One player for every NFL team who will bounce back in 2025

   

The 2024 season didn't go according to plan for many NFL players. These prominent players now have an opportunity for a rebound season in 2025.

 
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Arizona Cardinals: BJ Ojulari, OLB

Arizona Cardinals: BJ Ojulari, OLB
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Ojulari showed strong flashes in his rookie season with four sacks and 40 tackles, but he missed all of last season with a torn ACL. The Cardinals need his contribution this season, and he's had enough time to get back in shape.

 
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Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE

Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE
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After recording more than 1,000 yards in his rookie season in 2021, Pitts hasn't been quite the same following a leg injury in 2022. His role could be key for Michael Penix Jr.'s development, and Atlanta is hopeful he shows some of his old form.

 
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Baltimore Ravens: Jaire Alexander, CB

Baltimore Ravens: Jaire Alexander, CB
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Alexander was an elite corner at times in Green Bay, but has played a total of 14 regular season games over the last two seasons. He gets a new start in Baltimore, with a potentially elite secondary that includes safety Kyle Hamilton. Alexander will need to stay healthy, which could be easier said than done.

 
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Buffalo Bills: Joey Bosa, DE

Buffalo Bills: Joey Bosa, DE
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Bosa is a household name with five Pro Bowls in nine seasons as a Charger, but the cost-cutting Chargers moved on as they try to get younger. He has a chance to be a key cog for the Bills as they have aspirations of finally getting to the Super Bowl in the Josh Allen era, and is still highly capable of double-digit sacks.

 
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Carolina Panthers: Derrick Brown, DE

Carolina Panthers: Derrick Brown, DE
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Brown is arguably the most talented player on the Panthers defense, but played only one game in 2024 due to a knee injury. He made the Pro Bowl in 2023 with 103 tackles and two sacks, and hopes to return to form this year.

 
 
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Chicago Bears: D.J. Moore, WR

Chicago Bears: D.J. Moore, WR
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Moore saw his numbers plummet with Caleb Williams at the helm last season, failing to reach 1,000 yards and recording sub-10 yards per reception. Enter new head coach Ben Johnson. The former Lions offensive coordinator should be able to find ways to get Moore the ball in more favorable situations while he develops Williams.

 
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Cincinnati Bengals: Evan McPherson, PK

Cincinnati Bengals: Evan McPherson, PK
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McPherson has been an elite kicker at times during his career, though he's coming off his worst season. He slumped last year, making only 73% of his field goals and missing time. Cincy expects a rebound from the young kicker.

 
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Cleveland Browns: Diontae Johnson, WR

Cleveland Browns: Diontae Johnson, WR
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Johnson's career has been in a free fall since his Pro Bowl season with Pittsburgh in 2021, but it's clear the upside remains. He appeared with three different teams last season and will now try to revive his career with Cleveland at age 29, becoming a possible complementary receiver for Jerry Jeudy.

 
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Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott, QB

Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott, QB
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Prescott is showing his age, with injuries becoming more common over the last few years. He played only eight games due to a hamstring last season, but gets a new start this year with head coach Brian Schottenheimer at the helm. The addition of former Steelers star George Pickens gives Prescott an impressive array of weapons.

 
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Denver Broncos: Evan Engram, TE

Denver Broncos: Evan Engram, TE
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After a career year with Jacksonville in 2023, injuries returned to haunt Engram last season. He gets a new start with Denver, and Sean Payton's offense has often featured the tight end. It's an excellent situation for Engram to rehab his value.

 
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Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, DE

Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, DE
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Hutchinson was an elite contributor in five games last season, recording 7.5 sacks in only five games. Unfortunately, a leg injury ended his season prematurely, and the Lions' lack of pass rush was exposed in the playoffs. Hutchinson's rebound will be key for Detroit this season, with several losses on both sides of the ball.

 
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Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love, QB

Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love, QB
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Love had a disappointing second season as the Packers' starter, but a nagging leg injury in Week 1 probably didn't help. He's looked like a franchise quarterback at times, especially down the stretch in 2023, and the addition of first-round wideout Matthew Golden could take Love to the next level.

 
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Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB

Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB
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Stroud regressed in his sophomore season, in large part due to poor offensive line play. Houston has addressed that area while also hiring a new offensive coordinator. The additions of multiple wideouts, headlined by Christian Kirk, should also help.

 
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Indianapolis Colts: Michael Pittman Jr., WR

Indianapolis Colts: Michael Pittman Jr., WR
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Poor quarterback play in Indy has been a major culprit for Pittman's inconsistency in recent seasons. The addition of Daniel Jones probably doesn't solve the problem, but he's likely an improvement for the passing game over Anthony Richardson. Pittman is primed for the third 1,000-yard season of his career.

 
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Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB

Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB
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The Jags have shown desperation in trying to support Lawrence, who is now on his third head coach in five years, with the arrival of Liam Coen. Lawrence played only 10 games last season due to injuries, but a new offense and better health could allow him to jumpstart his progress.

 
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Kansas City Chiefs: Rashee Rice, WR

Kansas City Chiefs: Rashee Rice, WR
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Rice was the Chiefs' most potent receiver during their 2023 Super Bowl run, but was lost early last season due to a knee injury. He's looked healthy in minicamp, a great sign for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Rice has a chance to ascend as an elite wideout in Andy Reid's offense.

