Most Compelling Storylines Heading into the 2024 NFL Season

1. Jets run their division:

Aaron Rodgers is set to return from a pretty awful start to his Jets tenure with a reimagined offensive line adding Morgan Moses at the tackle position, guard John Simpson, Olu Fashanu in the draft at tackle, and former all pro and veteran left tackle Tyron Smith. Last year the offense on the Jets was miserable to watch in every sense, yet they kept games close with some of the premier teams in the NFL. This was due to having an elite defense at every level that had the ability to neutralize the best of the best. Moseley and Quincy Williams at linebacker is an elite tandem that anchors the middle of the field well, Sauce Gardner and D.J Reed at cornerback are a lockdown secondary tandem, and their defensive line with Quinnen Williams clogging up the middle has added Javon Kinlaw and Haason Reddick to the equation that already had Jermaine Johnson, Solomon Thomas, and the unproven Will McDonald IV. Reddick is a lock for 13 plus sacks a season and with Saleh at the Helm this defense is only going to get better. Pair this defense with an average offense and this team wins at least ten or eleven games. The thing is, this team isn’t going to be average offensively if their new o line depth can hold for the season. Breece Hall is a top running back talent in the league that can do it all. Power, speed, agility, pass catching, and toughness didn’t mean too much last year when you consider that their tight end, C.J Uzomah, decided to tackle opposing defensive ends and linebackers on every big run Hall had last season. “Holding number 87 offense” became a common occurrence for me watching on as a Jets fan (behind the Lions). Anywho, Breece Hall wasn’t even close to what his ceiling truly is last season. In fantasy being a checkdown merchant that feeds against the league’s bottom feeders isn’t an indicator of how good a player truly is. This guy is a Hall of Fame talent that has never had anything around him on offense until this season. Aaron Rodgers looks to get it done in the twilight of his career with a receiving core of Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, and Malachi Corley heading into the upcoming season. My takeaway from this core of wideouts is that Garrett Wilson might actually do what fantasy managers predicted him to do last season, which is to be a top 10-12 player in fantasy this season. My favorite player at the position was the pick of Malachi Corley in the third round. I think he projects well to the NFL with his yards after catch ability he possesses, which is what the Jets need in their receiver core. Garrett Wilson is the route runner, Mike Williams is the contested catch guy (most likely will tear a ligament this year), and Corley is their experienced run after catch wide receiver that can break tackles and create explosive plays for the offense. I really think Breece Hall could lead the league in rushing this year and that Miami and Buffalo have too many holes on their respective rosters to take the division this year. This leaves the Jets as the last man standing. Although I hate Rodgers, this might be his last shot at glory. J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!

2. Jordan Love MVP season:

I personally have never witnessed a QB do what Love did last season. In his first full year at the helm in Green Bay he threw for 32 touchdowns and over 4,000 yards. That isn’t what impressed me though. Love down the stretch had an argument of being a top five quarterback in the league as essentially a rookie. Nobody can tell me going into last season that they believed Jordan Love would fill Aaron Rodgers shoes with not a single superstar on the offense around him, not one. Aaron Jones might count at running back, but was a non participant and so many games last season I lost count. When he did play he was still the typical Aaron Jones of old, but we only got to see it in the Cowboys playoff game last season. Against the 49ers he was solid, but he got hawked down on a run that, if he were healthy, was surely a long touchdown run. As LaFleur began to understand what he was working with, Love became dialed in, so much so that in the last nine games (including playoffs), he threw twenty-one touchdowns and three interceptions. After starting a season 3-6 in your first true season as a quarterback no one expects you to make the playoffs like the Packers did with Love. Watching him play the game throwing off all platforms, dissecting defenses, and building chemistry with his young wideouts was beautiful to watch. He’s only 25 years old and his future will surely yield an MVP season and potentially a Super Bowl season now that the Packers front office is starting to do an exceptional job. The Packers needed a workhorse running back that could carry a majority of the workload and getting Josh Jacobs most definitely fills that need. The team also needed to improve their defensive play calling and secondary which they did by firing Joe Barry at defensive coordinator who single handedly lost them games. They addressed the secondary by picking up a swiss army knife in Xavier Mckinney who’s great in the box and in coverage at only 24 years old.  All this team needs is to win the division, which is extremely tough to do, but plausible given their offseason. Drafting Javon Bullard at safety was a phenomenal pick, the guy is an enforcer and a blanket in coverage, which will make Green Bay dangerously deep at the safety position. Not to mention taking a tackle to help out Love with Jordan Morgan and the best linebacker in all of college football Edgerrin Cooper to pair with Quay Walker at the linebacker position is filling every position with depth that can withstand an entire season. This team has built upon a foundation that came about in a single season and I can pretty much guarantee Love improves as the lead guy in Green Bay after coming second in touchdowns last season at quarterback. It’s a fairytale storyline that as I sound it out in my head becomes more and more feasible if Green Bay steals the NFC North, which is thought to be the Lions division for the taking. 

