#but i just. dont get the hype sometimes for his performance as jack.

[orangesand-lemons-234]

Since we're all here, there's one more secret I feel I have to share with you.

I did not care for Jeremy Jordan as Jack Kelly.

Yes, he originated the role, and yes, he is oober talented, but I do think that other actors *ehem, dan deluca + michael ahomka lindsay* were just. a bit better.

Sorry.

[iridescentides]

hi again dia! happy first day of december ❤️💚 i wanted to ask you what, in your opinion, are the 5 most underrated dcoms? i remember you saying before that you've watched all of them so i'd love to hear your opinions 😊 - 🎅🎁🎄

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH secret santa you are so good! asking me all the best questions 💜

okay so i literally had to make a list of all the dcoms i consider underrated and then narrow down a top 5. theres lots of dcoms that i love, but that i think got the right amount of attention and care (like lemonade mouth and the teen beach movies, for example), so this list just focuses on ones that deserved more hype for their quality level.

5. The Cheetah Girls: One World (2008)

okay so even as i type this i feel like a hypocrite. i have only watched this movie one time. BUT i can acknowledge that its one of the most criminally underrated dcoms ever, tons of people didnt watch it simply because raven wasnt in it. thats why i avoided it as a child, and i didnt get around to watching it until i did my big dcom binge in 2016. and it was so good. theres a really long post floating somewhere around tumblr full of specifics on why its actually the best cheetah girls movie (my favorite is the second one purely out of nostalgia), so to paraphrase some points from that post:

its a solid example of cultural appreciation, rather than appropriation, as the girls go and learn about bollywood and indian culture together

the indian characters arent treated like props or unimportant sides, they get their own agency and storylines that are important

the songs are good!!!

basically this movie was overlooked and slept on even though in terms of role modeling and social value, and just like the first two cheetah girls movies it was important and impactful.

4. Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure (2011)

okay so as someone whos very neutral and occasionally negative-leaning towards the hsm franchise (mostly bc its overhyped and not really representative of all dcoms), i was pleasantly surprised by sharpays fabulous adventure. this is another one that i know lots of people skipped right over and dont hold with as much esteem as the main hsm franchise, and that doesnt sit right with me.

i do not agree with the “uwu sharpay was the real victim in hsm” arguments bc in their efforts to look galaxy brained the people who say that overlook the fact that she was a rich white woman who used her power and status to exercise control over opportunities that should have been fairly and freely available for all; they were not “making a mockery of her theater” in the first movie, they were literally just kids who wanted to try out a new school activity that everyone was supposed to be allowed to participate in; and despite allegedly learning her lesson and singing we’re all in this together with everyone at the end of the first movie, she literally showed no growth in the second movie as she fostered an openly hostile environment and favored troy so heavily that it literally cost him his friends, all as part of yet another jealous plan to take things away from people who already have less than her. she was NOT the victim in the main franchise, and she did not seem to exhibit any growth or introspection either.

and that!!! is why sharpays fabulous adventure was so important. in focusing on sharpay as the main character, they finally had to make her likeable. they did this by showing actual real growth and putting her outside of her sphere of influence and control. we saw true vulnerability from her, instead of the basic ass “mean girl is sad bc shes actually just super insecure” trope (cough cough radio rebel), and this opened us up to finally learn about and care about her character. throughout the movie we see her learn, from her love interests example, how to care for others and be considerate. she faces actual adversity and works through it, asking herself what she truly wants and what shes capable of. and in the end, when she finally has her big moment, we’re happy for her bc she worked hard to get there. she becomes a star through her own merit and determination, rather than through money and connections. this movie is not perfect by any means, but it is severely underrated for the amount of substance it adds to sharpays character.

3. The Swap (2016)

okay i know im gonna get shit for this but thats why its on this list!!! just like sharpays fabulous adventure, its not perfect and definitely misses the mark sometimes, but it deserves more attention and love for all the things it did get right!

the swap follows two kids who accidentally switch bodies because of their emotional attachment to their dead/absent parents’ phones. and while i normally HATE the tv/movie trope of a dead parent being the only thing that builds quick sympathy for a young character, they definitely expanded well enough to where we could root for these kids even without the tragedy aspect. we see them go through their daily struggles and get a feel for their motivations as characters pretty well. as a body switching movie, we expect it to be all goofy and wacky and lighthearted, but it moves beyond that in unexpected ways.

the reason the swap is on this list is for its surprisingly thoughtful commentary on gender roles. its by no means a feminist masterpiece, and its not going to radicalize kids who watch it, but it conveys a subtle, heartfelt message that deserves more appreciation. the characters struggle with the concept of gender in a very accurate way for their age, making off-base comments and feeling trapped by the weight of expectations they cant quite put their finger on. we watch them feel both at odds with and relieved by the gender roles they are expected and allowed to perform in each others bodies, and one of the most interesting parts of the movie to me is their interactions with the other kids around them. as a result of their feeling out of place in each others environments, the kids inadvertently change each others friendships for the better by introducing new communication styles and brave authenticity. 

