This is our first season where we have 6 viable teams in the 3GML and it feels a lot more like college football than the NFL. The 6 teams/owners are all locked in with good rosters and are ready to compete. Their biggest competition is likely to be amongst themselves as they jockey for position. Two league newcomers are bursting onto the scene with talented “keepers”, important rookies, and top tier expansion draft picks. A third is making his return after a hiatus and is bringing back his version of bully ball on offense with his signature hybrid defense - albeit this time with outside corners who can match up. The three returning teams are set up well, with CD bringing back his talented roster off a team that won a playoff game. SD reloaded through the expansion draft but has 96 all time wins and 3 Super Bowl titles. TH went the non-keeper expansion draft route and has won 2 straight titles, looking to become the first team ever to win 3 in a row and the first 3GML team to hoist 4 Lombardi trophies.
In this exercise I’m going to go through each team, position by position giving grades for each spot. Teams will be given grades and each position is going to be weighted. QB will be worth 4 times the points that a typical position would be for example, with WR, CB, DE each worth 2 points, and running backs worth ½ point. In this we can see who is best prepared for the 2023 season only, and who of the 6 has the best chance to have his name added to the famed 3GML plaque.
The 3GML Teams:
QB (WORTH 4 POINTS)
Jalen Hurts (87) & Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Baltimore A
16 points
Hurts finished second in the real NFL in MVP voting last season and brings a dynamic approach to both throwing and running the ball. With great weapons around him, he probably heads into the 2023 season as the frontrunner for the 3GML MVP award. The issue here is if there’s an injury. DTR fits the scheme perfectly there, but can he step in and win games if Hurts gets well, Hurt?
Aaron Rodgers (87) & Trey Lance - Houston A
16 points
Weird combination here of Rodgers and Lance but this is a two pronged approach of win today with Rodgers and develop and build Lance. Rodgers had a down year and yet he still threw for 26 TDs and had a career worst, but still league average 91 passer rating. His bad is still very good and his weapons are going to be elite this season. This is a very good crew, and David Shaw has worked magic with QBs in his career, imagine what he could do with an MVP caliber talent and a future 3GML HOFer.
Justin Fields (76) & Jordan Love - SF A
16 points
The rating may not show it, but Justin Fields has won two consecutive 3GML MVP awards and last season ran for a completely absurd 1532 rushing yards - while still throwing for 3500 through the air and nearly putting up 100 passer rating. He’s thrown for 22TD and 9 picks with 3500 yards exactly - each of the past two seasons en route to MVP honors. Jordan Love is the best backup in the NFL.
Tua Tagovailoa (83) & Sam Howell - Green Bay B
12 points
Tua is a very solid starter in the 3GML universe but obviously injury concerns are strong here as are turnover concerns. Tagovailoa tossed a brutal 18 picks in the 3GML universe last season and doesn’t get the benefit of Stefon Diggs this year. He’s very effective and efficient but there are turnover and injury issues here that drop him down. Howell played very well in relief but his magic eventually wore out.
Mac Jones (75) & Will Levis (R) - Philadelphia C
8 points
Which Mac Jones are we going to get? And are we even going to get Mac Jones at all? Levis went first overall in the 3GML universe and has a huge arm and plus mobility and toughness. Jones looks the part of low end starter or high end backup and if GM BD gets anything to say about it, Levis will likely take first team reps from the get go. The question of is he ready is going to be big though - he’s got massive upside but we’ve seen some of the floor and that’s just in the SEC.
Jacoby Brissett (74) & Hendon Hooker(R) - San Diego C-
7 points
The Chargers have never been QB dependant and they won’t start now. Brissett is this team’s perfect game manager and complimentary piece. He actually has the NFL’s second lowest INT ratio - ever. He takes care of the football, picks up first downs with his legs, and is smart and consistent. Hooker put up college football’s best TD-INT ratio over the last two seasons and can stretch the defense with his deep ball. It wouldn’t surprise me if this C- grew to a B in the next couple of seasons which would be terrifying for the rest of the NFL.
Through 1 position:
Baltimore, Houston, SF 16 points
Green Bay 12 points
Philadelphia 8 points
San Diego 7 points
RUNNING BACKS (WORTH ½ Points)
Christian McCaffrey, Najee Harris, Chuba Hubbard - Philly A+
2.3 points
This could possibly be the best running back room in the NFL. McCaffrey is a 96 grade and you could make a case he’s the best back in the league. Harris is a bruising tough guy who will take a ton of load off of CMC’s shoulders and Chuba has been dynamic and efficient in his roles when he’s gotten carries. Exceptional room, but pricy.
Bijan Robinson, D’Andre Swift, Rachaad White - Baltimore A
2 points
Another really good room here and some of this is based on the fact that I’m projecting Bijan to be a top 5 back in the NFL immediately. Swift is electric as a receiver but needs to stay healthy, and White has flashed as a complimentary piece. I imagine Bijan will be getting 300 touches though from day 1.
