As most of you know, the NFL is king, and it is back. For most teams, Rookies have reported and veterans at some point this week. I’ll go over some interesting storylines brewing to start camp across the league plus my schedule on posting from here until Week 1.

Schedule

First, I will begin posting my Division by Division previews next week. I’ll post one NFC and one AFC division each week for 4 weeks to get you ready for the season. In each review, I will cover key departures, additions, coaching changes, general strategy for the team and a record prediction.

Secondly, I’ll predict the playoff teams and every game of the year, including the playoffs and Super Bowl. A daunting task to be sure. I’ll review this the week before the season starts.

Finally, once the season starts, I will post a weekly recap of the action plus betting angles I like which will be reviewed on greater depth on the Side Action Podcast (Season 2 begins soon!!). The weekly recaps will include the Wegs NFL Index, too – after Week 1.

Intriguing NFL Storylines

Potential RB Holdouts

As the Fantasy world knows, the Running Back position is not as valued as it was in past decades. The NFL itself has followed suit in many aspects regarding running back. Top RBs are not drafted as highly as other positions, and in turn, RBs are not paid nearly as much as other positions. A simple explanation is that the league has moved away from pure running teams to more passing. Plus, it has been shown over time that the Offensive Line is more important than the back themselves (much to my chagrin as a former RB). So, as the Le’Veon Bell holdout for the entire 2018 season shows us, teams are not willing to bend to the whims of most guys – even a guy as good as Bell.

Will Melvin Gordon Sit Out This Year?

In 2019, LA Chargers’ RB Melvin Gordon has threatened to hold out for an extension on his contract. Gordon is on the last year of his contract and set to make $5.6MM. At the age of 26 and very good production, Gordon is a good asset, but his usage has shown below average returns in terms of yards per carry. Plus, Gordon has missed time at some point in each season. Finally, the Chargers offense is a diverse offense, which replaced a lot of Gordon’s production when he was out last year. Gordon is the 11th highest paid RB with the top of the scale being David Johnson at $9.75MM. Gordon is probably underpaid, but he is paying a dangerous game by holding out.

Zeke Elliott is also a potential holdout for the Dallas Cowboys. Zeke is only 24, but he has another full year on his deal past 2019. He is the 5th highest paid RB, but unlike Gordon, he is the focal point of the Dallas offense. Plus, when Zeke has missed time, the Cowboys have yet to replace his production to the same extent. Zeke has a lot more leverage, for sure, but like Le’Veon Bell, last year, is he willing to miss game checks to get more money. One of the points I’ve heard on the radio in this case is that Zeke has been suspended by the league and has lost sponsorships as a result. So, not maximizing his earnings in a given year may be an error, especially with 2 seasons remaining on his deal. Zeke would likely be a more successful holdout of the 2, but still not a perfect position.

QB Battles

This year is a little different than other years. There are a few situations that seem interesting.

Can Haskins Win the Job in Washington?
  • NY Giants – The Giants have said that Eli Manning is the starter over #6 Overall pick, Daniel Jones. However, it is hard to believe that Eli will start the entire year given the massive draft capital spent on Jones. This QB situation may not be a training camp battle, but I would expect Giants’ fans and league pundits to watch this situation closely.
  • Miami Dolphins – The Dolphins made some interesting moves in the off season at QB. They signed the ultimate swashbuckler in Ryan Fitzpatrick. FitzMagic was really good last year in Tampa, and he was signed to mentor the maligned 1st rounder, Josh Rosen, who was traded for from Arizona (with their drafting of Kyler Murray). I understand that Rosen is supposed to be the starter. However, Fitz has always stepped up to play well in spot duty, and if Rosen struggles in camp, the Dolphins will likely go with Fitz early on. Mind you, the Dolphins have been rumored to tank this season and the league’s worst team. However, new coach, Brian Flores wasn’t hired to lose. This is one of the more interesting QB storylines in the league.
  • Washington Redskins – Another vet back up with young guy situation here. The Redskins got a gift in having Dwayne Haskins to fall to them in the middle of the 1st round. Yet, the Skins think they have a team to compete, especially on defense. So, they may opt to start the season with Case Keenum, the true journeyman, who struggled in Denver in 2018, but was sublime in Minnesota in 2017. The Redskins do lack good WRs, so it is not an easy transition for either guy. However, the situation is labeled as an “open” competition. I would be pretty surprised if Coach Jay Gruden lets the rook start Week 1, but let’s see.
  • Arizona Cardinals – There is no competition here, but the Cards have given the keys to a 1 year starter from Day 1 in the Heisman Trophy winner, Kyler Murray. Murray chose the NFL over MLB, and he will be paid handsomely for it. However, can he deliver? New Coach Kliff Kingsbury is sold on Murray’s arm, accuracy and elusiveness over the lack of size. I’m going to be watching this one closely, as the Cardinals may have bet on the wrong horse here.

Tyreek Hill Situation

Tyreek Hill Has Successfully Avoided Punishment So Far

The NFL is completely inconsistent when it comes to discipline, and the Tyreek Hill example is classic. As you may know, Hill entered the NFL with a strike against him in the domestic violence world hurting his draft stock. In his 2 years in the NFL on the field, he has been as dynamic as any player in that time. His explosive play potential makes him a threat on any play, and last year with the arm of Mahomes, Hill was unleashed. However, he continues to struggle with allegations around domestic violence with his girlfriend and child. There are recordings of some pretty damning stuff with regards to his relationship with both of them. Yet, shockingly, Hill is cleared to play this season with no suspension.

At the moment, Hill will be on the field and ready to help the Chiefs reach the Super Bowl. I would not be surprised, however if this situation changes much like the Zeke suspension a couple years ago as facts continue to be revealed. The Chiefs have stood by Hill on this, but if you remember, RB Kareem Hunt was cut mid-season over legal issues. So, the Chiefs do have a limit, and the NFL itself typically over-punishes most players, so Commissioner Roger Goodell may change his tune once the recordings get circulated more to the public. Stay tuned.

Those are some bigger stories to watch this next month. We will dig into the team changes and outlooks next week.

Wegs

About the author

I'm a 49 year old, twice divorced guy with a 20 year old. The blog has morphed a bit lately. Not just sports or dating, social commentary and now some stories from my past experience.