The NFL season is rapidly approaching as we head into July. There’s a ton of expectations for certain teams, players, and front offices. Meeting those expectations isn’t as easy as it sounds, especially when they’re high. On the other side of that hard work and staying out of the public high makes it easy to surpass expectations. Going into the 2025 season there are plenty of players who are in both of these positions. Leaving fans with the question of whether or not they will end up meeting expectations.
Panthers QB Bryce Young – Overrated
Bryce Young had ana amazing ended to the 2024 season. He turned around the bust label that was thrust upon him when he was benched for Andy Dalton. For the first time in his short career, he look confident and decisive. Leading the Panthers to an end of season run that saw them within one score of beating both Super Bowl appearing teams. Due to this Bryce and the Panthers have been gaining hype as they enter 2025. I don’t know if they will be Wild Card contenders just yet though. The team being in the NFC, which is by far the better conference all around makes it hard to see. Add to that the fact that Bryce has yet to play good for a full season and you can’t really justify putting him in the top half QBs. Sure he had a great end of his season, but until he pulls that out consistently it’s hard to imagine him and the Panthers living up to the hype.
Colts HB Jonathan Taylor – Underrated
Jonathan Taylor is the player trying the hardest to keep that Colts offense afloat in 2024. Quietly boasting 1 ,400 yard season that literally no one talks about. Add to that the fact that he’s only 26 years old and this man is due for another monster rushing season. It feels like no one was talking abotu Taylor as one of the best backs in the game. That is far from the case as he looks to be back to his 2021 form, as he’s finally behind a solid line. With the Colts still struggling to figure themselves out at the QB position, Taylor will get a ton of work. Running the ball is what the Colts were good at last year as they were the 8th best team in the NFL. Look for Taylor to breakout into mainstream media while making defenders look helpless in 2025.
Patriots WR Stefon Diggs – Overrated
A 31 year old wide receiver is coming off of an ACL tear. That sounds like a disaster to me and it’s Stefon Diggs’ reality heading into 2025. Generally the idea around Diggs seems to be that he’ll be a good option for Maye who is a great young QB. In reality it seems to me that people are thinking of Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings Stefon. He’s not the WR1 he once was and that mixed with injury, age, and his off the field personality make sit hard to like the move. Before the ACL he hadn’t had a sub 1.000 yard season since 2017. Honestly I don’t think he gets back to that form in 2025. ACL tears are serious and Diggs might struggle to regain his stellar route running ability. This is a year where he will underwhelm and go for 700-800 yards as he just can’t be what he once was. If the contract wasn’t so large it’d be a great move, but the $63 million is just too much for a player at his state.
Arizona QB Kyler Murray – Underrated
As someone who’s very outwardly high on Arizona this might not be a surprise. I just can’t help but to like this team and the QB leading the charge. Kyler Murray is coming off of a season where he threw almost 4,000 yards, which is crazy when you think about how much he runs the ball. In 2024 he ran for a little under 600 yards. This was a year where Murray was almost at his peak form, but people will still count him out. Whether it’s the shots at his height, his inconsistencies throwing, or his need to run. There’s always something you can complain about when it comes to Kyler’s game. At the end of the day though, he gets results. Arizona is a team that plays in the one of the most competeive divisions in football, and they still get close to the playoffs. If Murray can just stay consistent through most of the season and dial back the poor decision making, he’ll be golden. Going into 2026 I hope to be talking about him as a top 10 QB in the NFL.
Steelers FS Minkah Fitzpatrick – Overrated
As a Steelers fan this one hurts the most to write about. Minkah is widely regarded as one of if not the best safety in the league, but it’s not true anymore. Through the stretch of 2019-2022 he was an absolute ball hawk who could turn the game around with a single play. His fast reflexes and ability to read a QB’s eyes was something to admire. When you added to that his huge contributions in the run game, it was no wonder he inked an extension with Pittsburgh. That being said Fitzpatrick has been quiet in the air game the past couple of seasons. In 2023 and 2024 combined he’s only had one interception. A far fall from the 4 season span of 17 in the past. His ability to read the ground game and make an impact there is still good. Also his pass defense isn’t bad, but he’s just missing those special standout plays that made him an elite safety. Without those he’s more like a top 10 safety to me than top 3. Look for him to either bounce back in his age 28 season or continue to decline.
