Biggest Concern for Each NFL Team Coming out of OTAs

Let's be honest with each other: You miss the NFL. That's why, even though this is only news about OTAs, you are paying attention to it.

If the NFL draft marks the conception of a plan, OTAs are the first two months of that baby's life. We can learn a little bit about what it'll grow up to be, but there are plenty of false flags.

Babies with blonde hair will grow up to have brown hair. Green eyes will turn to blue. But regardless of how the puzzle unfolds, this is the time when optimism can flow, and we can imagine the baby growing up and becoming a self-actualized badass. Or a lawyer, whichever definition of success you find most important. 

So here we are, 32 storylines. One for each team. Let's figure out together, you and I, which stories will stick.

Arizona Cardinals: Will Daryl Washington Return Someday?

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"Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington" is more of a theory than an actuality at this point. After being suspended for the entirety of last season due to violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, Mike Jurecki of 910 AM Phoenix reports that Washington is "not aware where he stands right now" with the league. 

Depending on what commissioner Roger Goodell rolls on his d10 of Arbitrary Suspension, there's a chance that Washington may not be available for the Cardinals before October. Or possibly later, if he gets an additional suspension because of the personal conduct policy. 

The Cardinals survived Washington's absence well last season, but they don't have a linebacker with his combination of pass-rush ability, coverage skills and tackling. They took a flier on oft-injured linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, but the rosiest scenario is one in which both of them are flying to the ball together.

Atlanta Falcons: Who Is the Lead Back?

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After selecting Indiana's Tevin Coleman in the third round of the draft, the Falcons have a full-on race to replace Steven Jackson as the lead back in the committee. Through one lap, incumbent fourth-round pick Devonta Freeman is in front, as he started OTAs as the No. 1 back, per ESPN's Vaughn McClure. 

The interesting thing is that both backs have clear flaws. As much as I like Freeman, I have to admit that most teams have been slow to declare smaller guys like him true No. 1 backs. Even a law-abiding Ray Rice took a couple years to shake out of Willis McGahee's shadow. On the other hand, Coleman is an odd fit for the zone scheme that offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has typically run.

I think the likely scenario is that Freeman wins the early job, though I don't think it's assured he'll be productive enough to hold Coleman off. The real winner in all this might be veteran back Antone Smith, who made a habit of creating touchdowns out of the only thing weaker than thin air: Atlanta's offensive line circa 2014.

Baltimore Ravens: Is Justin Forsett Marc Trestman's New Checkdown Toy?

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While the Ravens are undergoing their traditional upheaval at one position that will of course end well because they are the Ravens at receiver, it's a good time to pause and remember who their offensive coordinator is. 

With Gary Kubiak gone, Marc Trestman is now tasked with continuing the success that Kubiak brought to quarterback Joe Flacco last season. Trestman has had a reputation for heavy utilization of the running back as a receiver out of the backfield that started with Charlie Garner and ended with Matt Forte catching 102 balls last season. 

Flacco already told the Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson that he expects running back Justin Forsett to be "huge" in the checkdown game. It may not be Forsett if rookie fourth-rounder Buck Allen is ready quickly, but some back on this team is going to catch a lot of footballs by the time the season is over.

Buffalo Bills: Repopulating the Offensive Line

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Some insist that the Buffalo Bills' starting quarterback job is the most important storyline of OTAs. I'd suggest that when Tyrod Taylor is being given an honest chance at the gig, the outcome doesn't matter. 

But what does matter for Rex Ryan's Bills is the blockers who will be creating holes for new acquisition LeSean McCoy to run through 30 times a game.

Outside of left tackle Cordy Glenn and center Eric Wood, not much is settled. Cyrus Kouandjio and Seantrel Henderson are battling at right tackle, per Sal Capaccio of WGR 550 in Buffalo. The Bills are the team that will be writing the Richie Incognito redemption story, which could go a number of ways. Free-agent regret Chris Williams hasn't showed at OTAs yet, which may put third-rounder John Miller right in the starting lineup. 

When a team has a defensive line as good as Buffalo does, it can win in spite of the quarterback situation. But if it isn't able to get the right pieces up front to run the ball, it won't matter how many times Jerry Hughes and Mario Williams meet the opposing quarterback in the backfield.

Carolina Panthers: A Team That Is Willingly Starting Michael Oher at Left Tackle

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Carolina Panthers training camp news has trickled in. Wideout Stephen Hill is showing the same skill without pads that keeps him employed. Linebacker Thomas Davis is bargaining for an extension that ESPN's David Newton believes he should get. 