the value of this movie is the subtle, but genuine way it shows the characters growing through being given the space to act in conflicting ways to their expected norms. ellie realizes that relationships dont have to be complex, confusing, and painful, and that its okay to not live up to appearances and images. jack learns that emotional expression is good, healthy, and especially essential to the grieving process. one of the most powerful scenes in the movie comes at the end where, after ellie confronts jacks dad in his body, jack returns as himself to a very heartfelt apology from his father for being too hard on him; the explicit message (”boys can cry”) is paired with an open expression of love and appreciation for his kids that he didnt feel comfortable displaying until his son set an example through honest communication. this is such an empowering scene and overall an empowering movie for kids who may feel stuck in their expected roles, as it sets a positive example for having the courage to break the restrictive societal mold. for its overall message of the importance of introspection and emotional intelligence, the swap is extremely underrated.

2. Freaky Friday (2018)

this is my favorite dcom, and probably my favorite movie at this point. ive always assigned a lot of personal value to this movie (and i love every freaky friday in general), for the message of selfless familial love and understanding. i know i can get carried away talking about this topic; i got an anon ask MONTHS ago asking me about the freaky friday movies and i wrote a super super long detailed response that i never posted bc i didnt quite finish talking about the 2018 movie. and thats bc on a personal level, i cant adequately convey all the love i have for this movie. so i will try to keep this short.

first lets state the obvious: the reason people dont like this movie is bc its not the lindsay lohan version. and i get that, to an extent, bc i also love the 2003 version and its one of my ultimate comfort movies, and grew up watching it and ive seen it a billion times. i even watched it a couple days ago. but the nostalgia goggles that people have on from the early 2000s severely clouds their judgement of the wonderful 2018 remake.

yes, the 2018 version is dorky, overly simplistic plot wise, a bit stiff at times, and super cheesy like any dcom. the writing isnt 100% all the time. the narrative takes a couple confusing turns. the song biology probably shouldnt have been included. i understand this. but at the heart of it all, this movies value is love. and its edge over all the other freaky friday movies is the songs.

on a personal level, the movie speaks heavily to me. i cried very early into my first viewing of the movie bc i got to see dara renee, a dark-skinned, non-skinny actress, playing the mean popular girl on disney channel. that has never happened before. growing up, i saw the sharpays and all the other super thin white women get to be the “popular” girls on tv, and ultimately they were taken down in the end for being mean, but that doesnt change the fact that they were given power and status in the first place for being conventionally beautiful. so, watching dara renee strut around confidently and sing about being the queen bee at this high school got to me immediately. and in general, the supporting cast members of color really mean a lot to me in this movie. we get to see adam, an asian male love interest for the main character. we have a second interracial relationship in the movie with katherines marriage to mike. ellies best friend karl is hispanic. and we see these characters have depth and plot significance, we see them show love, care, and passion for the things they value. the brown faces in this movie are comforting to me personally. additionally, the loving, blended family dynamic is important to me as someone in a close-knit, affectionate step-family.

but on a more general level, this movie is underrated for its skillful musical storytelling and the way it conveys all kinds of love and appreciation. in true freaky friday fashion, we watch ellie and katherine stumble and misstep in their attempts to act like each other. its goofy and fun. but through it all, the music always captures the characters’ intimate thoughts and feelings. the opening song gives us a meaningful view into ellie and katherines relationship and the fundamental misunderstandings that play a role in straining their connection. ellie sings about how she thinks her mom wants her to be perfect, and her katherine sings about all the wonderful traits she sees in her daughter and how she wants her to be more open and self assured. this is meaningful bc even as theyre mad at each other, the love comes through. the songs continue to bring on the emotional weight of the story, as ellie sings to her little brother about her feelings of hurt and abandonment in her fathers absence. the song “go” and its accompanying hunt scene always make me cry bc of the childlike wonder and sense of adventure that it brings. for the kids, its a coming of age, introspective song. for katherine who gets to participate in ellies body, its a reminder of youth and the rich, full life her daughter has ahead of her. she is overcome with excitement, both from getting to be a teenager again for a day, and from the realization that her daughter has a support network and passions that are all her own. today and ev’ry day, the second to last song, is the culmination of the lessons learned throughout the movie, a mother and daughters tearful commitment to each other to love, protect, and understand one another. the line “if today is every day, i will hold you and protect you, i wont let this thing affect you” gets to me every time. even when things are hard and dont go according to plan, they still agree, in this moment, to be there for each other. and thats what all freaky friday stories are ultimately about.

freaky friday 2018 is a beautiful, inclusive, subversive display of familial love, sacrifice, and selflessness, and it is underrated and overlooked because of its more popular predecessor.

