16 AFC players who need a change of scenery

For some players, it’s a no-brainer they need a change of scenery for next season. (We’re looking at you, Zach Wilson and Mac Jones.) For others, the reasons are more complicated. As determined by Yardbarker NFL writers, here is one player on each AFC team who needs a new NFL home.

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS | Wide receiver Stefon Diggs: Diggs has downplayed the notion that he’s unhappy in Buffalo, but the team’s 6-6 record, his cryptic offseason social-media posts and his brother Trevon’s candid tweets suggest otherwise. Buffalo could make more personnel changes if it misses the playoffs, and it’s difficult to envision the All-Pro wideout wanting to spend his remaining prime years in such a situation.

MIAMI DOLPHINS | Running back Jeff Wilson Jr.: Miami signed Wilson to a two-year extension last offseason following a successful post-trade-deadline stint, but injuries landed him on IR to start the season, allowing rookie De’Von Achane to shine in the RB2 role. Although Miami, which boasts the NFL’s second-ranked rushing offense, has better options at running back, Wilson remains productive (5.3 yards per touch this season) and would be a fit for almost any team. 

NEW YORK JETS | Quarterback Zach Wilson: No kidding. New York’s bright lights and the team’s incompetence have derailed another young quarterback’s career, and while Wilson failed to capitalize on his opportunities, a move elsewhere would at least lessen the spotlight on him. Wilson cannot handle a starting role, but with five fourth-quarter comebacks in his career, perhaps he could spark another team if its starter goes down.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Quarterback Mac Jones: He has 14 turnovers in 11 games and has been benched four times this season. The Patriots, however, didn’t exactly set him up to succeed. Although he’s not a starting-caliber quarterback, Jones isn’t far removed from a Pro Bowl rookie season, and with his track record dating to his Alabama days, he could develop into one of the NFL’s better backup QBs. — Colum Dell

AFC West 

DENVER BRONCOS | Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy: Jeudy seemed like a surefire breakout candidate under new head coach Sean Payton, but he only has one receiving TD in 11 games. On Monday, Payton insisted he wants to give him more targets, but it’s apparent the former first-round pick doesn’t suit his offense and needs a fresh start.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire: Isiah Pacheco has clearly established himself as the team’s No. 1 RB. Edwards-Helaire, meanwhile, has played on a career-low 15 percent of offensive snaps in 11 games. The former first-rounder becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2024, so he should sign elsewhere to jump-start his career. 

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Wide receiver Davante Adams: He recently told NFL Network’s Rich Eisen he’s “happy to be a Raider,” but the six-time Pro Bowler could change his mind if the team doesn’t find the answer at QB. Las Vegas ranks 29th in the league in passer rating (74.2), a reason Adams only has four receiving TDs through 12 games. 

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Linebacker Khalil Mack: The 32-year-old leads the NFL in sacks (15 in 12 games), but he’s stuck on a subpar defense that’s 19th in the league in points allowed (21.5). The seven-time Pro Bowler — who has never played in a Super Bowl — would help a contender that’s looking to improve its pass rush. — Clark Dalton

AFC North 

BALTIMORE RAVENS | Linebacker Patrick Queen: Queen, a first-round pick in 2020, and Roquan Smith form the NFL’s best inside linebacker duo. However, the Ravens didn’t exercise Queen’s fifth-year option, paying Smith instead, so Queen is likely headed somewhere else in 2024 — a place where his career numbers (423 tackles, 13.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and three interceptions) will be more appreciated.

CLEVELAND BROWNS | Left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr.: The No. 10 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft showed promise as a rookie but has regressed every season since. The 6-foot-4, 307-pounder — who’s on the injured list with a sprained MCL — is far from a major problem in Cleveland, but his future with the team is in question after allowing three sacks in 2023. 

CINCINNATI BENGALS | Wide receiver Tee Higgins: A second-round pick in 2020, he is set up to have a big payday this offseason, but it may not be with the Bengals, who made Joe Burrow the highest-paid QB in the NFL during the offseason. Higgins — who is on pace to have his worst statistical season (516 yards receiving, per ESPN.com) — could be a WR1 on several teams.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Tight end Pat Freiermuth: The Steelers have rarely used Freiermuth, a second-round pick in 2021, in the middle of the field over the past couple of seasons, limiting his role. Perhaps they don’t want to or don’t know how to, but a team with an innovative, offensive-minded head coach could surely take advantage of his talents and potentially turn him into a top-five tight end. — Aaron Becker

AFC South

HOUSTON TEXANS | Quarterback Davis Mills: With C.J. Stroud’s record-breaking rookie season, it’s clear Davis’ days in Houston are numbered. His career numbers are solid (5,802 yards passing, 33 TD passes, 25 interceptions, 63.7% completion percentage), and he would benefit greatly with a trade to Atlanta, New England or the New York Giants, where he could at least compete for a starting job. He’s not an unrestricted free agent until 2025.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Running back Zack Moss: He is the 11th-leading rusher in the NFL despite getting his carries cut once Jonathan Taylor returned to the lineup after a stint on the PUP list. He has 723 yards and five touchdowns on the ground in 11 games, and at just 25, he could benefit from playing for Minnesota, Carolina or Houston — all of which could benefit from having a workhorse No. 1 running back. He’s an unrestricted free agent after the season.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson: Chaisson hasn’t lived up to his billing as a first-round pick (No. 20 overall), but he’s only 24 and having his most productive season as a pass-rusher (two sacks, four tackles for loss) in the past three years. Playing for a team that already has a premier No. 1 pass-rusher might take pressure off Chaisson to produce immediately and allow him to find his rhythm, much like Arden Key did when he went to San Francisco in 2021.

TENNESSEE TITANS | Cornerback Kristian Fulton: Two years ago, Fulton was the team’s top cornerback and looked to be one of the NFL’s emerging shutdown defenders, but this season, he has been a liability in coverage and was even benched for ineffectiveness. The best thing for Fulton would be landing somewhere he can play a Robin role to someone’s Batman and not be responsible for shutting down other team’s best receivers. — Michael Gallagher

Source link