32 Bold Predictions for the 2026 NFL Season

The 2026 NFL season is about to kick off, as teams across the league have all reported for training camp, hoping to deliver on the hope of offseason additions and preseason expectations.

Not every team will live up to the hype, though, and only a handful of them will finish the 2026 campaign feeling good about their current trajectory and the product they put on the field by the end of the year.

Which teams will make a Super Bowl run, and which ones will fall short? Which fan bases will be pleasantly surprised or bitterly disappointed? Which veterans and rookies will make the biggest impact across the league?

Here are 32 bold predictions for the upcoming season, one for every team:

Dak Prescott Throws for 5,000 Yards

He's put up some impressive numbers throughout his career, but Prescott is primed for the best statistical output in 2026. He flirted with the 5k mark in 2019, and has topped 4,400 passing yards three more times since, but this could be the year he lets it fly and adds another rare accolade to his list.

Prescott will once again have one of the NFL's best wide receiver tandems in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, an underrated No. 3 option in Ryan Flournoy, and a reliable target at tight end in Jake Ferguson. Dallas has made some defensive improvements, but their lack of a consistent pass rush and questionable secondary could keep them in plenty of shootout situations throughout the year, giving Prescott plenty of opportunities to pile up big numbers through the air.

The John Harbaugh Era Starts with a Thud

During his time in Baltimore, Harbaugh delivered a ton of success, setting a high bar for consistency and a reliable expectation that the Ravens would be competing for playoff contention on an annual basis. When he became available this offseason, the Giants wasted little time going after a coach who could bring that kind of stability to an organization desperate to return to consistent playoff contention and a chance to win championships again.

It'll be much easier said than done for Harbaugh and Big Blue, though. There's some promising talent on both sides of the ball, but injuries are already a huge concern for some of the most important players on offense (Jaxson Dart, Malik Nabers, Cam Skattebo), and the defense could take a step back after trading away arguably the best interior defender in the league (Dexter Lawrence). In time, Harbaugh could eventually build the Giants back into a Super Bowl contender, but it won't be surprising if they're a bottom-five team in the league in his first season.

Makai Lemon Puts Up AJ Brown-Level Numbers

The Eagles moved on from Brown this offseason, dealing him to the New England Patriots after trading up in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft for Lemon, who was a big-play machine at USC. Despite his smaller frame, Lemon plays a physical brand of football similar to that of Brown, and should be the perfect complement to DeVonta Smith's finesse game.

In each of the past two seasons, Brown barely topped 1,000 yards receiving, and he caught exactly seven touchdown passes in each of his past three years in Philly. Lemon should immediately be able to replicate those numbers, as the Eagles' aggressive pursuit of him on draft day indicates a willingness to invest heavily in his talents right away. He's got the talent to reward that investment, and provide Jalen Hurts and company with a ton of big plays from Day 1.

Rachaad White Gets 1,000 Total Yards

After four years with the Bucs, White wanted a reunion with former college teammate Jayden Daniels, as well as a more significant role after taking a back seat to Bucky Irving in Tampa Bay. In his second season, White earned the trust of Baker Mayfield as the Bucs' lead back, racking up over 1,500 yards of total offense and scoring nine touchdowns.

While Bill Croskey-Merritt brings some valuable juice to the Washington backfield, and rookie Kaytron Allen was a bargain in the late rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, White has the complete skill set and veteran experience to quickly become the most reliable every-down option for the Commanders' offense. He should get enough carries in the ground game, and plenty of action as a check-down passing option out of the backfield, to top the 1,000-yard mark in total offense again.

Josh Allen Becomes a Huge Skyler Bell Fan

The Bills made a big splash this offseason by trading for DJ Moore, hoping to finally give Josh Allen the true No. 1 receiver he's lacked since Stefon Diggs' prime. But while Moore is sure to have a sizable impact on Allen and the passing game, there's a slightly less heralded addition the team made who could quickly emerge as a valuable weapon.

A fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft out of UConn, Bell, is a sharp route-runner with reliable hands and the short-area burst to create consistent separation and do damage after the catch. That sounds a lot like the skill set that made Diggs (who was a fifth-round pick out of Maryland) such a productive player in Buffalo, and it might not take long for the former Husky to prove worthy of Allen's trust in critical situations while opposing defenses are worried about Moore.