1. Let It Shine (2012)

this is another one of my favorite dcoms and movies in the whole world. unlike the other movies on this list, it is not the viewers themselves that contribute to the underrated-ness of this movie. disney severely under-promoted and under-hyped this movie in comparison to its other big musical franchises, and i will give you five guesses as to why, but youll only need one!

let it shine is the most beautifully, unapologetically black dcom in the whole collection. (i would put jump in! at a notable second in this category, but that one wasnt underrated). this movie was clearly crafted with care and consideration. little black kids got to see an entire dcom cast that represented them. the vernacular used in the script is still tailored mostly to white-favoring audiences, but with some relevant slang thrown in there. in short, the writers got away with the most blackness they were allowed to inject into a disney channel project.

the story centers on rap music and its underground community in atlanta, georgia. it portrays misconceptions surrounding rap, using a church setting as a catalyst for a very real debate surrounding a generational, mutlicultural conflict. this was not a “safe” movie for disney, given its emphasis on religious clashes with contemporary values. it lightly touches on issues of image policing within the black community (cyrus’s father talking about how “our boys” are running around with sagging pants and “our girls” are straying away from god), which is a very real and pressing problem for black kids who feel the pressure (from all sides) of representing their whole race with their actions. its a fun, adorable story about being yourself and staying true to your art, but also a skillful representation of struggles unique to black and brown kids and children from religious backgrounds.

on top of crafting a fun, wholesome, thoughtful narrative and likeable protagonists, let it shine brought us what is in my opinion the BEST dcom soundtrack of all time. every single song is a bop. theyre fast, fun, and lyrically engaging. “me and you” is my favorite disney channel song of all time due to its narrative significance; i will never forget my first time watching the movie and seeing that big reveal unfold onstage, as a conversation and a plot summary all wrapped into a song. the amount of thought and care that went into the music of this movie should have been rewarded with a level of attention on par with that of other musical dcoms.

if disney channel had simply cared about let it shine more, it couldve spanned franchises and sold songs the way that other musical dcoms have drawn in success. i would have loved for a sequel that explored and fleshed out cyrus’s neighborhood a little bit more, and maybe dipped into that underground scene they caught a glimpse of. i wanted a follow up on the changed church community once cyrus’s father started supporting his sons vision. i want so much more for these characters and this world than disney gave them in just one movie.

for its bold, unabashed representation of blackness and religion, subtle, nuanced presentation of race-specific issues, strong, likeable characters, and complex, thoughtful songs, let it shine is the most underrated dcom.

and because i made a full list before i started writing this post, here are some honorable mentions:

going to the mat (2004)

gotta kick it up! (2002)

tru confessions (2002)

dont look under the bed (1999)

invisible sister (2015)

[paradoxicalca]

