Every Team's Player with the Most at Stake this Year
Every year, it seems as though someone is on the hot seat. Either someone faster, stronger, or better than these guys could take over the job. It could also just mean that people are looking for a repeat performance from 2016.
Either way, people will always want the best for their team and these are the players and coaches fans will likely look to blame first and call for a new guy possibly.
Dallas Cowboys
QB Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott came out of nowhere last year when Tony Romo was injured for what felt like a millionth time in his career. Prescott, along with running back Ezekiel Elliott, were the next big thing in Dallas. Prescott had a year that most would think improbable, throwing only four interceptions in the regular season while throwing for 23 touchdowns and leading the Cowboys to the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
Last year, there were no expectations. Now there are bigger ones. People will not only expect at least the same level of play from Prescott, but also expect it to get better. While I do believe that fans and players are behind Prescott, we are all interested to see his sophomore performance. It could show to be amazing like Jameis Winston, or could it be a fall off like Robert Griffin III.
New York Giants
OT Ereck Flowers
Flowers has been more of a liability than a help since being drafted in 2015. Placed at left tackle, he is just not able to block for Eli Manning, which is resulting in many of his interceptions. With the talented core of receivers the Giants have, Flowers may be the weakest link in the chain on the offense.
If the G-men do not win because of his lack of effort on the line, the Giants will likely cut him, wishing they had used their first round pick on someone like Cam Robinson.
Philadelphia Eagles
RB Ryan Mathews
Carson Wentz has been surrounded with a load of new toys. Alshon Jeffrey, Torrey Smith, and Donnell Pumphrey will all contribute to the team as some of the new additions. Now Mathews has a load of new running backs to contend with, including LeGarrette Blount and Darren Sporles.
There is a good chance Mathews could be cut or even traded due to the bulk of talent at the position.
Washington Redskins
RB Robert Kelley
The Redskins have not had a reliable running back in recent years. Their last true 1,000-yard rusher was Alfred Morris in 2013. He began a slow decline after that. Ever since, the running backs have had little room for error. Morris was cut after rookie Matt Jones was seen as an improvement. Kelley did the same thing to Jones as he did to Morris in 2016.
If this is the way the Redskins treat their running back situation, Kelley needs to stay on top of everything, or he could be the next man off the team.
Chicago Bears
HC John Fox
So we were all confused at the beginning of the 2017 NFL Draft when the Bears traded up one spot to draft quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. To be honest, most of us are still scratching our heads. Since Fox's arrival, the Bears have yet to be considered a contender in the NFC North, or even a contender at all. They lost Alshon Jeffrey in free agency and cut long time hated quarterback Jay Cutler in March.
With Jordan Howard the only player fans believe can be elite, Fox's job could be on the line if the team does not see some improvement.
Detroit Lions
OT Greg Robinson
The former second-overall selection in 2014 has been a great disappointment. The Rams were fed up with him and need to rebuild, so they traded him to Detroit. Robinson is likely a reactionary play by the Lions due to the loss of 2016 first-round pick Taylor Decker. Decker will be out until mid-November with an injury.
If Robinson does not impress or at least prove he has talent at any position on the line, he will likely be cut once Decker returns or the Lions will wait until the end of the season.
Green Bay Packers
DB Damarious Randall
With the exception of Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, most of the Green Bay secondary could make this spot. Randall takes the spot because he was the Packers first selection of the 2015 NFL Draft. The Packers' defense in 2016 was abysmal. Green Bay ranked 31st in passing defense, allowing over 4,300 yards of offense to opposing offenses.
The Packers drafted Kevin King, who is 6-3" and brought back Davon House after a year with the Jaguars. If Randall does not play well, he could be out of Green Bay soon.
Minnesota Vikings
WR Laquon Treadwell
As one of the most touted receivers from the 2016 draft class, and being on a team in need of receiver talent, one would think Treadwell would have the makings of being the next Randy Moss in Minnesota. Well, Moss didn't have a rookie season with only one catch for 15 yards; but Treadwell did. Treadwell barely saw the field in 2016 and was targeted a total of three times all season.
