5 NFL players poised for bounce-back years in 2020

For Comeback Player of the Year Ryan Tannehill, 2019 was the best year of his NFL career. But for many other players across the league, last season is one they'd like to forget.

Injuries, quarterback changes, and abysmal coaching—among other issues—hindered some of the NFL’s best athletes.

Here are five capable of achieving bounce-back seasons in 2020, with the right change of scenery, personnel, or renewed health. 

1. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns' signing of Odell Beckham Jr.  sparked a frenzy of buzz ahead of the 2019 season, but the wideout and many of his teammates floundered through a year of ups and downs. OBJ reeled in 1,035 yards and just four touchdowns, but he was hampered by inconsistency and misuse in offensive schemes.

With former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski now the head coach in Cleveland, the team should begin to fulfill its potential. Beckham could see his production return closer to his New York Giants days. Some of that will hinge on quarterback Baker Mayfield’s improvement, but with Stefanski in charge, the entire Browns offense should enjoy a bounce-back season in 2020.  

2. Eric Ebron, TE, free agent

Eric Ebron is another receiver who suffered a down year, partially because of quarterback play. In 2018, with Andrew Luck under center, Ebron registered 750 yards and 13 touchdowns in his first season with the Colts. Jacoby Brissett took over at QB after Luck unexpectedly retired in 2019, and Ebron’s production dipped to 375 yards and three TDs through 12 games. In late November he was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury.

Brissett will probably be out as quarterback in 2020, and a flashy free agent or a promising draft pick could help the Colts find their stride on offense once again. Should Ebron, a free agent, stay in Indy, he may get a fresh start with a new quarterback, or he could find a better opportunity on another team.

With the right man at quarterback, a healthy Ebron should get his numbers back up to where they were in 2018.

3. James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

In his second NFL season, James Conner received his first Pro Bowl selection. He tallied 1,470 all-purpose yards and 13 total touchdowns through 13 games.

The following year Conner became one of the many Pittsburgh Steelers to succumb to injuries. He missed six games and played limited snaps in several others. He injured his knee in Week 2, then in Week 8 exited a game with a shoulder injury.

With an offseason to nurse his body back to full strength, expect Conner to come out strong in the final year of his rookie contract.

4. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Speaking of Steelers injuries, Ben Roethlisberger played just two games in 2019, after an MRI determined he needed season-ending elbow surgery.

He's getting up there in age (he’ll turn 38 on March 2), but that didn’t hold him back in 2018. That year Big Ben led the league in passing yards with 5,129. That number also set a franchise record, as did his 34 touchdown passes.

The age factor might come more into play in 2020, but Roethlisberger rested his body for almost an entire season, so he could come back even more energized. If the Steelers can add another weapon in the passing game, alongside JuJu Smith-Schuster, even better for Roethlisberger’s season ahead.

5. Melvin Gordon, RB, free agent

Melvin Gordon pretty much has himself to blame for his lackluster 2019.

Coming off a season in which he averaged 5.1 yards per carry and recorded 14 touchdowns, Gordon demanded a trade from the Chargers, if he did not receive a new contract ahead of the 2019 season. The Wisconsin product skipped training camp and sat out the Chargers’ first four games, while he awaited a response from Los Angeles.

Eventually Gordon reported to the team in late September and hardly impressed in his regular-season debut. Gordon ended up with 612 rushing yards on 162 carries and nine total touchdowns in 2019.  

He is a free agent in 2020 and may end up in a new uniform, but a change of scenery—and a full offseason of practices—should give Gordon another chance to shine.

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