Each franchise presents different opportunities and challenges. Others have more obvious needs that they need to fill to remain competitive. This article examines the biggest remaining roster holes for each of the 32 NFL teams, highlighting key player developments and potential impacts on their respective seasons.
Atlanta’s Struggles in Run Defense
Sorting this unit out will be important, as it ranked 26th in run stop win rate last season per NFL Next Gen Stats. This bottom tier ranking is indicative of struggles to truly contain the run, which is massively important to a team’s overall defensive success. The Falcons departed with security weaknesses that need to be fixed, adding to their odds of doing well in an extraordinary competitive NFC South.
Apart from their defensive woes, Atlanta has plenty of young talent to speak about. Keon Coleman had a quietly efficient rookie season, showcasing his potential as a valuable asset moving forward. His development will be critical for the future of the Falcons. While adding star power, they hope to become a deeper, more well-rounded team that can truly compete for the division title.
Upgrading the defensive line or finding more athletic, pass-dropping linebackers might be necessary moves for Atlanta’s defense to take that next step. Then, they must ensure that they can do more than just stop the run – they need to be able to neutralize opposing offenses’ strengths, too. If they work on shoring up their defensive game, the Falcons put themselves in a good spot to be more competitive next season.
The Texans’ Guard Dilemma
No NFL team is better positioned to completely change their fortunes on the offensive line. And even as they’ve brought in a ton of guards, there’s still some serious questions about their potential. The Texans should take a long hard look at their options. And they need to determine if any of their guards are capable of consistently shielding the QBs and creating room for a rushing attack.
To address their receiver corps, the Texans signed free agent WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. His arrival injects a ton of depth to a thin outside receiver position that was screaming for help. His combination of experience and playmaking ability should provide a long-awaited electric touch to Houston’s offensive units. What will be more telling is how he fits with the players already on board.
Secondly, Kaden Prather looks like an interesting seventh-rounder making a case as the third-best outside option. The Texans will need to assess his development during training camp and preseason games to determine if he can contribute meaningfully this season. As they seek to add new pieces to cement their offense, discovering dependable talent should be of the utmost importance.
Commanders’ Linebacker Depth Concerns
For the Washington Commanders, their lack of linebacker depth could be a severe misstep. With little insurance behind starters Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner, this is an area the Commanders need to look to bolster. Losses to starting middle and weak-side linebackers can devastate their defensive game plan. The new team will need to move quickly to make this commitment mean something.
On one hand, Jahan Dotson did not have this breakout season like people might expect, only catching 19 passes for 216 yards last year. The Commanders will need him to improve his play this season. All of them desire to increase their offensive production from the pass catchers. Creating chemistry between Dotson and whomever is under center will be vital for any hope of them returning to a functional passing game.
As Washington looks ahead, they must not only address linebacker depth but ensure they have reliable options at key positions. How well they can plug these holes will decide just how competitive they’ll be in what looks to be an ever tougher NFC.
Aging Stars and Emerging Talents
While teams are making difficult evaluations on their rosters, many of these veteran players are still able to offer valuable leadership in the locker room and beyond. Cameron Jordan Returning to Team: New Orleans Saints Age at Start of Season: 36 His experience would be invaluable, but for all his benefits the team needs to weigh his long-term viability and possible impact on younger players against that.
Within the Jacksonville Jaguars’ camp, recent arrival Emmanuel Ogbah dishes out playmaking presence and talent to their defensive front. His addition will make their existing pass rush more dangerous. In the process, he’ll help develop kids several years his junior who are hungry to learn and improve their games. The Jaguars’ offseason priorities have been geared toward developing the kind of intimidating D that can stifle even the college game’s greatest NFL conversions—the spread offense.
In other news, Diontae Johnson’s strange 2024 season, in which he played with three different teams. Johnson is sure to receive fierce examination as he responds to the changed environment. He wants to make his own imprint on the league with the way he plays.
Evaluating Young Talent and Development
Michael Jackson
had a difficult last year, finishing up 79th among 93 qualifying cornerbacks in coverage DVOA. This year’s performance uncovers some of those important spots still needing work. If he wants to remain on the roster, let alone win a larger share of the team’s defensive snaps, he needs to do a 180.Teams looking to build through the draft, take heed—this was only the Detroit Lions’ sixth-round pick on an edge rusher. On their way to picking Ahmed Hassanein in that round. Environmentalists worry that this landmark decision raises serious questions about EPA’s strategy going forward. Are they really doing enough to fill their defensive vacancies in such a hyper-competitive defensive league?
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