Most important player for each NFL team in 2020

Denver Broncos: Jurrell Casey, DT

Casey doesn’t play glamorous football, but he excels at what he’s asked to do in the middle of the defensive line. The Broncos acquired him to clog up the middle of the field in 2020.

If he can draw double teams in the middle it’s going to free up either Von Miller or Bradley Chubb to wreak havoc on the edge. That’s a great recipe for success for the Denver defense.

Kansas City Chiefs: Tyrann Mathieu, S

The Honey Badger is the guy who makes things tick for the Chiefs on the defensive side of the ball. His ability to make plays on all three levels of the defense covers up a lot of the team’s potential weaknesses.

Mathieu has to play at an elite level to allow this defense to flirt with being an above-average unit. Offense is what makes the Chiefs go, but the defense needs to be respectable. Mathieu’s play is crucial for Kansas City’s hopes of achieving that goal.

Las Vegas Raiders: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE

No, 4.5 total sacks was not the production the Raiders were looking for out of Ferrell as a rookie. He needs to come close to doubling that mark in 2020 if he wants to avoid being labeled as a flop.

Jon Gruden needs Ferrell to emerge as a No. 1 edge rusher if he wants to make the playoffs. That might be an ambitious goal for the Raiders, but it’s what they want to achieve this season.

Los Angeles Chargers: Trai Turner, OG

Any hope the Chargers have of succeeding with Tyrod Taylor at quarterback must be based on running the football efficiently. The play of Turner at guard will be crucial to Los Angeles’ ability to grind out yards up the middle.

Turner’s form has fallen off sharply since his Pro Bowl days for the Panthers, but he’s still a quality starter at guard. The Chargers will be hoping a move to the West Coast can elevate his play in 2020.