Five NFL teams poised to make major leap in 2024 after free agency, draft: Jets, Packers set for playoff run

O NFL The offseason has reached the point where minicamps are in full swing as teams begin to prepare for the 2024 season. Free agency and the NF Draft are in the rearview mirror as teams begin to incorporate new moves and perfecting the playbook with the start of the regular season just over three months away.

The teams are trying to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs while competing for a third seed. The defense Super Bowl the champions aim to become the first team to win three consecutive championships since the 1965-1967 Green Bay Packers.

As for teams on the rise? The Houston Texans went from 11 wins combined between 2020 and 2022 to 11 wins in 2023 (including playoffs). Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers ended up winning a playoff game without Aaron Rodgers.

Which teams are primed for a big season after free agency and the draft? These teams may be poised to win their respective divisions or make a Super Bowl operate on its own in 2024?

The initial list, with a different group of teams (Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, Cincinnati Bengals), was made shortly after the Super Bowl, but has undergone some changes. Here are five teams poised to make a big jump as the NFL begins OTA practices and, soon, mandatory minicamps.

Green Bay Packers

2023 Regular Season: 9-8 | Decisive games: Lost in the divisional round

Jordan Love’s emergence certainly sets the Packers up as NFC contenders, even though they could be in one of the toughest divisions in football next season. Love threw 23 touchdowns to just three interceptions in his last seven games (including playoffs), as the Packers were the first seventh-seeded team to beat a second-seeded team in the wild-card round. It didn’t hurt that Green Bay was the youngest team to win a playoff game (25 years and 214 days).

The Packers revamped their secondary in free agency, highlighted by the offseason signing of safety Xavier McKinney and the second-round selection of safety Javon Bullard. They also signed linebacker Edgerrin Cooper to fill the defensive seven, a unit that still features Jaire Alexander at cornerback.

Green Bay had 302 receptions for 3,642 yards and 31 touchdowns from first- or second-year players, the most in a season in NFL history. Love has a lot of young pass catchers to grow with, starting with Jayden Reed. The Packers also have Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs, Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft. This offense went from 15th in points per possession to ninth thanks to Love and Co. – this was with a hobbled offensive line for most of the year. Green Bay added Jordan Morgan to that offensive line and moved on from David Bakhtiari. Jon Runyan also left as a free agent.

The NFC North will be tough, but the Packers’ ceiling is high. If Love takes another step forward, Green Bay will be a Super Bowl contender.

2023 Regular Season: 7-10 | Decisive games: Lost

The Falcons were one quarterback away from becoming a major player in the NFC South. They decided to add two quarterbacks to the fray, signing Kirk Cousins ​​to a four-year contract and drafting Michael Penix Jr.

While the Cousins-Penix dynamic can be an issue, Falcons quarterbacks have been just 28th in pass completion percentage, 28th in passing yards and 27th in passing touchdowns over the past two seasons. That will get better under Cousins, who ranked fifth in completion percentage (70%), second in passing yards (2,331) and tied for first in passing touchdowns (18) through the first eight weeks of last season (Achilles injury in week 9).

The Falcons also added Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore in free agency to pair with Drake London at wide receiver. The running backs are Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, while the offensive line is one of the best in football. The attack must score points.

The defense was 15th in points allowed per possession (1.86) and seventh in yards allowed per possession (28.0) last season, now in charge of a new system under head coach Raheem Morris and Jimmy Lake. Will Morris succeed as a head coach after a difficult tenure in Tampa Bay more than a decade ago?

The Falcons are banking on their quarterback to win the NFC South. Can Cousins ​​End Playoff Drought? Keep in mind that they held leads in the final minute of four games last season – and lost them all. This team is closer to the playoffs than many realize.

Houston Texans

2023 Regular Season: 10-7 | Decisive games: Lost in the divisional round

The Texans have made their biggest leap in 2023 thanks to the emergence of C.J. Stroud and a remarkable turnaround led by first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans. Stroud had arguably the best rookie season for a quarterback in NFL history, transforming the Texans’ offense into a force to be reckoned with throughout the NFL (the offense went from 31st in points per possession to 14th), accompanied by the emergence of Nico Collins and rookie Tank Dell.

Stroud gets his two best pass catchers back next season, along with Dalton Schultz (who signed an extension). They were also aggressive in improving the unit. Joe Mixon was added at running back via trade and signed an extension, pairing him with Dameon Pierce at the position. The Texans also added Stefon Diggs in an offseason trade with the Buffalo Bills, and will have Diggs as the No. 1 pick, with Collins, Dell and Noah Brown as the other targets.

Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. now has a full year under his belt NFL on his resume and rising corner Derek Stingley Jr. will only improve on a defense that went from 25th in yards allowed per possession to 13th.

Houston has also improved this offseason on that side of the ball. The Texans signed Danielle Hunter to complement Anderson in the pass rush, but lost Jonathan Greenard in the process. They countered by adding Denico Autry as well, adding more depth to that unit. Azeez Al-Shaair was signed at linebacker to stabilize that position. Kamari Lassiter was drafted in the second round and could compete for the starting spot at cornerback.

The Texans are poised to be Super Bowl contenders. They will have a tougher schedule, but Houston has proven they can compete with the best teams in the AFC.

2023 Regular Season: 7-10 | Decisive games: Lost

Of course, Aaron Rodgers’ health is key to the Jets’ season, but New York has invested significantly in free agency to make this team better. Mike Williams was added at wide receiver to pair with Garrett Wilson, while they drafted Malachi Corley in the third round to give Rodgers a presence as a WR3.

The Jets arguably have one of the best running back rooms in football with Breece Hall, Israel Abanikanda and rookie Braelon Allen. They also improved the offensive line by signing Tyron Smith and John Simpson as free agents and selecting Olu Fashanu in the first round. This unit also has Alijah Vera-Tucker holding down the fort at right guard.

Haason Reddick was added to complement Jermaine Johnson on the wing, while the defensive interior now has Javon Kinlaw and Leki Fotu to help Quinnen Williams.

The Jets appear loaded on paper, even more so than last year. If Rodgers is healthy, they are a threat in the AFC East (like it or not).

Cincinnati Bengals

2023 Regular Season: 9-8 | Decisive games: Lost

Sure the Bengals have been a disappointment in 2023, but they’ve also dealt with injuries to Joe Burrow across the board, starting with the star quarterback’s calf issue in training camp that affected his early-season performance to his wrist injury. in November which ended its season. The Bengals finished last in the AFC North but finished above .500 with Jake Browning starting seven games.

When Burrow plays more than 10 games, the Bengals reach (at least) the AFC Championship. There’s a reason the organization is optimistic about Burrow’s health, even though the Bengals are dealing with Tee Higgins’ payday (they put the franchise tag on him) and have let Tyler Boyd walk (for now). They still need to sign Ja’Marr Chase to an extension, but they can wait a while if they choose.

Cincinnati didn’t have any flashy moves, but some good signings in free agency. Geno Stone was signed by Baltimore and Vonn Bell was brought back after a year in Carolina. Mike Gesicki was signed as a tight end alongside Drew Sample, significantly improving pass-catchers at the position. Chase Brown is expected to be the running back, but will share the carries with the signing of free agent Zack Moss.

The Bengals are still trying to fix the offensive tackle position, adding Trent Brown in free agency and Amarius Mims in the first round of the draft. They also added Jermaine Burton in the third round as another outside wide receiver option.

There are questions with Cincinnati, but this team has a chance to make the Super Bowl if Joe Burrow can stay healthy. Cincinnati needs to keep Burrow on the field at all costs.