Every NFL Team's To-Do List for Rest of Offseason

The NFL's coaches and players may be on vacation at the moment, but there is plenty to do before the league's offseason comes to a close. 

Just because both sides take a few weeks off to decompress doesn't stop teams and individuals from trying to improve during the down time.

After all, players report for training camp next month, and the Hall of Fame Game featuring the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals is only 44 days away. 

Before the league reaches either point, front office personnel continue to tinker with their squads. While most franchises have a general idea of what their team will look like this fall, inherent limitations exist due to the 53-man limit. Even the league's best have problem areas found within the roster. 

Plenty can still be accomplished in a short period. Bleacher Report identified three to four areas each team needs to address before the offseason is complete. 

Arizona Cardinals

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• Provide opportunities to establish Patrick Peterson's bookend.
• Figure out how to play Budda Baker alongside Tyrann Mathieu.
• Build up defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche.
• Consider and build backup options, especially at quarterback. 

The Arizona Cardinals left free agency with multiple roster holes. The organization did little to address its needs. 

First and foremost, the Cardinals defense features the NFL's best cornerback in Patrick Peterson, yet the franchise has yet to find a true bookend. Justin Bethel and Brandon Williams will go into camp still competing for the position. This year's sixth-round pick, Rudy Ford, will also receive a chance to earn playing time as he transitions from safety to cornerback. 

Secondly, the franchise failed to acquire Carson Palmer's heir apparent. The 37-year-old signal-caller contemplated retirement after the 2016 campaign before he decided to return. At the moment, former top-10 pick Blaine Gabbert is the most promising young backup—he's still only 27—on the roster even though he's already failed during two previous stops. 

Arizona will feature a versatile defense with plenty of potential spearheaded by the additions of Haason Reddick and Budda Baker via the draft. However, multiple questions linger regarding unaddressed positions and the team's overall depth.

Atlanta Falcons

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• Find a favorite to start at right guard. 
• Allow Takkarist McKinley to fully heal before placing him on the field. 
• Extend contracts of Devonta Freeman and Matt Ryan. 
• Avoid Super Bowl hangover. 

Continuity is an often overlooked aspect of offensive line play. A team can feature multiple talented blockers, but their skills sets are nullified when surrounded by unfamiliar circumstances. An offensive front develops into a truly special unit when the same starting five players start alongside each other over the course of multiple seasons. 

The Atlanta Falcons don't have this luxury. Instead, the team is looking to replace Chris Chester after the right guard retired. Chester started all 32 games over the last two seasons. Wes Schweitzer and Ben Garland will compete to replace Chester. 

Keeping the offensive line intact is important for a pair of the Falcons' skill-position performers. The league's reigning MVP, Matt Ryan, deserves an extension with only two years remaining on his current contract, while starting running back Devonta Freeman is a free agent after the 2017 campaign. These are two major pieces in need of new deals, who also benefited from the offensive line's strong play last season.

Baltimore Ravens

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• Find offensive line replacements. 
• Move on after Dennis Pitta's injury, release. 
• Establish a lead back. 
• Don't force Marlon Humphrey into the lineup despite Tavon Young's injury.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is being set up to fail.

Two offensive line starters from last year in Rick Wagner and Jeremy Zuttah are no longer with the team. Flacco's favorite target, Dennis Pitta, was released after he suffered yet another hip injury. The team doesn't have a true No. 1 wide receiver. And none of the running backs on the roster ran for more than 774 yards last season. 

The Ravens defense appears devastating, but the offense doesn't pass the sniff test. 

Head coach John Harbaugh has time to address each of these problem areas before the regular season begins. John Urschel and James Hurst have starting experience and should take over at center and right tackle, respectively. The team could consider a veteran free-agent option like Nick Mangold, for example. 

Competition will ensue at both tight end and running back. It falls on the coaching staff to have each of these units prepared, because neither is viewed as anything more than average.

Buffalo Bills

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• Allow Sammy Watkins and Zay Jones to get healthy. 
• Find others options in the passing game. 
• Finally commit to Tyrod Taylor as the team's starting quarterback. 
• Build a top-down philosophy to place entire organization on same page. 

The Buffalo Bills were one of two organizations to experience a complete overhaul this offseason with the additions of a new head coach and general manager. How they came together didn't follow a traditional course, though. The team hired head coach Sean McDermott in January. Nearly four months later, Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula hired Brandon Beane to be the general manager after firing Doug Whaley once the draft concluded. 

McDermott and Beane's previous relationship with the Carolina Panthers should help create a natural synergy, but the Bills have yet to establish a course under their new leadership. 

