Every NFL Team's Biggest X-Factor Heading Into 2024 Season

While offseason roster moves are still being made, most NFL teams have their foundations for the 2024 season. They know where their strengths reside, who their centerpiece players are and where to turn in the biggest moments.

Successful seasons aren't built on star power alone, however. The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs may have won Super Bowl LVIII because they have Patrick Mahomes, but they got there with the aid of breakout players like Isiah Pacheco, Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis.

For every established star a team has, there's a less-proven player who could dramatically impact how the upcoming season unfolds. A year ago, that included players stepping into bigger roles like Karlaftis, rookie difference-makers like Jahmyr Gibbs, players returning from injury like Kyler Murray and players seeking redemption like Baker Mayfield.

We're talking about X-factors, players who might not be the faces of franchises but whose successes or struggles could greatly impact their respective team's fortunes. With Week 1 rapidly approaching, here's a look at every team's biggest X-factor for the 2024 season.

Murray, who was coming off a torn ACL, was easily the Arizona Cardinals' biggest X-factor a year ago. Arizona had a new head coach in Jonathan Gannon, and with prospects like Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels looming in the 2024 draft, the Cardinals easily could have considered a quarterback change.

However, Murray returned for the season half of the season and played reasonably well (89.4). Now the question is whether he can return to Pro Bowl form and get the Cardinals back in the playoffs.

A lot may hinge on rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

Murray helped Arizona reach the postseason in 2021, but that was also his last full campaign with a true No. 1 receiver in DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins was suspended six games in 2022 for a PED violation and was released last offseason. The Cardinals receiving corps has been rather lackluster without him.

However, Harrison has the traits, talent and track record (2,474 yards in his last 25 games) to immediately stop in as Murray's new No. 1 target.

"He is a twitched-up athlete with polished route-running ability and elite ball skills," Derrik Klassen of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department wrote. "It's so easy to see how his game translates right away."

If Harrison is as advertised, Murray might recapture the rising-star status he had just a couple of years ago while again making Arizona a playoff threat. If the rookie doesn't adapt to the NFL quickly, however, the Cardinals might wish they had made a move to draft a quarterback instead.

The Atlanta Falcons obviously have a lot riding on new quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is recovering from a torn Achilles. However, the Falcons' playoff chances might not depend entirely on Cousins' play in 2024.

Atlanta was a seven-win team a year ago and featured a roster that was strong outside of the quarterback position. If Cousins stumbles or can't stay on the field, the Falcons may still be able to get promising quarterback play out of rookie first-round pick Michael Penix Jr.

Because the Falcons do have two new signal-callers, we're focusing on recently acquired pass-rusher Matthew Judon instead. Added through a trade with the New England Patriots, Judon has the potential to be the standout pass-rusher Atlanta has lacked for many years.

The Falcons haven't had a player reach double-digit sacks since Vic Beasley did it in 2016.

If healthy, Judon can lift a defense that ranked 11th overall last season and help make Atlanta a serious threat in the NFC South. In 2022, he recorded 15.5 sacks and an impressive 42 quarterback pressures.

However, Judon is working his way back from a season-ending biceps tear and just turned 32 years old. There's certainly no guarantee that the four-time Pro Bowler will return to pre-injury form.

The Baltimore Ravens carry few questions heading into the 2024 season. They had the league's top-ranked scoring defense in 2023 and the regular-season MVP in Lamar Jackson. They added running back Derrick Henry in free agency to further support Jackson and the offense.

If the Ravens are going to make another deep playoff run, however, they need to open holes in the ground game and keep Jackson upright. With guard Josh Simpson, guard Kevin Zeitler and right tackle Morgan Moses all departing in the offseason, that could prove to be a challenge.

Baltimore is set to have three new starters along the line this season, likely including rookie second-round pick Roger Rosengarten. That's precisely why the health and play of veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley will be critical.

A Pro Bowler in 2019, Stanley has been limited to only 31 games over the past four seasons because of injuries. He made 13 starts last year but he wasn't the same high-level starter after suffering a knee injury early in the season.

The good news is that Stanley is in a good place, physically, heading into the regular season.

"I've been feeling more like myself than I have in previous years," Stanley told The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec in June.

The bad news is that the 30-year-old has never played a full season and has missed at least three games in each of the past four. The Ravens desperately need him to stay healthy and to anchor their new-look offensive line this season.

Like the Cardinals, the Buffalo Bills' season could be heavily altered by the performance of a rookie receiver.

