NFL X factors for every team in the AFC in 2025
Which players could have the most volatile impact on their AFC teams in 2025?
The question for each AFC team vying for a conference championship this season: Are we good enough to take down perennial Super Bowl contender, the Kansas City Chiefs?
Throughout a long offseason, teams on the cusp of greatness such as the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens, among others, have bolstered their rosters with offseason additions in hopes of getting over the hump and slaying the dragon. Those knocking on the door, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, have also made a slew of moves while retaining talent through contract extensions, restructuring and other salary cap gymnastics to ensure they are in the best position possible come playoff time.
Now, with training camp approaching, those players who will become indispensable to their team’s success in 2025 will begin to reveal themselves as they hit the practice field with a clean slate in a couple of weeks.
Who will break out as key contributors to their respective franchise’s pursuit of a Lamar Hunt Trophy? Time will tell, but in the meantime, here is a list of who I believe to be each AFC team’s X-factor entering the upcoming season:
AFC East X factors for the 2025 season
The Buffalo Bills have won the AFC for five straight years. Can they make it six and get past KC for their first Super Bowl in more than 30 years?
Buffalo Bills X factor for the 2025 season
EDGE Greg Rousseau: The Bills gave Rousseau a lucrative contract extension and brought in veteran free agent EDGE Joey Bosa this offseason. Rousseau has yet to record a double-digit sack season for the Bills, but this is looking like the year he gets it done.
Miami Dolphins X factor for the 2025 season
RT Austin Jackson: After Terron Armstead’s retirement this offseason, Jackson’s role on Miami’s offensive line — protecting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s blindside — becomes even more critical. The Dolphins’ front five took a step back after Jackson was lost due to injury for the last nine games of the 2024 season. They need him to stay healthy this year.
New England Patriots X factor for the 2025 season
WR Stefon Diggs: There always seems to be offseason drama surrounding Diggs, and to make matters more dubious, he is coming off an ACL injury that ended his 2024 season after eight games. But during those eight games for the Texans, Diggs was productive, and New England will be hoping a wide receiver of his caliber can help young quarterback Drake Maye reach another level of production.
New York Jets X factor for the 2025 season
RT Armand Membou: The No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 draft will be thrown into the fire with a unit that was porous last season. New York has a new QB in Justin Fields, who has spent much of his career running for his life. The Jets need to give their new signal caller the best opportunity to succeed, and it starts with protecting him.
AFC North X factors for the 2025 season
The Baltimore Ravens edged out the Pittsburgh Steelers in the North and the Bengals missed the playoffs but are lurking in the brush.
Baltimore Ravens X factor for the 2025 season
S Kyle Hamilton: A dark horse candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, Hamilton has been named an All-Pro each of the past two seasons (2023, first team; 2024, second team). He is the key to unlocking the full efficacy of Baltimore’s resistance.
Cincinnati Bengals X factor for the 2025 season
EDGE Joseph Ossai: With Trey Hendrickson, the league’s top pass rusher from a season ago, in limbo, and their first-round pick potentially holding out, Cincinnati may be calling on Ossai even more so than expected. He registered a career-high five sacks in 2024, when he played a career-high 51% of the snaps. Cincinnati may be desperate for pass rushers this season, and Ossai will be provided ample opportunity to step to the forefront.
Cleveland Browns X factor for the 2025 season
RB Quinshon Judkins: The former Buckeye was selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft as a potential Nick Chubb replacement. Many are expecting him to get the bulk of the carries for Cleveland, which needs some sort of stability from its running game with its QB situation in disarray.
Pittsburgh Steelers X factor for the 2025 season
WR D.K. Metcalf: The easy answer here was QB Aaron Rodgers. With Metcalf alongside the trusty veteran, the sky is the limit for this Pittsburgh passing game. Rodgers was effective at times last season in NY, which should lead to Metcalf earning a significant target share in 2025.
AFC South X factors for the 2025 season
The Colts held on for a while, but the struggling Texans pulled away to win the South in 2024.
Houston Texans X factor for the 2025 season
LT Cam Robinson: Houston signed Robinson in free agency in hopes of replacing Laremy Tunsil, who departed for Washington this offseason. C.J. Stroud was the second-most sacked QB in the league last season, and Houston must change that if they hope to rebound from a disappointing 2024 campaign.
Indianapolis Colts X factor for the 2025 season
QB Anthony Richardson: The Colts’ group of skill players is solid, but without a proven QB, it could all be for naught. If Richardson gets off to a slow start, Indianapolis will be quick to pull the plug and move to backup Daniel Jones.
Jacksonville Jaguars X factor for the 2025 season
WR/DB Travis Hunter: Hunter is a player the likes of which we haven’t seen often, if ever, at the NFL level. With a dynamic skillset that lends itself to both sides of the ball, he should instantly boost the Jags’ secondary and also pair well with WR Brian Thomas Jr., giving QB Trevor Lawrence a solid one-two punch on the outside.
Tennessee Titans X factor for the 2025 season
QB Cam Ward: Will Levis was an abject failure, so Ward should be an instant upgrade at the QB position. He comes equipped with a big-time arm and with Tyler Lockett brought in to bolster the WR corps, perhaps Ward will be able to make chicken salad out of — well, you know.
AFC West X factors for the 2025 season
The Kansas City Chiefs have gone almost a decade without dropping a division crown. Is this the year?
Denver Broncos X factor for the 2025 season
QB Bo Nix: The Broncos will have one of the top defenses in football this season, but have assembled a mediocre skill group around Nix. The addition of TE Evan Engram should help, but the onus will be on Nix to put it all together.
Kansas City Cheifs X factor for the 2025 season
WR Rashee Rice: Rice and fellow WR Hollywood Brown were injured for much of this past season. After a nearly 1000-yard 2023 campaign, Rice was off to a hot start in 2024 before a torn ACL derailed things. With TE Travis Kelce nearing retirement, the focus of KC’s passing game will have to transfer to the outside at WR, and Rice is in line to be QB Patrick Mahomes’ top target this season.
Las Vegas Raiders X factor for the 2025 season
WR Jakobi Meyers: The Raiders are relying on new QB Geno Smith to carry them to the promised land, but he will need running mates. Brock Bowers is one of the league’s top tight ends, and if Meyers can be a reliable target on the outside, it would give the Raiders a significant boost.
Los Angeles Chargers X factor for the 2025 season
G Mekhi Becton: The Chargers went all-out to improve their running game this offseason, bringing in two new running backs and shifting some pieces along their offensive line. Enter Becton, who was graded 24th among guards in run block win rate in 2024.