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19 NFL predictions for 5 years in the future of the league

By Zach Cohen

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers reacts against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers reacts against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Spencer Rattler #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs against the Florida Gators during the second half at AT&T Stadium on December 30, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Spencer Rattler #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs against the Florida Gators during the second half at AT&T Stadium on December 30, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

8. Spencer Rattler will be a top-15 NFL quarterback

Oklahoma’s redshirt sophomore quarterback was a highly touted recruit, so needless to say, his name has probably been floating around NFL circles for quite some time. That may certainly be the case heading into this season.

He had a solid 2020 season with 3,031 passing yards and 28 passing touchdowns, both of which were top-10 in Division I. Even if he decides to stay another year in Norman, the Oklahoma bloodline of quarterbacks under Lincoln Riley is pretty well-known. This is me betting more on a big leap in Rattler’s third year at Oklahoma.

While he wasn’t overly spectacular last season, he still appears to have a leg up on the quarterbacks who could enter next year’s draft. For the sake of potentially being right, I’ll say Rattler is a Houston Texan in 2026.

9. Kayvon Thibodeaux will be a top edge rusher

Let’s talk about another promising collegiate star: Kayvon Thibodeaux. The Oregon edge rusher was the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2019. While his 2020 season wasn’t as productive, Thibodeaux is largely viewed as the next top pass rusher to enter the NFL, a la Nick Bosa and Chase Young.

He’s already on track to be a top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, though a poor performance this upcoming season could derail those plans. Perhaps he’ll be a New York Jet or an Atlanta Falcon?

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