Surprise! We are back with our annual preseason list of team-by-team predictions for stuff you might not see coming for the 2024 NFL season.
Based on the reporting I've been able to do on these teams this offseason -- some of which came in person during my tour of AFC North and NFC North training camps and some of which came via the usual calls and texts to sources -- I have compiled this list of potential 2024 surprises. We hit potential stat leaders, under-the-radar teams, award candidates, sleeper players to watch and position groups that might look better (or worse) than expected.
The usual disclaimers apply. If we can predict it, can it really be considered a surprise? And while some of these might not seem like surprises to fans who follow every step of their team's offseason closely, not everyone does, so some of this is for the casuals. Anyway, let's jump into it with one of the most interesting situations in the NFL.
Jump to a team:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
Don't be surprised if ... Dak Prescott actually does get that contract extension before the end of the calendar year.
What I'm hearing: CeeDee Lamb's deal was the front-burner item for the past several weeks, in part because he wasn't in camp and Prescott was. Now that Lamb is signed, the Cowboys can turn their attention to keeping their quarterback on a long-term deal.
Prescott has a historic amount of leverage, thanks to a contract that prohibits the team from using the franchise or transition tags on him after this season and a $40.1 million dead-money salary cap hit Dallas would absorb in 2025 if it lets him walk. But people close to this situation say talks in recent weeks have been positive, and there's at least some optimism that a deal can be struck either before or early in the regular season. Whenever it happens, expect Prescott to become the highest-paid player in the league at more than $55 million per year.
New York Giants
Don't be surprised if ... the Giants play a lot of low-scoring games.
What I'm hearing: The perception of the Giants around the NFL is that they remain in a rebuild mode and their roster still needs help in a lot of areas. Malik Nabers should be the star of the offense, but there's little else in the Giants' skill group or their offensive line that dazzles people.
On defense, there are major questions about the secondary, but the defensive front should be a strength. Edge rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux should form a disruptive pair, and with Dexter Lawrence II playing the Jeffery Simmons role in former Titans coordinator Shane Bowen's defense, New York will be a lot to handle up front. Assuming the pass rush can help the secondary, the Giants could give opposing offenses enough trouble to keep scores low.
Philadelphia Eagles
Don't be surprised if ... DeVonta Smith -- not A.J. Brown -- ends up as the Eagles' leading receiver.
What I'm hearing: "Smith looks amazing," or something to that effect, was what I was hearing whenever I talked to anyone about Eagles training camp over the past month. Remember that the Eagles extended Smith's contract this offseason before they extended Brown. That doesn't mean you should overlook Brown, as this should be one of the best wide receiver duos in the entire league and new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is liable to move them and newly acquired Jahan Dotson around the formation to find mismatches. But Smith has elevated something about his game each season in the eyes of the Eagles, who drafted him 10th overall in 2021, and he could be poised for a massive breakout -- possibly even surpassing Brown as the team's No. 1 wideout.
Washington Commanders
Don't be surprised if ... Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler combine to catch more than 100 passes.
What I'm hearing: The Commanders are fired up about rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and believe he can have a big season as a thrower and a runner. But there are questions about the offensive line and the receiver group behind Terry McLaurin. While rookie receiver Luke McCaffrey and rookie tight end Ben Sinnott work to get up to speed, expect Daniels to try to get the ball into the hands of his running backs and let them try to make plays with it. Robinson and Ekeler had 36 and 51 catches, respectively, last season.
Liz Loza says a change of scenery will benefit new Commanders RB Austin Ekeler after a disappointing campaign last season.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
Don't be surprised if ... D'Andre Swift is the clear lead running back all season.
What I'm hearing: Swift was consistently a top performer in training camp practices this summer. Still just 25 years old, he's coming off a season in Philadelphia where he posted both a career-high 229 carries and a career-low 39 receptions. The Bears signed him to a three-year, $24.5 million free agent contract with $14 million guaranteed at signing. Those aren't numbers that say, "We want you in a committee."
There are still questions about Khalil Herbert's ability in pass protection, and Roschon Johnson hasn't taken hold of a lead role entering his second season. I wouldn't be surprised to see Swift match his carry total from last season and also catch 60 or more balls. The Bears' offense is going to run a lot of screens.
Detroit Lions
Don't be surprised if ... this is the year Jameson Williams becomes a star.
