EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 08: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) C.J. Mosley #57 of the New York Jets fumble recovery against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on September 08, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Bills defeated the Jets 17-16. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Successful NFL teams need contributions from everyone on the roster. This list identifies each franchise’s most important player heading into 2020.
Any NFL team with legitimate playoff aspirations will need quality contributions from the majority of the players on their respective rosters. The work of some guys is more important than others though. This list walks you through the most important player on each NFL team heading into the 2020 regular season.
For the purposes of clarity, no quarterbacks are allowed on this list.
There’s a cogent argument to be made that play at that position is the most important ingredient in constructing a winner in the modern NFL. Every team needs good play from the quarterback position to be successful. The interest in this piece is identifying a different position that might heavily influence a team’s ability to succeed.
The player listed for each team also won’t automatically be the franchise’s biggest star. A star running back in an elite offense isn’t going to be as important to a team as the top cornerback on an otherwise mediocre secondary.
Without delay, let’s jump right into the mix by identifying the most important players in the AFC East.
Buffalo Bills: Stefon Diggs, WR
We start out with an easy choice. Josh Allen has never had a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver to work with in his NFL career. The franchise solved that problem by swinging a trade for Diggs this offseason.
He doesn’t have the size to dominate opponents at the line of scrimmage, but he’s got the speed to burn corners on deep patterns. He needs to make a ton of big plays this season for the Bills if they’re going to make a deep playoff run.
Miami Dolphins: Austin Jackson, OT
The sooner Miami gets the young tackle into the starting lineup the better. He’s the future for the franchise at the left tackle position. The Dolphins will need to give their quarterbacks strong protection this season. Jackson’s ability to make a swift transition to the NFL will be crucial for any hopes the Dolphins have of flirting with a .500 record.
New England Patriots: Chase Winovich, EDGE
The Patriots have a strong history of letting pass rushers walk in free agency. That doesn’t mean their defense can thrive without the ability to produce pressure up front.
Winovich needs to flirt with double-digit sacks this year to keep New England’s defense playing at an elite level. He may not be an elite athlete, but his work rate gives him a strong chance to succeed in Bill Belichick’s system.
New York Jets: C.J. Mosley, LB
There are a number of young offensive players that could have made sense here, but Mosley is the crucial guy on the defensive side of the ball. His injury absence really prevented the unit from making meaningful strides in 2019. If he can provide Pro Bowl-caliber play at middle linebacker this season it could make the rest of the defense look much more competent.