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Stargazing: Pro Football Hall of Fame crystal ball
From left: quarterbacks Baker Mayfield (Cleveland Browns), Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) and Trevor Lawrence (Clemson Tigers). USA Today Sports: Ken Blaze | Tim Heitman | Matthew Emmons

Stargazing: Pro Football Hall of Fame crystal ball

Let's gaze into our crystal ball to identify young football players who could be on a path to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This list is limited to players with three years or less of experience in the NFL and college players of immense promise. 

 
1 of 25

Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

No wide receiver has been drafted No. 1 overall since Keyshawn Johnson in 1996, but Alabama's reigning Biletnikoff Award winner may be in position to accomplish that next April. Jeudy blends elite route-running ability with enough speed and elusiveness to generate Odell Beckham Jr. comparisons . An outside receiver prospect, Jeudy made a major leap in 2018, posting 1,315 yards and 14 touchdowns for a team that often rested starters late in games. The 6-foot-1 junior-to-be may well beat his quarterback, the more hyped Tua Tagovailoa, to the 2020 draft stage.

 
2 of 25

Trevor Lawrence, Clemson

Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

One of the greatest quarterback recruits in modern college football history, Lawrence is already being hailed as a possible savior for an NFL team come 2021. The Clemson prodigy turned last season's national championship game into a showcase, dropping his fifth 300-plus-yard game and finishing off a 30-TD, four-INT freshman year. Rarely have NFL front offices seen a quarterback two years away from being draft-eligible reveal himself like this. The hype surrounding the 6-foot-5 passer could reach unprecedented levels; think early-1980s John Elway on a better team with a modern news cycle.

 
Ed Oliver, Buffalo Bills
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Kyler Murray or Nick Bosa would be the chalkier pick to represent the 2019 draft on this list, but the former is off-the-charts unique (and thus hard to project), and the latter has suffered multiple injuries over the past year. Oliver drew "Aaron Donald Lite" predictions coming out of Houston, and while the Cougars often asked him to play nose tackle, the No. 9 overall pick still racked up 53 tackles for loss — more than Ndamukong Suh or Jadeveon Clowney in college. The Bills will use Oliver as a three-technique tackle. The new role will maximize his chances at out-of-the-gate stardom.

 
Bradley Chubb, Denver Broncos
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

With the Browns taking Denzel Ward over Chubb at No. 5 overall last year, the Broncos backed into a talent that would have gone higher in less star-studded drafts. Immediately installed as Von Miller's larger sidekick, the Broncos' right outside linebacker collected 12 sacks -- third-most by a rookie this century -- and brought support Miller had lacked since DeMarcus Ware's post-Super Bowl 50 injuries. Miller's presence, coupled with Vic Fangio's arrival, figures to help Chubb face more favorable matchups than he would were he asked to be a team's alpha pass rusher.

 
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

McCaffrey made substantial progression between his rookie and second seasons, becoming a true do-it-all back. He finished 2018 with 1,965 yards from scrimmage (which included 5.0 yards per carry -- 1.2 north of his rookie-year average) and 13 touchdowns, and it will go down as one of the better non-Pro Bowl seasons in NFL history. The second-generation NFL skill player has the perfect toolbox for the modern NFL. At just 23 and teaming with the NFL's most dominant running quarterback, McCaffrey is blessed with promising early-career circumstances. 

 
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Steelers have successfully moved on from Plaxico Burress, Santonio Holmes, Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders. Antonio Brown is better than each, but none of Pittsburgh's procession of accomplished No. 2 wideouts showed what Smith-Schuster did last season. The 22-year-old Pro Bowler compiled 1,426 yards receiving last season — the most productive non-Brown year in Steelers history. Although Brown undoubtedly contributed to Smith-Schuster's success by drawing top coverage assignments, the new Steelers WR1 got to this production place far quicker than the last one did

 
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The two NFL analytics behemoths disagreed on Mayfield's rookie year, with Pro Football Focus' 84.5 grade its second-highest for a rookie passer over the past 13 years and Football Outsiders' Mayfield QBR figure (53.9) lower than Nick Mullens' or Joe Flacco's. But Mayfield emerged from his rookie year as the leader of the 2018 QB crop. The second half of his debut season, the post-Hue Jackson portion, showed the cocky, 6-foot signal-caller has the potential to take the Browns to places they haven't been since the Ravens hijacked their old franchise. 

