Every year, NFL players face added pressure for a variety of reasons. Some of them need a strong season to maximize their earning potential on the free-agent market, while others have to prove they can hold down starting positions.
A veteran may not have produced enough to factor into the team's long-term plans, but he can change the minds of general managers and coaches with one highly productive season.
As we examine seven players going into make-or-break campaigns, several 2017 draftees come up in the discussion—all of them headed into contract years. They can increase their 2021 market value and show their current teams why they are worth keeping.