Isaiah Pacheco, David Montgomery, Jaylen Warren - Green Bay B
1.5 points
Really solid room here with Montgomery, a tackle breaking inside zone running machine churning out yards and Pacheco who runs like rent is always due. Warren has been efficient in his limited carries with Pittsburgh. The top two though both run exceptionally hard which should help wear defenses down.
AJ Dillon, Cam Akers, Kenneth Gainwell, Roschon Johnson - San Diego B
1.5 Points
Dillon is literally built for this offense and Akers when healthy can provide a nice scat back along with Gainwell who is a lot more efficient than people realize. Johnson is a very good all around player with little wear on the tires. While this isn’t a dynamic group by any stretch, it compliments itself well and can do a bit of everything.
Elijah Mitchell, Tyler Allgeier, Antonio Gibson - Houston C+
1.15 points
Not a flashy unit here but GM TH likes to play with 3 or even 4 running backs so these guys will likely all get 5-10 touches per contest. Mitchell is a very efficient and physical zone runner and Allgeier is a downhill thumper who put up 1000 yards as a rookie. Gibson is one of the NFL’s best pass protector and pass catching 3rd down backs. They’re all role players but they’re all good in their roles.
Jamaal Williams, Khalil Herbert, Israel Abanikanda - SF C+
1.15 point
Not a great room but Herbert is going to get a lot of run this season and he fits the SF scheme very well. It’s just a question of whether he can hold up, so they brough in Jamaal Williams who is a physical very good short yardage back. The thing with this team is that Fields is its weapon running the ball, they don’t need these guys to be great, just solid and they’ll be that. Williams in short yardage and Herbert on 3rd down should be plenty good with a QB capable of running for 100 yards every timeout.
Through 2 positions:
Baltimore 18 points
Houston 17.15 points
SF 17 points
GB 13.5 points
Philly 10.3 points
San Diego 8.5 points
WIDE RECEIVERS (Worth 2 points)
Deandre Hopkins, Deebo Samuel, Rashod Bateman, Rondale Moore - Houston A
8 points
It’s going to be tough to find a WR corps better than this with a 95 in Hopkins (WR6) an 89 in Deebo (WR13) to go along with Bateman and Moore both rated 78+. The team also has crazy depth with de facto 90 rated Denzel Mims and rookie Josh Downs to go along with Rashid Shaheed who has a 94 acceleration and averaged 17.4 yards per catch as a rookie. The depth is crazy but the top 2 are going to be a difficult cover for everyone as Hopkins rates #1 in Catch in Traffic and Deebo is #1 in breaking tackles.
Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Gabe Davis - Green Bay A
8 points
Well we talk about the top two of the last team but how about Justin Jefferson who may very well be the best WR in the game. In 3GML last season Jefferson put up 1256 yards and 9 scores. St. Brown is one of the game’s best slots and comes in at an 85 rating. And despite some up and down play Gabe Davis is still sitting at an 83 rating. That’s a might fine trio.
AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, Marquez Valdez-Scantling - Philadelphia A-
7.4 points
Not to be outdone is the Eagles dynamic duo of Brown and Smith. Brown is the 9th rated WR in the NFL and his combination of size and speed with plus-plus RAC makes him impossible to contain. Devonta Smith is quietly an 87 grade and the former Heisman winner has become one of the NFL’s deadliest route runners with an 86+ grade to all 3 levels and boasting an 94 acceleration. MVS isn’t going to wow you as your WR3 but we all know what he’s capable of down the field. He helps round out the group - the question though is who plays in the slot? Smith with limited size? Or Brown who you’re taking away from the dynamic outside play?
Ceedee Lamb, Tyler Boyd, DJ Chark, Chase Claypool, Donovan Peoples-Jones - SF B+
6.6 points
This is a group that has been targeted in an interesting way by the 9ers front office. Ceedee has quietly become one of the game’s best players. It’s odd that he’s not talked about more despite how effective he’s been. He’s an 88 grade and is top 10 in carry and tackle breaking. With the QB run being so important the 9ers made a concerted effort to get downfield threats and added 94 speed 77 grade DJ Chark, 92 speed 76 grade Chase Claypool, and drafted quietly 79 graded DPJ who has slowly but surely emerged as a nice weapon. It may not have the firepower the top 3 have at WR but it’s pretty damn good and carries very quality depth. This is a good unit.
Tyler Lockett, Corey Davis, Quez Watkins,Toney, Duvernay - San Diego B-
5.4 points
This is not a bad group for the Chargers who have historically not cared much about the WR position. Making a big move to grab Tyler Lockett during the expansion draft was out of character but a bold move and then they paid big bucks to bring over a bigger guy in Corey Davis. They already had three shifty fast dudes in Watkins, Toney, and Duvernay who are all tough covers. The issue here is how do they all play the slot? All players other than Davis are much better inside than out, so it’ll be interesting to see if one or more can move to the outside with success.