Mike Zimmer will likely give Treadwell more snaps this season in order to prove he is a top guy, mostly because Minnesota does not have a choice. They drafted two receivers in the later rounds Treadwell will likely share time with this season. As of right now, Treadwell has to beat out Adam Thielen, Charles Johnson, and Stefon Diggs for a starting spot.
Atlanta Falcons
QB Matt Ryan
We all saw how the Super Bowl ended. We also saw how Cam Newton had his worst season after his crushing Super Bowl loss after a MVP season. Ryan is in the same position right now. Luckily for Ryan, he has a qualified new offensive coordinator in Steve Sarkisian. All of Ryan's offense is returning, along with some help on the defense. Atlanta looks ready to make another run.
But the pressure will be on Ryan to not only lead, but improve from last year's season. Will Ryan be able to step up to the challenge? Or fall much like his NFC South rival Panthers?
Speaking of the Panthers...
Carolina Panthers
WR Kelvin Benjamin
Benjamin showed up to camp looking more like an offensive tackle than a wide receiver. There were questions about Benjamin earlier in his career saying that his weight could be an issue down the line. Considering the Panthers exercised his fifth-year option, they feel confident that he can loose the weight this offseason.
If he does not, he could be in trouble much like Eddy Lacy saw in Green Bay.
New Orleans Saints
DT Sheldon Rankin
Rankin was out for all of the 2016 season with a leg injury. This season will be the first time Rankin takes the field in his professional career and the Saints need him badly. The Saints have become known for their poor defense. With quarterback Drew Brees' retirement on the horizon, the Saints will look for instant impact from players.
Rankin needs to be great or he will get benched if they feel they have a better option. He is lucky that New Orleans spent so many picks on other defensive players to help him, but a few are also listed at his position.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
RB Doug Martin
The Bucs had one of the best off-seasons a team could ask for in the NFL. They signed a big free agent in DeSean Jackson, tight end O.J. Howard dropped into their lap at 19 in the draft, but there was some controversy about that last part. Howard was not the original pick. Many fans wanted Florida State running back Dalvin Cook to reunite with Jameis Winston in Tampa. Bucs Head Coach Dirk Koetter said the reason behind not draft Cook was because they liked the progress they saw with incumbent running back, Doug Martin.
Martin has had 3 injury-ruining seasons in his five years with Tampa Bay. He also sought treatment at a rehab facility towards the end of 2016. If Martin does not produce this year, that multi-year deal he signed in 2016 could go away.
Arizona Cardinals
WR John Brown
With Fitzgerald on his last leg, the Cards need to find his successor. With thoughts that it could have been Michael Floyd dashed this season, fans turn to John Brown. Brown had a great 2015 season with over 1,000-yards, but didn't reach 600 in 2016. An aging Fitzgerald and Carson Palmer could spell disaster for Brown ahead.
Brown would not be cut, but this could relegate him to a wide receiver two, making Arizona go for a top guy in the coming years.
Los Angeles Rams
QB Jared Goff
I know it looks early for some of these guys, but Goff was just awful last year. Five touchdowns and nine interceptions is not what people want out of their starter. With Case Keenam gone, there is no one to truly contest Goff for the starting job, but he needs to improve.
The Rams did give Goff some help by drafting three pass catchers who will likely get ample playing time. They also signed offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth from the Bengals to replace an ineffective Greg Robinson. Goff just needs to show improvement, before the talks about going for another quarterback begin.
San Francisco 49ers
Whoever the Starting QB is
Oh San Francisco, whoever will you start? No Colin Kaepernick or Blaine Gabbert likely means that Brian Hoyer or Matt Barkley will get the nod on week one. I doubt they will chose rookie C.J. Beathard from Iowa. I predict that all three of these quarterbacks will get at least one start in 2017, but it is up to whoever is on the field to produce.
With a starting core of Pierre Garcon and Jeremy Kerley, these quarterbacks have their work cut out for them. For you fantasy players, this likely means that Carlos Hyde will get a great deal of carries.
Seattle Seahawks
S Earl Thomas
Thomas was injured for the second half of the 2016 season after breaking his leg. There were even talks of retirement looming, spread by the former Longhorn himself. Now he is back with Kam Chancellor in the Legion of Boom and hopefully ready to take on all comers.