A good place to start is at quarterback, where Whaley remained non-committal toward Tyrod Taylor. By placing the organization's full confidence behind Taylor and adding the right pieces around him, the Bills would be on track to finally challenge in the AFC East.  

Right now, the wide receiver corps is banged up and Taylor is working under a contract that is essentially a one-year deal.

Carolina Panthers

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• Allow Cam Newton to completely heal. 
• Gain a better understanding of Michael Oher's timetable. 
• Figure out how to get both Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel on the field at the same time. 

Because of his style of play and a porous offensive line, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton takes a beating. At 6'5" and 245 pounds, the 28-year-old signal-caller can take more punishment than most signal-callers, but the physicality takes a toll. 

Newton didn't throw during minicamp sessions while he recovered from offseason rotator cuff surgery. 

"It's doing all right," Newton said before the team's final minicamp, per ESPN.com's David Newton. "... I can't really throw yet, overhand, but underhand everything is A-OK."

The team's major injury concerns extend beyond the quarterback position, too.

Offensive tackle Michael Oher, once expected to start this year, has yet to be cleared by the league's concussion protocol after missing 13 games last season. The organization could consider cutting the former first-round pick, according to the Charlotte Observer's Joseph Person.

Chicago Bears

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• Commit to one quarterback. 
• Find a way to maximize Kevin White's potential. 
• Monitor Leonard Floyd's progress after two concussions last season. 

What the Chicago Bears need is a clear direction at the game's most important position. It'll be difficult to achieve after the team traded up to select the top quarterback in April's draft. Even with Mitchell Trubisky's addition, the organization remains adamant in veteran Mike Glennon being the starter this fall. 

If that's truly the case, the coaching staff needs to give Glennon every first-team rep to fully prepare him for the 2017 campaign. 

"I think it's going to be an ongoing process," Glennon said after minicamp practice, per ESPN.com's Jeff Dickerson. "A new offense with a lot of new guys. I think there have been some good things and some things that we've got to work on, but that's what these OTAs and minicamp are for."

The coaching staff and front office can't waver if the 27-year-old signal-caller struggles. Otherwise, cries for Trubisky to play will be deafening.

Cincinnati Bengals

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• Find out if offensive tackles Cedric Ogbuehi, Jake Fisher are legitimate starting options. 
• Place running back Joe Mixon around positive influences. 
• Design role for John Ross after he returns from injury. 

The Cincinnati Bengals made some interesting draft choices in recent years, and those picks will have a major impact on the team's success or failure this fall. 

During the 2015 draft, the team chose back-to-back offensive tackles in Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher with its first- and second-round selections. The duo combined to start 16 games over the last two seasons and tended to struggle. Yet the Bengals surely drafted them to become full-time starters and keep quarterback Andy Dalton upright. 

Head coach Marvin Lewis can't let their play pull down the rest of the offense. The Bengals are loaded at the skill positions. If Ogbuehi or Fisher continue to struggle leading up and into the preseason, the team must find different answers along the offensive line. 

Meanwhile, this year's draft picks help make the Bengals offense far more explosive. For running back Joe Mixon, the key is finding the right influences. The rookie expects to train with Adrian Peterson during his down time, according to ESPN.com's Katherine Terrell. He'll work with Adam Jones, too. Due to the background of both veterans, these may be questionable choices for Mixon, but he can also learn from their mistakes.

Also, first-round pick John Ross and his speed can be a perfect complement to A.J. Green, but the Washington product is dealing with a shoulder injury, which could cost him some reps in training camp.

Cleveland Browns

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• Allow Myles Garrett to heal. 
• Establish a quarterback rotation. 
• Sign first-round pick Jabrill Peppers
• Sign running back Isaiah Crowell to an extension. 

Everyone in Cleveland held their collective breath toward the end of minicamp when this year's No. 1 overall pick, Myles Garrett, fell to the ground with a foot injury. The team later announced Saturday the defensive end suffered a lateral foot sprain, and he'll be ready for training camp. Even so, the organization must be careful with Garrett throughout the healing process since the defense will be built around his tremendous skill set. 

On offense, head coach Hue Jackson must set the groundwork for a smooth transition into a quarterback competition. Cody Kessler, Brock Osweiler and rookie Deshone Kizer will compete to become the team's starter. It'll be beneficial for all parties to know how Jackson plans to rotate each of these signal-callers even before they report for camp.

Until then, the offense will be built around the team's talented offensive line and running game with Isaiah Crowell potentially poised for a breakout campaign. The running back has yet to agree to a long-term contract with the organization, though.

