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RotoBaller highlights 12 NFL players who possess plenty of talent, but could use a fresh start. Analyzing 12 players who could thrive with new NFL teams ahead of 2025.
12 NFL Players Who Could Use A Fresh Start
Success in the NFL is a delicate balance. Of course, a player must be talented, but they must also be fortunate enough to be on the right team, in the right offensive system, and getting the right amount of reps. Read ahead to find 12 NFL players who we think could thrive with a fresh start on a new team…
Tyreek Hill - WR, Miami Dolphins
Despite playing in every game last season, Hill finished with under 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since his injury-shortened 2019 campaign. The Cheetah wasn’t shy about expressing his frustrations with the Dolphins following a season-ending loss to the New York Jets, though he’s walked back those comments recently.
At 31-years-old, Hill’s prime is quickly disappearing, which isn’t a great fit when considering his reliance on often-injured Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa remaining healthy and in the lineup. He’ll stay in South Beach in 2025, though it could be a make-or-break year for Hill, as well as head coach Mike McDaniel.
Anthony Richardson - QB, Indianapolis Colts
It’s fair to wonder how much a change of scenery would help Richardson, as he’s frequently struggled to stay on the field in his brief pro career. The inexperienced former Florida QB was always expected to be a project for the Colts, but the organization’s patience might already be wearing thin with the player who has played in just 15 games since being selected with the fourth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Rachaad White - RB, Tampa Bay Bucs
White has proven himself to be a serious dual-threat back at the NFL level, as he looks ahead to 2025 on the heels of back-to-back seasons with over 1,000 all-purpose yards and nine TDs. However, White was clearly outshined by rookie rising star Bucky Irving over the second half of the 2024 season.
So while White could be a stats monster and clear starting running back for multiple teams around the league, it appears as though he’ll remain stuck behind Irving on the Bucs depth chart for the foreseeable future.
Chris Olave - WR, New Orleans Saints
An undeniable talent, Olave has spent the bulk of his brief career dealing with less-than-stellar quarterback play. The list of starting QBs he’s played with in New Orleans isn’t exactly inspiring, and includes: Andy Dalton, Jameis Winston, Derek Carr, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener.
With Carr now officially retired, Olave’s future looks even bleaker with a Saints QB depth chart that is currently comprised of Rattler, Haener, and rookie Tyler Shough.
Kyle Pitts - TE, Atlanta Falcons
Selected fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Pitts was expected to revolutionize the tight end position. Despite his unicorn-like physical traits, he’s failed completely short of those outsized expectations. Pitts did log a franchise-record 1,026 receiving yards in his rookie season, so it’s tough to make the argument that he’s simply bad at football. That said, things have failed to click for him in Atlanta in subsequent years, despite head coach and QB changes.
Amari Cooper - WR, Free Agent
I’ll eat my loss here, as I honestly expected Buffalo’s mid-season trade for Amari Cooper last year to be a slam dunk. Instead, Cooper was a ghost after arriving in Buffalo. He battled injuries and never quite acclimated to the Bills passing attack, making just 20 catches for 297 yards and two scores in eight games with Buffalo.
Despite his abysmal results with the Bills, I still believe the 30-year-old has some gas left in the tank in the right situation. He’s just one season removed from posting a 1,250-yard season with the Browns. If fully healthy, the current free agent could help a team in 2025.
Travis Etienne - RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
After posting back-to-back seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards in 2022 and 2023, Etienne’s production plummeted in 2024. While struggling with injuries, the former Clemson star began to lose noticeable work to backfield mate Tank Bigsby. Etienne ultimately ended last season with just 558 rushing yards, his worst statistical campaign as a pro.
While new head coach Liam Coen could re-energize this Jags offense – and perhaps Etienne – it’s likely that we’ll again see a committee approach that includes large doses of Bigsby, as well as rookie RB Bhayshul Tuten. Etienne’s best chance at a career rebound is probably to find a less-crowded backfield outside of Jacksonville.
Kirk Cousins - QB, Atlanta Falcons
After signing a massive free-agent deal with the Atlanta Falcons ahead of the 2024 season, Cousins performed well below expectations, posting a 7-7 in 14 starts for Atlanta last year before being benched in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. for the stretch run. Cousins now enters camp as the highest paid back-up in the league – one which Atlanta will likely try to move at some point.
In fairness to the 36-year-old, he was working his way back from a devastating Achilles injury last year, while playing in a new offense with new teammates. If Cousins is moved, there’s a good chance that he could still succeed in the right situation in 2025.
Cole Kmet - TE, Chicago Bears
After racking up a career highs in receptions and receiving yards in 2023, Cole Kmet’s production dipped dramatically in Caleb Williams’ first season under center in Chicago. Whether it was by design or simply Williams’ decision making, Kmet’s was targeted roughly half as many times in 2024 as he was two years ago.
After the addition of former Lions OC Ben Johnson as head coach, the Bears elected to select Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick of this year’s draft – a move that could spell disaster for Kmet in Chicago.
Garrett Wilson - WR, New York Jets
Wilson has appeared to be on a superstar trajectory since he broke out for 1,103 receiving yards in his rookie season in 2022. While he’s remained productive from a statistical standpoint, he’s remained the proverbial Ferrari parked in front of a double-wide trailer in this low-flying Jets offense.
I don’t know that New York’s additions of defensive-minded head coach Aaron Glenn and run-heavy QB Justin Fields do anything to brighten Wilson’s outlook for 2025 and beyond. It’s no secret that he has the tools to be one of the NFL’s top receivers, but he’ll have a hard time capitalizing on his potential in this offensive environment.
David Njoku - TE, Cleveland Browns
Always a freakish athlete and physical specimen, Njoku’s production has started to live up to his off-the-charts potential in recent years. However, it’s fair to wonder if he’ll ever be able to maximize his talents in Cleveland. Last year’s Browns team went an abysmal 3-14 and things are expected to be much better in 2025.
Njoku has been stuck with a revolving door of QBs throughout his career, and with a wide-open QB competition heading into Browns training camp, it’s a huge question mark as to who he’ll be catching passes from in 2025. Almost 29-years-old, Njoku’s window of peak performance is closing. It would be a shame if we never get to see what he’s capable of outside of Cleveland.
Tyler Allgeier - RB, Atlanta Falcons
The BYU product burst on to the scene with over 1,000 rushing yards in his 2022 rookie season, only for the Falcons to select Bijan Robinson in the 2023 NFL Draft. Since the addition of Robinson to the Atlanta depth chart, Allgeier has dutifully played the role of back-up to the ultra-talented Robinson.
If it feels as though we have lots of Falcons on this list, you’re right, as it’s almost as if Atlanta has a “team within a team” of players who could potentially be stars if they were with different organizations. Allgeier’s talent is certainly intriguing, and it would be interesting to see what he could do as an RB1 with a new team.
