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Erik ten Hag gave three Manchester United players ‘ultimate humiliation’ against Brentford, says Chris Sutton

by metro.co.uk Leave a Comment

Erik ten Hag gave three Manchester United players ‘the ultimate humiliation for a footballer’ by substituting them at half-time against Brentford on Saturday, reckons Chris Sutton, who also thinks a new signing is already being viewed as a weak link.

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The Red Devils suffered an abysmal trip to London on Saturday, losing 4-0 to the Bees, with all four goals scored in the first 35 minutes.

Understandably Ten Hag felt forced into action at half-time after watching his side torn apart by Brentford, so hauled off Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Fred at the break, throwing on Rafael Varane, Tyrell Malacia and Scott McTominay, to no avail.

Sutton picked out the performance of Martinez in his second game in the Premier League, noting how he was bullied by Brentford’s forwards, as he was targeted by Brighton’s strikers in the opening defeat of the campaign.

The former Chelsea striker feels the former Ajax man is already being seen as a weak link by opponents due to his size, and his confidence will not have been helped by the ‘ultimate humiliation’ he faced at the Gtech Community Stadium.

‘Martinez was one of three men hooked at half-time by Erik ten Hag on Saturday – the ultimate humiliation for a footballer – and it’s been a rough welcome to the Premier League for him,’ Sutton told Mail Plus .

‘After seeing Martinez dominated individually, other strikers will be targeting him now. I know I would.

‘Brighton did it last weekend, abandoning their usual plan of playing out from the back to send long balls towards Martinez.

‘Brentford saw that and targeted him, too, feeling it was a weak link they could expose. It’s smart. It’s streetwise. You’ll take advantage of your opponents any way you can.

‘Like how Brentford striker Ivan Toney targeted Ben White at the start of last season on his Arsenal debut. Toney beat up White in that 2-0 win. If you feel you can get the better of someone, why wouldn’t you use that?’

Bees boss Thomas Frank was open about targeting Martinez after watching his side pick up the huge win, saying he had seen Brighton do it with success, so it was obvious to do the same.

Asked if the £56.7million signing from Ajax was deliberately targeted, Frank told Sky Sports: ‘We knew we’d more likely either win it or the second ball around it.

‘Of course we looked at what Brighton did well against them, and Brighton are also like us in the way they want to play.

‘Normally Brighton always build from the goalkeeper, but they went long every single time so of course we looked at that. We knew we had that weapon so that’s why we did it.’

MORE : Ajax forward Antony responds to continued Manchester United interest

MORE : Manchester United deny Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract is to be terminated

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Ian Blackford urges Tory MPs to get rid of Boris ‘Displayed contempt to everyone’

by www.express.co.uk Leave a Comment

PMQs: Blackford tells PM to resign in wake of Sue Gray report

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The SNP Westminster Leader persisted in his calls for Boris Johnson to resign as a consequence of the partygate scandal. Ian Blackford failed to hold back his criticisms of the Prime Minister as he erupted at the findings of the Sue Gray report on partygate allegation. He insisted the Prime Minister had “displayed contempt to everyone” both in the Commons and across the country with the persistent defence of his conduct.

Mr Blackford said: “For eight months we’ve heard every excuse under the sun but not we’ve all seen the damning photo evidence.

Quoting elements of the published report, Mr Blackford said: “The senior leadership at the centre, both political and official, must bear responsibility for this culture.”

He continued: “That leadership came from the top and the Prime Minister, in the words of the report, must bear responsibility for the culture.”

Mr Blackford looked up towards Mr Johnson as he added: “A fish rots from the head.”

Ian Blackford

Mr Blackford called for the Prime Minister to resign (Image: Screengrab Parliament TV)

Boris

The Prime Minister asked the SNP MP to halt his questions until a statement could be issued (Image: Screengrab Parliament TV)

He continued: “Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister’s dispatch box denial of a party taking place on the 13th November is now proven to be untrue.

“He was there on the 13th November, photographed raising a toast, surrounded by gin, wine, and other revellers.

“The charge of misleading Parliament is a resignation matter, will the Prime Minister now, finally, resign?”

“This Prime Minister has adopted a systematic, concerted, and sinister pattern of evasion, truthfulness, honesty, and transparency do not enter his vocabulary – it is just not part of his way of being and it speaks for the type of man that he is.

Read more: PMQs LIVE: ‘Put that in your pipe!’ blasts back at Starmer

Blackford

The SNP Westminster Leader has been incredibly vocal about his belief that Mr Johnson should resign (Image: GETTY)

“Credibility, truth, and morality all matter, and the Prime Minister has been found lacking time and time again.”

Following Mr Blackford’s lengthy address to the Commons, Mr Johnson responded: “Mr Speaker, I think the right honourable gentleman should look closely as Sue Gray’s report and I repeat my thanks to her.

“I stress that the nature and length of my involvement in these events is very clear from what she says.

“I take full responsibility for what happened and that is why we’ve taken the steps that we have to reform and improve the way Number Ten works.”

