The excitement in the run-up to the upcoming NFL season is palpable as training camps get under way across the US. It’s a fantastic opportunity to check how players are looking before the season begins, whether they are rookies hoping to have an impactful first season or veterans ready to make their experience count.
As much as football is a team game, seasons can be decided by a select few players. For example, all eyes are set on Tom Brady, who came out of a brief retirement to play with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2022-2023 season. Elsewhere, Bills fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of seeing Von Miller, a potential gamechanger for the Super Bowl 2023 favorites, in action.
It is certainly worth knowing about the most important NFL figures for the season ahead. Sports bettors are increasingly making player-specific prop bets, so having this knowledge can be extremely useful. Not only are NFL prop bets extremely hair-raising but they also offer better payouts than many other bet types. It’s more than worth giving them a go, especially if your NFL players’ knowledge is up to scratch.
We’ve put our heads together and selected 10 of the most important NFL figures for the upcoming season. Keep reading to find out more!
How to make upcoming NFL season predictions
Before we get into some concrete examples, it’s worth going over the best ways to make upcoming NFL season predictions in general. Using NFL futures odds is the quickest way to get an idea of where teams are expected to finish. Scour online articles and blogs for more information on dark horses and players to watch.
10 important people set to rock the 2022-2023 NFL season
You never quite know which players or coaches will emerge as indispensable figures in an upcoming NFL season. We’ve done our research and have chosen the top 10 in our eyes:
Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)
Patrick Mahomes has a lot of weight on his shoulders after the departure of Tyreek Hill and Tyrann Mathieu. The Chiefs were disappointed to miss out on an AFC Championship win last year, and Mahomes will be central to their success this year.
Roger Goodell (NFL Commissioner)
You don’t have to be a player to be an important NFL figure, as Roger Goodell will testify. Crucial decisions to make include overseeing Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension and keeping Daniel Snyder of the Washington Commanders in check.
Trey Lance (San Francisco 49ers)
These are exciting times for the 49ers, as they welcome a new starting quarterback to the fray in Trey Lance. He will have to hit the ground running to endear himself to fans in San Francisco, and given his pedigree, we expect to come out guns blazing.
Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers)
Can the legendary quarterback win a third straight MVP award and power the Packers to Super Bowl glory? If anybody can do it, it’s Aaron Rodgers.
Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Tom Brady is another veteran quarterback marking himself out as one of the best players in NFL history. He performed a retirement U-turn at the beginning of the year, committing himself to play the 2022-2023 season with the Buccaneers. As ever, his performances will be crucial to any success.
Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars)
One of the most exciting second-year breakout candidates, Trevor Lawrence is looking to excel in the 2022-2023 season. Doug Pederson is the perfect coach to help him thrive, so all eyes are on the young quarterback this year.
Josh McDaniels (Las Vegas Raiders)
The Las Vegas Raiders have one of the strongest squads in the NFL on paper, but the AFC West league is notoriously difficult to navigate. Head coach Josh McDaniels will be crucial to any successes as he hopes to lead them to Super Bowl glory.
Nick Bolton (Kansas City Chiefs)
Nick Bolton racked up 112 tackles in his first year at the Kansas City Chiefs, with the rookie blowing the opposition away with his strength, pace and defensive intelligence. He is set to become an integral part of a Chiefs team that has one of the best chances of going all the way this year.
Ken Dorsey (Buffalo Bills)
Buffalo Bills have arguably the strongest and most complete roster in the NFL this season, but success isn’t a given. Ken Dorsey, the offensive coordinator, will need to pull out the stops to ensure they make good on their potential.
Zach Wilson (New York Jets)
An exciting young quarterback turning heads in NYC, Zach Wilson is on the verge of something amazing with the New York Jets. If he can feed the likes of Elijah Moore and Corey Davis consistently, Wilson will be posting big numbers at the end of the season.
