LK League Notes Vol. 30

By Lucas Kochevar

DeAndre Hopkins is on the market looking for a new home. The Cardinals decided to cut ties with the veteran receiver after three seasons in Arizona. This seemed like an inevitable move with Hopkins requesting a trade. It was interesting that he got released instead of traded, but it does make sense with Hopkins big cap number. Being 20 and going into his 11th season it makes sense a team doesn't want to trade for that big market. He will still have a big market as a free agent. Despite being suspended six games for PEDs, Hopkins still put up 717 yards and three touchdowns. I can definitely see a contender throwing some money at the five-time Pro Bowler. A couple of the teams in today's LK League Notes would love to have Hopkins. I'll be listing out the top five offenses in the NFL. 

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

It feels like a real shocker to see the Jaguars in the top five on any list, but their placement on my top five offenses list is more of a projection than anything. The Jaguars finished last season on a high note by winning a playoff game at home before bowing out to the Super Bowl champion Chiefs. The catalyst behind their success last season was their offense led by emerging star Trevor Lawrence. Despite throwing four interceptions in the first half of their Wild Card game, Lawrence led the Jaguars back in that game. Now that he's with a competent head coach, I think he's started his upward trajectory in the NFL. The biggest concern to me is the run game. Travis Etienne is a fine running back, but works more in limited usage and the passing game. I like their move to draft Tank Bigsby to serve more in the role of an every down back. This could be a helpful solution, but it's really up to head coach Doug Pederson to find the right balance and he isn't well known for his run game since becoming a head coach. 

Looking outside of the quarterback and running backs, the Jaguars have a super underrated wide receiver group. One of the more under-the-radar moves last season was trading for Calvin Ridley. The former Falcons receiver was a common fixture in the Atlanta offense since he was drafted. Now coming off a suspension for gambling, Ridley looks to raise the ceiling for this offense. Along with Ridley, the Jaguars have great compliments in Christian Kirk, Zay Jones and Evan Engram. These four guys should elevate the Jacksonville offense a substantial amount with their ability after the catch. The offensive line is a bit of a wild card as rookie Anton Harrison may have to start with Cam Robinson getting suspended. Outside of that, they're a solid group. The expectations have risen in Jacksonville and 2023 could be a fun year to watch this offense. 

4. Los Angeles Chargers

The theme of this list is the quarterback play.  When it comes to the Chargers, they have a guy that has the potential to be the best quarterback in the league. Justin Herbert is the real deal and can lead the Chargers far in the playoffs. The problem that constantly comes up for the Chargers is injuries. They can never get on the right page health wise. It's a big improvement that they'll get left tackle Rashawn Slater back from injury. He had a real case to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021, but they never give those awards out to offensive lineman. Another issue comes from the coaching. Brandon Staley is firmly on the hot seat this season as his decision-making has been called into question time after time. Something that I think helps him is the hire of Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator. 

Outside of the coaching addition, the Chargers have a ton of talent across the board. Despite Keenan Allen getting up there in age, he's still a route running technician. Mike Williams was terrific when he played last year. They also drafted Quentin Johnston from TCU to help the passing attack. The big X-factor on their offense is Austin Ekeler. He requested a trade early in the offseason, but the Chargers seem content on not trading him. Ekeler is a touchdown machine, but if he can step up his game as a pure runner, I think he can elevate the Chargers offense. As stated earlier, Slater is a welcomed player back to the Chargers offensive line. Outside of Slater, the rest of the Chargers offensive line is solid guys. Once again, the Chargers will run as Herbert runs. As good as he is, I actually think to a degree he's underrated. Quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Joe Burrow are constantly talked about when I think Herbert is on the level of those guys. He makes jaw-dropping throws every week and I think he'll add to the highlight reel this season with this talented group. 

