National Football League is what the NFL stands for. Everyone is aware of that. For people who know more about how the league works, NFL is a nickname that stands for “Not For Long.” Because every player is expected to be good at competing, no one can afford to have an off-season.
No matter what role you play, whether you are a starter or a player on the second team, you are always under pressure to do your best. The most important thing for all 32 NFL teams, once the season starts, is who is best suited to play each game.
With the 2023 season coming up, some players feel a lot more pressure to not only do well but also show what they’re really worth. Here is my bet on nfl games online picks for the top six players who have the most to show this coming season. They range from young quarterbacks to young defenders to an offensive lineman who needs to have a breakout year in 2023.
1. Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears
The changes the Chicago Bears made this offseason to improve their team for the 2023 season got a lot of attention. Sending the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for star wide receiver D.J. Moore and a bunch of draft picks for 2023 and 2024 caused the most buzz in the top NFL news sites. There were other deals, free-agent signings, and draft picks, but for now, let’s just focus on Moore.
Why? Because this move shows that the Bears are willing to put it all on the line again to give their quarterback Justin Fields a chance to prove that he is the team’s quarterback of the future.
Chicago has already put a lot of confidence in Fields. The Bears have a lot of faith in Fields. In 2021, they traded up to get him with the 11th pick in the NFL draft. Last year, they gave up the first pick and didn’t take a quarterback because they believed in Fields.
Fields has one of the best running games of any quarterback, but he needs to get better at throwing. Fields could have a big year if his line speeded up and did a better job of covering him and making decisions. If not, I wouldn’t want to be the Bears, to be honest.
2. Chase Young, Edge, Washington Commanders
The now-Washington Commanders used the second pick in the NFL draft in 2020 to pick Ohio State star edge rusher, Chase Young. It took the former Ohio State player one season to break through and establish himself as a strong defensive player. He won the NFL DROY award for that season.
After that, though, his production dropped by a huge amount in 2021 and 2022, mostly because of a torn ACL that kept him out of action for most of both seasons. Young’s fifth-year option was not picked up by the Commanders, so this is the last year of his rookie contract. It will be up to him to get back to the level of play he had when he first joined the league.
Washington made it a point to squash trade rumours about Young, which means the team is willing to give their former star defender one more shot before making a big choice. Now it’s up to Young to do his best and show that he deserves a new deal.
3. Trey Lance, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Man, being Trey Lance can’t have it easy. It’s hard to say if the man is a waste of time or if he just hasn’t been able to get his business going. After sitting behind Jimmy Garoppolo in 2021 for a chance, it looked like the next year would be Lance’s last. Then, in Week 2, Lance broke his ankle, which ended his season. Then, Brock Purdy came on the scene, which almost stopped Lance from becoming San Francisco’s quarterback of the future.
But there is still some hope for Lance. Since Purdy’s elbow injury could keep him from being at his best at the start of the season, Lance could get one last chance to show himself and take SF’s starting job for good.
He worked out with Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and private quarterback coach Jeff Christensen during some of his summers. Since the Niners spent a lot of money to get Lance in the NFL draft in 2021, he needs to make it in 2023 or he needs to pack his bags and find a new team.
4. Calvin Ridley, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
If I were Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, I would be ecstatic to have Calvin Ridley as my No. 1 WR in a season where we have to make the playoffs. Ridley is back after being banned all of last season for betting on NFL games. He wants to show everyone that he can be the offensive leader Jacksonville needs.
Ridley’s last full season was in 2020, and he was a stud. Plying his trade with the Atlanta Falcons, Ridley caught 90 passes for 1,374 yards and bagged nine touchdowns. It’s sad that he left the team for mental health reasons in 2021 and was then suspended in 2022. But if Ridley comes back close to the person he will be in 2020, he and Christian Kirk could be a WR pair that lights up the AFC.
5. Mekhi Becton, Offensive Tackle for the New York Jets
In the realm of the NFL, engaging in the hypothetical “What if?” game can be both entertaining and disheartening. Ever since quarterback Aaron Rodgers joined the New York Jets, the team has undergone a transformation, evolving from a subpar squad to a potential Super Bowl contender. However, the time for speculating about the impact of offensive tackle Mekhi Becton is now in the past.
Back in 2020, Becton was acquired as one of the most promising options for an ailing offensive line. He showcased his talents during a commendable debut season. Unfortunately, Becton’s subsequent performance was limited to a single game due to an injury, causing him to miss the entirety of the 2021 season and the entirety of 2022.
When Becton is in optimal condition, he epitomizes a bulldozer on the field. His imposing stature and immense strength grant him a distinct advantage over any opposing defense, precisely what Rodgers and the Jets require. Moreover, Becton underwent a significant weight loss during the summer, shedding over 50 pounds. This could potentially enhance his athleticism and skills even further. With New York opting not to exercise Becton’s fifth-year option, the time has come for him to rise to the occasion and demonstrate his ability to substantially bolster the offensive line.
6. J.C. Jackson, Cornerback for the Los Angeles Chargers
When cornerback J.C. Jackson inked a lucrative five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers instead of the New England Patriots, many anticipated that this star cornerback would shine brightly on the West Coast. However, a year later, it is safe to conclude that Jackson’s signing was one of the most disappointing, if not the most disappointing, free-agent deals from the previous season.
Consequently, Jackson must rebound from a woeful and injury-riddled 2022 season to become the formidable defender that the LA Chargers urgently require in 2023. A strong performance during the upcoming season is not just a personal desire for Jackson; it is a pivotal opportunity that could determine whether he regains recognition as one of the premier cornerbacks in the league or finds himself searching for a new team next year.
Avid music fanatic. Communicator. Social media expert. Award-winning bacon scholar. Alcohol fan.