The Panthers put a lot of stock in their UDFA development programs by trading up twice in the draft. Well, here's what happens when you do that: Your starting left tackle is Michael Oher, a journeyman on his third team who blocks only slightly better than a stack of The Blind Side hardcovers. 

There's been some talk from Newton that fellow high-pedigree pickup Jonathan Martin could push Oher. Well, I'd hope so for his sake. Carolina looked a lot smarter ignoring offensive tackle before Jordan Gross walked away. If the Panthers actually start Oher at left tackle in 2015, ignorance will not be bliss.

Chicago Bears: Papering Over the Ray McDonald Fiasco

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While Bears chairman George McCaskey walks through the PR minefield that was the Ray McDonald signing, the team has to fill the hole left at defensive end. This means likely choosing between Ego Ferguson and Jeremiah Ratliff to fill a 3-4 starting end spot neither really appear qualified for. 

Of the two, Ferguson is the one who could be something, and the 34-year-old Ratliff is the one who could probably benefit from fewer snaps. On a team that probably doesn't have much hope for a quick turnaround, the answer seems pretty obvious. Then again, this was a team that signed McDonald in the first place.

Cincinnati Bengals: Getting Targets Off the Trainer's Table

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If you thought Andy Dalton had no one to throw to in Cincinnati's most recent playoff defeat, well, you were right. Everybody but Mohamed Sanu was hurt. A.J. Green was hurt. Tyler Eifert was hurt. Marvin Jones was hurt. You were hurt. Andy Dalton was eventually hurt when he realized his No. 2 option was Ryan Hewitt. 

So, what the Bengals need from OTAs is health. 

Jones hasn't been cleared to practice yet after tweaking a hamstring. Eifert is only practicing on a limited basis, per ESPN's Coley Harvey. Right tackle Andre Smith is still recovering from a torn triceps and may not be available until training camp, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.

Green seems fine, and while that's a start, the Bengals really need every conceivable skill position player they can get to make this offense work with Dalton at the helm.

Cleveland Browns: Johnny Manziel, Johnny Manziel, Johnny Manziel

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Johnny Manziel? Ahh, Johnny Manziel. Johnny Manziel. 

It's hard to believe that it's only been a year since we endeavored upon this adventure to discover what Manziel would be as a professional. So far, we have a few ugly games to look at. 

The Browns are being cautious with Manziel, listing him as the No. 2 quarterback and hoping he has gotten his life together after his return from rehab. By placing Josh McCown on top of the depth chart, they've certainly put up a low bar for competition. Donte Whitner is pro-Manziel's changed behavior (via Kevin Jones of ClevelandBrowns.com). And as bad as Manziel was last season, he still has the talent to become a good NFL quarterback. 

That's something they haven't said about Josh McCown since the early 2000s. 

Of course, early reports from camp are that Manziel looks like a "fish out of water," per Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com, in the new offense, which is a sign to not get the ol' hopes up.

Dallas Cowboys: Can Joseph Randle Be the Man?

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Look, it's cute and all that we've given lip service to the other candidates. Darren McFadden has been a constant source of joy for anyone who hates running back vision for years. Ryan Williams has never been healthy.

It's also fun to imagine the Cowboys offensive line as a dominant force that you or I could waltz behind to a 1,500-yard season. The answer is somewhere in between. And that means the Cowboys need Joseph Randle to do more than talk smack about DeMarco Murray: They need him to be a serviceable replacement for Murray. 

Lance Dunbar is a fine third-down back who, if pressed, could provide some contributions. But the offseason is very important for Randle because he's got the lead-back role locked up unless he gives the Cowboys a reason to bring in someone like Steven Jackson or Ray Rice. Again, Randle doesn't have to be an unstoppable force—but he does have to prove himself capable.

Denver Broncos: Clash of Styles

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Hiring Gary Kubiak was supposed to give the Broncos a new identity, so they probably can't complain that it's happened. It's just very awkward to watch a team that set passing records as recently as 2013 be forced into the rigid, under-center Kubiak offense. 

Wideout Emmanuel Sanders told Allie Raymond of the team's official website: "It's definitely different. You talk about going from a no-huddle offense to an offense that’s huddling up, to an offense that is predicated off running a football and then throwing it."

That would be less of a worry if the Broncos offensive line looked better. Left tackle Ryan Clady tore his ACL and, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, is "likely" out for the season.