Brandon Aiyuk, Jalin Hyatt, Josh Palmer, - Baltimore C
4 points
Aiyuk was probably the highest value expansion draft pick out there and GM TP snagged him up and added him to a team in much need of WR help. The rest of this WR group really does need some help. The drafted Hyatt whose deep ball skills could really help this unit as does the undervalued draft pick AT Perry but who knows where his grade will be as a rookie. Josh Palmer is quietly effective but he doesn’t scare anyone opposite Aiyuk and that will allow a lot of defenses to put two guys toward the BA side.
Through 3 positions:
Houston 25.15 points
SF 23.6 points
Baltimore 22 points
Green Bay 21.5 points
Philly 17.7 points
San Diego 13.9 points
TIGHT END (WORTH 1 POINT)
Darren Waller, Luke Musgrave, Tyler Conklin, Juwan Johnson - Philly A
4 points
The Eagles strike here with a combination of 4 guys who can all do some different things. Waller, when healthy is an electric dynamic pass catching weapon. Conklin is a good move tight end who can block a bit and is good in the flats with reliable hands. Musgrave is a high upside rookie who legitimately has top 5 NFL potential. Johnson is a WR/TE hybrid who is brutally efficient as a pass catching weapon. All 4 guys may get time and all 4 could produce for this team.
Mark Andrews, Daniel Bellinger - Baltimore A
4 points
Bellinger is a perfect TE2 for the modern NFL, a good blocker with reliable hands in the passing game and toughness. He’s a great compliment for one of the NFL’s best weapons in Mark Andrews, a 95 overall player who does everything in the pass game at an ultra high level. The team needs to add to the room but the room is great right now.
Dallas Goedert, Cade Otton, Jordan Akins - Green Bay B+
3.3 points
Really good room here from the Packers. Goedert(89) is the second best all around tight end in the game behind Kittle, and he’s a powerful run blocker. Otton really picked up as the year went on last season and is only starting to grow. Akins was underrated and played very well quietly last season, showing good RAC ability and working hard as a run blocker. He’s not rated highly but he’s an effective player.
David Njoku, Tommy Tremble, Jeremy Ruckert - SF B+
3.3 points
This is a situation where maybe the grades don’t quite make sense for this to be a B+ but the system helps them out. Njoku is built for this system and is currently TE8 in the NFL but plays above that due to the system he’s in. He’s starting to blossom and may find his way to a full blown breakout. Tremble is still figuring it out but despite inconsistent play is at times an explosive run blocker. Ruckert is growing but this is his system and he’s done a nice job while still growing. It could be a B, but the two backups are better in this system than they’d be anywhere else and punch above their weight due to system fit. GM CD always puts his players in the best position to succeed, it’s why they consistently play well, they all fit into the system.
Dalton Schultz, Isaiah Likely, Greg Dulcich, Darnell Washington -Houston B-
2.7 points
This isn’t the sexiest group of tight ends in the world but as GM TH typically does he has roles for every player. Schultz is boring as can be but is still TE11 in the NFL. Likely was the NFL’s highest rated run blocker per PFF last season as a rookie, and his best skill is RAC - he’ll likely be an F or H back this season. Dulcich showed big play ability as a rookie but he’s TE4 now on this team. Darnell Washington is 6’7 and 275 pounds and looks like a tackle out there, he has a shot to provide the team with elite blocking. It’s a unit that right now is rated slightly above average but in 3 years it could be one of the better units in the NFL, and they all have a role to play in 2023.
Dawson Knox, Josh Whyle - San Diego C
2 points
Knox is the NFL’s 14th rated TE so he’s no slouch but Whyle being his only backup is a bit odd, particularly as Whyle is projected to be a fullback/hback type in the NFL. They currently need a blocking TE in a bad way. I like the dynamic approach to two guys who can move and catch, but on a team that loves to run power, to have two undersized TE’s is odd.
Through 4 positions:
Houston 27.85 points
SF 26.9 points
Baltimore 26 points
Green Bay 24.8 points
Philly 21.7 points
San Diego 15.9 points
OFFENSIVE LINE (WORTH 1.5 POINTS)
I thought about making this worth only 1, but it’s 5 players and I didn’t want to split it up into IOL and OT so in doing this I make it worth 1.5 points which carries good value. In reality offensive lines don’t need to be great to have a good team, they need to not be awful, but this past season the two best OL’s in the NFL made the Super Bowl so we can’t discount it.
