Players under pressure heading into mini-camp
By: Jake Rajala
The NFL season is right around the corner. First, we have to get through training camp. With that said, I’m going to talk about several players that face pressure entering mini-camp.
J.J. McCarthy
This is a slam-dunk. J.J. McCarthy is entering his third season. We know he has impressive tangibles. The question is: how mentally sharp is he? J.J. is competing against Kyle Murray, who has enjoyed success in this league. Murray has made a lot of magic happen with DeAndre Hopkins. He will look to do the same with another elite WR in Justin Jefferson.
Tua Tagovailoa
This one is quite obvious. Tua Tagovailoa joined a team where he could start. Tua has once led the league in passing yards and completion percentage in a separate year. He needs to prove he can still sling the ball at a high level and guide his team toward a winning record. Let it be known he has Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson at his disposal.
Deshaun Watson
With Shedeur Sanders showing a lot of promise last season, it’s time for Deshaun Watson to step up show the Browns are still his team. Per NFL.com, Watson’s main focus is on being QB1. He said he’s fully healthy. The Browns chose to add more pieces around the QB spot in the 2026 draft with KC Concepcion in the first round and Denzel Boston in the second round.
Derrick Henry
The behemoth at running back, Derrick Henry, needs to prove he still has “gas left in the tank” and that he’s not a “fumble prone” ball-carrier. If Henry takes a step back, they will know that they need a quality RB1. Justice Hall isn’t ready to be a bell-cow RB.
Aaron Rodgers
It’s going to be Aaron Rodgers’s last season. He needs to come near to winning a Super Bowl and riding off into the sunset at the very least. He has DK Metcalf and the newly acquired Michael Pittman Jr. He comes over from Indy. The Steelers also extended their 300 pound TE Darnell Washington. Rodgers is 42 years old. Tom Brady was 43 when he won his last Super Bowl.
Alvin Kamara
Alvin Kamara was ranked as the worst RB by PFF last season. He needs to show he’s not washed up. The Saints have Travis Etienne at RB1. There is some competition for the RB2 spot between Kamara, Kendre Miller, and Devin Neal. If Kamara still has some juice, he can really help his young QB Tyler Shough in the passing game (such as screens and RB options).
Geno Smith
Geno Smith once turned his career around. As of late, he has looked like his young self, which isn’t good. Smith threw 17 interceptions last season and 15 in 2024. Hopefully, he can rekindle some energy with the team that drafted him. If Smith struggles, they will have to look into acquiring a veteran QB via a trade.
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