Cummings’ Summer 2024 NFL Season Predictions: Cardinals, Buccaneers Lead the Board

It’s only the summer of 2023, and fans are already debating where their teams will stand in the 2024 NFL Draft order. Here, I’ll give my own order for the summer based on my season predictions for the NFL in 2023.

Cummings’ Summer 2024 NFL Season Predictions

I’ve already written a few mock drafts for the 2024 NFL Draft cycle. And every time, there are just as many comments about the NFL Draft order as there are about the picks themselves.

For the mocks written so far, I’ve only used NFL Super Bowl betting odds to determine the order. But for the remainder of this offseason, I’ll use my own NFL Draft order, derived from my season predictions for the 2023 NFL campaign.

So, if you’re mad about where your team is placed, I have good news for you: You can indeed direct your anger at me. Let’s get right into it.

1) Arizona Cardinals (2-15)

I’m bullish on what Monti Ossenfort can do for the Arizona Cardinals long-term. The team’s 2023 NFL Draft haul was strong. But Kyler Murray’s development has stagnated somewhat, and he might not even be 100% by the start of the season. The roster is still very much a work in progress, with a lack of overarching depth. 2023 will be a rebuilding year.

If the Cardinals can trade Murray and draft one of Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, that might be preferable. If not, go for the near-generational WR talent in Marvin Harrison Jr.

Prospects To Watch: Marvin Harrison Jr., Caleb Williams, Drake Maye

2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-15)

There are parts of the Buccaneers’ program that I want to like. Vita Vea alongside Calijah Kancey is a dream defensive interior. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are still on top of their game, and Tristan Wirfs will give the Buccaneers an All-Pro performer at left tackle as he makes the transition from the right side.

QB is a massive question mark for Tampa Bay, however, and maybe not even that. It might just be a disappointed ellipsis. There aren’t many outcomes where Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask are above replacement-level starters, even with Dave Canales calling plays. And I don’t trust Todd Bowles as the coach to keep this team from leveling. This season does, however, allow Tampa Bay to reset the clock, get a QB, and keep building on their 2023 class.

Prospects To Watch: Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Marvin Harrison Jr., Olu Fashanu

3) Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)

You have to start with the Raiders’ QB situation. Jimmy Garoppolo has familiarity with Josh McDaniels’ scheme, but there’s uncertainty surrounding a foot injury that forced him to have surgery in March. Even if Garoppolo is good to go entering the season, how long will he stay healthy with a relatively suspect offensive line?

Garoppolo can keep the Raiders competitive, but if/when he goes down, it’ll be tough for them to even tread water in the AFC, and McDaniels hasn’t proven he can bounce back from early adversity. There are holes on defense as well. The team made a flurry of additions in free agency and the NFL Draft, but the interior defensive line and cornerback rooms are still relatively unproven.

Prospects To Watch: Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, JC Latham, Marvin Harrison Jr.

4) Denver Broncos (4-13)

I was honestly surprised to look back and see the 4-13 record for the Denver Broncos when I’d finished this season prediction. The Broncos have some very good pieces — among them, Patrick Surtain II, Justin Simmons, Jerry Jeudy, and new head coach Sean Payton. I think they’ll have a lot of close games. But in close games, I’ll take most of the NFL’s quarterbacks over present-day Russell Wilson.

Wilson is aging past his previous high-octane playstyle. The AFC is a brutal conference, filled to the brim with quality QB talent. And the Broncos’ roster, more than most, has plenty of injury risk present. Payton will help them win a few statement games early, but I think Wilson and the roster will stall out down the line. Payton will slog through 2023 and then get a chance to enter the QB sweepstakes with a high pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Prospects To Watch: Drake Maye, Marvin Harrison Jr., Brock Bowers, Jared Verse

5) Washington Commanders (4-13)

The Washington Commanders are a tough team to hate on because their best qualities are extremely appealing. The interior tandem of Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne is arguably a league-best duo, and Darrick Forrest and Kamren Curl are an extremely underrated tandem at safety. The defense is legit, and the offense has an electric WR trio with Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and Curtis Samuel — one that’ll be maximized by OC Eric Bieniemy.

