NFL Analysis
7/24/24
11 min read
NFL Second-Year Players Under Most Pressure To Perform in 2024
Some rookies perform great immediately, as was the case last season with Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud and DE Will Anderson, who won Rookie of the Year honors. However, I’ve always said judging a team’s draft and specific draft picks takes two to three years.
Here are the NFL players entering their second season who are under the most pressure to perform in 2024, beginning with the scrutiny they’ll face in training camp.
I’ve limited this analysis to first- and second-round picks from 2023, for whom the expectations are always highest. That’s especially true for the first-rounders that general managers and coaches count on to become impact players quickly.
Second-Year Players Under Most Pressure in 2024
BRYCE YOUNG, QB, CAROLINA PANTHERS
It’s never easy to be a rookie starting quarterback. Bryce Young had the misfortune to be drafted by the league’s worst team. As the first overall pick, he dealt with play-caller and coaching changes during the season.
He didn’t help the Carolina Panthers’ cause by completing only 59.8 percent of his passes with just 11 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions for a 73.7 passer rating, which ranked 35th among passers with eight or more starts. He also was sacked 62 times, second most in the league, and was 2-14 as the starter.
His protection should be better with free agent guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis aboard. Diontae Johnson (via trade from Pittsburgh) and first-rounder Xavier Legette will join Adam Thielen (103 catches last season) to give Young a better wide receiver corps, and second-round pick Jonathon Brooks will help at running back.
Thielen said Young’s difficult rookie season “made him a stronger leader, and I’m really excited to see his career unfold.”
That upswing better start this season.
>> READ MORE: Deep Dive Into Young's Rookie Film
ANTHONY RICHARDSON, QB, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Unlike Young, who stayed healthy, Anthony Richardson has the excuse of a shoulder injury that ended his rookie season after only four games.
The fourth overall pick won the starting job in training camp and went 2-2 in his starts. There’s plenty of room for improvement after he had a below-average passer rating of 87.3 with three touchdown passes and only one pick, but he also fumbled three times. Richardson showed his athleticism with 136 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
The Indianapolis Colts have a solid supporting cast to help Richardson ascend in Year 2. It’s led by RB Jonathan Taylor, a quality offensive line, and a good wide receiver group anchored by Michael Pittman, Jr. that has added a talented newcomer in second-rounder Adonai Mitchell.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard says Richardson is “full go” for training camp.
>> READ MORE: The Colts Will Unleash Richardson in 2024
PARIS JOHNSON JR., OT, ARIZONA CARDINALS
Paris Johnson was the sixth overall pick in 2023 and started all 17 games. He allowed 42 pressures and eight sacks while being penalized 12 times, fourth-most among tackles in the league.
It will help Johnson and the entire Arizona Cardinals offense to have Kyler Murray back after his ACL injury, which cost him most of last season (with Marvin Harrison Jr. a new weapon at WR).
Johnson is moving from right tackle to left tackle this season, so the pressure is on him to improve his overall play as he protects Murray’s blindside.
TYREE WILSON, DE/DT, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Tyree Wilson’s recovery from a foot injury limited his development last season as he sat out much of the offseason program and training camp. The 2023 seventh-overall pick’s stats were not impressive: no starts, 3.5 sacks, eight QB hits, and 29 tackles in his limited playtime.
Wilson moved inside, and Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce were effective outside rushers in the Las Vegas Raiders’ 4-3 defense.
Christian Wilkins signed in free agency, so if Wilson emerges in his second season, Las Vegas will have a potent foursome up front to rush the passer and stop the run, with Wilson playing tackle and end.
BIJAN ROBINSON, RB, ATLANTA FALCONS
By no means did Bijan Robinson have a bad rookie season with 976 rushing yards, 58 catches for 487 yards, and eight combined touchdowns. But it’s all about expectations.
As the eighth overall pick, Robinson was the highest-drafted running back since Saquon Barkley in 2018 and the only first-round back in the past three drafts (including this year). So Robinson is expected to be a 2,000-yard back in combined yards and a Pro Bowl player.
The Atlanta Falcons hope the addition of Kirk Cousins will better balance the offense and improve the passing game. That will prevent teams from loading the box to stop Robinson, who will run behind a quality offensive line and can still be a threat as a receiver out of the backfield.
JALEN CARTER, DT, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
The Philadelphia Eagles are looking for bigger production than six sacks and 33 tackles from Jalen Carter, whose play fell off late last season as the Eagles' defense faded.
Carter had to overcome off-season issues and a logjam at defensive tackle in his rookie season, but Fletcher Cox's retirement opens up a starting spot.
Carter is reportedly in better condition and should benefit from new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme. Carter's breakout would be a significant factor as the Eagles seek to dethrone the Cowboys in the NFC East.
PETER SKORONSKI, G, TENNESEE TITANS
After playing tackle at Northwestern, Peter Skoronski was drafted 11th overall by the Tennessee Titans last season and moved to guard.
He struggled at times, allowing five sacks and 32 pressures. He also missed three games due to an appendectomy, which affected his strength as he recovered.
Skoronski now has one of the league’s best offensive line coaches, Bill Callahan, who joined his son Brian’s staff. The Northwestern product also has gained weight and has more talent around him. Lloyd Cushenberry signed at center, and 2024 first-round OT JC Latham is in the fold.
It should result in a solid Year 2 leap for Skoronski.
WILL MCDONALD IV, DE, NEW YORK JETS
It was a lackluster rookie year for Will McDonald IV on a strong New York Jets defense. He was a backup defensive end with only three sacks, five quarterback hits, and 14 tackles in a minuscule 184 snaps in 15 games.