/r/hockey NHL Power Rankings Week 24 Falling Leafs Edition

/r/Hockey NHL Power Rankings Week Mar 11, 2019 - Mar 17, 2019Thank YouThank you to all of the volunteers doing the power rankings. Each ranker has their own system and have their own reasonings and analyis. It truly is a lot of work.RankersSpoilerOrganizersSpoilerVisualizationThe visualization contains historical data, so you can see how your team has done over time. Hopefully, we can run this for many years in hopes that we can see the rise and fall of teams by /r/hockey opinion.It automatically updates so feel free to bookmark. You can find it hereProcessHow does this work? Throughout the course of the week rankers are able to access an app that will allow them to rank teams. At the end of the period we calculate the average ranking for every team and collate all of the analysis provided by rankers.The app then generates a post that is first proofread and then posted to /r/hockey!Rankings (26/31 Rankers Reporting)Ranking (avg)TeamDeltaOverall RecordRecord This WeekComments1 (1.03)Tampa Bay Lightning-55-13-43-0-0I’m not really sure what to talk about this week. We beat Washington in a close game. We smoked Toronto. Jon Cooper probably deserves more credit than he will probably get in voting for the Jack Adams. Actually rewind to those games against Toronto and Washington. Those games probably demonstrate the difference between Tampa Bay this versus last year. Of the twelve goals scored in those games seven on them came from the third and fourth line. The emergence of Anthony Cirelli as dominate third line center has changed everything. And for all the crap the fanbase can sometimes give Killorn in the offensive zone there is no denying that he too has been a force defensively. When you are able to depend on those lines, it keeps the top lines fesh. Kucherov plays a full 3:20 less than McDavid per game and 2:40 less than Kane. You can only imagine how many points he could have put with that extra time.2 (3.59)Boston Bruins-43-20-91-2-0Not a great week for the Bs: with Zero points on the recent road trip against the Penguins, the Blue Jackets, and the Jets. The game at home against Columbus was a solid effort; even though it went to OT: 37+63=💯❤️️! A shame McAvoy and Panarin didn't drop the gloves again for Conor McGregor. Thanks for the free Proper Twelve whiskey on St. Paddy's Day Conor but remember Bs: have fun but not too much fun on St. Paddy's Day! The team is starting to get healthy with DeBrusk playing again and Johansson and Pastrnak expected back in the lineup this coming week. Of interesting note is that is in the Columbus game at home, Butch shortened the bench as the game went on, including OT; McAvoy clocked 26:34 TOI, Marchand [21:44] and Krejci [21:07] had +21m, and Backes had only 7:55 TOI. The Bruins were fortunate that the Leafs also slumped this week to maintain home ice over them as the inevitable rematch between the two teams looms next month.3 (4.41)San Jose Sharks-43-21-82-2-0With 3 of the only remaining 10 games against teams currently in the playoffs there is a lot of chances to gain points in the standings. Unfortunately those 3 games could decide Pacific Division dominance.4 (4.76)Calgary Flames244-21-72-1-0In our four game losing streak we had a grand total of 5 goals. With our 3 game winning streak we had 20 goals. And yet again we lost another matchup with a 2-1 score. Its not the level of goalie play that concerns me right now but the fact the offense seems all or nothing.5 (6.79)Washington Capitals-42-23-71-2-06 (7.9)Winnipeg Jets142-25-42-1-0Post-deadline Jets are a team with a fun forecheck. Watching Jets hockey is fun again, and less confusing. Please, injured reserve, return us our top 2 defenseman for the playoffs!7 (8.07)Toronto Maple Leafs-343-24-51-3-0Bruins in 5.8 (8.38)New York Islanders-42-23-73-1-0The Isles had huge wins vs CBJ and MON and got a ROW @MIN to get 6/8 points for the week. They are playing better now than they have been as of late but the offense still has not been great. They broke an 0/25 PP streak and are hitting lots of posts and getting unlucky, but if they positively regress at the right time things could go their way.9 (9.41)Nashville Predators241-27-52-1-0There has been a vocal minori- okay, probably majority of the Preds fanbase that has been critical of Turris' play for the greater part of the season now. It seems the coaching staff may now have similar sentiments, as what started as a demotion to the 4th line turned into 2 straight healthy scratches this week. That same vocal majority of the fanbase would also be very quick to point to the results of those games as vindication for their feelings. While pinning the success of a team to the absence of one player would be a bit hasty, hopefully it has at least been a positive message received for Turris. On the other end of the spectrum, Arvidsson is on fire, breaking the franchise record for quickest to 30 goals and becoming the second Pred to have multiple 30 G seasons (Forsberg being the other). He's only second behind Ovechkin in G/GP at .63, and with 9 games remaining it seems he'll break the Preds single season record of 33. If only he hadn't missed 24 games...10 (10.21)Carolina Hurricanes-39-25-72-1-0Trying our best to hold onto that wildcard one position luckily our schedule cannot be that bad right? looks at schedule Fuck.11 (10.93)Vegas Golden Knights-240-27-52-0-0Imagine if we had Mark Stone at the start of the season. With only one loss since his arrival we might on the same HISTORIC pace as Tampa12 (11.34)Pittsburgh Penguins-39-24-102-1-1A stolen game against Washington followed by a disassembly of the Sabers was unfortunately partially undone by an utter disappointment against St. Louis and ANOTHER last-minute choke job against Philadelphia. I guess we payed for the goalie karma we used in the first two games this week with the last two, as Binnington and Hart stole those games. The schedule this week is at least Metro-light, with only Carolina to deal with. Fun fact: We still haven't played Nashville this year.13 (12.21)Columbus Blue Jackets140-28-42-1-1Panic in the fanbase has subsided for now. If the Jackets stay at .500 the rest of