Vikings WR Jordan Addison – Underrated
In 2024 Jordan Addison became the perfect compliment to the superstar Justin Jefferson. Catching 63 balls for 875 yards, and 9 touchdowns in his sophomore year. With Sam Darnold leading the offense, it was hard to think of this team as pass heavy. To be expected it wasn’t with the team having a 55 to 45 percent pass to rush ratio. With Kirk Cousins that was a 60-40 ratio, which allowed for more receptions to go around. McCarthy is going to be throwing the ball this season and that means another balanced year. Addison is bound to be a great target for the rookie though, as his hands are almost a sure thing. All of the attention being on Jefferson frees up Addison to be the perfect Robin. That catching consistency mixed with his speed makes me believe that he’ll finally break the 1,000 yard mark. After this upcoming season I think that he’ll end up being one of the widely known WR2’s in the league.
Buffalo Bills DE Joey Bosa – Overrated
Joey Bosa going to the Bills seemed like one of the greatest moves of the offseason. The Bills needed to add to their pass rush and Bosa seems to be the perfect person to do it. Unfortunately though it’s not a lack of skill that makes him overrated, it’s his injuries. He hasn’t played a full season since 2021. When Joey is on the field he makes a difference boasting 10.5 sacks in that 2021 season. Not being on the field takes all of that away. This guy cannot go a season without missing games and in the NFL availability is the best ability, Impactful players who change the game and make teams contenders show up every week. With that being known it’s hard to say Joey Bosa is one of those guys. Everyone is high on him due to his talent, but I can’t be that unless he suits up for 17 games.
Buccaneers CB Benjamin Morrison – Underrated
In the second round of the draft Tampa Bay selected a stud out of Notre Dame. Morrison was a 35 ish guy on my big board and the Bucs got him with the 53rd pick. This is a fast guy who can run with any receiver he’s pit up against. Add to that the vision to track the ball as he had 9 interceptions in college and you have a CB with potential. He’s a guy that I could see rising up the ranks in Tampa’s CB room. Starting out covering the WR3s and 4s before getting trusted enough on the WR2s. Not many people have heard of this guy and those who have are worried about his physical limitations. That being said the eye test is no joke and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s up there in DROY talks.
Dolphins LB Chop Robinson – Overrated
After his rookie season, the consensus on Chop Robinson seems to be that he flashed his potential and can make a jump in 2025. Even though it’s possible, it’s not something to count on. Robinson is on a quick declining Miami Dolphins team with holes everywhere. Their coach is also on the hot seat and his defensive partners are hitting or at the end of their prime. Lacking culture and a solid team around him, Chop is going to struggle to find his footing. His potential is no joke and it’s easy to see why people are so high on him, but he can’t carry a whole defense. This situation reminds me of Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals in 2024. If Robinson can do something similar and have impact every time he’s on the field then I’ll eat my words. It’s just unlikely to happen and he might fall into a sophomore slump due to nothing he has control over.
49ers SS Malik Mustapha – Underrated
In a year where San Fransico was losing their dominance, a bright spot appeared. Their 4th round pick in 2024 Malik Mustapha had a great year that went unrecognized. Starting 12 games with 70 tackles, 2 tfls, 1 interception, and 5 passes defended was a great year for a late round rookie. The Safety position in the NFL is one that doesn’t have many superstars, so seeing a young payer lik ethis shine his potential is amazing. With a full offseason under his belt learning that defense and gaining trust, I expect him to boom in 2025. Playing for a 49ers team that is going to come into 2025 hungry after disappointing in 2024 is a bonus. Mustapha will be a guy who’s name will be front and center by the end of 2025. Being able to secure tackles and not fall for the shifty plays of an offensive weapon is his greatest weapon. Add to that a young guy who can stay calm and patient and this is someone who will breakout this season.
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