1. How will the Steelers wide receivers look?
The Steelers will look to sort out their depth chart at wide receiver during preseason. The Steelers signed Darrius Heyward-Bey and drafted Sammie Coates in the offseason. Antonio Brown is the clear front runner for number 1 wide receiver duties so that leaves a battle between Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant for the number 2 position. Bryant had an incredible rookie season and currently holds more touchdowns than Wheaton. Coates and Heyward-Bey are going to have to make some noise if they want to stand out from the pack.
2. Has Blake Bortles grown as a quarterback?
Blake Bortles needs to show the Jaguars that he can be their franchise quarterback. Bortles had a ton of interceptions last season but that was primarily because his offensive line was terrible and he had no offensive targets. This season the Jaguars have brought in Tandon Doss, Tony Washington, and the biggest target of all Julius Thomas. Thomas will be Bortles main weapon this season and can help him reach a new level.
3. Can TJ Yeldon be the Jaguars every down back?
Yeldon needs to separate himself from the already mediocre backfield that the Jaguars currently have. The offensive line should be a bit better than the 2014 version but Yeldon does not need to be protected. He is a big back with a ton of speed and explosiveness so he can create his own lanes. If the running game is better this will make things easier for Blake Bortles.
4. Can DeAngelo Williams stay healthy?
Williams has never been fully healthy for an entire season. Signing with the Steelers represents a huge opportunity for him to prove he can be a productive running back in this league. How he performs in the first two games of the season could determine the rest of his career.
5. How will Julius Thomas perform?
Thomas will need to prove that he does not need Peyton Manning slinging him the ball to be an effective tight end. Thomas will also be the prominent offensive threat on the Jaguars so seeing if he can handle that pressure will determine his value in the long run. Thomas can solidify his presence as one of the most dominant tight ends in the league if he continues to produce at such a high level on one of the worst teams in the league.
