With training camps underway and the start of the 2024 regular season just around the corner, it’s time to project which players will improve the most this year.
A few first-round quarterbacks stand out among as NFC players most likely to improve in 2024, including last year’s No. 1 overall selection.
The Top Candidates To Improve for Each Team in the NFC in 2024
Arizona Cardinals: Zaven Collins
After enjoying a career year in 2022, Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaven Collins took a step back last season. Heading into the final year of his rookie contract, Collins will be looking to make a statement in 2024. His unique blend of size, athleticism, and pass-rushing ability makes him a strong candidate to take a step forward.
Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts
Following a trip to the Pro Bowl during his rookie season, Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts had high expectations in 2022 and 2023. Pitts was rarely used properly by former Falcons play-caller Arthur Smith, though. Now, Zac Robinson is Atlanta’s offensive coordinator and Pitts should be in line for a massive improvement over his disappointing performances in each of the last two seasons.
Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young
Bryce Young is the only second-year player on this entire list. While it’s easy to expect last year’s No. 1 pick to take a step forward in 2024, he looked horrendous as a rookie. In response, the Panthers made arguably the best hire of this offseason, hiring Dave Canales to be the head coach.
Dave Canales says there’s no plan to “fix” Bryce Young. Instead, they seek to build an offense around him that has an identity. #Panthers pic.twitter.com/Z027Z0mZhK
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3)
Canales did a phenomenal job revitalizing the careers of Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield. He will be looking to do the same with Young, who I believe will take a massive leap this upcoming season.
Chicago Bears: Kevin Byard
While it might seem crazy to list a former All-Pro, 30-year-old safety as a most improved candidate, Kevin Byard struggled in coverage last season. Byard’s struggles, though, were likely due to the horrendous situation that was the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense.
The Eagles acquired Byard midseason and then changed defensive coordinators. It was an absolute mess that Byard was unfortunately caught in the middle of. He should improve and return to his former level of play in a more stable situation with the Bears.
Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Tolbert
After Michael Gallup moved on in free agency, Jalen Tolbert was projected to be WR3 for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. Tolbert showed flashes in his second NFL season, and now he’ll have a significantly bigger opportunity in Dallas. As a former third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Tolbert has all the tools to take a leap in the coming months.
Detroit Lions: Jameson Williams
As Jameson Williams heads into his third season in the NFL, it’s time for the former first-round pick to step up. The Detroit Lions have managed to find success despite Williams’ underwhelming level of play, but the team will be relying on him more in 2024. He is projected as Detroit’s WR2 and should improve after a disappointing start to his career.
KEEP READING: NFL Cut Candidates 2024
Green Bay Packers: Eric Stokes
Eric Stokes hasn’t necessarily played poorly during his first three seasons in the NFL, but he has struggled to stay healthy. The Green Bay Packers are suddenly viewed as one of the top teams in the NFC and Stokes is expected to start at CB2 in 2024. If Stokes can finally stay healthy and fight off Carrington Valentine for the starting job, he should improve accordingly.
Los Angeles Rams: Christian Rozeboom
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom made the most of his opportunities last season. He recorded 79 total tackles and one interception while playing 49% of Los Angeles’ defensive snaps. Now Rozeboom is a projected starter for the Rams and will likely take another step forward with a bigger workload in 2024.
Minnesota Vikings: Byron Murphy Jr.
The Minnesota Vikings signed cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. to a two-year, $22 million contract in 2023. While his first season in Minnesota certainly didn’t go according to plan, Murphy should improve in 2024. The Vikings added a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, which should alleviate some of the pressure on Murphy at cornerback.
New Orleans Saints: Trevor Penning
Given that the New Orleans Saints ruled out Ryan Ramczyk for the upcoming season, it’s time for Trevor Penning to justify his draft capital. After dealing with injuries and playing poorly, Penning is now projected to start in 2024. Despite his recent struggles, Penning must take advantage of this opportunity and develop in New Orleans.
New York Giants: Daniel Jones
While “Hard Knocks” hasn’t done the New York Giants many favors this offseason, the team is seemingly ready to see what Daniel Jones can do in 2024. Surprisingly, I’m confident in Jones being able to improve this upcoming season, given the additions that the Giants have made around him on offense.
My favorite quote from episode one of #NYGiants Hard Knocks:
“You’re paying Daniel Jones $40M. It’s not to hand the ball off to a $12M back.”
This is the right mindset from GM Joe Schoen. It’s time to pay attention to positional value and make your QB prove that he’s the guy. pic.twitter.com/Ln9aY5ZCXq
— Anthony Rivardo (@Anthony_Rivardo)
Malik Nabers has legitimate superstar potential at wide receiver, and he could make Jones’ job significantly easier in 2024. Jon Runyan Jr. was quietly one of the better guards in the NFL last season and New York signed him to a three-year deal. If Jones can stay healthy, this will arguably be the best situation that the Giants have surrounded him with.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Davis
While many Dolphins didn’t appear to appreciate Vic Fangio as the team’s defensive coordinator, he worked wonders for Miami’s defensive line. Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler each reached double-digit sacks for the first time in their NFL careers.
MORE: PFN’s Top 100 NFL Players of 2024
Now Fangio will be tasked with developing the Philadelphia Eagles’ young defensive line. Former first-round pick Jordan Davis has been underwhelming to start his career in Philadelphia, but Fangio’s defensive scheme could allow Davis to flourish in 2024.
San Francisco 49ers: Colton McKivitz
In his first season as a full-time starter for the San Francisco 49ers, Colton McKivitz was the weak link along the team’s offensive line. He should continue to improve and take a step forward this upcoming season. McKivitz was significantly better for the Niners down the stretch last season and he didn’t allow a sack in the team’s final five games.
Seattle Seahawks: Uchenna Nwosu
After a breakout performance during his first season with the Seattle Seahawks, Uchenna Nwosu suffered a season-ending injury in Week 7 in 2023. Now Nwosu is healthy and should help Seattle’s defense improve this upcoming season. Nwosu can push to surpass the double-digit sack mark for the first time in his career.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zyon McCollum
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded former starting cornerback Carlton Davis to the Lions this offseason. Part of Tampa Bay’s thinking behind the move was the franchise’s confidence in Zyon McCollum. While the Buccaneers dealt with injuries at cornerback, McCollum filled in admirably and should take a significant step forward as CB2 in 2024.
Washington Commanders: Clelin Ferrell
There’s no denying that Clelin Ferrell has been a major disappointment in the NFL thus far. Yet he is currently projected to start for the Washington Commanders, as Dan Quinn will attempt to take the team’s defense to another level. Ferrell played surprisingly well for the Niners last season and could look to build on that success with Washington in 2024.
