NFL's Most Improved Teams In 2024
Every NFL team’s goal is to improve its roster through the draft, and most sides did this during the NFL Draft 2024. Now that the draft is over, clubs are preparing for Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and minicamps, a sign that the 2024 NFL season is near.
Some teams made significant improvements in key areas, while others made surprising or unconventional picks. That said, read on to know more about the nine teams that improved the most in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Breaking NFL News
It's time to start talking about the 2025 NFL Draft. Since this year's draft ended, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders has been seen as the top pick, but recent analysis shows why someone else deserves that speculation. Georgia quarterback Carson Beck is now the favorite to be picked first in 2025.
Beck plays for one of the best college teams, Georgia. Last season, although Georgia didn't win the championship, the 21-year-old played well, throwing for 3,941 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions. If he leads Georgia to a championship in 2024 and keeps up his great performance, he could become the sixth No. 1 pick from Georgia.
In other news, NFL fans can get ready for a special treat on Christmas Day 2024. The NFL has planned a doubleheader, starting with the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed by the Baltimore Ravens vs. the Houston Texans. But what's new this year is that the Christmas games will be shown exclusively on Netflix for the first time ever.
In the past, the NFL avoided scheduling games on Christmas Day. That's changing. This will be the fourth year in a row with games on December 25th and the third year with multiple matchups. Last year's Christmas tripleheader was a hit, and 2024 promises even more excitement.
Keep an eye out for more NFL draft news and updates as the offseason continues, building up to another breathtaking season of football.
Most Improved NFL Teams 2024
While some football sides can’t wait for the 2024 NFL season to get started, some are still skeptical about what is in store for them. The past weeks have seen a lot of additions and trades that could massively influence the coming season's outcome. We have singled out our top nine most improved clubs in no particular order.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Even though the Steelers made the playoffs in 2023, they clearly weren’t championship contenders. They had weak quarterback play and a poor offensive line. The team had made changes to its quarterback lineup, adding Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, but both struggled recently.
Thus, this draft’s main goal was to improve an offensive line that ranked 26th overall and 31st in pass-blocking last NFL season. Safe to say Pittsburgh achieved this by selecting three offensive linemen, Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick, among their first five picks. These are players that could make an immediate impact. They also added Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson, a strong deep threat. Hopefully, in the season, Pittsburgh’s first five picks should make the team much better.
Tennessee Titans
While it's fair to doubt Will Levis based on his college performance, we should remember he faced a tough situation with the Titans offense last season. Tennessee is working hard to change that this year. They signed Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard, and Lloyd Cushenberry in free agency and drafted Offensive Tackle JC Latham at No. 7 overall. They also added Chidobe Awuzie and traded for L’Jarius Sneed. The team is doing everything possible to give Levis the support he needs to succeed.
Washington Commanders
General Manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn couldn't have predicted such a successful first offseason together. They took over a team without a franchise quarterback and a Washington rush defense ranked among the worst in the NFL, allowing the most points last season.
The Commanders faced criticism for signing older free agents, but those players are still effective. On defense, they added Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, and Dorance Armstrong to strengthen a weak front seven. On offense, they signed center Tyler Biadasz, guard Nick Allegretti, and running back Austin Ekeler.
Washington Commanders drafted well enough to quench their need for a quarterback, offensive line, and defensive help. They chose quarterback Jayden Daniels, defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton, and Mike Sainristil, one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. These picks, along with others like tight end Ben Sinnott and offensive tackle Brandon Coleman, have set the Commanders on a strong rebuilding path.
New York Giants
Some might disagree with the Giants being ranked this high because their skill players could be the worst in the NFL, a common issue in the Daniel Jones era. However, the Giants made a big move by adding Brian Burns and Jon Runyan, though they lost their best offensive player Saquon Barkley, who joined the Philadelphia Eagles. To fill the gap, they drafted Malik Nabers at No. 6 overall, hoping he could be a top receiver.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders haven't added many new players. It shows how much the team has improved under coach Antonio Pierce and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. They wisely found help for Maxx Crosby by signing Christian Wilkins, a top free agent this year, making their defensive line strong. But the spotlight is still on the quarterback position. Las Vegas is not among the teams with the most picks in the NFL, but they know what they need. They got Gardner Minshew, who almost led the Colts to the playoffs last year, and they're hopeful about Aidan O’Connell. Since they missed out on top quarterbacks in the draft, they need one of them to perform well.
Houston Texans
The thought of playing with a Top-5 quarterback attracts talented players to Houston. They are one of the teams with the most draft picks in the NFL. So, although the Texans lost key defenders, they brought in Danielle Hunter, Denico Autry, and Azeez Al–Shaair, arguably better players for the defense. With C.J. Stroud shining as a great quarterback, Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs joined the team through trades. While Mixon might not be a big upgrade at running back, they got him at a low cost and invested in defensive NFL draft picks. Mixon had a strong 2023 season with over 1,000 rushing yards. Also, adding Pro Bowl playmakers spices up the offense that surprised everyone in 2023. With Stroud's talent and their new additions, this team is one to watch out for.
Chicago Bears
The Bears needed a quarterback after trading Fields to the Steelers, but Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick known for his exceptional ability to avoid pressure, extend, and throw accurately on second-reaction plays, is stepping into a great situation here. General Manager Ryan Poles improved the team to protect Williams and give him strong offensive options. He did this by bringing in D’Andre Swift, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze.
D’Andre Swift is a fast and versatile running back who can score from anywhere on the field. Keenan Allen, a veteran receiver, can handle tough defenses, and with Rome Odunze, the Bears have a powerful receiving group. Along with versatile tight end Everett, the Bears are set up for success if their new players perform well, given the NFL team had the best defense last season.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons improved a lot in the first round of free agency by getting the best quarterback available. Cousins joining the team could make them score a lot because they already have great players like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. Even though Cousins might not have a star receiver like Justin Jefferson, he has enough options to pass the ball around. The team added more depth after signing him to a big contract.
With new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, the Falcons have many players to work with, including Mooney, Moore, and McCloud. Last season, their receiving team wasn't great, except for London, and Pitts didn't get involved much. But now, with a new quarterback, more weapons, and a new coaching staff, they could match the strong defense they had last season, especially with coach Raheem Morris coming in. The Falcons, with their new look, are favorites to win the NFC South this season.
Philadelphia Eagles
After a disappointing 2023 season and seeing some key players retire, the Eagles made changes in free agency. General manager Howie Roseman revamped the team to get back to the top of the NFC. They hired new coordinators to improve the offense and defense and added exciting players to bring back the energy and confidence that stood the Eagles out.
Saquon Barkley and Bryce Huff are the top signings, but getting C.J. Garnder-Johnson and taking a chance on Devin White could also pay off. They also drafted three more defenders in the early rounds, getting good value with Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
To Sum Up
The NFL Draft 2024 was vital for teams looking to improve their rosters and fix weaknesses. The Pittsburgh Steelers needed to upgrade their offensive line and succeeded by drafting top linemen and a wide receiver. The Tennessee Titans focused on supporting quarterback Will Levis by recruiting key free agents and drafting a top offensive tackle. The Washington Commanders, under new leadership, addressed both offensive and defensive gaps. This included adding a new quarterback. Teams like the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, and Philadelphia Eagles didn’t take naps either. They all made many changes through the draft and signings. It is safe to say that these nine sides have positioned themselves for a competitive 2024 season.