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Boris

Boris Johnson has addressed the findings of the Sue Gray report in an address to the Commons (Image: GETTY)

The Sue Gray report, which investigated alleged breaches of lockdown in Downing Street and Whitehall, has now been published in full.

Acknowledging the report’s findings, the Prime Minister said he was “humbled” by the findings of the investigation but maintained his insistence that he had not considered his actions to be breaches of the Government-imposed lockdown guidelines at the time of the event.

Following Boris Johnson’s statement and apology regarding the Sue Gray report, Mr Blackford approached the topic once more with renewed calls for the Prime Minister’s resignation.

Several statewide offices contested in Wyoming GOP primary

by www.sfchronicle.com Leave a Comment

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Gov. Mark Gordon has a clear path to reelection while more competitive Republican primary races have shaped up for secretary of state and state superintendent of public instruction in Wyoming on Tuesday.

Democrats, meanwhile, have all but ceded these offices to Republicans, with just two candidates who don’t even have websites running for governor and just one Democratic candidate running for state superintendent.

Here’s a look at the races for Wyoming’s five statewide elected officials:

GOVERNOR

Gordon faced fierce opposition within the GOP for public health measures to limit spread of the coronavirus, causing speculation he’d face a tough primary challenge.

He doesn’t. One candidate who may have run against him, Cheyenne natural resources attorney Harriet Hageman, who finished third among five candidates in the 2018 GOP gubernatorial primary, decided instead to try unseating Liz Cheney as Wyoming’s congresswoman.

Now, after lifting a statewide mask mandate and other coronavirus restrictions, Gordon is mainly back in his party’s good graces.

Last year, he urged the National Rifle Association to move its headquarters from Virginia to Wyoming. In March, he signed a ban on most abortions that briefly took effect a month after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and is now on hold pending a lawsuit contesting the ban. Both moves helped buttress Gordon’s right-wing credentials.

And while Gordon hasn’t gone out of his way to praise Donald Trump, neither has he criticized the former president’s fixation on the false belief that fraud cost him reelection in 2020, which as Cheney has discovered may have courted a serious primary challenge.

Even so, three Republicans have stepped up to oppose Gordon.

One is Brent Bien, a retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel, Laramie native and University of Wyoming graduate who oversaw Marine operations in Guam. Bien, of Sheridan, campaigned in part on questioning Gordon’s coronavirus restrictions.

Also running is Rex Rammell, of Rock Springs, a veterinarian and perennial, unsuccessful candidate for various offices in Idaho and Wyoming. Rammell calls for the state to take control over federal lands.

Douglas oilfield services business owner and Marine veteran James Scott Quick is running on protecting the state’s energy industry and giving raises to state employees.

Retired U.S. Bureau of Land Management employee Theresa Livingston, of Worland, and retired cabinetmaker and perennial candidate Rex Wilde, of Cheyenne, seek the Democratic nomination for governor.

SECRETARY OF STATE

Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Buchanan announced in May he wasn’t seeking reelection so he could apply to become a state District Court judge, a job he’ll be taking in the months ahead now that Gordon has appointed him to the vacancy.

Buchanan’s announcement caused several Republicans to run just days before the filing deadline. Among them are two legislators: Chuck Gray and Tara Nethercott.

A former political radio commentator who’s the son of a Casper radio station owner, Gray has proven one of Wyoming’s most Trump-like legislators since his election to the state House in 2016.

Gray ran briefly for U.S. House in 2021, railing against Cheney after she voted to impeach the former president for the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. He visited Arizona to see and be seen at a recount of the 2020 presidential vote in that state.

Gray abandoned his congressional campaign after failing to get Trump’s endorsement but now is running as secretary of state, who as Wyoming’s No. 2 state official oversees elections and business licensing.

Nethercott is a Cheyenne attorney who has served in the state Senate since 2017 and, like Gray, has made “election integrity” a campaign focus. Nethercott also promises to keep state business administration fees low.

STATE SUPERINTENDENT

Brian Schroeder, former head of a private Christian school in Cody, became state superintendent in January when Gordon chose him from three finalists nominated for the job by the state GOP.

He succeeded Jillian Balow, who left Wyoming to lead Virginia’s public school system.

Schroeder is now running for the job under the slogan “Wyoming Education – Not Indoctrination.” He promises to “refuse to let our kids become pawns of the social engineers who are hell-bent on grooming them into their relativistic value system.”

His opponents include Megan Degenfelder, a Republican from Laramie who was chief policy officer under Balow. Degenfelder calls for doing “more with less” amid a tight state budget and prioritizing funding for classrooms over administration.

Also running is Republican Jennifer Zerba, a Casper substitute teacher and University of Wyoming doctoral student in education who advocates more fiscal transparency and volunteering in schools.

Educator and Northern Arapaho tribal elder Sergio Maldonado is the lone Democrat running for state superintendent.

STATE TREASURER

Incumbent Republican Curt Meier faces a primary challenge from Bill Gallop, of Cheyenne, an investment officer for the Wyoming Retirement System.

