The game of football is as exciting today as it’s ever going to be in 2024. As all are glued to witness the new faces battling it out with the oldies in the NFL, here’s why new personalities and legendary figures that make new records or break some create action almost inevitable for this season. In this article, we deepen our digging into the best football players to watch out for in 2024, get into the potential prospects for the new season, their skill sets, and what makes them different from others on the field.

Patrick Mahomes: The King of the Quarterbacks

Patrick Mahomes, without a doubt, is the most exciting quarterback in NFL history. Mahomes will forever be remembered as the most unstoppable, human highlight reel in NFL history, sealing multiple MVP titles, and winning those Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs, wherein it only takes a look at where he has gone to understand that what he can do probably has never been done before by a quarterback.

He’s laughable on the move, with accurate passes, and has the guts when it counts to be that great play, and in 2024, he’ll solidify his legacy as one of the all-time greats. Mahomes is still at the helm leading the Chiefs’ potent offensive system that makes them contend year after year​ with PFF

What to Watch:

• Anticipate to see Mahomes break records and make deep playoff runs.
• His relationship with upper-echelon receivers as receiving threats Travis Kelce will increase the Chief’s offense by more than double.
• Follow Mahomes as he breaks further passing records to compound his legacy in 2024.

Jalen Hurts: The Dual-Threat Phenom

Perhaps no one has built as boastful a reputation as Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles dynamo who, following a season that seasoned him as a dual-threat passer and deadly runner, brought utter terror to opposing defenses with his multifaceted talents. He runs and also throws the ball so accurately and can pivot at any point in the game to reverse play.

In 2024, Hurts will demonstrate that last season was no coincidence because he will be the Eagles and leader with the Eagles to continue to be among the league’s deadliest teams through his toughness, leadership, and making plays that will make sure the Eagles remain one of the most deadly teams in the league.

What to Watch For:

• Hurts would continue to make defenses sweat with his rushing ability combined with his passing accuracy.
• Whether or not the Eagles will go all the way in 2024 will be determined by his ability to close out games.
• If Hurts develops as a leader and finds himself to be more offense-oriented, then there is a brighter future ahead for the player.

Micah Parsons: The Defense Powerhouse

While the more newsworthy stars are usually pretty defensive, offensive stars tend to be pretty dull, but Micah Parsons has quickly become one of the more exciting league players by virtue of his wear-on defense. Parsons is a frightening pass rusher who can completely shift the complexion of a game with one hit. He can play a multiple-position role and thus becomes something of a nightmare matchup for opposing offenses.

Already an elite edge rusher, Parsons is poised to be dominant in 2024 for the Dallas Cowboys. Expect him to continue to be maddeningly difficult on quarterbacks and continue to elevate the Cowboys’ defense to new heights heretofore unseen.

What to Watch for:

• How he harasses the quarterback will make Parsons a major league factor.
• His defensive versatility enables the Cowboys to use Parsons in many different ways, possibly keeping offenses off balance.
• Watch for Parsons making a serious run for Defensive Player of the Year in 2024.

Justin Jefferson: The Unstoppable Wide Receiver

Justin Jefferson is in his prime when it comes to wide receivers. The wide receiver from Minnesota Vikings runs the routes, has great hands, and also exhibits athleticism that makes him one of the most electrifying players ever to be in the game of the NFL. This is a guy who can take any particular game and make it become a highlight reel with all the acrobatic catches.

Expect Jefferson to be one of the league’s most prolific wideouts again in 2024, but this time his pairing with quarterback Kirk Cousins has been wicked. Tack on an explosive offense to attach to him, and Jefferson is a force not readily forgotten, writes PFF.

What to Watch:

• Jefferson’s ability to blow past the sideline means it’s impossible to stop.
• That deep threat capability and play explosiveness continue to make defenses sleep at night.
• Much more of that is expected from Jefferson throughout the rest of the year as he breaks record after record and puts the league on top.