Center Gino Gradkowski was abysmal in his extended trial with the Ravens in 2013. This team is going to need second-round tackle Ty Sambrailo to be ready to play quickly, and Gradkowski and Shelley Smith make for an uninspiring pair of washouts from recently brutal offensive lines. 

It's too early to start dropping the Broncos in power rankings, but there are some very unsettling signs here.

Detroit Lions: Guess That Slot Receiver

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Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew has clearly defined his roster. He doesn't want to use resources on a right tackle, and he hasn't been able to afford the resources to get a solid third receiver for quarterback Matthew Stafford. 

That's led MLive's Kyle Meinke to speculate that running back Theo Riddick could be tried in the slot. Given the current allocation of goods—the Lions have three solid running backs and two great receivers—it's an idea that makes a bit of sense. 

Riddick came out of Notre Dame with a reputation for being a good receiver out of the backfield, and he finished 2014 as a top-15 back in both DVOA and DYAR, according to Football Outsiders. Former second-rounder Ryan Broyles hasn't been healthy in a long time, and Lance Moore doesn't seem to have a lot left in the tank at this point. Riddick very well may be the best option this team has to play third wideout.

Green Bay Packers: Where Is Clay Matthews Playing?

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Word out of Packers camp is that head coach Mike McCarthy will continue experimenting with star linebacker Clay Matthews inside in base packages, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky.

While moving Matthews around helped mask Green Bay’s problems last season, the best solution for all parties would be if Matthews could play outside and Green Bay had actual help inside. Green Bay is very high on fourth-rounder Jake Ryan and believes he could be a three-down linebacker, according to the Journal Sentinel's Tyler Dunne. But expecting that right away might be a stretch.

Green Bay will be fine at outside linebacker, but short of rolling out Nick Perry in an actual bubble, it’s hard to see what the Packers will do when injuries occur. The linebackers are going to have to take a step forward as a unit for this team to reach its full potential.

Houston Texans: Jadeveon Clowney’s Comeback Trail

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When the Texans lost former No. 1 overall pick outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney to microfracture surgery, it put both the player and the team in a tough situation.

The Texans need all the help they can get at many positions—if it can be said that a nine-win team is still on the rebuilding trail, then Houston is on it. Asking Clowney to recover quickly enough to contribute right away is an expectation that borders on lunacy. 

Yet, that’s where the Texans are. They traded up twice in the draft for middle linebacker Benardrick McKinney and wideout Jaelen Strong, but they found no real help at outside linebacker.

J.J. Watt is the pre-eminent maestro of his generation, but asking him to single-handedly make this pass rush work is like asking Slash to jam with a high school band and turn the members into professionals. Outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus has shown little in terms of pass rush, and there are no real backups of note on hand. 

So to live up to the hype, all Clowney has to do is come back from a devastating injury to play right away and help Houston become a better team. Good to see there’s no pressure on him.

Indianapolis Colts: What Is This Offense’s Ceiling?

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Indianapolis has had a problem for a few years now: Quarterback Andrew Luck has been surrounded by middling talent at the other skill positions.

Running back Trent Richardson was an anchor weighing down the entire offense. Wideout T.Y. Hilton broke out only for stalwart receiver Reggie Wayne to finally go down with a serious injury. Salvage candidate Hakeem Nicks didn’t even have a dead-cat bounce in him. 

Indianapolis has really gone all-out to surround Luck with talent this offseason. Running back Frank Gore and wideout Andre Johnson should be steady contributors to an offense that hasn’t had much steady about it.

First-round wideout Phillip Dorsett offers the Colts another seam-stretcher who could cause matchup problems on the outside. Even the bottom of the depth chart is filled with interesting players who could have a chance to bring something to the table, such as sixth-round runner Josh Robinson and CFL signing Duron Carter.

Luck’s offensive line isn’t exactly beautiful, but the rest of the unit paints an intriguing picture. This will be the first time we see Luck with enough skill position partners to fully show off his talent. Is that a recipe for a full step up the AFC contention ladder, or will the Colts just embrace their AFC South fiefdom?

Jacksonville Jaguars: Fixing Blake Bortles

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Blake Bortles is going to remember his mechanics this time; we promise. 

The Jaguars are talking up their second-year quarterback after he spent the offseason working out with Tom House. While it certainly could be the case that Bortles rebounds, Jacksonville has spent so much draft capital on building a power-run game that it’s hard not to see it as talking out of both sides of its mouth.

The Jaguars want to build a power-run game around second-round back T.J. Yeldon because they are worried about another full season of bad Bortlebacking. 