Gallop has criticized Wyoming’s state investments under Meier for lagging U.S. stock market returns, calling it on his website a “broken engine with seven of eight cylinders busted.”

Meier, endorsed by Trump for a second term, is a former state legislator with a farm and ranch in the LaGrange area. Meier says the state treasurer’s office has beaten its investment benchmarks in his first term and he’s helped to expand access to low income housing.

STATE AUDITOR

Republican Auditor Kristi Racines, of Cheyenne, is unopposed for a second term.

___

Anderson reported from Denver.

___

Follow Mead Gruver at https://twitter.com/meadgruver

Bob Fosse’s “Dancin'” Is One For The Books

by patch.com Leave a Comment

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

Arts & Entertainment

The first-ever revival of the ground-breaking 1978 musical is as new as today

Helen Ofield , Patch Mayor Verified User Badge

Bob Fosse (1927-1987), a WW II navy veteran, rose to fame in the company of brilliant dancers like Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Carol Haney, Ann Miller, Ann Reinking and Gwen Verdon (his lifelong partner). Haney and Miller especially noticed his talent in the movie, Kiss Me Kate (1953) in which he vies with famed dancers Bobby Van and Tommy Rall for Miller’s hand in marriage in that spoof of The Taming of the Shrew .

Fosse departed for Broadway and never looked back. Oodles of awards later, he was an established legend, who brought a new kind of choreographic style to America’s gift to world theater, the musical. A case in point is the famous number, “Steam Heat”, in The Pajama Game (1954), which stopped the show and led to what-hath-Fosse-wrought reviews about the new game in town. But, 24 years later, it was Dancin’ that enshrined him in the American musical theater.

The Fosse oeuvre closes Act I (“Dancin’ Man”), featuring the company in his trademark suit, bow tie, straw boater/fedora, hat-tipping hand, and half-toe pose, all before whipping into leaps, bounds and pirouettes that end in his finger-snapping, bent-knee crouch. Every move is a surprise. As Fosse said/sang/danced, he wanted to “leave his footsteps on the sands of time.” Evidently this is happening.

The 20 dancer-singers in the new revival exemplify the let-her-rip mood of this bookless show in which everyone’s a star. Backed by Robert Brill’s dramatic steel pipe and ladder set, dazzlingly lit by David Grill , with percussive sound design by Peter Hylenski , and a terrific small orchestra/band led by Darryl Archibald , the dancers throw caution to the winds and dance their hearts out, no matter the lightning-fast costume changes ( Reid Bartelme and Harriet Jung designed the nifty garb).

At the helm of this unusual show is Wayne Cilento , who danced in the original 1978 production and became a choreographic collaborator of Fosse. Long since a respected choreographer in his own right, Cilento describes his troupe as “young and eccentric and unique.” Take Ron Todorowski , whose show-stopping solo, “Ionisation” in Act I makes him first among equals. Ditto the beautiful Ioana Alfonso , who leaps with the company then sizzles in choice solos.

There is plenty of homage to go around. The show opens with a cleverly stacked video of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson , progresses to a nod to the big band era of swing and excerpts from some of Fosse’s past choreographic hits like “Hey, Big Spender” from Sweet Charity and “Mein Herr” from Cabaret , before we’re treated to a special, big city reference to The Great Depression with the rich voicing of Khori Michelle Petinaud , who turns “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries” into a veritable anthem.

This gasp-inducing show closes with a rampaging “Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar” with the whole company still at the top of their game after two and a half hours of non stop dancing. Even Fosse described D ancin’ as “like playing Monday Night football eight times a week; it’s really tough on the dancers.” Each performer earns his/her solo bow at the show’s end.

Someone said Fosse is his own genre. Right.

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Top 100 NFL Players of 2022: Aaron Donald new No. 1 as Rams have three of top 10; Aaron Rodgers No. 2

by www.cbssports.com Leave a Comment

Keytron Jordan / CBS Sports

Stars win in the NFL. Period.

The Los Angeles Rams put that on display last season in winning the Super Bowl . They are certainly a top-heavy team, with big money paid to their star players. Of course, they have to do a good job of supplementing the roster to make it work, which general manager Les Snead has done, but it’s the stars who drive the team.

They also lead my 2022 list of the NFL ‘s top 100 players. Not only do the Rams have the No. 1 player on the list, but they have three in the top 10, and none of those is their high-priced quarterback, although Matt Stafford is a top 50 player.

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is the No. 1 player on my list this year. That’s because he’s the best defensive player in the league, as well as being in the argument to be considered the best of all time . He is clearly the top player at his position, whereas an argument could be made at all the others, even quarterback.

The other Rams players in my top 10 are receiver Cooper Kupp at No. 5 and cornerback Jalen Ramsey at No. 10. Kupp showed the football world last year that he is currently the NFL’s best receiver. Ramsey remains a shutdown corner, who evolved into much more last season in a variety of roles in the new-look Raheem Morris defense.