But even after an offseason of additions, the Commanders’ offensive line is more of a journeyman unit. And while Sam Howell is getting the opportunity to succeed, he came out of the 2022 NFL Draft as a prospect in dire need of growth without the elite creation capacity to elevate his game.

I think, at some point, Jacoby Brissett comes in for Howell, Ron Rivera is let go midseason, and the Commanders re-evaluate in 2024. They should set their sights on Maye or Williams, but they might not pick high enough.

Prospects To Watch: Olu Fashanu, Jared Verse, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Riley Leonard, Brock Bowers

6) Los Angeles Rams (5-12)

The Super Bowl hangover hit the Rams hard in 2022, and I don’t think it’s going away quite yet. Matthew Stafford is at least healthy heading into this season, but the roster is still far from completion on both sides of the ball. The defense lacks an overwhelming pass-rush presence outside of Aaron Donald, and the secondary is sparse. If Sean McVay and Stafford are clicking, they’ll steal a few games more than expected, but being in contention is wishful thinking.

The good news is the state of the Rams’ roster gives them plenty of flexibility early in the 2024 NFL Draft. They could add a potential lockdown CB in Kool-Aid McKinstry, a versatile three-level WR in Emeka Egbuka, an explosive EDGE catalyst in Jared Verse or Dallas Turner, or someone else entirely. For QB to be in the conversation, they may need to lose a couple more games.

Prospects To Watch: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Jared Verse, Emeka Egbuka, Dallas Turner

7) Houston Texans (6-11)

*Pick traded to Arizona Cardinals

The Texans are one of the teams I’m most excited to see in 2023. C.J. Stroud was my personal QB1 in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he’s in a situation where he has an extremely underrated offensive line, a host of quietly diverse weapons, and a Shanahan-tree coordinator. Meanwhile, on defense, DeMeco Ryans has third-overall pick Will Anderson Jr. at his disposal, as well as Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre in the secondary.

Do I expect the Texans to be great? No, but I think they’ll be more competent and more dynamic than most expect, and they could catch a few teams coasting at the wrong time. That said, the Cardinals should still anticipate having a second early Round 1 pick from Houston.

Prospects To Watch: JC Latham, Emeka Egbuka, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Barrett Carter

8) Tennessee Titans (6-11)

It’s hard to see the Titans ever hitting rock bottom with Mike Vrabel, but it’s also hard to see them navigating out of this year with a winning record. QB instability, a dire lack of proven weapons, and a shifting offensive line — now hindered further by a six-game suspension for its right tackle. The defense is good, and it’ll once again be the bright spot in Tennessee, but it’ll only go so far to cover the warts of the offense. Predictably, offense should be the first priority in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Prospects To Watch: Emeka Egbuka, Kool-Aid McKinstry, JC Latham, Brock Bowers

9) Atlanta Falcons (7-10)

There were times when the Atlanta Falcons were not only flirting with the NFC South title but in the driver’s seat in this season prediction. But a strong finish from the Saints, and a few crucial lapses from the Falcons, sealed their fate.

One or two more wins and the Falcons could be picking near 20th. They have the roster to make that swing happen, too. But the biggest question, outside of Arthur Smith, is Desmond Ridder. And while I like his talent and believe he can become a good starter, he has flaws that could get in his way in high-pressure moments and keep the Falcons near .500.

Prospects To Watch: Riley Leonard, Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix, Dallas Turner, Emeka Egbuka

10) Indianapolis Colts (7-10)

It came down to the final Week 18 contest between Houston and Indianapolis to solidify this pick, and the Colts came out on top. By that point in 2023, Anthony Richardson should be starting to find his stride with Shane Steichen, and Steichen will be able to pull all kinds of mad-genius plays with Richardson’s talent at the center of his offense.

Richardson’s superstar physical ability will give the Colts flashes of hope, but their defense is also better than advertised, with Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner at the center of a suffocating line and Dayo Odeyingbo and Kwity Paye ascending on the EDGE. They likely won’t reach the playoffs, but they’ll give fans glimpses of what’s to come.

