Ahead of Thursday’s season opener, we identify 32 NFL players and club personnel who’ll make news, dazzle or disappoint fans, and influence each team’s fate in 2024. Names are sorted alphabetically.
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers WR: The extension agreement that ended Aiyuk’s contract stalemate and silenced months of trade chatter was huge for the 49ers, who face an arduous road to rule the NFC again. Only one Super Bowl loser in the past 30 years managed to return to the game the following season (2017 Patriots). Brock Purdy’s No. 1 receiver needs to hit the ground running.
Joe Brady, Bills OC: Reducing turnovers during Brady’s stint as interim offensive coordinator helped the 2023 Bills, a .500 team in mid-November, surge to the top of the AFC East. His promotion to permanent OC comes with more adversity. Buffalo’s offseason cap crunch eroded Josh Allen’s support on both sides of the ball and will force unproven playmakers to step up.
Joe Burrow, Bengals QB: The pain of injury or crushing defeat, be it in the Super Bowl or AFC title game, brought each of Burrow’s first four seasons to an abrupt end. He once said the Bengals’ championship window would span “my whole career.” Suddenly, he’s running out of chances to win with star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, a pending free agent.
Jadeveon Clowney, Panthers DE: The 2014 No. 1 draft pick out of South Carolina grew up about 25 miles south of Bank of America Stadium, where he’ll suit up for Carolina after tying his career high in sacks (9.5) last season with the Ravens. While the Panthers still face a long trek in their rebuild, Clowney should bolster a defense that finished last in the NFL in sacks (27).
Kirk Cousins, Falcons QB: Tired of relying on shaky quarterbacks, the Falcons paid big bucks to sign Cousins for four years, then wasted no time drafting his future replacement, first-rounder Michael Penix Jr. The awkward sequence didn’t dim their rosy outlook. If his Achilles holds up, Cousins’ accuracy and veteran know-how will aid the growth of Atlanta’s young talent.
Maxx Crosby, Raiders DE: Crosby led the NFL in tackles for loss over the past two seasons (45), ranked second in QB hits (67), and was fourth in sacks (27). He was about as destructive as Nick Bosa and Myles Garrett, the last two Defensive Players of the Year. Partnering him with Christian Wilkins, a top defensive tackle, seems unfair.
Stefon Diggs, Texans WR: Houston’s quickly evolved from laughingstock to borderline contender largely thanks to second-year QB C.J. Stroud. Diggs, who turns 31 in November, is playing on a restructured one-year, $22.52-million deal. He’ll seek another payday next offseason, and the connection he establishes with Stroud could determine how much Diggs eventually makes. It’s also worth remembering the Bills were comfortable eating $31.096 million in 2024 dead money to trade Diggs, along with a 2024 fourth-round and 2025 fifth-round pick, to the Texans.
Brian Flores, Vikings DC: Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa recently railed against Flores, his former head coach. Flores’ struggles handling and navigating interpersonal relationships ultimately contributed to his Miami firing, but he remains respected by league decision-makers. Flores enters his second season leading the Vikings defense, but many wonder: Will he ever be a NFL head coach again?
Jim Harbaugh, Chargers head coach: He’s back. Fresh off winning a national championship with Michigan, the former Bears QB and 49ers head coach will now attempt to establish and cultivate a new culture with the Chargers. The team’s offensive personnel lacks experience, but Harbaugh has a long history of bringing teams together.
Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals WR: The son of Colts Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison will look to establish his own legacy for a Cardinals offense longing for more firepower and production. Arizona, which was without QB Kyler Murray for nine games last season, finished 26th in passing yards per game (184.9).
Derrick Henry, Ravens RB: The Ravens outgained every team on the ground over the past five years despite fielding one lone 1,000-yard running back in the span (Mark Ingram in 2019). Lamar Jackson’s keepers magnetize the defense’s attention. That may allow Henry, whose workload with the Titans was immense, to rush efficiently and age gracefully in Baltimore’s backfield.
Tyreek Hill, Dolphins WR: Between Mike McDaniel, Tagovailoa, and Hill, the Dolphins are a blistering offensive machine, and Hill serves as the wheels that keep on churning. Rightfully nicknamed “Cheetah,” Hill’s the first player in NFL history to have multiple seasons with at least 1,700 receiving yards. After posting 1,799 last season, it won’t be shocking if Hill becomes the first receiver to reach 2,000 yards.
Josh Hines-Allen, Jaguars LB: An offseason name change and increasingly big stats (24.5 sacks, six forced fumbles across 2022 and 2023) distinguish the Jaguars edge rusher from Buffalo’s star passer. Hines-Allen’s new nine-figure megadeal reflects his importance to Jacksonville. With another career year, he could unseat T.J. Watt as the NFL sack king.
Ben Johnson, Lions OC: Unfinished business led Johnson to reject coaching overtures and return to run Detroit’s powerhouse offense. Last year’s 12-win Lions got closer to a Super Bowl trip – they were one score away – than any predecessor. If these Lions consistently drop 30 points, they’ll be tough to beat.
Travis Kelce, Chiefs TE: Between his three Super Bowl titles, dating Taylor Swift, and off-field ventures with his older brother Jason, Travis Kelce has plenty to juggle. The Chiefs are looking to win a third straight Super Bowl, which has never been done. As Patrick Mahomes attempts to incorporate new faces into the offense, his old reliable Kelce is always but a quick, no-look pass away.