Philadelphia A-
5.55 points
LT Jordan Mailata 86
LG Landon Dickerson 82
C Tyler Biadasz 74
RG Mark Glowinski 75
RT Rob Havenstein 82
OL6 Dawand Jones R
OL7 Cam Fleming 74
OL8 Nick Leverett 68
Really good tackle group here with Mailata one of the NFL’s best at LT and Havenstein one of the NFL’s most consistent at RT. Dickerson has Pro Bowl ability at LG. Biadasz is boring but decent at center and the same can be said for Glowinski in a really solid group. Fleming was a born OL6 with versatility to play a number of spots but best suited for tackle. The issue arises if something happens to Biadasz, they don’t really have a backup center.
Green Bay B+
4.95 points
LT Braxton Jones 75
LG Ben Powers 81
C Tyler Linderbaum 78
RG Connor Williams 79
RT Mike McGlinchey80
OL6 Josh Jones 72
OL7 Bernhard Raimann 74
OL8 Walker Little 68
OL9 O’Cyrus Torrence R
This may be the deepest unit in the NFL with 5 tackles capable of starting. Linderbaum was exceptional as a rookie. Jones, Williams, Linderbaum, and McGlinchey all are zone guys and Powers adds an element of power to this unit. While it may not have star power at the top, the depth is rare in the NFL bordering on unique and the interior of the line is very strong.
Houston B
4.5 points
LT Jedrick Wills 79
LG Kevin Dotson 78
C Corey Linsley 88
RG Teven Jenkins 77
RT Abraham Lucas 75
OL6 Elijah Wilkinson 71
OL7 John Michael Schmitz R
OL8 Robert Hainsey 71
Strong unit here for Houston with the NFL’s 4th best center manning the middle in Linsley. The team has a solid starting 5, with Jenkins potentially poised to make a jump as he graded out very highly at RT last season. Dotson is decent at left guard although not spectacular but consistent. Lucas played very well for a rookie starting every game at RT and while he’s a 75 now everyone in Houston expects a year two jump from him. Wills had his 5th year option declined and he’s played like a league average left tackle for 3 years, but he’s still just 24 years old. The depth here is a bit shakier, although the drafting of JMS improves the team now and in the future, but if there’s an injury at tackle, particularly to Wills, they may be in trouble.
San Diego B-
4.05 points
LT Jonah Williams 77
LG Robert Hunt 79
C Ryan Kelly 78
RG Quinn Meinerz 76
RT Jack Conklin 80
OL6 Jamaree Salyer 72
OL7 Joshua Ezeudu 67
OL8 Olu Oluwaitimi R
Kind of an odd group here but they should have some really interesting run plays dead ahead. Conklin is the highest rated of the bunch but he’s had some injury history missing lots of time in 2018 and 2021, but he’s been generally good. He’s never allowed more than 4 sacks in a season and other than last year has been a very good run blocker. Jonah Williams on the other hand has struggled mightily in pass protection, last year leading the NFL in sacks allowed. He’s a critical player to the Chargers’ success in 2023. Ryan Kelly is another guy who has an interesting psat. He was very good in 2018 and 2019 and followed that up with mediocre seasons the past 3 years, he’s turned into a decent starter. Hunt can be very good and at times dominating and Meinerz when he’s been healthy has been very good, with a chance to be great. Salyer stepped up and played very well last year for the Chargers and adds quality depth at tackle while also being able to fill in at guard. Olu is a great scheme fit and while he develops he could end up as a starter.
BALTIMORE B-
4.05 points
LT Braden Smith 83
LG Damien Lewis 77
C Joe Tippman R
RG Trey Smith 82
RT Samuel Cosmi 75
OL6 Dylan Parham 72
OL7 Nicholas Petit-Frere 68
OL8 Cesar Ruiz 74
OL9 Luke Fortner 69
An interesting mix here for the Ravens with a good interior of the line but mixed with power guys in Lewis and Smith is a zone blockers Tippman. Smith is going to be asked to play out of position on the left side which could leave them very vulnerable to speed rushes. Cosmi struggled last season and is a candidate to kick inside to guard. They have solid upside for depth with 4 very young players there, but an infusion of a veteran presence could help. The two big questions here are can Tippman’s zone style mix with the power style of Smith and Lewis, and the biggest question maybe for this team all year is can Braden Smith make the switch to left tackle after having an inconsistent year on the right side?
SAN FRANCISCO C
3 points
LT Charles Leno 82
LG Matt Hennessy 70
C Connor McGovern 77
RG James Daniels 80
RT Zach Tom 72
IR - Austin Corbett
OL6 - James Hudson 64
OL7 - Luke Wypler R
OL8- Alaric Jackson 67
OL9 - Jaylon Moore 62
Losing Corbett to injury was a big blow but he’ll likely get back sometime this season. Daniels and Leno are both very quality starters at left tackle and right guard respectively and McGovern is one of the most consistent centers around. The part that would make you nervous is Hennessy at left guard when he’s mostly been a center in his career and the lack of strength has been problematic and Tom, who while he was absolutely outstanding, didn’t get a ton of reps and is very young. The other issue here is the obvious lack of depth. Any injury, particularly early in the year and you’re going to be playing 64-67 graded guys very meaningful snaps. Corbett coming back healthy asap is critical.