A broken leg is a hard injury to return from feeling 100 percent. Staff will likely key in on Thomas for the first half of the season, searching for any reason they may want to pull him for precautions. I believe Thomas will get right back to work, but who knows?
Buffalo Bills
WR Sammy Watkins
Watkins has been injured for what feels like the better part of his career. While he has played 37 of his 48 possible games, how many times have we seen Watkins listed as questionable, doubtful, or game-time decision? It feels like almost every week. This is a main reason for why the Bills declined Watkins' fifth-year option. I cannot blame them.
Watkins is on thin ice this year. With this being the last year of his contract, Watkins' health will be the focal point. The only person that I believe could contest his number one spot is rookie Zay Jones out of East Carolina. If Jones does well, Watkins may hit free agency.
Miami Dolphins
DE Mario Williams
Williams played 13 games this season and had 13 combine tackles. He had 1.5 sacks, the lowest of his career. Williams is fading. After being the first overall pick in 2006, has Williams' time come? This season will be very telling of if Williams will hang up his cleats. The Dolphins are preparing for this, drafting defensive end Charles Harris in the first round, adding youth to Miami's front-seven.
New England Patriots
QB Jimmy Garopollo
Ah, poor Garopollo. Will his time ever come? Brady shows no signs of slowing down making a run for his sixth ring. It is likely that Garopollo will be traded or become a free agent this year. Garopollo is likely one of the best 32 quarterbacks in the league right now. Someone will give him the starting job. Even if it isn't on a good team.
New York Jets
QB Christian Hackenberg
No Brandon Marshall. No Eric Decker. No Darrelle Revis. No Ryan Fitzpatrick. What could go wrong, right? Now that the Jets are the shell of a team that once was, Christian Hackenberg will be getting his shot to be the Jets' franchise quarterback. Hackenberg is in the same position the 49ers quarterbacks are in: little to no talent around them. Hackenberg will have to rely on the help of Quincy Enunwa, rookie ArDarius Stewart, and Austin Seferian-Jenkins to pass to every Sunday.
Good lord, help that poor man.
Baltimore Ravens
DB Brandon Carr
As a Cowboy fan, I am glad to see Carr gone. After signing a five-year deal with Dallas, Carr totaled for seven interceptions. and six of those came in the 2012 and 2013 season. He has been one of the more unproductive players in the league. He now resides with Baltimore, a team known for their defensive backs getting injured in recent memory. The Ravens had so many different cornerbacks on their team, it's hard to keep track of who they were. They already have one cornerback, Tavon Young, out for the 2017 season.
On the wrong side of 30 and on a team known for injuries at your position, Carr better watch his back.
Cincinnati Bengals
RB Joe Mixon
Mixon is already in hot water as it stands with NFL officials and fans. After the press release about the former Sooner assaulting a woman his freshman year, many thought that this would be the end of his career. This is all based off of the actions and consequences for former NFL players Greg Hardy and Ray Rice.
While he has made up for his crimes, it is still burned into people's mind. He will be under a microscope this season, much like Johnny Manziel was in his first year. Just a reminder that the Bengals have two able running backs in Giovanni Bernard and Jeremy Hill, so Mixon is expendable.
Cleveland Browns
DE Caleb Brantley
To be honest, it is really hard to pick just one guy for this. The Browns made out in the NFL Draft with a stellar class. They addressed most of their needs along with getting some good depth picks. Brantley is in the same position that Mixon is in this year. They both have had run-ins with police for assaulting women. Brantley was a sixth-round pick, but was given first-round grades and was getting attention in mock drafts. He fell off the first-round wagon after the stories were released.
His charge of battery was dismissed but the damage was already done. Brantley and Mixon will both have their hands full this season trying to standout as a competitor rather than a distraction with off-field issues.
Pittsburgh Steelers
WR Martavis Bryant
Bryant will return this season after serving a year suspension for drug violations. The problem for the former Tiger is that Pittsburgh has depth at receiver. Sammie Coats, Eli Rogers, Marcus Wheaton, and rookie JuJu Smith-Schuster will all contend for the two and three slots at receiver. The number one slot is already on lock for Pro-Bowler Antonio Brown.
