The Pressure is On: Which Second-Year NFL Players Need to Step Up in 2024?
As the 2024 NFL season approaches, all eyes are on the second-year players who fell short of expectations in their rookie campaigns. These young athletes need to prove themselves in their sophomore seasons to avoid being labeled as draft busts. Let’s take a closer look at the 10 NFL players under pressure to perform in Year 2.
Quarterbacks Under the Microscope
Bryce Young, the Carolina Panthers’ quarterback, is one such player. Despite having all the tools, Young struggled in his rookie season, averaging just 5.5 yards per attempt. The Panthers’ front office worked hard to upgrade every support structure around him this offseason, and now it’s up to Young to prove himself.
EDGE Rushers Need to Step Up
Tyree Wilson, the Las Vegas Raiders’ EDGE rusher, is another player who needs to step up his game. In 493 total snaps, Wilson only managed to notch 24 total pressures, resulting in a 50.4 PFF pass-rushing grade. This was an extremely poor rookie season for a player who was always more of an athletic project.
Lukas Van Ness, the Green Bay Packers’ EDGE rusher, also struggled in his rookie season. Despite being drafted in the first round, Van Ness notched only 22 total pressures on 444 total snaps. He enters Year 2 under pressure to succeed and with fewer options than he had as a rookie.
Cornerbacks Need to Prove Themselves
Emmanuel Forbes, the Washington Commanders’ cornerback, is another player who struggled in his rookie season. Forbes was drafted in the first round despite weighing just 166 pounds at the NFL Combine. He enters his sophomore season in need of rapid development in his ability to succeed at this level as an undersized player.
Wide Receivers Need to Show Consistency
Quentin Johnston, the Los Angeles Chargers’ wide receiver, displayed a very limited skill set in his rookie season, averaging just 0.88 yards per route run. Johnston needs to carve out a useful role in 2024 to avoid being labeled as a bust.
Defensive Interiors Need to Step Up
Mazi Smith, the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive interior, was drafted in the first round to solve the team’s weak underbelly on defense. However, Smith struggled in his rookie season, finishing with a 34.9 PFF run-defense grade. He enters Year 2 under pressure to show that he can be effective in the NFL.
The Rest of the Pack
Other players who need to step up their game in Year 2 include Will Levis, the Tennessee Titans’ quarterback; Jonathan Mingo, the Carolina Panthers’ wide receiver; Gervon Dexter Sr., the Chicago Bears’ defensive interior; and John Michael Schmitz, the New York Giants’ center.
Each of these players has the potential to turn their careers around with a strong sophomore season. Will they rise to the challenge and prove themselves, or will they become draft busts? Only time will tell.
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