Prospects To Watch: Jared Verse, Emeka Egbuka, Maason Smith, Olu Fashanu

11) Green Bay Packers (7-10)

More likely than not, 2023 will be a bridge year for the Green Bay Packers as they transition from Aaron Rodgers to the Jordan Love era. Depending on how Love plays, Green Bay could make the playoffs again. I think he’ll show more than enough promise to warrant a long-term look beyond 2023, but I also think youth and inexperience may get the better of him at times in a competitive NFC North.

This draft positioning will allow the Packers to potentially acquire a successor for David Bakhtiari at left tackle. Both Olu Fashanu and Joe Alt, if they’re available, profile as excellent picks.

Prospects To Watch: Olu Fashanu, Joe Alt, Cooper DeJean, Emeka Egbuka

12) Carolina Panthers (7-10)

*Pick traded to Chicago Bears

It’ll be a year or two before the Panthers give Bryce Young the weapons he truly needs to lock Carolina into playoff standing. It’ll also be a year or two before Ejiro Evero has the personnel needed to form a dominant defensive unit, especially with turnover on the way.

But Young does have two very valuable things — a rock-solid offensive line and a stellar coach in Frank Reich. Those two things, combined with Young’s high-level playmaking ability, will give the Panthers a few surprise wins, especially in a vulnerable division.

Unfortunately, the Panthers won’t be able to use their Round 1 pick in 2024 to add weapons. They traded that pick to the Bears, who may eagerly target hybrid dynamo Brock Bowers to join Justin Fields on offense.

Prospects To Watch: Brock Bowers, Maason Smith, Jared Verse, Malik Nabers

13) Minnesota Vikings (8-9)

Self-awareness can be degrading, but the Minnesota Vikings are right to avoid going all-in with a fleeting contention window as an aging Kirk Cousins enters the final year of his deal. The Vikings have already started purging their roster of high-bandwidth contracts with cuts and trades.

They’re in an awkward spot as they make these moves with Cousins still in tow, and the Cousins-Justin Jefferson tandem will keep them from bottoming out in 2023. But ultimately, a regression could be on the horizon as the Vikings prepare for a transition. The biggest question is: If they move on from Cousins, who will replace him? They’re out of reach of Maye and Williams, but there are other high-upside, high-intrigue prospects to consider.

Prospects To Watch: Riley Leonard, Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix, Jeff Sims, Dallas Turner

14) New England Patriots (9-8)

I don’t know if I like the Patriots’ roster enough to put them in the AFC playoff race. But I do like them enough to see them as an annoying spoiler team for several unsuspecting opponents. Bill Belichick is never a coach to count out, and Bill O’Brien should help retool the offense.

Anything is better than the environment Mac Jones was dealing with last year, but O’Brien, in particular, should enable Jones to be the competent passer we’ve seen before. And the defense, with Christian Gonzalez on the boundary, will be stalwart.

Prospects To Watch: Joe Alt, JC Latham, Barrett Carter, Michael Penix Jr., James Williams

15) Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8)

I had the Steelers going 7-2 through their first nine games, but a 2-6 stretch to end the season brought them to 9-8. Tough losses to the Patriots, Ravens, Browns, and Colts sealed their fate, but I expect the Steelers to be competitive all the way through. They always are with Mike Tomlin, and their playoff exclusion isn’t at all a slight.

I’m bullish on Kenny Pickett’s development, especially with the weapons he’s been given. But in the AFC, I think the Steelers need one more good offseason of fine-tuning before they’re truly ready to throw their hat in the ring as playoff regulars again. They’ll have a lot of potential turnover to deal with, too.

Prospects To Watch: Dallas Turner, Princely Umanmielen, Sedrick Van Pran, Barrett Carter, Maason Smith

16) New York Giants (9-8)

The Giants are one of the more perplexing teams in the league. You can unequivocally say they got better on both sides of the ball in the 2023 offseason. And with Daniel Jones locked down long-term, there is some stability.