THROUGH OFFENSE:
Houston 32.35 points
Baltimore 30.05 points
SF 29.9 points
Green Bay 29.75 points
Philly 27.25 points
San Diego 19.95 points
DEFENSE:
Defensive Line (WORTH 2 points)
This is going to encapsulate 2 edge rushers and 2 interior defenders for a standard nickel look. Along with at least one depth piece on the edge and inside. However, if there are more important players than just 2 we’ll add those as well to consider.
San Francisco 49ers A
8 points
DE - Brian Burns (88)
DT - DeForest Buckner (86)
4i - Zach Allen (77)
DE - Felix Anudike-Uzomah (R*)
EDGE3 - Arden Key (74)
DT - Bilal Nichols (73)
DT4 - Travis Jones (71)
DL - Ade Adebawore (R*)
The addition of Allen, whose 77 grade feels low, gives this team a nasty front. Burns is one of the NFL’s most athletic pass rushers and is a devastating 3GML star, picking up a ridiculous 32 TFL’s last season finishing 3rd in the MVP voting. DeForest Buckner is a superstar at the 1T position and is one of the NFL’s best interior defenders. Add in Allen who should thrive in this scheme and a potential DROY candidate in FAU and you have a brutally efficient DL. They aren’t just star-studded though, they’re deep. Key is an underrated consistent player who continues to improve. Nichols is consistently good. Jones is ascending as a run stuffer and Adebawore can play anywhere on this line to add to its top tier depth.
HOUSTON A
8 points
DE - Gregory Rousseau (84)
NT - Davon Hamilton (79)
3T - Javon Hargrave (84)
DE - Jaelen Phillips (83)
EDGE3 - James Houston IV (71)
DT - Christian Barmore (75)
EDGE 4 - Michael Clemons (70)
The only team in the 3GML universe with 3 - 83 rated guys on the same DL is in Houston. Rousseau and Phillips are up and coming stars on the edge and Javon Hargrave was rightfully the highest paid non QB free agent this offseason. Davon Hamilton just got $11.5m per year from the real life Jags (an extension the Texans didn’t pick up) and it’s because he’s turning into a very good nose tackle. Christian Barmore is a versatile piece on the interior. Houston IV led the NFL in sack rate and pass rush win rate last season and is joined by the NFL’s #1 rated edge run defender by PFF last season in Clemons. Houston is pretty loaded, but this is how this team chose to build, on the DL and out. The crazy part is, all of these guys will be rated much higher this season, meaning they could challenge by years’ end to have 3 - 88+ rated defenders on the line.
BALTIMORE A-
6.6 POINTS
DE - Myles Murphy (R*)
DT - Dalvin Tomlinson (80)
3T - BJ Hill (80)
DE - Josh Sweat (84)
EDGE3- Dorance Armstrong (74)
DT3 - Greg Gaines (75)
EDGE4- Yetur Gross-Matos (74)
Solid group here with some upside with Sweat and Murphy on the edges. Sweat is a super impressive player who mostly flew under the radar last season for the dominant Philly pass rush but he’s a truly great player. Tomlinson is still good, and 2022 was the first time in his entire career he missed any real time, only missing one game in 2021 and 4 games last season. He’s an elite run defender. Hill is a good penetrating 3T who can rush the passer and create havoc as a run defender. Murphy is exceptionally talented and should be an immediate starter opposite Sweat. Armstrong is a quietly very solid backup piece and while YGM never really emerged for Carolina, as a 4th edge - that’s impressive. Greg Gaines may get some time rotating in on defense as he’s a guy who can play 60 snaps a game from the interior - there are few guys in the league who can do that.
GREEN BAY: B
6 points
DE - Harold Landry (81)
NT - Michael Pierce (84)
3T - Maliek Collins (74)
DE - BJ Ojulari (R*)
EDGE3 - Baron Browning (75)
DT3 - Osa Odigizuwa (77)
EDGE 4 - Bryce Huff (77)
Pretty good unit here for the Packers who are definitely looking as speed rush being a team strength. All 4 edge players are much better pass rushers than run defenders and so a TON of pressure is going to be on run stuffing Michael Pierce to play a lot of snaps. It’s a deep group, so you wonder if Matt LaFleur and GM SD are going to rotate - in the past 8 seasons GM SD hasn’t rotated defenders and it’s worked out super well, will that continue or will he utilize his depth this season? It’s a deep group but lacks high end players, but going at least 7 deep on your DL is a luxury few teams in the league have. Biggest question is how they defend the run and whether Pierce can shoulder that many double teams all season long.
