Derrick Brown, Panthers (No. 7 in 2024 preseason) -- Fresh off signing a four-year, $96 million extension, Brown tore his left meniscus in Carolina's season-opening loss to the Saints and did not return in 2024. The 27-year-old Brown participated in walk-throughs during 2025 minicamps but has not been cleared to return.

It all matters, but so much of the modern NFL comes down to who's throwing the ball and who's catching and/or running with it.