Each season, new NFL superstars emerge and launch their careers to the next level.
A couple of young quarterbacks now have all of the tools necessary to potentially achieve Pro Bowl status in 2017. At other positions, there are guys looking to pick up where they left off before unfortunate injuries interrupted promising seasons.
Who can revamp the Detroit Lions’ run game? Who will steal the spotlight in the Washington Redskins offense as quarterback Kirk Cousins’ favorite receiver?
We’re looking at these situations and more as we spotlight 10 NFL players set to make huge leaps in 2017.
Marcus Mariota, quarterback, Tennessee Titans
Third-year quarterback Mariota is a lucky man. He headlines an offense chock full of incredible talent.
Titans skill group: Marcus Mariota, DeMarco Murray, Eric Decker, Delanie Walker, Corey Davis, Rishard Matthews, Derrick Henry, Jonnu Smith.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 18, 2017
Wide receiver Eric Decker is the latest promising playmaker the Titans acquired for Mariota to target in the passing game. Decker can be a touchdown machine under ideal circumstances, having crossed the end zone 51 times since 2011.
Mariota also has new rookie first-round pick Corey Davis to hit up when Decker is in coverage. Additionally, both Rishard Matthews and Tajae Sharpe are up-and-coming talents there for Mariota to spread the wealth around.
Tight end Delanie Walker is always a mean threat on offense too, as well as the running back tandem of DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry, who run behind one of the game’s best offensive lines.
Mariota’s offense really couldn’t get more stacked. It should provide the keys for Mariota to take his career to the next level in 2017.