T.J. Watt: The Sack Machine

Then there’s the defensive star that is T.J. Watt, who has surely earned his place in the league as one of the best. This Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker just seems to have an uncanny knack for going after the quarterback and getting sacks on his way to changing the momentum. He’s relentless, but really, it’s the mix of speed with strength that makes him such a total nightmare for those offensive linemen.

Watt’s always disrupting, sacks the quarterbacks at all important times, and continues to be a force on the Steelers’ defense. In 2024, Watt will be one of the major pass rushers and he’ll look to help the Steelers make a run in the playoffs.

What to watch:

• Watt will be a major factor as he tries to get after the quarterback in every game.
• He’s gonna take the Steelers to another world because he is gonna lead a defense that will rise to meet every challenge that comes their way.
• Watt is gonna get more sacks than he did in that last season and is gonna win Defensive Player of the Year for the second time.

Travis Kelce: The Great Tight End

No secret Travis Kelce is one of the NFL’s top tight ends. What has been, however, nothing short of the stuff of legend has been his relationship with Patrick Mahomes. Hands that generate big-time catches, zip-around speed, and an ability to run routes like a receiver have made Kelce an integral part of the Chiefs’ offense and always one of Mahomes’ top targets. It’s in pressure situations when no one else makes the big play that Kelce makes his mark.

Kelce continues to wreak havoc at the NFL level and remains one of the best tight ends well into 2024. The big man is going to be in the Chiefs’ red zone consistently, and he tends to make plays downfield, so fantasy football owners will want to pay attention, too.

What to Watch:

• Once again, Kelce is going to be one of the top play-makers in Kansas City’s offense, and that is going to produce a lot of mismatches between him and his defenders.
• End in the red zone and get moving in the chain; there is no other way the Chiefs are going to be effective with him.
• Kelce is going to always break records and make things happen in 2024.

Nick Bosa: The Pass-Rushing Phenomenon

Nick Bosa is one of the best pass rushers in today’s NFL, and a physically intimidating figure he may be, but his relatively inconsequential status on the San Francisco 49ers’ roster doesn’t really seem to fit. He has been an elite defender for a group that showed promise for making some marks this year. Given his ability to get after the quarterback as well as to stop the run, he is probably the most well-rounded defensive player in the league.

A cocktail of explosive first-step ability, ultra-physical hands, and never-give-up on the quarterback makes Bosa a nightmare. He should expect more dominance from the defensive line in 2024 that shall make the 49ers chase the goal of the Super Bowl.

What to Watch:

• The player should feature on the list for the Defensive Player of the Year award due to relentless quarterback pursuit.
• The big sack or the forced fumble guy he is going to change the game with is just going to bring one of the more exciting ones that you can just watch.
• Watch Bosa lead this 49ers defense for several years and possibly all the way back to the Super Bowl.

Joe Burrow: The Cool and Collected Quarterback

Joe Burrow can easily take a spot on the list of top NFL quarterbacks through coolness under fire, extraordinary talent in reading defenses, and pinpoint accuracy. Leadership that seems to take the Bengals to new heights will undoubtedly be an important part of 2024 for Joe Burrow and his team in the AFC.

Familiarity with top-end receivers such as Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins gives Burrow one of the most potent offenses in the league. Poised by talent, Burrow has everything to lead the Bengals to Super Bowl 2024.

Keep an eye out:

• Burrow will again be one of those quarterbacks with the elite clutch action execution process.
• All it begins with the connection he will have with his receivers. For that reason, it will be of utmost importance in determining how far the Bengals will take the quarterback into the 2024 playoffs. Expect Burrow to lead the Bengals deep into the playoffs and win a possible second MVP award.

The Future of Football: The Next Generation in Focus

While the stars up above are to be watched for 2024, more young stars will burst from their shell this season. Players like Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers and C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans had glimpses of brilliance and hopefully would flash these talents in 2024.