The NFL playoff image is tightening, and with it comes a clearer view of which gamers across the league could profit from a change of surroundings.
From fading stars and miscast starters to rising younger abilities buried on depth charts, each group options not less than one notable title who may see his profession revived — or redirected — by shifting on after the season.
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS (5-5-1) | CB Trevon Diggs | Diggs hasn’t performed since Week 6 resulting from a mysterious concussion suffered at home. Even earlier than the damage, the two-time Professional Bowler gave the impression to be a declining participant, recording the second-lowest pass-coverage grade of his profession (62.5, per Pro Football Focus). Leaving Dallas may give Diggs his finest likelihood to revive his profession.
NEW YORK GIANTS (2-10) | RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. | Rookie RB Cam Skattebo suffered a season-ending ankle damage in Week 8, however when he returns subsequent season, Tracy ought to take a backseat. Skattebo had 5 dashing TDs in eight video games (Tracy has one in 10). The 26-year-old may compete for an RB1 position on one other group.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (8-3) | WR A.J. Brown | Commerce rumors about Brown have quieted, however he nonetheless may be unhappy with his role in Philadelphia’s offense. By way of 10 video games, he’s averaging a career-low 12.3 yards per reception. The three-time Professional Bowler may put up higher numbers with a extra pass-happy group.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (3-8) | DT Daron Payne | Payne needs to be uninterested in taking part in for a group that has made simply two playoff appearances since 2020, and Washington may commerce him for draft picks. Loads of groups would have an interest within the one-time Professional Bowler, who stays productive. By way of 10 video games, the Alabama product ranks third on the group in tackles for loss (5). —
Clark Dalton
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-8) | QB Kyler Murray | Murray hasn’t performed since struggling a foot damage throughout the Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans. He has thrown for 20,460 yards, handed for 121 touchdowns, thrown 60 interceptions and holds a 38-48-1 file as a starter. For the reason that Cardinals drafted him first general within the 2019 NFL Draft, he has solely made one playoff look (2021). Murray is beneath contract via the 2027 season, with a group choice for 2028.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (9-2) | Security Quentin Lake | The fourth-year participant from UCLA is within the closing 12 months of his rookie deal and was lately positioned on injured reserve after elbow surgical procedure. Lake ranks third on the group with 61 tackles and is a crucial a part of the protection, however together with his contract ending after this season, it’s seemingly he may look elsewhere, contemplating the group’s historical past of not re-signing its personal safeties.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (8-4) | WR Brandon Aiyuk | It appears that evidently Aiyuk’s time within the Bay Space could also be coming to an finish. Not too long ago, it was reported that the 49ers voided the guaranteed money on his four-year, $120 million contract extension signed earlier than the 2024 season. Aiyuk tore his ACL and MCL in his proper knee throughout a Week 7 loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in 2024 and has been out since. Regardless of posting a career-high 1,342 receiving yards in his most up-to-date full season (2023), it appears to be like like Aiyuk is heading in direction of a break up from San Francisco.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-3) | CB Riq Woolen | He made the Professional Bowl following an spectacular rookie season in 2022 (63 whole tackles, two fumble recoveries and 6 interceptions). Since then, his manufacturing has declined in every class, resulting in a below-average Professional Soccer Focus general grade of 56 (78th of 109 certified CBs). Woolen has struggled in protection, and his beginning job is much from assured. — Colby Colwell
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS (8-3) | TE Cole Kmet | Kmet could possibly be a No. 1 tight finish within the NFL, as proven by his 170 catches, 1,737 yards and 17 touchdowns from 2022-24. Nonetheless, the veteran has taken a again seat this season to first-round draft choose Colston Loveland, so it is most likely time for him to maneuver on.