The fact that Donald tops the list moves a quarterback off the top spot. That doesn’t mean the top-10 isn’t quarterback heavy —as usual. In fact, the entire list is quarterback heavy because there are a lot of star passers in the league right now.

If you’re wondering which team has the most players, it’s the Los Angeles Chargers with nine in the top 100 — three more than the three teams tied for the next most with six (Cowboys, Buccaneers and 49ers). The Rams ended up with five, as did the Bills, Bengals, Chiefs and Packers. The Patriots are among six teams without any in the top 100, joining the Giants, Jets, Texans, Jaguars and Lions.

So dive in and eat it up. Nobody will be happy. That much I know. But for all those out there ready to kill me for the list, I offer you this: Try it. It’s not easy to do, especially in a league where there are so many good players.

1
Aaron Donald Los Angeles Rams DT

He continues to be the best in the NFL; his ability to take over a game is second to none on any defensive line. He is one of the best inside players of all-time, and might be the best ever when his career is over.
2
Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers QB

He was the 2021 MVP, which was his fourth. His level of play has not gone down at all. It will be interesting to see what he does without Davante Adams. I wouldn’t worry too much.
3
Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Chiefs QB

He wasn’t as good last season as in years past, but he remains one of the best in the league. Even a slight dip for him is better than most. It will be interesting to see what he does without Tyreek Hill this season.
4
Josh Allen Buffalo Bills QB

Those days when nearly everyone doubted him seem like a lifetime ago. He has emerged as an MVP candidate year in and year out. His ability to move to run and throw on the move are a big part of the Bills offense. He is now a legitimate star.
5
Cooper Kupp Los Angeles Rams WR

He led the NFL in catches (145) and yards (1,947) last season, establishing himself as the league’s best. He also led the league in catches of 20 yards or more and tied for the league lead with nine catches of 40 yards or more.
6
Tom Brady Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB

He is coming off one of his best seasons in terms of stats, throwing for 5,316 yards and 43 touchdown passes. When does he slow down? Does he before he retires? He is amazing. And there is no reason to think he won’t put up big numbers again.
7
T.J. Watt Pittsburgh Steelers OLB

He was the Defensive Player of the Year last season after leading the league in sacks with 22.5, which tied Michael Strahan for the all-time single-season record. Watt is also good against the run, which makes him a double threat on the edge.
8
Trent Williams San Francisco 49ers OT

At the age of 33 — he turns 34 in July — he is coming off a season where he was the NFL’s best offensive lineman. He is great as a pass protector and a big part of their run-heavy offense with his ability to move people off the ball.
9
Myles Garrett Cleveland Browns DE

He had 16 sacks last season to show that he remains one of the game’s best edge players. He can change a game with his ability to get after the quarterback. He plays with speed that tackles have a tough time handling.
10
Jalen Ramsey Los Angeles Rams CB

He is a big corner who excels playing man coverage, but has evolved into an all-round corner who can also do good things. He was really good near the line of scrimmage last season and has evolved into a much better zone-coverage player. He is consistently one of the best in the league.

11
Davante Adams Las Vegas Raiders WR

He is coming off a career year in catches and yards. But now he will be playing with Derek Carr, rather than Aaron Rodgers. It will be interesting to see how that impacts his numbers.
12
Nick Bosa San Francisco 49ers DE

He finished fourth in the league in sacks with 15.5 after playing in just two game in 2020 after tearing an ACL. Bosa is one of those edge rushers who can take over a game. He plays with speed and power.
13
Justin Jefferson Minnesota Vikings WR

In his second season, he finished fourth in catches with 108 and second in yards with 1,616. He also had 10 touchdown catches. It’s scary to think what type of leap he can make this season as he better understands the position.
14
Micah Parsons Dallas Cowboys LB

He had 13 sacks last season to lead the Cowboys, sometimes being put in a role of playing defensive end because of injuries. He excelled in it, but his ability to cover, run and blitz makes him one of the best defensive players in the league in his second season.
15
George Kittle San Francisco 49ers TE

In terms of being the best all-round tight end, he is it. He can run, catch and block. There aren’t many who can do all three at the level he does it. He was limited to 14 games last season, but still caught 71 passes.
16
Zack Martin Dallas Cowboys OG

In a season where the Cowboys line wasn’t as good as in years past, he still excelled. He was dominant in the run game again and remains stout in pass protection.
17
Tyreek Hill Miami Dolphins WR

His speed makes him a headache for any defensive coordinator. He changes the way teams play defense. It will be fun to see how much he can improve Tua Tagovailoa. Hill has raved about him so far, but only game action will tell.
18
Ja’Marr Chase Cincinnati Bengals WR

As a rookie, he was a big reason why the Bengals went to the Super Bowl. The scary thing is he said he was just playing by instinct and really hadn’t learned the tricks of the trade. He said he knows them now, which can’t be good for opposing secondaries.
19
Travis Kelce Kansas City Chiefs TE

He was second in catches by a tight end last season with 92, which was down 13 from the previous season. His yards and yards per catch also went down. But he is still one of the best.
20
Justin Herbert Los Angeles Chargers QB

He’s thrown 69 touchdown passes in his first two seasons, showing off his cannon for an arm and his ability to make big plays. This could be the year he emerges as a legitimate MVP candidate.