Much more is expected from the 15th overall pick in 2023, who had 34 career sacks at Iowa State. Bryce Huff’s departure and Haason Reddick’s contract issues should lead to more play time for McDonald, who says he has put on weight heading into his second season.
EMMANUEL FORBES JR., CB, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
Emmanuel Forbes, the 16th overall pick, was part of the league’s worst secondary last season. He struggled to matchup with big receivers like A.J. Brown and was benched after several blown coverages against DJ Moore.
Forbes started six games, recording one interception, 11 passes defensed, and 38 tackles. The pressure is on for him to up his level of play in Year 2, as the Washington Commanders seek to improve on defense.
CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ, CB, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Christian Gonzalez was off to a great start as the 17th overall pick when he earned a starting spot and was named Defensive Rookie of the Month for September.
He had one interception, three passes defensed, a sack, and 17 tackles in his first four games. Unfortunately, a torn labrum and dislocated shoulder then ended his season.
The Year 2 expectation is for Gonzalez to stay healthy and be a consistent, lock-down corner, which is the direction he was headed before getting hurt. He’s on track to be on the field in training camp after returning to practice at minicamp.
QUENTIN JOHNSTON, WR, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
The Los Angeles Chargers will have a revamped wide receiver corps in 2024 after trading Keenan Allen and releasing Mike Williams.
Quentin Johnston was the 21st overall pick, but he produced only 38 receptions, 581 yards, and two touchdowns last season. The two receivers selected immediately after him — Baltimore’s Zay Flowers and Minnesota’s Jordan Addison — far outperformed Johnston.
The Chargers are looking for the big and fast Johnston to step up this season. Still, he’ll have plenty of competition from veterans Josh Palmer and D.J. Chark, along with this year’s second-round pick — Ladd McConkey — who is the likely slot receiver.
Coach Jim Harbaugh is expected to be more run-oriented, so Johnston will have to perform much better in Year 2 to make an impact.
MAZI SMITH, DT, DALLAS COWBOYS
Mazi Smith, the 26th overall pick, had a disappointing rookie season. He had only 13 tackles, one sack, and three quarterback hits in his limited playing time.
The Dallas Cowboys were counting on Smith to be much better in run defense, and new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer reportedly wants Smith to be a bigger force inside against the run, or the clock will begin ticking on his Cowboys tenure.
NOLAN SMITH JR., OLB, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
It was supposed to be a big coup when the Eagles landed the blazing-fast Nolan Smith 30th overall in the 2023 first round.
He wound up getting the bulk of his playtime on special teams as he backed up Reddick (who was traded to the Jets this offseason). Smith played every game but finished the season with only one sack, three quarterback hits, and 18 tackles.
Smith will compete with Bryce Huff and Josh Sweat for playtime, and the Eagles hope he plays up to his first-round status in Year 2 on a defense that slipped late last season.
FELIX ANUDIKE-UZOMAH, DE, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Like Smith, Felix Anudike-Uzomah had difficulty getting playtime in his rookie season as the last pick in the first round. He backed up George Karlaftis and Mike Danna and had only a half-sack, seven quarterback hits, and 14 tackles.
It appears he’s in the same boat entering training camp as he tries to get more into the rotation and make an impact on the league’s No. 2 ranked defense.
It won’t be easy with Karlaftis and Danna back, and veteran Charles Omenihu is also potentially in the mix when he’s fully recovered from a torn ACL.
WILL LEVIS, QB, TENNESSEE TITANS
Will Levis was projected by many as a first-round pick last season but fell to the Titans as the second pick in the second round. He sat early before taking over for the injured Ryan Tannehill in Week 8 and wound up starting nine games with a 3-6 record on a shaky Tennessee team.
Levis’ passer rating was an unimpressive 84.2, with 1,808 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions. Now he’s penciled in as the starter, with ex-Steeler Mason Rudolph in the No. 2 spot.
The good news for Levis is that his supporting cast has been upgraded with a strong trio of wide receivers in DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd. His offensive line also has added talent to better protect him, but he no longer has Derrick Henry in the backfield (replaced by Tony Pollard).
The pressure is on Levis to prove he’s a quality NFL starting quarterback.
>> READ MORE: Levis' Fatal Flaw Could Spoil Breakout Season
MICHAEL MAYER, TE, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Michael Mayer was selected at No. 35 immediately after the Lions picked Sam LaPorta. Mayer had 27 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns and was an effective blocker, but he was outshined by the Pro Bowler LaPorta, who had 86 receptions, 889 yards, and 10 touchdowns.
Now, Mayer looks destined to be the No. 2 tight end after the Raiders picked Brock Bowers 13th overall this year. Mayer must now prove he’s a legitimate receiving option on an offense with Davante Adams and Bowers.
RASHEE RICE, WR, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Despite too many early season drops, Rashee Rice looked like a second-round steal (No. 55 overall) by season’s end. After all, he was the Kansas City Chiefs’ top wide receiver by a significant margin in a Super Bowl season.
He had 79 catches for 938 yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season and followed it up with a rookie-record 26 receptions, 262 yards, and one touchdown in the postseason.
Now Rice faces a possible league suspension and criminal charges after a high-speed hit-and-run crash in which he was driving.
The Chiefs also signed Marquise Brown in free agency and drafted Xavier Worthy in this year’s first round, putting Rice’s role in question. He has a lot of work to do on and off the field.
>> READ MORE: Chiefs Prepared for Rice's Suspension
