Yardbarker
x
Who is the most likely 2023 rebound candidate for every NFL team?
G Fiume/Getty Images

Who is the most likely 2023 rebound candidate for every NFL team?

Every NFL team has players who would like to turn the page on 2022, and come back better than ever this season. These are the top rebound candidates for each team entering 2023.

 
1 of 32

Arizona Cardinals: Rondale Moore, WR

Arizona Cardinals: Rondale Moore, WR
Brad Rempel / USA Today Sports Images

Moore had a promising rookie season in 2021, but played only eight games last year due to injury. Arizona's passing game could struggle early this season until Kyler Murray returns from knee surgery, but Moore is set for a more prominent role following the losses of DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green. If healthy, Moore is an obvious breakout candidate.

 
2 of 32

Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE

Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE
Jim Dedmon / USA Today Sports Images

Pitts is gifted as a pass catcher, but wasn't used heavily in that role before he was lost for the year after only 10 games with a knee injury. Atlanta has done very little to address their passing game in the offseason. While that likely means their offense will remain run-heavy, Pitts could claim a larger share of the targets in his third NFL season without much competition.

 
3 of 32

Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson, QB

Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson, QB
Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today Sports Images

Leg injuries have sidelined him in each of the last two seasons, but Jackson enters the season healthy with a revamped offense. The team hired Todd Monken to lead the offense, and also added wideouts Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers. All indications are that Baltimore will throw more this season, which could go a long way in keeping Jackson on the field.

 
4 of 32

Buffalo Bills: Von Miller, EDGE

Buffalo Bills: Von Miller, EDGE
Jamie Germano / USA Today Sports Images

Buffalo hoped Miller was the missing piece on a Super Bowl team, but he played only 11 games last season due to a knee injury. The veteran was terrific when he did play, with eight sacks, and enters the season healthy.

 
5 of 32

Carolina Panthers: Adam Thielen, WR

Carolina Panthers: Adam Thielen, WR
Matt Krohn / USA Today Sports Images

Age and hamstring injuries have seemingly taken their toll on Thielen, who has averaged less than 11 yards per catch in consecutive seasons with Minnesota. Carolina might not be able to reverse that trend, but Thielen is likely to be rookie quarterback Bryce Young's top target. Based on role alone, Thielen could be set to rebound.

 
6 of 32

Chicago Bears: Darnell Mooney, WR

Chicago Bears: Darnell Mooney, WR
Jamie Sabau / USA Today Sports Images

Mooney has been a great deep threat in his three NFL seasons, but was lost late last season to an ankle injury. He enters the season healthy as Chicago's No. 2 receiver behind new acquisition D.J. Moore, but that addition could make Mooney an even better deep threat with less attention paid to him by opposing defenses. If Justin Fields can take the next step as a passer, Mooney has a chance for a big year.

 
7 of 32

Cincinnati Bengals: Irv Smith Jr., TE

Cincinnati Bengals: Irv Smith Jr., TE
Jeffrey Becker / USA Today Sports Images

Smith showed flashes in his first four years with Minnesota, but injuries prevented him from progressing. Cincinnati apparently liked what they saw, giving Smith an opportunity to be their starting tight end even though Smith has appeared in eight games over the last two seasons. Injuries remain a concern, but Smith is in a great situation with Joe Burrow at quarterback.

 
8 of 32

Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson, QB

Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson, QB
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Watson sat out much of last season due to a suspension, and showed rust when he returned after more than a year off the field. An offseason of camps and playbook study should do the athletic quarterback a lot of good, and the Browns have also added new weapons with Elijah Moore and Cedric Tillman.

 
9 of 32

Dallas Cowboys: Michael Gallup, WR

Dallas Cowboys: Michael Gallup, WR
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

The rebound from ACL surgery takes time, as Gallup and the Cowboys found out last season. Gallup moves down to the No. 3 receiver spot after Dallas acquired Brandin Cooks, but he could still see more production now back to full strength and with the potential to be a deep threat again for Dak Prescott.

 
10 of 32

Denver Broncos: Russell Wilson, QB

Denver Broncos: Russell Wilson, QB
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

Wilson looked like a deer in headlights with the Broncos last season. It was further decline for Wilson after a disappointing 2021 season in Seattle, though the dysfunction of Denver's coaching staff also likely played a role. That problem is solved after the Broncos hired Sean Payton, and Wilson has a wealth of weapons with more receiving options added to Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. 

