The top NFL player to watch from each team in 2017

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 33
Next
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates after a score against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates after a score against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

With the 2017 NFL season not far away, Niner Noise takes a look around the league and identifies each team’s top player to watch this upcoming year and why.

The NFL offseason is in full swing, and teams are undergoing their various OTAs and minicamps to prepare themselves for the upcoming 2017 campaign beginning in September.

New seasons are always a breath of fresh air. A last place team and the team with the best record last year both start off with a 0-0 mark.

Simply put, there’s always hope.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

And yet those hopes ride on the backs of key players — the guys who cast great influence on how their respective teams’ fortunes will go in the upcoming efforts.

Niner Noise takes a look around the NFL and identifies each team’s player to watch this upcoming season.

It’s not always going to be the best player.

In some cases, like with the Cleveland Browns or San Francisco 49ers, it may be a rookie NFL Draft pick.

In others, a cornerstone veteran may be the player to keep an eye on — perhaps a guy on the hot seat or someone shouldering all the pressures of getting his team to the playoffs.

We’ll take a look at each team’s most watchable player and why he’ll be of the utmost influence when 2017 kicks off.