We’re not quite at the halfway point of the 2024 NFL season yet, but every team has at least one player or unit that has surprised all of us — for better or worse.
Now, in the second quarter of the season, let’s dive into every NFL team’s biggest surprise so far in 2024.
Which surprise from each team caught you off-guard this NFL season?
Arizona Cardinals: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
Well, it looks like the Cardinals will be just fine at safety with or without all-pro Budda Baker, who’s likely to leave in 2025 free agency.
That’s because Arizona’s 2024 fourth-round pick, safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson out of Texas Tech, has completely exceeded expectations thus far.
Taylor-Demerson has seen limited snaps on defense and is getting most of his work done on special teams. But he’s been lights-out in coverage and has proven that his excellent preseason was no joke. It’s only a matter of time until he becomes a regular starter.
Atlanta Falcons: Darnell Mooney
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
It felt like a giant overpay when the Falcons handed Mooney a three-year deal worth $39 million in free agency. It turns out that these guys knew what they were doing the whole time.
Mooney has emerged as the Falcons’ no. 2 receiver behind Drake London amid another frustrating season by Kyle Pitts. Mooney is on pace to set career highs across the board and hit 1,000 yards receiving for the first time since 2021.
Baltimore Ravens: The Swiss Cheese Secondary
The Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry-led offense has come as advertised. No surprises there. But the defense? It’s been practically unwatchable through one-third of the year.
Baltimore had the NFL’s top-scoring D a year ago, thanks to the works of Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey, and Marcus Williams in the secondary. But the passing D has been near the very bottom this NFL season, even getting carved up by Gardner Minshew, of all people, back in Week 2.
Hard to imagine Baltimore going on a playoff run if this secondary doesn’t fix itself quickly.
Buffalo Bills: New Faces, Same Offensive Issue
The Bills traded Stefon Diggs and brought in the likes of Curtis Samuel, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and rookie Keon Coleman, hoping Josh Allen would learn to spread the ball around.
Well, Khalil Shakir has enjoyed a nice breakout year in Buffalo as their new top receiver. But the Bills offense hasn’t changed. They rely too much on Allen and his No. 1 receiver. Where are the other receivers, and where is tight end Dalton Kincaid?
Carolina Panthers: Andy Dalton’s Mini Resurgence
Not much has gone right for the Panthers, who benched 2023 first-overall pick Bryce Young after two games. That said, it’s stunning to see Andy Dalton providing a bit of QB stability on a hapless Carolina team.
As we saw in that 319-yard, 3-TD outing against the Raiders, the Red Rifle can still sling it. The biggest surprise is how much better the veteran backup is than Young, really.
Chicago Bears: Gervon Dexter Sr.
The Bears would not be in playoff contention without their stingy defense. And “stingy” has been largely made possible by second-year defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr.
Dexter Jr. has been Chicago’s best pass-rusher and is near the top in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate rankings among defensive tackles. A pleasant surprise in Windy City, alright.
Cincinnati Bengals: The Defense Is Helpless
Lou Anarumo had a reputation as a defensive mastermind from 2021 to 2023. His rush-3, drop-8 coverage scheme proved effective against top-flight offenses.
But the unit has been atrocious this year, costing them pivotal games against the Chiefs, Commanders and Ravens. They have wasted an MVP-like start from Joe Burrow, and the playoffs are a long shot now due to the D’s inability to stop a nosebleed.
Also Read: 9 WORST Quarterbacks In The NFL This Year
Cleveland Browns: The O-Line Is A Disaster
The Browns’ strength on offense has been the offensive line since Kevin Stefanski’s arrival in 2020, but it’s somehow been their ultimate weakness this year.
Deshaun Watson was sacked 26 times over the first 5 games, including two games where he took at least seven sacks. The run-blocking was awful for Jerome Ford, too, making this entire offense one gigantic mess.
And it all starts in the trenches.
Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Tolbert
Dallas has been searching for a No. 2 wide receiver to help CeeDee Lamb since the head-scratching Amari Cooper trade in 2022.
That role has finally been filled, with third-year wideout Jalen Tolbert emerging as Dak Prescott’s No. 2 weapon. He left his mark in Week 5 by catching the game-winning TD from Dak in the waning seconds of Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Now, can he hit the 1K mark?
Denver Broncos: Vance Joseph’s Lights-Out Defense
The Broncos finished 27th in scoring defense and allowed the fourth-most yards. This time, however, Vance Joseph’s defense has bounced back and emerged as one of football’s premier units.