Dallas Cowboys

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• Allow the secondary to grow together. 
• Monitor running back Ezekiel Elliott's investigation 
• Continue to slowly work Jaylon Smith into the linebacker rotation.

The Dallas Cowboys rebuilt their secondary this offseason. Growing pains will ensue, but the potential exists for this young and talented group to improve upon last year's 26th-ranked passing defense. 

"We've been going back and forth, not only me but all the DBs and all the wideouts," Pro Bowl wide receiver Dez Bryant told the Dallas Morning News' Jon Machota. "I think this is the best we've ever competed against one another." 

The team's secondary includes rookie cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis.

However, a pair of rookies from last year's class will help determine the team's success. The Cowboys are still awaiting the results of an NFL investigation into running back Ezekiel Elliott for allegations of domestic violence. Plus, the organization hopes last year's second-round pick, Jaylon Smith, returns to form after suffering a devastating knee injury during his final collegiate game.

Denver Broncos

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• Establish a starting quarterback. 
• Finish the offensive line. 
• Adjust coaching principles to defensive talent. 

The Denver Broncos are only a year and a half removed from being Super Bowl champions, yet the team is vastly different today than the one that captured a title in 2016. Vance Joseph was named the head coach in January, and he already faces an extremely difficult decision. Should he start Trevor Siemian or Paxton Lynch at quarterback? 

How the two prepare between now and the preseason is moot, though. Joseph won't name a starter until he can see them in live situations. 

"Probably zero to none [impact]," the coach said regarding quarterbacks' performances during minicamp, per ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold. "... It's going to be won on the football field. It's going to be won in the games in the preseason, and that's the way the evaluation starts; that has not changed for myself or for the staff."

Thus, it falls on the two young signal-callers to be as prepared as possible to excel once the competition truly begins. Until then, they'll be playing behind a revamped offensive line, which has yet to establish its starting offensive tackles. First-round pick Garett Bolles is on track to take over the blind side, but the staff is making him earn it. Meanwhile, a competition will ensue at right tackle between Menelik Watson, Donald Stephenson and Ty Sambrailo.

Detroit Lions

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• Find a Taylor Decker replacement. 
• Sign Matthew Stafford to a contract extension. 
• Place emphasis on pieces opposite Ziggy Ansah in an attempt to improve pass rush. 

OTA injuries are the worst. The Detroit Lions experienced a major blow to their offensive line when left tackle Taylor Decker suffered a torn labrum that will keep him out of the lineup for the next four to six months, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

In response, the team acquired Cyrus Kouandjio and former No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson. The Lions still have a long way to go before they actually replace Decker. Thus, their ability to absorb both incoming options into the locker room and have them prepared to play during training camp will be vital to protect Matthew Stafford's blind side. 

Keeping Stafford upright is of the utmost importance because the team wants to keep him healthy. This will be especially true if/when the organization agrees to a contract extension with its franchise quarterback. The former No. 1 overall pick is entering the last year of his current deal. He shouldn't be expected to actually play out his contract. Instead, the 29-year-old signal-caller should become the NFL's newest $100 million man before he takes another practice snap.

Green Bay Packers

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• Secondary concerns remain at forefront. 
• Prepare rookie running backs in case Ty Montgomery experiment fails. 
• Settle on positions for linebackers to create consistency. 

Last year's 31st-ranked pass defense wasn't good enough if the Green Bay Packers are going to compete as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a wizard, but he can do only so much when the Packers secondary serves as Swiss cheese. 

A heavy emphasis was placed on improving the team's defensive backs this fall. The team spent its first two draft picks to address the secondary in cornerback Kevin King and safety Josh Jones. The key for the team as it prepares for training camp is finding a consistent group to work together. 

"Our biggest challenge was that we had so many guys going through the cornerback position," head coach Mike McCarthy said, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Silverstein. "Teams that are playing the best are the teams that are playing together."

With King and Jones added to a mix that already features veterans Davon House, Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins and LaDarius Gunter, the Packers now have a talented group of corners who should be able to match up against the league's better passing attacks.

Houston Texans

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• Do everything possible to prepare Deshaun Watson to start. 
• Find a starting right tackle. 
• Prepare new defensive starters. 

A few problem areas can be found within the Houston Texans lineup, but the quarterback position creates a gravitational collapse that forms into the black hole and defines the entire roster. 

The Texans can play defense. The offense has weapons at wide receiver and running back. But who will be pulling the trigger?

Tom Savage serves as QB1 right now. However, it's only a matter of time before rookie Deshaun Watson takes over as the Texans starter. The team didn't trade up 13 spots in the first round just to have him sit on the bench this fall. 

