NFC Roster Reset: Conference hierarchy heading into 2024 NFL Draft
The NFC is struggling with a perception problem.
While the AFC has the edge on superstar quarterbacks, Super Bowl-winning head coaches and current dynasties (the Chiefs are chasing their third straight championship), the NFC continually is facing ample scrutiny after last year. People want to know why 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan can't win a championship, how far the Cowboys can go with Dak Prescott as their quarterback and, of course, what was really behind the epic meltdown that plagued the Eagles at the end of 2023. And that's just for starters.
There are four new head coaches in the conference who need to prove themselves -- Atlanta's Raheem Morris, Carolina's Dave Canales, Seattle's Mike Macdonald and Washington's Dan Quinn -- and a handful of others who could be dealing with seriously hot seats if their respective teams disappoint, including Chicago's Matt Eberflus, Dallas' Mike McCarthy and Philadelphia's Nick Sirianni. Carolina quarterback Bryce Young, the first overall pick in last year's draft, must improve upon an underwhelming rookie season, while the Bears must find a star with the first overall pick in this year's draft. The Rams will learn what life is like with Aaron Donald moving into retirement. The Lions will see if head coach Dan Campbell can finally take this franchise to its first Super Bowl.
This does not mean the NFC won't be good in 2024. It's merely an acknowledgment that it's much harder to evaluate teams on this side of the NFL than the other. By the way, that won't stop us from trying. Here's how all the teams in this conference measure up when determining the hierarchy in the NFC.
San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles
These teams all make
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