 
8 of 25

Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs

Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Jones was not a first-round pick and, through three seasons, does not boast a Pro Bowl invite. But the Chiefs defensive tackle delivered a dominant 2018 season, one that saw the consistent matchup-winning ability he showed during his first two seasons translate to the sack column. Jones somehow managed 15.5 sacks — a top-20 figure this century for defensive linemen — without making the Pro Bowl. The Chiefs are pivoting to a 4-3 scheme in 2019, and this should leave Jones more opportunities to wreck opposing teams' play designs.

 
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Early tight end success often proves elusive, with the position having a steep learning curve from college to the NFL level. A product of the University of Iowa, "Tight End U," Kittle became one of the rare exceptions. His 1,892 receiving yards through two seasons are second in NFL history (behind Mike Ditka) for tight ends, and the 2017 fifth-round pick was not exactly working with the kind of quarterbacks Rob Gronkowski or Jimmy Graham had. With Jimmy Garoppolo back in the fold, Kittle is in the right situation to show his tight end-record 1,377 yards in 2018 were no fluke.

 
10 of 25

Derwin James, San Diego Chargers

Derwin James, San Diego Chargers
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The only pure safety to earn first-team All-Pro recognition as a rookie since 1970, James established an early course for Canton. After sliding in the 2018 first round, James produced a 105-tackle, 3.5-sack, three-interception rookie campaign and added another young impact talent to a sneaky-strong Chargers defense. The Florida State alum played all over the field as a rookie, lining up at both safety spots, slot cornerback and at multiple linebacker positions. Voters being wise to James' chess piece-style role this early in his career points to greater recognition moving forward.

 
11 of 25

Darius Leonard, Indianapolis Colts

Darius Leonard, Indianapolis Colts
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Colts' rapid rebuild required an immediate emergence from a linebacker out of Division I-FCS South Carolina State. Leonard delivered a statistically virtuoso performance as a rookie, the outside linebacker becoming the 21st century's first player to register more than 160 tackles and at least five sacks. (Leonard registered seven sacks and also forced four fumbles, illuminating his potential.) Leonard is the first off-ball 'backer since Patrick Willis (2007) to earn first-team All-Pro acclaim as a rookie. 

 
12 of 25

Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts

Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Their drafts from 2013-17 failing to produce much, the Colts struggled to build around Andrew Luck for years. But in 2018, they struck gold. Viewed as a rock-solid, pro-ready lineman (in an era when that is quite rare) coming out of Notre Dame, Nelson became only the second guard to be named first-team All-Pro as a rookie (following fellow Golden Domer Zack Martin) since the AFL-NFL merger. Luck was sacked 41 times in 2016 and just 18 in 2018, a year when Nelson and Darius Leonard joined Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers as the only rookie teammates to be named First-Team All-Pros.

 
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

For where Prescott was drafted (No. 135 overall in 2016), the Cowboys landed an all-time gem. Prescott's traditional passing numbers are not great (no more than 23 touchdown passes in any of his first three seasons), and he depends heavily on Ezekiel Elliott, but it is impossible to declare Prescott incapable of being a future Hall of Famer. The 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year has two top-five QBR seasons, piloted the Cowboys to a playoff win and lost a narrow duel with Aaron Rodgers despite a 302-yard, three-TD-pass performance. This season will be pivotal to Prescott's trajectory.

 
Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Ramsey has been viewed as the player who could reshape a stagnant cornerback market, but Lattimore may end up as that guy. The Saints struggled defensively during the mid-2010s, but Lattimore's arrival in 2017 coincided with their turnaround. Pro Football Focus graded Lattimore as a top-20 corner in each of his first two seasons, and he became New Orleans' top cover man from the jump. The Saints' viability as a contender after the past two seasons' catastrophic conclusions will require high-end play from the Ohio State alum.

 
Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The test case for Sean McVay's brilliance, Goff strung together two Pro Bowl seasons after a woeful seven-game rookie audition leading a historically bad Rams offense. The 2016 No. 1 overall pick was an MVP candidate early in 2018, taking another sizable leap in McVay's offense from the climb he completed in a Rams-resurrecting 2017. There are questions about how much of this is Goff and how much McVay is responsible for, and Super Bowl LIII only magnified those, but almost no quarterback is in as great a situation as Goff. As such, tremendous growth potential exists.