Also for the record - Maliek Collins is a LOT better than 74 grade. He’s closer to a 77-79.
SAN DIEGO B
6 POINTS
DE - Sam Hubbard (78)
NT - Alim McNeil (72)
DT - Teair Tart (78)
DE - Alex Highsmith (82)
DL3 - Milton Williams (75)
4i2 - Colby Wooden (R*)
EDGE3 - Nolan Smith (R*)
DT3 - Calijah Kancey (R*)
This is a group that is a solid group now, but in 2-3 years may be one of the better ones in the NFL. Hubbard may be the best run stopping DE in the NFL and is quietly an excellent player. Tart is a great run stopper in his own right and will likely be asked to play a lot of Zero T for this team. McNeil is an inconsistent player who shows flashes of brilliance. Highsmith is someone who should challenge for double digit sacks every season, he’s that good. Williams is the perfect compliment to these front 4 guys as he can play any of those roles on passing downs but thrives in the 4i technique where he can penetrate and make plays. The two first round rookies, Smith and Kancey will likely play constantly on 3rd down with Smith maybe even playing off ball LB as a rookie on run downs and moving down as a destructive blitzer on passing downs. It’s a deep crew with a ton of upside and a good mixture of run and pass.
Philadelphia Eagles B-
5.4 points
DE - Haason Reddick (90)
DT - Harrison Phillips (79)
DT - Zach Sieler (79)
DE - Boogie Basham (75)
EDGE3 - Darell Taylor (73)
DT3 - Morgan Fox (74)
EDGE4 - Dayo Odeyingbo (72)
This is a decent group but Reddick will have to continue to play at a ridiculously high level for them to achieve what they want. He’s an elite player, one of the best in the NFL, but the team has no run defenders that stand out and could be in trouble against the run. Phillips is a traditional straight up 3T and Sieler is a similar player who actually played more 5T than anything this past season. It leaves the team without a nose tackle, and they don’t even have a backup. It’s a problematic roster construction problem. The fact that the team doesn’t have a DL over 307 pounds could lead this team to getting worn down on the ground. While they should make a good portion of TFL’s - the second half of games could be problematic.
Through 6 position groups:
Houston 40.35 points
SF 37.9 points
Baltimore 36.65 points
Green Bay 35.75 points
Philly 32.65 points
San Diego 25.95 points
OFF BALL LINEBACKERS (WORTH ¾ POINTS)
With the NFL being 80% nickel and dime, we’re going to list two starters and then the backups.
Houston A
3 points
LB - Bobby Wagner (89)
LB - Logan Wilson (84)
LB - Frankie Luvu (79)
LB - Pete Werner (77)
Houston decided to push its chips in this season and went out and got the ageless wonder Bobby Wagner. Wagner is the 5th highest rated off ball linebacker in the game and was PFF’s number one rated player at the position in 2022. While the Texans don’t expect vintage Wagner, one more season of high level play is likely. Wilson is a potential superstar and is tied for 13th ranked at the position, giving Houston two in the top 13 as its starters. Odds are those two never come off the field. However, on the rare occasion they need to come off, Frankie Luvu is coming off a career year and is a rock solid 79, followed by an up and comer in Werner who picked up 80 tackles last season in 12 games and through two seasons has given up just 1TD pass on 67 attempts. An elite group, but they may be looking for a 5th LB at some point as they currently just have 4 on the roster.
BALTIMORE A
3 points
LB - Roquon Smith (91)
LB - Patrick Queen (79)
LB - Cole Holcomb (80)
LB - Noah Sewell (R*)
LB - Mykal Walker (73)
A superstar in the middle in Smith flanked by either Holcomb - against the run, or Queen - against the pass, leads to one of the better units in the NFL. You can make a debate against whether or not Smith was worth the money but he’s a dynamic player without question. Queen has been up and down to say the least but he’s very athletic and Holcomb is quietly damn good. Sewell projects as a good run stopper in the NFL and Walker is a nice player in that he can probably play in base or in nickel and therefore is a nice backup. This is a very well thought out unit.
Green Bay A
3 points
LB - De’Vondre Campell (85)
LB - Jerome Baker (79)
LB - Willie Gay (75)
LB - Ernest Jones (74)
LB - Kyzir White (74)
LB - Trenton Simpson (R*)
Jesus Christ this team is absolutely loaded at LB. Honestly it’s entire second crew even with 3 LBs would probably be a well above average starting lineup. It’s an exceptionally deep team lead by Campbell but also with Jerome Baker, who is coming off of back to back Super Bowls with the Texans. The 4 backups can all play nickel with Simpson probably best suited for an overhang role. This is a rock solid group, with the NFL’s best depth at the position.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS A
3 points
LB - Tremaine Edmunds (87)
LB - Zaven Collins (76)
LB - Rashaan Evans (79)
LB - Jahlani Tavai (77)
LB - Nakobe Dean (71)
Really impressive group here with Edmunds starring in the middle. He’s the 7th rated off ball LB in the game and at just 25 he still has room to grow. He was a superstar in 2022. I’m guessing here with the hybrid model of defense that the Chargers are going to employ that Collins and his athleticism is going to get the start in most situations. Evans is a solid 3rd backer though who can do a bit of everything and is a very high volume tackler. Tavai is quietly a very good run defender and Dean could be one of the rare players who ends the year 10 points higher than he started it. Good depth, a superstar, and tremendous athleticism and role pieces.
