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Every NFL team's star who could fade in 2020
Aaron Rodgers turns 37 in December. Kyle Terada/USA Today Images

Every NFL team's star who could fade in 2020

The decline can come quickly for NFL players. Entering the 2020 season, these players could be set to fade.

 
1 of 32

Arizona Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald, WR

Arizona Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald, WR
Chuck Cook / USA Today Sports Images

Now entering his 17th year with the Cardinals, Fitzgerald seems to be considering retirement year to year. He remained productive last season with Kyler Murray at quarterback but could take a step back in the pecking order at age 37 after the Cardinals acquired DeAndre Hopkins. 

 
2 of 32

Atlanta Falcons: Todd Gurley, RB

Atlanta Falcons: Todd Gurley, RB
Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports Images

The Rams moved on from Gurley this offseason due to his contract, but lack of production was also a concern thanks to an arthritic knee. Gurley averaged only 3.8 yards per carry last season and had a career-low 223 carries. Atlanta could be getting damaged goods in Gurley's sixth NFL season.

 
3 of 32

Baltimore Ravens: Mark Ingram, RB

Baltimore Ravens: Mark Ingram, RB
Douglas DeFelice / USA Today Sports Images

Ingram had a terrific first season in Baltimore at age 30, but he nursed a calf injury to close out the year. He's at the age when most running backs decline, and the Ravens have added insurance for that scenario by drafting J.K. Dobbins in the second round. If Ingram shows any sign of deterioration, the Ravens have many alternatives.

 
4 of 32

Buffalo Bills: Jerry Hughes, DE

Buffalo Bills: Jerry Hughes, DE
Rich Barnes / USA Today Sports Images

Hughes has long been an underrated contributor for Buffalo, with 46.5 sacks over the last seven seasons. However, he had a subpar 2019 season with only 4.5 sacks at age 31, a sign that he could be approaching the final leg of his career.

 
5 of 32

Carolina Panthers: Robby Anderson, WR

Carolina Panthers: Robby Anderson, WR
Brad Penner / USA Today Sports Images

The Panthers gave Anderson big money in free agency after four years as a great deep threat for the Jets. However, he could see far less attention with his new team, as Christian McCaffrey and D.J. Moore are the featured weapons in the offense. Anderson is a long way off the decline stage of his career at age 27, but consistent production could be tough to come by with the Panthers.

 
6 of 32

Chicago Bears: Robert Quinn, OLB

Chicago Bears: Robert Quinn, OLB
Robert Deutsch / USA Today Sports Images

Quinn revitalized his career in Dallas last season, leading to a new deal with the Bears this year. He will get some freedom to rush the passer opposite Khalil Mack, but Quinn's sack production has been inconsistent in recent seasons. At age 30, he's far from a sure bet.

 
7 of 32

Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR

Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR
Sam Greene / USA Today Sports Images

Green returns on the franchise tag this season despite playing only nine games in 2018 and failing to appear in a game last season due to injury. At age 32, it's unclear in what form Green will be, and he also has more competition for looks with rookie Tee Higgins added to the fray.

 
8 of 32

Cleveland Browns: Olivier Vernon, DE

Cleveland Browns: Olivier Vernon, DE
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

Injuries have been a theme for Vernon over the last three years, averaging only 11 games per season and playing in just 10 games in 2019. Last year was his first in Cleveland, and his 3.5 sacks was a major disappointment. Going into his age 30 season, Vernon could be looking at a make-or-break year.

 
9 of 32

Dallas Cowboys: Gerald McCoy, DT

Dallas Cowboys: Gerald McCoy, DT
Chuck Cook / USA Today Sports Images

Dallas remade the interior of its defensive line with veterans McCoy and Dontari Poe. Both players have something to prove in 2020, particularly McCoy, who is now on his third team in three years. The longtime Buc had five sacks in 16 games in his one season with the Panthers last year, but at age 32, he is clearly approaching the end of his career.

 
10 of 32

Denver Broncos: Von Miller, OLB

Denver Broncos: Von Miller, OLB
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

Miller made the Pro Bowl in 2019, but it was a disappointing year relative to the high standard he's set in his career. His eight sacks were the second least he's ever recorded in his career and could be an indication of decline in what was his age 30 season. The Broncos need more from Miller this year.

 
11 of 32

Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB

Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB
Cary Edmondson / USA Today Sports Images

Stafford's 2019 season was cut short due to a major back injury, as he appeared in only eight games. He played great up to that point, but now in his early 30s, there would seem to be more risk in relying on Stafford after such an injury. As much as the Lions struggled without him last season, they certainly hope he can bounce back.

