Quarterback is the most important position in the NFL. Patirck Mahomes and the back-to-back Super Bowl champion Chiefs have proved that, just like Tom Brady and the Patriots before them.
But having a top QB alone isn’t enough to be a playoff-caliber team. From supporting offensive skill players to the trenches to impact defensive stars, here are the most indispensable, valuable and integral plays to the success of all 32 teams in the 2024 regular season.
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The Cardinals are hoping Harrison is their best first-round receiver since future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald. Harrison needs to come through big-time to lift a fully healthy Kyler Murray in the second-year offense.
The Falcons have solved short-term QB with Kirk Cousins, which will wake up a dormant downfield passing game. They are strong with offensive skill and line play, but Robinson is the dynamic, explosive, versatile cog that will make the engine go in Zac Robinson’s offense.
Henry is headed toward Canton and chasing that elusive ring with his second NFL team. At 30, he’ll look to prove he’s got plenty left in the tank to power the league’s top rushing attack from last season. He’s the ideal complement to Lamar Jackson’s running.
The Bills had to make big changes in the secondary and also have taken personnel hits on the second level. That calls upon Rousseau, the No. 30 overall draft pick in 2021, to build on his best season and turn into a dominant lead pass rusher.
The Panthers also were gutted on every level of their defense with Brian Burns, Frankie Luvu, Jeremy Chinn and Donte Jackson all gone. Brown, the No. 7 overall draft pick from 2020, was their veteran linchpin last season and will continue to benefit in a known scheme after defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero was retained.
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Johnson put it all together as the league’s next great young cornerback for Matt Eberflus last season, and was rewarded with a four-year, $76 million deal soon after getting the franchise tag to avoid free agency.
The Bengals were a tough call beyond Joe Burrow, but it was fine to stop at his long-time college and pro go-to guy, the straw who stirs the drink of the entire elite passing offense under Zac Taylor. In 2025, Chase will join Burrow with a bank-breaking contract as the highest-paid wide receiver ever.
This was the easiest choice among any team given Garrett, the reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year, has emerged as the league’s most dangerous all-around forces. He’s living up to all lofty expectations as the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2017.
There was an argument for wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, knowing the team is undergoing offensive transitions everywhere else around Dak Prescott. But Parsons, the ultimate defensive chess piece, could not be denied after the departure of Dan Quinn.
Cooper might be an off-beat choice, but given the team is trying to find itself again offensively and defensively, the 2021 seventh-round draft pick has emerged as a top pass rusher as the team’s next Shaquil Barrett.
Sewell is the most dominant offensive tackle in the league not named Trent Williams. Sewell is only 23 and just signed a four-year, $112 million deal to prove his worth to the team.
The Packers drafted tackle Jordan Morgan and must decide whether the first-round rookie Rasheed Walker is the long-term answer on the left side in front of Jordan Love. There’s no doubt Tom is a keeper, either at right tackle, or at center should Josh Myers keep disappointing. They can’t wait until Tom is fully healthy again from his offseason pectoral injury.
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Collins now has some more playmaking company in Stefon Diggs, but Collins was rewarded for his 2023 breakout season like a No. 1. He signed a three-year, $72.75 million deal, locking him up as C.J. Stroud’s go-to guy.
The Colts had a few choices here outside of Anthony Richardson, including offensive skill stars Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr. But Raimann was the right choice. His ability to hold up in front of Richardson will buy him time to stretch the field with Pittman and other wide receivers, and also open up running lanes for Taylor.
Josh Allen wasn’t eligible for the Bills, but this Josh Allen, the No. 7 overall draft pick a year later in 2019, is. The Jaguars did add 2022 No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker to support Allen, but he remains their most disruptive well-rounded pass rusher.
Here’s the second almost no-brainer. As great as Travis Kelce has been — he’s a future Hall of Fame tight end — he also is second in the tag team with Patrick Mahomes. Jones has been the defensive superstar constant during the Chiefs’ three-ring dynasty.
Crosby has been relentlessly ripping through offensive lines for a while, and will get some needed help from the inside after the team free-agent splurged on Christian Wilkins.
The return of Mack? Truth is, at 33, this future Hall of Famer hasn’t dropped off much as a havoc wrecker from multiple positions on multiple fronts. He’ll be key for Jim Harbaugh and Jessie Minter to set the playmaking tone while leading the new defense.
Had another future Hall of Famer, Aaron Donald, not retired this offseason, he would be the best choice from any team. But how about sticking with the same position now that the torch has been passed to this second-year rising star. Turner is looking to build on his nine sacks as a third-round rookie in 2023.
The Dolphins do have Jaylen Waddle locked up at wide receiver, but there’s a big dropoff at the position. Hill’s speed and quickness have been taken the Dolphins’ offense to a whole new level. And allowed Mike McDaniel to lift Tua Tagovailoa to an above-average starter. There’s little indication yet that Hill has lost much at 30.
The Vikings have a rock in pass protection in Darrisaw, whose presence becomes more critical with the transition to first-round rookie J.J. McCarthy. Darrisaw’s blocking allows for plenty of pop in Kevin O’Connel’s offense.
With former Patriots star linebacker Jerod Mayo taking over from Bill Belichick, did you expect any other position to get the nod? Tavai, a Lions second-rounder in 2019, has bloomed late with his second team He’s a terrific tackler and has emerged as one of the league’s best cover linebackers.
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The Saints’ defense has been the backbone of the team for a while with Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis. But as the team still tries to get more out of its post-Drew Brees offense, Olave’s dominant play as a No. 1 will be huge for Derek Carr operating effectively under Klint Kubiak.
The Giants traded for Brian Burns to help Kayvon Thibodeaux on the pass rush, but Lawrence remains their best defender and arguably the league’s best tackle with Donald now retired. Lawrence, the 2019 first-rounder, uses his 342-pound frame to control the action vs. run and pass.
Gardner has been terrific with his speedy and sizable shutdown skills since being drafted No. 4 overall in 2023. He cleans up for the defense, which will get a lot more attention in 2024 with a healthy Aaron Rodgers providing help on offense.
The Eagles had many strong candidates, with but Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox retiring, there’s a changing of the guard … or tackle in this case … on both sides of the ball. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith were candidates, but Mailata is an elite pass protector, and felt like the best path.
The Steelers have been able to hold up well at times without Watt, but there’s no replacing his combination of energy, leadership and sack production. He’s headed to join brother J.J. in Canton someday.
Williams will turn 36 in July? That doesn’t seem possible, as he seems to get better with age, with his athleticism anchoring a line that has been more in flux of late.
Witherspoon starred immediately as a rookie, earning Pro Bowl honors to justify his No. 5 overall selection in the 2023 draft. He will be a key playmaker in the new secondary scheme of defensive-minded coach Mike Macdonald, and will push Riq Woolen and Michael Jackson to better play behind an improved front seven.
Wirfs’ switch to the left side has been successful in the transition to new offenses in the Baker Mayfield era. Wirfs has the same initials as Williams and is pushing toward that same elite long-term level.
Simmons had a bit of a down season as a dominant run stopper in 2023, and needs to rebound to form to lift rookie T’Vondre Sweat in the new Ravens-like defensive scheme of Dennard Wilson. While the offense remains in youthful transition, the Titans need more pop on the other side.
McLaurin has been outstanding trying to produce with several quarterbacks in ever-changing passing games. Now he gets to take over the old DeAndre Hopkins’ role for Kliff Kingsbury, becoming the early go-to guy for rookie QB Jayden Daniels.