While Arizona is rebuilding and trying to get a bounce-back campaign from their signal-caller, the Bills are perennial contenders with an established star quarterback in Josh Allen. However, Buffalo parted with its top two receivers from 2023, Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, in free agency, and it's unclear how Allen can respond.

The Bills reloaded their receiving corps with complementary veterans like Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins, but they'll likely be counting on rookie second-round pick Keon Coleman to emerge as their new No. 1 target.

Coleman isn't the same explosive deep threat that Diggs was in Buffalo, but his possession skills could make him a different sort of No. 1 receiver.

"It's fun to play with a guy like that that you can just close your eyes and throw it and expect that he will go up," Allen told reporters.

The question is whether Coleman can be a more productive receiver in the NFL than he was at Michigan State or Florida State. He did have 11 touchdowns for the Seminoles last season, but he never topped 800 receiving yards in a collegiate campaign.

Coleman's level of development and production could mean the difference between Buffalo having a good offense in 2024 and a great one.

The Carolina Panthers clearly need to get more out of quarterback Bryce Young than they did as a rookie. His play will determine how successful Carolina can be this season, though Young himself might not be as much of an X-factor as some of the Panthers' new pieces.

Young was a legitimate playmaker at Alabama but wasn't the same star with Carolina's lackluster supporting cast last season. The Panthers did make moves to better support him this offseason, including hiring offensive head coach Dave Canales, drafting Xavier Legette and trading for Diontae Johnson.

Johnson could play the biggest role in unlocking Young's potential because Carolina views him as its new No. 1 receiver.

"As we build our offense, we will really try to feature someone—and for us right now it's 'Where's Diontae Johnson at?'" Canales said, per Steve Reed of the Associated Press.

The question is whether that role will allow Johnson to return to the Pro Bowl form he last showcased in 2021—a season he finished with 107 catches, 1,161 yards, and eight touchdowns.

If Johnson does return to form, it could allow Young to shine as the top-tier distributor he was at Alabama. If he doesn't, the second-year quarterback may experience the same ups and downs he did as a rookie.

Look, there's no hiding the fact that the Chicago Bears need rookie quarterback Caleb Williams to play at a high level to have a shot at the playoffs in 2024. The good news is that Chicago has done an excellent job of surrounding the No. 1 overall pick with talent.

Experienced receiver Keenan Allen could be the key to allowing Williams to meet or even exceed expectations as a rookie. He's one of the savviest pass-catchers in the league, and he can show Williams exactly what it takes to find NFL success.

He and D.J. Moore can do the same for other Bears skill players like Cole Kmet and rookie wideout Rome Odunze.

"'I don't know if you can get two better mentors and two different skill sets," receivers coach Chris Beatty said, per Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Allen has topped 1,100 receiving yards in five of the past seven seasons. However, injuries have been a recent issue for him, as the 32-year-old has missed 11 games in the past two years.

On paper, Allen is the perfect veteran leader for Chicago's new-look offense. For him to maximize its growth, however, he'll have to stay on the field and continue producing at a Pro Bowl level. in his 12th NFL season.

Can Joe Burrow stay healthy this season? That's the biggest question overshadowing the Cincinnati Bengals after the star quarterback was hampered by a calf injury and then lost for the year to a wrist injury in 2023.

However, the Bengals also have to refocus their offense after trading longtime starting running back Joe Mixon this offseason. Burrow is the offense's catalyst, but providing balance will aid Burrow in a big way.

Here's where we point out that Burrow has been sacked 148 times in only 52 regular-season games.

The Bengals signed Zack Moss in free agency, and he's been a solid, if unspectacular, starter when given the opportunity. The X-factor here is second-year running back Chase Brown.

Brown didn't see a ton of opportunities as a rookie, but he flashed some breakaway ability, averaging 4.1 yards per carry and 11.1 yards per reception. He could end up being Cincinnati's breakout star this year and should, at a minimum, see an expanded role.

According to Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati, Brown took most of the reps with the starters in early training camp.

Burrow can cover up a lot of weaknesses in Cincinnati's offense, but adequately replacing Mixon won't be easy. Cincinnati may need a big second-year jump from Brown to do it.

The Cleveland Browns managed to make the playoffs in 2023 despite starting five different quarterbacks and relying on street free agent Joe Flacco late in the season. If the Browns hope to be more than just a postseason afterthought, however, they have to get a solid campaign out of Deshaun Watson.

Watson was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Houston Texans, but he hasn't even sniffed that level of play since being acquired by Cleveland. In 12 games with the Browns, the 28-year-old has gone 8-4 but has posted a passer rating of only 81.7.

