Nobody stays in their prime for long, most athletes have about a three year period of peak performance before skills start to erode. I’ve taken it upon myself to put the six most important positions under a microscope and predict the next big thing. What current NFL player would you choose to build your franchise around?

This was one of the easiest positions to iron out. Of any quarterback who’s started in the last two years, Tony Romo has shown the most potential and production. Tom Brady just had the best season of any QB in history, so he’s an obvious lock for the present. Lastly, Michael Vick went from Superman to possibly never playing again.

If you haven’t jumped on the Purple Jesus bandwagon yet, you’re delaying the inevitable. Since Vick is out of the league, Peterson has taken the (thorny) crown of most electrifying player in the NFL. LaDainian Tomlinson lost points with me for being a sissy this season, so I can’t designate him as the future anymore (A.P. would have surpassed him as ’07’s leading rusher had he not missed 2 games). Finally, Shawn Alexander is dead in the water. I’ve never been a fan of his running style, and since the departure of Steve Hutchinson and Mack Strong, Alexander has been exposed as a mediocre player. If I had to give a runner up for “the future”, I’d give it to Marion Barber… I can’t believe the Cowboys contemplated trading him.

There were few bright spots on the Denver Broncos last year, but Brandon Marshall was one of them. Out of the newest crop of NFL receivers he’s shown the most promise to become an elite wideout. Some of you may be wondering why I chose Terrell Owens instead of Randy Moss as “the present”. Yes, Randy had a great season, yes he now holds the single season touchdown record, but he completely tanked in the post season. Off the top of my head, I think Randy Moss had 5 catches and 1 touchdown over three post season games. Completely unacceptable. For further Randy vs. T.O. reading, click here..

Jason Witten plays like Jeremy Shockey should be playing if he’d just shut his damned mouth. You can’t even attribute Witten’s success to Terrell Owens drawing double coverage, because Witten had a great year before T.O. even got there. I can see him being a force for years. As much as I wanted to place Tony Gonzalez in the ‘5 minutes ago’ category I just couldn’t, his numbers speak for themselves. An absolute first ballot hall of famer still putting up great numbers late into his career. I had to throw Alge Crumpler into the has been pile because Michael Vick is gone. He was Vick’s security blanket, and the Falcon passing game is dead.

This was without a doubt the most difficult position to call. The man-beast Patrick Willis is a shoe in for the future, but the last two sections were a little harder to place. There are a lot of GREAT linebackers playing right now, but it’s difficult to single out one guy and say he unquestionably rules the position. So despite Ray Lewis losing a step, I believe he takes the spot by default. If you look at his numbers for last season, he’s still up there with everyone else. It hurts me a little to shove Zach Thomas into the old has-been category because he’s always been one of my favorite players in the league. But when you couple his age, with his injury plagued season and Miami’s bleak future…. things do not look good.

Antonio Cromartie had a cornerback’s equivalent season to Adrian Peterson’s breakout year. Despite starting only 8 games, Cromartie only started eight games, yet led the league in interceptions with 10 (including a great circus catch on Peyton Manning). Denver’s Champ Bailey is pound for pound the best corner in the game, but injuries and an all around shitty year for the Broncos kind of put a damper on everything. I witnessed Champ getting burned on several plays last season, but I won’t hold it against him.

Did I miss anyone?
What players would you change had you written this post yourself?