Of course, Bortles doesn’t have to be a star to be good. But what we saw last year was a terrible season-long display. This is a big year for him, because as Chase Stuart of FootballPerspective.com often notes, quarterbacks don’t tend to make a magical leap after their second season.

Kansas City Chiefs: Resurrecting the Defense

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Last season the Kansas City Chiefs lost a ton of games to injury on defense. In a way, that could be a good sign: When players come back in good health, it should hypothetically raise the tide and cause a regression to the mean from the previous season. 

But the Chiefs are in a peculiar spot here: Most of their big season-ending injuries came to rather old players. Derrick Johnson, a star in his prime, is coming off an Achilles tear at age 32. (Johnson participated in OTAs, according to Terez A. Paylor of KansasCity.com.)

Tamba Hali had a knee scope this offseason after his lowest sack total since 2008. He's 31. Defensive lineman Mike DeVito is coming off his own season-ending Achilles injury and will be 31 before the season starts.

There's a lot of theoretical bounce back in this unit, but there are also reasons to doubt that the players coming back will be as effective as they were in the past.

Miami Dolphins: How Far Can Ryan Tannehill Take This Team?

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The Miami Dolphins, much like the Colts, spent this offseason upgrading every bit of offense they could. After seeing offensive coordinator Bill Lazor walk quarterback Ryan Tannehill one step forward with only wideouts Jarvis Landry and Mike Wallace demanding any attention, the Dolphins went to "ReceiverMart" and found deals in bulk. 

Greg Jennings replaces Wallace as the veteran statesman. Kenny Stills comes over in a trade from New Orleans to replace Wallace's deep-threat skills.

First-round pick DeVante Parker could be a game-changer if properly utilized. Tight end Jordan Cameron gives the Dolphins a seam-stretcher inside if he can stay healthy. Tannehill just got a brand-new deal. Left tackle Branden Albert is on track to be healthy for training camp after an ACL tear.

Now is the time for results. There are seasons that define every quarterbacks' career, and Tannehill’s supporting cast has so much promise I can’t help but think this is the year that we discover his ceiling. 

And it's not just me promoting that point of view, but his offensive coordinator as well. "I think everything should be better," Lazor said. ... "Ryan is an extremely hard worker. ... I don't know that you can script a better formula for a guy to be successful."

Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson’s Temper Tantrum

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Imagine you are having a bad day. Your Internet connection dies. You call up your local cable monopoly and aren't given helpful service, and then you tweet your frustration about that to everyone. 

That's all Adrian Peterson is doing at this point: blowing off steam at a volume the average person can’t reach. Peterson wanted out of Minnesota, and that wasn't going to happen. He wanted more money to stay in Minnesota, and that's also not going to happen. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with wanting these things. It's just that, due to his status, we are compelled to watch his desperate tactics.

Nobody videotapes us hemming and hawing about a three-day service adjustment when our Internet goes out because it’s not interesting. But if Adrian Peterson did it, then it's another story.

So Adrian, we're sorry you're not happy. Holding out isn't going to change anything. The sooner you and agent Ben Dogra realize this, the sooner we can all move on.

New England Patriots: Can Jimmy Garoppolo Live Up to the Hype?

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I can't think of any news surrounding this team at all. Sorry.

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The Patriots are having Jimmy Garoppolo take half of the first-team reps and have commenced the hype cycle for him. ESPN's Mike Reiss says there hasn't been a more promising backup quarterback under Tom Brady. 

Of course, shorts are one thing. Pads are another. Garoppolo has yet to handle true NFL pressure, which was his big problem coming out of Eastern Illinois. If the Pats have managed to install him with the pocket presence he didn't have then, well, we might never get rid of the perpetual 10-plus-win juggernaut.

New Orleans Saints: Who Is Replacing Jimmy Graham?

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With both tight end Jimmy Graham and wideout Kenny Stills out the door, and a leaky defense requiring a string of draft picks, there weren't enough bandages to go around on the Saints roster. That leaves Brandin Cooks and Marques Colston at the top of the receiving depth chart, and forces...Josh Hill in as the starting tight end?

Keep in mind: Head coach Sean Payton "loves" Hill. Odds are, the fantasy football community will make a big push for you to remember he exists as it promotes various sleepers for tight end. Hill actually has a lot going for him—he was highly productive in limited snaps last season. But that was, you know, playing next to Graham. 

