Five NFL players under 25 entering career-defining seasons

Phase two of the NFL offseason workout program is upon us, meaning teams are ramping up their preparations for the regular season, which will be pivotal for many players' careers.

Several veterans, including Giants QB Daniel Jones and Panthers RB Miles Sanders, are on scorching- hot seats, but a number of young players are entering career-defining seasons.

With that in mind, here are five players under 25 who are entering seasons that will shape their careers.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville Jaguars

While he led Jacksonville to the AFC divisional round during the 2022 season, the former No. 1 overall pick hasn't become the generational quarterback that scouts and analysts believed he would be. Playing under bumbling Urban Meyer for most of his rookie season and dealing with injuries have hindered Lawrence's development. Even so, his inconsistency and turnover issues are undoubtedly major concerns, particularly since he has already begun discussing a contract extension with the team.

Despite throwing for 4,016 yards last season, Lawrence had as many turnovers as touchdown passes (21), bringing his career turnover total to 60. Only 11 quarterbacks who have debuted since 1978 have turned the ball over more in their first three seasons than Lawrence, per the Elias Sports Bureau (h/t ESPN). 

At this time last offseason, many believed Lawrence had a case to be a top-10 quarterback in the NFL, but now it's quite difficult to determine his ranking among his peers. Lawrence probably must lead Jacksonville back to the playoffs to solidify himself as a QB and be paid like one. Another season in HC Doug Pederson's system and an upgraded receiving corps will help. However, success isn't guaranteed because the AFC South looks like one of the NFL's tougher divisions. 

Tight end Kyle Pitts | Atlanta Falcons 

Although Pitts had his fifth-year option picked up by Atlanta, the 23-year-old hasn't lived up to the expectations of being the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history. After becoming the second tight end to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie, Pitts has only racked up 1,023 yards and five touchdowns on 81 receptions over the past two seasons.

Former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith's questionable play-calling and Atlanta's poor quarterback situation contributed to Pitts' regression. Still, it's up to the former fourth-round pick to prove his rookie season wasn't an outlier.

New Falcons QB Kirk Cousins should make a difference, though if Pitts isn't productive, it may be due to his own shortcomings. As CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles pointed out, just under 27% of Cousins' passes last season were intended for tight ends, the fifth-highest rate among quarterbacks. 

Wide receiver Treylon Burks | Tennessee Titans 

Training camp will be more of a make-or-break period for the 2022 first-round pick's career than the regular season, as Tennessee's offseason additions may have made Burks the odd man out in its receiver room. Burks, who was drafted to replace Pro Bowler A.J. Brown, has played in just 22 games over his first two seasons, catching 49 passes for 665 yards and one touchdown in that span.

In light of his on-field struggles and injury concerns, the Titans spent heavily at wide receiver in free agency, signing ex-Jaguar Calvin Ridley to a four-year, $92M deal. Additionally, Tennessee recently signed Tyler Boyd — a veteran who thrived in new HC Brian Callahan's system for the past five seasons — to a one-year deal, likely to serve as its No. 3 wideout. If Burks can't beat out Boyd for a prominent role in the offense, it wouldn't be surprising if he gets traded this summer. 

Quarterback Bryce Young | Carolina Panthers 

It's difficult to say that a quarterback's second season will be career-defining, especially for a signal-caller who entered the league in as disastrous a situation as Young did. But that's what comes with being the first overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Young's debut season couldn't have gone worse, having posted a 2-14 record as a starter and completing 59.8% of his passes for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The fact that Carolina traded a massive haul to Chicago for the right to select Young, coupled with 2023 No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud's historic rookie season with Houston, only exacerbated the situation.

Young's supporting cast remains underwhelming, but he is better positioned to have a more productive season after the Panthers made strides to aid his development. Aside from hiring head coach Dave Canales, whose guidance helped Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield get their careers on track, Carolina notably acquired Diontae Johnson and drafted Xavier Legette — both wideouts — and added guard Robert Hunt. 

Should Young struggle again this season while Stroud takes another step forward, the Alabama product could soon be considered one of the worst No. 1 picks in recent memory.  

Wide receiver Quentin Johnston | Los Angeles Chargers 

Johnston, the 21st overall pick in last year's draft, showed why he was considered one of the biggest boom-or-bust prospects in the class during his disappointing rookie season. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder hauled in 38 of his 67 targets for 431 yards and two touchdowns, failing to be the YAC machine he was at TCU. According to Pro Football Focus, Johnston's 152 yards after the catch last season were the 13th fewest by a wide receiver who earned at least 60 targets. 

Los Angeles moved on from WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams this offseason, paving the way for Johnston to be a focal point of the offense. With an expanded role and Justin Herbert as his quarterback, there's no excuse for Johnston to be ineffective. Since this Chargers regime didn't draft Johnston, he has little room for error, or the team could cut ties with him as early as next offseason.