the season, we're sitting at an 86% chance to make the playoffs. The new additions have finally started clicking, so I can see this team hitting at least .500. If they go 6-4 in their remaining games, the chances go up to 96%.14 (13.52)St. Louis Blues-137-27-81-2-1The Blues continue to do well against good teams and falter against bad teams. Getting shutout by Ottawa is a very bad look, but at the same time we are still pretty comfortably looking at a playoff spot. Would prefer to finish strong and hope Tarasenko comes back swinging15 (14.72)Dallas Stars137-29-62-1-1Alright Dobby. Get it done.16 (15.17)Arizona Coyotes136-30-62-1-117 (16.24)Montreal Canadiens-237-28-71-2-0If you wanted a masterclass of how to not make the playoffs look no further than the Canadiens. Dear lord where has our offense gone.18 (18.69)Philadelphia Flyers-35-29-82-2-0Hey I actually remembered this before midnight EST, are you proud of me yet dad? We kinda sucked this week, but weirdly. Lost to the Leafs in a crazy game , lost to the caps in a sad game BUT SO HELP ME WE BEAT THE PENS IN A COMEBACK GAME THAT WAS REALLY HYPE TO SEE THE LAST 10 MINUTES OF. It was a really good goaltending game, but Elite Sniper Sean "Actually Patrice "'Selke"' Bergeron" Couturier won us the game with 3 seconds left in OT. Carter Hart is back from injury, and we really just dont wanna be faded until the last day of the season. Hail Gritty19 (18.79)Minnesota Wild-34-30-91-2-1The win and OTL against the Rangers and Islanders, respectively, ring hollow after that "performance" against Dallas to start the week. This team has scored the first goal in only 26 of 73 games this season and has played from behind far too long. Not sure if it's an empty gas tank, injuries piling up, and/or the team just quitting on Boudreau, but the Wild would need a miracle to squeak into the postseason and extend their playoff participation trophy streak to seven straight years. A hearty stick tap to the Whitecaps, though, for winning their first Isabel Cup and reminding fans what winning hockey looks like.20 (19.45)Chicago Blackhawks232-30-93-0-0The Blackhawks have won 5-straight games to keep their dim playoff hopes alive. Corey Crawford capped off this week with a 48-save shutout against the Canadiens (a career high for saves, and ties a franchise record for most saves in a shutout). He has allowed only 3 goals against in his last 4 starts. Brendan Perlini has scored 8G, 2A in 7 games since being a healthy scratch, including 5G, 2A this week (highlighted by his first NHL hat trick). The once hot PP has cooled off and is now 0-for-16 in the last 7 games. Also, with their shutout win over the Canadiens, for the first time this season, the Blackhawks won a game in which Patrick Kane failed to record a point (they were previously 0-11-2, including a regulation loss in the game he missed).21 (20.41)Florida Panthers-32-28-122-1-022 (21.03)Colorado Avalanche-231-29-121-2-0Rough week for the Avs and now they either need to win out or need help from other teams. Not controlling your destiny sucks, but we blew our chances of that back in December - early February. The Good News Mackinnon is flaming with two more multi-point games this week and hit back to back 90 point seasons. The problem this week was finishing and playing a full 60 min game. The good news is the devils game was great effort all around and we hope to take it into St. Paul Tuesday. Speaking of 4 Huge games this week all basically must win. We face the Wild and Stars on the road then have a home and home with Chicago. All Central teams in the wildcard race, all 4 point games. The playoffs start this week, and we are already down two games.23 (22.83)Edmonton Oilers132-33-72-2-0Said it last week. The Oilers are roaring since having a healthy roster, but it's too little, too late. The Oilers were average this past week with regulation losses to Vegas and the Devils likely have ended the slimmest of playoff chances. Now we need those hot teams around us to start slipping,but even then it might be too late. While wins against Rangers and Yotes have done us well, the Yotes still got a point from that OT win. The stars must align now.24 (24.66)Buffalo Sabres-131-32-91-3-0Some say that Jack was suspended for two games; I say that he didn't miss any after all. Now, I love three straight shutout losses as much as the next guy, but I also enjoy seeing my team score goals. Oh, and seeing my team compete in the playoffs, that's fun too. But whatever Buffalo, you do you.25 (24.97)Vancouver Canucks130-32-102-0-1The team continues to truck along at an even pace down the stretch, and despite some Pettersson highlights there is little to suggest the late season slide is really going to turn around.26 (25.21)Anaheim Ducks130-35-93-1-0Are we good again? No. But the idea of Carlyle less coaching has given the team a good bit of pride and they are beating playoff bubble teams. It was nice to know you, better draft pick lottery odds. In other news, Corey Perry scored twice in a game. He now has four whole goals this year. I predict he scores 20 next season. Kesler has been missing since his 1001st game.27 (26.21)New York Rangers-228-31-130-3-1Toughhhh week. Not a single win. Mika's still putting up points and Georgiev's playing his ass off. Lemieux's been a great addition as well, but we just couldn't put it all together this week. We got wrecked by McDrai in overtime on Monday. Got demolished by the refs in Vancouver on Wedenesday. Steamrolled by the Flames on Friday. To cap it all off we got stomped by the Wild on Saturday. Not a fun week, but hey St. Patrick's Day is an excuse to drink our sorrows away!28 (27)New Jersey Devils-27-37-92-2-0Man tanking is something I'll never get used to. I always want the boys to go out and win, but it's just so hard to justify bothering when the only logical thing to do is tank. The battle of heart vs mind rages on.29 (28.17)Detroit Red Wings-25-37-101-2-030 (29.59)Los Angeles Kings-25-38-80-2-0I don’t really care for baseball...but is it baseball season yet?31 (30.31)Ottawa Senators-25-41-62-1-0For as shit as this season has been at least we beat the leafs. /r/hockey NHL Power Rankings Week 24 Falling Leafs Edition Source

