Some teams seemed to be just a player or two away from breaking out a year ago, which 5 teams are most likely to get over that hum- in the NFL 2017 season?
Each season the NFL sees certain teams climb from obscurity and the NFL 2017 season will be no different. There will be another team that goes from a 4-12 bottom dwelling record to a 13-3 one like the Dallas Cowboys did.
After losing starting quarterback Tony Romo to back surgery, they turned to rookie Dak Prescott and he led the surge. Another unexpected star fueled a big season for the Miami Dolphins. After going 6-10 in 2015, they rode the strong legs of running back Jay Ajayi to a 10-6 record and playoff berth.
Other teams saw the fruits of their labor pay off as years of being close finally paid off. The Oakland Raiders saw steady improvement under the guidance of quarterback Derek Carr in his first two seasons in the league. In his last outing he was a huge reason they had their first winning season since 2002.
In 2016 there were a few teams that had started to make some solid progress and can be a player away from breaking out. There may also be some surprise team ready to shock the world. Here are the five most likely candidates for such a season.
Philadelphia Eagles
Dec 4, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 32-14. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
5. Philadelphia Eagles
After moving up in the 2016 NFL Draft to select quarterback Carson Wentz, the Philadelphia Eagles started off with a bang. They were one of the final undefeated teams in the league before seeing their rookie passer hit a wall. Wentz started throwing some ill-advised passes and their second half was forgetful.
More from NFL Spin Zone
Not all the blame should be placed on the signal-caller's shoulders though. There were plenty of times he delivered a beautiful pass only to see it bounce off a receiver's hands — usually Nelson Agholor's. They also had a subpar running game which didn't take much pressure off Wentz to do it alone.
In an attempt to remedy this problem, the Eagles signed both Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith. They then had a solid draft by picking up defensive end Derek Barnett from Tennessee as well as corners Sidney Jones from Washington and Rasual Douglas from West Virginia. Jones will miss most — if not all — of his rookie season after tearing his Achilles at Washington's Pro Day. Even so, they added a lot of talent including running back LeGarrette Blount who led the NFL in touchdowns last season.
Philadelphia has all the signs of a team ready to make a big leap in the 2017 NFL season.
May 26, 2017; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) works out during organized team activities at Everbank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
This is starting to become an annual thing. Every year the Jacksonville Jaguars seem to be that team who's only a player or two away from finally breaking out. It seems as if they've been drafting in the top-five for a decade straight — and they get some good free agents as well. Those two positives for them make it seem like eventually breaking through is bound to happen.
Yet they just keep losing. So why is 2017 going to be different? Hopefully because they made some much needed changes. They moved on from head coach Gus Bradley, who they were way too patient with. His replacement is Doug Marrone, who didn't perform terribly when coaching the Buffalo Bills.
Jacksonville also drafted a potential difference maker this offseason. With the fourth-overall pick they selected LSU running back Leonard Fournette. Giving quarterback Blake Bortles a potent running attack will only help him as he tries to limit his turnovers in 2017.
This was in addition to picking up defensive end Calais Campbell, safety Barry Church and cornerback A.J. Bouye in free agency. These veterans join some young talent in defensive end Dante Fowler, Jr., cornerback Jalen Ramsey and wide receiver Allen Robinson. On paper this team looks really good. So maybe, this will be the season they finally break through.
Jun 13, 2017; Ownings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws a pass during the first day of minicamp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports
3. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens aren't too far off from being a Super Bowl team, but still over the past couple of years they haven't set the world on fire. Since winning the big game following the 2012 season they've only had one winning season and are fresh off an 8-8 campaign.
Their defense has still been pretty solid, but the top players have started to get a little long in the tooth. In an attempt to infuse some youth on that side they added cornerback Marlon Humphrey out of Alabama in round one, outside linebacker Tyus Bowser out of Houston in the second and then added both defensive end Chris Wormley from Michigan and Crimson Tide outside linebacker Tim Williams in the third.
Such dedication to that side of the ball shows that they want to continue to win by shutting teams down. That hasn't been enough lately as their offense has been less than impressive. In early June they received a gift that helped them on that side. The Kansas City Chiefs cut wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and he eventually found his way to the Ravens, which gives them a formidable weapon for quarterback Joe Flacco to move the ball with.
Dec 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) hands off to running back DeMarco Murray (29) during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
2. Tennessee Titans
We go back to the AFC South as the Tennessee Titans join the Jaguars as a team to watch in 2017. They've been slowly building a winning team and they missed out on the divisional title thanks to a tie breaker with the Houston Texans. Heading into this coming year they are primed for a huge leap from where they were in 2016.
Tennessee returns starting quarterback Marcus Mariota, running backs DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry and tight end Delanie Walker on offense. On defense key players like outside linebackers Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan return to lead a solid unit.
Both sides also have new reinforcements. The Titans signed former New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan and Jacksonville safety Jonathan Cyprien. Offensively they added fifth-overall pick Corey Davis and third-rounder Taywan Taylor to their receiving corps.
The defensive additions will help keep them in games, but the real reason for them being able to improve is the help on offense. Tennessee was a great running team last year, but they struggled at times when they had to turn to the pass. Giving Mariota a potential No. 1 guy in Davis and a deep threat in Taylor could be huge for his continued development.
Jun 13, 2017; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3), wide receiver Adam Humphries (10) ,offensive coordinator Todd Monken and wide receiver Mike Evans (13) talk during minicamp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After looking at the team led by the number two overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft — Marcus Mariota — we look at the team which used first selection that year on quarterback Jameis Winston. Like the Titans, Tampa finished with a winning record in 2016 but just missed out on the post season. They had a real shot, but the young team was unable to win a couple key late games.
That's nothing to hang their heads about because they were led by several people under 25 years of age in Winston, wide receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Kwon Alexander. They also have other stars that are incredibly young in cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III and Noah Spence.
Having some tough games under their belt will help them grow moving forward. The Bucs are a confident team, as evidenced by their signal-caller's approach to the game. Winston plays fearlessly as he trusts his wide receivers to come down with any contested pass. It has led to many interceptions, but as he learns to take more calculated chances, they will only get better.
Helping his improvement this season will be the addition of veteran receiver DeSean Jackson and former Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard. They also added the sure-handed Chris Godwin in the third round which gives Winston some great options in the passing game. All they need now is for either running back Doug Martin to return to form — or rookie Jeremy McNichols to unseat him and they will be incredibly tough to handle.
