There were 11 NFL offensive players whose stellar performance earned them inclusion on the ' All-Pro teams for the first time last season. That's nearly half of the prior year's first and second teams that were turned over. With that in mind, CBS Sports explores which offensive players may be next to blossom and reach All-Pro status: Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert have yet to make an All-Pro appearance, so those are options for this category, but also not in the spirit of the exercise.
The intended purpose is to project a player who has yet to reach his peak. Caleb Williams' first season under head coach Ben Johnson was fruitful, but the encore should be even better if his offensive line protection holds up. Williams has a better understanding of the offense and has had more time to develop relationships with primary pass catchers Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland.
The key for the USC product will be finding consistency while maintaining the ability to make downfield plays late in the down of which others are incapable. Six of the nine quarterbacks who were named All-Pros over the past five years were first-round picks. Williams was the No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Jahmyr Gibbs is the running back most likely to be named an All-Pro who has not already been so. Although the team signed Isiah Pacheco in free agency, the trade of veteran David Montgomery feels like Gibbs taking ownership of the role in the Motor City. The franchise is hoping the arrival of new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing can re-instill some of the magic that departed with Johnson.
Gibbs has accounted for 1,800-plus all-purpose yards in each of the past two years. A candle is still lit for Ashton Jeanty, and while the trio of Quinshon Judkins, Breece Hall and De'Von Achane have battled injuries, they are more than capable of ascending to this level. As you're reading this, Arizona's Jeremiyah Love is dealing with a high ankle sprain, but he has three-down capabilities, and Arizona is clearly content giving him the bulk of the carries.
Feature backs may be returning to the NFL. There have been at least a dozen 1,000-yard rushers in each of the past four seasons. There had been only two such seasons dating back to 2015.
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