Every NFL team enters 2023 with high-risk, high-reward potential players. These are the biggest boom or bust players for each of the 32 teams.
Moore missed much of his second season due to injury, but has a bigger role in store after the Cardinals moved on from DeAndre Hopkins. The early-season absence of Kyler Murray hurts, but Moore still has a chance to establish himself as a major part of his team's future.
Atlanta turned to Ridder late last season, and he's likely to be the starter in Week 1. That doesn't necessarily mean the former third-round pick will be the long-term starter, with the experience Taylor Heinicke around as insurance. There won't be as much pressure on Ridder in a run-heavy offense, but he will still be counted on to win games in Arthur Smith's third season.
Baltimore has been a factory in edge pass rusher development, but Oweh has yet to take the next step after two seasons. The former first-round pick has totaled eight sacks through two seasons, hoping for a jump in year three.
Buffalo has struggled to find a running back they really like in recent years, but Cook could be the answer. He has a chance to beat the team's primary running back if he can beat out newcomer Damien Harris. The upside looks tremendous after Cook averaged 5.7 yards per carry last season.
The seventh overall pick in the 2020 draft, Brown has yet to reach the potential Carolina saw in him at Auburn. He did show improvement as a run-stopper last season with 67 tackles, but Brown recorded only one sack. Brown will be relied on if Carolina is to improve its pass rush this year.
Fields took a step forward as a runner last season, but he still struggled in the passing game. The Bears did a lot in the offseason to help, improving the offensive line and acquiring No. 1 wideout D.J. Moore. Now it is up to Fields to show that he can make the jump as a passer, as Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts did last season.
Smith's early career has been defined by injury, playing only eight games over the last two seasons in Minnesota. Cincinnati is hoping that they are buying low on the former Alabama star, but his health is beyond their control.
Moore seemed to be in the doghouse for much of his two seasons with the Jets, though he did produce when called upon. He's been the talk of Browns camp after getting traded in the offseason, but it remains to be seen if he can still produce when the lights come on.
Pollard had a relative breakout season last year, making the Pro Bowl after seeing a career-high 232 touches. The Cowboys moved on from Ezekiel Elliott in the offseason, and Pollard is expected to see even more work as the team's primary running back. Pollard looks explosive but has to prove to the skeptics that he can handle the bigger workload.
Wilson floundered in his first season with Denver, having a career-worst season in nearly every facet. New head coach Sean Payton is a proven winner from his days in New Orleans, and has already blamed much of the team's struggles on poor coaching. Time will tell if coaching was the culprit or if Wilson is in real decline.
Detroit used the 12th overall pick in the draft on Gibbs, a versatile and speedy back out of Alabama. The team obviously loves Gibbs, but they also have a fallback plan in former Bears starter David Montgomery if the rookie isn't ready. In the best case, Gibbs can run away with the job in one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.
Love has sat on the bench in Green Bay for three seasons but is set to take the reins at quarterback after Aaron Rodgers was traded. The Utah State alum showed flashes when he took the field last season, but his play will likely determine if the Packers can return to the playoffs this season.
Houston has struggled to find a viable quarterback over the last two seasons after moving on from Deshaun Watson. Stroud is their clear quarterback of the future after being selected second overall. Not much is expected of him yet, but the accuracy he showed at Ohio State could lead to an excellent rookie season.
Richardson was seen as the rawest of the top quarterback prospects in this year's draft, though the Colts are still expected to name him their Week 1 starter. The Florida alum will likely be in a run-heavy offense this season while his passing develops. However, there remains a possibility Richardson's passing accuracy is so poor that he's forced to the bench behind Gardner Minshew.
Ridley sat out all of last season due to a suspension, but he's created a buzz in camp with his new team. Trevor Lawrence had a breakout season last year, and could be in for another huge year if Ridley returns to the form he showed early in his career with the Falcons.
Toney showed incredible ability with the ball after the Chiefs acquired him from the Giants last season. Unfortunately, he's had several injuries in his first two seasons, and is questionable for the start of the season following minor knee surgery. There's a possibility Toney could emerge as the team's top wideout, but the injury bug makes him a major risk.
