THE HERD – HOUR 2 – Herd Hierarchy: Broncos IN, Chiefs OUT | Nick Wright: Sam Darnold Is Elite

The Seahawks are the number one team because their best players are entering their athletic prime, they have no egos, and Sam Darnold has a perfect chip on his shoulder. The Chiefs are ranked at number eleven due to concerns about Kenneth Walker's injury proneness and left tackle Josh Simmons missing Week One.

Denver's defense will likely regress from last year's remarkable performance, especially with key players on the exempt list. The Chargers are overrated by the media and have significant roster holes at receiver and interior offensive line.

Denver's personnel is better than previously thought, with an A-plus coach and a defense that led the NFL in sacks.

If Sam Darnold has another excellent year with strong stats and a Super Bowl win, he will be universally recognized as an elite quarterback.

Sam Darnold is the most egoless professional athlete he has ever met, making him highly coachable and a great teammate. Mike McDonald is one of the best coaches in pro football, and having a great coach ensures consistent winning for a quarterback like Darnold.

The Rams' strategy of flying late and leaving quickly is a fascinating experiment that might hurt them in Week One but benefit them in Weeks Two and Three.

The Niners are overthinking their preparation for Australia, while the Rams' detailed, quick-turnaround approach is more effective for modern NFL travel.

Lane Kiffin's mercenary approach and focus solely on winning make him the ideal coach for the modern, transfer-heavy era of college football.

Lane Kiffin thrives in the current corrupt system of college football, and his comfort with that reality is a huge asset for LSU.

The Patriots made a smart move by paying Christian Gonzalez early, as securing young stars is crucial when the quarterback is on a rookie contract.

Paying young star players like Gonzalez early is a sound strategy, and teams like the Texans will regret not doing the same for C.J. Stroud.

The Texas vs. Ohio State game feels more critical for Texas because their playoff hopes and Steve Sarkisian's legacy are on the line.

Ohio State is an established program that can absorb a loss, while a loss for Texas would lead to intense scrutiny of Sarkisian's ability to win big games.