1. Houston Texans

They are taking advantage of the rookie contract of QB C.J. Stroud to bolster the rest of the roster for a Super Bowl run.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

There was no doubt that they would extend QB Trevor Lawrence. The question now is can he live up to that extension going forward?

3. Indianapolis Colts

It remains to be seen if QB Anthony Richardson can stay healthy to live up to his potential.

4. Tennessee Titans

They could surprise some folks this season, but that will depend on the development of QB Will Levis under new head coach Brian Callahan.

Head Coach: DeMeco Ryans

Key Position: Offense

After a stellar rookie season from QB C.J. Stroud, Houston decided to build off of that success in the offseason. They added WR Stefon Diggs and RB Joe Mixon to an already talented roster of playmakers. WRs Nico Collins and Tank Dell will benefit immensely with Diggs’ presence. TE Dalton Schultz was brought back and should duplicate his production from last season. Mixon immediately improves the rushing offense that didn’t find its rhythm until late in the season with the now departed RB Devin Singletary. There’s no reason to believe that Stroud will not have an even better season for 2024.

Key Acquisitions: LB Azeez Al-Shaair (Tennessee Titans), DL Denico Autry (Tennessee Titans), CB Myles Bryant (New England Patriots), WR Stefon Diggs (Buffalo Bills), DL Mario Edwards Jr. (Seattle Seahawks), DT Folorunso Fatukasi (Jacksonville Jaguars), DE Danielle Hunter (Minnesota Vikings), RB Joe Mixon (Cincinnati Bengals), CB Jeff Okudah (Atlanta Falcons)

Key Rookies: CB Kamari Lassiter, OT Blake Fisher, DB Calen Bullock, TE Cade Stover

Head Coach: Doug Pederson

Key Position: Quarterback

Trevor Lawrence took one step forward in 2022 under Doug Pederson, but then took two steps back in the 2023 season. Injuries took its toll on him down the stretch where he did miss one game. Yet, the Jaguars suffered as a whole with Lawrence’s inconsistency losing five of their last six games to finish the season. WR Gabe Davis was signed in free agency and they drafted WR Brian Thomas Jr. with their first round pick. Those two keep defenses honest and help create opportunities for WR Christian Kirk and TE Evan Engram who was Lawrence’s safety net with 114 catches last year.

Key Acquisitions: DL Arik Armstead (San Francisco 49ers), CB Ronald Darby (Baltimore Ravens), WR Gabe Davis (Buffalo Bills), WR Devin Duvernay (Baltimore Ravens), QB Mac Jones (New England Patriots), OL Mitch Morse (Buffalo Bills), DB Darnell Savage (Green Bay Packers)

Key Rookies: WR Brian Thomas Jr., DT Maason Smith

Head Coach: Shane Steichen

Key Position: Offense

It was a very limited rookie season for QB Anthony Richardson. It was evident that his upside is through the roof, but will he avoid the injury bug that comes for most quarterbacks with his mobility? The Colts narrowly missed out on the playoffs last season when QB Gardner Minshew was leading the way when Richardson went down. Should an injury cost Richardson significant time again, Joe Flacco is now the backup quarterback. RB Jonathan Taylor was dealing with injuries last season as well, but when he’s right he is among the best in the league. WR Michael Pittman had a career season and was rewarded with an extension. WR Josh Downs also had a solid season, but is better suited for the slot. Rookie WR Adonai Mitchell made big plays at the university of Texas and could make this passing attack more dangerous for the rest of the league.

Key Acquisitions: DT Raekwon Davis (Miami Dolphins), QB Joe Flacco (Cleveland Browns)

Key Rookies: DE Laiatu Latu, WR Adonai Mitchell, OT Matt Goncalves, OL Tanor Bortolini

Head Coach: Brian Callahan (Cincinnati Bengals)

Key Position: Defense

A whole new regime is taking over on the coaching staff. New head coach Brian Callahan has an offensive pedigree that could lead to promising results in Tennessee. On the defensive side there are a whole set of new faces. Franchise DL Jeffrey Simmons is still a beast, but he must stay healthy. New LBs Ernest Jones and Kenneth Murray are solid additions that should shore up the defense as a whole. The secondary has a completely new unit with CBs L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie being the top duo. Former Seattle Seahawks teammates Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs should help immediately on the backend, but Adams’ health has been sporadic.

Key Acquisitions: DB Jamal Adams (Seattle Seahawks), CB Chidobe Awuzie (Cincinnati Bengals), WR Tyler Boyd (Cincinnati Bengals), OL Lloyd Cushenberry (Denver Broncos), DB Quandre Diggs (Seattle Seahawks), LB Ernest Jones IV (LA Rams), DL Sebastian Joseph-Day (San Francisco 49ers), LB Kenneth Murray (LA Chargers), RB Tony Pollard (Dallas Cowboys), WR Calvin Ridley (Jacksonville Jaguars), QB Mason Rudolph (Pittsburgh Steelers), CB L’Jarius Sneed (Kansas City Chiefs)

Key Rookies: OT JC Latham, DT T’Vondre Sweat, CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr.