16 AFC players who need a change of scenery

For some gamers, it is a no-brainer they want a change of surroundings for subsequent season. (We’re you, Zach Wilson and Mac Jones.) For others, the explanations are extra sophisticated. As decided by Yardbarker NFL writers, right here is one participant on every AFC group who wants a brand new NFL house.

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS | Huge receiver Stefon Diggs: Diggs has downplayed the notion that he is sad in Buffalo, however the group’s 6-6 document, his cryptic offseason social-media posts and his brother Trevon’s candid tweets recommend in any other case. Buffalo might make extra personnel modifications if it misses the playoffs, and it is tough to ascertain the All-Professional wideout desirous to spend his remaining prime years in such a scenario.

MIAMI DOLPHINS | Operating again Jeff Wilson Jr.: Miami signed Wilson to a two-year extension final offseason following a profitable post-trade-deadline stint, however accidents landed him on IR to begin the season, permitting rookie De’Von Achane to shine within the RB2 position. Though Miami, which boasts the NFL’s second-ranked dashing offense, has higher choices at operating again, Wilson stays productive (5.3 yards per touch this season) and could be a match for nearly any group. 

NEW YORK JETS | Quarterback Zach Wilson: No kidding. New York’s shiny lights and the group’s incompetence have derailed one other younger quarterback’s profession, and whereas Wilson didn’t capitalize on his alternatives, a transfer elsewhere would a minimum of reduce the highlight on him. Wilson can’t deal with a beginning position, however with five fourth-quarter comebacks in his profession, maybe he might spark one other group if its starter goes down.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Quarterback Mac Jones: He has 14 turnovers in 11 games and has been benched 4 instances this season. The Patriots, nevertheless, did not precisely set him as much as succeed. Though he is not a starting-caliber quarterback, Jones is not far faraway from a Professional Bowl rookie season, and together with his monitor document courting to his Alabama days, he might turn into one of many NFL’s higher backup QBs. — Colum Dell

AFC West 

DENVER BRONCOS | Huge receiver Jerry Jeudy: Jeudy appeared like a surefire breakout candidate below new head coach Sean Payton, however he solely has one receiving TD in 11 video games. On Monday, Payton insisted he desires to present him extra targets, but it surely’s obvious the previous first-round choose doesn’t go well with his offense and desires a contemporary begin.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Operating again Clyde Edwards-Helaire: Isiah Pacheco has clearly established himself because the group’s No. 1 RB. Edwards-Helaire, in the meantime, has performed on a career-low 15 percent of offensive snaps in 11 video games. The previous first-rounder turns into an unrestricted free agent in 2024, so he ought to signal elsewhere to jump-start his profession. 

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Huge receiver Davante Adams: He recently told NFL Community’s Wealthy Eisen he’s “completely happy to be a Raider,” however the six-time Professional Bowler might change his thoughts if the group doesn’t discover the reply at QB. Las Vegas ranks twenty ninth within the league in passer ranking (74.2), a motive Adams solely 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), however he’s caught on a subpar protection that’s nineteenth within the league in factors allowed (21.5). The seven-time Professional Bowler — who has by no means performed in a Tremendous Bowl — would assist a contender that’s seeking to enhance its go rush. — Clark Dalton

AFC North 

BALTIMORE RAVENS | Linebacker Patrick Queen: Queen, a first-round choose in 2020, and Roquan Smith type the NFL’s finest inside linebacker duo. Nevertheless, the Ravens didn’t train Queen’s fifth-year possibility, paying Smith as an alternative, so Queen is probably going headed some other place in 2024 — a spot the place his profession numbers (423 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 5 pressured fumbles and three interceptions) will likely be extra appreciated.

CLEVELAND BROWNS | Left deal with Jedrick Wills Jr.: The No. 10 total choose within the 2020 NFL Draft confirmed promise as a rookie however has regressed each season since. The 6-foot-4, 307-pounder — who’s on the injured record with a sprained MCL — is way from a significant downside in Cleveland, however his future with the group is in query after permitting three sacks in 2023. 

CINCINNATI BENGALS | Huge receiver Tee Higgins: A second-round choose in 2020, he’s set as much as have an enormous payday this offseason, but it surely might not be with the Bengals, who made Joe Burrow the highest-paid QB within the NFL through the offseason. Higgins — who’s on tempo to have his worst statistical season (516 yards receiving, per ESPN.com) — could possibly be a WR1 on a number of groups.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Tight finish Pat Freiermuth: The Steelers have not often used Freiermuth, a second-round choose in 2021, in the course of the sphere over the previous couple of seasons, limiting his position. Maybe they don’t wish to or don’t know methods to, however a group with an progressive, offensive-minded head coach might certainly reap the benefits of his abilities and doubtlessly flip him right into a top-five tight finish. — 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 profession numbers are stable (5,802 yards passing, 33 TD passes, 25 interceptions, 63.7% completion proportion), and he would profit enormously with a commerce to Atlanta, New England or the New York Giants, the place he might a minimum of compete for a beginning job. He isn’t an unrestricted free agent till 2025.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Operating again Zack Moss: He’s the 11th-leading rusher in the NFL regardless of getting his carries reduce as soon as Jonathan Taylor returned to the lineup after a stint on the PUP record. He has 723 yards and 5 touchdowns on the bottom in 11 video games, and at simply 25, he may gain advantage from enjoying for Minnesota, Carolina or Houston — all of which may gain advantage from having a workhorse No. 1 operating again. He is an unrestricted free agent after the season.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Linebacker Ok’Lavon Chaisson: Chaisson hasn’t lived as much as his billing as a first-round choose (No. 20 total), however he’s solely 24 and having his best season as a pass-rusher (two sacks, 4 tackles for loss) up to now three years. Enjoying for a group that already has a premier No. 1 pass-rusher may take stress off Chaisson to provide instantly and permit him to search out his rhythm, very like Arden Key did when he went to San Francisco in 2021.

TENNESSEE TITANS | Cornerback Kristian Fulton: Two years in the past, Fulton was the group’s high cornerback and one of many NFL’s rising shutdown defenders, however this season, he has been a legal responsibility in protection and was even benched for ineffectiveness. The very best factor for Fulton could be touchdown someplace he can play a Robin position to somebody’s Batman and never be chargeable for shutting down different group’s finest receivers. — Michael Gallagher