 
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Las Vegas Raiders: Christian Wilkins, DT

Las Vegas Raiders: Christian Wilkins, DT
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Vegas gave big money to Wilkins last offseason, only for him to be lost in Week 5 with a foot injury. The Raiders loved his early contribution, and the addition of head coach Pete Carroll could be another boost as Wilkins returns in 2025.

 
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Los Angeles Chargers: Khalil Mack, OLB

Los Angeles Chargers: Khalil Mack, OLB
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After arguably his best season in 2023 with 17 sacks, Mack recorded only six sacks in his first season under Jim Harbaugh. His burst remains despite his age, and the Chargers are counting on Mack to rebound after losing Joey Bosa. Mack could cash in after a year of adjustment to the new defense.

 
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Los Angeles Rams: Puka Nacua, WR

Los Angeles Rams: Puka Nacua, WR
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Nacua wasn't able to match his brilliant rookie season, mainly due to injury. The Rams have added Davante Adams to take most of the attention as they go all-in with Matthew Stafford, and Nacua should find ample opportunities to get open.

 
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Miami Dolphins: Darren Waller, TE

Miami Dolphins: Darren Waller, TE
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After three injury-plagued seasons, Waller retired last season. A season away probably did his body some good, and he's in a great situation with offensive mastermind Mike McDaniel. The former Pro Bowler is in a position with his new team to rebound.

 
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Minnesota Vikings: T.J. Hockenson, TE

Minnesota Vikings: T.J. Hockenson, TE
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Hockenson joined the Vikings well into last season following knee surgery. He should be a key part of the Vikings' offense again this season, especially with young quarterback J.J. McCarthy trying to find his way as the starter.

 
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New England Patriots: Harold Landry, OLB

New England Patriots: Harold Landry, OLB
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Landry was productive in Atlanta last season with nine sacks, but he's yet to regain his full Pro Bowl form since suffering an ACL injury in 2022. Reuniting with former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel could be the answer, with Landry once again playing a key role in the familiar defense.

 
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New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, WR

New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, WR
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The Saints' passing game could have issues this season following the retirement of Derek Carr, but Olave still looks set to rebound after an injury-plagued 2023 season. He recorded more than 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first two seasons and should have a chance to get back to that milestone.

 
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New York Giants: Andrew Thomas, LT

New York Giants: Andrew Thomas, LT
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The Giants offensive line floundered last season following Thomas' foot injury, but the team is hopeful he's ready for Week 1. His health will be key with a new starting quarterback under center.

 
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New York Jets: Garrett Wilson, WR

New York Jets: Garrett Wilson, WR
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While Wilson managed his third straight 1,000-yard season in 2024, his ascension seemed to be halted as Aaron Rodgers struggled to get comfortable with him. Justin Fields doesn't have the vision of accuracy of Rodgers, but Wilson should be featured in the offense again after the Jets moved on from Davante Adams.

 
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Philadelphia Eagles: Dallas Goedert, TE

Philadelphia Eagles: Dallas Goedert, TE
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The Eagles are coming off a Super Bowl victory, but not every player had a career year. Goedert was limited to only 10 regular-season games due to injury and struggled to find the end zone. Philly's offense will be that much better if Goedert can stay on the field.

 
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Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Highsmith, OLB

Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Highsmith, OLB
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Highsmith is often an afterthought in a defense featuring T.J. Watt, and he played only 11 games last season due to injury. A contract dispute between Watt and the team this offseason puts the microscope on Highsmith, as he hopes for a healthier and more productive season.

 
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San Francisco 49ers: Christian McCaffrey, RB

San Francisco 49ers: Christian McCaffrey, RB
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The 49ers had a disappointing 2024 season, and McCaffrey's nagging leg problems were a big reason. He played only four games after winning Offensive Player of the Year in 2023. San Francisco desperately needs McCaffrey to rebound, especially after trading Deebo Samuel.

 
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Seattle Seahawks: Cooper Kupp, WR

Seattle Seahawks: Cooper Kupp, WR
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Three straight injury-plagued seasons were enough for the Rams, who moved on from Kupp in the offseason. He's hoping to find his old form with the rival Seahawks and will be a key piece to Sam Darnold's development after moving over from Minnesota.

 
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Godwin, WR

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Godwin, WR
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Godwin's streak of three straight 1,000-yard seasons was halted due to an ankle injury last season. The addition of rookie Emeka Egbuka crowds the Bucs' wideout room, but Godwin still has the ability to rebound at age 29.

 
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Tennessee Titans: L'Jarius Sneed, CB

Tennessee Titans: L'Jarius Sneed, CB
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Sneed's luck couldn't have been much worse after getting traded from the Chiefs last offseason, playing only five games due to injury. He had a nose for the ball early in his career with KC, and will be a key part of the Titans' defense this season if healthy.

 
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Washington Commanders: Deebo Samuel, WR

Washington Commanders: Deebo Samuel, WR
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Perhaps the wear and tear of getting 90-plus touches per season is showing for Samuel, but the Commanders clearly think he has something left. Joining a dynamic offense with Jayden Daniels and coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Samuel has a chance to revive his career after recording only 51 catches for 670 yards last season.