One X-factor for every NFL team heading into 2020

Chicago Bears – Cole Kmet

The Bears don’t know whether Nick Foles or Mitchell Trubisky will take most of their snaps at quarterback in 2020. Either player who wins the job will need a lot of help from their starting tight end.

Kmet is the odds-on favorite to win the job before Week 1 arrives. He’s not an electric athlete, but he’s got enough speed to make some plays down the field. Don’t expect him to be a big-play threat as a rookie, but the Bears need him to make key catches in traffic to keep the chains moving.

Detroit Lions – Danny Shelton

Shelton is the latest Patriots star to take his talents to play under Matt Patricia in Detroit. His major job with the Lions will be to win the battle at the line of scrimmage for the team’s defense.

The big defensive tackle doesn’t need to rack up tackles and sacks to be successful. He just needs to take up space and create pressure up front. Interior defensive lineman don’t make headlines, but Shelton is definitely his team’s X-factor.

Green Bay Packers – Aaron Jones

Jones almost certainly doesn’t have a long-term future in Green Bay after the team spent a second round pick on A.J. Dillon in April’s draft. On the flip side, that likely means the Packers will give him a ton of carries in 2020.

That means he has a real chance to top his career-high of rushing yards again this season. Last season he gave Matt LaFleur’s offense 1,084 yards on the ground. He could push for over 1,500 yards if he can stay healthy this year.

Minnesota Vikings – Garrett Bradbury

Bradbury went right into the Vikings’ starting lineup as a rookie, but he didn’t play up to his Draft Day expectations. That makes him a prime candidate to take a second step forward in his second NFL season.

Kirk Cousins is a quarterback who needs a clean pocket to succeed. That makes center play particularly important in Minnesota. Bradbury playing at Pro Bowl level could power his offense to new heights.