DETROIT LIONS (7-4) | CB Terrion Arnold |
Arnold, a first-round pick of Alabama in 2024, has a ton of expertise, however he is off to a rocky begin to his NFL profession. The cornerback led all defensive gamers in penalty yards as a rookie, and he ranks 91st of 109 certified CBs in Pro Football Focus grade this season. Arnold may want a restart in a brand new defensive system.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-3-1) | RB Emanuel Wilson | Wilson has carried out properly as a backup operating again for 3 years, nevertheless it’s time for him to start out. The 26-year-old has averaged 4.6 yards per rush in his profession, and in Week 12, he went off for 107 dashing yards and two touchdowns in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings in his first begin of the season.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (4-7) | WR Justin Jefferson | J.J. McCarthy is the worst statistical quarterback within the NFL for the reason that Vikings went all-in on him final offseason. Jefferson is placing up career-low marks in yards per recreation (72.3), yards per catch (13.3) and catch fee (60.6 p.c) whereas being on tempo to attain solely three touchdowns in 2025. The celebrity has the talent and starvation to grow to be one of many best statistical huge receivers of all time, nevertheless it gained’t occur with McCarthy at QB. — Jack Dougherty
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS (4-7) | TE Kyle Pitts | It may be onerous to discover a taker for the underperforming No. 4 general choose of the 2021 NFL Draft, however with Pitts set to enter free company following the season, it’s more and more tough to see him residing as much as his potential in Atlanta. In 24-10 Week 12 win over the New Orleans Saints, he dropped a number of passes.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (6-6) | RB Chuba Hubbard | After starting the season as Carolina’s RB1, Hubbard has ceded the position to offseason free-agent signee Rico Dowdle, who has performed roughly 56 p.c of his obtainable offensive snaps in comparison with 39 p.c for Hubbard. In a backup position the previous 4 weeks, Hubbard — who signed a four-year, $33.2 million extension in November 2024 — has 15 carries and is averaging 17 yards per recreation.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2-9) | QB Spencer Rattler | Rattler held off rookie Tyler Shough for the beginning position so long as he may earlier than the wheels fell off with six turnovers in a two-game span. That stated, the 2024 fifth-rounder confirmed sufficient promise in his first six begins that he may intrigue different groups which may give him a greater likelihood of competing for a beginning position.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (6-5) | LB SirVocea Dennis | Few linebackers have been a much bigger legal responsibility in protection than the third-year Bucs defender, who has allowed 421 passing yards as the closest protection defender, the second most amongst certified linebackers (h/t NFL Pro). Dennis has one other 12 months on his rookie contract, nevertheless it may do him and the Bucs some good to contemplate parting after the season. —
Eric Smithling
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS (7-4) | WR Keon Coleman | Coleman has been a healthy scratch for 2 straight video games after lacking a group assembly earlier than a Week 11 recreation in opposition to the Buccaneers, elevating questions on his future in Buffalo. The Florida State product, a second-round choose, ranks third on the group in receiving yards (330) and should have untapped potential.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (4-7) | WR Tyreek Hill | Hill said he could retire this offseason after struggling a season-ending left knee damage in Week 4. If the eight-time Professional Bowler decides to play, the Dolphins ought to think about shifting on from the WR, who seems unhappy in Miami. Jaylen Waddle — who ranks sixteenth within the league in receiving yards (722) — has proved he can deal with WR1 duties throughout Hill’s absence.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (10-2) | RB Rhamondre Stevenson | Stevenson has returned after lacking three video games with a toe damage, however rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson could now be the Patriots’ RB1. The 2025 second-round choose has rushed for 4 TDs over his previous three video games. Stevenson, who ranks second on the group in dashing TDs (three), may earn a beginning gig elsewhere.
