After months of emptiness, football is finally in the air as training camp is officially underway for all 32 NFL teams. Each team and player hold different expectations, but part of what makes the NFL so compelling is how unpredictable it can be.
While some things are set in stone, like Jalen Hurts being the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback, other jobs are up for grabs. Plus, teams may still be eyeing some significant roster changes. Below, we make one bold training camp prediction for all 16 teams in the NFC. Click here for a bold prediction on all 16 teams in the AFC.
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Arizona Cardinals: Max Melton Fails to Land Starting Role
Selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Max Melton was expected to quickly establish himself as a consistent starter. That didn’t happen as a rookie, as he made just three starts. Now facing stiffer competition after Will Johnson and Denzel Burke were drafted, Melton could have a hard time emerging as a top-three corner on a team in need.
Atlanta Falcons: Kirk Cousins Gets Traded
While it’s challenging to find a suitable landing spot right now, a lot can change once the pads are on. While the Falcons would prefer to have a high-level backup, a team may present an offer too good to refuse for Kirk Cousins, who still has plenty of life left in his 36-year-old arm.
Carolina Panthers: 3 Rookies Become Starters
Once again, the Carolina Panthers will be relying on an injection of youth to improve upon last season. After selecting three players in the top 77 picks, the Panthers could end up plugging several first-year players into their starting lineup. They may even end up with three rookie starters by the time camp breaks.
Chicago Bears: Kyle Monangai Earns RB2 Job
The Chicago Bears selected running back Roschon Johnson in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, hoping he could establish a key role. It hasn’t worked the way they envisioned, with Johnson averaging just 3.7 yards per carry through two seasons. Johnson’s ineffectiveness is why we believe Kyle Monangai can win the lead backup role, even as a seventh-round rookie.
Dallas Cowboys: Jonathan Mingo Gets Cut
For some reason, the Dallas Cowboys thought it was wise to trade a fourth-round pick in exchange for former second-round pick Jonathan Mingo last season. With CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Jalen Tolbert, and KaVontae Turpin likely established as the top four receivers, now Mingo might not even make the team.
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Detroit Lions: New QB2 Emerges Ahead of Hendon Hooker
When the Detroit Lions made Hendon Hooker a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, some thought he may eventually supplant Jared Goff as the starter. Two years later, and Hooker is finally in position to secure the main backup job to Goff, yet the 27-year-old’s time to impress is running out. It shouldn’t be all that shocking if Kyle Allen, who has seven years of NFL experience, wins the top backup QB job in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers: Trade for New CB1
The Green Bay Packers didn’t get anything for Jaire Alexander, deciding to cut the former Pro Bowl cornerback. Have they done enough to prepare for his departure? That’s what training camp is for, but don’t be caught off-guard if the Packers still find another starting corner elsewhere.
Related: NFL Playoff Predictions
Los Angeles Rams: Stetson Bennett Gets Cut
Even though he was an accomplished player who helped win a college football national championship, Stetson Bennett wasn’t often seen as a legit NFL QB, partially due to his small frame (5-foot-11). Bennett spent the bulk of the 2023 season away from the team, and we’re not sure his roster spot is all that secure for a team with playoff expectations.
Minnesota Vikings: Donovan Jackson Doesn’t Earn Starting Role
When the Minnesota Vikings made Ohio State lineman Donovan Jackson a first-round pick, many inked him in as the Day 1 starter at left guard. Yet, we have to remember this is still a rookie who’s never experienced the size, speed, and strength of the best football players in the world. With former starter Blake Brandel still on staff, Jackson needs to make sure he impresses early on, unless he wants to be looking over his shoulder.
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New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough Doesn’t Win Starting QB Job
The New Orleans Saints have a three-man competition for the starting quarterback job. As the highest and most recent draft selection among Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough is the presumed starter. Yet, the 25-year-old may need more time to get caught up to speed, while his teammates have already gotten a taste of how tough the competition is in the NFL.
New York Giants: Jameis Winston + Jalin Hyatt Get Traded
The New York Giants may still have a few more tricks up their sleeves. There’s no need for four competent quarterbacks on the roster. Russell Wilson is the starter, rookie Jaxson Dart is the future, and Tommy DeVito is the local cult hero. So where does that leave Jameis Winston? He could likely fetch a draft pick and the same goes for Jalin Hyatt, a 2023 third-round pick with no defined role.
Philadelphia Eagles: Andrew Mukuba Earns Starting Job
Even though he helped them win a Super Bowl, the Philadelphia Eagles were quick to trade Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. Yet, GM Howie Roseman may have found a replacement in Andrew Mukuba, the Eagles’ second-round pick. He’ll have to beat out Sydney Brown or Reed Blankenship to earn the job, but we can see Mukuba impressing the staff early on with his impressive athleticism and intellect.
San Francisco 49ers: Jason Pinnock Emerges as Starter
The San Francisco 49ers’ defense will feature several new starters after allowing many players to leave in free agency. Talanoa Hufanga is now a Denver Bronco and even though the team prepared for his departure last season by selecting Malik Mustapha, fifth-year pro Jason Pinnock may have the early edge thanks to his experience.
Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Milroe Stuck as QB3
A bit of a big deal was made when the Seattle Seahawks selected Jalen Milroe in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In addition to getting a new starting quarterback in Sam Darnold, the Seahawks also brought Drew Lock back to be QB2. This means Milroe will have an incredibly tough time elevating to primary backup status as a rookie, but he could still get a package of plays dialed up for him throughout the season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kyle Trask Loses Roster Spot
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Kyle Trask in the second round in the 2021 NFL Draft, hoping he could become a long-term replacement for Tom Brady. With Baker Mayfield entrenched as the starter, the Bucs just need a capable backup. We don’t know what to expect from Trask, because he’s only completed 4-of-11 passes, but the Bucs may prefer someone with more game experience.
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Washington Commanders: Austin Ekeler Gets Cut
Sure, the idea of adding a player who’s topped 1,000 yards from scrimmage on four different occasions sounds lovely. Yet, Austin Ekeler is now 30 years old. In other words, his best days may be behind him, but that’s up to the Washington Commanders to determine this fall.
Related: 1 Bold NFL Training Camp Prediction for AFC Teams