21
Joe Burrow Cincinnati Bengals QB

He led the Bengals to the Super Bowl a year after having a torn ACL. He showed he was worth being the first player picked in the 2020 NFL Draft. He threw 34 touchdown passes last season playing behind a line that was awful. He will be even better with an improved group this year.
22
Derrick Henry Tennessee Titans RB

He played just eight games last season because of a foot injury, but still rushed for 937 yards and 10 touchdowns. The one concern is that his yards per carry number dropped from 5.4 to 4.3 after two seasons of having a heavy workload in 2019 and 2020.
23
Joey Bosa Los Angeles Chargers LB

He had 10.5 sacks last season, but that number will go up with Khalil Mack now on the other side. His best season came when Melvin Ingram got double-digit sacks on the other side. Mack should help him in a big way.
24
Jonathan Taylor Indianapolis Colts RB

He led the NFL in rushing with 1,811 yards, averaging 5.4 per rush. He also rushed for 18 touchdowns after scoring 11 in 2020. He is now considered one of the two top backs in the league.
25
Jaire Alexander Green Bay Packers CB

The Packers awarded him with a big contract this spring for a reason. He is coming off a season where he put himself into the conversation as the best cover player in the league. The best is yet to come.
26
Deebo Samuel San Francisco 49ers WR

He caught 77 passes last season with six touchdowns and nine catches of 40 yards or more, tying him for the league lead. He also lined up at running back, rushing for 365 yards and eight touchdowns. He can do it all for the 49ers offense.
27
Cameron Heyward Pittsburgh Steelers DE

He might be the game’s most underrated down player. He is a force who doesn’t pile up huge sacks numbers in their scheme. But he did have 10 last year, which is the second-best of his career.
28
Terron Armstead Miami Dolphins OT

The only knock on him is health, as he’s missed a lot of games in his career. But when he’s on the field, he’s one of the best in the NFL. He should help solidify the Dolphins line.
29
Von Miller Buffalo Bills OLB

He had 9.5 sacks last season for Denver and the Rams. He really picked it up in the Super Bowl run after the trade to the Rams, showing off his ability to win with speed outside. His pass-rush ability could be what puts the Bills over the top this season.
30
Mark Andrews Baltimore Ravens TE

He led all tight ends last season in catches and yards. He has established himself among the elite of the tight end position in the NFL, and at the age of 26, he has a lot of good football ahead of him.

31
Jeffery Simmons Tennessee Titans DT

He had 8.5 sacks last season, fifth-best for interior players. He is also good against the run and has developed into one of the best power players in the league.
32
Tristan Wirfs Tampa Bay Buccaneers OT

He might be the best right tackle in the league, which is impressive since he’s entering his third season. He is outstanding in pass protection and should get better as he matures.
33
Maxx Crosby Las Vegas Raiders DE

He is coming off his best season, even if his eight sacks were one fewer than his career best. He was a force for the Raiders defense last season, excelling against the run and with his pass-rush ability. The sack numbers don’t do him justice, as he was near the tops in the league in pressures.
34
Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens QB

Jackson was limited to 12 games last season because of COVID-19 and injury, and didn’t have the type of season many expected. He threw 16 touchdown passes and 13 picks and his rushing numbers weren’t as good. He is trying to get a long-term deal, which I think will happen, but he needs to get back to his MVP ways this season.
35
Stefon Diggs Buffalo Bills WR

He caught 103 passes with 10 touchdown catches last season. Since coming over in a trade, he’s a big reason why Josh Allen has developed into one of the game’s best quarterbacks, catching 230 passes in two seasons.
36
Chris Jones Kansas City Chiefs DE

They moved him to end last year, which was a horrible move. When he moved back inside, the defense improved greatly. He had nine sacks last season and is a tough guy to block inside in one-on-one situations.
37
Quenton Nelson Indianapolis Colts OG

He remains one of the best inside players in the league. He is physical and nasty, but also does a nice job in pass protection. He is a big reason Jonathan Taylor led the league in rushing.
38
Fred Warner San Francisco 49ers MLB

His ability to run and chase runners down and cover a lot of ground in the passing game makes him a prototype for the current game. He flashes on tape when you watch the 49ers.
39
Cameron Jordan New Orleans Saints DE

He tied for seventh in the league with 12.5 sacks last season. It took him a while to get going, not getting his first sack until Week 6. Age is starting to be a concern since he turns 33 in July.
40
Darius Leonard Indianapolis Colts OLB

He is the perfect style of linebacker for this era of football. He isn’t big, but he can run and chase and he’s great in causing turnovers. He had four picks last season.