NEW YORK JETS (2-9) | QB Justin Fields |
After being benched for Tyrod Taylor earlier than Week 12, it’s obvious Fields’ days in New York are numbered. The 2021 first-round choose could not be a beginning QB, however he could possibly be an honest backup. In 5 seasons with the Jets, Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers, he has 52 TD passes and 32 interceptions. — Clark Dalton
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS (9-2) | WR Marvin Mims Jr. | The emergence of second-year WR Troy Franklin has diminished Mims’ position. Franklin has a team-leading 81 targets in 11 video games, whereas Mims has 32 in 9 video games. Groups that need extra pace to their WR room needs to be within the former Oklahoma star, who ran a 4.38 40-yard sprint on the 2023 NFL Scouting Mix.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (6-5) | RB Isiah Pacheco | Pacheco — who’s within the final 12 months of his rookie contract — was as soon as thought of a lead again for the Chiefs however is now the RB2 behind Kareem Hunt. After 12 weeks, Hunt leads the group in dashing yards (457), whereas Pacheco ranks second (329). Maybe Pacheco, who helped the Chiefs win Tremendous Bowls throughout the 2022 and 2023 seasons, may salvage his profession elsewhere.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-9) | TE Michael Mayer |
Mayer ranks fifth on the group in receiving yards (182), however he’ll by no means grow to be a starter for the Raiders with star second-year TE Brock Bowers on the roster. The previous Georgia product completed second in 2024 Offensive Rookie of the 12 months voting after setting the rookie file for receptions (112 in 17 video games) final season. Mayer — a 2023 second-round choose — may have a much bigger position on one other group.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (7-4) | TE Will Dissly | Dissly — who’s within the second 12 months of a three-year contract — could also be extra tradeable with the emergence of rookie TE Oronde Gadsden II, a Syracuse product who ranks third on the group in receiving yards (507). Dissly — who had a career-high 50 receptions in 2024 — could possibly be a stable addition for a TE-needy group. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS (6-5) | WR Devontez Walker | A fourth-round choose in 2024, Walker has all the time made probably the most of his alternatives, whether or not it’s within the preseason or his restricted regular-season snaps. However he by no means appears to get many possibilities. In two years, he has solely seven targets, catching 5 for 111 yards and three touchdowns.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (3-8) | QB Joe Burrow | Will the Bengals ever do sufficient to get Burrow again to a Tremendous Bowl? In six seasons with the group, they’ve made the playoffs twice and didn’t put an excellent protection round him or construct an sufficient line to guard him. The Bengals have already chased one top-pick quarterback out of Cincinnati due to their lack of ability to assist him (Carson Palmer).
CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-8) | QB Dillon Gabriel |
It appears that evidently Gabriel is about to lose his job in Cleveland, shedding out to the Shedeur Sanders and the Colorado rookie’s hype machine. Gabriel, additionally a rookie, confirmed some flashes of potential after being chosen within the fourth spherical, however he does not appear to have a future with the Browns.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (6-5) | RB Kaleb Johnson | A 3rd-round choose in 2025, Johnson (22 carries for 58 yards) was speculated to step into the lineup and enhance the operating recreation instantly. However nearly each time he has performed this season, one thing has gone incorrect. He is buried on the depth chart behind Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. — Adam Gretz
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS (6-5) | LB Christian Harris | A 2022 third-round pick of Alabama, Harris was a full-time starter for the Texans in his first two NFL seasons. Accidents have since left him going through an uphill climb in Houston, and he has simply three whole tackles in 9 video games this season. Harris is simply 24 and flashed potential early in his profession, so a brand new group may be prepared to supply him a extra vital position.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-3) | QB Anthony Richardson Sr. | Richardson, the No. 3 general choose within the 2024 NFL Draft, barely put up a struggle in his offseason competitors in opposition to Daniel Jones. The previous Florida star is now on injured reserve and watching Jones revive his profession. The Colts are combating for the No. 1 general seed within the AFC, however Richardson is the forgotten man.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (7-4) | WR Dyami Brown | Brown had a robust postseason with the Washington Commanders final 12 months, parlaying the success right into a one-year, $10M contract with the Jaguars. However even with accidents to Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter, Brown has been a non-factor within the offense (19 catches, none up to now three video games).
TENNESSEE TITANS (1-10) | DT Jeffery Simmons | Simmons is likely one of the finest defensive gamers within the NFL, however he’s losing away on the worst group within the league. The nineteenth general choose in 2019 has 5.5 sacks and stays a drive in the course of Tennessee’s protection. Simmons is simply 28 and would seemingly command probably the most profitable commerce bundle of any participant the Titans have, so they need to think about shifting him for draft picks. — Steve DelVecchio
