There are no more big free agent splashes on the verge of being announced. The only potential splash addition between now and the start of the season would be made via the trade market. Some big names have been thrown around there, but that tends to be rumor mill fodder more often than not. As such, the roster that teams would field today is the one they are going to war with this season. For better or worse.
A few teams still have glaring needs that they will have to address next year. That tends to be par for the course. Even the best teams have question marks entering the season. Not all weaknesses are created equal, as some glaring needs are far more glaring than others. With that said, every team has a potential Achilles heel that could sink its chances at the ultimate goal of winning it all. So, where does each team stand?
Arizona Cardinals – Linebacker room
The Cardinals’ defensive line was easily their biggest weakness last year. However, they greatly improved the unit this offseason. The same cannot be said for the linebacker room, where they lost their second-leading tackler (behind Budda Baker) this offseason in Kyzir White. The 29-year-old technically has yet to be signed, but the chances of him returning appear slim at this point. They signed Akeem Davis-Gaither this offseason, but he has only 11 career starts under his belt over the first five years of his career. Mack Wilson Sr. and Baron Browning also don’t move the needle for me.
Atlanta Falcons – Interior defensive line
They desperately needed to improve their pass-rush this offseason, and they did a good job of doing so with two first-round additions to the edges in James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker. However, the interior of their defensive line still leaves an awful lot to be desired. 2024 second-round selection Ruke Orhorhoro is coming off a disappointing redshirt rookie season, and David Onyemata is entering the twilight of his career. They will probably miss Grady Jarrett (who is also entering the twilight of his career, but still).
Baltimore Ravens – Interior defensive line
Like I said in the opener, not all weaknesses are created equal. That fact becomes abundantly clear when comparing the Falcons’ defensive line to the Ravens. Baltimore has one of the league’s most well-rounded rosters, and it’s not easy to pinpoint their biggest weakness. However, if you had to do so, it would have to be their interior defensive line. They have a great (!!) player in Nnamdi Madubuike there, and an up-and-coming one in Travis Jones, but Broderick Washington is slated to start alongside them. He’s been a solid rotational guy, but that’s still a clear weak spot on that defense.
Buffalo Bills – Safety position
The Bills are another well-rounded squad. However, even with the addition of Maxwell Hairston in the first round, their defense is susceptible on the back end. Taylor Rapp is on his last legs, and he was never a burner to begin with. Damar Hamlin will always be a success story, but he has settled in as a replacement-level starter at the free safety spot. It might not be a glaring weakness, but it’s confidently their biggest.
Carolina Panthers – Secondary
Between Jaycee Horn’s massive contract extension and the three-year, $51 million deal for Tre’von Moehrig, the Panthers have spent a significant amount of money on the secondary this offseason. I’m not sure it was money well spent, though. Moehrig ranked 59th among 171 qualifying safeties per Pro Football Focus (PFF) standards last year, and I think that might’ve been too generous. Mike Jackson and Chau Smith-Wade are also replacement-level starters. Their free safety position is even more bare between the combination of Nick Scott and Demani Richardson. Things could get ugly in Carolina’s secondary this year.
Chicago Bears – Pass rush
The Bears did a great job of improving the talent across their roster this offseason. Their offensive line, which was one of the league’s worst last year, might be the NFL’s most improved unit. However, if you had to pinpoint their most glaring need at this point, you wouldn’t have to look any further than their defensive front. While they added some much-needed talent to the defensive line, they failed to add a dependable pass-rushing presence on the edge opposite Montez Sweat. I know they signed Dayo Odeyingbo to a three-year, $48 million deal, but he has only 16.5 sacks through three seasons. I think they might struggle to get after the passer if Gervon Dexter Sr. doesn’t take a big leap.
Cincinnati Bengals – Safety position
Can I say ownership here? Low-hanging fruit is the most cost-effective to grab, right? Mike Brown would probably commend me for valuing such a thing. Since that feels like cheating, the Bengals’ biggest weakness on their roster would have to be the safety position. Geno Stone has a great nose for the football, but is abysmal in run support. Meanwhile, Jordan Battle is a completely unknown commodity slated to start at the strong safety spot.