Dolphins Finish Closer to .500 Than the No. 1 Overall Pick

I've already written extensively about my higher-than-consensus expectations for the Dolphins this year, so I'll just double down here. This team added a ton of young talent on both sides of the ball with their stockpile of picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and made a point to retain their most important core players in their prime with big contract extensions (RB De'Von Achane, C Aaron Brewer, LB Jordyn Brooks).

Malik Willis is a much more polished quarterback than he was coming out of college, and he's ready to lead an efficient, dangerous offense with his dual-threat abilities. I'm not saying they'll make the playoffs or anything, but everyone expecting the Dolphins to be one of the worst teams in the league this year might be surprised by how competitive they end up being all year long.

The Jets' Defense Finally Gets an Interception

I know I'm going out on a limb here, but I think they actually get it done this year. That's right, the New York Jets, whose head coach picked off 41 passes across a 15-year NFL career (24 of those coming over eight years spent in a Jets uniform), failed to intercept a single pass across all 17 games last season with Aaron Glenn at the helm. It marked the first time in pro football history (going back nearly a century, since the it became an officially tracked stat) a defense had failed to record an interception for an entire season.

Some offseason additions have improved Glenn's defense at multiple levels, including No. 2 overall pick David Bailey, who should bolster the pass rush and make life more difficult for opposing quarterbacks in the pocket. Who will grab that first pick? My money's on rookie CB D'Angelo Ponds from Indiana, who made more than a few splash plays for the national champs last season.

AJ Brown Has the Best Season of His Career

It wasn't surprising when Brown was dealt to the Pats this offseason, given how public he was about his role in the Eagles' offense. He's now reunited with Mike Vrabel, who was the head coach in Tennessee when Brown was drafted by the Titans in the second round back in 2019, and both parties are thrilled to be back in the same building.

Brown now becomes the unquestioned No. 1 receiver for a New England offense that features one of the best young quarterbacks in the game in Drake Maye, who had an MVP-worthy campaign last year in just his second season in the league. Maye is already one of the NFL's most effective downfield passers, which meshes well with Brown's skill set. The volume shouldn't be a problem, and neither should the quality of his targets. Throw in fresh new surroundings and a coach he clearly loves to play for, and you've got a recipe for Brown to put up the biggest numbers we've seen from him in the NFL.

Luther Burden III Becomes a Star

After a quiet start to his rookie season, Burden finished strong in 2025, showing flashes of the high-end potential and big-play ability that made him a star at Missouri. Targets were scarce behind the Rome Odunze/DJ Moore duo, but by the end of the season, Burden was making the most of his opportunities, and bringing explosiveness to Chicago's passing game that just wasn't coming from anyone else.

Moore was traded to the Buffalo Bills in the offseason, which should open up an expanded role for Burden in Year 2. He should also benefit from a second year in Johnson's offense, and more time building trust and chemistry with Williams, who has the arm talent and aggressive play style to take full advantage of Burden's value as a downfield weapon. While Odunze will remain the WR1 on paper, and Colston Loveland is sure to make a big impact from the tight end spot, it's Burden who will be the most electrifying weapon in this high-octane passing attack.

Lions Miss the Playoffs (Again)

Just a few short years ago, the Lions had a 24-7 halftime lead on the road against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game. They blew that lead, and fell short of their first-ever trip to the Super Bowl. The next year, they soared to a franchise-record 15-2 record in the regular season, only to give up 45 points in a home divisional playoff loss after enjoying a first-round bye. Last year, a 9-8 record wasn't good enough to make the postseason in a competitive NFC North.

Things won't get any easier for Dan Campbell and his crew this year, as the Bears and Packers are expected to fight for the title, and the Vikings will continue to be a tough out with one of the league's best coaching staffs. Jahmyr Gibbs is my pick to win NFL Offensive Player of the Year, but that won't be enough to get the Lions back to the playoffs.

MarShawn Lloyd Finally Makes an Impact

When the Packers spent a third-round pick on Lloyd in 2024, they were hoping to get a valuable complement to Josh Jacobs, who had just signed a huge contract in free agency to be their starter. But two years into his NFL career, the Packers have yet to see the same player they saw at USC. Lloyd appeared in just one game as a rookie, missing the rest of the year and all of the 2025 season due to injury.

