run while defenders have their backs turned. And as we just saw, zone coverages make it easier for receivers to find open space when plays break down and the quarterback moves around.Up front, a defense could employ more of a "mush rush," with the goal not being to get to the quarterback, but to keep him contained in the pocket. But in doing so, just one slip-up can result in the quarterback breaking free and taking off. This is why teams often employ a “spy” - a linebacker dedicated to shadowing the quarterback on any given play. This is something the Patriots utilized at times in the playoffs last year, with Marquis Flowers spying Marcus Mariota. However, Flowers is no longer a Patriot, so a player such as Kyle Van Noy or rookie linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley might be asked to serve in this role.However the Patriots decide to approach their matchup with Watson, it's an important question for the team to answer this Sunday. And given they'll face a bunch of mobile pivots this season - including Blake Bortles, Mariota, Rodgers, Andrew Luck, and Patrick Mahomes - it's a question the Patriots will face often throughout 2018.Vikings' LBs vs. 49ers' RBs in passing gameThis showdown is a prime example of strength versus strength.We've previously outlined how successful San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan is at designing passing plays using multiple running backs in the formation. These designs force the defense to stay in its base personnel package, which sets up favorable matchups for the running backs against linebackers. With the loss of Jerick McKinnon to a season-ending knee injury, the 49ers might not have the matchup advantage they were hoping for this season, but others like Matt Breida, Alfred Morris, and even fullback Kyle Juszczyk are potential weapons for Shanahan in the passing game.Here's an example of Shanahan scheming Juszczyk open:However, the Minnesota Vikings' defense - which will face San Francisco in Week 1 - was the league's stingiest when it came to covering running backs in the passing game in 2017, allowing just 77 completions for a mere 494 yards (second lowest in the league) and just one touchdown (fewest in the league). That disciplined coverage is illustrated in the play below, which shows why it was so tough for opponents to throw to running backs against Minnesota:In the example, the Carolina Panthers try to set up a quick slip screen to running back Christian McCaffrey. You can see just how fast this Vikings’ defense is, led by linebacker Anthony Barr (No. 55), who sniffs out the play immediately before help arrives. The quickness of this defense might be too much for the two-back passing attack of the 49ers, but you can be sure Shanahan has some surprises up his sleeve.Patrick Mahomes vs. Chargers' D-lineFinally, we turn to young Patrick Mahomes as he embarks on his first season as the full-time starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. In his lone start last year, a Week 17 outing against the Denver Broncos, Mahomes flashed the arm talent and the audaciousness that make him such an intriguing young prospect. Cut from a true gunslinger cloth, there's no coverage or throwing window that scares Mahomes.What might give Mahomes pause, however, is how his Week 1 opponent, the Los Angeles Chargers, look to attack opposing passers with pressure up front. The Chargers can apply that pressure with their base defensive front - relying on premier talents at the edge position like Joey Bosa - and they've also been known to utilize a more speed-rushing package, particularly on passing downs. Both approaches have the potential to give Mahomes a headache.Here's a look at what the Chargers can do in their base defensive front. They often rely on the "wide-9" alignment, which puts the defensive ends well outside of the offensive tackles:This essentially puts the tackles on an island, away from the rest of the offensive line and their potential help on the inside. The defenders can then use a variety of pass-rushing moves or just pure quickness and speed to beat the offensive tackles in one-on-one matchups:Meanwhile, the more speed-rushing package was implemented in 2017, which uses an extra defensive end up front and tries to isolate that defender on an interior offensive lineman while keeping Melvin Ingram and Bosa on the field. Players like Chris McCain and Jeremiah Attaochu helped with this approach and gave the Chargers a look like this up front:Here against the Broncos, Ingram aligns inside, working against the right guard while Bosa and McCain are on the edges. Ingram, matched up against a less athletic offensive guard, is able to put a move on his man and get to the quarterback:The Chargers used a similar package at times during the 2018 preseason, even though Bosa was sidelined with an injury. On this third-and-8 play against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 of the preseason, they lined up with three edge-type players on the field up front:Here, the Chargers have Uchenna Nwosu on one edge in the wide-9 alignment outside the left tackle and Chris Landrum on the other. Darius Philon aligns across from the left tackle, while Bosa’s backup, Isaac Rochell, kicks inside and lines up across from the right guard. Watch the pressure they apply to rookie quarterback Josh Rosen:With Bosa returning to practice this week and expected to go on Sunday, you can anticipate the Chargers will use both him and Ingram on looks like this, with perhaps Rochell remaining on the field to work against interior offensive linemen in the speed-rushing package.So, how can Mahomes counter these pass-rushing packages? By getting the ball out of his hands quickly.Look for Andy Reid to implement a lot of quick throws and designed screens to force the Chargers' defense to play sideline to sideline. Of course, when you have a quarterback who moves in the pocket like this (while keeping his eyes downfield), that helps too:If Mahomes can handle the Chargers’ pressure schemes like this, the Chiefs might be set for a big day.Mark Schofield write NFL feature content for theScore. After nearly a decade of practicing law in the Washington, D.C. area Mark changed careers and started writing about football. Drawing upon over a decade of playing quarterback, including at the collegiate level, Mark focuses his work on quarterback evaluation and offensive scheme analysis. He lives in Maryland with his wife and two children. Find him on Twitter @MarkSchofield.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the regular season scheduled to begin Thursday, theScore's football editors make bold predictions for the upcoming year.Browns win 7 gamesIf Tyrod Taylor proved one thing over his three seasons as the Buffalo Bills' starting quarterback, it's that you can win seven games in the NFL simply by not self-destructing each week. The Cleveland Browns are equipped with more offensive talent than Taylor ever had to work with while in Buffalo, and his ability to sustain drives will help keep Cleveland's defense fresh throughout games. For the first time in a while, preseason optimism in the Dawg Pound is warranted. - Alex ChippinDavid Johnson breaks single-season scrimmage yards recordThe Arizona Cardinals' star running back said he feels forgotten among the elite backs after missing most of 2017 due to injury. Well, this year, Johnson is going to remind the entire NFL why he's such a special talent by breaking Chris Johnson's all-time mark of 2,509 yards from scrimmage. As the unquestioned focal point of the Cardinals' offense, and an outstanding receiver, Johnson will make history and fulfill his dream of joining Roger Craig and Marshall Faulk in the 1000/1000 club. - Jack BrowneJimmy G ends the PatriotsIn wonderfully poetic fashion, Jimmy Garoppolo and the San Francisco 49ers defeat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII, causing things to fall apart in New England. An enraged Bill Belichick - still fuming after seeing his former heir apparent quarterback evolve into a Super Bowl champion - walks away from owner Robert Kraft and signs on to coach the Browns. Soon after the news, Tom Brady retires, ending the Patriots' domination of the football landscape. - Mike Alessandrini2 teams finish at 1-15 or worseWhile optimism is always high around the league to start the season, things will quickly turn sour for at least a handful of teams. A strong rookie quarterback class has bolstered many of the squads that picked at the top of April's draft, but others still have several areas of weakness, and injuries can derail teams lacking the right depth. Only six teams have finished at 1-15 or worse in a season since 2000, but at least two of the Bills, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will fail to win more than a single game in 2018. - Esten McLarenMack, Miller break single-season sack markWhat happens when the two best edge rushers in football are set on revenge? It leads to Khalil Mack and Von Miller breaking the single-season sack record, rendering Michael Strahan's mark of 22.5 sacks obsolete. Miller will be hell-bent on destroying opposing tackles after his Denver Broncos missed the playoffs the past two seasons, while Mack will unleash his frustration on unsuspecting quarterbacks after being traded by the Oakland Raiders. Both players will set a new record of 25 sacks. - Arun SrinivasanA rookie wins league MVPThe last, and only, rookie to accomplish the feat was Jim Brown in 1957. Since then, only Earl Campbell and Dan Marino have come close, winning the award in their sophomore seasons. There are many scenarios in which a rookie could become the MVP this year: Saquon Barkley proves to be the difference for the Giants; Baker Mayfield takes over and leads the Browns to multiple victories; one of Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, or Lamar Jackson take the reins and lead their respective teams to the playoffs. Hey, it could happen. - Michael McClymontCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Imagine a defense with Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters, and Khalil Mack? For Los Angeles Rams COO Kevin Demoff, it almost became his reality.Despite being near the salary cap limit, the Rams were among the NFL's most aggressive teams in pursuit of Mack, according to Demoff."We offered a pretty aggressive package and they came back and said, ‘We just think you're going to pick too low,'" the Rams' COO said, via Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times.Mack was traded by the Oakland Raiders to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a package centered around two first-round picks on Saturday. The 2016 Defensive Player of the Year promptly signed a six-year extension worth $141 million, ensuring that the Bears have their marquee talent locked up for the foreseeable future.It would be nearly impossible for the Rams to acquire Mack, given their cap situation, but one can only dream how they would've looked if they had pulled off the heist of the century.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Akiem Hicks believes the Chicago Bears' newest addition will prove to be unstoppable in his first year with the club.Chicago begins the season against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday, and though the Packers boast one of the NFL's premier offensive lines, Hicks believes they are no match for Khalil Mack."I know those five guys can't block Khalil Mack," Hicks said on a conference call via ESPN's Rob Demovsky.Hicks clarified that Mack isn't just a unique problem to the Packers, with defenses around the NFL struggling to contain the three-time Pro Bowler since his rookie year."I think the question every team is going to ask is, how do you block Khalil Mack?" Hicks said. "So him being there, it just gives me more freedom to have one-on-ones."Can you tell how excited I am to have my new teammate?"Mack, the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, is a genuine game-breaking talent and will be counted upon to lead the Bears to their first playoff appearance since 2010.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Adrian Peterson has been with the Washington Redskins for mere weeks, but the former NFL MVP has apparently already earned the top job.The running back will reportedly be Washington's starter Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, according to John Keim of ESPN.Peterson started six games for the Cardinals last season. He rushed for 448 yards and two touchdowns, but could only muster an average of 3.5 yards per carry.Washington brought in the veteran after a season-ending injury to rookie Derrius Guice, who was expected to be the team's starter.While Peterson will likely get the early-down work, scat back Chris Thompson - who had 510 receiving yards in 10 games in 2017 - should replace him on passing downs.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll announced Wednesday that rookie Shaquem Griffin will start at linebacker for the team's opener against the Denver Broncos.Griffin's taking the place of K.J. Wright, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Aug. 27 and is expected to miss at least two weeks.The 23-year-old Griffin became the first one-handed player ever drafted into the NFL when the Seahawks selected him in the fifth round in April. Griffin's twin brother, Shaquill, will start at cornerback for Seattle.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Le'Veon Bell's teammates have finally run out of patience as the Pittsburgh Steelers running back continues his holdout with the regular season scheduled to get underway this week.Although quarterback Ben Roethlisberger expressed optimism about the team's offense without Bell early Wednesday, several offensive linemen blasted the running back for his prolonged absence."What do you do? Here's a guy who doesn't give a damn, I guess, so we'll treat it as such. I just hate it came to this," guard Ramon Foster said, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette."He's making seven times what I make, twice as much as Al (Villanueva) is making, and we're the guys who do it for him," Foster added.