3. Nick Chubb rushes for 1,000 yards and runs away with CPOTY:

This storyline would bring a tear to my eye. A guy who dominated the gridiron in a division known primarily for its dominant defenses, Chubb has run for essentially 1,000 yards in every season he’s played (996 in his rookie season to be exact). He runs with grace, power, agility, and vision that made me rank him as the top PURE runner in the NFL. Last year watching the Pittsburgh Steelers game didn’t even feel real. I’ve never in my life seen someone’s knee get demolished quite like Nick Chubb’s. It looked like the Thursday Night Football crew threw in a stunt double in a movie on how dangerous the sport is. It was truly that bad. The replay looked edited and every spectator watching on had one thing going through their mind. Nick Chubb probably won’t ever play again. Despite tearing his PCL, MCL (twice), LCL, ACL, and meniscus in his left knee throughout his career along with cartilage damage and a dislocation, Chubb is seeking to do what no one before him has, to produce. Chubb is attacking his rehab and the Cleveland Browns are giving him a shot to prove he can defy the odds. Chubb is the heart and soul of this Browns offense, the engine that drives Stefanski’s play action offense and last year this team dearly missed his ability to bust out a long run trucking multiple defenders in the process. Last year Jerome Ford tried to fill his shoes, but no one really can fill the shoes of the NFL’s most efficient runner in the league. Although McCaffrey is the best back in the league I still maintain that Chubb, at least pre-injury, was the best back taking handoffs in the NFL. If Chubb does what he has every year in the NFL and runs for 1,000 yards he will surely win comeback player of the year. His character and meaning to his team has afforded him a chance that most running backs don’t get in the NFL today, which was a solid contract restructuring after a brutal knee injury. Chubb loves Cleveland, Cleveland loves Chubb. There’s nothing Chubb wants more than to make this fan base proud and help them win football games. This comeback would be undoubtedly the best comeback I have ever witnessed in my life. Chubb would be the only running back in history with this much tread on his tires to still be one of the league’s premier players. Maybe I’m speaking for myself, but I think a majority of die hard NFL fans would love to see Chubb return and produce. Averaging 5.3 yards per carry is an astonishing statistic. Barry Sanders, the greatest NFL running back in all of history, averaged 5.0 yards per carry, which is why I’m hoping Chubb can have three to five more productive seasons to move up the all time running back charts. Barry Sanders will never give up this top spot, don't get me wrong, but Nick Chubb and his indomitable human spirit might just be able to muster some of the magic he displayed in his first five seasons. People often forget how impressive Nick Chubb’s production has been when factoring in Kareem Hunt and the Baker Mayfield saga. Chubb helped Mayfield make his best playoff run. They essentially lost the AFC Championship game against the Chiefs due to a non-call on a Daniel Sorensen targeting at the goal line.

4. Los Angeles Rams beat out San Francisco:

This might be a bit of a stretch, but I could really see the Rams taking this division with relative ease. Double dipping in the draft at the defensive line position was a savvy move by their GM because Jared Verse is going to be a nightmare to matchup with and Fiske on the interior has a motor and chemistry with Verse already from his playing days at FSU. Not to mention this team picked up both Corum and Kinchens at good spots in the draft to fill in much needed positions as Corum can immediately back up Kyren Williams at RB and Kinchens at safety can make an impact in the Rams secondary next to newcomer Tre'davious White and returning solid vet Darious Williams. Not to mention this team stole the Commanders Kamren Curl who is honestly a nice value safety to have on your roster. If this defense picks it up and the new addition from my Lions, Jonah Jackson, can solidify their guard position then this team might be really scary seemingly out of nowhere when factoring in how loaded the 49ers roster is in their division. The Rams really have such a good core of skill group guys and an elite quarterback to lead the group, which makes for an interesting dynamic moving forward. Last year Kupp was never really at full health and when he does get back to near full health he and Puka should terrorize all their opponents. Kupp being one of the most technically sound receivers in the NFL has really made Puka hone in his powers and become a superstar so early in his career. It’s just crazy how the Rams were supposed to just reach the pinnacle and come back down to Earth after their Super Bowl, but the team instead has retooled, drafted well, and is now looking to make a serious push for their division this upcoming season. The main reason I see this happening has to come from my expectation that Brock Purdy will regress in this make or break season for the Niners. The pressure, the 49ers injury history, and a foreseen trade involving one of their star wideouts (Aiyuk or Deebo) has me skeptical about how Brock is going to play this season. In San Francisco it’s Super Bowl or bust when factoring in the contract Brock is going to ask for next season. No more super team around Purdy and knowing the salary cap issues for the Niners could have bad implications moving forward in The Bay. People often overlook his role in the Niners offense as he is just a distributor to many all pro talents that surround him. If the team loses Kittle, McCaffrey, Aiyuk, or Deebo to injury or trade then I guarantee you Purdy is going to have a rough go of it this season. I think the likelihood of such an event is probable, which leads me to believe in a quarterback who is tough as nails, Matthew Stafford. A phenomenal head coach, young talent around Stafford, as well as key defensive acquisitions is why you too need to put your faith in the Los Angeles Rams.

