We’ve all heard the cliches. “The NFL is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ league.” “NFL stands for ‘Not For Long.’” The sayings ring true, as once-shiny-new-prospects give way to shinier, newer ones after underperforming. Heading into the 2024 season, I’ve identified eight players who have an opportunity to solidify themselves as starters in the league going forward. Each player is in a unique situation at this moment in their career. Some are entering contract years, some are at risk of losing their spots to new additions. All have something to prove this year.
8. Zyon McCollum, Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB
After the Buccaneers traded Carlton Davis to the Lions in the offseason, cornerback appeared to be one of the most glaring needs on Tampa Bay’s roster. Instead of addressing that need via the draft or free agency, the Bucs decided to trust in Zyon McCollum to fill in opposite Jamel Dean. To this point in his career, McCollum has looked like an average player at best. If he is unable to exceed expectations, Tampa Bay will likely be searching for a replacement in 2025.
7. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos RB
The Broncos have one of the worst rosters in the league heading into this season. That should be the perfect situation for a talented running back like Javonte Williams to stand out, but news from Denver seems to indicate otherwise. Sean Payton even mentioned that Williams is currently fighting for a roster spot. While I still believe Williams will start for the Broncos, it appears that the gap between him and backups Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime is smaller than we thought. Williams will need to earn back the trust of this coaching staff in 2024.
6. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings QB
Let me be clear: No matter how well Sam Darnold plays this season, I don’t believe he will be the Vikings’ starter going forward. This season is Darnold’s chance to prove his abilities to the rest of the league. JJ McCarthy’s unfortunate season-ending injury gives Darnold the perfect chance to do that. After touring the NFL’s worst situations for the early years of his career, Darnold took a pit stop with the 49ers before signing a one-year deal with Minnesota this offseason. It appeared that he would act as the Vikings’ starter for the first portion of the season before handing the reigns to rookie JJ McCarthy. After McCarthy’s Meniscus surgery, Darnold looks like the Vikings’ full-time starter for 2024. This is his chance to prove to the rest of the league that he can make a Baker Mayfield-esque leap and earn a starting role.
5. Mazi Smith, Dallas Cowboys DT
The Dallas Cowboys couldn’t stop the run if their lives depended on it in the 2023 season. This issue was especially prevalent in their matchup against the Bills late in the regular season and in their playoff game against the Packers. 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith was brought in to clog up running lanes in the middle of this defense but failed to do so in his rookie season. Smith totaled just three tackles for loss and failed to improve a defense that ranked in the middle of the league in rushing yards allowed. If Smith is unable to make a big leap in year two, we could see Dallas replace him in the offseason.
4. Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns WR
Elijah Moore has been slightly underwhelming in his first three NFL seasons. When the Jets selected him early in the 2021 draft, Moore was expected to be a consistent receiver who could put up numbers in the slot or on the outside. In each of three seasons, he has failed to surpass 700 yards. The consistency that made him such an attractive prospect hasn’t shown itself either, as Moore had a career-high five drops in his first season with the Browns. With Jerry Jeudy arriving in Cleveland, Moore’s target share is bound to shrink. If he can’t prove himself in his limited role, he may be pushed even further down the depth chart.
3. Alijah Vera-Tucker, New York Jets RG
Another disappointing 2021 Jets draft pick, Alijah Vera-Tucker has struggled to stay on the field during his time in New York. Vera-Tucker has played in just twelve games over the last two years and is currently recovering from a torn Achilles’ suffered in 2023. Even when he’s been healthy, he’s been disappointing. Last season, Vera-Tucker ranked 143rd in PFF’s pass-blocking grade among offensive linemen with at least 240 snaps. The Jets are fully committed to winning in the short term, so I expect them to be quick to replace players who underperform.
2. Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions WR
To the casual fan, or to the Madden player, Jameson Williams may seem like one of the best young receivers in the league. The on-field results haven’t exactly matched the hype. Despite being touted as an elite deep threat, Williams ranked 73rd in the league last season in yards per route run at just 1.47 per PFF. After losing Josh Reynolds in the offseason, Detroit declined to make any significant additions to the receiver room, apparently putting faith in Williams to step into a larger role. It’s time to see some proof of concept for Williams this season.
1. Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers QB
The Justin Fields experience in Chicago was a frustrating one, to say the least. Fields is clearly dripping with talent, but his processing has seemed to consistently be a frame behind where it needs to be. After it became apparent that the Bears would take Caleb Williams with the top pick in this year’s draft, Fields was shipped to the Steelers for pennies. In Arthur Smith’s offense, he has a chance to solidify himself as the starter over co-newcomer Russell Wilson. Both quarterbacks are entering contract years, and it’s likely that only one of them will be in Pittsburgh in 2025.
