As we eagerly anticipate the kickoff of the 2024 NFL regular season, I’ve had the privilege of getting insider insights from five top team executives. These executives, with expertise ranging from personnel evaluation to contracts and salary cap management, as well as analytics and strategy, have provided us with a comprehensive look at their expectations for all 32 teams in the league. Today, we’ll delve into the AFC, with the NFC analysis coming your way on Thursday.
Operating under the veil of anonymity for competitive reasons, these executives have gone on record to rank each team in the AFC. Their rankings have been accompanied by insightful explanations, shedding light on their thought processes and projections for the upcoming season.
Kicking off the AFC rankings is none other than the mighty Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have emerged as the top-ranked team according to our panel of executives, with an average vote of 1.2. Interestingly, the gap between the Chiefs and the second-ranked Baltimore Ravens (3.2) is the largest margin among the top seven teams.
One executive expressed some hesitation in fully backing the Chiefs, citing the loss of L’Jarius Sneed as a potential drawback. However, the executive pointed out the significant upgrades in terms of speed at the receiver position, with additions like Xavier Worthy and Hollywood (Marquise Brown). The general consensus seems to be that any defensive regression will be offset by the enhanced offensive firepower that the Chiefs have assembled.
The breakdown of average votes suggests that the executives view the Chiefs as a cut above the rest, with the Ravens, Bengals, and Texans forming a secondary tier of contenders. Following closely behind are the Bills, Jets, and Dolphins, creating another distinct grouping within the AFC hierarchy. The Jacksonville Jaguars, on the other hand, appear to face an uphill battle, with a noticeable drop in rankings compared to the teams above them.
Moving on to the Baltimore Ravens, our second-ranked team in the AFC, it’s evident that their consistent track record of hiring and developing top-tier coaching talent has not gone unnoticed by our panel of experts.
In discussing the Ravens, one executive highlighted the organization’s knack for nurturing coaching prowess, establishing them as one of the premier franchises in that regard.
The rankings for the Ravens reflect a tight race among the top teams, with an average vote of 3.6 and a median of 3. This indicates that despite being second in the rankings, there is little separation between the Ravens and their closest competitors.
As the executives assess the landscape of the AFC, the looming question of Joe Burrow’s health looms large in the context of ranking the Cincinnati Bengals. The willingness to place faith in Burrow’s return to full health appears to be a key factor in how the Bengals are positioned in the rankings.