SAN FRANCISCO B
2.25 points
Ja’Whaun Bentley (84)
Drue Tranquill (76)
Chad Muma (70)
Damone Clark (73)
Nobody seems to realize how good Ja’Whaun Bentley is, he’s one of the more underrated players in the NFL, and maybe the sneakiest 84 in Madden. The guy has 325 combined tackles the past three seasons and despite a reputation for being weak against the pass, in his past three seasons he’s had a rating against of 96, 87, and 86 - very solid numbers in that capacity - and here’s the craziest stat, in 144 career targets against him Bentley has given up 0 TD - ZERO. Tranquill was dominant last season, picking up 5 sacks to go along with 146 tackles and only missing 5.8% of his tackle attempts. The top two are very good. Muma is headed into his second season after getting almost 300 snaps last year. He played well in limited snaps. I like the top two a lot, but lack of depth and experience behind them is worrisome.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES B
2.25 points
LB - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (79)
LB - Josey Jewell (80)
LB - Azeez Al-Shaiir (77)
LB - Malcolm Rodriguez (74)
LB - Christian Harris (68)
This is a nice solid group here but nothing special. It looks like GM BD is taking after former GM Howie Roseman in adding quality but not going over the top. JOK has the potential to be a special player but he was injured last season and despite all the talent when he did play he gave up a 132 passer rating and still has zero career picks and he’s missed 14% of his career tackle attempts. Jewell has been outstanding in the 3GML universe and he’s a very nice player to be a secondary LB. Shaiir was very good when he started, he’s been an elite 3rd LB throughout his career. Rodriguez was very good as a rookie, but he’ll need to take a leap. Harris was the NFL’s worst LB as a rookie, but you can’t deny his talent.
Through 7 positions
Houston 43.35 points
SF 40.15 points
Baltimore 39.65 points
Green Bay 38.75 points
Philly 34.9 points
San Diego 28.95 points
SECONDARY (WORTH 2 POINTS)
In madden there’s a chance that the secondary is the most valuable position group other than QB. We’re going to put in 5 starters here as is normal in the NFL with 2 corners, 2 safeties, and a 5th guy who will be the best rated player at DB for the team. Then I’ll list all capable backups.
SAN FRANCISCO A+
8.6 Points
CB - JC Jackson (86)
CB - Byron Murphy (82)
N - Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (85)
SS - Derwin James (94)
FS - Marcus Williams (87)
CB - Levi Wallace (79)
CB - Kristian Fulton (76)
S - Ifeatu Melifonwu (67)
CB - Trayvon Mullen (77)
S/N - Brian Branch (R*)
Well this may be the best individual unit in all of 3GML. The team has arguably the best safety/nickel trio in the NFL over the past decade. And honestly, let’s not hedge, it’s definitely the best safety/nickel trio in the NFL over the past decade. James may be a top 15 overall player in the NFL. Gardner-Johnson is the NFL’s premier nickel-safety, and Williams could be the best centerfielder in the game. Murphy isn’t special, but he’s exceptionally solid inside or outside. Wallace, Fulton, and Mullen give the team an exceptionally deep bench and Branch’s versatility is going to be utilized at some point. The big question on this team is can JC Jackson bounce back from injury and poor play? If he’s the player he was in New England this is probably the best individual unit in all of 3GML, if he doesn’t bounce back, then it’s a unit with beyond elite safety play but that can be had outside occasionally. He’s probably the most important non-QB in the 3GML this season.
HOUSTON A
8 points
CB - L’Jarius Sneed (84)
CB - Deonte Banks (R*)
N - Avonte Maddox (79)
FS - Tyrann Mathieu (90)
SS - Jimmie Ward (87)
CB - Isaiah Rodgers (79)
CB - Steven Nelson (79)
FS - Malik Hooker (81)
SS - Trevon Moehrig (78)
Definitely one of the best secondaries in the NFL, and maybe the best one is right here in Houston. Sneed is one of the best inside-out cornerbacks in the NFL and Maddox is dynamic in the slot - whenever he’s healthy which is not super often. Rodgers is a burner but undersized and Steven Nelson started for this team last year on its run to the Super Bowl. Deonte Banks is the wildcard as the 6’ rookie can run sub 4.3 and loves to play press, can he be the star that Houston thinks he is? The safety duo may be the NFL’s best with Tyrann Mathieu the number one cover safety in the NFL last season and Ward’s versatility between playing all 3 safety roles and nickel at a high level making him a bit of a unicorn. The depth and talent gives this group a unit that may be unmatched in the NFL - except by our next team.