To make matters worse, Watson has been a limited participant for most of the offseason as he continues to recover from season-ending shoulder surgery.

Watson showed glimpses of being the elite player he once was during last year's comeback win over Baltimore. However, the Browns desperately need him to play at that level on a consistent basis.

Unfortunately, Watson isn't there yet and reportedly struggled in joint practices with the Minnesota Vikings.

"The Browns had communication issues and protection problems, which made it difficult at times for Watson to operate efficiently," Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com wrote.

If Watson can't rebound—or stay on the field—Cleveland may be trying to win meaningful games with Jameis Winston or Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center late in the year. The Browns have a strong overall roster, but backup quarterbacks probably won't push Cleveland deep into the playoffs.

Dak Prescott is entering a contract year, and the Dallas Cowboys are entering a season with plenty of question marks.

Star wideout CeeDee Lamb has been holding out for a new contract, and the Cowboys parted with key contributors like Tyron Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Dorance Armstrong and Tony Pollard this offseason.

Replacing Smith, Dallas' longtime starting left tackle, could prove to be the most important challenge. He's been an anchor along Dallas' line when healthy, and the Cowboys need to protect Prescott while opening holes for what appears to be one of the league's more underwhelming backfields.

The Cowboys are counting on rookie first-round pick Tyler Guyton to fill Smith's spot, and there is reason for concern. Though extremely physically talented, Guyton was only a one-year starter at Oklahoma, and he started at right tackle, not left.

If Guyton makes a quick transition to a new position and to the NFL, the Cowboys offense should remain one of the NFL's better units. If he doesn't, however, it could create serious issues.

Dallas' top alternative to starting Guyton as a rookie is probably to move Tyler Smith back to tackle, where he started as a rookie—though that, in turn, would create a void at left guard.

The Cowboys also have a lot riding on rookie center Cooper Beebe, but the success or failure of their offensive line will depend most heavily on Guyton.

While one could make a case for virtually every rookie quarterback being an X-factor, it's particularly apt when discussing Denver Broncos signal-caller Bo Nix.

The Broncos had their early struggles in 2023, but their defense solidified down the stretch, and Denver ended up winning seven of their final 11 games.

An 8-9 record didn't exactly make for a successful season in Sean Payton's first year as the head coach, but it showed that Denver has potential. The Broncos aren't going to reach that potential, however, if they don't find a suitable replacement for—and preferably an upgrade over—departed quarterback Russell Wilson.

A lot hinges on Nix's ability to be a quality early starter because Denver's alternatives are Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. Nix is experienced and has an intriguing skill set, but he'll need to show more polish than he did in college to be the Broncos' quarterback of the present.

"It's a little worrisome that Nix is still unrefined in some areas as an older prospect with a ton of games under his belt," Klassen wrote.

If Nix, the sixth quarterback off the board in April, exceeds expectations, Denver could be a surprise playoff contender. If he doesn't Denver will probably be average once again, and pressure may begin to mount on Payton.

The Detroit Lions have an explosive offense, a powerful defensive front and a head coach in Dan Campbell who has led the franchise back to relevance. Detroit pushed all the way to the NFC title game last season, but it couldn't hold a lead against the San Francisco 49ers due, in large part, to its biggest weakness.

The Lions ranked just 29th in net yards allowed per pass attempt last season.

Detroit threw some darts at the all-important cornerback position this offseason, trading for Carlton Davis and using its first two picks on Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Davis, is obviously the veteran leader of the group and is widely expected to have a significant impact on the defense right away.

"I'm here to take the No. 1 receiver on any team. I'm here to take the ball away," Davis said during his introductory press conference.

If Davis is truly going to be a lockdown corner for the Lions, though, he'll need to rebound from what was, for him, a down year in 2023. After allowing an opposing passer rating below 90.0 between 2019 and 2022, he allowed a passer rating of 96.1 in 2023.

Davis also missed time with toe and groin injuries last season and opened Lions camp on the non-football injury list. If he can return to form, though, he just might help Detroit find the championship-caliber defense it has been seeking.

Like the Lions, the Green Bay Packers broke through as a playoff team in 2023 and appear to be a franchise on the rise.

This is due, in no small part, to the emergence of Jordan Love as an upper-tier quarterback.

If Love can show even a little growth in his second full season as the starter, Green Bay could be knocking on the door of the Super Bowl. He'll get a massive boost, though, if new running back Josh Jacobs returns to his 2022 form.

The Packers didn't have running back Aaron Jones for stretches last season as he continually battled hamstring issues. However, Jones was back to 100 percent by the postseason and helped Green Bay rout the Cowboys and go toe-to-toe with the 49ers. The Packers replaced him this offseason with 2022 rushing champ Josh Jacobs.

