Around the National Football League, you can find examples of players who did not find success with their first team, but who thrived and progressed after a change in landscape. Sam Darnold is the latest example of this, and there have been many such examples in recent years.
Today, we’re highlighting some NFL players who would benefit greatly from a change of scenery and showcasing the potential landing spots for each player.
Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Selected with the 66th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, running back Trey Benson has been an effective ball-carrier (4.9 yards per carry) when healthy. Unfortunately for the Arizona Cardinals, injuries limited him to only 17 games over two seasons and he never returned in 2025 after suffering a meniscus injury in Week 4. Arizona brought back James Conner and Bam Knight in addition to the signing of Tyler Allger, which shows that Benson’s days with this team are over and the new coaching staff is not counting on him.
- Possible landing location: Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons
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Theo Johnson Jr., TE, New York Giants
The New York Giants desperately needed a change of guard and they made the right move by hiring John Harbaugh. Unfortunately for tight end Theo Johnson Jr., the new Giants coaching staff doesn’t seem interested in giving him much of a chance to improve in 2025. A former fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the 6-foot-6 tight end is coming off a sophomore year, where he put up 528 receiving yards with five touchdowns and averaged 11.7 yards per reception. However, Harbaugh added Isaiah from Baltimore, and veteran Chris Manhertz will continue to be used as a blocker in two-tight-end sets. Johnson needs a fresh start, and his contract—with a cap hit of $1.4 million in each of the next two seasons—makes him even more attractive to other teams.
- Possible landing location: Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles
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Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady has publicly endorsed wide receiver Keon Coleman, and the club is ready to give him a third chance. However, it is also fair to assume that Buffalo will invest early capital in the 2026 NFL Draft on a wide receiver, especially after the recent acquisition of receiver DJ Moore. Coleman will have to look at the writing on the wall, a reality where he is viewed as the fifth or sixth best target in the passing game. The former 33rd overall pick will only turn 23 in May, and while maturity and commitment to football have been issues, being traded could be the wake up call that gets his career back on track. A change of scenery is in Coleman’s best interest, and one would hope Buffalo would be able to make that happen.
- Possible landing location: Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons
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Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas City Chiefs
It’s safe to say that the Kansas City Chiefs’ proverbial roll of the dice on edge rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah with the 31st overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft hasn’t paid off. Since entering the league, the 6-foot-4 defender has recorded only 14 QB hits and 3 sacks in 550 defensive snaps played in 34 games. He also missed last season due to a hamstring injury, which led to him being placed on season-ending injured reserve in August. He may be out of the NFL within the next two years, but there are plenty of teams that are so thin on the edge that a second chance could help him find a role that can prolong his career.
- Possible Fit: Houston Texans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers
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Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson has been bad during his tenure as the starting quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts, but it’s also clear how the organization set him up to fail. The franchise is now allowing him to find a new home and given the physical tools he brings to the table, he should have no shortage of suitors. Any team that acquires Richardson would effectively have to treat him as a one-year rental, with his fifth-year option ($20 million plus guaranteed) untouched. That said, the right head coach could keep him as a backup option this season and potentially even use him in certain situations. Acquiring him won’t cost more than a Day 3 pick and there’s definitely upside here. The focus should be on finding a team where he can sit for most of the season and learn.
- Possible landing location: Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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