 
12 of 32

Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers, QB

Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers, QB
Kyle Terada / USA Today Sports Images

Rodgers still played at a high level last season at age 36 but struggled at times without major great weapons around him. Green Bay has done almost nothing in the offseason to fix that problem, even losing talent with the loss of right tackle Bryan Bulaga and tight end Jimmy Graham. The window is closing for Rodgers, and it's difficult to see him taking a step forward without more help.

 
13 of 32

Houston Texans: David Johnson, RB

Houston Texans: David Johnson, RB
Michael Chow / USA Today Sports Images

Houston took a risk by acquiring Johnson from Arizona this offseason after his struggles in 2019. The former star was effectively benched for Kenyan Drake late in the season and averaged only 3.7 yards per carry when he was on the field. He's had significant injury issues in two of the last three seasons, as he tries to revive his career as he approaches age 29.

 
14 of 32

Indianapolis Colts: Philip Rivers, QB

Indianapolis Colts: Philip Rivers, QB
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

The Chargers moved on from Rivers in the offseason after 16 seasons, but he gets a new start with the Colts. He's often taken too many risks during his career, a bad trend that returned last year with 20 interceptions. There were also some signs he lost arm strength, but Rivers is trying to prove he has something left going on age 39.

 
15 of 32

Jacksonville Jaguars: Gardner Minshew, QB

Jacksonville Jaguars: Gardner Minshew, QB
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

After trading Nick Foles this offseason, it seems that the Jaguars are all in on Minshew going into his sophomore season. Minshew impressed last year and brought his cult following from Washington State to Jacksonville, but the expectations are much higher this season now that he's considered the franchise's quarterback of the future. If Minshew can't maintain his play, the Jaguars could look toward addressing the quarterback position in the 2021 draft.

 
16 of 32

Kansas City Chiefs: Damien Williams, RB

Kansas City Chiefs: Damien Williams, RB
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Williams was one of the Chiefs heroes during the Super Bowl after a solid late-season run. He figures into their 2020 game plan but could lose playing time to first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Williams has also struggled to stay healthy during much of his career.

 
17 of 32

Las Vegas Raiders: Jason Witten, TE

Las Vegas Raiders: Jason Witten, TE
Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports Images

Witten came out of retirement to help the Cowboys last season, but they finally moved on from him in the offseason. Still not ready to retire for good, Witten joins the Raiders at age 38. He was productive in Dallas last year but could see his snaps cut behind Darren Waller this season.

 
18 of 32

Los Angeles Chargers: Keenan Allen, WR

Los Angeles Chargers: Keenan Allen, WR
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

With the losses of Philip Rivers and Melvin Gordon, Allen is now clearly the Chargers more identifiable offensive player. He made his third consecutive Pro Bowl in 2019, but that streak could be in jeopardy with a change at quarterback. Tyrod Taylor and rookie Justin Herbert will battle for the starting job in training camp, and Allen could find it difficult to continue his great production pace now that Rivers is gone.

 
19 of 32

Los Angeles Rams: Jared Goff, QB

Los Angeles Rams: Jared Goff, QB
Kyle Terada / USA Today Sports Images

With major salary cap issues, the Rams had to shed talent for the second consecutive offseason. The team lost Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks this offseason. While Goff still has strong weapons with Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and Tyler Higbee, he already showed some decline last year and could fade further if the Rams don't make major adjustments in the tough NFC West.

 
20 of 32

Miami Dolphins: Kyle Van Noy, LB

Miami Dolphins: Kyle Van Noy, LB
Greg M. Cooper / USA Today Sports Images

Miami went on a shopping spree this offseason, adding several significant contracts on defense. One of those players was Van Noy, who comes over from New England and reunites with coach Brian Flores. Van Noy knows the defense that Miami employs, but that doesn't mean he will be able to maintain his production from the Pats. Leaving New England has often exposed defensive players, and Van Noy has a lot of new teammates to get comfortable with after an abbreviated offseason.

 
21 of 32

Minnesota Vikings: Dalvin Cook, RB

Minnesota Vikings: Dalvin Cook, RB
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Coming off a career year, Cook is already threatening a holdout in 2020. Cook was a difference maker for the Vikings offense, but it was also the first season in three years that he was able to stay on the field consistently. Between Cook's injury history and contract situation, he's an easy candidate for fading in 2020.