Will Levis, Titans QB: The Titans have long been known as a run-it-down-your-throat franchise. But with Henry gone, Levis will have clearance to air it out to top receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley. In his second season, Levis could dazzle or crack in the competitive AFC South.
Jordan Love, Packers QB: Green Bay hopes to solidify itself as a true contender with Love leading the way. The QB, 26 in November, maximized his first season as the team’s full-time starter, passing for 4,159 yards with 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. With his new four-year, $220-million deal in place, it’s time for Love to take off.
Julian Love, Seahawks S: He thrived in former coach Pete Carroll’s defensive scheme – 123 tackles, 10 passes defended, and four interceptions – so it was telling that Seattle brought Love back on a three-year deal under new coach Mike Macdonald. As an established veteran, Love, 26, could blossom further for a franchise that targeted him to again serve as the defense’s backbone.
Jerod Mayo, Patriots head coach: New England’s new era began when Mayo succeeded Bill Belichick. The retired linebacker was in high school when Belichick piloted the Patriots to the first of six championships. Mayo’s Pats will either lose constantly and draft first overall next spring or take a step toward competing someday with QB Drake Maye.
Adam Peters, Commanders GM: Since being hired at the beginning of the year, Peters already has hired head coach Dan Quinn; selected 2023 Heisman winner and quarterback Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick; and added a handful of veteran free agents, including running back Austin Ekeler, tight end Zach Ertz, and linebacker Bobby Wagner.
Dak Prescott, Cowboys QB: Signs point to the Cowboys being extremely competitive again. Prescott, the 2023 MVP runner-up, gets to throw darts to a cheerful CeeDee Lamb, the recipient of a new massive contract. Eventually, the Prescott-Lamb-Micah Parsons star trio needs to solve Dallas’ chronic, farcical inability to move past the divisional round.
Anthony Richardson, Colts QB: Richardson throws caution to the wind in the open field. His dynamism, speed, and physicality produced four rushing touchdowns in four games but led to head and shoulder injuries that shortened his rookie season. Knowing when to slide or pass instead of powering through contact is a top priority in Year 2.
Aaron Rodgers, Jets QB: He’s back in the spotlight following last season’s abrupt exit in the season opener. Can he play savior for a franchise that hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2010? That same year, Rodgers won his only Super Bowl with the Packers.
Jim Schwartz, Browns DC: Cleveland’s defensive mastermind is the reigning NFL Assistant Coach of the Year. Schwartz’s unit led the way to 11 wins by allowing the fewest yards per game (270.2) league-wide since 2014. But the Browns collapsed against the Texans in the playoffs and are set to play the NFL’s toughest schedule, facing 12 opponents coming off winning seasons.
Nick Sirianni, Eagles head coach: There’s perhaps no one with more pressure to succeed in 2024 than Sirianni. He barely survived the offseason after the Eagles sputtered to a 1-6 finish, and he now takes a clear back seat with new OC Kellen Moore calling the shots. Will the influx of front office-inspired coaching changes – and quality personnel additions like running back Saquon Barkley – help the Eagles reach their lofty goals?
Pat Surtain II, Broncos CB: The NFL’s new highest-paid defensive back hopes to help revive the Broncos defense. Denver plunged from third in points allowed in 2021, Surtain’s rookie season, to 27th in 2023, when Sean Payton debuted as head coach. Until that trajectory reverses, Denver’s eight-year postseason drought won’t end.
Andrew Thomas, Giants LT: The embattled Giants offensive line gave up more sacks last season (85, or five per game) than any team since 1986. Thomas’ long absence with a hamstring strain debilitated the unit. The 2022 All-Pro left tackle must protect the blind side so Daniel Jones can target, and hopefully not overthrow, prized rookie Malik Nabers.
Caleb Williams, Bears QB: This year’s No. 1 pick joins a franchise beyond desperate for quality QB play. Williams, already voted by teammates as a team captain, will look to elevate the Bears with his arm talent and ability to make unscripted throws. He joins a cozy offensive personnel group in Chicago that features wide receivers Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, and fellow rookie Rome Odunze.
Kyren Williams, Rams RB: The ’23 Rams were the only team with multiple playmakers – Williams and Puka Nacua – who ranked in the top 15 in scrimmage yards. Dominating efficiently, Williams averaged a league-best 95.3 rushing yards per game and housed 15 TDs in 12 games. Stardom awaits if he can stay healthy and sustain that output.
Russell Wilson, Steelers QB: The former Seahawks great has a cloud over his legacy because of his ugly Broncos breakup. A fresh start may be exactly what the aging Wilson needs at this point of his career, as he seeks to solidify his Hall of Fame credentials.
Antoine Winfield Jr., Buccaneers S: The heartbeat of a strong defense, Winfield helped seal the Buccaneers’ latest NFC South title with a forced fumble at the goal line in a season-ending shutout win. Game-changing plays are his specialty. Duels with Cousins in Weeks 5 and 8 could decide the champion of another close division race.
Chase Young, Saints DE: Young stormed onto the NFL scene in 2020, when he was selected No. 2 overall by the Commanders and earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. But injuries have affected his trajectory since, although the Saints are hopeful the former Ohio State standout will add some juice to their pass rush. Over four seasons, Young has 16.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss.
