This week, we’re looking at players who need to step up down the stretch of the regular season.
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1. Detroit Lions (9-1)
Previous rank: 2
A pass-rusher needs to emerge opposite trade-deadline acquisition Za’Darius Smith. Josh Paschal, a 2022 second-rounder, is a prime candidate.
2. Buffalo Bills (9-2)
Previous rank: 4
Amari Cooper is enjoying the “Josh Allen Experience,” but he still needs to prove he’s a worthy WR1. After returning from a wrist injury, he’ll look to build on his kinship with the Bills’ offense.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)
Previous rank: 1
There was a lot of hype for Xavier Worthy after the NFL draft, but his production has been iffy. He’s only topped 50 yards in a game twice this season.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (8-2)
Previous rank: 5
The Eagles could stand to get more production from Nolan Smith. The 2023 first-rounder is tied for second on the team with 3.5 sacks this campaign.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2)
Previous rank: 8
The Steelers have improved their offensive consistency but need Najee Harris down the stretch. The running back has been up and down this season, recording 438 rushing yards in his last five games versus 270 yards in his first five.
6. Baltimore Ravens (7-4)
Previous rank: 3
Kicker Justin Tucker, known for his near-automatic scoring ability, is having a career-worst 2024. He’s 72% on the season, ranking him near the bottom of the league.
7. Minnesota Vikings (8-2)
Previous rank: 6
Sam Darnold needs to play closer to his performance at the beginning of the season. He has five touchdowns against five interceptions over the last three games after throwing 14 touchdowns and five interceptions in the Vikings’ first seven contests.
8. Green Bay Packers (7-3)
Previous rank: 7
Lukas Van Ness has to emerge as a legitimate pass-rush threat. The Iowa product has one sack on 151 pass-rushing snaps, per PFF.
9. Houston Texans (7-4)
Previous rank: 10
Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil‘s penalties are still haunting the Texans. He’s been flagged 16 times this season.
10. Washington Commanders (7-4)
Previous rank: 9
The Commanders rank 30th in the NFL in rushing defense, and Daron Payne has just one tackle for loss after posting 13 last campaign and 18 in 2022.
11. Arizona Cardinals (6-4)
Previous rank: 11
The Cardinals rank in the bottom 10 in rushing yards per game despite Kyler Murray’s explosiveness and James Conner’s generally consistent production. Trey Benson can add another dimension to Arizona’s run game.
12. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)
Previous rank: 14
Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston have been consistent producers for the Chargers. Fellow wide receiver Josh Palmer can’t say the same, with only one touchdown to his name.
13. Denver Broncos (6-5)
Previous rank: 16
The Broncos play better when Javonte Williams is at his best. Although his season numbers have been inconsistent, the team responds when he makes an impact.
14. Los Angeles Rams (5-5)
Previous rank: 15
Blake Corum is the Rams’ second-leading rusher, but he’s tallied only 101 yards on the ground this season.
15. Seattle Seahawks (5-5)
Previous rank: 18
Geno Smith is tied for 19th in passing touchdowns and tied for the most interceptions thrown this season despite leading the league in passing yards per game.
16. San Francisco 49ers (5-5)
Previous rank: 12
The 49ers’ offense has an unlimited ceiling when Christian McCaffrey is at his best. He’s gone over 100 scrimmage yards in each of his two contests since returning from injury. However, McCaffrey’s averaging 3.7 yards per carry.
17. Atlanta Falcons (6-5)
Previous rank: 13
Matthew Judon has just 2.5 sacks and four tackles for loss after the Falcons traded for him in August.
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6)
Previous rank: 17
Every member of the Bucs’ defense needs to elevate their game, so we’ll put the onus on Antoine Winfield Jr., one of the leaders. He has no interceptions and just two pass deflections in six contests after signing a contract in the offseason that made him the highest-paid safety in NFL history.
19. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7)
Previous rank: 19
Geno Stone and the Bengals’ defense haven’t gotten anything going. PFF ranks Stone as the 86th safety out of 89, and he only has one interception after posting seven last season.
20. Miami Dolphins (4-6)
Previous rank: 20
Jaylen Waddle has been practically non-existent this campaign for the Dolphins, with minimal receptions and only one touchdown.
21. Indianapolis Colts (5-6)
Previous rank: 24
Anthony Richardson had a career game against the Jets, but he still needs to step up his focus before the Colts face the No. 1-ranked Lions.
22. New England Patriots (3-8)
Previous rank: 22
Drake Maye needs any of his wide receivers to step up and be a reliable target. DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, and Kendrick Bourne have three touchdowns combined this season.
23. Chicago Bears (4-6)
Previous rank: 23
The Bears aren’t doing Caleb Williams many favors with their offensive system, but the No. 1 overall pick hasn’t thrown a touchdown in four games.
24. New York Jets (3-8)
Previous rank: 21
Aaron Rodgers has three wins in his two-year Jets career. The team is 1-5 under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich and needs prime Rodgers back to make any impact in the AFC East.
25. Dallas Cowboys (3-7)
Previous rank: 26
Rico Dowdle had just 28 yards on 10 carries against the Texans after Mike McCarthy named him the lead back.
26. Carolina Panthers (3-7)
Previous rank: 27
It could be a long time until Bryce Young sees another opportunity to start NFL games if he doesn’t step up down the stretch.
27. New Orleans Saints (4-7)
Previous rank: 28
The Saints are still alive in the NFC South. Derek Carr needs to continue taking care of the football while throwing to an unheralded group of wide receivers.
28. New York Giants (2-8)
Previous rank: 29
Evan Neal started his first game of the season against the Panthers in Germany. The 2022 seventh overall pick could be playing for a chance to continue his career.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)
Previous rank: 25
The entire Jaguars team has struggled. Jacksonville will likely fire head coach Doug Pederson soon to try to gain some offensive and defensive spark.
30. Cleveland Browns (2-8)
Previous rank: 30
The Browns’ defense has been ugly, and Ogbo Okoronkwo hasn’t been able to make a difference. He still needs to fill in the gap that Za’Darius Smith left behind.
31. Tennessee Titans (2-8)
Previous rank: 31
Will Levis and the Titans have struggled offensively this season. The second-year quarterback is showing some promise, throwing one interception in the past two games after recording seven picks in his first five contests.
32. Las Vegas Raiders (2-8)
Previous rank: 32
The Raiders are last in the league for rushing yards per game with 75.2. Zamir White needs to fill the shoes left by Josh Jacobs.