Jonathan Cooper, Nik Bonitto, and Zach Allen have formed a terrifying pass-rushing trio. Patrick Surtain II is playing like someone who’s about to win Defensive Player of the Year honors, and second-year corner Riley Moss is also coming into his own as an elite shutdown corner.
Detroit Lions: Jameson Williams May Be Jared Goff’s New No. 1
Injuries and a gambling suspension limited Williams to 18 games over his first two NFL seasons. Well, the wait has been worth it because the 2022 first-round pick might emerge as Jared Goff’s most trusted target.
It was premature to call Williams a bust coming into this year. But through the first month of 2024, he was Detroit’s lead receiver over superstars Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta. It’s a pleasant surprise if you’re the Lions, though.
Green Bay Packers: Malik Willis Plays Hero
The Packers appeared to be in real trouble when Jordan Love was injured in Week 1 against the Eagles. But backup QB Malik Willis was up for the challenge, throwing for two touchdowns and no picks while rushing for 114 yards in the two games he played.
Oh, and Willis won both of them — keeping the Packers’ NFL season alive upon Love’s return in Week 4.
Houston Texans: Henry To'oTo'o
Most of the love for Houston’s defense goes to superstars Will Anderson Jr., Derek Stingley Jr., and Danielle Hunter. But don’t sleep on second-year linebacker Henry To’o To’o, who’s become a rock in DeMeco Ryans’ defense.
To’o To’o has become a beast in the rush defense and has brought the heat as a pass-rusher. It looks like Houston struck gold big-time by getting this guy in round five a year ago.
Indianapolis Colts: Jaylon Jones
After a “meh’ rookie NFL season, the 2023 seventh-round pick has developed into a quality starter for Shane Steichen’s defense. Jones has become Indy’s best ball-hawking defensive back this season, keeping the D together in a year marred by injuries to key players.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Power Outage On Offense
Not sure about you, but we were sold on the Jaguars returning to title contention this year. I mean, how could an offense with Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Christian Kirk, Brian Thomas, Gabe Davis, and Evan Engram fall apart?
Doug Pederson has the answers for you. Other than Thomas, none of Jacksonville’s big-named offensive weapons have played up to their potential or standards. That’s the real shocker here because a half-competent offense would have them in the playoff race.
Kansas City Chiefs: Jaylen Watson
No L’Jarius Sneed, no problem. It’s just the next man up in Kansas City.
The third-year cornerback has grown into a stalwart ball-hawking corner in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, forming a scary duo alongside superstar Trent McDuffie. How do the Chiefs keep doing it?
Las Vegas Raiders: The Defense Is Trash Again
Last season, the Raiders finished with a top-10 scoring defense for the first time since 2023.
With Antonio Pierce assuming full-time head coaching duties and with ex-Dolphins star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins coming aboard, the sky felt like the limit for this unit.
But Vegas has been near the bottom of almost every category, allowing an average of over 25 points per game. The D was supposed to give these guys a shot each week, but it’s been as awful and unreliable as the QB production.
Los Angeles Chargers: Kristian Fulton
Fulton never quite lived up to the hype in Tennessee as a 2020 second-round pick, but he has surely found his footing under Jim Harbaugh.
Fulton has emerged as the Chargers’ best lockdown corner thus far — earning a spot on PFF’s top-10 list of the most improved players through four weeks. If he keeps this up, it’s scary to think about what this defense could do with a healthy Derwin James, Khalil Mack, and Josey Bosa.
Los Angeles Rams: Tutu Atwell
The Rams’ season has quickly gone sideways because of injuries to Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. On the bright side, Tutu Atwell has stepped up to temporarily fill the No. 1 spot for Sean McVay and company.
Atwell is on his way to a career year, with 1,000 yards receiving very much in play. Perfect timing, with NFL free agency just around the corner.
Miami Dolphins: De’Von Achane & The Sophomore Slump
Achane turned heads in his rookie year by racking up 800 rushing yards and eight rushing scores despite missing six games. But with Tua Tagovailoa missing time, Achane hasn’t done his part — and the offense has suffered because of it.
Before the Dolphins’ hit their Week 6 bye, Achane had just 183 rushing yards and one score — averaging a measly 3.3 yards per carry.
Minnesota Vikings: Sam Darnold
The Vikings were supposed to be screwed when they lost rookie QB JJ McCarthy for the season with a knee injury. But Sam Darnold, of all guys, has saved their season by reviving his NFL career, 2023 Baker Mayfield style.
Darnold led Minny to a perfect 5-0 start heading into their week 6 bye, completing 63.5 percent of pass attempts for 11 touchdowns and four picks. So yeah, looks like it was just the Jets and Panthers holding him back the entire time.