How the Saints offense emerges from the post-Graham cocoon will say a lot about where the team's season is going. A good offense and a rebounding defense could bring the Saints back to the playoffs. A declining offense could mean trouble for everyone involved, including Payton.

New York Giants: This Is the Year the Offensive Line Is Fixed, We Promise

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New York's big news came before OTAs even started, when tackle Will Beatty tore his pectoral muscle in a weightlifting snafu.

The Giants, who have led the NFL in Football Outsiders' Adjusted Games Lost the last two seasons, are no strangers to debilitating offensive line injuries. In fact, they drafted who they believe will be Beatty's long-term replacement at tackle in Miami's Ereck Flowers. It's almost like they planned for the injury in advance.

Here's how NFL.com's Lance Zierlein rates Flowers:

"

Flowers has good size and short area foot quickness, but he also features some lower body tightness and struggles to get proper depth quickly to consistently meet edge rushers. Some of Flowers' pass protection issue may be difficult to overcome.

"

After watching Flowers open OTAs at left tackle, the Giants reportedly visited with Jake Long, according to ESPN.com's Dan Graziano (via NFL.com's Chris Wesseling). Well, hey, the worst he could do is get injured.

New York Jets: Message Consistency

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Poor Chan Gailey. New York's offensive coordinator had no idea what he was doing when he described that, in all likelihood, Geno Smith was going to be the quarterback the Jets started the year with, per ESPNNewYork.com's Rich Cimini.

This was a rare glimpse of the worst thing an NFL coach can do: Be honest. It doesn't take an offensive mastermind to look at Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick and figure out that one of these quarterbacks might still have upside. 

Head coach Todd Bowles thankfully got us back on track, telling everybody that this will, in fact, be a competition. The Jets better hope Smith shows enough to win it—Fitzpatrick is coming off a career year for the Texans, and Houston thought so highly of him they traded him for a seventh-round pick.

Oakland Raiders: Mark Davis' Ascension to Full-Davis Role

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Look, I could tell you all about the ongoing "he said, agent said" drama of Derek Carr's hand, but it's a story that leads nowhere without time. Instead, let's talk about Mark Davis. 

The Oakland Raiders want a better stadium, or they want to move. (But not to St. Louis, per NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.) Owner Mark Davis, son of legendary entrepreneur (Raiders fans) and pain-in-the-ass (NFL perspective) Al, is stepping into his own as a rabble rouser.

Davis held a defiant press conference, which was described as "angry" by the New York Post's Bart Hubbuch, about his intentions to move. He has also affirmed that he's not willing to sell the team. 

Man, it's good to have some good old Davis crazy back in the NFL news cycle. And hey, maybe after another couple years of accumulating assets, we can see if Reggie McKenzie gets a fifth chance at finding a good quarterback.

Philadelphia Eagles: Will Sam Bradford Be Ready for the Regular Season?

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The Philadelphia Eagles gave up a lot to reel in former St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford. Bradford, coming off a torn ACL, stirred up some drama by noticeably "limping" through OTAs, per the Philadelphia Inquirer (via NFL.com's Chris Wesseling). (It wouldn't be dramatic, but with "quarterback" Tim Tebow in the fold, any drama is amplified 300-fold.) 

While head coach Chip Kelly insists that Bradford is on schedule for his recovery, that's just not any fun. It is your right as an American to imagine Tebow's ugly delivery and poor decision-making in Kelly's plug-and-play offense. 

The truth, of course, is 500 more Mark Sanchez dropbacks are coming our way if Bradford can't get up to speed soon. And in that sentence, you've now realized exactly why everyone wants to lionize Tebow's chances of snagging the job.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Health of the Bell

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When is a hyperextended knee not a hyperextended knee? 

The answer is: when it still hurts six months later.

Le'Veon Bell broke through in a big way last year, becoming the early odds-on favorite for No. 1 overall fantasy football pick with an amazing season. But he left Week 17's game with that "hyperextension" and still isn't fully healthy yet, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Not that this is a major concern for the Steelers, but it qualifies as news in their rather slow camp. Now, if it's still not fully healed as training camp starts, then it'll be time to start worrying.

San Diego Chargers: When Will Weddle Show?

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The San Diego Chargers began the unravelling of the "Grand Mariota Rumor Plan" by bringing Philip Rivers back into OTAs. They're reportedly talking about a contract extension that would keep the quarterback in San Diego (or Los Angeles) for the remainder of his career, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. 

What happens while that's ongoing? Safety Eric Weddle hits the backburner. And for Weddle, that means he's spending May and June doing his own thing while OTAs are in progress, per Rapoport. He's reportedly seeking an extension on the remaining $7.5 million of his contract. 

