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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...bounceback-candidates-madden-rankings-debates
NFL's 2019 bounce-back candidates
Here are a few other players poised to bounce back in 2019 and establish themselves as Comeback Player of the Year candidates:
Le'Veon Bell, RB, New York Jets: It's been a while since we've watched No. 26 dazzle as the ultimate offensive weapon. The self-proclaimed RB1/WR2 is a Hall of Fame-caliber playmaker, with a career per-game average of 129.0 scrimmage yards, putting him in the same class as gold-jacket wearers like Jim Brown, Walter Payton and Barry Sanders. Bell's unorthodox running style lulls defenders to sleep, while his precise route-running skills and superb pass-catching ability give NFL defensive coordinators sleepless nights. With the Jets looking for an offensive threat to take some of the pressure off their young franchise quarterback (Sam Darnold), Bell has ample opportunity to remind the football world of his greatness.
Earl Thomas, S, Baltimore Ravens: The six-time Pro Bowl safety was the centerpiece of the "Legion of Boom" in Seattle, but now he gets a chance to further boost his brand as the game's premier ballhawk in Baltimore. Thomas' range, instincts and awareness add another dimension to the Ravens' coverage in an ultra-aggressive defense. If Thomas can quickly master the nuances of Don Martindale's exotic-blitzing scheme, he'll feast on errant throws forced from a multi-faceted pass rush.
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, San Francisco 49ers: It could be a make-or-break year for Jimmy G, with the 49ers looking for franchise-quarterback play from their $137.5 million asset. The sixth-year pro could respond in splendid fashion with a strong performance in an upgraded offense under Kyle Shanahan's direction. Considering how the offensive guru elevated Nick Mullens a season ago, Garoppolo could play at an MVP level for San Francisco this season, with a number of new weapons at his disposal.
Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia Eagles: It typically takes a player a year-plus to fully regain form following a significant knee injury. That's why the Eagles should expect their QB1 to recapture his MVP form when he takes the field this season. Wentz has shown electric playmaking ability as an athletic passer with nifty feet and high-end arm talent. If he meshes well with his new weaponry in Philly (DeSean Jackson, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and Jordan Howard), No. 11 could re-emerge as the prototype at the position.
Deion Jones, LB, Atlanta Falcons: The ultra-athletic linebacker was beginning to enter the discussion as one of the top defenders at his position before a foot injury limited him to just six games last season. Jones could quickly remind the football world of his dynamism when he returns to action in September. His sideline-to-sideline range and playmaking ability previously made him the centerpiece of a Falcons defense built to stymie the pass-centric offenses in today's NFL, which is why Atlanta just handed him a four-year, $57 million extension. With Keanu Neal also returning from injury, Atlanta's D could take the league by storm in 2019, which obviously wouldn't hurt Jones' case for some year-end hardware.
NFL's 2019 bounce-back candidates
Here are a few other players poised to bounce back in 2019 and establish themselves as Comeback Player of the Year candidates:
Le'Veon Bell, RB, New York Jets: It's been a while since we've watched No. 26 dazzle as the ultimate offensive weapon. The self-proclaimed RB1/WR2 is a Hall of Fame-caliber playmaker, with a career per-game average of 129.0 scrimmage yards, putting him in the same class as gold-jacket wearers like Jim Brown, Walter Payton and Barry Sanders. Bell's unorthodox running style lulls defenders to sleep, while his precise route-running skills and superb pass-catching ability give NFL defensive coordinators sleepless nights. With the Jets looking for an offensive threat to take some of the pressure off their young franchise quarterback (Sam Darnold), Bell has ample opportunity to remind the football world of his greatness.
Earl Thomas, S, Baltimore Ravens: The six-time Pro Bowl safety was the centerpiece of the "Legion of Boom" in Seattle, but now he gets a chance to further boost his brand as the game's premier ballhawk in Baltimore. Thomas' range, instincts and awareness add another dimension to the Ravens' coverage in an ultra-aggressive defense. If Thomas can quickly master the nuances of Don Martindale's exotic-blitzing scheme, he'll feast on errant throws forced from a multi-faceted pass rush.
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, San Francisco 49ers: It could be a make-or-break year for Jimmy G, with the 49ers looking for franchise-quarterback play from their $137.5 million asset. The sixth-year pro could respond in splendid fashion with a strong performance in an upgraded offense under Kyle Shanahan's direction. Considering how the offensive guru elevated Nick Mullens a season ago, Garoppolo could play at an MVP level for San Francisco this season, with a number of new weapons at his disposal.
Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia Eagles: It typically takes a player a year-plus to fully regain form following a significant knee injury. That's why the Eagles should expect their QB1 to recapture his MVP form when he takes the field this season. Wentz has shown electric playmaking ability as an athletic passer with nifty feet and high-end arm talent. If he meshes well with his new weaponry in Philly (DeSean Jackson, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and Jordan Howard), No. 11 could re-emerge as the prototype at the position.
Deion Jones, LB, Atlanta Falcons: The ultra-athletic linebacker was beginning to enter the discussion as one of the top defenders at his position before a foot injury limited him to just six games last season. Jones could quickly remind the football world of his dynamism when he returns to action in September. His sideline-to-sideline range and playmaking ability previously made him the centerpiece of a Falcons defense built to stymie the pass-centric offenses in today's NFL, which is why Atlanta just handed him a four-year, $57 million extension. With Keanu Neal also returning from injury, Atlanta's D could take the league by storm in 2019, which obviously wouldn't hurt Jones' case for some year-end hardware.