Pittsburgh Steelers star running back Le'Veon Bell is expected to continue his holdout into the first game of the regular season against the Cleveland Browns, barring an unforeseen development, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.It was assumed Bell would stay away from the team but return for Week 1, as he did last year while also under the franchise tag, but his agent hinted otherwise Wednesday."He's going to do the things necessary to protect his value long term," Adisa Bakari said.Despite Bell's absence, the Steelers reportedly don't intend to rescind his $14.5-million franchise-tag tender, which he has yet to sign.Related - Roethlisberger: We'd like to have Bell, but 'we've got a lot of weapons'Bell had a league-high 404 touches last season for Pittsburgh, and the 26-year-old apparently doesn't want to carry such an enormous workload again without his long-term future secured."Le'Veon has several years left in football; we know his days in Pittsburgh are precarious at best; we also know how he's been utilized in the past by the Steelers organization," Bakari said."That's nothing to say negative about the Steelers. They had one of the best players to play the position and they used him heavily for the production he can provide, but in doing so, you take away from his future years."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Odell Beckham Jr. knows better than most the price of allowing an opponent to get into your head.The New York Giants' star receiver was suspended for one game in 2015 for his helmet-to-helmet hit on cornerback Josh Norman after the two jawed for most of the matchup.With the Jacksonville Jaguars and star corner Jalen Ramsey - who's spent the offseason calling out seemingly half the league - coming to town for New York's season opener, Beckham said Wednesday there will be no repeat incident."I think I learned my lesson," said Beckham, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan. "(Ramsey) is, if not the best, one of the best corners in the league. There is no way around it.""I remember going into the week before and, to be honest with you, I hadn't watched much tape on Josh before we had played them. I remember you all bringing me information from his interview saying this is sweet and blah, blah, blah. And the stories and papers are written," Beckham added."It was all set up to happen what exactly happened. And I am kind of seeing things different now and just knowing it is going to be a matchup but it's not going to be something where history repeats itself and the past and buying into the same thing."Beckham didn't play in the preseason as he continues to work back from a season-ending ankle injury. He was made the highest-paid receiver in the league in August, inking a five-year extension worth up to $95 million.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In a conference full of Super Bowl contenders, the NFC North will likely have two of its own by the end of the regular season.The division winner from a season ago shouldn't change, but there's also a new quarterback in town who's looking to steal the show from another who's made winning the conference look easy.Here are my over/under win-total picks for the NFC North:Minnesota VikingsPick: Over 10 wins -130 (BetOnline)As if a 13-3 record, an NFC North title, and a trip to the conference championship game weren't good enough, Minnesota grabbed another victory in the offseason by winning the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes.It's not every day that a hugely successful team can swap in a new quarterback and continue to contend, but that should be the case with the Vikings in 2018. Some suggest Cousins isn't really an upgrade over Case Keenum, but I'm not sure it matters, as long as he isn't a downgrade. And for once, Cousins will be backed by a top-five defense while throwing to one of the best receiving tandems in the league in Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen.Minnesota is set to play the eighth-toughest schedule in 2018 after having one of the easiest slates last year. The team will travel to face the Eagles, Rams, Patriots, and Seahawks - but that's where coach Mike Zimmer comes into play. After going 14 years without compiling a winning record on the road, the Vikings have done it twice in the last three seasons under Zimmer.Fending off Green Bay for the division title could come down to how the Vikings fare on the road. I'm guessing they'll do just fine.Green Bay PackersPick: Over 10 -103 (Bookmaker)I watched Aaron Rodgers mow through the Dallas Cowboys' defense in under a minute last season and learned to never bet against this man.Meanwhile, the Packers' offense should be exciting to watch again this season despite coordinator changes that, in essence, shouldn't affect how the annual Pro Bowler goes about his business.In fact, there isn't an offensive coordinator whose job is less important than Green Bay's. By Week 6, Rodgers should have total freedom to call his own plays in the huddle, drawing up routes for his receivers as if he's playing in the backyard. Defensively, coordinator Dom Capers and his stagnant game plan are gone, and the Packers still boast plenty of young talent.No team has a tougher schedule than Green Bay based on last season's records, but it's much easier on the eyes when skimming the list. Road games against the Seahawks, Rams, and Patriots will certainly be tough, but the rest of the ledger is winnable. Green Bay could very well lock down half its win total by Week 6 with games against the Bears, Vikings, Redskins, Bills, Lions, and 49ers - especially considering just two of those will come on the road.Detroit Lions Pick: Under 7.5 wins +105 (BetOnline)The Lions are hoping to hit the jackpot after poaching a three-time Super Bowl-winning coach from the Bill Belichick tree in Matt Patricia.Perhaps Patricia can find a way to invigorate a running attack that hasn't produced a single-game 100-yard rusher in nearly five years. To help break out of the slump, the Lions also brought in 31-year-old bruiser LeGarrette Blount and drafted rookie tailback Kerryon Johnson out of Auburn. Quarterback Matt Stafford only needs decent production from that department as he still has a pair of receivers - Marvin Jones Jr. and Golden Tate - who are capable of topping the 1,000-yard mark in any given season.Still, in a tougher division and with games against New England, Seattle, Carolina, Dallas, and the Rams, I'm recommending the under in Patricia's first season.Chicago BearsPick: Under 7 wins +123 (Bookmaker)If you can't contend, be fun. And the Bears are built for the latter.An offseason overhaul on offense saw the Bears land wide receivers Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel and tight end Trey Burton in free agency. All three should be integral parts of new head coach Matt Nagy's system and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky's Year 2 leap.The Bears also landed former Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack near the end of the preseason, fleecing the Raiders in the process.I'm certainly excited for a fresh start in Chicago, but I'm not ready to buy in yet.The Bears will undoubtedly improve following John Fox's tenure and have more talent on the roster than in years past. Still, we should pump the brakes on Trubisky until he plays a few games this season and shows what he can do. And while the acquisition of Mack is a huge positive, it won't get Chicago to the seven-win mark on its own.In my eyes, Chicago is still a middling team that needs another year to develop its new offensive system before playing up to its competition. I'll sell high on the public darling with the win total at its peak.Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from 'Rounders' and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant was a big source of motivation for Richard Sherman during his recovery from an Achilles injury.Bryant, who ruptured his own Achilles tendon in 2013, told ESPN's Nick Wagoner he reached out to the San Francisco 49ers cornerback - then a member of the Seattle Seahawks - a day after he suffered the injury to see how he was doing."When I first called to check on him I said, 'Are you alright, I want to make sure you are not being a baby about it?'" Bryant said of the November 2017 phone call.The pair's friendship dates back to 2014, when they met at a Nike photoshoot following the Seahawks' Super Bowl XLVIII victory. Sherman said Bryant was "essential" in his rehabilitation, offering guidance and acting as a sounding board."He and I had a previous relationship and talked and texted all the time," Sherman said. "So he gave me some pointers and things I needed to do early on in the process to make sure that I expedited the healing process and I was more proactive than reactive. I think that was one of the big things."Sunday will mark Sherman's first regular-season game in 10 months, and Bryant is looking forward to his friend's comeback."I'm excited for him to come back and show the world what he's got, man," Bryant said. "It's going to be awesome."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The battle of "Tom vs. Time" may have found an agreeable point at which to call a draw.New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady released an epilogue Wednesday on Facebook to his documentary that was released in January, in which he seems to set a tentative plan for an eventual retirement from football."I would love to play five more years," Brady said. "It will be a challenge for me. I don't think it's going to be easy. It's f---ing going to be hard to do. I think it's going to be very hard to do. But I think I can do it."Brady turned 41 years old in August, and playing five more seasons would take him through his age-45 campaign. The 2017 MVP says there's no reason to stop while continuing to play at the top of his game."Once you stop, you're done," Brady said. "And I think I'm not ready to say that I'm done, 'cause I don’t feel like I am. I still feel like there's things to accomplish. It would be like getting close to the top of the mountain and going, 'Ah, it's good, I'm good.' No. You worked really hard to get to this point. Why not finish it off?"Look at my career from, I don't know, 30, 32, 33 on. A lot of players retire at 33. You look at football, 10-year career, that's an amazing career. I mean, I think the last eight years of my career have been better than the first 10. So I should just prolong it. And that's why I'm trying to do."Brady was chosen in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. The 13-time Pro Bowler has career totals of 66,159 passing yards, 488 touchdowns, and a 63.9 percent completion rate in the regular season.Related: Brady hints he'll retire at 45 in Instagram commentHe led the league in both passing attempts and yards in 2017, earning a third All-Pro honor while leading the Patriots to a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance.- With h/t to Pro Football TalkCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The development of young players is one of the more fascinating elements of professional football. Organizations know what to expect from many of their veteran players, but they're also banking on their younger, more unproven talent to break through and produce.Here's a look at one breakout candidate for each of the NFL's 32 teams.Bears - Leonard Floyd, LBAn undersized tweener coming out of Georgia, Floyd's transition to the NFL was always going to demand patience. The supremely athletic rush man, who used those gifts to rack up 11.5 sacks across his first two seasons, heads into Year 3 having filled out his frame and refined his technique. Now flanked by the best edge defender in football following Chicago's blockbuster trade for Khalil Mack, Floyd should have his fair share of one-on-one matchups to exploit with his now-developed skill set.Bengals - Joe Mixon, RBMixon was touted as an elite running back prospect leading up to the 2017 draft, drawing comparisons to Le'Veon Bell for his patient running style and three-down impact. His rookie campaign didn't go as planned, but the former Oklahoma standout is now the unquestioned lead back in Cincinnati. He'll be doing his work behind a much-improved offensive line and, as was the case with Bell in his breakout sophomore performance, appears to be in much better shape after dropping weight in the offseason. Unfair as it may be to draw parallels with the Steelers superstar, Mixon has the ability to be a similarly dominant playmaker in every phase of the offensive game.Bills - Shaq Lawson, DELawson's career has gotten off to a less than ideal start. After missing all of training camp and the first six games of his rookie season due to a shoulder injury, he managed just six sacks in the 21 games that followed. There was some talk about Lawson being on the roster bubble at final cutdowns, so perhaps he's still yet to make strides, but this breakout pick is a simple bet on talent. Finally healthy and now in his second year back as a base end, Lawson should begin to show some of the traits that made him a first-round pick.Broncos - Garett Bolles, OTThe most impressive area of Bolles' game at Utah, and what pushed him into the first round of last year's draft, was his athleticism. Offensive linemen who move the way he does are few and far between. He also has the physical mindset necessary to excel at the position, but Bolles making good on his draft status always hinged upon his ability to develop more functional strength. After adding some size this past offseason, and benefiting from the technique improvements that should come with a full year of NFL coaching, Bolles should take another step toward being a foundational piece up front.Browns - David Njoku, TENjoku is an athletic freak. He only showed glimpses of that as a rookie, but it's rare to see tight ends break through in their first taste of NFL action. With a year of seasoning and better offensive talent around him, including at quarterback, now's the time to tune in and see what Njoku can do. He's going to be a nightmare for opposing linebackers and safeties to match up against, particularly in the red zone.Buccaneers - Chris Godwin, WRGodwin's playmaking ability at all levels of the field was crystal clear coming out of Penn State. His athleticism and route-running ability help him create separation, while his strength and body control at the catch point allow him to play much bigger than his size. His lack of production as a rookie can be chalked up to the Buccaneers trying to get the most out of the DeSean Jackson signing. Don't expect them to make the same mistake this year. Godwin should be the No. 2 opposite Mike Evans, with Jackson sliding into a field-stretcher role - and the Tampa Bay passing game will be better for it.Colts - Malik Hooker, SHooker had already demonstrated his elite playmaking ability at the NFL level when an ACL injury ended his rookie season after just seven games. Now back to full strength ahead of his second year, the former Ohio State standout is ready to pick up where he left off. Hooker's coverage ability - highlighted by rare instincts, range, and ball skills - evoked memories of soon-to-be Hall of Famer Ed Reed in the lead-up to last year's draft.Cardinals - Robert Nkemdiche, DTAfter being viewed as a risky pick back in the 2016 draft, falling to the latter portion of the first round despite his ability as a penetrating force up front, a pair of disappointing seasons already has Nkemdiche battling the "bust" label. But don't write him off just yet. The enigmatic defensive lineman, who dealt with some nagging injuries early on in his pro career, gets a fresh start with a new coaching staff that will be intent on getting the most out of his talent. The shift to a one-gap defensive system under new head coach Steve Wilks should put Nkemdiche back in a more natural role where, as a three-technique defensive tackle, he can use his athleticism to get in the backfield.Chargers - Mike Williams, WRWilliams is another highly touted sophomore looking to get his career on track after an injury impacted his rookie season. He suited up for 10 games in 2017, but it was always going to be difficult to earn a meaningful role after a back injury put him on the sidelines from his rookie minicamp until Week 5. There's likely still work to be done before he can supplant Travis Benjamin or Tyrell Williams opposite No. 1 wideout Keenan Allen, but Williams should already be one of the Chargers' top red-zone options.Chiefs - Patrick Mahomes, QBMesmerized by his arm talent, the football world has probably been a little quick to anoint Mahomes as the next big thing at quarterback. There were some areas in his game that needed to be cleaned up coming out of Texas Tech last year, and with just one professional game under his belt, it's fair to assume he'll take some lumps early on. For all the struggles he may experience in his defacto rookie season under center, though, Mahomes' big-play ability will make him a human highlight reel from the outset. His talent is just too special. He's Kansas City's breakout player because watching him throw it around the yard to Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Travis Kelce, and Kareem Hunt will be an absolute treat.Cowboys - Jaylon Smith, LBSmith spent his first two NFL seasons working his way back from a devastating knee injury suffered during his final game at Notre Dame. A lengthy recovery forced him to sit out his entire rookie season, and although he suited up for all 16 games last year, starting in six, his effectiveness didn't approach the level that once made him a potential top-five pick. Now, two-plus years removed from his injury, Smith is showing signs of getting it back. He was a defensive standout for the Cowboys in the preseason, and all indications are that he's earned himself a lead role in the middle of that defense. After being no lock to play in the NFL after his injury, Smith's comeback has been remarkable.Dolphins - Xavien Howard, CBHoward's career didn't get off to the best of starts, and things weren't going so well early in his second season, either. But not everyone can be Marshon Lattimore or Jalen Ramsey. The talented former second-round pick began to come into his own in the second half of the 2017 campaign with a dominant stretch of play highlighted by back-to-back two-interception games in December - one of them coming against Tom Brady. Look for Howard to carry that momentum into his third season and emerge as the No. 1 corner the Dolphins have long been searching for.Eagles - Derek Barnett, DEBarnett was as productive as he needed to be as a rookie, racking up five sacks while serving as a rotational edge rusher for a loaded Eagles defensive front. More will be expected of the 2017 first-rounder heading into Year 2, and, based on the flashes he showed last season, you can bet he's ready to answer the bell. Barnett is an explosive, technically sound edge rusher who, when given a more significant role, should be able to take advantage of the attention his Pro Bowl linemates draw.Falcons - Austin Hooper, TEFor whatever reason, tight ends are notoriously slow starters upon arriving on the NFL scene. Hooper was no exception as a rookie, finishing the 2016 season with just 19 receptions for 271 yards and three touchdowns. His production took a small step forward as a sophomore (49-526-3), but still left something to be desired. As the Falcons seek ways to solve their puzzling red-zone woes, look for Steve Sarkisian, now in his second year as offensive coordinator, to make a point of getting Hooper more involved. He may not put up huge yardage totals with so many other offensive weapons in place, but the big-bodied tight end should help Atlanta put points on the board.49ers - Trent Taylor, WRAt just 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, Taylor will never fit the mold of a true No. 1 receiver. His size and skill set limits him to the slot, and thus puts a cap on his big-play ability, but he can still be an incredibly reliable target for his quarterback. And after demonstrating his quickness and route-running ability as a rookie, it seems he's emerging as just that for Jimmy Garoppolo. Taylor will catch more passes than you might expect this season.Giants - Sterling Shepard, WRShepard made an immediate impact as a rookie before injuries got in the way of what could've been a productive sophomore season. With the Giants' stable of playmakers now back healthy, this should once again be one of the NFL's more explosive offenses. And when coverage rolls to the side of Odell Beckham Jr., it'll be Shepard who goes to work and takes advantage of some favorable matchups. The numbers likely won't tell the whole story, as there might not be enough targets to go around, but this is the year Shepard should make a name for himself with big plays and consistent production.Jaguars - Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TEThe fantasy community has been waiting years for a Seferian-Jenkins breakout. Despite some impressive athletic gifts, including a frame that can give any defensive back nightmares, he was never able to make it work in stops with the Bucs and Jets. But he's still just 25, and as the clear-cut No. 1 tight end in Jacksonville, all signs point to him having a major role in the offense. Seferian-Jenkins should be Blake Bortles' go-to target in the red zone, and a lack of playmakers at receiver should open opportunities for him to contribute in other areas of the field.Jets - Jamal Adams, SListing Adams as a breakout player in no way diminishes what he did as a rookie. The No. 6 overall pick was a solid addition to the Jets' secondary, and his debut performance only drove home the idea that he'll be a franchise cornerstone for years to come. His inclusion on this list, rather, is more of an indication of just how far his skill set could take him in a short period of time. As was the case for Landon Collins back in 2016, the game should begin to slow down for Adams this season. An increased comfort level should yield better results in coverage, and he'll be a dominant presence coming downhill in run support.Lions - Kenny Golladay, WRGolladay was a fantasy football darling early in his rookie season, as the rave reviews of his practice work were followed up by a productive preseason and then a two-touchdown performance in Week 1. But he slowed down in the weeks that followed, and a hamstring injury forced him to miss five games in the middle of the year. Never able to truly emerge down the stretch, a season that started with a bang ended with a whimper. Fans and fantasy owners alike still have every reason to be excited about Golladay heading into Year 2, though, as he has all the makings of a No. 1 receiver and is locked into a top-three role in a Detroit offense that essentially uses three-receiver sets as its base package.Packers - Geronimo Allison, WRDavante Adams and Randall Cobb sit atop the receiver depth chart in Green Bay, but that's far more than a two-deep spot with the way Aaron Rodgers likes to spread things out. And Cobb is trending down, anyway. Amid a search for a reliable No. 3, it's been Geronimo Allison who's emerged. We've seen Rodgers show a comfort with him in the past, and beating out the host of rookies brought in to compete should be taken as a positive sign for Allison's continued development. There are plenty of targets up for grabs following Jordy Nelson's departure.Panthers - Christian McCaffrey, RBMcCaffrey's contributions as a rookie were largely limited to the passing game. While that role highlighted his versatility, it was still a disappointing start for a running back drafted No. 8 overall. Understanding that he's capable of much more, as was demonstrated throughout an incredible career at Stanford, the Panthers finally seem ready to make McCaffrey a true every-down back. He's one of the few running backs who can do it all, and him making the most of that skill set next to Cam Newton is imperative for a Panthers offense looking to get back on track. McCaffrey is in for a monster year.Patriots - Trent Brown, OTJust when it seemed like the Patriots may have a major roster dilemma on their hands - needing to replace longtime left tackle Nate Solder after he joined the Giants in free agency - Bill Belichick and Co. found themselves a steal at one of the most important positions on the field. Brown battled weight and conditioning issues during his time with the 49ers, but his talent was never in question. The mammoth offensive tackle has shown an ability to dominate both as a pass-protector and run-blocker. Joining this ridiculously well-coached team will help Brown rise to the occasion, and getting it done on Tom Brady's blindside will make his breakout all the more notable.Redskins - Preston Smith, LBMost players with two eight-sack seasons under their belt would be considered to have broken out already. Not Smith. The impact he's made while tallying 20.5 sacks over his first three years in the NFL is only scratching the surface of what he's capable of as a pass-rusher off the edge. Working alongside a stout three-man front of Jonathan Allen, Da'Ron Payne, and Matt Ioannidis should be what pushes his development over the top. Double-digit sacks is the floor for Smith in 2018.Raiders - Gareon Conley, CBConley lost nearly all of his rookie season to a shin injury that surfaced over the summer and just never went away. For the short time he was on the field, however, he flashed the lockdown potential that made him a first-round pick in 2017. Conley has the athletic profile and coverage ability to match up with all different types of receivers, possessing not only the size and length to battle bigger targets on the boundary but also the quickness to move inside and man the slot. He has the makings of a No. 1 corner and should prove himself as a defensive centerpiece for the Raiders this season.Rams - Cory Littleton, LBFor as many defensive spots as the Rams have locked down with superstar talent, there are also a few with question marks. The offseason trade of Alec Ogletree makes inside linebacker one such area of concern, but the Rams have a young, little-known player ready to step in. Littleton has been working as L.A.'s defensive play-caller throughout the offseason - a sign of the confidence the coaching staff has in him to run things from the middle. While expectations should be tempered early on, he could be a tackling machine behind a defensive line that features Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh.Ravens - Tim Williams, LBBuried on the depth chart as a rookie, Williams didn't contribute much of anything after joining the Ravens as a third-round pick. Reports out of Ravens camp this summer seemed to indicate he was settling in, though, and he built on that development with a strong preseason getting after opposing quarterbacks. Williams should have the opportunity to carve out a role as a situational pass-rusher in Baltimore's edge rotation, where the explosiveness that made him a star at Alabama will terrorize offensive lines.Saints - Marcus Williams, SWilliams' strong rookie season ended in heartbreak, as it was his missed tackle on Stefon Diggs that saw the Vikings pull off a late miracle against the Saints and advance to the NFC Championship Game. No player wants to be remembered that way, and if the preseason can be taken as any indication, the former second-round pick is well on his way to ensuring he's not. Williams was deemed by many as a star of training camp, and that translated to his performance in exhibition action. New Orleans has a game-changer on the back end.Seahawks - Tyler Lockett, WRLong having demonstrated his athleticism and route-running ability, there's never been a doubt about Lockett's potential. It's just yet to translate into any sort of consistent production. With Paul Richardson now in Washington and Jimmy Graham in Green Bay, this is the year for Lockett to put it all together. He'll be relied upon in a big way early on, as Doug Baldwin is battling a knee injury. Coming through as the No. 1 option for Russell Wilson will be the catalyst for Lockett finding a role he'll keep beyond Baldwin's return.Steelers - Javon Hargrave, DTHargrave isn't your prototypical nose tackle. Sure, he has the strength and power to hold up the point of attack, but players aren't typically able to do that and also move as well as he does. After posting just four sacks in his first two years, the stats indicate he's not much of a pass-rush threat. Wrong. Don't be surprised when Hargrave's established ability to penetrate and create havoc in the backfield finally results in some more sacks. And when the Steelers are getting pass-rush production from the nose tackle spot, the defense is going to be a problem.Texans - Zach Cunningham, LBThe knock on Cunningham coming out of Vanderbilt was his size. Attractive as sideline-to-sideline range may be, he was going to have to add to his frame to hold up as an every-down linebacker in the NFL. He's made a point of doing just that. Some added bulk to go along with his athleticism and instincts should give the Texans a promising young inside linebacker tandem in Cunningham and Benardrick McKinney.Titans - Corey Davis, WRDavis' rookie season was bound to be a struggle after a hamstring injury forced him to the sidelines for most of training camp and five games early in the season. But let's not forget why he was a top-five pick last year: Davis has No. 1 wideout written all over him. The Titans have been lining him up at all receiver spots this offseason, and it shouldn't be long before he emerges as Marcus Mariota's favorite target. The two-touchdown performance Davis put together in the playoffs against the Patriots can be considered a mere glimpse of what he's capable of at full strength.Vikings - Laquon Treadwell, WRTreadwell was no lock to remain in the Vikings' long-term plans after a disastrous first two seasons. A mere 21 catches over that stretch gave Minnesota little to no return on its first-round investment, and Kendall Wright was brought in to compete for the No. 3 receiver job in camp. But there may yet be hope for the former Ole Miss star. Wright was released at final roster cutdowns, signaling confidence that Treadwell can be counted on. That role should be integral in a new-look offense that figures to make more use of three-receiver sets.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The balance of power has shifted in the NFC West. As two former contenders watch their windows close at an alarming pace, the other two teams feature rising quarterbacks coming off superb seasons.Here are my win-total picks for the NFC West.Los Angeles RamsPick: Under 10 +118 (Bookmaker)The Rams' first season under head coach Sean McVay was nothing short of incredible.Just when the media had written off quarterback and former No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff, McVay entered the fold and brought the offense to life, leading the Rams to a divisional title while helping Goff nab a Pro Bowl nod.Goff's supporting cast features no shortage of weapons, with wide receivers Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp; running back Todd Gurley; and tight ends Gerald Everett and Tyler Higbee. The Rams' effort to bolster the line last offseason paid dividends too, making it one of the league's most improved.The defense is one of the best on paper, with notable names throughout - but questions persist. The Rams rounded up personalities aplenty, bringing in defensive backs Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib and tackle Ndamukong Suh. This unit could be great if it wants to be - but its volatility makes me wary.Based on last season's win-loss record, the Rams have the fifth-toughest schedule in 2018, a year after having the 17th-toughest strength of schedule. They get the Vikings, Eagles, Packers, and Chargers at home, but also go on the road to play in Denver and New Orleans. It's a more difficult schedule for a team with a target on its back, and I think Los Angeles will regress from its 11-win season in 2017.San Francisco 49ersPick: Under 8.5 wins -155 (BetOnline)I would love to see the 2018 win total on this team if it had played the 2017 season in reverse.All we seem to remember from last year was Jimmy Garoppolo going undefeated on the final lap of the season. Tom Brady's onetime heir apparent in New England pasted a Band-Aid over the 49ers' other flaws by winning two games by a combined three points and beating a Rams team that benched its starters in Week 17. Garoppolo was so lucky/good that he actually fooled people into thinking San Francisco could be a nine-win team in 2018.The 49ers' strength of schedule ranks in the middle of the pack. They'll rack up the eighth-most mileage in the league, making three pit stops in the Midwest and a trip to L.A. in the first six weeks of the season.Schedule and mileage aside, I'm not sure the 49ers are fully capable of topping .500, Garoppolo or not.Seattle SeahawksPick: Over 7.5 wins EV (Bookmaker)Following years of dominance, Seattle might finally be due to hit the skids. The stout defense the Seahawks rode to a pair of Super Bowl appearances has fractured and the offensive line, as usual, will likely struggle to protect Russell Wilson in 2018.But I think the public is buying into that narrative a bit too much, making the Seahawks somewhat undervalued going into the season.Seattle will face a schedule as tough as the Rams', but the team does get the Chargers, Cowboys, Vikings, Packers, and Chiefs at home, where the Seahawks have a bigger advantage than any other team in the league.Asking Wilson to lead his team to a playoff berth in 2018 might be foolish. But we don't need a playoff berth - just a .500 record, which Seattle can achieve despite not being expected to make much noise in the NFC West.Arizona Cardinals Pick: Under 6 wins +115 (BetOnline)I can absolutely see the Cardinals routing the Alex Smith-led Redskins in their home opener, then having the wheels completely fall off. Outside the conference alone, I'm not sure if there's a road win on the schedule with visits to the Falcons, Vikings, Chiefs, Chargers, and Packers all on the docket after Week 5.There are just too many question marks to trust Arizona. How will David Johnson and Sam Bradford respond after being injured for virtually all of last season? Will the offensive line hold up, or stay healthy? Beyond Patrick Peterson, how will the defense fare? Will the new coaching staff help or hurt?Arizona is a team I want nothing to do with in 2018. I just hope Josh Rosen sees time before November.Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from 'Rounders' and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nike will air a new "Just Do It" commercial featuring quarterback Colin Kaepernick during the NFL's season-opening game Thursday between the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and the Atlanta Falcons, according to ESPN's Darren Rovell.Kaepernick voices the commercial - which also features LeBron James and Serena Williams - and is revealed at the end of the ad.Kaepernick tweeted out the commercial shortly after Rovell's report:

New York Giants tight end Evan Engram has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol, head coach Pat Shurmur announced Wednesday.Engram was ruled out of the Giants' third preseason game due to the head injury. He'll be eligible to play in the team's season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.Now 24 years old, he led the Giants with 64 receptions and six touchdowns as a rookie last season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks star safety Earl Thomas plans to end his holdout and report to the team Wednesday, the All-Pro told ESPN's Josina Anderson.The news dropped just moments after it was reported Seattle turned down a second-round pick from the Dallas Cowboys for Thomas, who has been away from the team as he seeks a contract extension.Thomas confirmed his return in an Instagram post, but it appears there is still tension with the Seahawks, as he wrote: "The disrespect has been well-noted and will not be forgotten."

