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1. CALEB WILLIAMS USC QB The Cardinals could auction this pick for a king’s ransom if they decide to stick with Kyler Murray. 2. MARVIN HARRISON JR. Ohio State WR Arizona makes Harrison the highest wide receiver drafted since 2007 (Calvin Johnson). 3. DRAKE MAYE North Carolina QB If Washington is picking this high, it means it will be looking for a franchise QB. 4. DALLAS TURNER Alabama Edge Tampa Bay would prefer Williams or Maye but ends up with Turner, who’ll break out this fall. 5. Olu Fashanu Penn State OT Protecting the QB is a priority for Denver. The 6' 6", 319-pound giant would’ve been a top-10 pick in 2023. 6. BROCK BOWERS Georgia TE It takes a special tight end…
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MVP JOE BURROW BENGALS It’s Burrow’s time in the spotlight. Cincinnati has Super Bowl aspirations, the offensive line is better than it’s ever been and Burrow knows he has one year left with his trio of incredible wide receivers before the realities of the salary cap break them apart. ODDS: +700 NEXT: Patrick Mahomes, KC (+650); Justin Herbert, LAC (+1000) LONG SHOT: Ja’Marr Chase, CIN (+10000) OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR An elite connection is reprised, as Chase—who missed four games last year but still had a career-best 87 catches and nine TDs—re-teams with Burrow for the full season. ODDS: +1000 NEXT: Justin Jefferson, MIN (+1200); Derrick Henry, TEN (+2500) LONG SHOT: George Kittle, SF (+12500) DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR The Browns invested heavily into finally getting Garrett…
→ LAST YEAR USC quarterback Caleb Williams handily won the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore, and while bookmakers consider him the odds-on favorite to win it again this year (he’s at +400), historians might have a different opinion. Of the 14 Heisman winners who returned to school, only one—Ohio State’s Archie Griffin in 1975 (above)—succeeded in repeating. Here’s how the rest fared. 1945 DOC BLANCHARD → The Army running back was slowed by injuries in ’46 and was fourth. 1950 VIC JANOWICZ → His passing numbers tanked under new OSU coach Woody Hayes. 1963 ROGER STAUBACH → The Navy QB battled injuries as the Middies went 3-6-1. 1978 BILLY SIMS → The OU back came the closest of anyone, finishing second to USC’s Charles White. 1990 TY DETMER →…
1. PATRIOTS AT JETS Sept. 24 → New York hasn’t defeated New England since 2015, the longest active losing streak by one team to a single opponent, which explains the recent direction of the Jets’ franchise. Gang Green’s improved D will be a challenge for versatile back Rhamondre Stevenson, but everyone’s eyes here will be on Aaron Rodgers. 2. PANTHERS AT FALCONS Sept. 10 → This Week 1 matchup showcases two approaches to team-building. Atlanta decided against trading up for an obvious franchise QB and is emphasizing other positions. Carolina handed over a bounty for the No. 1 pick and now has Bryce Young to show for it. 3. CHIEFS AT JAGUARS Sept. 17 → The Week 3 game will be a measuring stick for how far the Jaguars…
1. PENN STATE AT OHIO STATE Oct. 21 MICHIGAN AT PENN STATE Nov. 11 MICHIGAN AT OHIO STATE Nov. 25 → There’s no way to pick just one of the gargantuan late-season Big Ten tilts. They all should have implications for the CFP as well as the conference. 2. FLORIDA STATE VS. LSU Sept. 3 (in Orlando) → A rematch of last year’s epic and somewhat farcical Week 1 classic, this go-around pits two CFP dark horses looking to make an early claim of ascendency. 3. FLORIDA STATE AT CLEMSON Sept. 23 → These two teams could easily see each other again in the ACC title game come December, but this early-season matchup will set the tone for the conference race and boost the winner’s Playoff hopes. 4. TEXAS…