 
11 of 32

Detroit Lions: Marvin Jones Jr., WR

Detroit Lions: Marvin Jones Jr., WR
Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA Today Sports Images

A decline for the speedy Jones was to be expected in his early 30's, as we saw in Jacksonville last season. It's very unlikely Jones will be a 1,000 yard receiver again, but he could see a bit of a boost rejoining the Lions and a very creative offense that saw a resurgence last year.

 
12 of 32

Green Bay Packers: David Bakhtiari, LT

Green Bay Packers: David Bakhtiari, LT
Eric Hartline / USA Today Sports Images

Recovering from knee surgery didn't go very smoothly for Bakhtiari, but he managed to close out the year healthy. The veteran will no longer be blocking for Aaron Rodgers, though a clean bill of health could allow Bakhtiari to get back to a Pro Bowl level.

 
13 of 32

Houston Texans: Jonathan Greenard, DE

Houston Texans: Jonathan Greenard, DE
Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today Sports Images

Greenard played only eight games last season due to a calf injury after recording eight sacks for the Texans in 2021. He did finish the season healthy, and is set to have more help rushing the passer after the Texans drafted Will Anderson Jr. third overall. Likely to see easier matchups as a pass rusher, Greenard can see his sack tally go back up.

 
14 of 32

Indianapolis Colts: Jonathan Taylor, RB

Indianapolis Colts: Jonathan Taylor, RB
Stephen R. Sylvanie / USA Today Sports Images

Ankle injuries can become chronic, as Taylor experienced last season. He attempted to play through pain, but finally shut it down when it became clear Indy would have a lost year. Taylor will be at the center of the new Colts offense, and one that was very productive on the ground under Shane Steichen in Philadelphia over the last two seasons. Taylor has a chance to lead the NFL in rushing yards again if his ankle injury is behind him.

 
15 of 32

Jacksonville Jaguars: Calvin Ridley, WR

Jacksonville Jaguars: Calvin Ridley, WR
Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today Sports Images

Ridley was forced to sit out all of last season due to a suspension for sports betting, but he's already impressed in workouts with the Jaguars this summer. There's a real chance that Ridley will become Trevor Lawrence's top target immediately, with a realistic shot to rejoin the 1,000 yard receiving club.

 
16 of 32

Kansas City Chiefs: Harrison Butker, PK

Kansas City Chiefs: Harrison Butker, PK
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Butker suffered a severely sprained ankle on the opening kickoff in 2022, and was never quite the same for the remainder of the year. He did make some clutch kicks throughout the season, but Butker's 75% field goal percentage was uncharacteristic of his past performance. After having more time for his ankle to heal, Butker should be able to return to his usually elite form.

 
17 of 32

Las Vegas Raiders: Hunter Renfrow, WR

Las Vegas Raiders: Hunter Renfrow, WR
Stephen R. Sylvanie / USA Today Sports Images

After recording over 1,000 yards receiving in 2021, Renfrow had a disappointing year with a new offense and injury issues. Still, the Raiders will be counting on Renfrow this season with new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo under center and the loss of Darren Waller. Returning to 1,000 yards could be difficult, but Renfrow should see an uptick in production from last year.

 
18 of 32

Los Angeles Chargers: Keenan Allen, WR

Los Angeles Chargers: Keenan Allen, WR
Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today Sports Images

While still productive last season, Allen missed seven games due to injury. The Chargers added his likely future replacement when they drafted Quintin Johnston, but Allen remains one of the team's go-to options. Allen is likely to lead the Chargers in targets once again if he can stay on the field.

 
19 of 32

Los Angeles Rams: Cooper Kupp, WR

Los Angeles Rams: Cooper Kupp, WR
Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today Sports Images

The Rams had a nightmarish 2022 season, including injuries to the prominent trio of Kupp, Matthew Stafford, and Aaron Donald. All three are healthy again heading into training camp. Kupp has been arguably the game's best receiver when on the field over the last two seasons, averaging 106 yards per game. With a healed ankle, he's a candidate to lead the league receiving once again.

 
20 of 32

Miami Dolphins: Bradley Chubb, OLB

Miami Dolphins: Bradley Chubb, OLB
Jamie Sabau / USA Today Sports Images

Chubb never got comfortable after Miami acquired him at midseason from the Broncos, recording only 2.5 sacks in eight games. His comfort level will certainly increase after the team hired Vic Fangio to run the defense, who was formerly Chubb's head coach in Denver.

 
21 of 32

Minnesota Vikings: Marcus Davenport, OLB

Minnesota Vikings: Marcus Davenport, OLB
James Guillory / USA Today Sports Images

Davenport got big money from Minnesota despite only recording a half-sack in 15 games with New Orleans. That production isn't an accurate description of his ability, just one year removed from nine sacks. The Vikings are counting on Davenport to show his former production with a new defense under Brian Flores.