 
Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

One of the most electric players to take regular snaps in many years, Watson has revitalized the Texans. He threw 19 touchdown passes in seven games as a rookie before tearing his ACL. While that rate was unsustainable, Watson delivered a flashy encore by accounting for 31 TDs (five rushing) despite being outfitted with probably the NFL's worst offensive line last season. Watson is not in the same kind of situation as Goff, Prescott or Mayfield, but the former national champion quarterback has a high individual ceiling entering his third season. 

 
17 of 25

Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
John Glaser-USA TODAY Sports

After years of shaky drafts, the Browns began to turn it around with the 2017 No. 1 overall pick. Garrett is one of the most freakishly talented defensive ends in NFL history, and his athleticism began to translate to production last season. The 6-foot-4 pass rusher collected 13.5 sacks — second most in Browns history — and posted 29 quarterback hits (fifth in 2018). Cleveland's versatile right end is entering only his age-23 season and with Sheldon Richardson and Olivier Vernon set to join him in 2019, he stands to be an even bigger problem for offensive lines.

 
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants took justifiable flak for passing on Sam Darnold to land the do-it-all Penn State back, but Barkley joined Eric Dickerson and Edgerrin James as the only rookies to surpass 2,000 yards from scrimmage. (Barkley's 721 receiving yards were considerably more than that of the other club members.) After demolishing the eye test in his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign, Barkley is the Giants' unquestioned centerpiece. 

 
19 of 25

Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Kamara has the perfect skill set for the NFL entering the 2020s. Viewed as a successor to Reggie Bush and Darren Sproles in Saints pass-catching back lore, Kamara showed his ceiling is higher. The multipurpose back, whose tackle-shedding ability should not be overlooked despite his frame, pieced together consecutive 1,500-plus yards from scrimmage in his first two seasons. Kamara's 1,535 receiving yards through two seasons are the most in NFL history for a running back.

 
Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Wentz staying healthy during his 2017 breakout season would have secured him a runaway MVP honor; his 33 touchdown passes in less than 13 full games still ranked second at season's end. There are not many examples of MVP-caliber seasons from quarterbacks hailing from non-Division I-FBS schools, and while the Eagles went just 5-6 with post-ACL-rehab Wentz in 2018, he improved his completion percentage by nearly 10 points (69.6) from the MVP-level slate and increased his yards per attempt (7.5). The Eagles extension puts Wentz in position to build a Hall of Fame-caliber resume.

 
21 of 25

Joey Bosa, San Diego Chargers

Joey Bosa, San Diego Chargers
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

One of the reasons for Chargers Super Bowl optimism in 2019: their elite edge-rushing tandem. Melvin Ingram is on a "Hall of Very Good" track, but Bosa can aim higher. The oldest of this generation's NFL Bosas has 28.5 sacks in 35 games (and 12 of those came as a 3-4 defensive end during his rookie year) and boasts an unmatched pass-rush win rate (21 percent, per Pro Football Focus) since entering the league. As a pure edge rusher in the Bolts' current 4-3 scheme, Bosa has a chance to be one of this era's defining sack artists. 

 
22 of 25

Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville Jaguars

Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Although the Patrick Peterson-Chris Harris-Richard Sherman era still has juice left, Ramsey leads the next class of cornerbacks coming for their perch. The Jaguars' physical cover man played a key role in an ascent that left them one correctly officiated Myles Jack fumble recovery from Super Bowl LII. While Jacksonville's Blake Bortles plan predictably blew up, Ramsey (two Pro Bowls, 2017 All-Pro) anchors what remains a top-tier defense. North Florida is the place to look when scanning for the next Hall of Fame-caliber corner.

 
23 of 25

Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints

Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Over their first three seasons, no player in NFL history came within 30 receptions of what Thomas produced (321) since 2016 (and only three players in their first three seasons posted more yards than the Saints WR1 has). Although his outlook could change when Drew Brees retires, Thomas has set himself up to be one of the best wideouts in a pass-happy era. Improving on his yardage totals in each of his first three seasons, the most recent ending in All-Pro acclaim, Thomas is on track to build a Canton-level resume in New Orleans.

 
24 of 25

Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys

Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

A strong case can be made that Elliott means more to his team than any active running back. The Cowboys' centerpiece player won rushing titles in his only two full seasons (and even those were 15-gamers) by a combined 445 yards. While Elliott is the best pure running back in the game, the Cowboys involved him more in their passing attack in 2018 (77 receptions — 19 more than his first two seasons combined). Sustainability questions should linger, but Elliott dominating the next few seasons in similar fashion will have him a near lock for Canton.