The hope is that Jacobs can better provide more of a steady every-down presence in the backfield than the 29-year-old Jones did last season. However, Jacobs is also coming off of an injury-plagued campaign and a down season overall.

After racking up 1,653 rushing yards and 2,053 scrimmage yards for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, Jacobs barely topped 1,100 scrimmage yards and was limited to 13 games last season.

The Packers' ability to improve offensively in 2024 will hinge heavily on which version of Jacobs they are inheriting and whether he can stay close to 100 percent.

If the Houston Texans are going to return to the playoffs this season, they need to keep C.J. Stroud healthy. Houston has solid backups in Davis Mills and Case Keenum, but Stroud was one of the league's best quarterbacks when healthy last season.

Houston split the two games that Stroud missed with a concussion in 2023.

This is why the Texans have a lot riding on veteran left tackle Laremy Tunsil. He is Houston's best offensive lineman, and he can anchor a unit that features a fair amount of youth.

The problem is that Tunsil dealt with ongoing knee issues last season, missed three games and didn't play quite at the level he did the previous season—he allowed five sacks after allowing only one in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus.

The four-time Pro Bowler also underwent arthroscopic knee surgery early in the offseason and was only returned to practice on August 11.

Houston needs Tunsil to quickly get into midseason form, stay on the field and play like the dependable starter he has been in the past. Otherwise, the Texans may be forced to thrust rookie second-round pick Blake Fisher into the lineup, which would be far less than ideal.

The Indianapolis Colts came excruciatingly close to making the playoffs last season, falling just a couple of plays short against the Texans in their regular-season finale.

Getting that close with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew was impressive and showed that Indy isn't far away from being a serious threat in the AFC South. However, the Colts were forced to rely on Minshew because Anthony Richardson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury four games into his NFL career.

This season, everything hinges on Richardson, a physically gifted if unpolished dual-threat quarterback with Josh Allen-like potential. If the second-year man out of Florida can make the sort of jump that Allen eventually did in Buffalo, the Colts could be perennial contenders sooner than later.

However, Richardson is going to have to show growth as a passer in Year 2, and more importantly, he'll have to show he can protect himself and stay on the field. Head coach Shane Steichen isn't about to limit the quarterback's scrambling opportunities.

"That's one of Anthony's strengths, right? So, we're not going to get away from that. That's what he does," Steichen said in July, per ESPN's Stephen Holder.

If Richardson can't avoid injuries, the Colts will again be trying to win with a backup quarterback—this time, a 39-year-old Joe Flacco.

The Jacksonville Jaguars clearly believe in fourth-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Though the 24-year-old has only had one truly impressive season out of three, the Jags rewarded him with a contract worth $55 million annually this offseason.

Lawrence showed flashes of his 2022 Pro Bowl form last season, but he was also hampered by injuries and couldn't muster enough late in the season to bring the AFC South crown to Jacksonville.

The Jaguars dropped their regular-season finale against the rival Tennessee Titans, which allowed Houston to win the division.

If Jacksonville is going to get back into the postseason, it needs Lawrence to be the same quarterback he was two years ago. A lot will depend on Lawrence himself, of course, but rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. will also play a pivotal role.

Calvin Ridley emerged as Lawrence's top target last season, but the Jags lost him to Tennessee in free agency. Jacksonville then used the 23rd overall pick on Thomas, and they need the rookie to adjust quickly.

Thomas was an explosive if unpolished receiver at LSU, and he tallied an impressive 1,177 and 17 touchdowns last season. He'll need to improve his route-running and contested-catch ability to immediately break out as Lawrence's new top target, but there's certainly a lot to like.

If Thomas can replicate the production he had for the Tigers last season, Lawrence could be staring down his best NFL season yet.

It's no secret that the Kansas City Chiefs will go as Patrick Mahomes goes. When the six-time Pro Bowler is healthy and playing at his best, the Chiefs are borderline unbeatable—especially in the postseason.

Therefore, one of Kansas City's biggest priorities should be keeping Mahomes upright and on the field. That's why there's a lot riding on the left tackle competition between second-year man Wanya Morris and rookie second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia.

2023 starting left tackle Donovan Smith remains unsigned.

It's looking increasingly likely that the rookie will win the job. Morris has battled knee and shoulder injuries during camp, while Suamataia has impressed with his elite physical toolbox.

"Kingsley has that type of ability you can put against anybody," offensive line coach Andy Heck said, per Aaron Ladd of SBNation. "Now it's just a matter of execution, details and learning our offense."