Instead of trying to force Savage into a role he proved incapable of holding, head coach Bill O'Brien should do everything in his power to prepare Watson. 

"Mentally, he has it," wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins said of the first-year signal-caller, per Texans TV's Drew Dougherty.

Indianapolis Colts

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• Protect Andrew Luck at all costs.
• Allow offensive line to jell. 
• Develop heir apparent for Frank Gore. 
• Be patient with injured safeties Malik Hooker, Clayton Geathers. 

Like most organizations, the Indianapolis Colts are defined by their quarterback. Andrew Luck came into the league as a prodigy, yet he hasn't fully realized his potential due to multiple injuries. Luck missed all of the team's offseason workouts after he needed shoulder surgery. 

The Colts must bring Luck along slowly to make sure he properly heals before throwing him back into the fray. 

"To be honest, I have not thought about it," Luck said about his potential return for training camp, per the Indianapolis Star's Zak Keefer. "If I'm ready for it, then great. If I'm not, then that's the way it is." 

The quarterback wouldn't even speculate how long he needed to complete his rehab. This places the Colts in stasis. Yes, general manager Chris Ballard put together a strong free-agent class to make the defense more athletic and explosive, plus found value in the draft, but Luck's presence in the lineup is the most important dangling plot to Indianapolis' offseason.

Jacksonville Jaguars

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• Be patient with Blake Bortles. 
• Allow Leonard Fournette to become focal point of the offense. 
• Place high-profile free agents in a position to succeed. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars are at a crossroads. A year ago, the team became a chic pick to challenge for a playoff spot. Instead, the team regressed and finished with a 3-13 record. Owner Shahid Khan fired Gus Bradley after a forgettable tenure, and interim head coach Doug Marrone was granted full-time status. 

The front office clearly wants to build around quarterback Blake Bortles. In order to do so, the coaching staff must take pressure off him. It can do so by making this year's fourth overall pick, Leonard Fournette, into a workhorse. The rookie is ready. 

"I'm going to be here for most of the time lifting weights, running, conditioning," Fournette said during minicamp, per ESPN.com's Michael DiRocco. "I know how important this month is going to be off for us to just stay in shape, the mental things, learning the playbook more and more until I have it like it's the back of my hand."

Khan is willing to invest heavily in his team as evidenced by the massive free-agent contracts defensive lineman Calais Campbell and cornerback A.J. Bouye received. The Jags must first be able to forge an identity, and it starts before the team even steps onto the field for a training camp practice. Everyone must accept the new approach for it to be effective.

Kansas City Chiefs

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• Develop replacements for Jeremy Maclin, Jamaal Charles
• Don't feel pressured to play Patrick Mahomes. 
• Finds ways to manufacture a pass rush.

The Kansas City Chiefs will look quite different at the start of the 2017 campaign. The team's all-time leading rusher, Jamaal Charles, its No. 1 wide receiver, Jeremy Maclin, and its Pro Bowl nose tackle, Dontari Poe, are no longer with the franchise. Even quarterback Alex Smith is treading water after the team decided to select Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes with the 10th overall pick in April's draft. 

Under head coach Andy Reid's supervision, the Chiefs have been one of the NFL's most disciplined teams. They don't play an exciting brand of football, yet they consistently win with a ball-control passing attack and an opportunistic defense. Clearly, the team needs more explosive options, particularly on offense. 

Tyreek Hill will receive a much larger role this year, but the team lacks a reliable top option without Maclin in the lineup. Chris Conley and Demarcus Robinson will both receive opportunities to take over the role. 

Others need to fill voids as well. Pass-rusher Dee Ford must supply a more consistent presence off the edge. Spencer Ware has a chance to be the team's lead back. Bennie Logan steps in as the team's new nose tackle. The coaches only have a matter of months to develop these talents and have them playing to the level of their predecessors.

Los Angeles Chargers

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• Establish a new culture in Los Angeles under a new coach. 
• Find a way to utilize Mike Williams despite deep wide receiver corps. 
• Keep Keenan Allen healthy. 
• Transition from Antonio Gates to Hunter Henry. 

These aren't the same old Chargers. The franchise now resides in Los Angeles. Head coach Anthony Lynn is leading the way, and disappointing seasons under Mike McCoy are a thing of the past. If not for quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates, the team's transition period would serve as a fresh start. 

"The facts are, and I deal in the currency of the truth, we won nine games the past two years," Lynn told The MMQB's Albert Breer. "We're below average. So we have to change some things that we're doing. We have to approach it better. We have to play better."