 
25 of 25

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

His sample size is not on the level of many of his elite contemporaries, but the Chiefs quarterback set himself apart after one season as a starter. The second player to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdown passes, Mahomes brings an all-around terrifying skill set to the table. And the 23-year-old prodigy holding the keys to an Andy Reid offense will allow him to stay at a high level and, gasp, develop further. The reigning MVP's 2018 elevated his Year 2-and-beyond potential to a loftier place than just about any player in NFL history.

Sam Robinson

Sam Robinson is a sportswriter from Kansas City, Missouri. He primarily covers the NFL for Yardbarker. Moving from wildly injury-prone sprinter in the aughts to reporter in the 2010s, Sam set up camp in three time zones covering everything from high school water polo to Division II national championship games

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Browns HC, Shedeur Sanders clear air on controversial benching during two-minute drill
NFL

Browns HC, Shedeur Sanders clear air on controversial benching during two-minute drill

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders appeared to be frustrated with Kevin Stefanski when the head coach took him out for the final offensive drive of Saturday's preseason game. The Browns made a curious decision to put in Tyler Huntley to lead the offense in the final two minutes of their final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Huntington Bank Field. Huntley, who has almost no chance of making the 53-man roster, engineered a six-play, 46-yard drive that ended in a game-winning field goal to give the Browns a 19-17 win. Following the game, Stefanski was asked about why Sanders approached him before Huntley went in. Stefanski claimed the rookie quarterback was just being a competitor, and there was nothing more to it than that, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Sanders told reporters he didn't know the Browns were benching him for the two-minute drill. "I didn't know I was out, Sanders said via video from ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. "I was on a bike that was powering up... I was powering up for that two-minute drive. Because that's just a situation every quarterback dreams for... I thought I was in. So then (Stefanski) told me I wasn't in. I was like, 'Ok.'" Sanders left the game after leading the offense to five straight punts. He struggled in his second preseason appearance, going 3-of-6 passing for 14 yards. The fifth-round pick took six sacks for -50 yards. Sanders didn't want to leave on that low note. The Browns shouldn't have let him. Stefanski should have given Sanders the chance to run the two-minute offense and gain valuable experience instead of giving reps to a player who won't be on the roster by Tuesday afternoon.

Mets manager confirms veteran pitcher done for the season due to 'pretty significant' injury
MLB

Mets manager confirms veteran pitcher done for the season due to 'pretty significant' injury

The New York Mets announced that Frankie Montas has been placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 22) due to a UCL-related injury in his right elbow. Right-hander Huascar Brazoban has been called up from Triple-A to take Montas’ spot on the active roster. Manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters that Montas’ UCL injury is “pretty significant,” via Mike Puma of the New York Post. Mendoza went on to confirm that Montas will not pitch again in 2025. It’s the latest setback in what was been a brutal inaugural season for Montas in Queens. The right-hander signed a $34M guarantee with the Mets during the winter but has produced just 38 2/3 innings of work for the team so far. A lat strain suffered at the outset of Spring Training left Montas to open the season on the injured list and he did not make his season debut until June 24. After throwing five scoreless innings in his first start of the year, Montas pitched to a ghastly 7.85 ERA over his next six starts with an 18.2% strikeout rate and a whopping seven home runs allowed. Those brutal results led the Mets to move Montas to the bullpen earlier this month, where he’s surrendered four runs (two earned) on four walks and six hits (including a home run) while striking out just three. Altogether, Montas has posted a 6.28 ERA and a 5.31 FIP during his time with the Mets with an 18.0% strikeout rate and a 7.9% walk rate. It’s a deeply disappointing outcome, and now it’s an open question when Montas will next be available to pitch. The Mets have made no announcements about the right-hander’s timeline for return, nor offered any indications about the severity of the injury. Of course, many fans will wonder about the possibility of Tommy John surgery, which is often required to repair a pitcher’s UCL once damaged. Such a procedure (or even a less invasive internal brace procedure) would likely cost Montas not only the remainder of this year but also the entire 2026 season. With that being said, some UCL injuries are possible to address via rehab. That’s a path that Braves hurler Grant Holmes opted to take earlier this month as he deals with a partial UCL tear, though even Holmes’s rehab process has brought his 2025 campaign to an abrupt end. While the details of Montas’ prognosis and timeline for return won’t be clear until the Mets make an announcement offering more information, the club will be without the right-hander for at least the immediate future. Given the fact that Montas’ performance was poor enough that he was bumped from the rotation earlier this month, perhaps that’s not too massive of a blow. Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, David Peterson and Clay Holmes remain in the club’s rotation and have recently been joined by top prospect Nolan McLean. Brandon Waddell and Justin Hagenman remain in the minors already on the 40-man roster as potential depth options behind that group, and well-regarded prospect Brandon Sproat has a 4.24 ERA in 24 starts at Triple-A this year. Replacing Montas on the roster is Brazoban, who began his career in the majors with Miami back in 2022 but has served as an up-and-down relief arm for the Mets this year. It’s a role he’s performed quite well in, with a 3.83 ERA and 4.14 FIP across 51 2/3 innings of work spread between 3 starts and 41 relief outings. Brazoban figures to take up Montas' mantle as the club’s long reliever going forward.