41
Dalvin Cook Minnesota Vikings RB

He didn’t quite have the season some expected, but he still rushed for 1,159 yards in 13 games, missing time because of injury and COVID. He also caught 34 passes, and that number should go up this season as the Vikings might use him more in the passing game — even outside.
42
Russell Wilson Denver Broncos QB

Wilson was traded this offseason to the Broncos, where he will inherit a nice group of pass catches and an offensive-minded coach who will let him play free. Wilson threw 25 touchdown passes and six picks in 14 games last season, but the offense was run-based, which hurt his numbers.
43
Khalil Mack Los Angeles Chargers OLB

He hasn’t had double-digit sacks in a season since 2018, getting just six last season when he was limited to seven games. But he’s still capable of being a 12-15 sack player and should flourish playing opposite Joey Bosa.
44
Trey Hendrickson Cincinnati Bengals DE

He was a big reason why the Bengals made the Super Bowl last season. After signing as a free agent, he had 14.0 sacks to finish fifth in the league, which was a career best.
45
Alvin Kamara New Orleans Saints RB

He is coming off a down season in 2021, where he was limited to 13 games. He rushed for 898 yards, but his average was just 3.7 per rush. He did catch 47 passes with five touchdown catches, but almost all of his numbers were down from the year before. Bad quarterback play didn’t help.
46
Tyron Smith Dallas Cowboys OT

He played at a high level last season, although he did miss games because of injury — something that has become all-too-common for him. When he’s on the field, he remains a top left tackle in the league.
47
Nick Chubb Cleveland Browns RB

He finished second in the league in rushing with 1,259 yards and eight touchdowns in just 14 games. He also averaged 5.5 per rush, continuing to show his big-play ability.
48
Matthew Stafford Los Angeles Rams QB

He led the Rams to a Super Bowl victory in his first season, validating the move to trade for him. He threw 41 touchdown passes but needs to cut down on the 17 picks he threw last year. He proved a lot of skeptics wrong last season in terms of his ability to carry a team.
49
Antoine Winfield Jr. Tampa Bay Buccaneers SAF

In his second season, he showed off skills in both coverage and playing the run. He isn’t big, but he is a playmaker who plays bigger than his size.
50
Dak Prescott Dallas Cowboys QB

He came off that major ankle injury from 2020 to get back to playing at a high level. He threw 37 touchdown passes with 10 picks, playing behind an offensive line that wasn’t top-notch last season.

51
Joel Bitonio Cleveland Browns OG

He is coming off an impressive season, especially as a run blocker. He was dominant at times and he is a big reason why the Browns are so good running the football.
52
Micah Hyde Buffalo Bills SS

He can do so many things for the Bills defense. He is good in coverage, causing turnovers and tackling. He’s a self-made player who has great value in their scheme.
53
J.C. Jackson Los Angeles Chargers DB

He had eight picks last year and was once again sticky in coverage for the Patriots. That earned him a big contract from the Chargers in free agency.
54
Kevin Byard Tennessee Titans FS

He is coming off one of his best seasons, grabbing five picks for the Titans defense. Heck, even Deion Sanders has to know his name now.
55
Darren Waller Las Vegas Raiders TE

He was limited to 11 games last season because of injury, which is why his catch numbers fell from 107 to 55. But when he is healthy, he is one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the game.
56
Xavien Howard Miami Dolphins CB

The Dolphins gave him a long-term contract this spring for a reason. He is a good man cover player who can take on the best receivers in the league.
57
CeeDee Lamb Dallas Cowboys WR

He emerged as the Cowboys’ No. 1 receiver last season, catching 79 passes for 1,102 yards and six touchdowns. With Amari Cooper gone, those numbers should go up this season.
58
Chandler Jones Las Vegas Raiders DE

He had 10.5 sacks for the Cardinals last year, but five of those came in Week 1. In every season that he’s played 15 or more games, he’s had double-digits in sacks. The Raiders hope he can team with Maxx Crosby to bring those same type of numbers after signing as a free agent.
59
Creed Humphrey Kansas City Chiefs C

As a rookie in 2021, he was one of the best centers in the league. He anchors what has become a good offensive line, and he should be even better this season.
60
Rashawn Slater Los Angeles Chargers OT

He came into the league as a rookie last year and immediately looked like he’d been around for a few years. He is already in the conversation as one of the best left tackles in the game. That was quick.