The NFL jump can be difficult for rookie linemen, even those with elite potential. If Suamataia can rise to the challenge, there's little doubt that Kansas City will be right back in the Super Bowl conversation. If he struggles, however, the Chiefs may have to alter their offensive game planning in order to protect their biggest asset.

All eyes in Las Vegas have been on the Raiders' ongoing quarterback battle between Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew. Minshew was declared the starter on Sunday, and his play will certainly impact the Raiders' season.

Either Minshew's mobility and deep-throwing ability mesh with Las Vegas' dangerous skill players, or the Raiders will go back to O'Connell—who did not look like a clearly worse option in the early preseason.

Improved quarterback play will go a long way toward making Las Vegas relevant in the AFC West, of course. If the Raiders are going to break through as a playoff team, though, they'll likely need to lean heavily on third-year running back Zamir White.

White showed a ton of potential down the stretch last season, rushing for 397 yards in four starts and helping Las Vegas record victories over all three divisional opponents.

However, White will now be asked to serve as the Raiders' full-time starter, as they parted with two-time Pro Bowler Josh Jacobs this offseason. White has never filled that role in the NFL, and while his limited resume is encouraging, that doesn't guarantee that he can handle 250-300 touches and consistently perform at a high level.

The Raiders need him to if they're going to field a playoff-caliber offense. Rookie Dylan Laube appears most likely to contribute as a receiving back, and Las Vegas' backup options—Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah—leave plenty to be desired.

The Los Angeles Chargers underwent a lot of changes this offseason, and they're set to have a brand new identity under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. Based on his track record in college and with the 49ers, Harbaugh is likely looking to lean on his defense and a strong running game.

That may be especially true in 2024, following the offseason departures of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler.

Rookie first-round pick Joe Alt figures to play a pivotal role in the Chargers offense this season and moving forward. The expectations for the fifth overall pick are understandably high.

"While he isn't the most powerful blocker and will concede some initial ground in his anchor, Alt has virtually every other tool and skill to become an immediate impact starter at left tackle," Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.

Alt will face a lot of responsibility early, as Harbaugh looks to spark a run-oriented offense with newcomers Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. He'll also need to protect star quarterback Justin Herbert, who suffered a season-ending finger injury last season and is currently recovering from a plantar fascia injury.

If Alt is as advertised, he and Rashawn Slater might quickly form the league's top tackle duo, which would be a huge boon to Harbaugh's plans. If he struggles, though, the Chargers could be in for a long season.

The Los Angeles Rams face the unenviable task of replacing future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald in their defensive front. Replacing Donald on a player-for-player basis is practically impossible, so L.A. will look to use a group approach.

Second-year defensive tackle Kobie Turner and second-year edge-rusher Byron Young will both play significant roles in Los Angeles' revamped pass rush. Rookie first-round pick Jared Verse should further boost the front seven.

Verse, who recorded 18 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons, is a high-floor prospect who was the top-ranked edge-rusher on the B/R Scouting Department's final draft board. He appears to already be adding a defensive spark.

"One of the things we knew, when we drafted Jared, we'd heard the reports about him and it's exactly what we wanted," defensive coordinator Chris Shula said, per Brock Vierra of Rams Wire. "He's brought a great energy to that group."

Verse also has some preexisting chemistry with second-round defensive end Braden Fiske, his former teammate at Florida State. If he can be the same high-end difference-maker he was in college, he should be among the front-runners for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

That wouldn't make fans forget about Donald, but it would help ensure that L.A.'s defense is as good as it was a year ago, if not better.

Injuries, especially along the offensive line, were a major problem for the Miami Dolphins late in the 2023 season. Unfortunately, questions still surround Miami's line heading into the 2024 season.

The Dolphins lost starters Connor Williams and Robert Hunt in free agency. Isaiah Wynn suffered a significant quad injury last season and remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

If Miami is going to have an offensive line it can trust, it needs to have left tackle Terron Armstead back, healthy and playing at a high level. That's a potential problem, because the five-time Pro Bowler has never been healthy for a full season.

Armstead battled knee issues and other injuries throughout the 2023 season and missed seven games.

Now, Armstead might not be as important as some other left tackles around the league because the Dolphins have a left-handed quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa—meaning Austin Jackson, not Armstead, protects the blind side. Still, Armstead is the veteran leader of the group and one of the league's top tackles when at 100 percent.

And if Arnold isn't at 100 percent this season, Miami may have to lean on rookie second-round pick Patrick Paul, who was widely viewed as a raw developmental prospect heading into the draft.

