This is the sixth edition of Random Thoughts with Austin Kimbrough. This week's topics are Josh Allen and if he can win it all this season, Darius Leonard vs. Fred Warner, and is a Justin Jefferson breakout season on the horizon? Hope you enjoy!
Is this the year Josh Allen wins it all?
The 2022 NFL season is slowly approaching, and many analysts and and fans alike have the Buffalo Bills as one one the top contenders to come out of a loaded AFC, and play in the 57th Super Bowl.
The Bills are the popular pick this year, and for good reason. They have quarterback Josh Allen. Josh Allen has stepped into the elite quarterback conversation, ranking number three in ESPN’s top ten quarterback rankings for 2022. Allen was ranked just below Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes, and just above Tom Brady. Definitely elite company if I do say so myself.
Josh Allen Stats 2020 & 2021
2020
Passing:
4,544 Yards
37 Touchdowns
10 Interceptions
76.6 QBR
Rushing:
421 Yards
8 Touchdowns
Playoff Result: Loss to Kansas City Chiefs 38-24 AFC Championship
2021
Passing:
4,407 Yards
36 Touchdowns
15 Interceptions
60.7 QBR
Rushing:
763 Yards
6 Touchdowns
Playoff Result: Loss to Kansas City Chiefs 42-36 OT AFC Divisional Round
Josh Allen’s ability to be an effective dual threat quarterback has transformed this offense and they are poised to take another leap this season. Allen’s expected playmakers this year include All- Pro Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, Jamison Crowder, Isaiah Mckenzie, Tavon Austin, Dawson Knox, Devin Singletary, and rookie James Cook. Ken Dorsey, who was the Bills quarterbacks coach last season, now has the keys to the Bills offense and Josh Allen as the team’s offensive coordinator. Dorsey has been with the Bills for the previous three seasons, and since much of the personnel from last season is returning on offense, I don’t expect much of a drop off. Much of Dorsey’s job this year is to continue to develop Josh Allen and keep this Bills offense in the top five for total yards and passing yards.
Defensively for the Bills, they boast a top five returning defense as well. With Micah Hyde, and Jordan Poyer, Tre’Davious White, Tremaine Edmunds, Shaq Lawson, Ed Oliver, and newly signed Von Miller this Bills team is LOADED. Von Miller stated in a previous interview that he joined the Bills because he believes the team is next up to compete for Super Bowls, and I believe he knows a thing or two about winning those, as he just won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams, and one previously with the Broncos.
The Bills have faltered two straight seasons in the playoffs, both to the hands of the Chiefs. In 2020, they lost in the AFC Championship, and in 2021 they lost in the AFC Divisional Round. So what has to change this season for the Bills to play in their first Super Bowl since 1994? The Bills have one of the best rosters in football, and even in a crowded AFC this season, are still expected to finish among the top seven seeds to make the playoffs. I believe Josh Allen is the key to it all for the Bills. Allen is set up to have an MVP type season, but the biggest improvement he can make going forward will be winning in the postseason.
He has improved steadily every single year he has been in the league, and I believe going into year five, Josh Allen will be playing for a Super Bowl this season.
Darius Leonard vs Fred Warner
Two of the best linebackers in football, are Darius Leonard of the Indianapolis Colts and Fred Warner of the San Francisco 49ers. There isn’t much debate about how good they both are, but who is better going into the 2022 season? Let’s see!
Darius Leonard 2021 Stats
122 Tackles (538 Career Tackles)
0 Sacks (15.0 Career Sacks)
4 Interceptions (11 Career Interceptions)
8 Forced Fumbles ( 17 Career Forced Fumbles)
Fred Warner 2021 Stats
137 Tackles (504 Career Tackles)
0.5 Sacks (4.5 Career Sacks)
0 Interceptions (3 Career Interceptions)
1 Forced Fumble ( 6 Career Forced Fumbles)
Fred Warner Analysis
Fred Warner's ability to play a hybrid linebacker that can line up at any of 3 linebacker positions makes him one of the best in the game. Warner is the true leader of a defense that already includes Nick Bosa, and Arik Armstead. Warner’s versatile play style and speed help out the 49ers on defense tremendously. While he doesn’t necessarily catch a ton of interceptions, he has posted two straight seasons of having a 90.0 PFF coverage grade.(PFF- Pro Football Focus) Warner has one All- Pro selection and one Pro Bowl appearance.
Darius Leonard Analysis
Darius Leonard’s position is more regulated to playing strictly middle linebacker, but in reality Leonard plays all over the field. He showed us early on in his career that he can get after the quarterback, racking up 12.0 sacks his first two seasons. In addition to the sacks, Leonard has forced the most fumbles in the NFL since 2018, with 11. Darius Leonard does it all for this Colts defense. Leonard has four All- Pro selections and three Pro Bowl appearances.
Decision Time
So who is better heading into 2022? Of course, this is up to your personal preference. Many league executives, and fans alike have Fred Warner ahead of Darius Leonard. As for me, I believe Leonard is the best linebacker in the NFL. His 2021 stats speak for themselves and being named to four All-Pro teams in four seasons, along with being named 2018 Defensive Rookie of the Year, is insane. I’m looking for Darius Leonard to have another amazing season.
Justin Jefferson break out season loading?
The debate for best NFL wide receiver has raged on for years now, and finally after last season, it seemed as if the consensus was Davante Adams. As the 2022 season approaches, Justin Jefferson has now thrown his name into the conversation. In an interview with Complex magazine at the beginning of July, Jefferson stated that while Adams is currently the best wide receiver in the league, by season’s end Jefferson would be the one who holds that title. Big talk to back up for sure!
Jefferson, a product of LSU, was the 22nd pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Since being drafted, Jefferson has 196 receptions, 3,016 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 15 yards per reception. Jefferson and his quarterback Kirk Cousins, are going into their third season together and Jefferson is clearly the number one option.
The Vikings have a new head coach at the helm in Kevin O’Connell, who was previously the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams.The reports after mini camp and OTA’s are all positive and there is one thing all Viking players can agree on. This offense will be explosive. Former head coach, Mike Zimmer was known more for running the football and defense. While the defense and running game will still be strong points for Minnesota this season, the passing game will be more heavily featured. This bodes well for Justin Jefferson as he looks to improve on what has already been an amazing first 2 seasons. I won’t go as far as to say he will definitely be the best receiver by the end of the 2022 season, but he will firmly set himself in the conversation for years to come.
Comentários