3. Cincinnati Bengals

The third place team on my list has been to the AFC championship game in back-to-back seasons. With another year of experience and an improved offensive line, the modern day Joe Cool looks to lead the Bengals to another Super Bowl berth. Joe Burrow, once again, proved why he deserves to be talked about among the leagues best field generals with an astounding year being in the top five in passing yards and touchdowns. Along with Burrow, the Bengals have one of, if not, the best receiving trio in the league. Ja'Marr Chase has been a touchdown machine since entering the league. Tee Higgins is a big body receiver with a great catch radius, who could be a number one receiver on his own team. Lastly, Tyler Boyd is a shifty playmaker in the slot. They lost tight end Hayden Hurst in free agency, but they signed Irv Smith Jr. from the bargain bin to replace Hurst.

Something that concerns me is running game they have. Joe Mixon is effective when he plays, however, the actual scheme the Bengals run isn't something they can rely on consistently. It's easy to fall in love with the passing attack and the Bengals do that often, but I think a healthy balance of using the running back is needed to succeed in the NFL. The Chiefs are a great example of this. Although they didn't have a prolific run game or running back, they utilized the position in an effective way to add another dimension to their offense. Another concern is the offensive line. Despite signing the best one on the market in left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., they're moving Jonah Williams to the right side and the rest of their line is questionable. If they can gel together and get that chemistry early, I think the Bengals offense will ascend like rocket ship. 

2. Philadelphia Eagles

The second spot on my list goes to the second place team from last season. The Philadelphia Eagles are a team that attacks in both ways so effectively that they have to be near the top of my list. It's very hard to find a flaw on this offense. The only concern that I have is that they lost their offensive coordinator. It isn't a huge loss since head coach Nick Sirianni calls the plays anyways, but you never know how a loss like this can affect the team. Looking past the coaching, Jalen Hurts is the leader of this team and was close to winning the MVP, if he didn't get hurt down the stretch. Hurts is very fortunate to have a fantastic supporting cast around him too. A.J. Brown is a clear-cut top ten receiver and DeVonta Smith turned the corner in his development towards the end of last season and was stellar. Their third wide receiver spot isn't great, but it doesn't matter much since they have tight end Dallas Goedert, who is a great vertical threat. 

Another aspect that makes the Eagles so dangerous is their run game. They lost Miles Sanders over the offseason, but replaced him with quality guys such as D'Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny. Along with those pickups they still have Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott. It's not often that teams are four running backs deep. The Eagles attack is very simple. They want to grind down their opponent and make them miserable by running for 4.6 yards per carry last season. They do this behind the best offensive line in the league. Once they do that, they attack downfield with the passing game. I think the elevation in their play will come from being even more aggressive with the passing game. They're so effective at what they do, but I do think they can turn it up a notch with mixing their play calls and trusting Hurts as a passer more. I have confidence this Eagles offense will be around the top of the league in points scored. 

1.  Kansas City Chiefs

The top spot on my list is reserved for the Super Bowl champs in Kansas City. The Chiefs may not have the best overall offense when you stack it up position-by-position, but they earn the top spot because of who they have under center. Patrick Mahomes is far and away the best quarterback in the league and will be the best quarterback of this decade. This isn't a knock on anyone I've listed before Mahomes, but he truly is in a league of his own. On top of that, he has one of the best offensive minds in the history of the game with Andy Reid and one of the best tight ends ever in Travis Kelce. These guys are a three-headed monster that puts relentless pressure on defenses. The Chiefs creativity in play-calling puts them in a different level than other teams. The only concern for this team is losing offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy to Washington. Although his relationship with Mahomes had tension, the two still combined for a ton of winning. 

As I said earlier, the Chiefs don't have killer talent at spots like running back and wide receiver, but the talent they have fits so well in their offense that it works like a charm. Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon were a two-headed monster that combined to be an effective backfield. They have Marquez Valdes-Scantling out wide and he's more of a secuirty blanket. Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore are both deep threats that have another offseason to develop in this offense and Justyn Ross is a sleeping giant they drafted out of Clemson last year. He was paramount in Clemson's national title against Alabama in 2018. Outside of these weapons, their offensive line is great. They replaced Orlando Brown Jr. with Jawaan Taylor, which isn't an upgrade but it isn't a big drop-off. Creed Humphrey is one of the leagues best centers and guard Trey Smith is really good too. Last season, the Kansas City offense turned it on late. This season, I think they'll be explosive from the jump.