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NFL Succession Plans: 11 Players and Coaches Filling Big Shoes in 2024, Including Sam Darnold, Zamir White, and Jerod Mayo

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Which NFL players and coaches have the biggest shoes to fill in 2024? 11 NFL individuals trying to escape their predecessors' shadow this season.

Succession planning is never easy. Whether you’re Logan Roy deciding which of your children to tap as CEO or an NFL team trying to replace a departed star, finding competent replacements can be intimidating.

Which NFL players and coaches have the biggest shoes to fill next season?

We’re counting down 11 NFL individuals under pressure to live up to their predecessors in 2024. Which ones will deliver?

Which NFL Players Have the Biggest Shoes To Fill in 2024?

Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings

Replacing: Kirk Cousins

Darnold may have been forced to fend off Vikings first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy in 2024, but the Michigan product is out for the year after tearing his meniscus during Minnesota’s preseason opener.

Darnold, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, has struggled throughout his career but is now set up in one of the best offensive environments he could ask for.

With Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, a top-10 offensive line, and head coach Kevin O’Connell calling the plays, Darnold is poised for success as he takes over for Cousins.

What will the Vikings do if Darnold thrives in 2024? In a world where he succeeds as Cousins’ successor, Darnold would give Minnesota a good problem: two viable quarterbacks.

Would general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah use the franchise tag on Darnold before trying to trade him? Could the Vikings let Darnold walk and recoup a future compensatory pick while turning things over to McCarthy? Minnesota may have myriad questions to answer in 2025, depending on how the upcoming season plays out.

For now, Darnold is in a position to get his NFL career back on track.

Devin Singletary, RB, New York Giants

Replacing: Saquon Barkley

Barkley became something of a modern-day franchise icon for the Giants over the past five years. As the only reliable offensive producer on New York’s roster, Barkley was a fan favorite.

While Barkley had to run behind one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines, he didn’t do much to generate his own yardage over the past two years. Among 34 running backs with at least 300 carries since 2022, Barkley ranks 23rd in yards after contact per attempt (2.88) and 26th in attempts per avoided tackle (22.6), per TruMedia.

The Giants bolstered their front five this offseason, signing three new starters in LG Jon Runyan Jr., RG Greg Van Roten, and RT Jermaine Eluemunor. New York’s revamped OL will give Singletary — who worked with Giants head coach Brian Daboll in Buffalo — a chance at 2024 success.

However, Singletary will have to watch out for firth-round rookie Tyrone Tracy, a WR convert who averaged 4.44 yards after contact per attempt in 2023, the second-best mark among Power Five running backs with at least 100 carries.

Zamir White, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

Replacing: Josh Jacobs

The Raiders’ Gardner Minshew vs. Aidan O’Connell battle was the NFL’s worst quarterback competition. While Minshew won, he didn’t exactly light up the preseason; the veteran essentially beat out the second-year O’Connbell by default.

We’re expecting Las Vegas to lean on its running game, offensive line, and defense — which should mean plenty of carries for White.

White, a fourth-round pick in 2022, has just four pro starts under his belt. He didn’t see much work as Jacobs’ backup until the Raiders’ starter went down at the end of last season. White averaged 4.73 yards per carry and topped 100 yards twice over Vegas’ final four games.

Alexander Mattison and rookie pass-catching specialist Dylan Laube might vie for touches out of the Radiers’ backfield. Still, White will be given every opportunity to become the club’s bell-cow RB.

Tyler Guyton, OT, Dallas Cowboys

Replacing: Tyron Smith

Replacing a future Hall of Fame left tackle on a playoff-caliber team is no easy task, but Guyton has looked outstanding as the Cowboys’ Smith successor through two preseason games.

PFF’s charting debits the 2024 first-round pick with just one pressure allowed on 30 pass-blocking snaps. Former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz said, “You can’t teach (Guyton’s) level of effort to finish a defender” in the run game.

Two years after drafting future All-Pro guard Tyler Smith, Dallas might’ve found another star. Guyton may not be the Cowboys’ sole rookie OL starter in 2024, as third-rounder Cooper Beebe is locked in a center battle with holdover Brock Hoffman.

Liam Eichenberg, G, Miami Dolphins

Replacing: Robert Hunt

Interior offensive line remains the most significant weakness on the Dolphins’ roster heading into Week 1. Hunt signed a $20 million per year free agent deal with the Carolina Panthers, while projected left guard starter Isaiah Wynn is still on the PUP list while recovering from a 2023 quadriceps injury.

Assuming center Aaron Brewer (hand) returns for Week 1, Liam Eichenberg will likely replace Hunt as Miami’s starting right guard.

Eichenberg has played every offensive line position since joining the Dolphins in 2021 but has generally struggled at each.

Pro Football Network’s Adam Beasley indicated Eichenbefg was beaten multiple times in pass protection in recent joint practices against the Washington Commanders.

Cam Jurgens, C, Philadelphia Eagles

Replacing: Jason Kelce

Losing Kelce was enough for the Eagles to fall out of the No. 1 spot in the PFN’s Offensive Line Rankings. While Philadelphia’s front five is still elite (we have them at No. 2), Kelce’s retirement will undoubtedly affect the Eagles’ offensive operation in 2024.