Finally back to full strength heading into training camp, hopes are high that Lloyd can finally deliver on his potential. Talent has never been the issue, and Lloyd has a three-down skill set with big-play ability on the ground and through the air. Jacobs was arrested in May on domestic violence charges, and an investigation is still ongoing. If Jacobs misses any time as a result, Lloyd would be in line to replace him as the starter.

J.J. McCarthy Only Starts If Kyler Murray Gets Hurt

The Vikings made a bold move in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, trading up to spend a top-10 pick on McCarthy as their franchise quarterback of the future. They doubled down on that decision by moving on from Sam Darnold after a 14-win season in 2024, handing the keys to McCarthy after the Michigan product missed his entire rookie season due to injury. There were flashes of intriguing potential, but the offense largely struggled last season with McCarthy at the helm.

Those struggles compelled the Vikings to acquire Murray in the offseason, giving them an experienced veteran who has proven he can be successful at the NFL level. Given the draft capital they invested to get him, I'm sure hopes are still high in Minnesota that McCarthy can eventually be the player they envisioned, but Kevin O'Connell and his staff might not be able to wait around for that to happen. It won't be surprising if Murray easily wins the starting job in training camp, and only gives it up if he gets banged up at some point during the season, leaving Vikings fans to wonder about McCarthy's future with the team.

Lamar Jackson Returns to MVP Level

The youngest quarterback in NFL history to win multiple league MVP awards, Jackson should have won a third in 2024 after delivering one of the most incredible seasons we've ever seen from a pro quarterback. But injuries held him back last season, combining with a struggling defense and that fateful missed field goal at the buzzer in Week 18 to keep the Ravens out of the playoffs for the just the second time in nearly a decade.

Baltimore shook things up in the offseason, replacing longtime head coach John Harbaugh with first-timer Jesse Minter, and handing Jackson a new offensive coordinator in Declan Doyle, who just worked under Ben Johnson in Chicago. The Ravens also made some big investments in the rest of the roster, bolstering the defense with a top veteran pass rusher in Trey Hendrickson, and upgrading the talent around Jackson with promising draft picks (OL Olaivavega Ioane, WRs Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt). A healthier Jackson should be back at the top of his game, and with an improved supporting cast and innovative scheme, don't be surprised if he gets back in the MVP conversation with a big year.

Cashius Howell Out-Produces Shemar Stewart

In recent years, the Bengals have made it clear they have a type when it comes to drafting edge defenders in the early rounds, which is why it made so much sense when they spent the 17th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Stewart. Despite his lack of production at Texas A&M, Stewart's physical profile and high-end traits made him an ideal target for Cincinnati, and banking on his upside was understandable.

But in the second round of this year's draft, the Bengals signaled a different approach, once again going to College Station, but this time for a polished, productive edge rusher in Howell. Despite his lack of ideal size and length, Howell's explosiveness and deep bag of proven pass-rushing moves allowed him to put up big numbers in college, and made him a first-round talent on my board. While the Bengals still have high hopes that Stewart can eventually develop into an impact player, Howell's technical prowess and track record of production should allow him to make a bigger impact as a rookie than Stewart does in his second NFL season.

Denzel Boston Becomes WR1 in Cleveland

We all know this franchise is a mess, and after trading away the most dominant defensive player in the entire league, expectations are even lower heading into the 2026 season. One source of hope for the Dawg Pound should be the future of their pass-catching group, which already featured a veteran presence in Jerry Jeudy, and a budding star in Harold Fannin Jr. at tight end. Then came the 2026 NFL Draft, which saw the Browns spend a first-round pick on Texas A&M's KC Concepcion before stealing Boston out of Washington in the second round.

Despite being their second pick at the position in this draft class, it's Boston who has the skill set to quickly assert himself as the top target in this passing game. His combination of size, athleticism and physicality earned Boston a first-round grade on my board, and it should make him the go-to weapon for whoever ends up throwing the passes in Cleveland this season (my money's on Shedeur Sanders). While Jeudy, Fannin and Concepcion will all be involved and bring their respective big-play abilities to the table, it'll be Boston who emerges as the clear-cut leader in the clubhouse, especially in clutch situations and in the red zone.

Germie Bernard Makes a Big Splash

Can you tell I'm a big fan of the way this division drafted in 2026? Yes, the Steelers made a big veteran addition with another offseason trade, acquiring Michael Pittman Jr. from the Indianapolis Colts much like they did with DK Metcalf the year before, and that pair will certainly be valuable to Rodgers with their size and physicality. But it's Bernard who has me excited about the potential of this passing game, and his ability to unlock the best of what Rodgers can be in the final year of his Hall of Fame career.

