Sam Leavitt praises former ASU teammate Cam Scattebo
ASU QB Sam Levitt has been actively talking about his former teammate Cam Skattebo and how well he thinks Skattebo will transition into the NFL.
Seriously sports
The NFL doesn’t lack explosive offensive players, but which players will offer the most fireworks on the field?
In the spirit of the July 4th holiday, USA Today Sports’ Tyler Dragon will provide his take on four of the NFL’s most explosive offensive players this season.
Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson is the obvious answer, but is he the only quarterback on the list? Will Tyreek Hill cut after a decline year by his standards? How many wide receivers and running backs do you create a list?
There are four of the most explosive offensive players in the NFL.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Jackson will be the highest paying player in football when Jackson signs his next contract. There is no doubt that two MVPs deserve that distinction.
Jackson led the NFL with passerby ratings (119.6), earning a career-high with passing yards (4,172) and touchdown passes (41), making it the first quarter of league history with at least 4,000 yards and 800 rushing yards (915).
Raven is once again on a short list of competitors this year. And Jackson and the company are motivated after making this past postseason look sad.
“We’re going to bounce back,” Jackson told reporters this offseason. “We feel like we’re going to come back and we’re going to revenge in our hearts.”
Eagles sprinting through Saquon Berkley
The Eagles paid Berklee with a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension after a great year in Philadelphia. He is the first running back in NFL history and earns more than $20 million a year.
Barkley’s 2,005 rushing yards became the eighth regular season in NFL history. And to close it off, he became the league’s best singles season ever, including the rush leader during the playoffs, the Eagles Super Bowl 59 victory.
Barkley has put together an NFL high 46 runs with over 10 yards.
All of the Eagles’ core offensive players are expected to be back, including four return starters along the O-line, so hopefully Berkley has another great season in Philadelphia.
“It’s very clear to see on tape how good he is. But what he brings to our football team in terms of his leadership, his work ethic. He’s a great teammate. They make him very special.
Lion running through Jahmyr Gibbs
When the Lions give Gibbs football, good things tend to happen.
Gibbs scored a Lions singleseason record from scrimmage last season and 20 NFL High touchdowns. He became the fourth player in league history, creating the season in 2024, rushing at least 1,900 yards from scrimmage, 16 times, and receiving four TDs.
Gibbs made the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons. He is the first Lions to do it since Barry Sanders. He is starting his career, averaging 5.5 yards per carry.
“I feel that last year was (Gibbs) breakout season,” Sanders said of Gibbs this offseason. “He overturned 1,000 yards. Just the exciting and dynamic type of play he can make. His speed and vision.”
Bengals Wide Receiver Ja’marr Chase
Chase won the receiving triple crown last season. He was rewarded when the Bengalis re-signed him to a massive extension this offseason, making him the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver.
Joe Burrow and Chase have one of the strongest connections in the league. Chase has 395 catches with 5,425 receiving yards and 46 TDs in four seasons. His total receiving yards and receiving TDs are third and third in the first four seasons of a player in NFL history, respectively. Wideouts will lead in touchdown receptions of more than 40 yards (18) and 60 yards (12) with more than 50 yards (13) since the start of their rookie season in 2021, according to the Bengals.
There are no signs of burrowing and slowing down. Both the Bengalis signed throughout the 2029 season.
“(Chase) is a special player,” Burrow told reporters last season. “If you can get him the ball, he’ll play.”
Follow USA Today Sports ‘Tyler Dragon on X @thetylerdragon.