[junker-town]

Which player has the most to prove for each NFL team in 2017?

The upcoming NFL season could be the breaking point for several important players like Rob Gronkowski and Dez Bryant.

Rob Gronkowski spent the end of his seventh NFL season on the sideline watching his teammates lift the Lombardi Trophy. It wasn’t the first time the Patriots have had to win without him; he’s missed 24 games the past five seasons.

Now, entering his age-28 season, Gronkowski nears a crossroad. He’s shown off superhuman healing in the past, overcoming a torn ACL in 2013 to earn first-team All-Pro honors the following two seasons. He was slower to recover from an early-season hamstring injury last fall, though, and the third back surgery of his career closed out his 2016 in disappointing fashion while raising major question marks about his durability.

That leaves Gronk on the precipice of the biggest season since joining the league as an injury-prone rookie in 2010. He’ll have to prove he can recover from the injuries that derailed his last season while performing at the level that has made him a likely Hall of Famer. If he returns to form, his Patriots could field one of the greatest offenses in league history. If not, they’ll be limited to just “pretty good.”

So far, he appears to be right on track to produce in 2017.

“Definitely no doubts [about returning to full health],” Gronkowski told reporters after official team activities Tuesday. “I just know that all the hard work you put in is what you’re going to get out of it. I love to put in the work. [I] love the challenge sometimes. It is what it was and now I’m good to go.”

The Patriot superstar isn’t the only player with a weight on his shoulders this fall. Athletes ranging from rookies to longtime veterans will stake their professional reputations on their 2017 performances. Here’s a look at the players who will be under the biggest microscopes for each team.

Arizona Cardinals: Carson Palmer

This fall may be Palmer’s last gasp, and he’ll try to put a disappointing season in his rear view as he takes aim at the Lombardi Trophy. His 2016 stats dropped across the board as he regressed back to his career mean after his best season in 2015. David Johnson is a proven commodity who can help take some pressure from his shoulders, but the franchise’s inability to significantly upgrade its receiving corps may mean it takes another outlier year from Palmer to get the Cardinals back to the postseason.

Atlanta Falcons: Deion Jones

A major factor in the Falcons’ run to Super Bowl 51 was the heightened play of the defense. Jones’ performance as a rookie was a major part of that. The explosive linebacker showcased a preternatural nose for the ball and sideline-to-sideline tackling skills to give Atlanta the buttress that supported a championship unit. The question now is how the young player will respond after the team suffered the most devastating loss in NFL history.

Baltimore Ravens: Breshad Perriman

Baltimore placed high expectations on the former Central Florida wideout when it selected him with the 26th pick of the 2015 NFL draft, and Perriman has yet to meet them. Injury robbed him of his entire rookie season, and he made just one start last fall. While he showed flashes of competence as a deep threat for an offense with few legitimate targets, he’ll have to up his catch rate (50 percent in 2016) to become the No. 1 receiver on which the Ravens have wagered.

Buffalo Bills: Sammy Watkins

The trade up to get Watkins in the 2014 draft has failed to pay off for the Bills. When healthy, the former Clemson wideout is an explosive mismatch waiting to happen. Unfortunately, he’s missed 11 games the past two seasons, leading Buffalo to decline the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. That means free agency is looming, and a big 2017 could lead to a massive payday.

Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton

Last season, the 2015 NFL MVP had a worse passer rating than players like Case Keenum, Blake Bortles, and Trevor Siemian. Part of that can be attributed to lackluster blocking and a receiving corps that often failed to provide much support, but the Panthers have taken steps to address that. Carolina overpaid for left tackle Ryan Kalil, signed useful wideout Russell Shepard, and drafted playmakers Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel to help Newton regain his Super Bowl swagger.

Chicago Bears: Mike Glennon

Glennon, who threw 11 passes the past two seasons, was rewarded for being a free agent in 2017 with a three-year deal worth up to $45 million this offseason. Weeks later, the Bears curiously traded up in the draft to select quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Glennon will have the inside track at the starting job this fall, but if he can’t shine early and often, he may not get another chance to establish himself as a bonafide starting quarterback.

Cincinnati Bengals: Cedric Ogbuehi

In this case, Ogbuehi represents a Bengals offensive line forced to rebuild after the departures of Kevin Zeitler and Andrew Whitworth in free agency. The third-year veteran was a first-round pick in 2015, but he has started only 12 games in two seasons and struggled to adjust to NFL defenses as the team’s right tackle last fall. He’ll move to the left side to protect Andy Dalton’s blindside, while swing tackle Jake Fisher likely moves into Ogbuehi’s old role.

Cleveland Browns: Jabrill Peppers

Peppers played no fewer than 11 positions at Michigan, but the Browns will rely on him primarily as a safety and return specialist in his rookie season. The rangy athlete will have to prove he’s not just a jack-of-all-trades but a master in coverage to earn his place in the league beyond gadget plays. Cleveland used a first-round pick on Peppers this spring in the hopes he can redeem an inconsistent Browns secondary.

Dallas Cowboys: Dez Bryant

Bryant is supposed to be a part of the Cowboys’ latest superstar triumvirate, joining Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott in one of the NFC’s most explosive offenses. Instead, he had a second straight quiet season, playing in 13 games but gaining fewer than 800 yards through the air. Bryant has yet to regain the form that made him one of the league’s elite receivers during a three-year stretch from 2012 to 2014. An injury-free season could be the key in restoring his full value.

