- All eyes on Bradley Chubb: Chubb missed the whole 2024 season after tearing his proper ACL in December 2023. The harm reduce quick what had been the most effective season of his profession, as he set private highs in complete pressures (70), pass-rush grade (84.9), run-defense grade (71.1) and protection grade (88.5).
- Here comes Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy: McCarthy posted an elite 90.6 PFF grade in his remaining season at Michigan, and Minnesota is banking on him making a direct affect because the workforce goals to remain atop a aggressive NFC North.
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With coaching camps set to open subsequent week, the main target is formally shifting to the 2025 NFL season. The Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions, who sq. off within the Hall of Fame Game on July 31, would be the first groups to have gamers report.
For many gamers recovering from season-long accidents, coaching camp is their first actual probability to get again on the sector. Teams will typically ease these gamers into motion, however how rapidly they ramp up over the course of camp can supply a powerful indication of whether or not they’ll be prepared for Week 1.
Here are 5 key gamers who missed the whole 2024 season and what to anticipate from them in 2025.
Edge Bradley Chubb, Miami Dolphins
Chubb missed the whole 2024 season after tearing his proper ACL in December 2023. The harm reduce quick what had been the most effective season of his profession, as he set private highs in complete pressures (70), pass-rush grade (84.9), run-defense grade (71.1) and protection grade (88.5).
This marks Chubb’s third ACL harm. He tore his left ACL in highschool after which re-injured the identical knee in 2019 as a member of the Denver Broncos. While loads of gamers have efficiently returned from this harm, expectations ought to be tempered for the 29-year-old edge rusher.
The Dolphins spent the No. 21 total choose final 12 months on Chop Robinson, who flashed promise as a rookie. His 18.8% pass-rush win charge ranked sixth amongst all edge defenders within the NFL. With Robinson and the return of Jaelan Phillips, Miami heads into camp with no scarcity of expertise on the sting, whilst Chubb works his approach again.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
No participant on this record faces extra strain in 2025 than Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Minnesota chosen McCarthy with the No. 10 total choose in final 12 months’s draft, however he missed his whole rookie season after struggling a meniscus tear within the preseason opener.
Veteran Sam Darnold stepped in and delivered a career-best marketing campaign, incomes an 80.7 PFF grade that ranked thirteenth amongst 42 qualifying quarterbacks. With Darnold on the helm, the Vikings completed 14-3 and have been one of many NFC’s prime groups all 12 months.
Now the highlight shifts again to McCarthy. The Vikings have constructed a powerful supporting forged round him on the talent positions and alongside the offensive line. McCarthy posted an elite 90.6 PFF grade in his remaining season at Michigan, and Minnesota is banking on him making a direct affect because the workforce goals to remain atop a aggressive NFC North.
Edge Malcolm Koonce, Las Vegas Raiders
Koonce suffered a torn ACL in observe simply three days earlier than the Raiders’ 2024 season opener, sidelining him for the whole 12 months. His absence was felt, because the Raiders completed twenty seventh within the NFL in pass-rush grade at 64.1.
A former third-round select of Buffalo, Koonce performed sparingly in his first two seasons, logging solely 116 snaps mixed in 2021 and 2022. But he broke out in 2023, incomes an 81.3 PFF grade that ranked twenty second amongst 112 qualifying edge defenders. He was a difference-maker down the stretch, racking up 38 pressures and eight sacks within the second half of the season.
If Koonce and Christian Wilkins (who additionally missed most of final 12 months) return to full well being, the Raiders’ line of defense could possibly be one of many league’s most improved models in 2025.
Edge Sam Williams, Dallas Cowboys
Williams performed simply over 300 snaps in every of his first two seasons and was anticipated to tackle a bigger position in 2024 after the departures of Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. in free company. But a torn ACL suffered throughout July coaching camp ended his season earlier than it started.
The Cowboys’ line of defense took one other hit when DeMarcus Lawrence was misplaced for the season with a foot harm in Week 4. Depth grew to become a significant concern for Dallas, however the workforce has labored to deal with it heading into 2025.
Williams now joins All-Pro Micah Parsons, second-round picks Marshawn Kneeland (2024) and Donovan Ezeiruaku (2025), and the returning Fowler Jr. as a part of a revamped edge group. Williams has already confirmed he can produce on the NFL degree, incomes a 71.0 or greater pass-rush grade in every of his first two seasons. At simply 26 years outdated, he has each purpose to consider in a bounce-back marketing campaign this 12 months.
Edge Samson Ebukam, Indianapolis Colts
Like Malcolm Koonce, Samson Ebukam was coming off a career-best season in 2023. The former fourth-round select of Eastern Washington ranked 14th amongst 112 qualifying edge defenders with an 84.4 PFF grade in his first season with the Indianapolis Colts. Ebukam had already established himself as a productive cross rusher — it was his third straight 12 months with a minimum of 45 pressures — however his 80.0 run-defense grade was by far the best of his seven-year profession.
Ebukam suffered a torn Achilles tendon throughout coaching camp final July and missed the whole 2024 season. Before the harm, he had been one of many league’s most sturdy gamers, lacking simply two video games (each in 2022) over seven seasons.
The expectation is that Ebukam can be cleared for exercise when veterans report on July 22. With the line of defense as one of many Colts’ strengths, they’ll afford to ease him again into motion early within the season as he works his approach again from a yearlong restoration.