NFL player matchups we're eager to watch in 2019

McCaffrey has become a headache for linebackers, both as a runner and a receiver. He broke the running back reception record with 107 catches last season, but Rams linebacker Cory Littleton had a breakout season of his own in 2018 and proved to be elite in coverage. This matchup could determine the winner between the Panthers and Rams.

Evans continues to perform as one of the elite wideouts in the NFL, with five straight 1,000- yard seasons to begin his career. Sherman struggled in his first season with San Francisco while battling nagging injuries, but he will likely be at full health and has proved capable of holding elite wideouts in check during his younger years.

This game has been circled since the 2019 schedule was released, as it marks the rematch of last year's bitter NFC Championship Game between the Saints and Rams. This time the teams will face off in L.A., as Brees and Goff try to outdo each other one more time.

Mayfield and Darnold showed flashes in their rookie seasons, after going first and third in the 2018 draft, respectively. They will get an opportunity to show off in Week 2, and both quarterbacks are expected to make big jumps in their sophomore seasons. 

The 2018 matchup between the Chiefs and Ravens was one of the best of the regular season, with Patrick Mahomes and Hill making plays late to win the game. Hill will get another opportunity to beat Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey and the Ravens vaunted defense. Hill had eight receptions for 139 yards in last year's game.

Brees and Wilson are often compared as sub-6-foot quarterbacks with somewhat similar skill sets. They'll play in Seattle in what could be their final head-to-head opportunity given Brees' age.

Coming into the NFL listed at 5-foot-10, Murray draws the obvious comparison to Wilson because of the quarterbacks' sizes and scrambling abilities. This will be the first of what's likely to be many matchups between the playmaking quarterbacks when Seattle visits Arizona.

Thomas has been one of the league's busiest and most difficult-to-cover wideouts, leading the NFL with 125 receptions last year and catching 88 percent of his targets. Jones and the Cowboys were still able to hold Thomas in check last season, holding him to only 40 yards on five catches in a late-season game. The rematch in New Orleans is intriguing.

Houston signed with the Colts after the Chiefs cut him last season, but he will get to visit his old team in Week 5. That means a matchup against elite Chiefs tackles Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz after years of head-to-head duels in practice.

Mayfield will get a rare opportunity to face Seattle and Wilson in Week 6. The first-overall pick in last year's draft, Mayfield is similar to Wilson in stature and skill set. Mayfield will try to prove he's on Wilson's level with a home matchup against Seattle.

Whitworth is still playing at a high level, but the Rams left tackle is the oldest offensive lineman in football at age 37. He will put his experience to use against second-overall draft choice Bosa, who could be at the head of a formidable 49ers pass rush this season.

Roethlisberger and Rivers have long been connected as first-round picks from the quarterback-rich 2004 draft. Now in the twilight of their careers, the veterans both have Super Bowl hopes and get another opportunity to face off when Pittsburgh visits the Chargers in Week 6.

Jones' speed and route-running ability make him one of the toughest wideouts in the NFL to cover, but Peters will try his hand when the Rams play at Atlanta. It will be a particularly important matchup for Peters as he heads toward free agency. He is coming off a subpar 2018 season. 

Thomas had a fiery final season in Seattle that ended with a fractured leg. He returns to Seattle, where he spent the first nine seasons of his career. Thomas had 28 interceptions with Seattle and would certainly love to pick off his former teammate.

The Wilson-vs.-Thomas matchup isn't the only one to keep an eye on in Week 7 when the Seahawks play the Ravens. Baltimore's unique run-heavy offense puts plenty of stress on linebackers, but Wagner has established himself over time as one of the top middle linebackers in the league. He will be challenged by Jackson's legs as well as by Baltimore's running backs.

Mahomes is often compared to Rodgers for his ability to make plays. The reigning MVP will get a chance to showcase his skills against Green Bay and Rodgers in a dream quarterback matchup in Week 8 at Arrowhead Stadium.

Beckham gets a chance to face Gilmore and the Patriots in a game that could have major playoff implications. While Beckham is an elite wideout with three Pro Bowls, he's facing a reigning All-Pro in Gilmore at cornerback.

NFL fans get the treat of Hopkins vs. Ramsey twice each season when the Texans face the Jaguars. Both teams have high hopes in the AFC South again this year. Arguably these are two of the best players in the NFL at their positions, and while Hopkins was held in check during Week 7 last year, he burned the Jags for 147 yards on 12 catches in Week 17.

J.J. Watt rightfully gets most of the attention in the Watt family, but younger brother T.J. has become a terror in two seasons as a Steeler, with 20 sacks. He will get an opportunity against Castonzo at left tackle, who is looking to rebound from an injury-plagued season with Indy last year.

Donald is at the top of the mountain among defensive players, winning back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year Awards with the Rams. Pittsburgh does have the offensive line interior to give him a major challenge, with seven-time Pro Bowler Pouncey at the pivot.

Smith is arguably the top left tackle in the NFL, but he could have his hands full at Detroit vs. Flowers. Flowers got a huge contract from the Lions in the offseason and regularly contributed in every facet possible at defensive end for the Patriots over the last three seasons.

The Houston vs. Baltimore matchup in Week 11 features two of the most versatile and exciting quarterbacks the league has seen in years. Watson has proved capable as a passer and a runner in his two seasons, while Jackson leads a Ravens offense that resembles a college scheme. There should be plenty of highlights from the young signal-callers.

Brady faced Eagles backup Nick Foles in Super Bowl LII two years ago, but this time Wentz gets to try his hand at the Patriots. Brady and the rest of the team would certainly like to get their revenge for the Super Bowl loss.

How much will Jackson and the Ravens offense challenge the Rams through the air in Week 12? It's a fair question now that takeaway machine Weddle is anchoring the Rams at safety after serving as Jackson's teammate in Baltimore last season.

Smith gets a great challenge for Dallas in Week 11 against Trey Flowers, but Week 14 could be the ultimate matchup when he faces Mack and the Bears. Chicago's star pass rusher has four consecutive seasons of double-digit sacks and has been an All-Pro in three of the last four seasons.

Last season featured two classic matchups between Mahomes and Brady, and they get another opportunity in Foxborough this year in what could be a playoff preview. Brady's Patriots won both games last season, which were instant classics that featured amazing plays from both quarterbacks.

Brown and Ramsey both like to talk on and off the field. They'll get an opportunity to go head to head when the Raiders host Jacksonville in Week 15. Their last matchup was Week 11 last season when Brown had 117 yards and one touchdown.

Bell will have some extra incentive when he faces his former team, the Steelers, in Week 16. His season-long holdout last year didn't sit well with some of his teammates, and now they have a new weapon to stop the run in Bush, their first-round linebacker.

Lewan is one of the game's top left tackles and gets two opportunities to face Watt in the AFC South. The late-year tilt could certainly have playoff implications for the perennial Pro Bowlers. Watt was held in check last year in Week 2 against Tennessee but was able to get 1.5 sacks vs. the Titans in Week 12.

Two of the NFL's most versatile running backs have become stars since being drafted in 2017. Last year's Week 17 matchup between the Saints and Panthers wasn't a meaningful game for either side, so hopefully this year's season capper at Carolina has more serious playoff implications.