What I'm hearing: The 2022 first-round pick was injured when the Lions drafted him, so he didn't really have much of a rookie year. Then he was suspended to start the 2023 season for gambling, so the coaches said there wasn't much carryover from the offseason into the regular season for him. But this offseason, Detroit says he has taken massive steps forward, opening up the different ways the team can use him. And with no injury or suspension in his way, the Lions believe he can hit the ground running and be a big part of their offense in Week 1.
We all know from his college career about his rare deep speed, but Lions coaches trust him a lot more on routes between the numbers than they might have a year ago. The traits are certainly there, and a scary 1-2 punch with him and Amon-Ra St. Brown is possible.
Green Bay Packers
Don't be surprised if ... Romeo Doubs is the Packers' leading receiver.
What I'm hearing: Packers coach Matt LaFleur recently said the question of the Packers' No. 1 receiver makes him want to throw up. He has four or five guys he believes can be the top receiver in any given week, and as proof he cites the fact that none had a 100-yard game until Bo Melton, of all people, did it in Week 17 last season.
The interchangeability is nice. Christian Watson has the incredible size/speed combo that changes the way defenses play Green Bay, and he worked with a hamstring specialist this offseason to try to solve that persistent problem. Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are exciting playmakers with the ball in their hands. But when I visited Packers camp, multiple people told me Doubs had begun to separate himself as Jordan Love's go-to guy -- the receiver he'd throw to when everyone is covered. Doubs might not be the Packers' most exciting option, but he could turn out to be their most reliable and productive wideout.
Minnesota Vikings
Don't be surprised if ... Sam Darnold actually plays well.
What I'm hearing: Yeah, the bar has dropped precipitously here for a guy who was once the third pick in the draft. But did you know he's only 27 years old? Darnold spent last season as the backup to Brock Purdy, learning Kyle Shanahan's system in San Francisco. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, who comes from the same coaching tree, was able to pick up on the improvements that Shanahan helped Darnold make in terms of footwork and decision-making, and the Vikings believe Darnold is in a good place.
Lost in much of the coverage of the J.J. McCarthy knee injury was the fact that the Vikings were almost certainly going to open the season with Darnold as their starter to begin with, even if McCarthy had been healthy. And let's not forget that he has Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones and eventually T.J. Hockenson to target.
Will the Vikings' offense be what it was with Kirk Cousins at QB? Not likely. But I don't think it's going to be an incompetent mess. This could be Darnold's last chance to turn his career around, but it's a good one.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
Don't be surprised if ... Tyler Allgeier remains an annoyance to Bijan Robinson fantasy managers.
What I'm hearing: Robinson is a special talent and in line to be the Falcons' starting running back and get the bulk of the work. But Allgeier, who has 1,718 rushing yards through two NFL seasons, is too good to keep off the field completely. The Falcons trust him as a pass protector, which means he could spell Robinson in the two-minute offense, and they trust him at the goal line, especially because of his ball security.
I know this is not what Robinson fantasy managers want to hear, especially with where Robinson is going in fantasy drafts this year. For what it's worth, I do believe Robinson will have a big season. There just might still be moments when you want to pull your hair out wondering why Allgeier is in there while Robinson is on the sideline.
Field Yates rattles off multiple players to draft outside of Christian McCaffrey, but says Bijan Robinson is the No. 1 player in fantasy upside.
Carolina Panthers
Don't be surprised if ... the Panthers set a record for yards allowed in a single season.
What I'm hearing: One of the first things I hear when I ask people about the Panthers is some version of, "How are they going to stop anyone?" The Panthers ranked last in the NFL in pressure rate last season (24.6%) and then traded edge rusher Brian Burns to the Giants. They signed Jadeveon Clowney to replace him, but they're going to need a lot more than that.
I get the significance of this prediction. The 2012 Saints still hold the record for yards allowed in a season with 7,042. It says a lot about that number that the record has stood for 11 seasons in an era when there's more emphasis than ever on offense and teams play 17 regular-season games. But unless Carolina is about to get major unforeseen contributions from several of its young players on that side of the ball, this team has a shot to break the record.
New Orleans Saints
Don't be surprised if ... Alvin Kamara has a bounce-back season.
