Every NFL team’s competitions for starting jobs will heat up once training camp begins in mid-to-late July due to the restrictions on live contact and the absence of padded practices during OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Many rookies drafted high or even late-round picks are expected to or could start in Week 1, potentially dethroning current starters. This list focuses on five additional players who either began 2024 as starters or filled in and started most of the year, excluding free-agent acquisitions or players who assumed roles.
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Cincinnati Bengals: G Cordell Volson
Cordell Volson underwhelmed in pass protection and was benched on two separate occasions. He allowed 43 pressures, ten quarterback hits, and six sacks, posting a 49.4 pass-blocking grade, a 65.6 run-blocking grade, and a 59.3 PFF grade in 17 games and 15 starts. Volson did not play in Weeks 13 and 17.
Third-round pick Dylan Fairchild has taken the early lead in the left guard competition with starting aspirations, while Volson’s recent pay cut suggests a backup or reserve role.
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Cleveland Browns: RB Jerome Ford
Jerome Ford did not disappoint as a runner, averaging an impressive 5.4 yards per carry, but his role diminished once Nick Chubb returned. He finished with 565 yards on 104 attempts and three touchdowns, plus 37 receptions for 225 yards in 14 games and six starts. Ford missed Weeks 7 and 8 with a hamstring injury and Week 18 due to an ankle injury.
Ford agreed to a pay cut to remain in Cleveland, likely indicating a backup role. Despite the Browns drafting two running backs, he took first-team reps during the spring and is currently leading the race. However, second-round pick Quinshon Judkins could surpass him this summer.
Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Beanie Bishop Jr.
Although Beanie Bishop Jr. did not struggle in coverage, he later lost the starting job to an experienced veteran. He recorded 45 tackles, two TFLs, four interceptions, and seven pass deflections, allowing a 57.1% completion percentage, 388 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a 59.5 passer rating in 17 games and six starts. Once Cameron Sutton returned from his suspension, he took over while Bishop headed to the bench.
He took the early lead in the spring, but that changed with the acquisition of seven-time Pro Bowler Jalen Ramsey. The Super Bowl Champion will now handle slot duties.
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Houston Texans: G/C Juice Scruggs
Juice Scruggs started off as the starting center, a spot he held through Week 9, though he missed Week 2 with a groin injury. He was okay in pass protection and run blocking, allowing 22 pressures, three quarterback hits, and five sacks, posting a 63.3 pass-blocking grade, a 65.1 run-blocking grade, and a 64.2 PFF grade in 13 starts. Scruggs moved to left guard in Weeks 10-13, missed Weeks 15-17 with a foot injury, and played right guard in Week 18 and the Wild Card.
With the addition of Laken Tomlinson, who is expected to play at left guard, Tytus Howard has been working at right guard, a new position. Scruggs will compete for the starting center job against Jarrett Patterson and Jake Andrews. So far, the former second-round pick has received second-team reps at guard and with the third-team at center.
Indianapolis Colts: QB Anthony Richardson
Anthony Richardson struggled tremendously with his accuracy while also missing time due to injuries and being benched for two games. He completed 47.7% of his passes and threw for 1,814 yards, eight touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, finishing with a 6-5 record. Richardson missed Weeks 5 and 6 with an oblique injury, started Weeks 7-8, was benched in Weeks 9-10, returned to the lineup in Weeks 11-16, and missed the final two games with a back and foot injury.
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He experienced soreness in his right throwing shoulder in OTAs and missed mandatory minicamp as a precaution. Daniel Jones made the most of the opportunity in minicamp and is in the lead.
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