5. Patriots finish with a near .500 record

I think the average football fan doesn’t understand what the Patriots just did in the draft. I mean they took who I see as the QB with the highest potential, who played with a worse offense than any other quarterback in this year’s draft. The Patriots then go and take Javon Baker out of UCF and then Jalyn Polk who was a guy who clearly exemplified NFL talent throughout his collegiate career. Both these guys can make big time plays and when you pair them with speedster Demario Douglas you get a reasonably formidable wide receiver core. The Patriots also have a defense that is quite good and is only going to improve when factoring in the addition of Christian Gonzalez again this year who has already proven that he can be elite at the NFL level without a season under his belt yet. He reminds me of Patrick Surtain with his combination of size and speed which is quite a comparison to have. Adding Sione TakiTaki was another pickup that I liked for their linebacker core since he flows to the ball well and has been a stud on the Browns for years. You have to respect Jabrill Peppers at safety as well who is a player you just love to watch. A ball hawk safety stepping in to help out the secondary will bode well for Christian Gonzalez and hopefully they can compete within their division. If the Patriots can hold up at offensive line I like what they have going on Offense with a backfield of Antonio Gibson and Rhamondre Stevenson, which surely will be more productive than last season. Nothing jumps off the charts about their offseason, but the Bills could have growing pains and you never know about Tua when it matters. Maye is my top quarterback in the draft and I’m not afraid to say it honestly. With his ability to channel his athleticism into big plays moving in and outside of the pocket and simply having that competitive fire you look for in a QB, he’s the guy. Jerod Mayo might be a key hire too. This team needs to have an elite defense in a top tier division under Jerod Mayo who has played under Belichick and knows the X’s and O’s, which is something nice to have.

6. The Detroit Lions are making a push for multiple Super Bowls.

This should really go without saying after watching the miraculous turnaround this organization has made in the last 2 years. Brad Holmes established a team with depth in the trenches at offensive line with an abundance of drafted offensive skill players to complement the line he built. Amon Ra St Brown has become an elite talent as a fourth rounder that is as reliable as they can get. Jahmyr Gibbs is one of the fastest and most elusive running backs in the entire league and he was viewed as an atrocity of a pick at twelve given a D- grade on draft day. Sam Laporta was a top three tight end in the NFL last season and did everything well from blocking in the run game, to hauling in catches in heavy traffic, and creating plays with his legs after the catch. He was as reliable as any intermediate pass catcher in the NFL. David Montgomery was the bruising running back the Lions needed to complement Gibbs in the backfield and at $6 million dollars over three years he made Brad Holmes look like a genius last offseason. This year we finally get to see a full year of Jameson Williams who hopefully can blow the top off opposing defenses after being a twelfth pick himself in the 2022 NFL Draft. Williams has shown glimpses of his ceiling and they definitely will leave you in awe when you see the guy outrun every other man on the football field. Gadget plays, deep balls, reverses and more are on the table as soon as he sets foot on the field. What Brad Holmes has done at the helm of the Lions front office has been truly remarkable. This offseason Holmes poured every resource into improving upon the team’s most glaring weaknesses, signing four cornerbacks all with unique skill sets to help the Lions finally establish a secondary and by bringing in DJ Reader to add a stud to the interior of the defensive line. Holmes relentlessly pursues the game’s crowning achievement, a Super Bowl trophy, and is always active in the offseason to make sure the Lions continually improve. He has gotten a whole city and state to rally for this new look Lions team. With the most lovable coach in the league, Dan Campbell, and an offense that hums at every level with Ben Johnson dialing up the plays, the general public as well has fallen in love with the underdog story. If the Lions defense can see some improvement this year then the year could very possibly yield a Super Bowl, which has never even been a thought in the entirety of my lifetime. Imagine going from the laughing stock of the league to a juggernaut over the course of a couple years. Thank you Brad Holmes.