61
Jonathan Allen Washington Commanders DE

He has emerged as a force in the middle of the Washington defense. He was its best defensive lineman last season, with his ability to push the pocket and play the run a big part of their unit. He had nine sacks in 2021 with injuries all around him impacting their line.
62
Chris Godwin Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR

He was having his best season when he suffered a torn ACL in Week 14. He had 98 catches for 1,103 yards and five touchdowns when he went down. Godwin, who signed a three-year deal this offseason, is expected to be back early this season.
63
De’Vondre Campbell Green Bay Packers OLB

In his first season with the Packers he was a big part of their defense. His ability to run and chase and cover helped the defense improve. He was rewarded with a new contract, which was well-earned.
64
Rashan Gary Green Bay Packers LB

He had his breakout season in 2021 with 9.5 sacks and should be even better this year. He also was fourth in the league with 47 pressures. He can rush with power and speed, which makes him a tough guy to handle.
65
Keenan Allen Los Angeles Chargers WR

He is coming off a season with a career-best 106 catches and remains a big part of the Chargers offense. He isn’t a big-play threat down the field, with an average of 10.7 yards per catch, but he is a reliable chain mover.
66
DK Metcalf Seattle Seahawks WR

He is physically one of the most impressive receivers in the league. He had 75 catches last season with 12 touchdowns. Imagine if he played in a pass-first offense?
67
Chase Young Washington Commanders DE

He played just nine games in 2021, tearing an ACL to end his season. At the time, he had a disappointing 1.5 sacks. He didn’t play as expected, but the talent is still there. He will be 10 months removed from the ACL injury when the team kicks off the 2022 season.
68
A.J. Terrell Atlanta Falcons CB

He quietly had an impressive season in his second year in the league. He is a long corner who can cover outside and is a willing tackler in the run game. He looks like a future star.
69
Budda Baker Arizona Cardinals SS

His play fell off a little last season, but he still was one of the better safeties in the league. His tackle numbers were down, but he remains a big part of the Arizona defense and his importance can be noticed week in and week out.
70
Diontae Johnson Pittsburgh Steelers WR

He had a career-best 107 catches with eight touchdowns last season. He tied Davante Adams for the second-most targets per game at 10.6.

71
DeAndre Hopkins Arizona Cardinals WR

Injuries limited him to 10 games last season and he had a career-low 42 catches. He did have eight touchdown catches. Now in his ninth season, he has to stay healthy, especially since he’s already been suspended for the first six games.
72
Robert Quinn Chicago Bears LB

It’s probably a little of a surprise to see him on this list this late in his career. But after getting two sacks in 2020 for the Bears, he had 18.5 last season to finish third in the league. That means he’s had double-digit sack totals in two of the past three seasons.
73
Mike Evans Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR

He remains a big-play threat in the Tampa Bay offense, averaging 14.0 yards on his 74 catches last season with 14 touchdowns. He is entering his ninth season, but still can get behind defensive backs.
74
Derwin James Los Angeles Chargers FS

After being limited to five games over the 2019 and 2020 seasons because of injury, he played 15 games last season. He showed off his ability to play both the pass and the run in Brandon Staley’s defense.
75
Jordan Mailata Philadelphia Eagles OT

The Eagles just rewarded him with a big contract for a reason. He has developed into a good player with a chance this season to move into the top tier of tackles. He is good in pass protection and good in the run game.
76
Brian Burns Carolina Panthers DE

He had nine sacks last season for the Panthers, but he was a better pass rusher than those numbers would indicate. He also had 31 pressures to go with those sacks.
77
Grady Jarrett Atlanta Falcons DT

On a bad team, he remains a bright spot. His ability to push the pocket and play the run make him one of the better inside players in the game.
78
Jordan Poyer Buffalo Bills FS

He had five interceptions last year, teaming with Micah Hyde to give the Bills one of the best safety tandems in the game. Poyer has the range to cover a lot of ground.
79
Austin Ekeler Los Angeles Chargers RB

He rushed for a career-best 911 yards and also caught 70 passes, proving to be one of the best all-round backs in the game. He also scored 20 touchdowns, making him a fantasy player’s delight.
80
Arik Armstead San Francisco 49ers DE

He is coming off a six-sack season where he showed that he is a big, powerful end who can push the pocket. When the 49ers traded DeForest Buckner two years ago and kept Armstead, some wondered why. He showed why last season.

81
DeForest Buckner Indianapolis Colts DT

In his second season with the Colts after coming over from San Francisco, he wasn’t as productive. His sacks feel from 9.5 to seven. He was still really good, but maybe just a tad behind the year before.
82
Kyle Pitts Atlanta Falcons TE

As a rookie, he was the primary pass-catching threat in the Atlanta offense. After a slow start, he came on strong and showed why he was a top-5 pick. He finished with 68 catches for 1,026 yards, but had just one touchdown catch.
83
Deshaun Watson Cleveland Browns QB

He’s a tough player to rank. He hasn’t played in two years and has the legal issues and a potential suspension hanging over his head. If he plays 17 games, he will be higher on this list next year.
84
Trevon Diggs Dallas Cowboys CB

He led the NFL in interceptions with 11, but he has to be more consistent in coverage. It isn’t always about the picks. There were times where he had issues in man coverage. I think he will be better this year.
85
Darius Slay Philadelphia Eagles CB

He had one of his best seasons in 2021, showing off his ability to lock up in man coverage. With James Bradberry now on board, the Eagles have nice corner combo.
86
Corey Linsley Los Angeles Chargers C

