Niner Noise
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NFL 2018 preview: 5 quarterbacks with a lot on the line this season

By Peter Panacy

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 23: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens stands on the sidelines prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 23: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens stands on the sidelines prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 21: Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts after a penalty call in the second quarter during the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 21: Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts after a penalty call in the second quarter during the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

With the 2018 NFL season not far down the road, Niner Noise explores five quarterbacks with a lot riding on the line when Week 1 begins in September.

Five quarterbacks were drafted in Round 1 of the 2018 NFL Draft, meaning we’re likely to see yet another era of veteran signal-callers phased out in favor of younger, more dynamic options.

Gradually, of course.

The NFL is the epitome of a “what have you done for me lately?” league. Five or six years of excellent play can quickly be forgotten by one bad year.

This clearly puts pressure on players to meet, or exceed, expectations when there’s a lot on the line. And no pressure exists more in football than under center.

In this slideshow, we’ll explore five quarterbacks with a lot on the line heading into 2018. Whether it be a younger quarterback waiting in the folds, contracts, being on a team ready to compete for a championship or whatever, these signal-callers will need to be at their best this season.

Or else.

Let’s see who’s under the gun this year.