What I'm hearing: This is a risky one, because Kamara isn't happy with his contract and it seems like it has been a little while since we've seen the vintage version of him. He was limited to 1,160 scrimmage yards over 13 games last season. But he doesn't have a ton of competition for running back work in New Orleans, and new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has sparked some chatter about using Kamara the way the 49ers use Christian McCaffrey (which is to say, all the time and doing everything). Plus, the Saints' offensive line looks like it could be a total catastrophe in front of quarterback Derek Carr, potentially making Kamara even more valuable as a runner and receiver out of the backfield.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Don't be surprised if ... Bucky Irving has the best year of any rookie running back.
What I'm hearing: Rachaad White is still the starter in Tampa Bay, but the Bucs would really like to see him improve on his 3.7 yards per carry average that he has put up through his first two NFL seasons. Irving, their fourth-round draft pick this year, has impressed the coaches in camp and during the preseason, and he is a candidate to earn a lot more work if White and the run game don't improve on last season's inefficiency. Irving rushed for 1,063 yards and 10 touchdowns at Oregon last season.
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
Don't be surprised if ... the Cardinals have a top-10 offense.
What I'm hearing: I've heard nothing but positives about quarterback Kyler Murray, which is a far cry from what we were hearing out of Arizona a couple of years ago. The Cardinals were 10th in offensive EPA, 10th in yards per play (5.6) and second in rushing yards per game (152.8) last season after Murray returned from his 2022 season-ending injury in Week 10, and adding receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. this year should be a massive boost to the passing game.
Murray has now had a fully healthy offseason in Drew Petzing's offense, and based on what it looked like with him at quarterback in the second half of last season, there's plenty of reason for optimism on that side of the ball. The defense might be a problem, but the offense in Arizona could be a lot of fun to watch.
Los Angeles Rams
Don't be surprised if ... the Rams' defense is just fine without Aaron Donald.
What I'm hearing: I think the public has some concern that the Rams' defense will take a big step back following the retirement of the otherworldly Donald. But the Rams don't share that concern, and teams that have scouted them this preseason think they have a chance to be very good -- especially up front.
Rookie first- and second-rounders Jared Verse and Braden Fiske (college teammates at Florida State) look poised to play big roles on the defensive front. Byron Young, the Rams' 2023 third-round pick out of Tennessee, impressed the Texans with his performance against their offensive line starters in their joint practices. The Rams are young on defense, but they were young on defense last season and managed to make the playoffs in what looked like a rebuilding year. And we already know the offense will be good.
So if the 49ers can't get their off-field stuff sorted out (more on that in just one second), the Rams could absolutely pose a problem for them in the NFC West division race.
San Francisco 49ers
Don't be surprised if ... Trent Williams misses regular-season games over his contract dispute.
What I'm hearing: Williams is determined not to play on his current contract, and so far there doesn't seem to have been much, if any, progress on adjusting it to his satisfaction. The 49ers open their season in 11 days, and Williams is 36 years old and hasn't been to camp. Even if the two sides get this figured out this weekend, it might be too much to ask him to be ready in time to face the Jets on Monday night in Week 1. And if they don't get it worked out in the next couple of days, the holdout could last beyond Week 1.
Williams remains the best in the league at what he does, and he seems to be counting on the idea that the Niners aren't the same team without him. Williams missed three games last season; the Niners lost all three of them and scored exactly 17 points in each. They scored at least 27 points in every other game they played last regular season, except the Christmas night loss to Baltimore and the Week 18 loss to the Rams in which they played their backups. The Jets' defensive front could have a fun opener if Williams isn't on the field.
Seattle Seahawks
Don't be surprised if ... the Seahawks have a top-10 defense.
What I'm hearing: This has not happened since 2016, and they haven't even finished in the top 20 since 2018. So it's a big jump. But the new coach is Mike Macdonald, the mastermind behind last season's dominating Ravens defense and, if you trace it back just a few years, the Michigan defense that developed into last season's college national champions. It's not a stretch to say that a big part of the reason Pete Carroll is gone and Macdonald is there is that the Seahawks decided it was time for major change on that side of the ball.
Seattle comes out of training camp believing it will be dynamic and difficult on defense. First-round rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II has been everything the team expected. Last year's first-round pick, cornerback Devon Witherspoon, is primed for a big season. But it's Macdonald's scheme that really has everyone energized in Seattle -- excited about the way the defense can deceive offenses and scheme up different kinds of pressures. Don't sleep on the Seahawks' defense in what could be one of the sneaky toughest divisions in the league.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Don't be surprised if ... Khalil Shakir is the Bills' top wide receiver this season.