With the regular season kicking off Thursday, the Dallas Cowboys have reportedly resumed their pursuit of Earl Thomas.The Cowboys offered a second-round pick for Thomas, but the Seattle Seahawks weren't interested as they are seeking more compensation for the star safety, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Dallas reportedly balked at the idea of giving up a second-rounder for Thomas in April, around the time of the draft. The Cowboys used the pick on offensive lineman Connor Williams.Related - Earl Thomas to Seahawks: Extend me, or trade meThomas has been holding out for a new contract, which the Seahawks apparently said they won't be giving him. He is reportedly willing to sit until Seattle grants his wish of a trade, or changes its stance on an extension.The 29-year-old All-Pro safety is the last remaining member of the "Legion of Boom." The Seahawks have already parted ways with franchise stalwarts Richard Sherman and Michael Bennett this offseason.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell remains away from the team with just four days remaining until its 2018 season opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.Related: Steelers GM disappointed with Le'Veon Bell's absenceWhile Bell's situation remains up in the air, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger expressed optimism about the rest of his offense."We’ve got a lot of weapons. We’d like to have him (Bell) out there but we’ve got guys that can make plays for us," Roethlisberger said Wednesday morning, according to Joe Rutter of TribLIVE.com."One person doesn’t make or break you, so I’d like to say that the linemen are more important than any skill position player, including myself, on this team. This offense is more than just one guy," he added.Roethlisberger specifically praised second-year running back James Conner, who's currently listed behind Bell on the Steelers' official depth chart. Rookie Jaylen Samuels and veteran Stevan Ridley hold the other two spots at running back.The Steelers applied the franchise tag - valued at $14.54 million for the 2018 season - to Bell in March.If Bell doesn't report to the team and sign his franchise tag by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, then $852,941 will be rolled back into the Steelers' salary cap every week until he does, according to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Serena Williams supports Nike's decision to make Colin Kaepernick the face of its "Just Do It" 30th-anniversary campaign.Williams, who is endorsed by Nike, shared her thoughts on the campaign Tuesday after defeating Karolina Pliskova in straight sets to advance to the US Open semifinals."Having a huge company back him, could be a controversial reason for this company, but they're not afraid and I feel like that was a really powerful statement to a lot of, a lot of other companies," Williams said, according to Adam Reed of CNBC.com.Williams also spoke about athletes' roles in social activism."I don't think athletes have a role to play," she said. "I feel like ... it's their choice."Kaepernick and former San Francisco 49ers teammate Eric Reid were in attendance for Williams' victory over her sister, Venus Williams, in the third round of the US Open on Friday. Kaepernick tweeted a photo of Williams with his niece after the match.

The annual shift in the NFL's competitive landscape is among the league's most exciting qualities. A team may celebrate a playoff berth one year, only to be left wondering what went wrong at the end of next season.In each of the last five years, at least four teams did not make it back to the playoffs despite qualifying the year before.Here are four squads likely to follow this trend in 2018, and the four teams poised to replace them.Out: Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers defensive end Efe Obada reflected on his incredible journey after becoming one of the first players from the NFL's International Pathway program to make a 53-man roster this past weekend.The 26-year-old was born in Nigeria and trafficked at age 10 to the Netherlands and then to the United Kingdom after being separated from his mother. He and his sister were abandoned and left homeless in England."I'll be honest with you,'' Obada said, according to David Newton of ESPN. "What happened to me is something that has happened across the world, it's happened to a lot of people. I'm just blessed to have the opportunity I'm in right now. I just want to focus on football."Eventually down the line when everything is settled and I've established myself in the league, then I'll go into that. I'll go into my background. I'll go into my history.''Obada first signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2015 after playing with an amateur team in London, according to Nick Shook of NFL.com. He was cut at the end of the preseason but later joined the practice squad. He also had stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons, but was never placed on an official roster. He spent all of 2017 on the Panthers' practice squad.Head coach Ron Rivera credits Obada's past with helping fuel the intensity and desire that got him onto the roster."I see it every time he steps on the field,'' Rivera said, according to Newton. "He practices 100 miles per hour. I've got guys that get upset with him because on Friday he's going hard."It's funny, when you want to point to something, when you say, 'Hey guys, if you came from where he came, if you dealt with what he dealt with, that's how you want to approach everything in life,' that's what I think is impressive.''The Panthers open their season against the Cowboys on Sunday, though it remains to be seen if Obada will be active.Former Australian rugby star Jordan Mailata was the second player from the International Pathway program to make a roster when he survived the Philadelphia Eagles' wave of cuts last weekend.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A Nielsen report commissioned by the American Gaming Association (AGA) indicates that a fully mature sports gambling market in the U.S. could be worth $2.3 billion per year to the NFL, according to ESPN's Darren Rovell.Based on a fan survey, the report suggests regulated betting across America would boost media rights fees by almost 18 percent, lead to betting operators sponsoring teams, and result in the purchasing of official league data.The NFL told its teams, according to ESPN, that it wants to force betting operators who advertise with them to buy the league's data. That would earn it $30 million a year, according to the report. The AGA isn't opposed to the idea, as it would result in faster live in-game betting, but it doesn't want vendors to be forced to buy the information.The report doesn't factor in "integrity fees," in which the league would take a cut of bets on each game, ESPN reports. The AGA has been opposed to such a deal.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Oakland City Council intends to file an antitrust lawsuit against the Raiders and the NFL over the franchise's impending move to Las Vegas, according to the San Francisco Chronicle's Phil Matier and Andy Ross.The lawsuit is expected to be filed before the Raiders' season opener Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams. It will seek around $500 million in damages."It's going to happen," Oakland Councilman Noel Gallo said of the lawsuit, adding that it is "absolutely a good thing."If it's filed, the Raiders have indicated to the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum that they will withdraw from negotiations about extending their lease, leaving them without a home until they're ready to move to Vegas.The Raiders are currently on a year-to-year lease with the Coliseum. Construction on their building in Sin City is expected to take at least one more season - if not two - before the team can move in.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Justin Boone is coming off his fifth top-10 finish in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition. Follow the links below to see his early rankings for Week 1.Updated rankings (including PPR) will be released Thursday, with the final version coming down Sunday morning.Standard

At the peak of his shoulder woes, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck admits he grew uncertain he'd be able to play football again."I was scared, scared in my core, in my insides. There was a time I was very scared about football, and about my place in football," Luck told Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star.Luck missed all of the 2017 season while rehabbing his surgically repaired shoulder, and the recovery seemed to go at a snail's pace.The former No. 1 overall pick encountered several setbacks during his rehab, and the Colts - who initially thought he'd be ready for Week 1 last year - eventually ruled him out for the entire campaign."I was a sad, miserable human," Luck said. "I was not nice to myself, nor was I nice to anyone else. I was a miserable SOB to be around. I was nervous. I was scared."Related: Luck satisfied with preseason results after 3 outingsLuck's road to recovery continued into training camp this preseason, where he was on a strict throwing schedule. The 28-year-old will finally make his regular-season return Sunday as the Colts take on the Cincinnati Bengals.With h/t to Pro Football Talk.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets coach Todd Bowles insists he's not worried about the inexperience of rookie quarterback Sam Darnold ahead of his first career start."He's been playing football his whole life," Bowles told reporters Tuesday, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. "He's not just coming fresh out of the womb and grabbing a ball for the first time. He's been in crowds, he's seen crowds and he's been playing football. I don't think it's that big of a deal."Bowls officially named Darnold his opening-day starter Monday, thrusting the third overall pick into the fire over veteran Josh McCown.Darnold won the starting job with a strong preseason. He'll lead Gang Green into a road tilt versus the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football in what promises to be a rowdy atmosphere."As a football player, whether it's Pop Warner, high school, college or now the NFL, your dream is to play the game," Darnold said. "That's what I want to do. I just want to go out and play every single day. If Josh got the nod, I was going to be pumped for him and be the best backup I could be. Now that I know I'm the starter, it's just an amazing feeling."The Jets are coming off back-to-back five-win seasons, and haven't made the playoffs since 2010.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

President Donald Trump bashed Nike for its endorsement of Colin Kaepernick, who was crowned the face of the company's 30th anniversary campaign."I think it's a terrible message," Trump told Vince Coglianese and Saagar Enjeti of The Daily Caller. "Nike is a tenant of mine. They pay a lot of rent."Kaepernick was the first NFL player to kneel for the national anthem in a protest against social injustice throughout the United States. He's been unemployed since March 2017 and is attempting to sue the NFL for collusion.Related - NFL on Nike-Kaepernick deal: Issues ex-QB 'raised deserve our attention'Trump has repeatedly attacked Kaepernick and other NFL players who have demonstrated during the national anthem before games. He once went as far as to call Kaepernick a "son of a b----" for refusing to stand."But I think it's a terrible message that they're sending and the purpose of them doing it, maybe there's a reason for them doing it, but I think as far as sending a message, I think it's a terrible message and a message that shouldn't be sent," Trump said. "There's no reason for it."