But still, the EDGE room and the secondary both feel a bit too young to sustain peak performance, and the interior offensive line may take its lumps early on as well. The Giants are good enough — and well-coached enough — to hover around the .500 mark, but they may need more to become playoff mainstays.

Prospects To Watch: Malik Nabers, Cooper DeJean, Andrew Mukuba, Jer’Zhan Newton, Ruke Orhorhoro

17) Miami Dolphins (9-8)

I want to like the Miami Dolphins, especially because my job security might depend on it. And truthfully, I do like them. The offense is like a four-cheese pasta, but with “speed” instead of cheese, all directed by Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel, who’ve shown they can work in concert to achieve maximum efficiency. The defense is loaded with studs from top to bottom and is now engineered by the great Vic Fangio.

If all goes well, the Dolphins are in the playoffs. But so many of the Dolphins’ core pieces are potential injury liabilities: Tagovailoa, starting tackles Terron Armstead and Austin Jackson, as well as Bradley Chubb on defense. I don’t know if the Dolphins will reach December unscathed, and in a tight AFC playoff race, a couple of cracks in the boat could leave them just short.

Prospects To Watch: JC Latham, Matt Goncalves, Jer’Zhan Newton, Sedrick Van Pran, Bo Nix

18) Cleveland Browns (10-7)

*Pick traded to Houston Texans

It all depends on Deshaun Watson. If he’s back to form, or at least a step above his level of play in 2022, the Browns will be in the playoff race. They have a reliable engine in Nick Chubb, a stellar offensive line, and a solid WR corps that now has Cedric Tillman and Elijah Moore to complement Amari Cooper. On defense, Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith form one of the league’s most dangerous EDGE tandems, and there’s more talent beyond that.

But one thing was made clear in this season prediction: At least one good team in the AFC will miss the playoffs. The Browns could find themselves in that ill-fated group. If they do, the Texans will have a top-20 pick to use on a right tackle, receiver, or defensive prospect.

Prospects To Watch: Rome Odunze, Matt Goncalves, Kingsley Suamataia, JT Tuimoloau, Barrett Carter

19) New Orleans Saints (8-9)

We’re now into the playoff field, but we’ll start with an asterisk. For another season, the NFC South is the weakest division. The Saints emerge as the winners at 8-9 after crucial late-season wins against the Giants, Panthers, Falcons, and Buccaneers. They’re then quickly ousted by the Cowboys, however, in the Divisional Round. Derek Carr might be able to compete with the Saints long-term, but the roster quality needs to take another step up the ladder.

Prospects To Watch: JT Tuimoloau, Xavier Worthy, Michael Hall Jr., Andrew Mukuba

20) Chicago Bears (10-7)

If this record isn’t the giveaway, I’m optimistic that Justin Fields can take the next step for the Bears at QB in 2023. His offensive line has seen major improvements, and he has the requisite weaponry as well. And supporting cast aside, Fields has already proven himself to be a game-breaking rushing threat. The Bears should continue to build around that, and they’ll give teams fits doing so.

The Bears lost in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs in this prediction. Their defense still isn’t quite at the level to deal with the Lions’ attack. But things are looking up in Chicago, and with two first-round picks, they’ll be able to build on this momentum.

Prospects To Watch: Oronde Gadsden II, Denzel Burke, Princely Umanmielen, Xavier Worthy

21) Seattle Seahawks (10-7)

The Seahawks are that team with a tinge of nostalgia that you’re drawn into rooting for simply out of storylines and childhood fondness. They’re not the Legion of Boom, but Pete Carroll and Geno Smith quieted the doubters with a playoff bid in 2022. And it wasn’t a fluke, either. Smith is legitimately a good quarterback, with a vast offensive arsenal and a quality blocking unit. And all across the board, there’s young, rising talent.

The defense lost a few pieces on the first and second levels, and that could be the difference in the playoffs. But especially with San Francisco’s QB questions, I expect Seattle to be right there in the NFC West race again.

