Sportsnaut
After months of emptiness, football is finally in the air as training camp is officially underway for all 32 NFL teams. Each team and player hold different expectations, but part of what makes the NFL so compelling is how unpredictable it can be.
While some things are set in stone, like Jalen Hurts being the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback, other jobs are up for grabs. Plus, teams may still be eyeing some significant roster changes. Below, we make one bold training camp prediction for all 16 teams in the NFC. Click here for a bold prediction on all 16 teams in the AFC.
Related: 2025 NFL QB Rankings
Selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Max Melton was expected to quickly establish himself as a consistent starter. That didn’t happen as a rookie, as he made just three starts. Now facing stiffer competition after Will Johnson and Denzel Burke were drafted, Melton could have a hard time emerging as a top-three corner on a team in need.
While it’s challenging to find a suitable landing spot right now, a lot can change once the pads are on. While the Falcons would prefer to have a high-level backup, a team may present an offer too good to refuse for Kirk Cousins, who still has plenty of life left in his 36-year-old arm.
Once again, the Carolina Panthers will be relying on an injection of youth to improve upon last season. After selecting three players in the top 77 picks, the Panthers could end up plugging several first-year players into their starting lineup. They may even end up with three rookie starters by the time camp breaks.
The Chicago Bears selected running back Roschon Johnson in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, hoping he could establish a key role. It hasn’t worked the way they envisioned, with Johnson averaging just 3.7 yards per carry through two seasons. Johnson’s ineffectiveness is why we believe Kyle Monangai can win the lead backup role, even as a seventh-round rookie.
For some reason, the Dallas Cowboys thought it was wise to trade a fourth-round pick in exchange for former second-round pick Jonathan Mingo last season. With CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Jalen Tolbert, and KaVontae Turpin likely established as the top four receivers, now Mingo might not even make the team.
Related: 5 New Trey Hendrickson Trade Ideas Amid Contract Holdout
When the Detroit Lions made Hendon Hooker a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, some thought he may eventually supplant Jared Goff as the starter. Two years later, and Hooker is finally in position to secure the main backup job to Goff, yet the 27-year-old’s time to impress is running out....
