1 Notable NFL player from every team in the 2021-22 season

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers

Our list of one notable player for every team in the NFL continues...

#12. Green Bay Packers – Aaron Rodgers, quarterback

If this is the last dance, Aaron Rodgers has left a legacy in Green Bay that will last forever. The Packers will reportedly allow Rodgers to be traded in 2022 following a dispute and a contract restructure this offseason. After succeeding Brett Favre as the Packers starter in 2008, Rodgers has reinvented the quarterback position with his relentless production, scrambling ability, and accuracy throwing on the move.

#13. Houston Texans – Deshaun Watson, quarterback

The hole that the Houston Texans find themselves in is partly due to their most notable player effectively being sidelined. Deshaun Watson had already cast doubt over his Texans future by demanding a trade in the offseason. Since then, 22 women have filed civil lawsuits accusing Watson of coercive sexual behaviour, two of which allege sexual assault. Watson is still on the Texans roster.

#14. Indianapolis Colts – Darius Leonard, outside linebacker

Despite only being a fourth-year player, Darius Leonard is the leader of the Indianapolis Colts defense and recently signed a five-year, $99.25 million deal to make him the NFL's highest paid linebacker. After being drafted in the second round in 2018, Leonard exploded in the NFL – leading the league in tackles, named a first-team All-Pro and Defensive Rookie of the Year.

#15. Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence, quarterback

After 12 losing seasons in the past 13 years, the Jacksonville Jaguars put their faith in Trevor Lawrence to turn the franchise around by selecting the Clemson alumni with the number one overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft. Lawrence will need more pieces around him for the Jags to find the winning formula, but the 21-year-old rookie could be the first big step towards a change of fortunes in Duval County.

#16. Kansas City Chiefs – Patrick Mahomes, quarterback

Since making his Week 17 debut in 2017, Patrick Mahomes' rise to quarterback sensation has been nothing short of spectacular. In his first year as a starter, Mahomes threw for more than 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns, joining Peyton Manning as the only other player to do so. In four years, he has been NFL MVP, won a Super Bowl as Super Bowl MVP and signed a $503 million, 10-year deal.

#17. Las Vegas Raiders – Derek Carr, quarterback

Derek Carr splits opinion in NFL circles, but Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden has committed to the quarterback he inherited since returning to the NFL four years ago. Carr has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times and has broken every franchise passing record during his seven years in silver and black. Having only guided the team to a winning record once, 2021 is a big year for Carr.

#18. Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert, quarterback

The Los Angeles Chargers expected big things from their sixth-overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, but Justin Herbert's rookie year blew all projections out of the water. The 23-year-old Oregon alumni threw for 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on his way to winning Offensive Rookie of the Year. The sky is the limit for the Chargers over the coming years, with a franchise quarterback in place.

#19. Los Angeles Rams – Aaron Donald, defensive tackle

Three players in NFL history have won Defensive Player of the Year three times –Lawrence Taylor, J.J. Watt and Aaron Donald. That's the type of company the Los Angeles Rams' wrecking ball keeps. Donald has seven Pro Bowl selections in seven years and no defensive player comes close to his numbers in the past half decade. There's an argument that Donald is the best player in the NFL.

#20. Miami Dolphins – Xavien Howard, cornerback

The Miami Dolphins showed Xavien Howard the money to keep their star lockdown corner happy after he requested a trade this offseason. Six-year pro, Howard was named as a first-team All-Pro for the first time in 2020 and signed a restructured contract as he finally got the recognition he earned. In 2020, Howard led the NFL with 10 interceptions and received the second-best cornerback grade.

#21. Minnesota Vikings – Kirk Cousins, quarterback

Kirk Cousins is another signal-caller that gets mixed reviews, but his numbers speak for themselves. The former Washington QB has thrown for over 4,000 yards in five of his six years as a starter, and last year he posted a career-best 35 touchdowns. Cousins gained his first post-season win in 2019 to answer another question about his abilities. As he once famously screamed – do you like that?

#22. New England Patriots – Dont’a Hightower, linebacker

There was perhaps no player more missed in 2020 than the New England Patriots defensive centerpiece Dont’a Hightower. After opting out last season, the three-time Super Bowl winner gives a major boost to Bill Belichick's defense. A versatile playmaker, Hightower recorded the game-changing strip-sack that swung the tide in the famous Super Bowl comeback against the Falcons with the score at 28-12.

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