Cleveland Browns – Quarterback logjam
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again.. When you’ve got eight quarterbacks on your roster, you probably don’t have one. The money the Browns are allocating to the position would certainly indicate they had one, but that’s just about the only indication in that regard. Deshaun Watson is the 13th-highest-paid QB in the NFL. He probably won’t play this year. Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, or Shadeur Sanders will attempt to hold down the fort in the absence. I think they are much more likely to burn it down.
Dallas Cowboys – Running back room
There’s no sugarcoating it.. The Cowboys have quite the pitiful running back room. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders would’ve been a pretty solid duo if it were 2021. Unfortunately for Dallas, and I’m not sure if their front office is aware, but it’s 2025. And Micah Parsons is no longer under contract after this season, and he’s upset about it. Oh, I’m sorry this article was about the running back room… I mean, what else can I say? They’re just bad. Fifth-round selection Jaydon Blue is their only hope for virtually any excitement out of that backfield.
Denver Broncos – Receiver room
The Broncos didn’t have a great receiver room last season, and they really didn’t do much to improve it this offseason. Courtland Sutton is a solid starter, but they have a lot of question marks (or one-trick ponies) behind him. They have four players who would be quality third or fourth options for most offenses, but someone will have to grab the second receiver job. Quality depth, but that’s where they’re behind the curve compared to many teams around the league.
Detroit Lions – Coaching staff uncertainty
I thought about going with the interior of Detroit’s offensive line here, since they will be starting two new players on the interior this offseason (and Graham Glasgow will be moving to center). With that said, coaching matters. Losing two coordinators is always going to hurt, and that’s especially the case when they call plays on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Dan Campbell has built an impeccable culture in Detroit, but he will have to show that he can thrive without Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn.
Green Bay Packers – Secondary (!)
Xavier McKinney is a great safety. One of the best in the league, in fact. However, I have questions about every other starter in the Packers’ secondary. Namely, why? Why are they content going into the season with Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon as the starting outside cornerbacks? Why didn’t they mend things with Jaire Alexander, who has been rock-solid whenever he’s been on the field? Things have gotten so dire that they’re attempting to move receiver Bo Melton to the defensive side of the ball. The D-line better get after the opposing QBs, because I’m not sure how long they will be able to hold up on the back end.
Houston Texans – Offensive line
The Texans did what all teams do in the offseason after allowing the fourth-most sacks in the league: They traded away their best offensive lineman. That should shore things up! They have two returning starters in Tytus Howard, who is moving to the interior after struggling at right tackle, and Jarrett Patterson at center. They also added Cam Robinson, Laken Tomlinson, and Aireontae Ersery. Meh. Call me a hater, but it honestly seems like a net negative with the loss of Tunsil, who is coming off three straight Pro Bowl selections.
Indianapolis Colts – Quarterback position
Speaking of me being a hater, I am all the way out on Anthony Richardson. I want to believe.. He’s got all the talent in the world and is just 23 years old. I just don’t see the vision, and I don’t think he has enough drive to be a successful NFL QB. I’ll never forget how he waved the white flag and pulled himself out of the game on a key third down against a division rival (Houston). I think we will see Daniel Jones at some point this year, and I don’t think Jones’ decision to join Indy over staying in Minnesota and throwing to their elite core of weapons has received the attention it’s due this offseason. He liked his chances of playing behind the 2023 fourth-overall pick better than his chances of playing behind the 2024 tenth-overall pick.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Offensive line
I worry about the Jaguars’ ability to keep Trevor Lawrence out of the blue tent. They made some additions to the line this offseason in Robert Hainsey and Patrick Mekari, but those were more of a swing for average (which admittedly would be a lot better than they’ve been as of late) than they were high-quality additions. I’m also not high on Walker Little and Anton Harrison at the two tackle spots. They struggled mightily in pass protection last year, and Jacksonville has virtually no backup plan if either were to falter.
Kansas City Chiefs – Left guard
I almost went with “left side of the offensive line” here, but I think they probably hit a home run with the selection of Josh Simmons. Because why wouldn’t they? The sea always seems to part for the Chiefs and Eagles, who routinely make the rest of the NFL look silly for letting them land obvious steals on draft night. Still, this list is about weaknesses, and the loss of Joe Thuney should sting. There’s simply no way around it. Kingsley Suamataia is expected to fill his role, but he struggled mightily when he was thrown into the fire last year. I understand they had to move on from Thuney to resign Trey Smith, but that doesn’t mean it won’t hurt in the short term.
Las Vegas Raiders – Secondary
The Raiders have one of the league’s most depleted cornerback rooms, and it got even worse with the recent trade of Jakorian Bennett. The 24-year-old might not be a perennial Pro Bowler, but he’s been solid whenever he’s on the field. Eric Stokes and Darien Porter are now in line to start on the outside, with Darnay Holmes holding it down in the slot. Athletic freaks? Sure. Quality starters? Far from it. Jeremy Chinn was a quality addition at strong safety, but I also have questions about Isaiah Pola-Mao at the free safety spot.
Los Angeles Chargers – Interior defensive line
The Chargers’ pass-rush will probably be just fine with Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack on the edges. However, they probably won’t be getting much pressure on opposing QBs from the interior. While their projected starters on the inside, Da’Shawn Hand, Teair Tart, and Otito Ogbonnia, are good run stoppers, they offer little value in terms of pocket movement. The Chargers have a rock-solid defense, but the interior is the clear weak spot.
Los Angeles Rams – Linebacker room
The Rams have a solid roster across the board. I want to be clear that this entry has nothing to do with their edge-rushers (who are technically outside linebackers in their 3-4 scheme). However, their off-the-ball linebackers leave an awful lot to be desired. Nate Landman and Omar Speights are the favorites to start there, and neither player instills a ton of confidence.
Miami Dolphins – Cornerback room (!!)
Remember when I emphasized just how back the Packers’ and Raiders’ cornerback rooms are? Well, the Dolphins’ room makes theirs look like they contain multiple All-Pros. Hey, speaking of All-Pros, remember when Miami traded away Jalen Ramsey in the offseason? I’m not saying it was a terrible move (Mikah Fitzpatrick is a great player in his own right), but it probably would’ve given me pause on including them on this list. I still probably would’ve done it anyway, though, which is telling. Jack Jones, Storm Duck (you heard that right), and Mike Hilton will hold it down on the back end. No sugarcoating it, that’s downright hideous.
Minnesota Vikings – Cornerback room
Speaking of pretty bad cornerback rooms… the Vikings also definitely have one of those. The team lost Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin in the offseason and replaced them with less proven players in Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah. Mekhi Blackmon will probably lock down a starting position opposite Rodgers (with Okudah probably being the fourth man on the depth chart), but he is also relatively unproven after missing all of last season with a torn ACL. Byron Murphy Jr. is rock-solid in the slot, but the rest of the starting lineup is littered with question marks.
New England Patriots – Receiver room
The Patriots went on a spending spree this offseason, which included breaking the bank on a shiny new weapon for Drake Maye in Stefon Diggs. Regardless, I think the receiver position is still their weak spot. Diggs is closer to the twilight of his career than his three-year, $63.5 million deal would indicate, and I don’t think they have a quality number two receiver on their roster. Much like the Broncos, they have solid depth at the position, but a lot of their guys would be better suited as the third or fourth option in a passing attack.
New Orleans Saints – Quarterback position
My gut says Tyler Shough wins the starting QB job in New Orleans relatively easily. My gut also says it won’t go well, and he loses it to whoever the Saints draft near the top of the 2026 NFL Draft. After years of dancing with the salary cap devil, the chickens finally seem to be coming home to roost. They just have a severe lack of talent across the board, and I’d be surprised to see them find a way to keep their head above water. I think Shough will take the brunt of the criticism for their failures, and I’m guessing it will get ugly.
New York Giants – Offensive Line
When was the last time the Giants’ offensive line was good? I don’t know, but I do know we’ll have to wait a bit longer until that’s the case. Andrew Thomas is solid when healthy (which is becoming increasingly rare), and Jon Runyan has developed into a solid starter next to him. The same cannot be said for the other side of the line, though. John Michael Schmitz Jr. has been disappointing at center through two seasons. Meanwhile, Greg Van Roten and Jermaine Eluemunor have both peaked as replacement-level starters.
New York Jets – Receiver depth
If I had one piece of advice for fantasy drafts this year, it would be to prioritize drafting Garrett Wilson. He is about to catch 200 passes in that offense. I mean, who else is going to get open? Josh Reynolds? Allen Lazard? Arian Smith or Malachi Corley? Yikes. Justin Fields has never been great at throwing with anticipation. I anticipate that being a problem for their pass-catchers not named Garrett Wilson.
Philadelphia Eagles – Uncertainty over their new starting defensive linemen (I guess)
The Eagles genuinely don’t have a weakness. What they do have, however, are two new starters on the defensive line. Milton Williams and Josh Sweat both cashed in with new teams on the open market this offseason. I almost went with their defensive line here, but they still have Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, and Nolan Smith Jr. They will have no issues getting after opposing QBs. The Eagles are a very well-run organization with a stacked roster across the board. Teams like that just have to reload. Moro Ojomo and Azeez Ojulari (or Jalyx Hunt) should benefit from the unit they’re playing around. Still, they’re the most glaring weakest links until proven otherwise.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Receiver depth
I almost singled out their left tackle, Broderick Jones, here. I’m assuming he will be a thorn in Aaron Rodgers’ side this year as the single most glaring red flag on the offensive side of the ball. However, their o-line is a very well-rounded unit otherwise. The same can’t be said for their receiver room. DK Metcalf was a valuable addition this offseason, but their depth behind him leaves an awful lot to be desired. They will be relying on Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller, Roman Wilson, and the ghost of Robert Woods behind him. Woof.
San Francisco 49ers – Interior defensive line
I was surprised how difficult this one was… in a bad way. The 49ers certainly still have a ton of talent at vital positions, but they’re also relying on unproven players at a few spots as well. On one hand, their lack of proven talent along the defensive line and in the secondary (a dishonorable mention for this entry) makes a lot of sense when you consider that so much of their cap is tied up in their five highest-paid players. On the other, it really makes you wonder how good their defense will be with so many question marks. Specifically, the interior of their defensive line could struggle mightily until Alfred Collins gets his feet under him.
Seattle Seahawks – Interior offensive line
The Seahawks have had issues with their offensive line over much of the previous decade. I don’t know if this will be the year they right the ship. The selection of Grey Zabel in the first round was a savvy move, as he has the versatility to play virtually anywhere along the line. Unfortunately for them, he can only play one position at once. Olu Oluwatimi and Anthony Bradford are projected to start at center and right guard. That could get ugly quickly.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Edge rusher
The Buccaneers are another well-rounded team. However, if you had to pinpoint a weakness, it would definitely be their edge rusher spot. While they tied for sixth with 46 sacks last year, that had more to do with their ability to collapse the pocket (with Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey in the middle) than their ability to get pressure off the edge. I was honestly surprised they didn’t look for an upgrade over Logan Hall and Yaya Diaby, as they were both held under six sacks last year.
Tennessee Titans – Linebacker room
The Titans might not have many big names on the defensive side of the ball, but they played much better than the sum of their parts last year. However, they lost their leading tackler, Kenneth Murray Jr., in the offseason. While they signed Cody Barton to replace him, I’m not sure the 28-year-old will be able to replace his production. They are also relying on Otis Reese IV, who has only 179 defensive snaps under his belt, to take the leap next to him. Too many question marks in the middle of Tennessee’s defense for them not to be the weakest link.
Washington Commanders – Pass rush
The Commanders appear to be hell bent on having an entire starting D-line consisting of defensive tackles. They lost their reigning sack king in Dante Fowler Jr., who had 10.5 sacks last year, and their only major addition to the line was defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. While they have great depth on the interior, their talent at edge rusher leaves an awful lot to be desired. Projected starters Dorance Armstrong and Deatrich Wise Jr. are much better at stopping the run than they are getting after opposing QBs, and their pass rush productivity could take a hit with the loss of Fowler.
