Pivotal guys:
USA TODAY looks at 32 figures who should prove critical to each NFL team’s fate.
By week’s end, all 32 NFL teams will have begun training camp. While there are questions surrounding all of them heading into the upcoming season, here’s a look at one key individual per club who might prove most pivotal to its fortunes in 2018.
AFC East
Bills RB LeSean McCoy: Under normal circumstances, the six-time Pro Bowler is the engine who drives Buffalo’s offense. But can “Shady” churn out 1,500 yards from scrimmage behind a revamped line and highly inexperienced group of quarterbacks now that he’s 30 — an age so often the death knell to tailbacks’ careers — while proving very serious allegations from his ex are false? Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill: He hasn’t played since Dec. 11, 2016. Miami reached the playoffs that season, and Tannehill won eight of 13 starts to help the cause while posting career bests in completion rate (67.1 percent) and passer rating (93.5). Still, that’s a modest level of success for a player who’s been in the league since 2012 and now has to knock the rust off his surgically repaired knee. If he can’t, the offense’s fortunes will apparently lie with Brock Osweiler or David Fales.
Patriots left tackle: Tom Brady has basically had two guys, Matt Light and then Nate Solder, watching his back for nearly all of his 17 seasons as a starter. But who will man the blind side in 2018? During the draft, New England acquired veteran Trent Brown from the 49ers. He currently resides atop the depth chart, but can a 6-8, 380-pounder who’s spent most of his career on the right side be trusted to protect the face of the NFL from the league’s best speed rushers? Isaiah Wynn was the club’s top pick of the draft, but the former Georgia star has questions of his own given his 6-2, 310-pound frame seems better suited to guard. Marcus Cannon, LaAdrian Waddle or Ulrick John could also figure as options. Jets CB Trumaine Johnson: He rivals Darrelle Revis as a businessman. After getting franchised two years in a row by the Rams, Johnson became New York’s richest player by signing a five-year, $72.5 million contract. But he lacks Revis’ bona fides, never earning Pro Bowl honors in six seasons and coming off a campaign where he ranked 68th, per ProFootballFocus, at his position. He must solidify a defense that will likely have to carry a team light on offensive playmakers.
AFC North
Ravens QB Joe Flacco: No one in Baltimore can say enough good things right now about the former Super Bowl MVP, and everyone in Charm City will be thrilled if Flacco recaptures that level of performance. If he doesn’t? The Lamar Jackson era will begin sooner than expected, and the John Harbaugh era might wrap. Bengals RB Joe Mixon: He wants you to believe he’s the next Le’Veon Bell, but that dubious comparison won’t gain credence until Mixon can do better than 3.5 yards per carry. Granted, he should see far more daylight behind this year’s line in his bid to reward a franchise that took a second-round risk on him in 2017.
Browns QB Tyrod Taylor: In three seasons as Buffalo’s starter, he was picked off just 16 times. Cleveland passers were responsible for 28 interceptions ... in 2017 alone. With a steady hand under center, the Browns — there’s plenty of talent on the roster despite their 1-31 record since 2016 — should make a quantum leap. However, if Taylor struggles, Baker Mayfield will likely have to play sooner than expected, which could send Hue Jackson back into Lake Erie. Steelers ILB Jon Bostic: The journeyman inherits the unenviable job of standing in for Ryan Shazier. Pittsburgh allowed 28 points per game after their Pro Bowler went down in Week 13 last season, and the defense needs Bostic to step up if this group is going to pose a serious challenge in the AFC.
AFC South
Texans QB Deshaun Watson: A fairly obvious choice, but he was an MVP candidate before injury prematurely ended his rookie season. As a refresher, Houston averaged 34.7 points in Watson’s six starts yet just 13 points per game for the balance of the season. His knee better be ready to go since it appears a suspect line could force him to rely heavily on his mobility in 2018. Colts QB Andrew Luck: Pretty simple — Indianapolis is 43-27 with him since 2012 and 10-16 without. Luck returns to a roster light on experience and with questionable talent in key areas. His rebuilt right shoulder better be ready for the load it’s going to bear. Jaguars WR Marqise Lee: We know you’re worried about Blake Bortles, but who is he throwing to? With 119 catches over the past two years, Lee has finally started to fulfill the expectations that come with being a second-round pick. He’ll need to do a lot more in 2018 to keep teams from doubling down against Leonard Fournette and the league’s top-ranked ground
attack from last season.
Titans WR Corey Davis: On the glass half-empty side, the fifth overall pick of the 2017 draft managed just 34 catches in a rookie season hindered by a bad hamstring. Yet Davis showed up to haul in his first two career TD passes in the playoff loss at New England. Now he needs to take some of the focus off aging TE Delanie Walker and maybe even blossom into the first wide receiver to gain 1,000 yards for Marcus Mariota.
AFC West
Broncos CB Bradley Roby: Good player. But the 2014 firstround pick will have to be a better one as he adjusts from nickel