 
22 of 32

New England Patriots: Mac Jones, QB

New England Patriots: Mac Jones, QB
Eric Canha / USA Today Sports Images

Jones was at the lead of the 2021 rookie quarterback class, but a change at coordinator didn't do him any favors last season. The Patriots hired the experienced Bill O'Brien to coordinate the offense this offseason, which is a clear upgrade that could pay dividends in Jones' third season.

 
23 of 32

New Orleans Saints: Derek Carr, QB

New Orleans Saints: Derek Carr, QB
Stephen Lew / USA Today Sports Images

Carr played some of the best football of his career under Jon Gruden, but a shift in coaching and offensive philosophy under Josh McDaniels last season led to a downturn. After signing with New Orleans, Carr enters an offense more reminiscent of Gruden's in a very winnable AFC South division. It shouldn't take long for Carr to get comfortable with the Saints group of wideouts, led by Chris Olave.

 
24 of 32

New York Giants: Darren Waller, TE

New York Giants: Darren Waller, TE
Danielle Parhizkaran / USA Today Sports Images

An elite receiving tight end, Waller has been plagued by injuries over the last two seasons. Still, he's the prized addition to the Giants passing game, and is set to play the Travis Kelce role under former Chiefs assistant Mike Kafka. Health remains the big question mark, but Waller could be set for a huge year if he stays on the field.

 
25 of 32

New York Jets: Aaron Rodgers, QB

New York Jets: Aaron Rodgers, QB
Vincent Carchietta / USA Today Sports Images

Rodgers had a down year in Green Bay after winning consecutive MVPs. The Packers didn't do him many favors last year, replacing Davante Adams with a pair of rookies. The move to a new team and Rodgers' advanced age could prevent the QB from returning to a truly elite level, but an outstanding group of weapons led by Garrett Wilson should allow Rodgers to get back on track.

 
26 of 32

Philadelphia Eagles: D'Andre Swift, RB

Philadelphia Eagles: D'Andre Swift, RB
Lon Horwedel / USA Today Sports Images

Constant injuries seemed to make Swift fall out of favor with the Lions coaching staff last season, resulting in a trade this offseason. Those concerns remain, but Swift enters training camp with a great opportunity to be Philly's lead back. That role could lead to elite performances behind a terrific offensive line.

 
27 of 32

Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J. Watt, OLB

Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J. Watt, OLB
Bob Donnan / USA Today Sports Images

A series of nagging injuries limited Watt to only 10 games last season, preventing him from defending his Defensive Player of the Year title. Entering his age-29 season, a rebound to an elite pass rusher is very much in the realm of possibility for the three-time All-Pro.

 
28 of 32

San Francisco 49ers: Deebo Samuel, WR

San Francisco 49ers: Deebo Samuel, WR
Cary Edmondson / USA Today Sports Images

Samuel played only 13 games last season due to lower body injuries and wasn't close to the level we saw in 2021. Getting back to full health will be key, but there's no reason to think Samuel won't be an elite wideout again with the reports of Brock Purdy's health looking promising.

 
29 of 32

Seattle Seahawks: Jamal Adams, S

Seattle Seahawks: Jamal Adams, S
Brace Hemmelgarn / USA Today Sports Images

Adams' time in Seattle has been plagued by injury, and it's never been worse than last season when he suffered a torn quad in Week 1 and missed the rest of the year. Injuries remain a real risk based on his history, but Adams enters the year healthy.

 
30 of 32

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ryan Jensen, OC

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ryan Jensen, OC
Matt Pendleton / USA Today Sports Images

The Bucs offensive line was plagued by injury last season, led by Jensen's major knee injury. Jensen heroically returned to start Tampa Bay's playoff game, and should be back at full strength in training camp. He hopes to return to the Pro Bowl after his first invite in 2021.

 
31 of 32

Tennessee Titans: Harold Landry, OLB

Tennessee Titans: Harold Landry, OLB
Steve Roberts / USA Today Sports Images

Tennessee's disappointing 2022 season started when Landry suffered a torn ACL just before the season opened. The former Pro Bowler had his best season in 2021 with 12 sacks and a Pro Bowl appearance, and should add some much-needed spark on the edge for the Titans.

 
32 of 32

Washington Commanders: Chase Young, DE

Washington Commanders: Chase Young, DE
Sergio Estrada / USA Today Sports Images

Young's recovery from a torn ACL was slow last season, as he appeared in only three games. The former Defensive Rookie of the Year should be at full strength after more time to recover, and Washington expects big things with his elite talent.

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.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.