Bryant should be wary of his situation. His crime was similar to that of teammate Le'Veon Bell. The Steelers could make an example of Bryant by releasing him due to his issues to straighten Bell out. Bryant is replaceable.
Houston Texans
QB Tom Savage
Savage was lucky enough to have Brock Osweiler as his mentor. That being he saw everything not to do in a NFL game. Savage looked poised to take the reigns winning the two games he started against Jacksonville and Cincinnati. Now he has a new problem: DeShaun Watson. Savage will likely get the start on day one but there's a reason the Texans traded up 13 spots to get him.
Savage needs to play well this season so he can either hold on to the starting job or be used in a trade to a quarterback needy team.
Indianapolis Colts
TE Jack Doyle
For the second straight year, the Colts traded away one of their tight ends. Last year it was Coby Fleener and this year it was Dwayne Allen. Andrew Luck has used his tight end frequently in the past two years due to a lack of protection, using them as his checkdown. Doyle is now the number one tight end in Indy. If he doesn't produce, he will likely be gone next year.
Jacksonville Jaguars
QB Blake Bortles
Bortles has been given everything. He has the receiving core in Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Marquis Lee, and Mercedes Lewis. Jacksonville drafted the best running back, Leonard Fournette. They loaded the defense with playmakers like Calaias Campbell and A.J. Bouye. They drafted the best offensive tackle in Cam Robinson. They even switched coaches. Bortles MUST produce.
There is no one on this list in a hotter seat than Blake Bortles. The Jags neglected to pick-up Bortles fifth-year option, so this is it. Right now, Bortles has 11 pick-sixes and 10 wins. If these numbers don't improve, Bortles will not be a starter for much longer.
Tennessee Titans
QB Marcus Mariota
Mariota has totaled 11 wins in his first two seasons with little to no help from receivers outside of Delanie Walker. Now he has them. Corey Davis and Eric Decker will likely be the top two receivers on day one. This is a solid core. The experience of Decker and the sheer athleticism of Davis can make Mariota and the Tennessee Titans a contender in the AFC South. Which in retrospect isn't that hard.
But Mariota must use these guys and not rely on the run game like they did much of last season. Davis and Decker could be very special for the Titans but only if Mariota can use them properly.
Denver Broncos
QB Trevor Siemian
Siemian had a good first outing in Denver throwing for over 3,400-yards and 18 touchdowns leading to a 7-5 starting record. The Broncos responded by overhauling the offensive line drafting Garret Boles and signing Ronald O'Leary from Dallas in the off-season. They want to protect Siemian, but like other quarterbacks, he must produce.
Remember Denver drafted Paxton Lynch in the first-round of the 2016 NFL Draft. If Siemian does not perform well, they have a young buck waiting in the wings to take the reigns.
Kansas City Chiefs
WR Chris Conley
Poor Chris Conley. He just got thrust into this role and is set up for a poor season. The Chiefs cutting Jeremy Maclin might have been the best or worst thing this young receiver. Conley has a chance to cement himself as a contributor on this offense. Outside of Tyreek Hill, the Chief do not have much experience at the position.
Conley could be a good late pick in your fantasy draft if you're willing to take the risk.
Los Angeles Chargers
WR Keenan Allen
Allen has been an injury waiting to happen for the past two seasons. He played eight games in 2015 and one game in 2016 before season ending injuries occurred. A kidney injury in 2015 and a right knee injury in 2016 could spell the end for Allen with the Chargers. While he did sign a four-year extension, injuries prevent him from playing and take up a spot on the roster.
Allen has some competition after a breakout year from Tyrell Williams and newly drafted Mike Williams.
Oakland Raiders DE Mario Edwards Jr.
Edwards is another injury prone case for the AFC West. At the tail end of the 2015 season, Williams suffered a neck injury when colliding with Eddy Lacy in week 15. He suffered another setback in the 2016 preseason with a hip strain. The Raiders held him out until week 16 of 2016. He played three games on limited snaps.
Edwards now must regain some momentum in 2017. The former second-rounder was a top talent in college and produced in his first season. But this could all be for nothing if he gets injured yet again.
