Things always heat up during the NFL Scouting Combine, and I have a handful of 2024 offseason predictions following this year’s event.
The Falcons will sign QB Kirk Cousins
After passing on legendary head coach Bill Belichick, there is no question that—fair or not—the pressure will be on Falcons head coach Raheem Morris to win in Year 1. Adding a quarterback of Kirk Cousins’ caliber to lead a talented offense would instantly make Atlanta the likely favorites in the NFC South and a potential contender in the NFC, and they might be willing to offer a monstrous contract that the Vikings are not willing to match. Could Russell Wilson land in Minnesota when the Broncos release him? Will the Vikings get aggressive in moving up for a quarterback they like in this year’s draft? Or both?
2024 will be a strong free agent class
Mike Evans will remain in Tampa after agreeing to a two-year deal, and receiver Michael Pittman Jr. will be staying in Indy on the franchise tag if necessary, as he gives a major boost to Colts odds to win next season given their lack of depth at receiver. But there will be a ton of veteran options available during free agency next week, likely including the three running backs (Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard) that were franchised-tagged last year.
The Cowboys are not expected to bring back stalwart left tackle Tyron Smith, the Dolphins might not tag star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, and undervalued guys like Bills receiver Gabe Davis will be on the market. It’ll take draft capital for him, but you can even throw Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Snead into the mix of available players. It should be buyer beware and teams should not overspend on the wrong fit, but there’s plenty of talent available to give squads a boost in the coming weeks.
Caleb Williams will go No. 1 to the Bears
While there was outside noise about some preferring LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, there is not much buzz about the Bears themselves doing anything other than drafting USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick next month. Williams himself said he’d be “excited” if Chicago takes him, and he has made it clear that he wants to be the top selection in the draft. An unprecedented trade offer would probably have to be made to get the Bears to consider moving off the opportunity to make Williams their franchise player.
Justin Fields will not land a starting job in 2024
If the Falcons do not land Cousins, perhaps things could change. But I think the most likely scenario right now is that Justin Fields does not land an immediate starting gig in 2024. He might go someplace like Pittsburgh where he can potentially compete to be a starter, but teams like the Broncos and Raiders are probably more eager to wait and see what happens in the draft. They don’t get as much media attention, but former first-rounders in the same draft Zach Wilson and Mac Jones also likely won’t land starting roles, which I feel badly about considering the extremely challenging offensive situations they were in with the Jets and Patriots.
Six quarterbacks will be drafted in Round 1
Finally, this goes together with the quarterback musical chairs. It sounds like quarterbacks fared well in team interviews during the Combine, and I’m expecting all of Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr., and Caleb Williams to go in Round 1—and perhaps all in the first half of the first round; as I do not think Nix will drop past the Broncos at No. 12, and Penix reportedly checked out well medically.