Every season, sports can offer some of the biggest and best surprises. The NFL is no exception. The 2024 season could be one of historic proportions, with the Kansas City Chiefs attempting to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls.
Putting that aside, there could also be many players and teams that will surprise the league this upcoming year, whether it’s rookies having breakout years, veteran players having a career resurgence or teams that come out of nowhere. It’s hard to rank but we will give it a try.
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10. Odell Beckham Jr., wide receiver, Miami Dolphins
OBJ last played for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 after recovering from a torn ACL in 2022, and signed a one year, $8.25 million deal with the Miami Dolphins this off-season. We believe that if fully healthy, he will be dangerous with the Dolphins playing alongside the duo of Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. Watch out for Beckham Jr to be a factor this year as he looks to resurrect his career.
9. Kirk Cousins, quarterback, Atlanta Falcons
Number nine on the list is a player that many people have had their doubts about in the past, but this season just might be the year that quarterback Kirk Cousins overcomes his critics. Granted, Cousins is coming off a torn Achilles from last year. However, with him being the new starting quarterback with the Atlanta Falcons, there’s a chance he can thrive with his new teammates in running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts.
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8. Rome Odunze, wide receiver, Chicago Bears
For all the attention that fellow rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has gotten, an argument could be made that Rome Odunze was the biggest steal in round one of this year’s NFL Draft being selected ninth overall by the Chicago Bears. It was quite a shock when the two teams ahead of the Bears did not select him: the Tennessee Titans, and the Atlanta Falcons. Being paired with the number one overall pick quarterback Caleb Williams, we can see Odunze having a breakout year and making a name for himself very quickly.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers offense
Number seven on the list is the Steelers offensive unit. They were extremely subpar a season ago with quarterback Kenny Pickett. They shipped him out and signed Russell Wilson this off-season. Now, to the Steelers credit they are one of the best teams in the league at running the ball consistently. That’s where Wilson comes into play. Along with running back Jaylen Warren, Wilson can be dynamic using his legs as a weapon and put pressure on opposing defenses and he’s still one of the best deep ball throwers the league has ever seen.
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6. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are sixth on the list. Led by second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson and running back Johnathon Taylor, Indianapolis could take a massive leap forward this year. They finished 9-8 last season without their young quarterback for a majority of the campaign. Last year he suffered a shoulder injury in Week 5 and had surgery that forced him to miss the rest of the year. If he’s 100% healthy, anything’s possible. If the Colts could manage to finish a game above .500 without Richardson, imagine what this team can do with him.
5. Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers as an entire team showed last season they are a legit contender in the NFC despite being the youngest team in the entire NFL. Quarterback Jordan Love flourished in his first season as the starter in Green Bay, finishing with 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. After starting 3-6, they ended up finishing 9-8 and making a run to the NFC Divisional round of the playoffs.
However, in order for this team to take the next step forward, the defense is the key. They made a major upgrade at the safety position, signing Xavier McKinney in free agency. With a new defensive coordinator in place as well, Jeff Hafley, this young defense will play a totally different style looking to be aggressive and wreak havoc. If everyone buys in, this young team will be dangerous.
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4. Jameson Williams, wide receiver, Detroit Lions
Williams played 12 games last season. He returned in Week 5 after serving a four-game suspension for gambling on football games during the 2022 season. In 2022, Williams played in six games during his rookie season before tearing his ACL. Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell flat out told reporters last week that “he’s a man on a mission.” Let’s see what Williams can do in a full 17-game season.
3. Cooper DeJean, defensive back, Philadelphia Eagles
Cooper DeJean was perhaps the best rookie defensive back in this year’s NFL Draft. He was a third round pick out of the University of Iowa and he’s a STUD. The sky is the limit for his potential if he gets a chance to start. He’s a lockdown defender in man coverage and can intercept passes with the best of the them. Philadelphia loaded up on the defensive end of the ball in free agency and the draft, and DeJean could be a diamond in the rough.
2. Caleb Williams, quarterback, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was the number one overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and he could potentially be a superstar as a rookie. Williams has many new weapons to work with on offense: running back DeAndre Swift, wide receivers DJ Moore and the previously mentioned rookie Rome Odunze and tight end Cole Kmet. The Bears have never had a quarterback who threw for 4,000 yards in a season. This could be the year it finally happens.
1. Aaron Rodgers, quarterback, New York Jets
The number one player that will surprise this year is Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The anticipation for his return from an Achilles tear suffered four into his tenure as the New York Jets new quarterback put a damper on the 2023 season in some ways. He is looking to take the Jets from an average team to a Super Bowl contender. Despite turning 40 later this season, if he is 100% healthy, do not be shocked if he goes on a scorched earth tour in 2024 and has the Jets in playoff contention down the stretch.