This is a new feature where I’ll list Disaster Ratings (one being the least problematic, to 10 being code red) for NFL teams involving offseason retirements and injuries. With some of the recent players going down or calling it quits, I thought it would be nice to have a new section where I can discuss and rate everything.
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Updates
Bills CB Tre’Davious White out for season (torn Achilles): 7/10 Disaster Rating
This is a shame for Tre’Davious White, who worked so hard to return from a torn ACL he suffered in 2021. He’ll now have to recover from a torn Achilles, which will knock him out for the rest of the season.
The Bills aren’t very deep at cornerback, so this is a problematic injury. White is a talented player and will be sorely missed, especially when Buffalo takes on some of the prolific passing attacks in the AFC playoffs. The Bills should consider acquiring a cornerback ahead of the trade deadline because of how thin they are at such a crucial position.
Follow me @walterfootball for more hiring/signing grades and updates.
Chargers WR Mike Williams out for season (torn ACL): 4/10 Disaster Rating
I can’t imagine that anyone is too surprised by this injury. The Charger receivers have an extensive track record of getting hurt, so Mike Williams’ season-ending torn ACL can’t have been shocking to anyone.
Williams is an incredible talent, but there are two reasons why this injury doesn’t warrant too high of a Disaster Grade. First, the Chargers are very deep at receiver, so they can survive with Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston complementing Keenan Allen. Second, the Chargers’ defense stinks and won’t give the team much of a chance to win anyway. Perhaps the best course of action is for the team to tank and land an elite defensive talent in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Follow me @walterfootball for more hiring/signing grades and updates.
Browns RB Nick Chubb out for season (torn ACL): 5/10 Disaster Rating
This injury won’t do running backs any favor in contract negotiations. Nick Chubb was supposed to be the safest of all the best running backs this year, yet he tore up his knee in Week 2.
Chubb is an incredible talent, but running back is one of the most replaceable positions in the NFL. Obviously, the Browns won’t have the same upside as they had with Chubb, but Jerome Ford has shown that he can play well behind his terrific offensive line. Thus, I can’t issue too high of a Disaster Grade even though Chubb is one of the top players at his position in the NFL.
Follow me @walterfootball for more hiring/signing grades and updates.
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers out for season (torn Achilles): 10/10 Disaster Rating
Four plays. That’s all it took for the Jets’ season to end. New York came into the year with so much optimism because of Aaron Rodgers’ presence on the roster, yet Rodgers was able to play just four offensive snaps before tearing his Achilles.
I don’t need to tell you that this is incredibly devastating for the Jets. They surrendered so many resources to obtain Rodgers, so to not even have him for a complete drive was absolutely crushing. Because of the Rodgers trade, the Jets don’t have the money or draft picks to find a viable replacement.
The worst thing is that this was supposed to be Rodgers’ F-U season. He was eager to prove the Packers wrong for getting rid of him. Will he have the same fire 12 months later? More importantly, will Rodgers even be the same quarterback at 40 than he was supposed to be at 39? There’s not even a guarantee that Rodgers will return to play in 2024, so this is an obvious 10/10 Disaster Grade.
Follow me @walterfootball for more hiring/signing grades and updates.
July 28 Updates
Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey out several months (knee): 6/10 Disaster Rating
Two major players were carted off the field in the past couple of days. Joe Burrow was diagnosed with just a calf strain, so he should be good to go for the season opener. Jalen Ramsey, conversely, had to undergo a full meniscus repair surgery, meaning he won’t be playing until December.
This is obviously a huge blow for the Dolphins, who invested a third-round pick into the stud cornerback. Ramsey was supposed to fix Miami’s poor secondary, which ranked 20th against the pass last year. Second-round rookie Cam Smith will have to fill the void.
The one silver lining here is that there’s a decent chance Ramsey will be available for a playoff run. However, his absence could negate that possibility, given that there are so many terrific passing offenses in the AFC.
Follow me @walterfootball for more hiring/signing grades and updates.
June 29 Updates
Cam Robinson suspended four games (PEDs): 1/10 Disaster Rating
It’s safe to say that Jacksonville’s offensive tackle situation is a concern. The team lost Jawaan Taylor to the Chiefs in free agency, and now it won’t have Cam Robinson for the first four games of the season because he violated the NFL’s PED policy.
I’d normally give a team a higher Disaster Grade for losing both of its tackles from the prior season, but this is an exception. First of all, three of Jacksonville’s first four opponents – Colts, Chiefs, Texans, Falcons – don’t have a great edge rush, and Jacksonville should still be able to beat them. The other team is the Chiefs, and the Jaguars probably weren’t going to win that game anyway. Second, even if the Jaguars get off to a bit of a slow start, they should still be able to win their weak division, so I don’t think this suspension matters very much, especially given that it’s only for four games.
Follow me @walterfootball for more hiring/signing grades and updates.
NFL Picks – Oct. 8
2024 NFL Mock Draft – Oct. 4
Fantasy Football Rankings – Sept. 7
NFL Power Rankings – June 2