Can These NFL Teams Advance in 2017
NFL teams have the core of their rosters set for their summer program. It started with free agency in March and ended with a surprising draft in Philadelphia last month. Some teams did well in their selections while others focused more on building up their talent level from the draft. From two young teams in Florida looking to improve in all areas to another young squad in Northern California looking for a playoff round push, these teams will be in the hunt.
Can these NFL teams win and continue to advance their performance in the 2017 season.
Tampa Bay has improved in each of the past two seasons. The presence of Jameis Winston as a maturing quarterback helps their cause. The former No. 1 overall pick put up nearly 4,100 yards with 28 touchdowns and 18 interceptions as a sophomore last season.
After starting out the season yielding an average of 30 points per game in their first four outings, the Buccaneers’ defense improved a great deal. Kwon Alexander is a young star linebacker in the middle. Gerald McCoy continued improvement at defensive tackle and rookie Vernon Hargreaves in the secondary added more stability for the defense.
After finishing last season with nine wins and narrowly missing the playoffs, Tampa Bay improved a loaded young roster with veteran support. The addition of speedster DeSean Jackson was among the best free-agent signings in the NFL. He will team up with No. 1 receiver Mike Evans to help Winston in the passing game. Tampa Bay drafted consensus No. 1 tight end prospect O.J. Howard in the first round. Howard stands at 6-foot-6 and weighs 251 pounds. His potential will create mismatches with his athletic ability and red zone dominance. Another weapon for the Bucs and Winston. Add tight end Cameron Brate, who scored eight touchdowns last season, and Winston has everything he needs to succeed.
The Buccaneers will be able to give the Atlanta Falcons a run in the NFC South in 2017. This team is loaded from top to bottom.
After starting last season with four losses in its first five games, the Miami Dolphins would finish the regular year winning nine of its final 11 games. This enabled the Dolphins to play meaningful January football in Adam Gase’s first season as their head coach. It was also just the second time since 2002 that Miami earned a postseason spot.
Ryan Tannehill put up the best performance of his career. He completed over 67 percent of his passes while showing a major progression in terms of accuracy. Running back Jay Ajayi replaced the departed Lamar Miller as Miami’s top back. He responded by putting up over 1,400 total yards and eight touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl performance. The great news here for Miami is these players have a lot of upside. They will be better next season along wide receivers DeVante Parker and Jarvis Landry who provide a balanced passing attack. While contending for a division title with the mighty Patriots seems unlikely, can the team improve off its 10-6 mark from last season. There’s just too much good talent here for regression.
How far can the Oakland Raiders advance in the playoffs with a healthy Derek Carr at quarterback. Oakland posted a 12-3 record in Carr’s 15 starts as the former second-round pick proved himself as a leader with top QB skills to advance to a bowl appearance. Carr did put up nearly 4,000 passing yards with 28 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He was aided by starting receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, who both put up 80-plus receptions for north of 1,000 yards. Add in the league’s second-best offensive line, and the Raiders’ offense was absolutely top notch. The biggest future boost for the Raiders is their recent approval by NFL owners to relocate to Las Vegas. This is a stimulating and unfolding impact on the team playing in a new city with a superior stadium unlike anything they settled for in Oakland. A step up the ladder with new facilities is a move in the right direction.
Should Oakland’s defense continue to improve in 2017, they will be a playoff contender. This squad added even more reinforcements on offense. It starts with former Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch. He might not be the same player that dominated the league years ago for the Seahawks, but he should be refreshed after taking a year off. He will make his presence felt with his emotional style of performance. The Raiders are considered a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
