Looking at non QB #1 picks in the hall of fame 1997 - Orlando Pace, STL Rams, OT 1985 - Bruce Smith, BUF, DE 1978 - Earl Campbell, HOU (Oilers), HB 1976 - Lee Roy Selman, Tampa Bay, DE

Ryan Shazier - LB Pittsburgh Steelers. Was in his 4th year when he had a career ending injury.

Right or wrong, HOF is swayed by Super Bowl appearances. That’s Ben R’s biggest plus, and a minus for Rivers & Ryan. On the other hand he had an early career “me too” problem. My gut feel is they ignore the problem, focus on the success, and me makes it in. But I don’t think it is a slam dunk.

As far as Rivers? I don’t know if it hurts that he played for 3 teams, but no Super Bowl appearances will hurt. 8 pro bowls and 1 comeback player are pluses. But I think he just misses.

I looked at nfl.com’s power rankings for week 1, compared with current. Biggest changes (plus or minus)

HOU +15 NYG. -11 LA Rams +9 TB +8 BUF -6 CAR -6 CIN -6 CLE +6 IND +6 LA Chargers -6

I’d agree that Houston is a big surprise to the plus side. Not sure why anybody though the Giants would be 19th best team at the start of the season….

I don’t know if NYJ is a surprise. I think some people overestimated the impact of Rogers. But we’ll never know what that could’ve added, since he didn’t last 1 series.

I think a lot of people were loving Cleveland at the start of the year, even though they were 18 on this list. So not sure if their rise (to 12) a surprise.