A versatile weapon who lined up all over the place at Alabama, Bernard is a touchdown waiting to happen when he gets his hands on the ball, and the Crimson Tide were wise to find as many creative ways as possible to make that happen. Rodgers is known for his ability to get rid of the ball quickly, and Bernard's ability to get open quickly with polished route-running skills and make big plays after the catch should be a huge asset. Whether he lines up on the outside, in the slot, or even in the backfield, Bernard's combination of physical traits and mental prowess should make an immediate impact while opposing defenses are worried about stopping Metcalf and Pittman, leaving the rookie with plenty of 1-on-1 opportunities.

Zachariah Branch Makes an Instant Splash

The Falcons already had some dynamic offensive weapons heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, but they added another dangerous one in the third round with Branch, a transfer from USC who finished his collegiate career at Georgia. An undersized but explosive playmaker, Branch's role was limited mostly to quick throws and gadget plays in the Bulldogs' offense, but he's capable of being a more complete receiver, and Kevin Stefanski should be wise enough to put him in position to reach that lofty ceiling.

While opposing defenses are worried about slowing down the likes of Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts, Branch should have plenty of room to work at all levels of the field, taking full advantage of 1-on-1 opportunities and creating splash plays both downfield and after the catch. Throw in his potential impact in the return game, and you've got a recipe for an instant-impact player who will be on the highlight reel early and often.

Jonathon Brooks Finally Arrives

The Panthers spent an early second-round pick on Brooks in 2024, but injuries have limited him to just three games over his first two years in the league. Still, having just turned 23 years old, Brooks appears to be finally healthy and ready to deliver on the promise we all saw from him at Texas, where he averaged over six yards per carry for his career.

Chuba Hubbard has proven he can be a featured back, which is why Carolina gave him a big contract extension after a breakout season in 2024, but he took a back seat to Rico Dowdle last year. Dowdle's in Pittsburgh now, which should open up an opportunity for Brooks to push Hubbard for at least a true time share in the backfield. If he's able to stay healthy, Brooks still has the talent that made him the first running back off the board in 2024, and the Panthers' offense should benefit greatly if he's finally able to put it on full display.

Travis Etienne Jr. Steals Alvin Kamara's Job

Kamara has been the focal point of the Saints' offense for a generation, handling a massive workload and putting up big numbers on the ground and through the air. He's back on a reworked contract for the 2026 season, but New Orleans paid big money for a younger player at his position this offseason, bringing Etienne back home to Louisiana after an impressive career at Clemson and with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Kamara is still a fan favorite in New Orleans, and rightly so, but the Saints didn't pay big money for Etienne just to make him Kamara's relief in the offensive backfield. While Kamara will certainly still have a role in the offense on any and all downs, it should be Etienne who gets the lion's share of the touches moving forward, proving to be the new lead back and pushing Kamara down the depth chart.

Jalen McMillan Becomes a Household Name

Even without Mike Evans, the Bucs have a ton of talent at wide receiver heading into the 2026 season. But while the national focus remains on what should be a fantastic second season from Emeka Egbuka, and Chris Godwin Jr. finally being back to full strength, it's McMillan who could emerge as a big-time playmaker for Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay.

A third-round pick out of Washington in 2024, McMillan was primed for a breakout campaign of his own in 2025 before a scary neck injury in the preseason sidelined him for most of the regular season. Now back to full strength, McMillan should benefit from opposing defenses' focus on Egbuka and Godwin, with plenty of 1-on-1 opportunities. McMillan caught seven touchdown passes over the final five games of his rookie season, and he can make that kind of impact with the benefit of more experience and chemistry with Mayfield this year.

C.J. Stroud Finds His Rookie-Year Form

As a rookie, Stroud treated Texans fans to one of the most impressive seasons we've ever seen from an NFL quarterback. He's never been that same level of player since, though, with long stretches of head-scratching play that left many wondering how it could be the same player at all. It's not all his fault, of course, with inconsistency across the offensive line heavily contributing to degraded mechanics, poor decision-making, and questionable ball placement.

After multiple additions to the offensive line this offseason, both via free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft, Stroud should have a much better unit keeping him clean in the pocket this season. The arrival of veteran David Montgomery should help stabilize a backfield that struggled with injuries and effectiveness last year, and there's still no shortage of pass-catching weapons on the roster. The talent is still there, and with better pieces around him, Stroud should rediscover what he's capable of this season.

