Buy or Sell: NFL Teams Looking to End Playoff Droughts in 2024

This league is drenched in parity.

The result is fun. Rarely do teams go long without being at least somewhat competitive, as free agency, the salary cap and the draft make it easy to move from bad to good (and good to bad) in short durations.

However, eight NFL teams are currently riding playoff droughts spanning three-plus seasons. With rosters generally taking shape following the draft, let's check out each of their chances to get back into the Super Bowl mix in 2024.

Current playoff odds courtesy of DraftKings

Last playoff appearance: 2020

Odds to make 2024 playoffs: -125

Why one might sell: Nothing's certain with a rookie quarterback or his rookie first-round receiver. And the Lions and Packers have much better outlooks and odds within the same division. That leaves Chicago with little margin for error and a lot of mystery.

Why we're buying: The defense was already solid for a team that went 4-2 to conclude the 2023 season, and now they've added top pick Caleb Williams at quarterback and the intriguing Rome Odunze at receiver while reinforcing things on both sides of the ball. On paper, they're there.

Last playoff appearance: 2020

Odds to make 2024 playoffs: +160

Why one might buy: The sky's the limit for young quarterback Anthony Richardson, who now has Adonai Mitchell at wide receiver and a defense that has added Laiatu Latu. A team that had Richardson healthy for just four games and possessed less talent overall still managed to win nine games in 2023.

Why we're selling: Houston looks even better, and the Jaguars have more proven talent (especially under center). We still don't know what to expect from Richardson and Mitchell, and the AFC looks super deep when it comes to the wild-card race.

Last playoff appearance: 2020

Odds to make 2024 playoffs: +175

Why one might buy: The NFC South is wide open, so a team with a proven veteran quarterback and still plenty of talent on defense has a high likelihood of being in the mix. The Saints might not be clearly better than they were last year, but that team managed to post a winning record while ranking in the top 10 in points for and allowed.

Why we're selling: The Falcons have become a lot stronger within that division, and the Buccaneers remain the three-time defending champion of the NFC South. The Saints look like a team treading water, not taking off. And quarterback Derek Carr really hasn't been at his best since around 2019 and 2020.

Last playoff appearance: 2020

Odds to make 2024 playoffs: +260

Why one might buy: There's a shiny new quarterback in town via the No. 2 overall pick, and Jayden Daniels has plenty of support in an offense containing Terry McLaurin, Austin Ekeler and Sam Cosmi.

Why we're selling: They're still in a division with the Cowboys and Eagles, and the pass rush and offensive line could both be problematic after they sold off some parts in 2023. Daniels may also need some time and isn't a sure thing regardless, while Kamren Curl and Kendall Fuller are likely to be missed on defense as well. There are just too many holes and obstacles.

Last playoff appearance: 2017

Odds to make 2024 playoffs: -300

Why one might sell: It's not an easy argument to make considering how stacked the offense looks with the addition of Kirk Cousins. Still, Cousins is coming off a major injury and the Falcons didn't use their top-10 draft pick on a player who can help him or the defense. The defense also likely remains vulnerable after it was neglected to an extent this offseason.

Why we're buying: Cousins is apparently on track, and he was performing damn well before going down last season. He should have plenty left and will be surrounded by Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts and Drake London in that offense. In the NFC South, that should be more than enough.

Last playoff appearance: 2017

Odds to make 2024 playoffs: +900

Why one might buy: Because anything can happen in this league and those odds are eye-opening. Maybe because the NFC South is soft, especially if it doesn't come together for Cousins in Atlanta. But even if the Panthers are slightly better on paper, and even if Bryce Young improves, this is a hard argument to make.

Why we're selling: Despite the fact they've made life a little easier on Young, this team lost 15 games last season and didn't have a top-30 pick in last week's draft. Let's be real—even if they're on the right track (a major "if"), the Panthers are at least a year away.

Last playoff appearance: 2015

Odds to make 2024 playoffs: +500

Why one might buy: Maybe Sean Payton will bring everyone together after spending a year getting acclimated, and at least there's some fresh blood at quarterback for a team that does at least have some veteran talent surrounding Bo Nix or whoever starts under center.

Why we're selling: The Broncos' recent actions don't even indicate they recommend us purchasing them here. Maybe the goal is to execute a quick rebuild under Payton, but it's a rebuild nonetheless.

Last playoff appearance: 2010

Odds to make 2024 playoffs: -225

Why one might buy: Aaron Rodgers, and a defense that ranked third in DVOA last season. The four-time MVP is healthy again.

Why we're selling: Aaron Rodgers, despite a defense that ranked third in DVOA last season. The four-time MVP is 40, and he hasn't been statistically strong since 2021. There's little reason to believe he can suddenly dominate again, especially in a very tough division and the deeper of the two conferences.