After an eventful offseason in the NFL, the real drama is about to resume. Pressure is everywhere, as star players are trying to get their respective teams over the hump, get their careers back on track, reach their potential, live up to big contracts, earn new ones and everything in between.Â
So, with all of that considered, who’s under the most pressure ahead of the 2026 NFL season? We ranked 15 players who must deliver big this year.
Bucky Brooks: The departure of Micah Parsons left a huge hole in the middle of the Cowboys defense. Despite the teams commitment to replace Parsons’ production, the unit misses the All-Pro’s sideline-to-sideline playmaking prowess. Overshown has shown flashes as a disruptive defender (see: five sacks, an interception, forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 2024 as a 12-game starter), but he has missed more games (32) than he has played (19) due to multiple knee injuries.Â
As he enters the final year of his rookie deal, Overshown is trying to carve out a long-term role and ideally earn a contract extension by seasons end. Meanwhile, the Cowboys need all they can get from the fourth-year linebacker. They’ve missed the postseason two years in a row, and their beleaguered defense is the primary reason for it. A healthy and productive Overshown could change their fortunes.Â
Brooks: The 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year has the unenviable task of replacing a future gold jacket playmaker with a pair of Defensive Player of the Year awards and the single-season sack record. Verse not only steps into the role previously occupied by Myles Garrett, but he must anchor a defense that is transitioning under a new defensive coordinator. Given the lofty standards and expectations within the “Dawg Pound,” the third-year pro must provide a disruptive presence on the frontline to enable the defense to continue suffocating opponents.Â
Moreover, Verse must deliver massive sack production to help compensate for the loss of a destructive force who posted eight straight seasons with at least 10 sacks. Considering the stellar performance and production of his predecessor, the Browns trade acquisition is on the hot seat to put up blockbuster numbers to justify the surprising trade. It’s a huge challenge for a player who has earned two Pro Bowl selections in his two seasons yet recorded just 12 career sacks.
Eric D. Williams: The fifth-year running back recently earned Super Bowl MVP honors with the Seahawks. Now he’s the potential X factor for his new team to get back to the big game. After signing a three-year, $45 million deal with the Chiefs, he will be counted on to serve as the bell-cow running back for an offense that has become a bit stale and whose all-world quarterback is coming back from a torn ACL. For years, Patrick Mahomes has compensated for Kansas City’s mediocre running game. In fact, the Chiefs haven’t had a single back eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in Mahomes’ eight seasons as a starter.Â
The 31-year-old version of Mahomes will need more help, and Walker is more than capable of providing it. The bigger question is whether he can stay healthy. He struggled to stay on the field in Seattle, despite often sharing lead back duties.Â
Brooks: The big-play specialist averaged 20-plus yards per catch in back-to-back seasons as the secondary option in the Indianapolis Colts passing game. With a promotion to the No. 1 role after Michael Pittmans departure, Pierce must show that he can win against elite corners and double coverage tactics.Â
Just as important, Pierce must validate the Colts $114 million commitment to a former WR2 transitioning to the featured playmaker spot. Although his position coach (Reggie Wayne) successfully made the transition when his Hall of Fame teammate (Marvin Harrison) retired, the student must apply his mentor’s lessons to handle his new role and responsibilities as a go-to gu
