Sometimes, an NFL player is drafted too high or he's in jeopardy of losing his job to the backup. Whatever the case, every season there's always many players that face a lot of pressure to meet fan expectations.

It's put up or shut up for a lot of players. The top 10 players with the most pressure heading into the 2014 NFL season are:

10. Geno Smith

Smith wasn't a first round pick, but whenever you play in New York or in this case New Jersey, the pressure is always high. Smith didn't play terrific last season, but he did have five game-winning drives and lead the Jets to eight victories. Michael Vick wants that starting role.

9. Brian Hoyer

Somehow, the undrafted Hoyer went 3-0 as a starting quarterback last season for the Cleveland Browns. Most likely, he will start the season in front of Johnny Manziel. However, as soon as Hoyer starts throwing interceptions and plays poor, you just know the Manziel chants will coming in at First Energy Stadium.

8. Stevan Ridley

LeGarrette Blount ran wild in the second half of last season. But unfortunately for New England fans, he's no longer there. Most of the pressure on the Patriots run game will fall on Ridley, who had a subpar season for his standards last season. He was even benched because of his fumbling issues. With Shane Vereen being the receiving back threat, Ridley needs to dominate the ground.

7. Ray Rice

It was a rough offseason for Rice and his wife with all of the legal activity taking place. Rice will miss the first two games of the season, and there's no telling how good he will be this year. Last year, Rice put up his lowest output in both rushing and receiving since his rookie year. Joe Flacco needs Rice to be the versatile back he's capable of being.

6. Darrelle Revis

Revis is the best cornerback in the NFL when healthy. Last season was a weird year for Revis because of the Tamp Bay Buccaneers' defensive scheme and injuries. Revis has changed his contract multiple times and even added in an opt clause. It's time for Revis to put his money where his mouth is and shut down opposing receivers.

5. Montee Ball

The Denver Broncos have by far the least experienced running back core in the NFL. They don't have a single back over the age of 24. Last year's leading rusher Knowshon Moreno is now in Miami, and all the pressure falls on Ball. The Broncos will be giving Ball his fair share of carries and Peyton Manning should open things up for him.

4. Dwayne Bowe

For a player who said before last season he was "the best wide receiver in football," he falls very short. He wasn't even the leading receiver on the Kansas City Chiefs last season; it was Jamaal Charles, a running back. For the last four consecutive seasons, Bowe's receiving yards have decreased. If the Chiefs are going to even have a chance at winning the AFC West, Bowe needs to be a reliable deep threat for Alex Smith.

3. Jay Cutler

In his eight-year career, Cutler has only passed for 4,000 yards just one time in a season. He also only has one playoff win, and his career quarterback rating is 84.6. Does that sound like an elite quarterback? He always plays his worst against the Green Bay Packers and it's time for him to show up. Last year, his backup played better than he did.

2. Robert Griffin III

Griffin won Offensive Rookie of the Year his first season, but injuries and a reported bad attitude marred his play last season. Even Griffin's father is getting involved saying he doesn't want his son to be a mobile quarterback. With DeSean Jackson now on the team, there's no reason Griffin should play poorly again. Griffin can't blame Mike Shanahan this time.

1. Trent Richardson

There's no more excuses for Richardson, who was drafted No. 3 overall in 2012. He played great his first year, rushing for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns, but last season was a disaster. The Indianapolis Colts need Richardson to at least be a serviceable back with Andrew Luck if they're going to be competitive and have a chance at winning the AFC.

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