Another Losing Season for the Colts

Last year, the Colts got off to a roaring start, and they were so confident about their upward trajectory they traded multiple first-round picks for star CB Sauce Gardner. Unfortunately, they collapsed in the second half of the season, a frustrating run that finished with a season-ending injury to starting QB Daniel Jones. That marked a second straight 8-9 season for Shane Steichen as head coach, after a 9-8 finish in his first year.

Last year's mark might prove to be the Colts' ceiling under the current regime, as offseason departures and injury concerns aren't likely to make them a better version in 2026. Even if Jones is able to bounce back from the Achilles injury and stay healthy for the entire season, this Colts roster is easily a tier below what the Jags and Texans are bringing to the table, and the Titans could make a legit push to bury Indy at the bottom of the division. That could lead to some big changes for the organization in the offseason.

Travis Hunter Becomes an All-Pro CB

Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, there was plenty of debate about which side of the ball Hunter should play in a full-time role at the next level, and while the Jags remained adamant about using his two-way skill set to its full advantage, a season-ending knee injury may have put a stop to that moving forward. I was among those who talked about Hunter being a more valuable asset at corner, and that's where Jacksonville should let him thrive in 2026.

On offense, the Jags are loaded with talented pass-catchers (Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington, Brenton Strange), and while there could still be value in Hunter playing a few snaps in specific situations, I'm betting the coaching staff is smart enough to know how much more useful he could be as a shutdown corner. If they make that his focus in Year 2, there's no reason he can't be one of the best in the league in short order, thanks to an impressive physical skill set and mental prowess well beyond his years.

Cam Ward Becomes a Star

From a recruiting afterthought coming out of high school to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, you could argue that Ward's football journey has already been a rousing success. But he's got his sights set on more than a feel-good story, and after showing flashes of brilliance as a rookie, Ward's ready to take the next step in his development and take the Titans with him.

Ward's competitiveness is clear and contagious, and his no-nonsense style of vocal leadership is backed up by on-field talent with limitless potential. Saleh should have the defense playing on a much higher level in 2026, and Ward's supporting cast on offense will be furthered by new WR Carnell Tate, a top-five pick in this year's draft. Even if they're not good enough to make the playoffs just yet, Ward's elite playmaking ability should provide plenty of highlight-reel moments this season. By the end of the year, Ward's likely to find

Michael Wilson Becomes WR1 in Arizona

When the Cardinals spent a top-five pick on Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2024, the expectation was that he would quickly establish himself as not just the top target in Arizona, but one of the best pass-catchers in the league. Instead, tight end Trey McBride became the team's go-to option in the passing game, and now he's in danger of losing his top spot on the receiver depth chart to Wilson.

A third-round pick in 2023, Wilson showed flashes of potential over his first two seasons before breaking out with just over 1,000 yards receiving in 2025. He's proven to be a more consistent, reliable presence than Harrison up to this point, and there's no reason to believe that trend won't continue in 2026. Even if McBride continues to be the top option in Arizona's aerial attack, Wilson should build on last year's success and put up even bigger numbers this season, outpacing Harrison.

Rams Don't Win the Super Bowl

It might not seem bold to say that one of the other 31 teams in the league will take home the Lombardi Trophy, but considering how many are expecting the Rams to run away with it at this point, it feels worthy. This roster was already built to compete for another championship in 2026, but trading for Myles Garrett put the Rams in their own tier in terms of on-paper talent on both sides of the ball.

With Garrett leading the defense and terrorizing opposing quarterbacks, and Matthew Stafford coming off an MVP season to lead Sean McVay's offense yet again, it's hard to blame anyone for picking the Rams to win it all this year. But getting out of their own division will be hard enough, and making it through the playoff gauntlet will be its own challenge, both of which this team found out the hard way last year. Injuries will be inevitable, as they are for every team, but I won't be surprised if this "championship or else" run ends in disappointment.

Mike Evans Starts a New 1,000-Yard Streak

During his 12-year run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Evans became the first player in NFL history to start his career with 11 straight seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving, tying Jerry Rice for the league record of 11 such seasons for an entire career. Injuries kept him from extending that streak last season, and he decided to start a new chapter in his Hall of Fame career by signing with the 49ers this offseason.

