By PFF.com
DETROIT LIONS: CB Terrion Arnold
Arnold’s rookie year did not go as planned for a former first-round pick, though it’s not often easy for any rookie cornerback to come into the league and immediately start shutting down NFL talent. Arnold still allowed just a 61.2% reception rate when targeted, a top-25 mark among 73 qualifying cornerbacks. For Arnold, the best is certainly yet to come, as his time at Alabama as a high-end coverage corner would suggest.
GREEN BAY PACKERS: LB Edgerrin Cooper
Cooper was the Packers’ highest-graded defender in 2024 (85.7), though he only played over 75% of the team’s defensive snaps in a game for the first time in Week 17 when he took on a full-time role to close out the rest of the year and into the playoffs. Cooper is set for a much larger role this coming season, and with the Packers declining Quay Walker’s fifth-year option this offseason, Cooper’s path as the team’s top linebacker of the future should not be in doubt. Cooper could even take over the team’s LB1 role as soon as this season, as he did in Green Bay’s lone playoff game this past year, which would be even more fuel to his fire as one of the league’s potential top linebackers.
CHICAGO BEARS: QB Caleb Williams
Everything that the Bears did this offseason, including installing Ben Johnson as the new head coach, reinforcing the offensive line and adding two high-end receiving weapons with their first two picks in the NFL Draft, is designed to allow the 2024 first overall pick to succeed in his second season. Williams, undoubtedly, struggled in Year 1, taking a league-high 68 sacks while ranking 32nd in passing grade. With everything a young quarterback could need in place around him now, there is no reason for Williams not to deliver on his potential as a former first overall pick, starting in 2025.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS: QB J.J. McCarthy
The Vikings felt comfortable moving on from Sam Darnold this offseason following his breakout performance in 2024, and McCarthy’s potential is a big reason why. McCarthy has yet to play a snap in the NFL, but Kevin O’Connell’s offense is set up for a quarterback to succeed, especially considering the full complement of offensive weapons for which McCarthy can get the ball to in order to help him adjust to the NFL.