What I'm hearing: There were a number of reasons -- most of them financial -- that the Bills were OK with trading Stefon Diggs to Houston and losing Gabe Davis to Jacksonville in free agency. Last year under then-interim (now full-time) offensive coordinator Joe Brady, they began to establish an offense that leaned more on the run and funneled pass attempts to tight end Dalton Kincaid and running back James Cook. They'll likely build off that and again run the offense through Kincaid and Cook while the wide receiver room sorts itself out.
Obviously, the Bills have high hopes for rookie Keon Coleman, and they're planning on some sort of role for free agent signee Curtis Samuel. But Shakir is a third-year player who has been working with Josh Allen for much longer than Coleman (and Kincaid), and the Bills have been very happy with his progress this offseason. Shakir quietly had 611 receiving yards last season.
Daniel Dopp likes Khalil Shakir as a late-round draft option in fantasy this season.
Miami Dolphins
Don't be surprised if ... Jaylen Waddle has more catches than Tyreek Hill.
What I'm hearing: This sounds silly when you consider that Hill has caught 119 passes in each of his first two years in Miami while Waddle, the Dolphins' 2021 first-round pick, has caught 75 and 72 in those two seasons, respectively. But Hill is 30 years old and didn't finish last season healthy. Waddle, meanwhile, just got a big new extension that proves the team believes in him long term.
Waddle's red zone production dropped last season, and the Dolphins are interested in involving him more when they get close to the goal line, as they did in 2021-22. They believe he can win for them at all three levels of the defense. And no, I don't think Odell Beckham Jr. is a threat to significantly cut into either of these guys' production at this point in his career.
New England Patriots
Don't be surprised if ... the Patriots have the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft.
What I'm hearing: The Pats know they're short in several key areas, most significantly the offensive line. That's one of the main reasons that, despite his outplaying veteran Jacoby Brissett in the preseason, rookie Drake Maye will open the season on the bench while Brissett gets the starting nod. I believe you'll see Maye as the starting quarterback at some point, but right now, the Patriots are still trying to answer questions about the group around him and make sure that he's not in a position to drown in negativity when he does get in there.
New England went into camp thinking its defense would help keep things afloat, but the loss of Christian Barmore (potentially for the entire season) to a blood clot issue and the trade of Matthew Judon have thinned the Patriots out badly in the defensive front. ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) rates their schedule as the toughest in the league, and you can see why right away. In September alone, they have to play the Bengals, Jets and 49ers on the road, as well as the Seahawks at home. FPI also says New England has a 21.9% chance to land the top pick, highest in the league.
New York Jets
Don't be surprised if ... the Jets lead the league in sacks -- with or without Haason Reddick.
What I'm hearing: Obviously, Reddick was a big part of the Jets' plans this offseason. And obviously, they'd prefer to have him on the field. The defense relies on its ability to rotate defensive linemen and needs as many bodies as possible, and Reddick brings elite sack potential.
But even if Reddick's holdout bleeds into the regular season, the Jets like what they have up front. They believe 2023 first-round pick Will McDonald IV can take a step forward as an edge rusher while rotating with Jermaine Johnson and Micheal Clemons. They were also pleasantly surprised by what they got from former Falcons first-round pick Takkarist McKinley in camp. And people in the building say Javon Kinlaw, another former first-rounder who left San Francisco and signed with the Jets this offseason, has been one of the biggest standouts of the Jets' offseason.
If Kinlaw and Quinnen Williams can disrupt things in the middle and the cornerback group plays to its potential, there's going to be ample opportunity for this team to exceed its 2023 sack total of 48, which tied for seventh.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
Don't be surprised if ... Isaiah Likely is the Ravens' second-leading receiver.
What I'm hearing: Second-year wideout Zay Flowers is the team's No. 1 receiver, and the Ravens believe he's poised for a big second-year leap. But Likely, who filled in at tight end when franchise stalwart Mark Andrews was hurt last season and developed a rapport with quarterback Lamar Jackson, is a guy the Ravens want to get on the field even with Andrews healthy. He caught 21 passes for 322 yards and five scores after taking over for Andrews in the TE1 role in Week 12.