Prospects To Watch: Donovan Jackson, JT Tuimoloau, Barrett Carter, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Princely Umanmielen

22) Buffalo Bills (11-6)

The Buffalo Bills’ offseason still left me wanting a bit more from Brandon Beane and Co. I’m hesitant to get behind the team’s offensive and defensive line units, and there’s still a sense that the Bills could have done more to complement Stefon Diggs. But Josh Allen has shown he can drag the imperfect Bills to the playoffs time and time again, and there’s little disputing that the 2023 squad appears better than 2022.

Dalton Kincaid, who’ll likely be used as a big-slot hybrid, could be a game-changing force for the Bills’ offense, and on defense, Poona Ford and DaQuan Jones help solidify the interior. Against playoff competition, the Bills’ line might crumble again, but Allen has enough in his arsenal to get them back to the postseason.

Prospects To Watch: Matt Goncalves, Kamren Kinchens, Bralen Trice, Kingsley Suamataia, Tyleik Williams

23) Baltimore Ravens (11-6)

The Ravens weren’t able to solidify all their weak spots heading into 2023, but they’re in a very good spot. The front seven is a dynamic unit, and Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton overlay a young but talented secondary.

On offense, Lamar Jackson has Zay Flowers in his arsenal and an offensive mind to fully unleash the team’s talent in Todd Monken. Baltimore is still a few steps down from the elite mark at CB and EDGE — two crucial positions — which is why they fall short in the AFC playoffs. But they won’t fade easily.

Prospects To Watch: Jer’Zhan Newton, Rome Odunze, TreVeyon Henderson, Kingsley Suamataia, Cooper Beebe

24) Los Angeles Chargers (12-5)

The Chargers’ roster isn’t perfect, and it’s perhaps more flawed than some of the teams that have appeared before them on this NFL Draft order. But they take the top Wild Card slot in the AFC for one reason: Justin Herbert. More specifically, Herbert with Kellen Moore now calling plays.

Herbert is already a top-five signal-caller in the league, and his efficiency has been hampered by Joe Lombardi’s offense. Moore should bring more vertically oriented concepts — plays that are directly in Herbert’s wheelhouse. Add in Quentin Johnston’s long-strider explosiveness and three-level ability, and this Chargers team has the voltage to power past its flaws while accentuating its strengths.

Prospects To Watch: Kamren Kinchens, Rome Odunze, Tony Grimes, TreVeyon Henderson, Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

25) Jacksonville Jaguars (12-5)

Prepare for the Jacksonville Jaguars to enter the realm of the contenders in the AFC. Their stay at the top of the AFC South won’t be uncontested for long, as the Colts and Texans are both on their way up. But for now, while those teams load up, Jacksonville is alone. They go 6-0 in division play and 12-5 overall behind the explosive combination of Trevor Lawrence and Calvin Ridley.

Defensive woes keep the Jaguars from getting past the Chiefs, but if they can keep adding to their pass rush and find more versatile pieces in the secondary, they can prolong their placement in the playoff hunt.

Prospects To Watch: Andrew Mukuba, Princely Umanmielen, Chop Robinson, Malik Nabers, Graham Barton

26) San Francisco 49ers (12-5)

The San Francisco 49ers are one of the few teams you can say “it doesn’t matter” that we don’t know who the starting QB will be by Week 4, Week 8, or Week 15. Kyle Shanahan has proven he can keep his team competitive either way. The defensive front seven is still menacing, and the weapons cache on offense is dynamic.

In the playoffs, though, the team’s precarious QB situation may come back to bite them, coaxing Shanahan to force the issue on a replacement in 2024. Will it be Kirk Cousins or another rookie?

Prospects To Watch: Bo Nix, Jordan Morgan, Ruke Orhorhoro, Antwane Wells Jr., Kalen King

27) Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)

The Philadelphia Eagles would have been 12-5 but lost a Week 18 bout with the New York Giants in favor of resting their starters for the playoffs. There isn’t much to say for the Eagles except that they should be in contention once again.

The team is well-coached and very strong in the trenches, and Jalen Hurts is arguably the best QB in the NFC. They don’t quite get back to the big game in this prediction, but they get close.

