As with every start of the NFL season, there are a ton of players that we look forward to seeing each year, such as bounce back candidates, rookies and established stars. Let’s take a look at one player from each division that could stand out this season.
AFC East: Darrelle Revis, CB, Patriots
After losing most of the 2012 season to a torn ACL with the Jets, Revis rebounded last year with another Pro Bowl season in Tampa Bay. However, the new Bucs regime released him due to his high salary. The Patriots immediately pounced on the former All-Pro corner, signing him to a one-year, $12 million deal with an option for a second year. At his best, Revis can be the top corner in the league over the likes of Richard Sherman and Patrick Peterson. His new home in Foxboro and playing for an annual championship contender led by quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick should inspire the man called ‘Revis Island’.
AFC North: Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals
Despite three highly successful seasons to begin his NFL career, Andy Dalton still has plenty of critics. Those critics are not unwarranted, as Dalton’s play in the playoffs has been subpar to say the least. However, the Bengals still see Dalton as their quarterback of the future, as evidenced by the six year, $115 million contract extension they gave him last month. To prove worthy of that mega deal, Dalton has to go out and win some playoff games. No pressure.
AFC South: Blake Bortles, QB, Jaguars
The third overall pick in this year’s draft, Bortles was regarded as the draft’s most physically gifted quarterback, but its least pro-ready among the top prospects. Coach Gus Bradley and General Manager Dave Caldwell had come out and said publicly that this year would likely be a redshirt year for Bortles so he could adjust to the pro game and learn the offense behind veteran Chad Henne. Well, that plan might go out the window after Bortles’ play this preseason. He has looked every bit the part of a franchise signal caller, so only time will tell if Bradley allows him to show his skills sooner rather than later.
AFC West: DeMarcus Ware, DE, Broncos
After eight largely successful seasons in Dallas, Ware was cut by the Cowboys following an injury-plagued 2013 season. The Broncos hope he can recapture the form that made him one of the league’s most feared pass rushers after inking a three year, $30 million deal this offseason. If he can bring that form back to Denver, opposing offensive coordinators won’t know whether to stop him or his young protege, Von Miller.
NFC East: Eli Manning, QB, NY Giants
Manning went through arguably his worst season as a pro last season, so head coach Tom Coughlin and GM Jerry Reese went out this offseason to ensure that Manning comes back strong. They hired Ben McAdoo from Green Bay as offensive coordinator, signed running back Rashad Jennings and guard Geoff Schwartz in addition to drafting wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and center Weston Richburg in the draft’s first two rounds to help with that goal. Now it’s time for Manning to bring the Giants back to the playoffs.
NFC North: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Vikings
In former offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave’s system, Patterson was limited as a rookie. That won’t be the case under new coordinator Norv Turner. Turner is known to turn athletically gifted wideouts into top targets. Just look at Josh Gordon last year while Turner was in Cleveland. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Patterson take off to those heights within the next couple seasons.
NFC South: Josh McCown, QB, Bucs
Last season, McCown went from journeyman backup to efficient starter in Chicago under Marc Trestman. New Bucs coach Lovie Smith saw that performance and decided to give McCown a two year, $10 million deal to be the starter here. With towering targets in veteran Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft, McCown could replicate last year’s performance in offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford’s scheme. After all the new additions made this year by Smith and new GM Jason Licht, this one is the most important. If McCown can come close to last year’s stellar stint, the Bucs can make the playoffs again.
NFC West: Tyrann Mathieu, FS, Cardinals
Mathieu has the ability to be one of the league’s best defensive playmakers in defensive coordinator Todd Bowles’ scheme. If he can stay healthy, the Cardinals’ defense will be once again among the league’s elite, and we could possibly see another defensive superstar in the Arizona secondary. Mathieu’s versatility and knack for making big plays could make him a transcendent star. They didn’t call him the “Honey Badger” at LSU for nothing.
Jordan Llanes can be reached at jordan.llanes@theminaretonline.com