The Minnesota Vikings won't get any sort of boost from rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy this season. The Michigan product recently underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus and was subsequently placed on injured reserve.

McCarthy is now set to miss his entire rookie campaign.

With McCarthy out and Kirk Cousins now in Atlanta, the Vikings' playoff likely hinges on whatever they can get out of quarterback Sam Darnold. The 2018 first-round pick has never been an above-average starter at the NFL level, but he did show some glimpses of his pre-draft potential with the Panthers in 2022 (92.6 passer rating).

Standout receiver Justin Jefferson believes in his new quarterback.

"I feel like he's been making plays throughout training camp," Jefferson told CBS Sports' Evan Washburn. "I don't have any worry in my mind at all."

The problem is that, confident or not, the Vikings don't really have a viable alternative with McCarthy on IR. Nick Mullens went 0-3 as the starter last season, while Jaren Hall went 1-1. Recent addition Matt Corral has yet to see an NFL snap.

If Darnold finds the sort of redemption Baker Mayfield found with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, the Vikings could be a factor in the NFC North. If he can't, Minnesota will likely be playing for a top 2025 draft slot.

This is expected to be a rebuilding season for the New England Patriots. It may or may not involve rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

The Patriots had arguably the league's most unimpressive offensive supporting cast last year and it didn't do a ton to upgrade the group this offseason. New England did add running back Antonio Gibson and draft receivers Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. However, it still doesn't have a proven No. 1 receiver and has questions at both tackle spots.

The Patriots are trying to rebuild their offense under new head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. The hope, it would seem, is that new players like Polk, Baker, offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor and rookie tackle Caedan Wallace can improve the overall unit before Maye is thrust onto the field.

If New England's additions, especially the rookies, are going to develop quickly, though, they need to get consistent play out of journeyman quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Unfortunately, Brissett hasn't looked particularly sharp in the preseason. He failed to complete a pass in the opener and threw an ill-advised interception in Week 2.

"We had other guys open on that play. It was a poor play. It was a terrible play," Mayo said, per Nick O'Malley of MassLive.

The Patriots probably won't be battling for the playoffs in 2024, but if Brissett cannot provide at least average quarterback play, it could be a huge problem. That would either mean trying to develop players alongside former spot starter Bailey Zappe or forcing Maye into action prematurely.

The New Orleans Saints won nine games in 2023 and should be a factor in the NFC South this season. If the Saints actually hope to surge past the Buccaneers and improved Falcons, however, they'll need to protect quarterback Derek Carr while boosting a ground game that ranked 31st in yards per carry last season.

With starting right tackle Ryan Ramczyk on the reserve/PUP list and out for the year, the Saints will have to lean on rookie first-round pick Taliese Fuaga in some capacity.

New Orleans used a 2022 first-round pick on Trevor Penning, but he has failed to develop into a quality left tackle. He'll likely man the right side with the rookie starting at left tackle. The two players could be swapped, though, depending on what offensive line coach John Benton believes is the optimal lineup.

Either way, Fuaga is likely to be a Day 1 starter if healthy—he recently exited practice with a back issue.

Relying heavily on a rookie tackle is always a risky proposition, but it's doubly so for the Saints. If Fuaga can't quickly become an anchor on the edge, New Orleans simply might not have one this season. Penning, to this point, has struggled just to earn a significant role.

The New York Giants are hoping to return to the postseason after taking a huge step backward in 2023. New York made the playoffs in 2022 but stumbled to six wins last season, in part, due to injury.

Quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending ACL tear, which essentially ended the Giants' campaign—though he wasn't playing particularly well before the injury. If New York is going to rebound in 2024, it needs Jones healthy and playing at a high level.

Just as importantly, the Giants need to figure out if Jones can actually be their long-term answer at quarterback.

"You're paying the guy (Jones) $40 million," Giants general manager Joe Schoen said on HBO's Hard Knocks (h/t NFL.com's Eric Edholm). "It's not to hand the ball off to a $12 million back."

The Giants lost star running back Saquon Barkley in free agency, but they did add players like guard Jon Runyan, offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and rookie receiver Malik Nabers. An improved supporting cast will help, but it'll still be up to Jones to make the plays he needs to make consistently.

Unfortunately, Jones' preseason debut showed many of the same issues that have hindered him as a pro. He completed 11 of 18 passes for 138 yards but also tossed two costly interceptions. And for the second straight week, the offense couldn't get the ball into Nabers' hands.

The Giants need Jones to be great, but he was good enough two years ago. If he can't at least be that, New York will be searching for a new signal-caller in 2025.

