5 NFL Receivers Who Will Improve In 2017 (And 5 Who Won't)

It's hard to bet against Larry Fitzgerald anymore. Throughout his career, whenever he's struggled, he's always bounced back. Between 2012-14, he averaged less than 1,000 yards per season and only scored 16 touchdowns overall, despite only missing two games over that three year stretch. However, he returned to form in 2015 and 2016 by racking up 1,215 and 1,023 yards, respectively, with 15 total touchdowns. Unfortunately, as great against adversity as Fitzgerald has been, all the wrong stars are lining up for him heading into 2017.

For starters, he'll be 34 by the time the season starts, and although he's never suffered a catastrophic injury, he has played 202 games in a highly strenuous position. Then there's the declining play of his quarterback, Carson Palmer. Palmer is 37 with an extensive, brutal injury history, and the Arizona Cardinals are already looking for his replacement. Common sense dictates that they hand off much of Palmer's workload to ascendant running back David Johnson, which will only hurt Fitzgerald's production.

Larry Fitzgerald won't completely fall off a cliff, he's too great to disappear entirely, but his production will take a nose dive as he grows older and the Cardinals veer away from the passing game.