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Jackson analyzes four NFL teams on the rise in 2024. Which four teams will be the most improved this season? Read the 2024 NFL season outlook and analysis.
As an NFL fan, it's never fun to see your team sit near the bottom of the league standings for most of the season, but unfortunately, there's always going to be contenders, pretenders, and bottom-dwellers. It's frustrating for your favorite franchise to look uncompetitive, and it might be even worse to see them constantly hover around "average."
However, each year begins a fresh slate, and there will be plenty of surprise teams that improve or regress in 2024. With under four months until the 2024 campaign begins, let's take an early look at potential risers.
Which teams will be most improved in 2024? Let's dive in!
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Arizona Cardinals
Cardinals Key Additions/Developments
- Healthy Kyler Murray, QB
- Marvin Harrison Jr., WR
- Darius Robinson, DL
- Trey Benson, RB
- Zay Jones, WR
- Jonah Williams, OT
- Sean Murphy-Bunting, CB
Arizona isn't likely to become a contender overnight, but there are some promising signs ahead. After missing the first half of last season, Kyler Murray returned late in the year and looked solid considering he was coming back from a late-season ACL tear in 2022.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is expected to be a true No. 1 wide receiver from Week 1 of his rookie campaign. While a combination of Zay Jones, Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Chris Moore, and Zach Pascal as the team's No. 2 and No. 3 wideouts doesn't look flashy, third-year tight end Trey McBride has the tools to operate as the No. 2 option in the passing game. Running backs James Conner and Trey Benson will form a nice one-two punch behind an improved offensive line.
Heard y’all wanted a @K1 ➡️ @MarvHarrisonJr video? pic.twitter.com/yYJDjCfqXB
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) May 21, 2024
Head coach Jonathan Gannon should have the defensive unit playing better in 2024, though there are a ton of young or unproven pieces in the projected starting lineup. That said, there is plenty of room for improvement after the team ranked 25th in yards per game allowed (355.7).
2023 Record: 4-13
2024 Strength Of Schedule Ranking: 16th easiest
2024 Record Prediction: 7-10
Atlanta Falcons
Falcons Key Additions/Developments
- Kirk Cousins, QB
- Michael Penix Jr., QB
- Darnell Mooney, WR
- Rondale Moore, WR
- Zac Robinson, Offensive Coordinator
The Falcons have seemingly been "a quarterback away" for the last two years. Kirk Cousins, the $180 million man, is the solution to the issue. Although Cousins doesn't have a long history of playoff runs, he's far superior to Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, and Taylor Heinicke.
Rondale Moore and Darnell Mooney aren't superstars, but they look to be quality upgrades from Mack Hollins and KhaDarel Hodge as secondary and tertiary wideouts behind Drake London. With Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier working behind one of the game's best offensive lines, Atlanta should have an efficient run game that leads to an explosion play-action offense.
The Michael Penix Jr. selection in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft is being highly scrutinized, but the 24-year-old rookie could keep the offense afloat if Cousins suffers any setbacks from his torn Achilles and has to miss time. Ultimately, it's never a bad thing to have a high-end backup quarterback.
Atlanta is viewed as a top potential riser in a vacuum, and considering the organization has the easiest schedule in the league, it's easy to project double-digit wins in 2024.
NEW: NFL strength of schedule for 2024!
5 easiest schedules:
1️⃣ Falcons
2️⃣ Chargers
3️⃣ Bears
4️⃣ Jets
5️⃣ Saints5 hardest schedules:
2️⃣8️⃣ Vikings
2️⃣9️⃣ Ravens
3️⃣0️⃣ Browns
3️⃣1️⃣ Patriots
3️⃣2️⃣ Steelers1-32 with insight & analysis:https://t.co/YfD77PUAVS
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 15, 2024
2023 Record: 7-10
2024 Strength Of Schedule Ranking: Easiest
2024 Record Prediction: 12-5
Chicago Bears
Bears Key Additions/Developments
- Caleb Williams, QB
- D'Andre Swift, RB
- Keenan Allen, WR
- Rome Odunze, WR
- Gerald Everett, TE
- Coleman Shelton, C
- Kevin Byard, S
- Shane Waldron, Offensive Coordinator
Despite what C.J. Stroud accomplished last season, expectations for a rookie quarterback should always be tempered. That said, quarterback Caleb Williams arguably has the best supporting cast a No. 1 overall pick has ever had, and the Chicago defense under Matt Eberflus showed signs of excellence late in the 2023 season.
Williams will throw to Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, and D'Andre Swift in Year 1 and play behind an offensive line full of untapped potential. It's reasonable to believe the Bears offense will be a top-15 unit from the jump as long as Williams can at least act as a game manager and facilitator.
Some Moore OTA content for ya 💫 pic.twitter.com/vIrdcruE1y
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 22, 2024
The Bears could sneakily have one of the best defensive back ends in the league after pairing former All-Pro safety Kevin Byard with Jaquan Brisker, Jaylon Johnson, and Tyrique Stevenson. Chicago ranked No. 1 in rushing yards allowed per game (86.4) a season ago, so the improved secondary will put the icing on the cake of the defensive rebuild. With a favorable schedule on top of it all, the Bears could be playoff-bound for the first time since 2020.
2023 Record: 7-10
2024 Strength Of Schedule Ranking: Third easiest
2024 Record Prediction: 10-7
Tennessee Titans
Titans Key Additions/Developments
- Year 2 Will Levis, QB
- Tony Pollard, RB
- Calvin Ridley, WR
- Tyler Boyd, WR
- JC Latham, OT
- Lloyd Cushenberry III, C
- Chidobe Awuzie, CB
- L'Jarius Sneed, CB
- T'Vondre Sweat, DT
- Brian Callahan, Head Coach/Play-Caller
Although the Titans may not improve significantly in the win column due to a tough schedule, the roster is much better on paper in 2024. Head coach Brian Callahan is bringing a pass-first offense to an organization that has implemented a "ground and pound" approach seemingly since it moved to Tennessee in 1997. The game has changed, and the Titans might finally be ready to adapt.
Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd are taking the place of Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and Kyle Philips for quarterback Will Levis this season, meaning the Titans arguably improved the most among all teams in the pass-catcher department. Running backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears are both quality receivers, too.
Calvin Ridley at Tuesday’s @Titans OTA. pic.twitter.com/xQ3Kr2REJM
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) May 21, 2024
Although Levis' final stats were mediocre as a rookie, he dealt with a bottom-three offensive line and pass-catching group. Although the new-look offensive line is unlikely to be a top-10 unit, new additions JC Latham and Lloyd Cushenberry III should make it a respectable group.
Tennessee's back end of the defense should also be enhanced after trading for L'Jarius Sneed and picking up Chidobe Awuzie on the open market. Second-round defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat should make life easier on Jeffery Simmons, who battled injuries last season.
Ultimately, general manager Ran Carthon was one of the most aggressive shot-callers this offseason. Tennessee looks to be in much better shape as Levis heads into Year 2. Expect a slight bump in wins.
2023 Record: 6-11
2024 Strength Of Schedule Ranking: Sixth hardest
2024 Record Prediction: 8-9
Other Teams on the Rise in 2024
- Cincinnati Bengals
- New York Jets
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