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel is expected to miss the season opener after undergoing a small procedure to address an irregular heartbeat, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Samuel, a 2017 second-round pick, had 15 receptions for 115 yards in nine appearances last year before he was shelved by a broken ankle. He was one of Carolina's top preseason performers.The Panthers host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in Week 1 of the regular season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's a case to be made that the NFC South is the toughest division in football.Two teams here figure to flirt with double-digit wins while an 11-win club from last season could also be in the thick of things. The final team is in tough without its quarterback for the first three games, but could perhaps do a little damage with lowered expectations this season.Here are my win-total picks for the NFC South.Atlanta FalconsPick: Over 9 wins -150 (BetOnline)You could pay a little less for 9.5 wins, but having nine as a cushion feels generous with the Falcons.Atlanta benefited from close wins (three by three points or fewer) but would have been swept by the AFC East if it wasn't for a five-point win over the New York Jets in the final leg of non-conference play.Offensively, the team operates behind a top-five front and boasts a well-rounded skill corps that added wide receiver Calvin Ridley out of Alabama in the first round. The Falcons took a huge step back under first-year coordinator Steve Sarkisian in 2017 (who succeeded Kyle Shanahan), though after a full season with a new play-caller, they're presumably ready to get back to lighting up the scoreboard on a regular basis.On defense, we saw bright spots on all three levels at certain points last year. If the players who flashed potential all click simultaneously in 2018, head coach Dan Quinn's arguably got the most balanced team in the NFL.New Orleans SaintsPick: Under 9.5 wins +130 (BetOnline)Outside of the Minneapolis Miracle, the Saints had a lot going for them last season.New Orleans' rookie class was nothing short of spectacular. The Saints overcame an 0-2 start by ripping off eight straight wins. Drew Brees' final stats weren't very Brees-like, but the incredible one-two punch of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara out of the backfield eased the usual pressure on the quarterback to win shootouts.However, all that surplus production from the first-year players should at least drift closer to the mean in their sophomore seasons, and Ingram's suspended for the first four games.New Orleans might not run into a full-blown regression, but it will be enough to get this one under 10 wins.Carolina PanthersPick: Under 8.5 wins -115 (BetOnline)How quiet was the Panthers' 11-win 2017? You could have told me they missed the playoffs and I would have believed it.Carolina came out on top in close games, nabbing three wins by three points or fewer while posting a 7-1 record in one-possession contests. That might change - or at minimum even out - in 2018.The left side of the line leaves a lot to be desired. The receiving corps is either inexperienced (Curtis Samuel, D.J. Moore), old (Torrey Smith), or still on the cusp of a breakout (Devin Funchess). Christian McCaffrey figures to see more time as a pure running back with Jonathan Stewart out of the picture, though he's likely best suited to the receiving game.Defensively, the Panthers are good, but not great, which matches my outlook on Carolina in the grand scheme of things.Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pick: Over 6 wins -110 (Intertops)What a difference a year makes - and not in a good way.The Buccaneers were the "Hard Knocks" darlings of 2017, ripe for a run behind a potential MVP candidate in Jameis Winston with brand-new weapons on offense.Instead, Tampa fell flat on both sides of the ball and sputtered to a 5-11 season. Now it's looking at one of the lowest win totals in the entire league.The Bucs won't get off to the hottest start in 2018 with Winston unavailable for three weeks due to suspension. Then again, they're playing the Saints, Eagles, and Steelers, so would having him make much of a difference?Despite underachieving and not being able to stop anyone defensively, the Buccaneers were still in the thick of things last year and dropped seven of their 11 losses by six points or fewer. With everyone else moving on from the Bucs' bandwagon after riding it for just one season, I'm sitting in the back by myself, holding a sign that reads "Over 6, Please."Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from 'Rounders' and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL released a statement on Tuesday after Nike, one of its major sponsors, named free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick as the face of its 30th anniversary "Just Do It" campaign."The National Football League believes in dialogue, understanding, and unity. We embrace the role and responsibility of everyone involved with this game to promote meaningful, positive change in our communities," said Jocelyn Moore, the NFL's executive vice president of communications and public affairs, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network."The social justice issues that Colin and other professional athletes have raised deserve our attention and action."Nike announced the deal on Monday, sparking wide-ranging reactions. While some praised the decision to tacitly endorse the quarterback's work against social inequality and police brutality with the campaign, others were critical and said they would no longer be purchasing the company's products - with some even burning Nike clothes in protest.The campaign kicked off with a close-up image of Kaepernick with the words, "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything."Kaepernick, who is currently suing the NFL for collusion, has been away from football since opting out of his deal with the San Francisco 49ers in March 2017.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pizza Hut rolled out its first NFL national television advertising campaign on Tuesday, starring Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster.The chain, which took over from Papa John's as the league's official pizza sponsor earlier this year, also unveiled a new digital platform called "Game Plan" that will give NFL fans access to exclusive game day deals and weekly prizes.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFC East might house the defending Super Bowl champions, but there isn't much else to get excited about - and there are even questions about whether the Philadelphia Eagles can reach their lofty Vegas win total.Here are my win-total picks for the NFC East.Philadelphia EaglesPick: Under 10.5 wins -135 (Intertops)The City of Brotherly Love was rewarded with its first-ever Super Bowl title last season, leading to a celebration so enthusiastic that it required oodles of Crisco.Considering Carson Wentz went down late in the year with a season-ending injury, Eagles fans deserve to bask in the triumph until the very last second. Nick Foles - Nick Foles! - was damn near perfect down the stretch run and in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots. (Did you know Foles called the Philly Special? Have you heard?)And Foles will open the season under center, as the incumbent hasn't been cleared for contact just yet. It's unclear what Wentz's timetable looks like, but it's already concerning. Reinvesting in a wild card like Foles is playing with fire.Defensively, Philadelphia is elite. The secondary is good for allowing 500 yards through the air a couple times over the course of the year, but generally speaking, the front seven is what makes this unit go.There aren't many knocks on Philadelphia. It's a well-run organization and the pieces are intact for it to potentially replace the Patriots as the league's standard-setter. But as the Eagles become the hunted and are forced to start the season with Foles at quarterback, I'll mark down Philly for 10 wins. Saved by the hook.New York GiantsPick: Under 7.5 Wins -120 (BetOnline)Well, the Giants' 2017 season wasn't great.They lost their star wide receiver to injury in Week 5. Their cornerback and first-round 2016 pick got called a cancer by his teammate in the secondary. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie literally walked out of practice, then got suspended. The head coach got fired. Eli Manning got benched, ending his streak of games started and apparently breaking his heart. And that's just a fraction of what the franchise went through in three months.The good news: Odell Beckham Jr. is a top-three receiver with amazing touchdown celebrations. Sterling Shepard will get his fair share of opportunities. Evan Engram is the kind of modern-day tight end who can pick up yards after the catch while still posing a threat in the red zone. And the Giants drafted a running back in Saquon Barkley whose quads are in two different zip codes.But, like any offense, it's toothless without an offensive line, and that unit made Manning's life difficult last season, failing to give him the time to let routes develop. New York's defense isn't remotely convincing either.I'm not exactly sure when - or more importantly, why - the engine on the Giants' hype train started, but all I can hear is a bum motor clicking. I'll hand the Giants seven wins on this schedule, which features meetings with the AFC and NFC South plus the upward-trending Bears and 49ers. The hook is hot!Dallas CowboysPick: Under 8.5 wins -115 (Bookmaker)A season after leading the NFC with 13 regular-season wins, the Dallas Cowboys found themselves in a position all too familiar under Jason Garrett: mediocrity.Dallas won a quiet nine games in 2017 and didn't qualify for a postseason bid a year after two rookies - quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott - burst onto the scene to help nab the NFC East title.In order for Dallas to get back to 13-win form, the Cowboys would have had to improve and add more pieces in free agency. Outside of maybe Allen Hurns, they whiffed.The offensive line should create consistent holes for Elliott, who missed a chunk of 2017. While that will win the Cowboys games by itself, can Dallas trust Prescott to throw the ball after a sophomore slump?The secondary boasts a couple of younger players with high ceilings, but it's still somewhat inexperienced, and offenses have taken advantage of the unit for the last century. Sean Lee's health is always a concern, as is pressuring the quarterback.I think Dallas takes another step in the wrong direction in '18.Washington RedskinsPick: Under 7 wins -108 (Bookmaker)Letting Kirk Cousins walk and trading for Alex Smith was a franchise-altering move - and not necessarily the good kind.With the ground game in need of a boost, the Redskins brought in 33-year-old Adrian Peterson, who ended last season on injured reserve. My analysis: I don't love it.Defensively, there's potential up front, as Washington is doing the smart thing and just snagging Alabama defenders who boast multiple national title rings. But overall, this is a bottom-10 unit that stamps the envelope on a team that I want nothing to do with, including the likely chore of placing Jordan Reed on IR during Week 7 of my fantasy football league.Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from 'Rounders' and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former NFL tight end Colton Underwood is the newest Bachelor.Underwood, who previously appeared on Becca Kufrin's season of "The Bachelorette" and the summer spinoff "Bachelor in Paradise," was revealed as the star of season 23 of "The Bachelor" on Tuesday.

