NFL players in decline going into 2017

After accumulating 14.5 sacks in 2015, Ansah's third NFL season, he plummeted last year. Ansah had only two sacks in 13 games as he fought through nagging injuries. The Lions desperately need a rebound season from him.

Brown wasn't himself last year with hamstring issues due to sickle cell. He had more than 1,000 yards receiving 2015, but Brown saw that total nearly cut in half last year. Arizona is hopeful he's healthier this year.

Bryant had foot issues that hindered him in 2015, and those same issues impacted his play last season. Despite playing 13 games, Bryant had only 50 receptions for 796 yards, a pace well off what he established earlier in his career with Tony Romo.

Charles suffered his second career torn ACL in 2015, and he was never able to get fully healthy last year. He played only three games before undergoing surgery on both knees. He's hoping to revitalize his career at age 30 with the Broncos.

Cushing was a tackling machine at one point in his career, but injuries have also been a constant. He played only 13 games last year, recording 65 tackles and struggling to make impactful plays for Houston.

After a breakout 2015 season that included a career-best 75.3 QBR, Dalton faltered last year. Cincinnati's losses at wide receiver and injuries were certainly a factor, but Dalton regressed to 7.5 yards per pass attempt and had only 18 touchdown passes in 16 games. The Bengals hope adding first-round pick John Ross will help.

While Fitzgerald led the league with 107 receptions last year, he had just 9.6 yards per reception, by far the lowest of his career. Arizona seems aware that Fitzgerald is nearing the end of his career as he'll be 34 by the start of the regular season, drafting Chad Williams in the third round.

Flacco has now struggled in consecutive years, and it's no coincidence that the Ravens have missed the playoffs in each of those seasons. He had an awful 6.4 yards per pass attempt, with 20/15 TD/INT last season. The team is hopeful that adding Jeremy Maclin late in the offseason provides a boost.

New Orleans had high hopes for Fleener after signing him to a lucrative deal, but the results were far off what the Saints got out of the tight end position in previous seasons with Jimmy Graham and Benjamin Watson. Fleener has a lot to prove in his second year with the Saints.

Floyd had more than 800 yards in three consecutive seasons heading into his walk year. His play declined before a DUI got him cut late in the season. He had to settle for a one-year deal in Minnesota this offseason, with his football future in question at age 27.

One of the few older players New York has retained this offseason, Forte had just 3.7 yards per carry last season, his lowest career total. There has been a clear decline in Forte's numbers since 2014.

Gore remains one of the most durable players in football, but he hasn't been especially productive in Indianapolis. Despite passing the 1,000-yard rushing plateau for the ninth time last year, Gore averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry for the second straight season.

Hill broke into the NFL with a bang in his rookie season, but he's disappointed the Bengals over the last two years. With consecutive sub-4.0 yards per carry seasons, Cincinnati drafted Joe Mixon in the second round of the draft. Hill's role with the Bengals is far from certain.

Houston led the NFL with 22 sacks in 2014, but injuries have been a constant since then. He started last season late recovering from ACL surgery and had other issues after his return, resulting on only five games played. The Chiefs need Houston, their highest paid player, to stay on the field.

Ivory looks like a free agent bust after only one season in Jacksonville, rushing for only 439 yards in 11 games last season. The Jags drafted Leonard Fournette, so it could be difficult for Ivory to find the field in 2017.

Maclin got off to a slow start and suffered a groin injury last year, making 2016 the worst season of his career. The Chiefs released Maclin in early June to save money, but he hopes to rebound at age 29 in Baltimore.

New York's offense stagnated last season, with Manning's total of 35 touchdowns in 2015 falling to just 26 last season. The Giants signed Brandon Marshall to help Manning, who enters the season at age 36.

Fighting through injuries and an awful quarterback situation last year with the Jets, Marshall had only 59 receptions for 788 yards. He's hoping to rebound at age 33 as the Giants' No. 2 wideout next to Odell Beckham Jr.

Matthews played only 12 games last season, making 24 tackles and five sacks for the Packers. Now at age 31, Green Bay hopes last season isn't a sign of things to come.

Newton had subpar offensive line play and fought through a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery. His year was bad by any measure, with an awful 52.9 completion percentage and 19/14 TD/INT. However, at just 28 years old and a season removed from winning MVP in 2015, it wouldn't be shocking for Newton to get back on track this year.

Palmer's play has been going downhill for more than a year, and he'll turn 38 in December. He had only 7.1 yards per attempt, his lowest since joining the Cardinals, with 26/14 TD/INT.

Peppers is back where it all started with Carolina, and the team hopes he has something left in the tank. After accumulating 36 tackles and 10.5 sacks in 2015, Peppers had only 23 tackles and 7.5 sacks last season at age 36.

Richardson was quiet for much of the forgettable 2016 season for the Jets. He finished the year with only 1.5 sacks in 15 game and now enters a walk year.

The oft-injured Stewart managed to play 13 games for the Panthers, but he had only 3.8 yards per carry behind a poor offensive line. He's set to lose snaps this season after the Panthers drafted Christian McCaffrey.

Watt didn't look like himself after back surgery, only to re-injure himself and miss 13 games for the Texans last season. His streak of four straight All-Pro seasons ended, and it will take a lot for Watt to regain his former level.