Ten players with the most on the line in 2023

Every season, every player is trying to prove themselves however there are always those with the most to prove.  Here is a list of the top players with the most on the line this season:

Notable Mentions: Jerry Jeudy, Skye Moore, Kirk Cousins, Baker Mayfield

1. Russell Wilson – QB, Denver Broncos

It’s a new era in Denver, and one of the biggest question marks on the new ownership and coaching staffs is whether Russell Wilson is the future at quarterback.

Following the blockbuster trade that sent Wilson to Denver last off-season, it’s safe to say the quarterback did not live up to expectations in 2022.

It may only have been Wilson’s cap hit that has given him another opportunity to show he is still the quarterback that justified such a massive investment. If Denver has a losing record going into their Week Nine bye, we could see Jarrett Stidham emerge as the QB1 the other side meaning Wilson has eight games to save his job – and potentially his career.

2. Mac Jones – QB, New England Patriots

Mac Jones has endured an interesting offseason in New England All the reports circulating about the state of his relationship with the coaching staff couple has contributed to rumours of a trade around the time of the draft.

Jones has a lot of work to do this season to:

• Rebuild his relationship with the organisation

• Show the league why he was worthy of a first round selection only two years ago.

Bill O’Brien has been signed to the Patriots coaching staff to rebuild New England’s offense, and Jones will need to show that he is capable of being the leader of it, with 2022 draft selection Bailey Zappe breathing down his neck.

3. Chase Young – DE, Washington Commanders

The former second overall pick has had his fifth-year option declined by the team this offseason. Following a promising rookie season where he won defensive rookie of the year honours, Young was thought of as a pillar of the franchise. Instead, has since followed this up with two injury ravaged seasons and could arguably be thought of as the worst of the four starting defensive linemen in Washington.

If Young is to cash in on the potential he showed back in 2020, he needs to stay healthy and prove he can still play to the level he was drafted to play at.

4. Jameson Williams – WR, Detroit Lions

It’s not been the best of starts to an NFL career for Williams. After suffering a torn ACL in his final college game, the stud receiver was only able to contribute one reception for a touchdown on nine targets in 2022.

Fast forward to this off season and Williams has been suspended for six weeks after violating the leagues gambling policy. This means that of 34 total games he’s been eligible for, Williams would have only been available for less than half, and that is assuming he suffers no further injuries.

If Williams doesn’t burst onto the scene upon his return from suspension, he may find himself as someone the Lions will be looking to replace in 2024.

5. Xavier McKinney – S, New York Giants

Through the first half of 2022, McKinney was the leader of the New York Giants defense, making plays week after week including a game winning play against Green Bay in London. McKinney was starting to garner Pro Bowl and All-Pro talk, until the Giants bye week.

During the Giants bye week, McKinney suffered a freak hand injury whilst away on holiday which side-lined him for most of the remainder of the season. When he did return, he had to wear a club on the injured hand – not ideal for any player and especially not for a defensive back.

With a new contract on the horizon and a new partner at safety following the departure of Julian Love, McKinney needs to show he can return to his early 2022 form and that his hand injury has fully healed, or he will likely miss out on millions in his next contract.

6. Kyle Pitts – TE, Atlanta Falcons

Pitts follows the theme of former first round picks who have shown flashes but not lived up to the draft billing. Pitts who some coined as the best tight end prospect to ever enter the league, has, partially to no fault of his own, so far failed to live up to that tag.

Currently, we don’t know how much of his struggle is on the play calling however the signing of trusted veteran Jonnu Smith adds intrigue to how Pitts will be utilised by the Falcons this season and whether we will ever see the prospect we were promised pre-draft.

7. Joe Mixon – RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Mixon had an up and down season and there was some talk Cincinnati would be ready to move on. It now looks like Mixon will be around next season but with contracts for Burrow, Chase & Higgins on the horizon.

Mixon needs to show he is worth keeping around long term, especially with so many cheaper running backs available on the market.

8. Isaiah Simmons – LB, Arizona Cardinals

I have high hopes for Simmons this season. The Cardinals may be looking at a rebuilding year with a new head coach and likely being without the QB1 Kyler Murray for the majority of the season, the bright spot for Simmons is they have bought in defensive minded coach Jonathan Gannon from Philadelphia.

Gannon, who coached the leagues best defense last season and showed a habit of moving versatile defensive players around to confuse oppositions. This approach especially benefitted Haasan Reddick and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, both having career years. When Simmons entered the league there was talk that he could be a contributor at linebacker, safety and at rushing the quarterback, if Simmons is to turn into that player it will be this year.

9. J.K. Dobbins – RB, Baltimore Ravens

Part of the reason for Dobbins’ inclusion is the extension of Lamar Jackson. When teams invest that much into one player they usually make more of a concerted effort to put that player in the best position possible.

This season they’ve signed Odell Beckham Jr. and drafted Zay Flowers to catch passes from Jackson. Next, they will be relying on Dobbins to take the pressure off him in the ground game. If he can’t, he will likely be replaced next year for a younger, healthier option.

10. Brock Purdy/Trey Lance/Sam Darnold – QBs, San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have arguably the most interesting quarterback room in the league, comprising of two former third overall picks and 2022’s Mr Irrelevant. Currently, it is Mr Irrelevant who has the QB1 job after leading the 49ers to the NFC Championship game in January. There remain doubts that Purdy will be healthy by Week One. 

If Purdy isn’t healthy the starter will come down to Lance vs Darnold, Lance who did not start many games in college and had lost two seasons to injury however has three first round picks invested in him vs Darnold who some believed to be one of the most gifted college quarterbacks to enter the draft in the last decade but is only signed to a cheap one season deal.

The 49ers have one of the most quarterback friendly schemes in the league so whoever comes out on top has the chance to change the course of their career.