New England Patriots: Keion White
The 2023 second-round pick had a forgettable rookie season, recording just one sack on the year. By the end of Week 2, White already had four sacks.
He’s been one of the few bright spots on a lousy Patriots team that’s in contention for the first overall pick. That counts for something!
New Orleans Saints: Rashid Shaheed
The Saints have cooled off considerably following an explosive 2-0 start, but wide receiver Rashid Shaheed has been a consistent playmaker for Dennis Allen’s group.
Shaheed has taken over as the top weapon in the offense over Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave. He’s also on pace for career-bests across the board, with his first 1K season in sight.
New York Giants: Wan’Dale Robinson
The speedy NFL wideout was hardly a factor over his first two seasons, but he’s finally coming into his own with Daniel Jones as his QB.
Robinson is the Giants’ No. 3 receiver behind Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton, but he’s on his way to new personal bests — with an outside shot of a 1K season.
New York Jets: Aaron Rodgers’ Offense Is In Shambles
The return of a healthy Aaron Rodgers has done nothing to fix the Jets’ offense. He looks more like a 40-year-old than a 4-time MVP. Star running back Breece Hall has been a non-factor, ditto for wide receiver Mike Williams.
The rebuilt o-line is still a mess, and even Garrett Wilson hasn’t done much with the future Hall of Famer as his QB. Did we mention they fired Robert Saleh after just five games? Perhaps the Jets are broken beyond repair.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Defense Still Stinks
After a lousy performance in 2023, the Eagles’ defense saw a giant facelift. Howie Roseman brought in Bryce Huff and CJ Gardner-Johnson before drafting two elite corner prospects in Coope DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell.
And yet, the Eagles D remains their weak link. The secondary has especially been picked apart, and this once-vaunted front seven had just six sacks through four weeks. What happened to this unit that nearly led the Eagles to a Super Bowl 57 title?!
Pittsburgh Steelers: Donte Jackson
The Steelers acquired Jackson from Carolina in the Diontae Johnson trade, and wow, did Pittsburgh ever hit a home run here? Jackson has been their best cornerback in terms of coverage and ball-hawking. He has been the complete package for Mike Tomlin’s D, which is scary with Joey Porter Jr. and Minkah Fitzpatrick also patrolling the secondary.
San Francisco 49ers: Jauan Jennings > Brandon Aiyuk
Aiyuk walked back on his trade request and signed a four-year extension worth $120 million before the NFL regular season.
And yet, it’s Jauan Jennings who’s emerged as the 49ers’ top weapon this season. While Aiyuk is playing well below last season’s standards, Jennings is in the running for the receiving yards crown.
Not Aiyuk. Not George Kittle. Not Deebo Samuel. Jauan Jennings!
Seattle Seahawks: Mike Macdonald Hasn’t Fixed This Defense At All
Mike Macdonald was the DC of a Ravens team that finished with football’s No. 1 defense last year. That helped him land the Seahawks’ head coaching gig, but it’s not that it’s led to much improvement.
The ‘Hawks had oped that Maconald would be a breath of fresh air over Pete Carroll’s old-school schemes and tactics. But despite a great mix of young and veteran talent, the Seattle defense has been gashed since their surprising 3-0 start – particularly against the Lions and 49ers in Weeks 4 and 6.
What happened to Macdonald, the defensive wiz?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zyon McCollum
McCollum saw limited action over his first two seasons. Now he’s the Bucs’ No. 1 cornerback following the departure of Carlton Davis.
McCollum had 10 total pass breakups over his first two seasons. He had eight alone over the Bucs’ first five games this year. He, too, landed on PFF’s top-10 most improved players list — having locked down big-named receivers like Terry McLaurin and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Tennessee Titans: The Lockdown Secondary
Tennessee’s offense hasn’t given fans much to enjoy. Will Levis has been borderline unwatchable, and Calvin Ridley isn’t living up to his hefty contract.
But surprisingly, the Titans’ secondary has been arguably football’s best thus far. They allowed just 124 passing yards per game over their first four contests. If this keeps up, the Titans won’t bottom out, meaning their fans will still have good reason to watch each week.
Washington Commanders: Andrew Wylie
Wylie was one of football’s worst offensive linemen in 2022 and 2023, allowing 18 total sacks over that period, per Pro Football Focus. But it’s been a completely different story this season for the veteran tackle.
Wylie has been rock-solid in pass protection and is among ESPN’s top-ranked offensive tackles in pass block win rate. Washington’s patience with him has paid major dividends, alright.
