5 NFL Receivers Who Will Improve In 2017 (And 5 Who Won't)
6. Regress - Brandon Marshall
On the surface, it seems wrong to include Brandon Marshall on this list. He signed with the New York Giants this summer and in 2017, he'll be catching passes from Eli Manning, by far the best quarterback he's ever played with. It feels like things have never been better for Marshall, but there are signs that his regression is not only impending, but ongoing.
For starters, Marshall registered a limp 788 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 2016, way down from the 1,502 yards and 14 touchdowns he posted in 2015. Some of that can be attributed to the New York Jets' eternal quarterback crisis, but at Marshall's age (33), it's difficult not to worry about that slide continuing.
Then of course, there's the issue of the Giants' receiving corp. Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard are wildly talented young receivers, and their age and killer athleticism puts them ahead of the aging Marshall on the offensive pecking order.
As good a career as Marshall has had, he's less of a game changer for the Giants and more of a luxury for a team chasing another Super Bowl ring.