I have to think that eventually those fences will mend, but it probably won't be before Rivers is signed, sealed and delivered.

San Francisco 49ers: What's Left of This Defense?

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Three seasons ago, the San Francisco 49ers were in the Super Bowl, thanks to one of the best defenses in the NFL. Today, only three starters remain from that team, and all of them are on shaky ground. 

Aldon Smith's off-field issues and Ahmad Brooks' age have already limited their value. But the one player who we're not completely sure about yet is middle linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who missed the entire 2014 season with multiple ligament tears in his knee. 

Bowman was having good and bad days as OTAs kicked off, according to CSNBayArea.com's Matt Maiocco. There's a ton of uncertainty about the future of the 49ers, but it would be just a little bit easier to imagine their future if Bowman returned to his old All-Pro-caliber self.

Seattle Seahawks: Paying the Man

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The Seattle Seahawks have one year left on Russell Wilson's rookie contract, the most valuable entity in the NFL for the past three seasons. Now, with time running out, the Seahawks have an obligation to get Wilson extended so they can get some of it on the books for the 2014 season. 

Negotiations have been ongoing for long enough that each side has had a chance to be reasonable. Wilson's agent recently commented on the issue, and the tone seemed genial. 

Without an extension, the Seahawks would have to look at franchising their signal-caller before he hit the free-agent market in 2016, which is something neither side should want to put the other through. This will come soon enough, and then Seattle will be operating on the same playing field as every other team with a franchise quarterback.

St. Louis Rams: All Our Rookie Linemen

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While the acquisition of Todd Gurley was the headline-grabber, the Rams also spent a ton of draft capital on offensive linemen, selecting four of them. This was a pressing need for St. Louis, which has seen investment after investment sink on the offensive line. Jake Long. Scott Wells. Jason Brown. It's been a cursed position.

Now that Joseph Barksdale has fled for San Diego, second-round pick Rob Havenstein probably has the right tackle job all to himself. Everything else is in competition, with center Tim Barnes and right guard Barrett Jones the most likely to be displaced by the new meat. 

Of course, selecting a bunch of offensive linemen doesn't guarantee anything, just like signing a bunch of them doesn't. But hey, give the Rams credit for trying to fill their biggest non-quarterback hole rather than hoping on a few guys.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The End of Doug Martin?

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Tampa Bay hasn't run the ball very well for the past two seasons. But how bad the offensive line was doesn't seem to factor into the current running back depth chart: Head coach Lovie Smith is invested in third-round pick Charles Sims. And that means that Doug Martin is likely headed for his final season in Tampa.

Of course, Sims did no better than Martin behind the ghastly Tampa offensive line last year. In fact, in his small sample size, according to Football Outsiders, Sims managed a minus-42.1 percent DVOA, far behind Martin's merely bad minus-12.9 percent. 

Some team very well may find a post-hype bargain in Martin. There's no reason his second contract can't deliver more than his first.

Tennessee Titans: Justin Hunter Will Be Good, We Swear

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In the midst of all the Marcus Mariota hype hitting Tennessee lies a slight problem: Wideout Justin Hunter might still be starting for the Titans on opening day. 

The Titans watched Hunter flounder in his sophomore season, and like all the worst teases, he also delivered just enough flashes of greatness to keep fans interested. 

With the "Hakeem Nicks Cashing Them Checks" tour in town, and second-round pick Dorial Green-Beckham banged-up, Hunter is getting another shot. Believing in Hunter to break out is an act of pure faith at this point, akin to submitting an entry to Publishers Clearing House.

But, hey, it's not like the Titans are planning to win 10 games this year. They might as well hope the RNG comes up snake eyes.

Washington Football Team: The Matt Jones Hype Train

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You can't escape the Matt Jones hype train. All you can do is let it roll over you and absorb the profound impact of the third-down back's importance. 

Jay Gruden was impressed by the third-round pick's versatility, per Mike Jones of the Washington Post. Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com cautions that Jones may have a bigger role than anyone would have expected before the season. 

Jones is a fine back, but beating out Chris Thompson and Silas Redd isn't very difficult. It's always amusing to look back in time at OTA and preseason-hype superstars and see where they are now. Is Jones a good NFL back, or is he the running back version of Zach Sudfeld? All you need to do is keep paying attention for now, but if I were a Washington fan, I wouldn't get my hopes up that Jones is a long-term solution.