Wilson's physical tools pushed him near the top of the draft. He has time to develop with the Raiders behind Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones, though Wilson is also a boom-or-bust prospect whose physical tools exceed his college production. It remains to be seen what type of contribution Wilson will make this season.
A major deep threat at TCU, Johnston is vying for the No. 3 wide receiver job in the Chargers explosive offense. The first-round pick could add a new dimension to the offense, but he has to prove his route-running ability and grasp of the offense.
Beyond Cooper Kupp, the Rams receiving hierarchy is wide open. The team moved on from several veterans in the offseason, and Jefferson has yet to show consistency in three NFL seasons. He still has a chance for a big year with few viable options for the Rams passing game.
Tagovailoa has a breakout season last year, leading the NFL in adjusted yards gained per pass attempt, Unfortunately, he missed significant time due to two concussions, and there's risk another head injury could have an even bigger impact on his career. Miami's season likely rests on Tagovailoa again.
Minnesota moved on from star running back Dalvin Cook, making Mattison the likely starter. He's averaged a mediocre 4.1 yards per carry in four seasons but has shown flashes when given an opportunity. Mattison could be a 1,000-plus-yard runner if he shows he can handle the workload.
Patriots fans hope last year's version of Jones was a result of poor coaching rather than a real skill regression. Jones showed promise in his rookie campaign in 2021, and any chance New England has to return to the playoffs likely rests with Jones' ability to rebound under new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien.
Olave impressed with a 1,000-yard season in his rookie year. The hope is that there are even bigger things ahead for the former Ohio State star with Derek Carr now throwing passes in New Orleans. Another step forward should make Olave a Pro Bowler.
Waller had back-to-back 1,100-yard seasons with the Raiders before injuries struck over the last two years. He was the key receiver addition during the offseason for the Giants, and should have every opportunity to rebound from injury if he can stay on the field.
Hall was extremely explosive in seven games last season, averaging 5.8 yards per carry, but his season ended due to a knee injury. It remains to be seen if he will be ready for Week 1, or if Hall will have the same burst following surgery.
Swift showed exciting flashes in three seasons with the Lions, but the team never thought he was durable enough to handle a full workload. Philadelphia might have a different opinion after trading for Swift, and he's running behind an outstanding offensive line.
Pickens made regular highlight catches in his rookie season, and saw more work after the Steelers traded Chase Claypool. His role and expectations are higher this season, but Pickens has to prove he can make the jump.
Purdy was undefeated as San Francisco's starting quarterback before injuring his elbow in the NFC Championship. There remain some skeptics given Purdy's lack of arm strength and experience. Purdy is expected to be healthy for Week 1, but veteran Sam Darnold is waiting if the second-year quarterback is unable to repeat his success.
Smith-Njigba was Ohio State's top wideout in 2021, but missed most of last season due to a hamstring injury. The injury didn't stop Seattle from drafting him in the first round. He could add more explosion to the offense if he can prove durable.
The Bucs raved about Tryon-Shoyinka's ability when they selected in the first round in 2021, but he hasn't shown that ability on the stats sheet year with four sacks in back-to-back years. Tampa Bay is relying more on young players this season, and needs Tryon-Shoyinka to take the next step.
Burks shows explosion when he has the ball, but he struggled to stay on the field in his rookie season. The pressure is off Burks after the Titans signed DeAndre Hopkins, but the second-year wideout has the upside to lead the Titans offense's resurgence.
The Washington coaching staff has spoken glowingly of Howell despite his status as a fifth-round pick in 2022. The North Carolina alum is likely to be the Week 1 starter, but still has to prove he's the long-term answer at quarterback.
Seth Trachtman is a sportswriter, digital marketer, and fantasy sports expert based in St. Louis, Missouri. He’s a two-time winner of the Tout Wars Fantasy Baseball Expert’s League, and his work has appeared in hundreds of fantasy baseball and fantasy football newsstand and online publications. He’s a University of Missouri alum and long-suffering turned spoiled Kansas City Chiefs fan. Seth doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter/X @sethroto.
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