10 NFL players with the most to prove entering training camp
As training camps open across the NFL, it will mean different things for different people. For some, this is just the beginning, the very first step along what they hope will be a successful journey. For others, it means new life and a new opportunity.
Whether these players are returning from injury or have been thrust into an important new role, training camp represents a chance to get their footing. In many cases, it even becomes an all or nothing scenario.
Here’s a look at 10 players with the most to prove as training camps open.
10. Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill
After gaining 1,124 yards and scoring nine touchdowns as a rookie in 2014, Jeremy Hill struggled through a sophomore slump a season ago. He finished the year with only 794 yards rushing, while his yards per carry fell from 5.1 in 2014 to 3.6 in 2015. He also saw his yards after contact dip from 2.29 in 2014 to 1.46 in 2015.
The good news for Hill? He managed to increase his touchdown total from nine to 12, giving the Bengals some hope for the future. Still, it wasn’t enough to prevent the team from extending the contract of fellow running back Giovani Bernard, who will now provide stiff competition for the talented youngster.
9. Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles
When Jamaal Charles ultimately decides to walk away from the game of football, he’s either going to be remembered as one of the best backs in Chiefs history or as a talented player who just couldn’t remain healthy.
Now coming off of his second ACL tear, Charles must prove to his team and the league he’s still got the speed and power necessary to dominate at the level he’s already proven capable of. Recall that in 2010, Charles rushed for 1,467 yards and posted 468 receiving yards; in 2012 he went for 1,509 rushing and 236 receiving; and in 2013 he had 1,287 rushing and 693 receiving yards. Oh yeah, he also scored 19 touchdowns that season.
The bottom line is Charles needs to prove he can stay on the field for all 16 games — something he hasn’t done since 2012, and something he’s only done three times in his NFL career.
8. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick
Kaepernick is in a unique situation heading into training camp because of how things unfolded for him over the past year. He was benched in favor of Blaine Gabbert last season. He also has undergone surgeries to his left knee, right thumb and left shoulder. He even had his agent request a trade this offseason.
Though it looked like Kaepernick was headed to Denver at one point, he never ended up being dealt because of a dispute over pay, and he remains part of the 49ers.
Though he is set to make $13.9 million this season, it appears for now that Kaepernick will open training camp behind Blaine Gabbert on the depth chart. That means the pressure is on Kaepernick to truly light it up in camp in order to give new head coach Chip Kelly some serious thoughts about entering the season with him as the starter. He has a lot of work to do to remind everyone of the player he was from 2012-2014 when he threw for 50 touchdowns and just 21 interceptions and looked like a franchise QB.
7. Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson
Johnson could have landed himself a bigger pay day this offseason after being released by the Panthers, but he ultimately decided home is where the heart is. After talking with a handful of teams, Johnson re-signed with Carolina on a one-year, $3 million deal. He knows he has a lot to prove.
“I’ve got to prove myself, right? I’m only signed to a one-year deal, so I got to go out and prove myself,” Johnson told the Charlotte Observer last week.
Limited by a hamstring injury, Johnson contributed only a single sack in nine regular season games last season. However, there is some optimism that he can regain his form after he recorded three sacks in three playoff games, including a sack in Super Bowl 50.
6. Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy
Immediately following the conclusion of the 2015 season, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy laid down the gauntlet. He told Lacy, who had struggled with his weight throughout the year, that the running back couldn’t return in 2016 overweight and, essentially, that his job was on the line.
Lacy received the message loud and clear, and spent much of his offseason working with P90X founder Tony Horton. He even lost around 15 to 20 pounds, which should help him entering training camp.
After being a total bust last season — Lacy rushed for a paltry 758 yards in 15 games last season after posting consecutive seasons of over 1,100 yards — the former Alabama running back needs to regain the form he displayed in his first two seasons. Given the new shape he’s in, Lacy would probably make for a good fantasy football selection this season.