The New York Jets are hoping that they can finally push for the playoffs with a healthy Aaron Rodgers in 2024. That was the plan last year too, but a torn Achilles ended the quarterback's season after only four snaps.

Protecting the 40-year-old Rodgers has to be a top priority after New York surrendered 64 sacks a season ago. The Jets did take steps to address their line, signing John Simpson, trading for Morgan Moses and drafting Olumuyiwa Fashanu in Round 1. They also signed longtime Cowboys starter Tyron Smith, who is expected to hold off Fashanu at left tackle.

Smith, when healthy, is still one of the top left tackles in the game. However, he's also an X-factor for the Jets because staying healthy hasn't exactly been his biggest strength recently. He started 13 games in 2023 but has also only appeared in 30 games over the past four seasons

If Smith can stay on the field and play as well as he did last season—he only allowed a single sack, according to Pro Football Focus—the offensive line could be a strength. If Smith's injury woes return, however, the Jets will have to rush their rookie tackle on the field or search for tackle help elsewhere.

New York can't possibly expect Rodgers to last the entire season if its line isn't substantially better than it was a year ago.

It's been a whirlwind of an offseason for the Philadelphia Eagles, who collapsed down the stretch in 2023, replaced their offensive and defensive coordinators in the offseason and lost star center Jason Kelce to retirement.

The integration of new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will play a huge factor this season. At the same time, though, Kelce might be the hardest player to replace on just about any NFL roster in 2024.

Interior linemen are rarely the faces of franchises, but Kelce is different. He long served as a media darling, a locker room leader and the anchor of Philadelphia's potent offensive line. He was also the catalyst of Philly's patented quarterback-push play, which has become a staple of the offense.

With Kelce gone, there's no guarantee that the Eagles' best short-yardage play will be automatic as it has been in the past. This leaves a ton of pressure on presumptive starting center Cam Jurgens.

The 2022 second-round pick emerged as a quality starting guard last season, and he's made the move to center in the wake of Kelce's retirement. The good news is that he's now a seasoned pro with experience in Philadelphia's lineup.

"Yeah, this isn't his first rodeo," head coach Nick Sirianni said, per The Athletic's Brooks Kubena.

However, the Eagles don't yet know if Jurgens can provide a seamless transition. If he can't, the Eagles offense may look a lot different in 2024, and not just because Moore is now calling plays.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were a wild-card team in 2023, but they enter 2024 looking for their first playoff win since the 2016 season.

Almost everything is going to hinge on the play of Pittsburgh's new quarterbacks. The Steelers had one of the league's better defenses last year to go with a bevy of offensive playmakers. However, they couldn't get consistent quarterback play out of Kenny Pickett or Mason Rudolph, so they've turned to Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

While he may not hold the starting job all year, Wilson is widely expected to earn it for Week 1. He's the experienced veteran in the locker room, and he's best suited to be the sort of game-manager that complements the rest of Pittsburgh's roster.

The Steelers probably won't hesitate to turn to Fields if Wilson struggles, but the hope is that the elder QB can return to Pro Bowl form. If he can come close to that Pittsburgh will be primed to be a serious Super Bowl threat. If he can't, the focus may shift to assessing Fields' long-term value.

Unfortunately, neither signal-caller has performed particularly well in the preseason—the Steelers have produced 15 points in two games—and there's a growing sense of concern. If Wilson and Fields both continue to underwhelm, Pittsburgh will be back to the quarterback drawing board in 2025.

The 49ers' upcoming season may be impacted by a couple of offseason factors. The lengthy contract drama involving receiver Brandon Aiyuk could leave a bit of a hangover, and Christian McCaffrey's calf strain might impact his performance in the early season.

However, the recovery and return of standout safety Talanoa Hufanga is the X-factor here. The 2021 fifth-round pick has developed into a legitimate playmaker for the San Francisco defense and was a first-team All-Pro in 2022.

Hufanga was arguably even better in his 10 games last season. He recorded three interceptions and allowed an opposing passer rating of only 60.1 in coverage. Unfortunately, Hufanga suffered a torn ACL in Week 11, and the defense wasn't quite the same without him.

Yes, it's fair to wonder if San Francisco might have held off Kansas City in the Super Bowl with a healthy Hufanga in the secondary.

Hufanga's recovery is still an ongoing process, but he's inching closer.

"We can push him a little bit harder," head coach Kyle Shanahan said on August 16, per David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone. "Not against players, but more football stuff."

Hufanga's ability to return quickly and in pre-injury form could mean the difference between San Francisco having a good defense and a championship-caliber one.