The Ravens tried out a lot of multiple-tight end looks this offseason, and when I was at Ravens camp, Likely told me he was "learning every position, because in this offense, they want me to be able to go everywhere, whether it's in the backfield, in line, in the slot, out wide or whatever. So just learning everything and being that chess piece to move around." The Ravens view Likely as a playmaker who creates mismatches at various parts of the field, and they'd like to use him all over their offense.
Cincinnati Bengals
Don't be surprised if ... the Cincinnati defense looks like its old self again.
What I'm hearing: The Bengals went young at safety last season, and they believe it cost them in the long run. Bringing back Vonn Bell and signing Geno Stone away from the Ravens gives them two veterans on the back end, and they believe that will help them fix the communication problems they feel did them in last season. We got used to seeing defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's group as a big-game asset, but last season it looked leaky. But the coaching staff believes the changes on the back end -- mainly the return of Bell, who played in Cincinnati from 2020 to '22 -- will get the Bengals back to where they were when they were regular participants in the AFC Championship Game.
Cleveland Browns
Don't be surprised if ... Jerry Jeudy leads the Browns in receptions.
What I'm hearing: While I freely admit Amari Cooper and David Njoku are more likely candidates for this accomplishment, I wouldn't overlook Jeudy, the former Broncos first-rounder whom the Browns acquired in a trade this offseason. Jeudy was a disappointment in Denver, catching just 54 passes last season and never having more than 67 receptions in any of his four seasons there. But he's still only 25 years old, and the Browns acquired him believing him to be a very good option route runner. As Cleveland evolve its offense this season under new coordinator Ken Dorsey, the team plans to implement more "choice" or option routes -- and it sees Jeudy as a key to that.
If he can stay healthy -- and yes, that's the big if -- Jeudy could end up catching a ton of short and intermediate passes from Deshaun Watson as the Browns plan to throw more on early downs and try to stay out of third-and-long situations.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Don't be surprised if ... Najee Harris has 1,500 yards from scrimmage.
What I'm hearing: The Steelers declined Harris' fifth-year option for 2025, but that doesn't mean they're done with him. They want to see how he (and everyone else) performs in first-year coordinator Arthur Smith's offense before making any long-term decisions. There's a feeling in the building that Smith's offense is well-suited to Harris' skills, and with big-time question marks at quarterback and wide receiver (plus Smith's history), I expect the Steelers to lean on their running game a lot.
Jaylen Warren, Harris' top competition for backfield touches, has already missed time in camp with a hamstring injury. Plus, Harris has cleared 1,000 rushing yards in each of his three NFL seasons so far, and he had 74 catches for 467 yards in his rookie season of 2021. I think he'll be the major focal point of the Steelers' offense.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
Don't be surprised if ... Kamari Lassiter wins Defensive Rookie of the Year.
What I'm hearing: The Texans' coaching staff has been impressed with Lassiter, the second-round pick out of Georgia, and the team believes he can be an impact starter in his rookie season. A few people I've spoken to in the building have told me, unsolicited, about the way Lassiter has held his own in the battles he has had with Stefon Diggs during training camp practices. With Derek Stingley Jr. establishing a reputation as a corner opposing offenses want to stay away from, teams are likely going to try to throw at the rookie on the other side. This will present opportunities for interceptions, and if Lassiter can cash in on those, that's the kind of stat that helps win this award.
Indianapolis Colts
Don't be surprised if ... Jonathan Taylor wins Offensive Player of the Year.
What I'm hearing: No health concerns coming into this season. No contract concerns coming into this season. He is still just 25 years old. And while the Colts have high hopes for Anthony Richardson, the second-year QB brings some volatility to this offense; Indy knows it's going to be a bit of a roller coaster, and it knows it can rely on Taylor. Despite playing in only 10 games last season, Taylor ran for 741 yards and seven TDs.
Plus, we know at this still-very-early point in his career, Richardson is a frightening threat to take off and run with the ball. Defenses will have to pay attention to that threat, which could open things up even more for Taylor to have a huge season. The Colts made it to Week 18 last season still in contention for the division title, so there's no reason to think they or Taylor will spend any time off voters' radar screens.
Field Yates wonders whether Jonathan Taylor's fantasy production will see a decline due to Anthony Richardson's mobility.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Don't be surprised if ... Brian Thomas Jr. has a big rookie season.