Prospects To Watch: Denzel Burke, Jason Marshall Jr., Bralen Trice, Jer’Zhan Newton, Xavier Worthy

28) New York Jets (13-4)

*Pick traded to Green Bay Packers

The New York Jets have arguably the most complete three-level defensive unit in the league, with a superstar in Sauce Gardner at cornerback. Their offensive cast is extremely talented, and now at the focal point is four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers may be 39 years old, but he still has that magic that’s made his career so fruitful. And in all honesty, all he has to do is be competent for the Jets to be a dangerous force.

This prediction has Rodgers playing more than 65% of snaps, which means the Jets’ Round 1 pick goes to Green Bay on condition. For the Jets, however, the Rodgers move is essentially Super Bowl-or-bust. And while I think New York will be in the thick of it, Rodgers may start to show his age down the line. With the Bengals and Chiefs across the way, the margin for error is small.

Prospects To Watch: Andrew Mukuba, Rod Moore, Kalen King, Bralen Trice, TreVeyon Henderson

29) Detroit Lions (11-6)

The Detroit Lions have the culture under Dan Campbell. They have the innovative offense with Ben Johnson, stocked full of dynamic weapons that complement each other. They have Jared Goff at his most efficient, with a strong supporting cast and a formidable offensive line. And they have talent on defense — a hungry line, a worthy first-round linebacker, and a versatile secondary filled with chippy competitors. It might be time to buy in.

In this prediction, the Lions start the year 2-4 before getting a needed boost with the return of Jameson Williams, and they finish 9-2 in their final 11 games. They reach the NFC Championship with energizing wins against the Bears and Eagles. But an NFC Championship loss to the Cowboys and their swarming pressure unit has some wondering if Goff is capable of going all the way.

Prospects To Watch: Kalen King, Jordan Morgan, Bralen Trice, Rod Moore, Cooper Beebe

30) Cincinnati Bengals (13-4)

The AFC is flush with potential contenders this year. But in my season prediction, the Cincinnati Bengals meet the Kansas City Chiefs for a third consecutive time in the AFC Championship.

It’ll be a close game between Joe Burrow and Mahomes, as it always is, but the Chiefs get the upper hand here. With Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and a bolstered line, the Bengals shouldn’t fret. They have the tools to stay in the Super Bowl hunt for years on end.

Prospects To Watch: TreVeyon Henderson, Will Shipley, McKinnley Jackson, Kris Jenkins, Jason Marshall Jr.

31) Dallas Cowboys (10-7)

Coming out of this season prediction, I realized I liked the Dallas Cowboys more than I’d anticipated. Their regular season wasn’t without its warts. They lost to an oft-underestimated Patriots team and fell against the Chargers, Bills, and Lions as well. But I think the Cowboys are a team that can enter its prime at the right time.

It’ll take Mazi Smith some time to hit his stride, but once he does in the winter, he’s an unlocking piece for a ferocious and multifaceted rushing unit featuring Micah Parsons, Demarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, second-year pro Sam Williams, and the mastery of DC Dan Quinn.

Dak Prescott is due for a positive turnover regression, and he has his strongest weapons corps in years, with a similarly strong line. He can reach his early 2020 and 2021 form again, and when he does, the Cowboys could be hard to beat.

Prospects To Watch: Denzel Burke, TreVeyon Henderson, Brandon Dorlus, Ruke Orhorhoro, Ja’Tavion Sanders

32) Kansas City Chiefs (14-3)

I just don’t know who can stop the Kansas City Chiefs right now. You can only make so many roster arguments before you get to the crux of it all: The coach and the quarterback. Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are proving to be a historically devastating tandem for opposing defenses. And the list of offenses that can keep up is very sparse.

Even if you have the firepower to at least give Mahomes and Reid a challenge, the Chiefs’ roster is solid across the board. The team is strong in the trenches on both sides of the ball. They have a young, ascending, and well-coached secondary. And on offense, Reid has more than enough weapons to work with. It’s the boring prediction, but the Chiefs make a compelling case to repeat as NFL champions.

Prospects To Watch: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Oronde Gadsden II, Jordan Morgan, Matt Goncalves, Beau Brade