The Seattle Seahawks carry several offensive questions heading into the regular season. Can Geno Smith stay healthy and return to his 2022 form? Will the offensive line, especially the interior, play more consistently than it did a year ago? Will running backs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet finally emerge as the elite duo they were advertised to be?

However, new head coach Mike Macdonald'ss biggest challenge will be improving a defense that ranked 30th overall and 25th in points allowed last season.

While the offense stumbled at times, the Seahawks still ranked a respectable 17th in scoring last season. If the former Ravens defensive coordinator can right the ship on the other side of the ball, Seattle should be back in playoff contention.

Rookie first-round pick Byron Murphy II might just be Macdonald's key to unlocking a top-tier defense. The Texas product was the second defender off the board in April, and his combination of size and upfield quickness can potentially make him a pass-rushing difference-maker in the NFL.

"The 308-pounder either gets into offensive linemen shortly after the snap or uses his impressive agility and quickness to beat guards across their faces when slanting," Matt Holder of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.

Ideally, Murphy will be Macdonald's new version of Justin Madubuike, a dominant defender who can open up a slew of options with the rest of the defense. If he can, Macdonald may have Seattle racing toward a rapid defensive turnaround.

The development of rookie first-round center Graham Barton is likely to have a massive impact on the Buccaneers' 2024 campaign.

Tampa made the postseason last year and may have found its long-term answer in Baker Mayfield along the way. However, the Bucs are set to see increased competition in the NFC South, so a repeat of last year probably won't be enough.

Mayfield, Mike Evans and the passing game largely carried the Bucs' offense in 2023. While running back Rachaad White amassed 1,539 scrimmage yards, he averaged just 3.6 yards per carry. As a team, Tampa averaged just 3.4 yards per rush, the worst rate in the NFL.

Ideally, Barton will allow the Buccaneers to boost their inside running game and to finally replace longtime center Ryan Jensen—who missed the last two campaigns and finally retired this offseason.

However, it's likely to take time. Barton started at center for Duke in 2020 but has spent his last three seasons at left tackle. That's why he wasn't simply handed the job over Robert Hainsey, who was responsible for nine penalties and four sacks allowed last season, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Buccaneers officially named Barton the starter on Monday.

If Barton can stay on the field and improve Tampa's offensive interior, it may help the Buccaneers finally achieve the offensive balance they've lacked over the past couple of years.

The Tennessee Titans finally pulled the plug on Ryan Tannehill last season, and they'll now look to see if second-year quarterback Will Levis can be their future.

Tennessee put a lot of work into supporting Levis this offseason. They hired an offensive head coach in Brian Callahan, added a receiving back in Tony Pollard and paid heavily to sign standout receiver Calvin Ridley.

The Titans also used their first-round pick on JC Latham, who, hopefully, will finally provide some stability along Tennessee's lackluster offensive line.

However, it'll be up to Levis to take advantage. The 2023 second-round pick out of Kentucky showed glimpses of his athleticism, arm talent and confidence last season, but he didn't instantly make the Titans formidable.

Levis went 3-6 as the starter with eight touchdowns, four interceptions and an 84.2 passer rating. He has very strong NFL traits but needs to perform more efficiently and consistently than he did last season and early in training camp.

"It's not been great to start," Callahan said on August 7, per NFL reporter Paul Kuharsky.

On paper, the Titans are more talented than they were a year ago. If Levis doesn't show significant second-year growth, however, Tennessee is likely looking at another lost season and a renewed quarterback search in 2025.

We're two games into the preseason, and it already looks like rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is ready to be the Week 1 starter. He's flashed elite playmaking ability, poise and efficiency in Kliff Kingsbury's offense.

Exactly who will protect Daniels' blindside remains a bit of a mystery. The Commanders listed rookie third-round pick Brandon Coleman as the starter in their unofficial preseason depth chart, but Coleman is dealing with a pectoral strain and may not be ready for the start of the season.

If Coleman can't start Week 1, the Commanders will likely lean on veteran swing tackle Cornelius Lucas, which is less than ideal. He allowed three sacks in only 231 snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Lucas is a serviceable stopgap option, but he doesn't possess the upside of the rookie.

"I knew he is a very good athlete, but what I have been more impressed by is he's got great balance for a big guy and so he's got power in his legs," head coach Dan Quinn said of Coleman, per Zach Selby of the team's official website. "He is very rarely somebody that's out of position

The timing of Coleman's return, and his play as a first-year starting tackle, will likely play a large role in Daniels' performance in his rookie season.

*Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference unless otherwise noted.