 
22 of 32

New England Patriots: Julian Edelman, WR

New England Patriots: Julian Edelman, WR
David Kohl / USA Today Sports Images

Edelman has continued to be productive into his 30s, but he's set for a big change in 2020 with the loss of Tom Brady. It's unclear what the Patriots have with new assumed starter, Jarrett Stidham, though it's safe to project a decline from Edelman at age 34 after a career-high 1,117 yards receiving last year.

 
23 of 32

New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees, QB

New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees, QB
Bob Donnan / USA Today Sports Images

Brees is returning for his age 41 season after a terrific 2019, albeit with some injury and performance hiccups. He struggled in the team's playoff loss to Minnesota, and the Saints added insurance by signing Jameis Winston in the offseason.

 
24 of 32

New York Giants: Golden Tate, WR

New York Giants: Golden Tate, WR
Danielle Parhizkaran / USA Today Sports Images

Tate performed well for the Giants when he was on the field last season at age 31, though his catch rate (58 percent) was lowest since his rookie season and a major disappointment. He now enters what's likely to be a more conservative offense with coordinator Jason Garrett and could lose snaps if Darius Slayton continues to produce in his second season.

 
25 of 32

New York Jets: Le'Veon Bell, RB

New York Jets: Le'Veon Bell, RB
David Kohl / USA Today Sports Images

Bell joined the Jets after holding out in 2018, but his first year in New York was a disappointment with only 3.2 yards per carry. He's entering only his age 28 season and has an improved offensive line, but the Jets signed a fallback plan in Frank Gore if Bell continues to struggle.

 
26 of 32

Philadelphia Eagles: Alshon Jeffery, WR

Philadelphia Eagles: Alshon Jeffery, WR
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Jeffery missed six regular -eason games in 2019 due to injury, leaving the Eagles in a bind. His status for the start of 2020 is still unclear because of a foot injury, and the team used its first-round pick on wideout Jalen Reagor. If Jeffery is unable to break out well from the start of the season, he could see his snaps diminish in his age-30 season.

 
27 of 32

Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger, QB

Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger, QB
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Roethlisberger suffered a serious elbow injury in Week 2 last season but has had ample to time to get ready for 2020. The Steelers are counting on him, with high hopes due to their elite defense. Still, Big Ben struggled when he did play early last season and is now 38. Without Antonio Brown, the Steelers shouldn't be assured Roethlisberger in his top form will return.

 
28 of 32

San Francisco 49ers: Richard Sherman, CB

San Francisco 49ers: Richard Sherman, CB
Stan Szeto / USA Today Sports Images

Sherman got Pro Bowl honors last season, the fifth of his career and first since joining the 49ers in 2018. He doesn't have the wheels that he did early in his career, but Sherman has overcome injuries to play at an elite level again. However, there remains risk as he enters his age 32 season.

 
29 of 32

Seattle Seahawks: Greg Olsen, TE

Seattle Seahawks: Greg Olsen, TE
Jeremy Brevard / USA Today Sports Images

Olsen likely has a future in broadcasting but pushed that off for one more year to join the Seahawks. He rebounded in 2019 following foot injuries to produce 52 catches for 597 yards in Carolina, but Olsen's health isn't a sure thing at age 35 after playing a combined 16 games in 2017-18.

 
30 of 32

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tom Brady, QB

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tom Brady, QB
Winslow Townson / USA Today Sports Images

The Bucs are one of the favorites in the NFC following the additions of Brady and Rob Gronkowski. For all of Brady's accomplishments, it's easy to forget the struggles he had in New England last year with only 6.6 yards per attempt and a 60.8 completion rate. Tampa Bay has excellent receiving options, and we'll soon find out if Brady's decline last year was due to his age or the lack of talent around him.

 
31 of 32

Tennessee Titans: Ryan Tannehill, QB

Tennessee Titans: Ryan Tannehill, QB
George Walker IV / USA Today Sports Images

Tannehill saved the Titans season when he replaced Marcus Mariota and was able to earn a huge contract as a result. Unfortunately, inconsistency has been a hallmark of Tannehill's career, and the Titans lost some talent on the offensive line. After a career year, Tennessee could be headed for disappointment if it's betting on a repeat from Tannehill.

 
32 of 32

Washington Redskins: Ryan Kerrigan, OLB

Washington Redskins: Ryan Kerrigan, OLB
Geoff Burke / USA Today Sports Images

Kerrigan has been one of the most consistent pass rushers in the NFL since his arrival in 2011, averaging 10 sacks per season. He missed four games last year due to injury, the first time he's missed in his NFL career, and his production was down when he did play. Washington has high hopes with a new coaching staff and first-round pick Chase Young, but there could be some concern regarding Kerrigan's decline entering his age 32 season.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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