Buffalo Bills: Josh Palmer

Josh Palmer was one of my favorite signings this offseason, as I have been a fan of his for a couple of years now. Looking at his tape over the past couple of years and in training camp this year, I can see that he is a nuanced route runner with serious deep route-running chops.

Palmer could see some serious targets this year, especially considering Khalil Shakir’s injury. He is what the Bills have been missing since Diggs, a speed and talent that can get down the field and create separation. As Palmer is playing with easily the best QB of his career, look for him to explode onto the scene.

New England Patriots: Christian Gonzalez

Christian Gonzalez will enter his 3rd season with the Patriots, and with a breakout season in his Sophomore campaign, he will build on this success. Coming off an all-pro season, Gonzalez is showing himself to be one of the best young corners in the league. Gonzalez has two tough matchups in his first three weeks (Hill, Metcalf).

We will see if he can set the tone early this season.

Miami Dolphins: Minkah Fitzpatrick

Minkah is a playmaker who was pivotal in the Pittsburgh defense for many years. He now rejoins Miami on a defense that is much better than when he last left, but it has still been mediocre at best over the last couple of years.

Fitzpatrick is a three-time all-pro and looks to get back there after not making the team for two seasons in a row. We will see how Fitzpatrick looks in a new role with Anthony Weaver as his Defensive Coordinator.

New York Jets: Justin Fields

The Jets cut Aaron Rodgers and signed Justin Fields this offseason, and there was real promise when they made this move. I am personally high on Justin Fields (OSU fan, so don’t trust me), but reports are coming out of Jets training camp that Fields has been one of the biggest disappointments so far in camp.

Watch out for Fields, as he is a big boom-or-bust player, with his running ability and inconsistent passing.

Cincinnati Bengals: Cam Taylor-Britt

Cam Taylor-Britt drew questions about his ability in his rookie season, but he has been slowly improving in his next two campaigns. With questions still looming about his ability, there have been reports that Taylor-Britt has benefited from Bengals new DC, Al Golden.

Heading into his 4th year, the Bengals need Cam to step up and no longer be the deep coverage liability that he has been in recent years.

Cleveland Browns: Harold Fannin Jr.

Harold Fannin Jr. led the NCAA in yards for a TE last year for Bowling Green State, and is a monster prospect.

While David Njoku, the Browns’ current starter, is an excellent TE, look for Fannin to get some burn this year. Fannin could see some serious playing time in the middle to late stretch this year with a shaken-up QB room.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Darius Slay

Recent Super Bowl champ Darius Slay joins a Pittsburgh defense already solidified in the top 5 last year. Slay’s veteran presence and ball skills should elevate an already elite defense.

Slay had a great year as a leader last year, but he will turn 35 come playoff time. Watch out for a decline in mobility and production, but keep an eye out for the elevation of his teammates due to his elite leadership.

Baltimore Ravens: Jaire Alexander

Jaire Alexander joins a new team this season after the Packers and the veteran corner could not agree on a trade. The Ravens’ already boisterous corner room just got even crazier, with Chidobe Awuzie also joining the room.

Alexander was the best player on the Packers’ defense almost every year he was with them, so we will see if he can continue this dominance for Zach Orr and John Harbaugh.

Los Angeles Chargers: Mekhi Becton

Mekhi Becton is one of the most exciting offensive linemen in the league, due to his insane measurables (6-7 360). Becton has been inconsistent with the Jets, missing an entire season with injury and having a double-digit penalty season in 2023. He looks to improve his play on a new squad in 2025, running powerhouse Los Angeles Chargers.

With Jim Harbaugh at the helm, the Chargers ran the ball more than almost anyone last year. With a big body on the left side of the line now, Harbaugh can continue this dominance.

Denver Broncos: Zach Allen

Zach Allen had a fantastic season last year, finishing with 2nd team All-Pro honors. Allen was a 2019 3rd-round pick for the Cardinals, and exploded onto the league’s radars with his integral role on last year’s Broncos defense.

Watch some Broncos games this season to see how disruptive he can be.

Kansas City Chiefs: Leo Chenal

Chenal is going into his fourth season as a Kansas City Chief, and he is one of the most athletic LBs in the league today. At the combine, he had the third-highest athleticism score and was drafted in the third round.

Last season, he started the most games of his short career so far, so look for him to play in all 17 this season.

Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty

4th-overall pick Ashton Jeanty was the highest RB drafted since Saquon Barkley, which is a tall task to live up to if those are your expectations. Jeanty was a workhorse at Boise State, and I expect he will easily eclipse 300 carries and double-digit touchdowns.

Jeanty is explosive and very hard to bring down. If he can sustain the workload, watch for Jeanty to explode onto the NFL scene this season.

Indianapolis Colts: Daniel Jones

With a disappointing start to the season, a shoulder joint injury, and a benching for veteran Joe Flacco, Anthony Richardson’s season outlook is up in the air. With newly acquired Daniel Jones on the bench, there is always a chance they will turn to Jones’ experience at some point in the season.

Jones had disappointing seasons in New York, but could thrive under a new system with a new set of coaches. Daniel Jones has been inconsistent, but has been underrated by most NFL fans over the last couple of years. Watch out for Jones this season on account of Richardson’s availability issues.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker

Travon Walker was the 1st-overall pick in 2022, and after a slow start in his rookie season, he has recorded back-to-back double-digit sack seasons. Looking to get even better this season, he leads a Jaguars team that cleaned house after this past season.

With their new Defensive Coordinator, Anthony Campanile, Walker looks to build on his improvements of the last two years under new management. 

Houston Texans: CJ Gardner-Johnson

Coming after a Super Bowl with the Eagles, Gardner-Johnson will try to go out and prove that he can be a leader on another successful defense.

With Head Coach DeMeco Ryans at the helm, Ryans gains a weapon in CJ. He’s an energetic safety with a high motor, and he will look to continue this with a new team, on a new defense.

Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward

1st-overall pick Cam Ward has his work cut out for him this year. The Titans’ offense was not good last year, and hasn’t improved in any meaningful ways. Ward has to shoulder a heavy load this season, and how he plays this year could affect his confidence in the long run.

I project that he will do just fine, leading the Titans to a mediocre season before improving soon.