BALTIMORE A-
7.4 points
CB - Marlon Humphrey (93)
CB - Greg Newsome (83)
CB - DJ Turner (R*)
S - Kyle Hamilton (78)
S - Jevon Holland (84)
CB - Marcus Jones (75)
CB - Darius Rush (R*)
S - Taylor Rapp (79)
S - Darnell Savage (78)
This is a really really good starting unit but the lack of depth at corner is a bit concerning. Humphrey is a top 5 CB in the game and his 93 grade reflects that. Newsome is rock solid with an ability to play the slot or outside. Turner is the wildcard here as the team clearly drafted him with the intention of starting him immediately. Jones has big time speed but was inconsistent last season and he’ll be counted on. The safety duo is young and excellent with Holland as a very nice player and Hamilton with top 10 potential at the spot. Rapp and Savage are really good reserves. The issue here is the lack of depth outside the top 2. Will Turner be a good starter as a rookie? If he’s hurt, they have to rely on some very inexperienced players to play key roles at corner - a hugely important position.
GREEN BAY B+
6.6 points
CB - Chidobe Awuzie (86)
CB - Christian Gonzalez (R*)
CB - Trent McDuffie (78)
SS - Talanoa Hufanga (83)
SS - Adrian Philips (83)
CB - Martin Emerson (76)
CB - Cameron Dantzler (77)
FS - Richie Grant (76)
This is a very good group if it can stay healthy and get good deep safety play. Phillips and Hufanga are both much better around the LOS and while they are both great there, the team will have to play one of them out of position to start them both, or play a cover two shell which isn’t likely to take advantage of either’s best skill. McDuffie is a very good slot corner and Gonzalez was arguably the best corner prospect in the draft. Awuzie is a great player - when he’s healthy. However, he missed 9 games last season, 3 the season before, and 8 the season before that due to injury. He also missed 6 his rookie season so the injury bug is very real with him. The nice thing is the team has tremendous depth at corner with 5 viable plus starters. This is a very good secondary but definitely has some question marks. How do they play their two best safeties? Can Awuzie stay healthy? McDuffie missed 6 games last season as well.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES B
6 points
CB - Patrick Surtain (91)
CB - Asante Samuel (82)
N - Mike Hilton (82)
SS - Darrick Forrest (80)
FS - Adrian Amos (85)
CB - Marco Wilson (73)
CB - Elijah Molden (71)
S - Anotnio Johnson (R*)
Obviously any defense you start off with Patrick Surtain is going to be good, he may be the best corner in the NFL today. The rest of the unit though is pretty suspect. Samuel and Hilton are both very good, but they are both slot only players. Samuel playing outside is going to be problematic at 5’10 and 178 pounds, he’s going to be posted up. Hilton has only played slot his whole career and while he’s exceptional at that role, you don’t want him outside often. Amos took a big step back last season and looked much more like just a guy than a top tier safety, his passer rating against was 107 and while he’s still a very reliable player, expecting him to play like an 85 is very unlikely. You’ve also paired him up with another strong safety only. In this defense the team has two strong safeties and two slots and no free safeties and no CB2. Molden being a slot only, or mostly, is problematic as a backup. The team has a cornerstone piece in Surtain, and while both slots Hilton and Samuel are great as slots, they’ll be playing out of position, just like one of Forrest or Amos will be. That is going to hurt this team long term.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS B-
5.4 points
CB - Joey Porter Jr (R*)
CB - Desmond King (79)
S - Jeremy Chinn (82)
S - Julian Love (79)
S - Kamren Curl (82)
CB - Kelee Ringo (R*)
CB - Nate Hobbs (79)
CB - Daron Bland (75)
CB - Clark Phillips (R*)
S - Kerby Joseph (76)
The Chargers are known for their multiple safety and nickel looks and the amoeba style defense. This year though in the draft they went out and targeted outside corners with Porter and Ringo, both of whom will likely play a lot of snaps as rookies. The middle of the field is patrolled by a series of corner/safety/slot hybrids like GM EP likes to play. King has been good for a long time and Chinn and Curl are both big hitters who love to hit. Love is the wildcard and one of my favorite players, he’s an elite tackler but good in coverage. The depth is rock solid, the question is can the young outside corners hold up, because they’re going to have to.
2023 POWER RANKINGS!
Houston 51.35 points
SF 48.90 points
Baltimore 47.05 points
Green Bay 45.35 points
Philly 40.9 points
San Diego 34.35 points