The NFL regular season is drawing closer, but Le'Veon Bell's absence from the Pittsburgh Steelers continues.The star running back has yet to sign his franchise tender after he was slapped with the tag for the second straight season. Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said he is "disappointed" Bell's absence has extended beyond Labor Day, but one teammate believes the holdout is drawing to a close."He'll be here Wednesday. Count on it," center Maurkice Pouncey said to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Monday.During last year's standoff, Bell announced he would return to the team by Sept. 1. He reported in great shape and received 13 touches in the team's season opener on Sept. 10.Pouncey believes there's no reason to worry about Bell's absence this time around."Last year he didn't need any (practices) and was best in the league. It's fine," he said. "He showed up last year at the same time. Totally fine, trust me."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady's Facebook Watch series "Tom vs. Time" won't be returning for a second season, but a special one-episode epilogue will provide a glimpse of what the New England Patriots quarterback has been doing this offseason.A trailer for the epilogue was released on Tuesday, and the full episode will air Wednesday at 12 p.m. ET. Brady and series creator Gotham Chopra will also host a "Watch Party" for "Tom vs Time Chapter 2: The Mental Game" on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET in The Official Tom Brady Fan Group page, during which they'll provide commentary and interact with fans.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone and David P. Woods.Find the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and Anchor.Topics for this episode include:

The NFL can be a cruel league, and this is no more apparent than during free agency.The league's landscape is constantly evolving, and unfortunately, not all of its players evolve with it. Whether free agents were victims of the salary cap, replaced by a younger player, or deemed unfit for the "new NFL," a number of veterans received the short end of the stick in their quest for a new contract.Here are three players the system failed in 2018:Kenny VaccaroThe safety market was a bizarre phenomenon this offseason. Deep-lying defensive backs struggled to find work, with second- and third-tier free agents being forced to wait until late in the summer to sign with a team - some, unfortunately, are still on the market as Week 1 approaches. NFL clubs are simply opting for younger, cheaper, and more athletic options at the position.Tre Boston, Mike Mitchell, and Eric Reid were among the safeties affected by the market, with the latter two still unsigned. The biggest name of the group, however, is Vaccaro. The versatile defender spent his first five NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints, who drafted him in the first round in 2013. Seeking a long-term contract, Vaccaro and the Saints could not agree on a deal, and the team instead signed Kurt Coleman to a three-year, $16.35-million contract.The 27-year-old may have overestimated his value with a number of other safeties on the market. Vaccaro settled for a one-year, $1.5-million deal with the Tennessee Titans in early August. Barring a career year, he may have to endure another frustrating offseason in 2019.NaVorro BowmanThe system failed Bowman in a number of ways, which is too bad. Once a star linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, Bowman suffered a devastating knee injury in the 2013 NFC Championship Game and hasn't been the same since. The veteran was released by San Francisco in October 2017 and signed with the Oakland Raiders three days later.Bowman was the Raiders' most consistent linebacker last season, so one may wonder where it all went wrong. Jon Gruden took over as head coach in January and the team signed fellow veteran Derrick Johnson from the Kansas City Chiefs to replace Bowman.The four-time All-Pro defender now finds himself in a free-agent no man's land. At 30 years old and a shell of his former self, Bowman may need a major injury to another roster to find a job in 2018. He's more of an old-school linebacker at this point - solid in run defense but mediocre in space and coverage - so teams won't exactly be lining up for his services. It's been too rapid a fall for a defender who was among the most talented of his generation.Dez BryantIt's been a fascinating offseason for Bryant. The Dallas Cowboys released their all-time receiving touchdowns leader in April to save $8.5 million against the cap after Bryant refused to take a pay cut. His infamous Twitter rant soon followed.The wideout was originally determined to sign with another NFC East squad, severely limiting his market. He later visited with the Cleveland Browns, as seen on HBO's "Hard Knocks," but left without a deal. Bryant is reportedly looking for a one-year contract but has yet to find a team able, or willing, to meet his financial demands.It's also possible the league no longer views Bryant as an impact receiver. The market for a pass-catcher who struggles to separate from cornerbacks may not be what the veteran had hoped. Either way, Bryant probably waited too long into the summer to sign with a team as a free agent.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors, including Mike Alessandrini, Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, and Arun Srinivasan.1. Los Angeles RamsAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan1323Preseason Rank: 3rdAaron Donald is once again a happy man. With the league's top defensive player back in the fold, the Rams' defense is locked and loaded, ready to wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines. - Alessandrini2. Minnesota VikingsAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan2116Preseason Rank: 2ndMinnesota has all the pieces needed for a run at the Lombardi. With the 49ers and Packers to start the season, the Vikings get the chance to prove their title credentials from the get-go. - Browne3. Philadelphia EaglesAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan4231Preseason Rank: 1stNick Foles will start during the season opener and will be counted upon to be in Super Bowl MVP form against a motivated Falcons team. The defending champions' nearly unmatched depth will be put to the test immediately. - Srinivasan4. New England PatriotsAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan3542Preseason Rank: 4thIn a battle between the NFL's present (Tom Brady) and future (Deshaun Watson), the Patriots' defense will be forced to make adjustments against a high-flying aerial show. This might be the game of the week. - Srinivasan5. Atlanta FalconsAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan6654Preseason Rank: 6thThe Falcons own one of the NFL's most complete rosters and they won't be seeing the Eagles' best when they meet on opening night with Carson Wentz and Alshon Jeffery sidelined. - McClymont6. New Orleans SaintsAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan5485Preseason Rank: 5thUncharacteristically, the Saints will enter the season with a questionable receiving corps. Thankfully, the rest of the roster is as strong as it's been in years. - McClymont7. Pittsburgh SteelersAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan7767Preseason Rank: 7thThe Steelers' offense could be the league's best. Their defense, on the other hand, still needs to prove it can survive without Ryan Shazier. Pittsburgh's Super Bowl chances depend on it. - Browne8. Jacksonville JaguarsAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan9878Preseason Rank: 8thAn already shallow offensive unit lost its top receiving threat in Marqise Lee for the season. Last year's second-ranked defense might have to be No. 1 in 2018 for this team to succeed. - McClymont9. Green Bay PackersAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan891112Preseason Rank: 10thAaron Rodgers got paid. Now it's time to see if new general manager Brian Gutekunst's bold offseason will finally provide the star quarterback with the help he needs. - Browne10. Los Angeles ChargersAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan10101210Preseason Rank: 12thThe Chargers open their season with three straight matchups against 2017 playoff teams - including a Week 1 tilt with rival Kansas City. We'll know exactly how good this team can be before the calendar turns to October. - Alessandrini11. Kansas City ChiefsAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan11111311Preseason Rank: 9thSure, Kansas City is going to put up a ton of points in 2018, but can its defense stop other teams from scoring? - Alessandrini12. Carolina PanthersAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan151499Preseason Rank: 11thThis may be the last go-round for defensive stalwarts Julius Peppers and Thomas Davis. The time is now for the Panthers to capitalize on their playoff potential. - McClymont13. Houston TexansAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan18121013Preseason Rank: 13thThe Texans' first task - getting through the preseason with their returning stars intact - is complete. Now Houston will hope to pick up where it left off the last time Watson was at the controls. - McClymont14. Tennessee TitansAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan13151514Preseason Rank: 14thTennessee finished the preseason 0-4 with the second-fewest points scored in the league. Don't fret, Titans fans; they're just saving it for the regular season. - McClymont15. Detroit LionsAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan12161416Preseason Rank: 15thIt's easy to forget about Detroit with the rest of the NFC North making moves. But if rookie Kerryon Johnson can finally give the Lions a reliable run game, the team should be in the wild-card mix. - Browne16. San Francisco 49ersAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan17132019Preseason Rank: 16thAn Alfred Morris-led backfield can't be what Kyle Shanahan envisioned, but he may have larger concerns. Jimmy Garoppolo and his receivers haven't looked in sync this summer. - Alessandrini17. Baltimore RavensAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan21171717Preseason Rank: 18thIt's make-or-break time for Joe Flacco and John Harbaugh. Another January sitting at home should mean the end of the road in Baltimore for both men. - Browne18. Chicago BearsAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan16201818Preseason Rank: 24thNo need to pinch yourselves, Bears Nation. The Khalil Mack trade actually happened, and while the cost was high, it fixed Chicago's biggest weakness. - Browne19. Washington RedskinsAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan14192221Preseason Rank: 19thAdrian Peterson wants to prove he's not washed; what better way than to turn back the clock against his former team? - Srinivasan20. Dallas CowboysAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan20222115Preseason Rank: 17thAfter a winless preseason, the redemption tours for Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott begin in earnest against a Panthers team that's always teetering on the edge of contention. - Srinivasan21. New York GiantsAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan22181623Preseason Rank: 20thGiants fans want to forget last year's offense ever existed. However, this year's unit will have to start the season against a swarming, eminently confident Jaguars team seething from their AFC Championship Game loss. - Srinivasan22. Denver BroncosAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan19231922Preseason Rank: 21stCase Keenum has looked sharper with each passing day. Once rookie Royce Freeman earns the starting running back role, Denver's offense could vault the team higher up our list. - Alessandrini23. Seattle SeahawksAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan24212320Preseason Rank: 23rdIn one of the preseason's most shocking revelations, the Seahawks' starting offensive line looked solid in pass-protection. Let's see if this carries over into Week 1 - we won't hold our breath. - Alessandrini24. Arizona CardinalsAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan26242624Preseason Rank: 25thThe Cardinals have a long season ahead, but David Johnson is healthy and ready to re-emerge as one of the NFL's top offensive weapons. - Alessandrini25. Cincinnati BengalsAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan23262427Preseason Rank: 28thThe Bengals have been treading water for a while. Hopefully, John Ross and Joe Mixon will provide the offensive spark they were supposed to bring this time last year. - Browne26. Miami DolphinsAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan25272825Preseason Rank: 26thThe Dolphins are only two years removed from their last playoff appearance. Adam Gase will be tasked with proving last year's campaign was a fluke despite currently lacking top-end talent. - Srinivasan27. Oakland RaidersAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan28292526Preseason Rank: 22ndMack and Martavis Bryant (along with a wasted third-round pick) are out; AJ McCarron and Brandon LaFell are in. What a week for Jon Gruden. - Alessandrini28. Indianapolis ColtsAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan29253028Preseason Rank: 27thHope springs eternal for all NFL teams at this time of year. For the Colts, the hope is that Andrew Luck can regain full arm strength at some point this season. - McClymont29. Tampa Bay BuccaneersAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan27302730Preseason Rank: 29thThe Bucs open the regular season against the Saints, Eagles, Steelers, Bears, and Falcons. There's a high probability for a 0-5 start. - McClymont30. New York JetsAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan31282929Preseason Rank: 32ndThe Sam Darnold Experience begins its opening act in primetime against the Lions. Can the NFL's youngest starter lead the Jets out of mediocrity? - Srinivasan31. Cleveland BrownsAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan30313132Preseason Rank: 30thIt's a new season, Browns fans. All that losing, that's done now. *Notices Cleveland opens the year against the Steelers and Saints.