Whether it is bouncing back after a bad year or meeting high expectations following a contract extension, rookies or veterans, it doesn't matter. These are 10 players who need to quiet all the critics this year.
And if you haven't yet, be sure to check out our 10 bold predictions, division winner predictions, and the top 15 rookies to watch this upcoming season.
Now, let's get into it.
10. Tyler Shough
Shough has received more doubt from the media and fans alike amidst the 2025 rookie quarterback class. Yet, under a new Kellen Moore system, Shough might exceed any expectations placed on him, even if he isn't given the starting nod right away over Spencer Rattler - which some might think in of itself is not a good sign.
New Orleans' saving grace could be the one thing the majority of fans and media never pay attention to - their offensive line. Erik McCoy was rated the No. 1 centre in the NFL last year, with the rest of the unit filled with nothing but first-round picks. Having someone like him in front of Shough could prove to be the most valuable player on that Saints offence.
If rookie Kelvin Banks Jr. proves to be a fantastic left tackle, the Saints will undoubtedly be able to score points this season.
With Alvin Kamara in the backfield, Chris Olave and Brandin Cooks at wide receiver, and Juwan Johnson back for another season at tight end, New Orleans has some weapons on offense. It's just a matter of Tyler Shough showing out and taking advantage of what he can, when he can.
9. Jaycee Horn
It might be shocking to have him on this list, given that Horn was made the second-highest paid player on the Panthers this offseason with a four-year, $100 million contract extension. However, he has a lot to prove for someone getting paid nine figures.
He finished last year with a 57.7 coverage grade that ranked 137th out of 222 cornerbacks, giving up a career-high six touchdowns and committing 12 penalties - twice as many as his previous career high from 2023.
Of course, his 1,034 snap count blows the previous three seasons out of the water, so numbers are expected to inflate - just not to the degree they did last year. For a team that ranked 30th in pass defence in 2024, Horn needs to be the CB1 anchor that holds that secondary together every week.
8. Odafe Oweh
Oweh undoubtedly had the best season of his career last year, putting up 10 sacks and 23 quarterback pressures, both doubled from what he did the previous season. However, Oweh was extremely inconsistent last season in rushing the passer.
He only had two games where he had multiple sacks, and those were separated by eight weeks. During that time, Oweh only had two more sacks, each in separate games.
In other words - he disappears. Oweh is now in the final year of his rookie deal. So if he wants that big contract extension that the pass rusher market is usually dishing out, then he's going to need to elevate to another level this season.
The Ravens brought in the NCAA sack leader in drafting Mike Green this offseason. Now with veteran Kyle Van Noy returning after a career year, Oweh will have more one-on-one opportunities and fewer excuses to get to the quarterback more often than ever before.
7. Dustin Hopkins
Yes, we have a kicker on the list! In 2023, Hopkins had the 10th-best field goal percentage (91.7%) but had an awful 2024 campaign. Last season, the veteran had the worst percentage (66.7%) of any kicker in the league with at least 20 attempts.
Hopkins went 8-for-8 from 50+ yards in 2023 (33-for-36 total) but slipped to 4-for-8 last season (18-27 total).
He was cut by the Cleveland Browns prior to this season, losing the starting job to rookie and former UFL kicker Andre Szmyt. So his opportunity may never even happen. However, if it does, Hopkins cannot afford to make a mistake even once, or else it's curtains on the 34-year-old's career.
6. Marshon Lattimore
I don't think any fan outside of the Commanders base is in their house somewhere going, "Marshon Lattimore better prove me wrong." But for who was once considered one of the top cornerbacks in the league, Washington traded for him last year, expecting major help in their secondary. But he hasn't done anything to live up to expectations.
Granted, reaggravating a hamstring injury is nothing to laugh at, and it caused Lattimore to miss most of his time as a member of the Commanders. But now he's back healthy and ready to roll for the 2025 season. Can the 10-year veteran step up in a way that his teammates and Commanders fans hope he can? Only time will tell.
But this is, without a doubt, a season for Lattimore to see if he still has any juice left in the tank or not.
5. J.J. McCarthy
After enduring a torn meniscus, McCarthy missed out on his entire rookie season, leaving former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold at the helm - which became one of the biggest storylines of the 2024 season.
All eyes are on McCarthy now. Darnold isn't in Minnesota anymore to back him up in case he doesn't play well. It's not crazy to say that the Vikings having a great or terrible season rides on McCarthy's shoulders.
There's no doubt he has one of the best supporting casts in all of football. But for a team to succeed, it starts with their quarterback. And there's no better opportunity for McCarthy to put any worries to rest.
4. Kyle Pitts
Pitts has become the biggest joke among fantasy football owners, implying every year that taking him early on in their drafts will finally pay off for them. Unfortunately, Pitts' career has been disappointing despite the hype he has received every year.
Pitts had the second-lowest passer rating when targeted among Falcons starting receivers the past two seasons and has yet to surpass 700 receiving yards since his rookie year (2021 - 1,026). He also had a career-worst receiving success rate (41.9%) and receiving yards per game (35.4).
Pitts is in the final year of his rookie deal and will be an unrestricted free agent following the 2025 season. However, players tend to elevate their game in contract years, so this is undoubtedly Pitts' biggest chance to prove himself as a potential top tight end in the league. He needs to prove that quarterback Michael Penix Jr, can rely on him to step up no matter what.
3. Trevor Lawrence
It's time for Lawrence to be the quarterback the Jacksonville Jaguars expect him to be. Obviously, there's nothing you can do about injuries. But even prior to it last season, Lawrence finished with 11 touchdowns to seven interceptions with a completion percentage that barely hit 60%.
Jacksonville had one of the lowest drop rates in the league and improved their offence by drafting Travis Hunter. Yes, they had one of the most disappointing run games last season, which never helps a passing game. That being said, the Jaguars had a lot of disappointing things.
Nobody is expecting Lawrence to look like an MVP this year or lead the Jaguars to a division crown. But the decision-making and minimizing turnovers have to be the keys for a breakout year. He's got the arm. After five years, it's now time for Lawrence to hit his stride or never.
2. Kyler Murray
Even though Murray had a solid season last year, it's still not enough. We still haven't seen the seven-year veteran really have a breakout season. And with a wide-open NFC West division this upcoming season, there's no better time than now for Murray to elevate the Cardinals to a potential division crown.
The Cardinals have a middle-of-the-pack defence so they aren't going to be the ones who will help uplift Murray to a level that he should be at this point in his career. He's never thrown for more than 4,000 yards or 30 touchdowns in a season.
Since Arizona drafted him, the team's only winning season came in 2021 when they went 11-6 - and all that starts with their quarterback. Even with a piss poor defence and the worst offensive line in the NFL, Joe Burrow still managed to put the Cincinnati Bengals in a playoff position last year.
Murray has the support to win the NFC West - but it's all on him whether or not they finally have a winning season again.
1. Caleb Williams
Nobody has more eyes on him than the two-year starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears. After having a disastrous rookie season behind an even more disastrous offensive line, the Bears made sure to drastically change things from top to bottom this offseason.
In a new system with a much-improved offensive line, Caleb Williams is primed for a surge rather than a slump in 2025. From his criticized personality to his on-the-field antics (i.e., holding on to the ball too long), Williams has endured way more criticism than any rookie should receive.
However, that's exactly why he's No. 1 on this list. Williams has a chance to tell the haters off now more than ever before in his entire football life. But with the NFC North ramping up to be the best division in football yet again, especially with Micah Parsons now leading the Green Bay Packers' pass rush, Williams has a rough road ahead - which makes a turnaround for him that much sweeter.