Insider Believes Fan Favorite 'Done' With Steelers
NFL

Insider Believes Fan Favorite 'Done' With Steelers

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4 winners & 2 losers from Buffalo Bills' preseason finale win over Buccaneers
General Sports

4 winners & 2 losers from Buffalo Bills' preseason finale win over Buccaneers

Wins and losses in the preseason don't matter, but the Buffalo Bills had to be thrilled to get a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after their 38-0 loss to the Chicago Bears the week before. Buffalo's opening drive covered 80 yards on 12 plays, with running back Frank Gore Jr. scoring a touchdown from one yard out. That set the tone as they won 23-19, giving themselves confidence heading into the regular season. With this game in the books, let's look at who stood out as both winners and losers in the preseason finale. Winner: Deone Walker, DT Fourth-round pick Deone Walker has been a standout throughout the preseason, something that continued on Saturday night. Walker was consistently pushing the pocket, even recording a half-sack when he and A.J. Epenesa brought down Kyle Trask in the backfield. The 6-foot-7, 331-pound Walker looks the part of a run-stuffing nose tackle, but his ability to rush the passer could make him a star. Winner: Zach Davidson, TE Punter Brad Robbins was under the weather on Saturday, so he missed the preseason finale. With him out, the Bills turned to tight end Zach Davidson as their emergency punter. His first punt was late in the first quarter, and he looked like a natural, casually booting it 62 yards. His second was impressive as well, going 42 yards. Davidson also had some positive moments on offense. He caught both passes thrown his way, going for 27 yards with a long of 20. Loser: Dane Jackson, CB Saturday wasn't the best showing for Dane Jackson, but that's not the reason he makes this list in Week 3. Instead, it's the fact that he was on the field late in the third quarter. Jackson started his career in Buffalo, spending four years with the franchise. He returned this offseason after playing for the Carolina Panthers in 2024 and was expected to have a key role following injuries suffered by Maxwell Hairston and Tre'Davious White. Seeing him on the field so far into the finale doesn't bode well for his chances of making the team. Winner: Tyrell Shavers, WR Tyrell Shavers has to make the 53-man roster. The third-year pro has been making one highlight-reel play after another this offseason, but saved his best for the finale. During the second quarter, Shavers hauled in a one-handed touchdown from 11 yards out, giving Buffalo a 14-3 lead. He finished with two receptions for 24 yards, giving him six receptions for 123 yards in three preseason games. Loser: Elijah Moore, WR Elijah Moore is going to have a tough time making the roster thanks to Shavers. While the former undrafted free agent turned heads with his touchdown catch, Moore finished with eight yards on three receptions. Moore has been used primarily on screen passes and was able to turn just one into a decent gain on Saturday. That nine-yard gain showed why he had a shot at making the roster, but his inability to make an impact downfield could be his undoing. Winner: Shane Buechele, QB Buffalo gave the keys to Shane Buechele on Saturday and he drove the offense to success all night. The former Kansas City Chiefs backup made a case for moving up the depth chart with a strong performance. He made quick and decisive throws, completing 25-of-30 passes for 278 yards with one touchdown. Buechele was easily the biggest winner for Buffalo, doing enough to ask whether or not he should be in the QB2 conversation. More Buffalo Bills News: Bills' GM offers cautiously worded Tre'Davious White injury update Bills 'lucky to have' ex-Panthers' first-round linebacker trying to revive career 3 Bills' stars from 'Hard Knocks' Episode 3 including new guy who was cut Wednesday Bills' QB Josh Allen and familiar free-agent WR 'haven't stopped being in contact' Former Bills' All-Pro jestfully kicks Dolphins while they're down