The second week of OTAs have completed for all four North teams. Let’s take a look at which players on each team have the most to prove during 2017.
Ameer Abdullah (Lions)
Abdullah had a Lis franc foot injury last year after a great start in the first two games. He must prove he can stay healthy and handle 150 to 200 carries for the Lions offense. Ameer had 4.2 YPC his rookie season and fixed his fumble issues from the first half of 2015. He had 5.6 YPC on 18 carries and 57 yards receiving in two games with a TD. Abdullah had a monster start to 2016 but must prove he can be that work horse play making back for the Lions. His run blocking should be improved and he is a full go at OTAs. Once the pads come on, Abdullah needs to be the leader of the Lions rushing attack.
Damarius Randall (Packers)
Randall played 692 snaps for the Packers defense but played terribly. He was the 108th ranked CB out of 111 rated corners. He was awful and gave up huge chunks of yards. Randall had a groin injury but was not hurt the entire season. Damarius must prove he can play better as the top corner and also stay healthy. Randall still needs to be the Packer top corner and earn his mark as a first round pick. Kevin King was added in the draft but rookies take time to learn the ropes at corner in this league. The Packers are still counting on Randall for 2017.
LaQaun Treadwell/Sam Bradford (Vikings)
Treadwell was a 1st round pick for the Vikings that did absolutely nothing at receiver in 2016. The Vikings added Michael Floyd and still have Adam Thielen and Stefan Diggs as the top weapons. However, in terms of draft position, the Vikings need to see production out of Treadwell.
Sam Bradford had a 99 QB rating but a low YPA due to the Vikings offensive line and weapon issues. Bradford is the biggest key to the Vikings and must lead them to more points. It just seemed like Bradford could have done a little bit more in 2016 to get the Vikings over the hump. He had a good defense so the point total needed was lower than a lot of QBs need. His run game and offensive line should be improved so Bradford must prove he is a good QB in a contract year.
Kevin White/Bears QB (Bears)
Kevin White was a top 10 pick but has missed 28 of a possible 32 games in his career. He must produce as a number 1 WR for the Bears offense after losing Alshon Jeffrey (Eagles) in free agency. Chicago has a good run game (Howard) and other decent weapons (Meredith, Miller, Wheaton, Cruz, rookie Sheehan) but they need a top weapon to bloom for Dowell Loggains offense. As a top 10 pick from 2015, White needs to be that.
Mike Glennon was given starter money and the Bears traded up to pick 3 for Trubisky. Chicago needs their starting QB to play well or the offense fails. If the offense fails, the Bears fail. The Cutler era is over and there is nobody else to blame.