Denver Broncos: Trevor Siemian/Paxton Lynch

The Broncos held pat when it came to quarterbacks for 2017, rolling with the perfectly cromulent Siemian and 2016 first-round draft pick Lynch behind center. Siemian outshined Lynch last season, but the second-year passer has the higher ceiling and will be gunning for the starting spot. No matter who wins the job, he’ll have the tall task of making the Denver offense even half as good as its visionary defense.

Detroit Lions: Ricky Wagner

Matthew Stafford cobbled together an MVP-caliber season before a broken finger limited his accuracy and throwing strength late in the season. More impressively, he did so behind a middling line that got him sacked on more than 6 percent of his dropbacks. Detroit invested $47.5 million to pry Wagner from Baltimore to serve as the team’s right tackle and protect the still-growing quarterback. He’ll be even more important now that left tackle Taylor Decker’s 2017 is in jeopardy after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Green Bay Packers: Martellus Bennett

Bennett has landed in a tight end’s dream for the second season in a row, trading Tom Brady for Aaron Rodgers in his quest to play with the league’s best quarterbacks. His 2016 season was an unqualified success as he played through ankle injuries to play an important role for a Super Bowl champion. As a rare free-agent splurging for Green Bay, he’ll be counted on to be a significant upgrade from Jared Cook.

Houston Texans: DeAndre Hopkins

Hopkins suffered a down year where his receiving output dropped from 1,521 yards to 954, a disappointing performance in his penultimate season before free agency. Of course, he also had to suffer through 14 Brock Osweiler starts in that span. His situation may not be much better in 2017. Either Tom Savage or rookie Deshaun Watson will be in charge of slinging the ball his way. If Hopkins truly is an otherworldly talent, he’ll bounce back. If he’s just a good wideout, he might not.

Indianapolis Colts: Donte Moncrief

Andrew Luck needs all the support he can get, but Moncrief has been frustratingly inconsistent in his three seasons as a pro. A 733-yard sophomore campaign in 2015 set him up for a breakout last fall, but his receiving output, yards-per-catch, and catch rate all dropped in a disappointing year. Indianapolis’ success won’t hinge on him, but Moncrief’s impending free agency will put some newfound importance on his performance.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette

Fournette was one of the most hyped tailback recruits of all time, and his early LSU career validated that after he gained nearly 3,000 yards in his first two seasons with the Tigers. His final season wasn’t as prolific; injuries limited him to just seven games and his least productive season in the NCAA. That didn’t prevent the Jaguars from making him the No. 4 overall pick — and now he has to live up to the standard set by last year’s No. 4 overall pick: Ezekiel Elliott.

Kansas City Chiefs: Alex Smith

Smith’s low-risk, low-reward quarterbacking led Kansas City to an AFC West title last season but also led to frustrating moments and a lack of big plays. The Chiefs traded up to the No. 10 overall pick to select his replacement, Patrick Mahomes II, but the Texas Tech product isn’t likely to make a major impact as a rookie. That gives Smith at least one year to boost his stock and either state his case as Kansas City’s veteran leader or audition for another QB-needy team.

Los Angeles Chargers: Joey Bosa

Los Angeles’ middling defense threatens to hold back an explosive offense, but Bosa could change all that. The 2016 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year played only 12 games, but he still tallied 10.5 sacks thanks to his aggressive blend of speed and power on the edge. If he and Melvin Ingram can provide a consistent pass rush, the Chargers could be 2017’s most improved team.

Los Angeles Rams: Todd Gurley

The Rams’ inability to throw the ball contributed to a sophomore slump for the ages from the team’s talented running back. Gurley went from superstar to subpar after gaining just 3.2 yards per carry last fall. If Jared Goff is going to make strides in his second season, he’ll need Gurley to be the kind of presence who can take some pressure from the team’s passing game.

Miami Dolphins: Jay Ajayi

Ajayi made a name for himself by running for more than 1,200 yards last season, but nearly half that output came in just three games. He’ll have to demonstrate that he can be a consistent threat, especially after gaining 45 yards or fewer six times last season. That includes a woeful 33-yard performance against the Steelers in the postseason.

Minnesota Vikings: Sam Bradford

Bradford was handed the starting job in Minnesota after Teddy Bridgewater’s catastrophic knee injury, and the veteran quarterback failed to disappoint. His 99.3 passer rating for 2016 was by far the highest of his career as he proved to be a risk-averse option behind center. However, Bridgewater is progressing, and if he returns to full strength, this year could be Bradford’s audition for a starting job elsewhere. First, he’ll have to convince everyone that last season’s performance was no outlier.

