NFL coaching camps lastly get into full swing this week, with veterans from all groups reporting by Wednesday.
Within the AFC, main questions grasp over a number of groups: Who will win the beginning QB job in Denver and Las Vegas? Are veteran wideouts on the recent seat in Kansas Metropolis and New England? Who will emerge as Justin Herbert’s high goal with the Chargers?
With all these questions and extra in thoughts, we requested Yardbarker NFL writers to make a daring prediction about each workforce within the AFC. Along with a prediction, every author supplies a confidence ranking on his take, with “5” being supremely assured and “1” signifying “I am guessing.”
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS | WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling begins over Keon Coleman | Confidence ranking: 4 | Buffalo spent a second-round choose on Coleman to assist offset the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis and ultimately take over because the workforce’s No. 1 wideout. Nevertheless, as a workforce with Tremendous Bowl aspirations, the Payments could ease the rookie into the offense, paving the best way for the veteran Valdes-Scantling to open the season as a starter on the boundary.
MIAMI DOLPHINS | QB Tua Tagovailoa holds in for brand new contract | Confidence ranking: 3 | After main the league in passing yards (4,624) final season, Tagovailoa is presumably hoping to turn into the highest-paid participant within the NFL, however there’s nonetheless no signal a take care of Miami will materialize earlier than coaching camp. Fairly than holding out solely, Tagovailoa might choose to carry in and observe in a restricted vogue to make sure he’ll get his long-awaited contract extension ASAP.
NEW YORK JETS | Crew indicators security Justin Simmons | Confidence ranking: 3 | On paper, the Jets have one of many high three defenses within the NFL, although their security room, which incorporates Chuck Clark, Tony Adams and Ashtyn Davis, is underwhelming. By restructuring a couple of contracts, New York might create sufficient cap area to signal Simmons, a two-time Professional Bowler and one of the best free agent in the marketplace, to place its protection excessive.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Crew cuts WR JuJu Smith-Schuster | Confidence scale: 4 | Smith-Schuster, who joined the Patriots on a three-year deal final offseason, was a catastrophe in 2023, catching 29 passes for 260 yards and one landing. The disappointing manufacturing prompted New England to speculate excessive draft capital in WRs Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, and will the rookies excel in coaching camp, it would not be shocking if Smith-Schuster grew to become a cap casualty. — Colum Dell
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS | Rookie QB Bo Nix wins beginning job | Confidence ranking: 4 | On a current episode of “The Insiders,” NFL Media’s Omar Ruiz said Nix has earned “rave opinions” throughout the offseason. Contemplating he has made a powerful impression, the twelfth general choose of the 2024 NFL Draft ought to beat out Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson, who present much less upside.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Chiefs launch WR Kadarius Toney | Confidence ranking: 3 | Unsurprisingly, the Chiefs declined Toney’s fifth-year possibility after he had one TD catch and 5 drops in 13 video games final season. In April, Chiefs GM Brett Veach said the workforce nonetheless believes in Toney, however that’s laborious to imagine after Okay.C. signed free-agent WR Marquise Brown (one year, $7M) and drafted Texas WR Xavier Worthy (choose No. 28).
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | QB Aidan O’Connell beats out Gardner Minshew II | Confidence ranking: 3 | The Raiders signed Minshew II to a two-year, $25M deal in free company, however O’Connell’s relationship with star WR Davante Adams provides him an higher hand. Throughout a current episode of Shannon Sharpe’s podcast, Adams stated he’s a “big advocate” for the 25-year-old O’Connell, who performed effectively throughout OTAs.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Rookie WR Ladd McConkey emerges as high goal | Confidence ranking: 2 | Throughout necessary minicamp, QB Justin Herbert said McConkey appeared like a veteran, and he “can’t wait to get him the ball.” Although Herbert likes McConkey, the thirty fourth general choose of the 2024 NFL Draft should erase doubts about his measurement (6-foot, 185 kilos) to show he’s a legit No. 1 wideout. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS | Rookie CB Nate Wiggins earns beginning job | Confidence ranking: 3 | The Ravens overhauled their cornerback room this offseason after accidents harm the group in 2023. One of many additions who might have an prompt impression is Wiggins, who normal supervisor Eric DeCosta believes was “the best cover corner in the draft.”
CINCINNATI BENGALS | WR Ja’Marr Chase indicators huge contract extension | Confidence ranking: 4 | Chase stated earlier this offseason that he needed to attend for his former LSU teammate, Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson, to signal a brand new deal earlier than signing one among his personal. Now that that enterprise is finished, the Bengals’ focus ought to be on giving him a well-deserved payday after amassing 268 catches for 3,717 yards and 29 landing catches since getting into the league because the No. 5 general choose in 2021.
CLEVELAND BROWNS | RB Nick Chubb stays sidelined | Confidence ranking: 2 | Chubb is coming off a torn MCL and a broken ACL to the identical knee he injured in 2015, leaving his standing for the beginning of the season unsure. A recent workout video of Chubb helps the thought he’ll return to his dominant type — 4 straight 1,000-rushing-yard seasons from 2019-22 — however the Browns shouldn’t rush him again till he’s totally wholesome.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Crew trades for No. 2 extensive receiver | Confidence ranking: 3 | The Steelers have been named a workforce to observe within the extensive receiver commerce market since buying and selling WR Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in March, however their choices have all however dried up. Pittsburgh will probably strike if that adjustments. In camp, veterans Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins and Calvin Austin III are vying for the No. 2 spot reverse George Pickens. — Aaron Becker
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS | Rookie CB Kamari Lassiter will begin | Confidence ranking: 4 | After ending twenty third within the NFL in opposition to the cross in 2023, the Texans beefed up their secondary, including veteran cornerbacks C.J. Henderson and Jeff Okudah by way of free company this offseason. Nevertheless, Lassiter has already proven off his impressive skills during minicamp, even in opposition to Professional Bowl wideout Stefon Diggs, and it would be a shock if he did not earn the beginning function outdoors reverse Derek Stingley Jr.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Crew will lastly signal a veteran security | Confidence ranking: 3 | At free security, the Colts appear content material for now to go along with Rodney Thomas, graded 78th in 2023, per Professional Soccer Focus, and Nick Cross, who has solely 4 profession begins. However after months of hypothesis, GM Chris Ballard will lastly hearken to motive and add a veteran to the combo in Justin Simmons, who’s coming off a Professional Bowl season and will present a lift at a place of want.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Veteran Ronald Darby will not begin | Confidence ranking: 3 | With an out of doors nook wanted to pair up with Tyson Campbell, the Jaguars signed Darby, a nine-year vet, throughout the offseason. Nevertheless, 2024 third-round choose Jarrian Jones is poised to offer him a push after displaying shutdown means whereas at Florida State, ending sixth within the ACC in interceptions (three) regardless of being focused solely 36 instances final season.
TENNESSEE TITANS | WR Treylon Burks will bounce again | Confidence ranking: 2 | Solely two seasons into his NFL profession, the previous first-round choose is already being referred to as a bust after posting simply 49 receptions for 665 yards and a landing in 22 video games. Nonetheless, the strain could also be lifted a bit this season by the presence of veterans DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd, which might lastly permit Burks to start to appreciate his potential. — Mike Santa Barbara