* ... Yeah, never mind. - Browne32. Buffalo BillsAlessandriniBrowneMcClymontSrinivasan32323231Preseason Rank: 31stWho even knows what the Bills are doing at this point? With second-year quarterback Nathan Peterman claiming the starting job, the Ravens' defense is poised to have a field day. - SrinivasanCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Francisco 49ers running back Jerick McKinnon spoke candidly about his torn ACL on Monday, believing that he did everything right in his recovery process leading up to the injury.McKinnon missed a large portion of the preseason battling a strained right calf, but was cleared to practice again. However, McKinnon tore his ACL on Saturday, leading some to believe that he didn't take his time to get back to full health."I don't feel like I rushed back," McKinnon said Monday. "That was the plan ... that's what we went with. I felt good at practice. It just so happened, I made a cut and I tore my ACL. That's all it was."McKinnon was particularly upset that he'd miss the season opener against his former club, the Minnesota Vikings. The running back signed a four-year, $30-million deal with the 49ers in March."I was more devastated when it happened, just the feeling knowing that it wouldn't be all right for Week 1," McKinnon said. "This game probably meant a lot to me [than] maybe anybody else, just going against my former team and stuff like that. So, when it happened and I felt it, I would probably say that initial thought of like 'Dang, I'm not going to have a week to get my knee right' was probably the worst feeling."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone will run down the recommended waiver wire pickups.Ownership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. FAAB bids are set off a $100 budget.QuarterbackAndy Dalton, BengalsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat IND22%$0This isn't a normal waiver wire week since most teams are fully healthy and byes aren't an issue yet. However, you may be looking for a one-week Carson Wentz replacement or simply don't like the matchup your starter is facing, like Jimmy Garoppolo on the road against a tenacious Vikings defense or Patrick Mahomes in a similar spot versus the Chargers. In those cases, you can easily find a streamer for Week 1. Dalton will be a borderline QB1 in my rankings thanks to his surprisingly deep supporting cast and a date with what projects to be one of the league's worst defenses.Tyrod Taylor, BrownsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. PIT12%$0We've seen Taylor put up top-10 fantasy numbers with lesser talent around him. If the Browns fall behind in this one, Taylor will need to rely on Josh Gordon, Jarvis Landry, David Njoku, and Co. to help play catch-up. If you're worried about Gordon coming off the bench, don't be, he'll see the field plenty in this game. Tyrod's time as the starter in Cleveland may not last long, but he'll be in the weekly streamer conversation for as long as it does.Deeper options: Joe Flacco vs. BUF (7 percent owned), Sam Bradford vs. WAS (4 precent owned)Running BackAlfred Morris/Matt Breida, 49ersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat MIN65%/47%$29/$29Normally we'll aim to discuss players who are below 50 percent owned, but in this case, with the news of Jerick McKinnon's season-ending ACL tear still fresh, it's worth noting that Morris and Breida are available in many leagues. We still don't have a guarantee on how touches will be distributed, but both players need to be rostered in all leagues. I have Morris ranked slightly higher in standard formats, while Breida tops him in PPR. If I had to pick between the two, I'd take Breida's upside over the course of the season.Jordan Wilkins, ColtsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. CIN29%$9Marlon Mack continued to sit out practice on Monday with a hamstring injury and appears unlikely to be available for Week 1. That thrusts Wilkins into a starting role and will give him a chance to make his case for lead back duties moving forward. The fifth-rounder is a risky play against the Bengals due to head coach Frank Reich's history with committee backfields, but opportunity is one of the biggest hurdles for young running backs, and Wilkins will get his on Sunday.James Conner, SteelersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat CLE30%$7Le'Veon Bell didn't report to the Steelers on Monday, and while we expect him to rejoin the team at some point this week, it's possible he decides to hold out into the season. If Bell does miss time or if the team feels he showed up too late to contribute on opening day, then Conner would vault up the rankings into low-end RB1 territory for a winnable game in Cleveland. Conner was as impressive as any back in the preseason and truly could be the Steelers' future starter if Bell leaves after 2018.Latavius Murray, VikingsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. SF54%$4Dalvin Cook is the Vikings' running back to own, but coming off a torn ACL it's possible the team elects to limit his workload early in his sophomore campaign. Murray was outstanding between the tackles a year ago and picked up where he left off during the preseason. There are also reports that Murray will siphon goal-line carries. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, it would be foolish of Minnesota to overuse Cook in September, making Murray deserving of a roster spot on fantasy squads.LeGarrette Blount, LionsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. NYJ40%$2Blount is another veteran capable of outperforming his ADP early in the season. Rookie Kerryon Johnson hasn't taken over the Lions' backfield yet, meaning a committee is in the cards at the start of the year. Head coach Matt Patricia watched Blount score relentlessly when the pair were part of the Patriots organization. The 31-year-old back still has significant TD upside if Detroit deploys him in that role. With an easy schedule over the first five weeks, Blount could be a sneaky fantasy starter.Mike Gillislee/Boston Scott, SaintsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. HOU2%/1%$1/$1It's hard to get overly excited about Gillislee's fantasy outlook, considering he just signed with the Saints this week and has a one-month window to carve out a role before Mark Ingram returns from suspension. He could serve as a short-yardage and goal-line back for New Orleans, with Scott profiling as a more direct backup to Alvin Kamara. Both Gillislee and Scott are dart throws in deeper leagues.Deeper options: Austin Ekeler vs. KC (17 percent owned), John Kelly at OAK (6 percent owned), Darren Sproles vs. ATL (4 percent owned), Jeremy Hill vs. HOU (4 percent owned)Wide ReceiversKenny Stills, DolphinsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. TEN68%$24Stills is not your typical waiver wire target since he's owned in 68 percent of leagues. But what are the other 32 percent of leagues doing? I have Stills as a WR3 in my season-long and weekly rankings. He's been a top-30 receiver each of the last two years while having to deal with target hog Jarvis Landry. With Landry gone, Stills' volume could actually increase. To nab him off the waiver wire heading into Week 1 would be an outstanding steal.Keelan Cole/Donte Moncrief, JaguarsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat NYG50%/17%$17/$7Cole didn't see much work as a rookie until Week 7, but from that point on he was a top-24 fantasy receiver. Marqise Lee's injury makes a repeat of that production not only possible but likely. Moncrief will see the biggest uptick in snaps, as he slots into the starting lineup. He's an intriguing late-round flier due to his red-zone skills, he just doesn't have the fantasy WR2 ceiling that Cole possesses.Chris Godwin, BuccaneersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat NO31%$15When we look back at the 2018 fantasy season, Godwin will haunt fantasy owners who overlooked him in drafts. He is set up for a major leap in his second season, after a strong showing in December and the preseason. With Marcus Lattimore keying on Mike Evans, Godwin's breakout will begin immediately.Anthony Miller, BearsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat Green Bay23%$9The bids on these receivers are all high because of the impact they can make on your team, not just in Week 1, but for the entire fantasy season. Miller has shown flashes of elite skills since being drafted in April and has a chance to assume a big role as the starting slot receiver in Chicago. He'll quickly become a favorite of Mitch Trubisky's, if he hasn't already.Deeper options: John Ross at IND (21 percent owned), John Brown vs. BUF (18 percent owned), Tyrell Williams vs. KC (12 percent owned), Mike Wallace vs. ATL (8 percent owned)Tight EndsAustin Seferian-Jenkins, JaguarsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat NYG33%$2The Giants allowed tight ends to score at least one touchdown in 10 straight games last year. Even with a few new pieces on their defense, that's a trend worth betting on again. If you believe in redemption stories, you should be rooting for Seferian-Jenkins to become a red-zone weapon in a Jacksonville offense that should find itself in scoring position often.Ricky Seals-Jones, CardinalsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. WAS26%$2With veteran Jermaine Gresham avoiding the PUP list, some of the shine has come off Seals-Jones' season-long projections. RSJ will need to stand out early in the year to secure the starting job. Outside of Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson, the Cardinals need another reliable pass-catcher and their athletic young tight end is a matchup problem for opposing defenses.Deeper options: Eric Ebron vs. CIN (36 percent owned), Ben Watson vs. TB (36 percent owned), Mike Gesicki vs. TEN (12 percent owned), Nick Vannett at DEN (0 percent owned)(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It doesn't appear that Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr will be getting over the Khalil Mack trade anytime soon.In one of the most surprising trades in recent league history, the Raiders traded Mack to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a package that included two first-round picks. Mack was holding out in search of a massive contract extension and promptly received a six-year, $141 million extension with $90 million guaranteed upon being traded to the Bears.Carr, who tweeted out his displeasure about the trade, doubled down on his comments Monday."It isn't what anybody wanted -- I think that's clear. But it is what it is -- it's part of the business," Carr said to ESPN's Paul Gutierrez. "It's one of those sucky things that happen. The hardest part for me is, obviously, you lose a good football player, but he's my brother, man. He's one of my best friends. I think the hardest part is, I don't get to see my friend every day."Carr said his initial displeasure over the trade has subsided but admitted that it's still been a difficult time for himself and his teammates."I think, obviously, we had the day off that day and so that made it harder because I'm just sitting there thinking about it all day. Whereas now, I've got a job to do. Once we showed up and got to work, Coach addressed it with the team, said what he said, invited anyone who needed to talk to him, open door. He understood that a lot of us were close with him," Carr said."It didn't go away, because he's your buddy, but at the same time it went away because we have a game to get ready for."Mack is one of the premier players in the NFL, winning 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, and hasn't missed a game in four seasons. If the Raiders struggle again in 2018, many will likely point to the Mack trade as a key reason why.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.