What I'm hearing: He doesn't get the hype that his LSU teammate Malik Nabers gets, but Thomas could well be the Jaguars' leading receiver right out of the gate. Some felt he wasn't coming along as quickly as hoped this offseason, but Thomas was electric in the preseason, running past defenders repeatedly. He'll compete for targets with free agent signee Gabe Davis and slot man Christian Kirk, but Thomas could be a real star for Trevor Lawrence and the Jags as early as this season. Remember, he led the FBS with 17 touchdowns and averaged 17.3 yards per catch last year at LSU.
Tennessee Titans
Don't be surprised if ... Tony Pollard has a bounce-back season.
What I'm hearing: Pollard is one year further removed from his 2022 season-ending ankle injury, which can only help. The Titans signed him on the first day of free agency to a fairly substantial contract (for a running back, anyway) at three years and $24 million. Yes, they have Tyjae Spears in the backfield as well, but I'm not sure they view Spears as ready to take over the lead role all by himself.
I doubt Pollard ends up with twice as many touches as Spears, the way Derrick Henry did last season. But I also expect this team to lean fairly heavily on the backs as both runners and pass catchers while it brings Will Levis along at quarterback. And Tennessee seems to view Pollard's experience as a differentiating factor between him and Spears, who is in Year 2. Pollard -- who went over 1,000 rushing yards for a second straight year last season -- is my bet to be the lead back in Tennessee.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
Don't be surprised if ... Pat Surtain II soon becomes the league's highest-paid defensive back.
What I'm hearing: A lot of names, Surtain included, have swirled around in external trade speculation since coach Sean Payton got to Denver in early 2023. But not one time have I heard anything to indicate the Broncos had any real intention of trading Surtain, a player they see as a long-term building block.
The cornerback has two years left on his rookie contract, with the team having picked up his $19.8 million fifth-year option for 2025, and it wouldn't be a surprise at all to see Denver do a deal with him during the season that resets the market for cornerbacks in some substantive way. And that could mean beating out Jaire Alexander's $21 million-per-year average salary, Denzel Ward's $71.25 million in guarantees or even both benchmarks.
Kansas City Chiefs
Don't be surprised if ... Isiah Pacheco has his first 1,000-yard rushing season.
What I'm hearing: Look, let's be honest here. It's tough to find anything about the Chiefs that's going to qualify as a surprise to anyone at this point. We know them pretty well. I could go with "Don't be surprised if they win their third straight Super Bowl," but who would be? So I'm using this space to mention what I've heard about Pacheco -- and specifically that the Chiefs believe they can use him more than they did in his first two seasons.
I expect him to get more goal-line work and more work in the passing game in 2024. His reception total jumped from 13 in his rookie season to 44 last year, and Jerick McKinnon isn't there anymore to steal reps. Pacheco likely would have reached 1,000 rushing yards last season if not for some missed games due to injury (he had 935), so this isn't the boldest of predictions. But watch for the Chiefs to use him as more of a three-down back than they have to this point. The team feels good about him handling that workload.
Las Vegas Raiders
Don't be surprised if ... Brock Bowers is one of the Raiders' top two receivers.
What I'm hearing: "Football comes very naturally to him" is something I have been told by Raiders people about Bowers, a rookie who plays the same position as 2023 second-round pick Michael Mayer but nonetheless expects to have an instant impact. It struck many as odd for the Raiders to use the 13th pick of the draft on a tight end one year after they used the 35th pick on one, but they thought Bowers was that special. And so far, he has shown them everything he showed at Georgia in terms of being an all-around playmaker.
The Raiders will run two-tight end sets with him and Mayer, and they'll switch him and Jakobi Meyers around some. Davante Adams is still their top receiver, but I expect Gardner Minshew and the Raiders to find ways to get the ball into Bowers' hands a lot.
Los Angeles Chargers
Don't be surprised if ... J.K. Dobbins is the Chargers' lead running back by season's end.
What I'm hearing: As of now, the Chargers are anticipating a fairly even running back split between Dobbins and his former Ravens teammate Gus Edwards to start the season. But people who have watched Dobbins in camp say he has been explosive and that he brings more big-play upside to the run game than Edwards.
New offensive coordinator Greg Roman coached them both in Baltimore, so he has a strong sense of their strengths and weaknesses, as well as the best ways to use each of them. He is also well aware of Dobbins' significant injury history and therefore won't be inclined to lean on him too much in the early going. But there's a chance, if he can finally stay healthy, that Dobbins vastly outplays Edwards and the Chargers can't keep him off the field.