Predicting NFL starting debut for rookie quarterbacks, plus projecting NFC East win totals for 2024

Have a good mid-week everyone! Can you believe we are already halfway through the last week of May? Before you know it, minicamps will be in full swing, training camps will be upon us, and the 2024 season will officially be upon us. John Breech is busy pulling strings to make sure the Cincinnati Bengals appease their missing wide receivers, or at least we think he is, so you have me, Cody Benjamin, to deliver the latest news.

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We predict NFC East records, OTA news and notes, and more:

1. Projected NFC East win totals: Watch out for the Eagles

Instead of “Pick Six NFL Podcast”, which is on pause (find the full catalog of episodes here), host Will Brinson was diving into projected win totals for each NFL division, offering their best bets for the 2024 season. Up next: NFC East, where the Philadelphia Eagles might be getting too much love.

(The Eagles are) back with another robust win total heading into 2024, but it’s reasonable to be worried about this team once again. For one, they have vastly exceeded expected wins (8.5) and have also gone 7-3 in one-score games (as of 2023). I think the addition of Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator will solve a lot of issues on that side of the ball, but I’m not sure Kellen Moore is a huge upgrade for the Eagles. Brian Johnson was clearly lost, but the Cowboys’ improvement (after firing Moore) and the Chargers’ struggles should cause some concerns in Philadelphia. Then there is the loss of Jason Kelce on the offensive end and Fletcher Cox on the defensive end. These are two of the team’s greatest leaders and best players. Howie Roseman has set up the succession strategy well with Cam Jurgens and Jordan Davis/Jalen Carter, but there could be a slide, especially early on. Philly has the profile of a playoff team, but I’m not convinced they will reach more than 11 wins with a tough schedule. Pick: Eagles under 10.5 (-125)

Spring training was bright and sunny in Miami earlier in the week, with Tua Tagovailoa back to the field and throwing deep blows. Coach Mike McDaniel was particularly complimentary of the quarterback, who was in and out of the offseason schedule as he sought a long-term contract. Elsewhere in Dallas, strong storms forced the Cowboys will postpone their second week of OTAs until Wednesday, with gusty winds knocking out power at The Star, the team’s sprawling headquarters in Frisco.

Joe Burrow was on grass for the Cincinnati Bengals earlier in the week, but was missing his two main weapons, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The former is technically under contract through 2025, but after three consecutive Pro Bowl seasons to start his career, he is eligible for a long-term raise. Higgins, on the other hand, has yet to sign the franchise tag the Bengals slapped on him in February and reportedly continues to seek a trade. Coach Zac Taylor minimized the absences of big names, telling reporters Wednesday, the pass catchers “will be ready and focused when the time comes.”

Houston made a splash this offseason by acquiring Stefon Diggs from the Buffalo Bills. Now the Texans have rewarded one of their homegrown standouts, agreeing Tuesday to Nico Collins in a three-year deal worth $72.75 million this will pay the 2023 breakout more than Diggs per year. Collins, 25, approached 1,300 yards as C.J. Stroud’s top target last season, and his new annual haul of $24.25 million makes him one of the NFL’s 10 highest-paid receivers.

5. Project when rookie QBs will make their debut

A record six quarterbacks entered the first round of this year’s draft. But which of them will actually take the field at the start of the 2024 season? And is it possible that some don’t even see the field? Resident Analyst Josh Edwards evaluated each team with a first-round signal-caller to project for when everyone from Caleb Williams to Bo Nix makes their first NFL career start. In addition to Michael Penix Jr., who is expected to redshirt in 2024, Edwards has Drake Maye, from the New England Patriots, as the latest to debut:

New England is a bit of a complicated situation. Jacoby Brissett is the best competing quarterback (in the place). It wouldn’t be a surprise if he held Maye through the entire 2024 regular season. … The trade deadline is Nov. 5, so it wouldn’t (also) be shocking if Brissett was moved in a deal, which opens Week 10 against Caleb Williams and the Bears (like potentially) Maye’s first NFL start.

6. Bonus points: Fields clears the air, former Ravens standout coming out of retirement

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