Jurgens is a solid interior lineman with two years of experience in OL coach Jeff Stoutland’s system. He started 11 games at right guard in 2023 and boasts the same sort of mobility that made Kelce the greatest center of his generation.

But even if Jurgens is excellent as he shifts to center, he’s unlikely to be as effective as his future Hall of Famer predecessor. Kelce handled every pre-snap call for the Eagles, taking a crucial load off quarterback Jalen Hurts’ plate, while his presence was fundamental for Philly’s Tush Push success rate.

Dorian Williams, LB, Buffalo Bills

Replacing: Matt Milano

The Bills will be without Milano for the second consecutive season after he suffered a torn biceps earlier this month. Milano, who missed most of the 2023 campaign with a fractured leg, will undergo surgery and attempt to return later this year, potentially in December.

Breakout candidate Terrell Bernard returns as Buffalo’s middle LB starter, but the Bills are now counting on 2023 third-round pick Dorian Williams to take over Milano’s weakside role. Williams primarily played on special teams during his rookie campaign but logged a 20% snap rate on defense.

Although the Bills will need two linebackers on the field for most of their defensive snaps, head coach Sean McDermott and coordinator Bobby Babich could lean into more Dime packages with six or more defensive backs (and just a single linebacker).

According to TruMedia, Buffalo did not play a single snap of Dime personnel from Weeks 1 through 5 in 2023. However, after Milano’s Week 5 injury, the Bills used Dime packages on 22.8% of their plays, the fifth-highest rate in the league.

Trenton Simpson, LB, Baltimore Ravens

Replacing: Patrick Queen

The Ravens identified Simpson as their replacement for Queen, who signed with the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers during the offseason. Simpson has lived up to Baltimore’s confidence, shining during training camp and making plays during the preseason.

Facing the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday, Simpson flew around the field, proving he’s ready to start alongside All-Pro Roquan Smith. The 2023 third-round pick hit Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke on Atlanta’s opening series, then brought him down on a third-down scramble on their next drive.

Simpson’s best play might’ve come on the Falcons’ third offensive series. He played tight coverage on Atlanta tight end John FitzPatrick, smoothly gliding with the pass catcher before getting his head around to break up the pass.

Simpson is an uber-athlete who ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at 235 pounds. With Smith handling the details in Baltimore’s offense, Simpson should be free to work downhill and attack.

Joshua Williams, CB, Kansas City Chiefs

Replacing: L’Jarius Sneed

The Chiefs are still searching for a CB2 after trading the franchise-tagged Sneed to the Tennessee Titans over the offseason.

K.C. defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is a defensive back whisperer, but none of the Chiefs’ young cornerbacks have grabbed Sneed’s old job and run with it this preseason.

While Williams is considered the favorite to start opposite first-team All-Pro Trent McDuffie, fellow 2022 draft choices Jaylen Watson and Nazeeh Johnson are still in the mix for Kansas City.

“It might be a committee over there, but there is some talent there,” head coach Andy Reid said this week when asked about the Chiefs’ No. 2 corner gig.

Williams and Johnson are each dealing with hamstring injuries. Watson missed K.C.’s first two preseason games with a shoulder injury, then allowed six receptions for 127 yards and missed a tackle against the Chicago Bears on Thursday night.

Jerod Mayo, HC, New England Patriots

Replacing: Bill Belichick

Belichick might be the NFL’s greatest head coach, general manager, and defensive coordinator. Replacing a league legend might seem overwhelming, but Mayo has put his own stamp on the Patriots since succeeding Belichick in January.

As Pro Football Network’s Dakota Randall wrote in February, Mayo has been far more open than his predecessor. He announced New England’s entire coaching staff — including titles — early in his tenure.

While that may seem like a commonplace move for an NFL team, Belichick would infamously keep coaching roles secret as long as he could.

On the field, the Patriots’ situation couldn’t have been worse in 2023. New England won just four games, its lowest total since 1992, and finished 31st in points scored.

Mayo has nowhere to go but up, and 2024 expectations are low. The Pats have plenty of offensive weaknesses and the NFL’s most difficult schedule, which could lead Mayo to roll with veteran Jacoby Brissett over No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye at the start of the season.

Zach Orr, DC, Baltimore Ravens

Replacing: Mike Macdonald

Macdonald’s hiring in Seattle meant the Ravens had to replace one of the NFL’s best defensive minds. The ex-University of Michigan DC optimized every aspect of Baltimore’s defensive roster, getting career seasons out of veteran mercenaries like EDGE Jadeveon Clowney and CB Arthur Maulet.

Orr is facing a daunting task after the Ravens’ defense ranked first in points per game (16.5), points per drive (1.35), yards per play (4.6), DVOA (-23.3%), and sacks (60).

However, Orr is regarded as something of a defensive wunderkind. At 31, he’s the NFL’s second-youngest DC. Orr, whose playing career with the Ravens ended after a 2016 neck/spine condition, has only been coaching for seven years.

John Harbaugh could’ve scoured the market for a veteran coach to replace Macdonald, but the fact that he stayed internal and hired Orr means the Ravens’ new DC must be ready for the job.

While Baltimore lost some pieces over the offseason, Orr will still have All-Pro level talents like LB Roquan Smith, S Kyle Hamilton, and DT Justin Madubuike at his disposal.

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