7. Brock Bowers might be the most dominant rookie TE of all time

Coming into the draft the resume Brock Bowers put together in college likely will never be replicated in the college game again. At Georgia he won two national championships in three years (injured in the third), a John Mackey award for the best TE in college and was the heartbeat for both national championships Georgia took down. As a matchup nightmare with extremely reliable hands and elite athleticism Bowers looked like a wide receiver at points rather than a TE, which is why he could be due for a huge rookie season in Las Vegas. Having Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers should work wonders for Bowers in the passing game considering defenses can’t just throw the kitchen sink at him without being vulnerable in the secondary. I think it’s funny no one talks about his immense potential in this year’s draft. The Raiders took him at fifteen after taking another tight end, Michael Mayer, last season because he is just that special. He’s a player you can immediately put in the slot leaving defenses with no answer. When paired with a nice run game led by Zamir White in the backfield he might just be the piece that takes this offense and this team towards contending in the AFC West. That’s another component of my thought process here. Zamir White was torching defenses last year when Josh Jacobs missed games and as he became the guy in Las Vegas he consistently produced. He was an extremely enticing player that ran downhill with force in a style that embodied his head coach Antonio Pierce. I loved this draft pick and what the Raiders did in the offseason and with a QB competition that includes Aidan O’connell and Minshew, a longshot to make the NFL and a journeyman, I think either QB will lean on the young phenom in the intermediate passing game when under duress. Put him on your radar. Please.

8. Caleb Williams under achieves, Maserati Marv shines

This one might be my biggest reach yet, but I just have to air it out because I believe it will happen. Caleb Williams has been one of the most highly anticipated QB prospects drawing comparisons to Mahomes, is the NFL’s poster child on social media for this rookie class, and is already branded as a star by the NFL. I think it’s just silly to think that investing all your capital into skill positions immediately makes a team a contender. The truth of the matter is the Bears got good help for Caleb, but Swift at running back is a colossal head scratcher move to say the least. A running back with an injury history that has solid production throughout his career seems like a bit of a gamble, but it’s a solid move. Right? No. Even as a Swift fan, he has had problems with his vision and has run behind the two best offensive lines in all of football, which gave a significant boost to his numbers. I think Caleb needs time to establish himself in the NFL and that he really will struggle against NFL defenses much like he did at USC versus Notre Dame last season. An average to bad offensive line will throw him into a place mentally where he thinks he needs to play heroball and will highlight his weaknesses this upcoming season. He too often looks to make throws more difficult than they have to be and waits on throws where receivers have been wide open for a considerable amount of time. Sometimes he collapses the pocket on himself or escapes it when all he needs to do is step up and let the ball rip down the field. I think all these problems will cause Williams to not be in contention for OROTY and make way for a player that you can count on regardless of the situation, Marvin Harrison Jr. I must preface this by saying I don’t have full belief in Kyler Murray, but if there was ever a time to have it that time would be now. MHJ might just be the greatest wide receiver prospect I have ever seen. He honestly has the mechanics and ability to be a game breaking wide receiver akin to Justin Jefferson, which makes the Cardinals picking him at number four a phenomenal choice in terms of value. Kyler has had a Deandre Hopkins at the end of his prime, Christian Kirk, and no one else of note throughout his career. Now having Michael Wilson and Trey McBride next to MHJ as reliable pass catchers might work wonders for Kyler’s chances at competing in a division with unforgivingly stringent defenses on the rise. It’s very rare you acquire a game breaking receiver in the draft where you can definitively say, “Yep, he’s a sure fire hall of famer”, but with Marv it seems like an absolute, a given. He can make contested catches in heavy traffic, highpoint balls against essentially any and every defender, can create massive separation from crisp route running, uses one of a kind body control when landing to make catches of the highest degree of difficulty, and lastly he has outshined his hall of fame father Marvin Harrison Sr. which is an unbelievably tall task. Kyler better be putting up Madden highlight reels with his new weapon or else I’m going to have to remind people that Kyler is a bum. Maserati Marv is someone you can pencil in a monster season for. Caleb Williams on the other hand has several question marks and formidable foes in the NFC North that prevent him from running away with the award.