After signing as a free agent last spring, he solidified the line in front of Justin Herbert. That is a unit that needed an anchor in the middle, and he responded with a good season.
87
Lavonte David Tampa Bay Buccaneers OLB

The leader of the Tampa Bay defense remains a top run-and-chase linebacker in their scheme. While Devin White’s play leveled off a bit, David again had a good season. Age is starting to be a concern.
88
Kyler Murray Arizona Cardinals QB

Murray got off to a fast start last season, but like the team he faded some down the stretch. He has to be more consistent to close seasons. He threw 24 touchdown passes with 10 picks, but his rushing numbers were down in a big way. This is a big year for him.
89
Joe Mixon Cincinnati Bengals RB

Playing 16 games, he had his best season in 2021, rushing for 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns. With an improved offensive line in 2022, expect those numbers to go up.
90
Lane Johnson Philadelphia Eagles OT

When he’s on the field, the Eagles seem to operate much better on offense. He has missed time with injuries, which has hurt, but he’s still one of the best right tackles in the game.

91
Demario Davis New Orleans Saints OLB

He’s a leader on their defense, with the ability to play well in the run and against the pass. He is getting up in age at 33, but he hasn’t slowed down yet.
92
Kenny Clark Green Bay Packers NT

He is the anchor in the middle of their defense. His ability to hold up against the run is huge for what they do. He did chip in with four sacks last season.
93
Bobby Wagner Los Angeles Rams MLB

His play dropped off some last year, which has to be a concern at his age. He doesn’t run like he used to, but he makes up for it with his smarts. He will flourish in the Rams scheme.
94
A.J. Brown Philadelphia Eagles WR

The Eagles traded to get him from the Titans to liven up their passing game. The only knock on him has been injury issues, but when he’s on the field he’s a big, powerful receiver.
95
Jessie Bates Cincinnati Bengals FS

His regular season in 2021 was a little uneasy, but he came on in the postseason. He admitted the contract situation bothered him early last year. He is playing under the franchise tag this season unless he signs a new deal by July 15.
96
Joe Thuney Kansas City Chiefs OG

After signing as a big-ticket free agent last season, he lived up to the expectations. He was good protecting Patrick Mahomes and was solid in the run game — even if they don’t run it as much as some would like.
97
Minkah Fitzpatrick Pittsburgh Steelers FS

After an impressive 2020 season, his play dropped some last season. Early in the season, he just wasn’t as good. But he came on late to help the Steelers make the playoffs.
98
D.J. Moore Carolina Panthers WR

Playing in an offense with a lot of bad quarterback play, he put up impressive numbers last season with 93 catches for 1,157 yards.
99
Harrison Smith Minnesota Vikings FS

The veteran safety is coming to the end of his career, but he put the talk that it’s over to rest last season with another impressive year, even on a bad defense. He can do so many things as a safety in any scheme.
100
Marcus Williams Baltimore Ravens FS

He is a safety who plays mostly in the middle of the field, which he will do for the Ravens. He’s got good ball skills and he’s developed into a good tackler, which helped earn him a contract as a free agent from the Saints.

HONORABLE MENTION: Penei Sewell, T, Detroit Lions; Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints; Jevon Holland, S, Miami Dolphins; Denzel Ward, CB, Cleveland Browns; Shaq Mason, G, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers; Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins; D.J. Reader, DT, Cincinnati Bengals; Patrick Surtain II, CB, Denver Broncos; Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders; Kenny Moore, CB, Indianapolis Colts; Tre’Davious White, CB, Buffalo Bills; Marlon Humphrey, CB, Baltimore Ravens; Matt Judon, EDGE, New England Patriots; Amari Cooper, WR, Cleveland Browns; Quinnen Williams, DT, New York Jets; David Andrews, C, New England Patriots; Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles; Devin White, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Derek Carr, QB, Las  Vegas Raiders; Randy Gregory, EDGE, Denver Broncos; Jason Kelce, C, Philadelphia Eagles; Haason Reddick, EDGE, Philadelphia Eagles; Justin Simmons, S, Denver Broncos; Marshon Lattimore, CB, New Orleans Saints; Tyrann Mathieu, S, New Orleans Saints; Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers; Leonard Williams, DE, New York Giants; Elgton Jenkins, OL, Green Bay Packers; David Bakhtiari, T, Green Bay Packers; Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings; Quandre Diggs, S, Seattle Seahawks; Vita Vea, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Ryan Jensen, C, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Adrian Phillips, S, New England Patriots; Harold Landry, EDGE, Tennessee Titans; Yannick Ngakoue, EDGE, Indianapolis Colts; Matt Ryan, QB, Indianapolis Colts; Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks; Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers; Hunter Renfrow, WR, Las Vegas Raiders; Cordarrelle, Patterson, RB/WR, Atlanta Falcons; Carlton Davis, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Allen Robinson, WR, Los Angeles Rams; Brandon Scherff, G, Jacksonville Jaguars; Danielle Hunter, DE, Minnesota Vikings; and DeMarcus Lawrence, DE, Dallas Cowboys.