New England Patriots: Gronkowski

Gronkowski’s second season-ending injury in four seasons raised questions about his future with the Patriots. Head coach Bill Belichick has been notorious in his sell-high strategy when it came to standouts like Richard Seymour and Chandler Jones in the past. But Gronk, a lab experiment designed to test what happens when you put the brain of a golden retriever into the body of a perfect NFL specimen, means more to the team than Seymour or Jones had. New England can win without him, but having him return to form could elevate the Pats offense to legendary.

New Orleans Saints: Michael Thomas

Thomas’ 1,137 receiving yards his rookie season was enough to make Brandin Cooks expendable. Now he’ll assume the team’s top wideout role. Having Drew Brees throw to him is a luxury, but he’ll have to show he can handle the defensive pressure that comes with being the Saints’ top offensive threat.

New York Giants: Paul Perkins

The Giants’ passing game is in good hands with Eli Manning, Odell Beckham Jr., and the new additions of Brandon Marshall and Evan Engram. However, their run game has struggled to develop a featured back since Ahmad Bradshaw left town. In 2017, that role will fall on one of two young backs — either Perkins or rookie Wayne Gallman. Perkins’ promising 2016, in which he gained 456 yards despite just one start, could be the foundation for a breakout sophomore season.

New York Jets: Christian Hackenberg

The Jets invested a second-round pick in Hackenberg last spring, only to give him a redshirt season as the team burned through a disappointing depth chart of bad quarterbacks. New York didn’t really address the issue this offseason, adding only journeyman passer Josh McCown to the mix. That will give the Penn State product the chance to earn a starting role this season — though early reports from Jets practices haven’t been encouraging.

An unofficially bad day for the Jets QBs. Josh McCown was 12 for 22, Bryce Petty was 7 for 12, Christian Hackenberg was 5 for 11.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) June 6, 2017

Oakland Raiders: Marshawn Lynch

Lynch’s retirement lasted only one season before the Raiders convinced him to take his cleats down from the telephone line and come home to the Bay Area. He’ll be part of a running back rotation in Oakland, but expecting the Beast Mode of days passed may be a mistake. His last season in the pros was his worst as he gained just 413 yards on a middling 3.8 yards per touch. He’ll be 31 this season and will have to prove a year off has him closer to his Pro Bowl 2014 season than 2015.

Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz

Wentz showcased the skills that made him the No. 2 overall pick last year, and the Eagles rewarded his occasional brilliance by adding playmakers Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith to a depleted receiving corps. Now he’ll have to avoid a second-year slump to solidify his status as Philadelphia’s franchise quarterback.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Ryan Shazier

The Steelers have invested heavily in their defense in recent drafts, but no pick has paid off more than Shazier, who was invited to his first Pro Bowl last winter. His continued development will be the key for a young unit that stands in the shadow of some of the greatest defenses in NFL history.

San Francisco 49ers: Kyle Juszczyk

With a roster as solid as pumice, the 49ers were aggressive in free agency; perhaps a bit too much so. Pierre Garcon got a potential $47.5 million deal to play through age 35 with the team, but his contract wasn’t nearly as eyebrow-raising as Juszczyk’s, which simultaneously created and set the high-level fullback market at $21 million over four years. At that cost, the Harvard grad will have to be more than just a complementary blocker — but he could be the perfect weapon against small-ball defenses in the second level.

Seattle Seahawks: Earl Thomas

Thomas’ Week 13 broken tibia dealt the Seahawks a blow from which they could not recover. Seattle went from allowing 16.2 points per game with its All-Pro safety on the field to 23.3 once he was shut down for the season. The club went 3-3 to finish the season in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. His return to full strength will be a focal point for the 2017 squad’s Super Bowl hopes.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Doug Martin

Martin suffered his worst season as a pro in 2016, gaining just 2.9 yards per carry during an injury-riddled campaign. Despite his struggles, the Buccaneers have kept him as their top option in the backfield, passing on free agents and a draft class loaded with tailback talent. That puts a lot of pressure squarely on Martin’s shoulders — if Tampa is going to earn its first playoff berth since 2007, it needs the burly back to produce. First, he’ll have to sit out a four-game suspension related to the drug policy issues that helped send him to rehab last winter.

Tennessee Titans: Corey Davis

Davis earned the Titans’ high expectations after rising all the way to the No. 5 pick in the 2017 NFL draft. He’ll be counted on to lead Tennessee’s aerial attack and will have the opportunity to work as the team’s top wideout from day one. Davis was a small-school standout who tore up stronger competition when given the chance, but he’ll have to overcome the offseason ankle surgery that kept him from fully participating in pre-draft workouts.

Washington: Terrelle Pryor

Pryor bet big on himself after his best year as an NFL wide receiver, but he still earned little interest on the free agent market. He’ll have to prove himself again in 2017 after settling on a one-year, $6 million deal with Washington. If he can ride the QB upgrade from Cody Kessler (et al.) to Kirk Cousins into another 1,000-yard season, he’ll be in line for a lucrative long-term contract next spring.