5 veteran stars who may hit a wall in 2017

Father time is undefeated.

As we get used to seeing certain players perform at the top of the league year after year, it's easy to forget that everybody gets old eventually.

With former All-Pro stars like Darrelle Revis and Mario Williams going from key contributors to unsignable liabilities in the last year, we take a look at five aging playmakers who may be a shell of their former selves in 2017.

Ben Roethlisberger

Quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers, 35 years old

Roethlisberger's retirement consideration this offseason was more serious than most of the football world had initially deemed it to be, according to former teammate Willie Colon.

Big Ben has been fighting through bumps, bruises, and serious injuries his entire 13-year career. The reason for his considered retirement, like most players, was presumably due to his accumulation of ailments, signalling he may be feeling worse physically than in previous seasons.

The 35-year-old's passing yards per game average declined dramatically from 328.2 to 272.2 between 2015 and 2016 as he struggled to find chemistry with receivers not named Antonio Brown. While the return of Martavis Bryant and the arrival of JuJu Smith-Schuster should add some energy to the Steelers' offense, Roethlisberger may have to lean on his weapons more than ever to remain effective.

Terrell Suggs

Outside linebacker, Baltimore Ravens, 34 years old

When he's been healthy, T-Sizzle has been carrying the Ravens' pass rush over the past few seasons with little help behind him. With the Ravens drafting a pair of talented potential successors - Tyus Bowser and Tim Williams - in the second and third rounds, they may know Suggs has been running on fumes.

Suggs' second career Achilles tear ended his season after one game in 2015 and he didn't appear to come all the way back last year. The 34-year-old failed to reach a double-digit sack total while playing at least 15 games in a season for the first time since 2008.

Perhaps the Ravens' extra depth will allow Suggs to only play in situations that work best for him, but the ultra-competitive nature of the veteran could also cause him to push too hard as he fends off the rookies trying to take his job.

Brandon Marshall

Receiver, New York Giants, 33 years old

Putting forth the lowest yards per game average since his rookie season, Marshall finally started to look his age last season - though it's totally fair to blame that on the Jets' horrid quarterback play.

Now with the Giants, Marshall will be tasked with learning another new playbook, building another new set of relationships, and finding chemistry with another new quarterback in an offense where he is no longer the main target.

Marshall only missed one contest in 2016 as he fought off hip, back, knee, foot, and shoulder issues, but they clearly affected his performance. With Eli Manning having Marshall, Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, and Evan Engram to chose from, the 33-year-old may be relegated to a decoy role if injuries keep him from playing at his highest level.

Joe Haden

Cornerback, Cleveland Browns, 28 years old

While Haden is not as seasoned as the others on this list, his seven seasons in Cleveland have taken a toll on the former seventh overall pick.

A groin problem and a neck issue had Haden on the injury report all season last year and made him susceptible to being burned by top receivers. The overall horribleness of the Browns covered up many of the flaws in Haden's play, but the 28-year-old just didn't look like the player who was an All-Pro in 2013.

Haden was the 85th ranked cornerback in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus.

As the Browns may depend on Haden to be a defensive leader with increased responsibility in 2017 while they try to avoid an embarrassing repeat, his skills will be put to the test and a Revis-like collapse could be on the horizon.

Darren Sproles

Running back, Philadelphia Eagles, 33 years old

Sproles himself admitted that this will likely be his last year in the league and his replacement already appears to be in place as the Eagles added 5-foot-8 runner Donnel Pumphrey in the fourth round.

The 12-year veteran has been able to stay healthy and productive after his 30th birthday, making the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons. His 94 rushing attempts in 2016 were actually the most of his career, which generally isn't a great trend for 33-year-old running backs.

Sproles' style is very dependent on his speed and quickness, which could fall off at any time. He will likely start the season as the Eagles' third-down back, but with Pumphrey being groomed to replace him, LeGarrette Blount adding power to the backfield, and Wendell Smallwood pushing for more touches, we may not be seeing much of Sproles by season's end.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)