One X-factor for every NFL team heading into 2020

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 12: Strong safety Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts during player introductions before the AFC Divisional playoff game against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 11: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts to a play during the first half of the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Buffalo Bills – Stefon Diggs

The Bills traded for Diggs because they realize their offense needed to find an X-factor. Now it’s up to the talented wide receiver to provide he deserves to be a playoff team’s No. 1 option.

At the very least, his speed is going to open up a lot of space for Buffalo’s other skill players. The question is whether or not he can catch the volume of passes required to power the Bills to a division title.

Miami Dolphins – Matt Breida

Breida is the right guy to bet on to win the battle to be the Dolphins’ No. 1 running back in 2020. Considering the team’s hopes to lessen the pressure on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as a rookie, it’s reasonable to expect a lot of rushing attempts in Miami this season.

Breida has the speed and shiftiness to turn some of those carries into big plays. If he can become a legitimate star, the Dolphins might prove that their rebuilding project is ahead of schedule.

New York Jets – Jamison Crowder

Crowder caught a career-high 78 passes for the Jets in 2019, but they need even more production out of him in 2020. The hope is that drafting Denzel Mims to play on the outside will give Crowder more room to operate in the slot.

What Crowder lacks in speed he more than makes up for in guile and route-running acumen. That’s something Sam Darnold needs to learn to appreciate more. If he does, it could be enough to help the Jets flirt with a .500 record.

New England Patriots – Cam Newton

Newton might be the biggest unknown in the NFL heading into the 2020 season. Some believe he’s destined to regain his Pro Bowl form under Bill Belichick’s watchful eye. Others think his time as a productive NFL starter is over due to health concerns.

The truth is likely somewhere in between. Even so, he’s got a chance to elevate the Patriots’ ceiling more than anyone else on their roster if things break in his favor. Avoiding quarterbacks was a goal of this list, but Newton’s ability to be a difference-maker is impossible to ignore.

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