The NFL Draft is formally behind us, which suggests most groups have accomplished their high-profile roster additions for the offseason, and a focus can now flip to the 2024 season.
In 2023, we noticed the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Inexperienced Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers every crack the postseason after lacking it the earlier season. Whereas a few of these groups are well-positioned to return to the playoffs this season, there’ll inevitably be some new faces as properly.
With that in thoughts, since there’s now some readability as to how rosters are shaping up, here’s a prediction on 4 groups that did not make the playoffs final season however will in 2024.
Atlanta Falcons
There is not any denying that the Falcons botched the 2024 NFL Draft. Whereas spending the eighth general choose on Michael Penix Jr. simply weeks after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180M deal was questionable, the very fact stays that Atlanta would’ve been within the playoffs final season with competent quarterbacking.
In any case, six of Atlanta’s 10 losses final season have been determined by one rating, suggesting the crew isn’t far off from turning round its fortunes. The Falcons protection, which completed eleventh in complete yards allowed final season, additionally flashed potential, and if rookie defensive linemen Ruke Orhorhoro and Bralen Trice pan out, the unit might be one of many NFL’s greater surprises in 2024.
In fact, there is not any telling how a soon-to-be 36-year-old quarterback, coming off a season-ending Achilles harm, will carry out, however Cousins’ manufacturing in eight video games earlier than getting injured gives some optimism that he’ll succeed. On the time of his harm, Cousins was tied for the lead in landing passes (18) whereas rating second within the league in passing yards (2,331).
In all chance, Cousins will not be capable to keep that degree of manufacturing at that tempo, significantly since Atlanta’s receiving corps is a step down from Minnesota’s. Nonetheless, regression nonetheless should not hit Cousins too severely, and it positively helps that the Falcons have the simplest power of schedule amongst groups this season based mostly on their opponents’ 2023 data (.453).
Chicago Bears
Given the expertise of Detroit and Inexperienced Bay’s rosters, Chicago in all probability will not contend for the NFC North title, however the first season of the Caleb Williams period may in the end culminate in a wild-card berth.
Williams, who threw for 10,082 yards, 93 touchdowns and 14 interceptions during the last three school seasons, enters the right state of affairs to start his NFL profession.
Following a 2-6 begin in 2023, Chicago turned a nook, ending the season with a 7-10 report, thanks largely to the mid-season acquisition of edge-rusher Montez Sweat. Throughout the Bears’ 5-4 stretch to finish the yr, former beginning quarterback Justin Fields wasn’t a lot of an element, finishing simply 59.9% of his passes and throwing for 189 yards per sport.
Williams does not supply the identical dashing upside as Fields, although his arm expertise is a dramatic enchancment over what the now-Steelers quarterback was able to.
If Chicago’s protection, which racked up essentially the most interceptions amongst groups over the ultimate 9 video games final season (16), performs equally to its robust end, its offensive upgrades will make all of the distinction in its report.
Along with bringing in Williams, Chicago signed working again D’Andre Swift and tight finish Gerald Everett, traded for six-time Professional Bowl broad receiver Keenan Allen and drafted broad receiver Rome Odunze, the FBS chief in receiving yards final season.
In accordance with Sharp Soccer Evaluation, the Bears even have the third-easiest power of schedule based mostly on their opponents’ projected win totals.
Cincinnati Bengals
Regardless of quarterback Joe Burrow coming into 2023 hindered by a preseason calf pressure and lacking the season’s closing seven video games with a wrist harm, Cincinnati nonetheless completed with a good 9-8 report.
Though a number of notable contributors, together with defensive sort out D.J. Reader, offensive lineman Jonah Williams and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, signed elsewhere this offseason, the Bengals loved one of many extra underrated offseasons.
In free company, Cincinnati stuffed a number of wants by signing various confirmed veterans who ought to assist offset its offseason departures with out spending an excessive amount of. Defensive sort out Sheldon Rankins (37 tackles and 6 sacks in 2023) was the Bengals’ costliest free-agent acquisition, however security Geno Stone and working again Zack Moss often is the extra impactful signings.
Moss, specifically, ought to assist remodel an offense that ranked thirty first in dashing yards per sport final season (89.8), as he is a extra environment friendly again than former Bengals starter Joe Mixon and has much less tread on his tires.
Even so, Burrow’s availability will decide the end result of Cincinnati’s season, contemplating that his earlier manufacturing means that if he performs a minimum of 16 video games, he’ll throw for 4,400 yards and 34 touchdowns.
If the Professional Bowl signal-caller’s well being permits and the crew does not commerce disgruntled stars Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson, anticipate to see the Bengals again within the postseason.
New York Jets
Sure, the longest energetic playoff drought in North American sports activities will come to an finish in 2024. Whereas they might not have made the postseason with a wholesome Aaron Rodgers final season, the Jets possible would’ve been within the combine for a playoff spot if the four-time MVP hadn’t torn his Achilles in Week 1.
Apart from their “mess” of a tradition, the 2023 Jets had some vital flaws. Regardless of having a protection that ranked twelfth in factors and third in yardage, the ever-shuffling offensive line and the shortage of a top quality broad receiver exterior of Garrett Wilson severely restricted the Jets’ potential.
Poor quarterback play did not assist, however these shortcomings nonetheless would’ve been a difficulty had Rodgers performed your complete season.
Nonetheless, common supervisor Joe Douglas addressed almost each want the crew had coming into this offseason in latest months. Because of the additions of left tackles Tyron Smith and Olu Fashanu, proper sort out Morgan Moses and guard John Simpson, the Jets have an offensive line that’s greater than able to defending Rodgers.
To not point out that New York bolstered its receiving corps by way of the signing of ex-Charger Mike Williams and the choice of third-rounder Malachi Corley.
It’s additionally price noting that its formidable protection acquired even stronger, swapping out edge rusher Bryce Huff for two-time Professional Bowler Haason Reddick (27 sacks during the last two seasons).
With these upgrades and Rodgers at full power, New York ought to leapfrog a minimum of both Buffalo or Miami — a pair of 2023 playoff members who misplaced a number of key contributors this offseason — within the AFC East standings.