Now suiting up for Jerry's old team, Evans should be back to full strength, and ready to prove he's still got plenty in the tank. Evans will turn 33 years old before Week 1, and he'll obviously have to avoid the injuries that held him back (and have nagged at him in general in recent years), but Kyle Shanahan's offense should open up tons of opportunities for Evans to get back to his usual level of production, adding a 12th 1,000-yard season to his gold jacket case.

Jadarian Price Puts Up Bigger Numbers Than Jeremiyah Love

At Notre Dame, Price played second fiddle to Love, who got the lion's share of the touches and most of the headlines during their college career as teammates. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Love is once again getting more attention, but it's Price who landed in a more advantageous situation at the next level. The final pick in the first round, Price joins a Seahawks backfield that just saw Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III leave in free agency.

Much like Ashton Jeanty last season (a top-10 pick to a rebuilding team), Love could have a hard time finding running room behind Arizona's offensive line. The Cardinals also signed Tyler Allgeier in free agency, and veteran James Conner is still around. In Seattle, Zach Charbonnet is still working his way back from a season-ending knee injury, and Price brings more explosiveness and versatility to the defending champs' offensive backfield. Price will have a better supporting cast, and potentially more touches as he emerges from Love'

Jonah Coleman Becomes RB1 in Denver

As of today, Coleman is mired in a depth chart that includes more experience (JK Dobbins, Jaleel McLaughlin) and higher draft capital investment (R.J. Harvey), but that doesn't mean he can't vault to the top of the list by the end of the year. Dobbins will get first crack as the elder statesman, but it's hard to depend on his durability considering his history of injuries. McLaughlin is undersized, and best used as a change-of-pace back. Harvey's rookie year was a mixed bag, but his second-round draft slot didn't stop Denver from spending a fourth-rounder on Coleman this year.

To that end, Coleman brings more power and physicality than McLaughlin and Harvey, which could allow him to earn early-down carries, as well as short-yardage work. If Dobbins misses any significant time, it's Coleman who has the skill set to push for the most snaps and touches, and his college tape shows a player with the talent to take full advantage of those opportunities.

Cyrus Allen Makes Waves Right Away

It's no secret the Chiefs have been trying to find more weapons for Mahomes, and they might have found a gem in this fifth-round pick out of Cincinnati. Undersized but explosive, Allen's sharp route-running ability jumped off his college tape throughout the predraft process, and he's already drawing rave reviews from offseason workouts and training camp practices ahead of the preseason.

Rashee Rice hasn't been a reliable WR1 for Mahomes, and Travis Kelce is a shell of his former self. Xavier Worthy is a valuable deep threat and big-play weapon on manufactured touches, but Mahomes needs a reliable target who can beat NFL defenses at every level on a consistent basis. Even as a late-round pick, Allen has the skill set to quickly develop into that kind of player, and it sure seems like he's already developing chemistry with Mahomes.

Brock Bowers Contends for Receiving Triple Crown

This year will be all about building a foundation with the arrival of Kubiak and Mendoza, but there are still some high-profile veterans who will make their mark on a league-wide level in Vegas. Bowers doesn't have the traditional dimensions or skill set for a tight end, but his receiving chops should be put to good use by Kubiak right away.

Last year, Jaxon Smith-Njigba lit up the stat sheet in Kubiak's offense. While it might say "TE" next to Bowers' name, he could find himself in a similar role as the team's go-to target. I won't be surprised to see Kubiak line up Bowers all over the place, getting him in the best matchups and feeding him tons of targets. A rookie quarterback will need a reliable target he can trust, and Bowers has the goods to deliver on a level that puts him in the same tier as the league's best receivers when it comes to every pass-catching category this season.

Chargers Actually Win a Playoff Game

The Chargers have one of the league's most talented quarterbacks in Justin Herbert, and when healthy, he's proven he can put up some of the best numbers in the league. But that hasn't translated to postseason success, as the team hasn't won a playoff game since 2018. 11-win seasons in each of the past two years have ended the same way, with first-round exits that saw the Chargers outscored by a combined 48-15.

Their biggest challenge this year will be maintaining a high level of play on defense following the departure of coordinator Jesse Minter, who took the head coach job with the Baltimore Ravens. But if they can keep that side of the ball rolling, and the offensive line avoids the catastrophic injuries that held them back last season, there's no reason why Herbert can't finally lead this team to a playoff victory.