Lynn also stated his team is talented, and it is. Wide receiver is particularly deep with Keenan Allen returning from injury, Tyrell Williams, Dontrelle Inman, Travis Benjamin and this year's seventh overall pick Mike Williams. 

On defense, Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram should terrorize opponents. 

But everything comes down to the team playing together under the direction of a new staff and staying healthy. The Chargers have enough to deal with after making the move to L.A. The football part of the equation should be easy.

Los Angeles Rams

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• Sign defensive tackle Aaron Donald to a long-term extension. 
• Decide whether to sign Trumaine Johnson to an extension or let him play under franchise tag.
• Continue Jared Goff's mental preparation. 
• Build a new culture under head coach Sean McVay.

While the Los Angeles Rams hope Jared Goff turns into the face of the franchise, the team already features the game's best defensive player. Aaron Donald is a monster, and he should be rewarded for his elite play. At 26 years old, Donald is entering the prime of his career with two years remaining on his rookie contract. The window to renegotiate his current deal opened this offseason, and the Rams would be wise to address the situation before it begins to fester. The former 13th overall pick skipped minicamps due to the fact he doesn't have a new deal in place. 

Meanwhile, the Rams are trying to build an offense and culture around Sean McVay's vision. The new head coach is tasked with preparing last year's No. 1 overall pick, Jared Goff, for a full-time starting role after a horrific rookie campaign. As McVay tends to the game's most important position by giving Goff the type of mental exercises necessary to succeed even when the team isn't practicing, the coach feels he's gotten a good head start in creating a new culture. 

"By no means are we where we need to be for what we’re striving to accomplish, but I think in terms of what we were trying to get done in the offseason program, we felt like it was a successful offseason program," McVay said, per ESPN.com's Alden Gonzalez. 

Miami Dolphins

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• Find a way to strengthen the defensive interior. 
• Settle on an option at left guard. 
• Allow wide receiver DeVante Parker to grow within the offense. 
• Make sure Jay Ajayi isn't a one-year wonder. 

The Miami Dolphins' primary concerns lie along the team's trenches, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. 

Last season, Adam Gase's squad finished 30th against the run even with Ndamukong Suh playing at a Pro Bowl level. Issues stem from a lack of presence at the other defensive tackle spot and the unit not playing together as a whole. 

Jordan Phillips must be a better performer alongside Suh. The 24-year-old is entering his third season, yet he hasn't showed the consistency needed to be stout against the run. Also, the entire front seven must be better in its discipline against opposing ground games. The addition of veteran linebacker Lawrence Timmons should help in this area. 

On offense, the organization dealt left tackle Branden Albert to the Jacksonville Jaguars. As a result, Laremy Tunsil will move to the blind side even though the offense lacks a clear replacement at left guard. 

Minnesota Vikings

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• Build Laquon Treadwell's confidence. 
• Prepare Nick Easton or Pat Elflein to start at center. 
• Figure out a rotation at 3-technique. 
• Force head coach Mike Zimmer to rest after multiple eye surgeries.  

The Minnesota Vikings have done everything in their power to improve Sam Bradford's surrounding cast by signing offensive tackles Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers in free agency and drafting running back Dalvin Cook to pair with Latavius Murray in the backfield. 

Bradford already set an NFL record last season with a 71.6 completion percentage, and these improvements will help bolster the offense. But the team is still waiting on last year's first-round pick, Laquon Treadwell, to make an impact. After a rookie campaign with only one reception, Matt Vensel of the Minnesota Star-Tribune reported Treadwell ran as the team's third receiver during minicamp, and he began to build some confidence. 

"It helps you relax mentally when you know you're all the way healthy and able to take some of those hits on your legs," Treadwell said, per Craig Peters of the team's official site. "That was a big thing for me even in college. I got hits on my legs and was able to bounce back. It's a mental freedom."

New England Patriots

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• Maximize assets. 
• Forget about Super Bowl LI.
• Integrate new players into the locker room. 

The New England Patriots won the offseason. Usually, this doesn't mean much. However, the Patriots drastically improved a roster after winning the Super Bowl. The organization continues to be successful, because it's willing to think outside the box and remain ahead of the curve. 

This is exactly why the franchise should still consider trading both Jimmy Garoppolo and Malcolm Butler. Their respective values will dramatically drop once the regular season begins and they enter the last year of their contracts. Of course, neither should just be given away. At this point, the goal is to maximize these assets. 

Both Garoppolo and Butler help provide the Patriots with a better overall roster. However, the franchise runs the risk of getting nothing in exchange if they leave during next year's free agency. 

Meanwhile, head coach Bill Belichick has multiple new pieces for his offense and defense. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks, cornerback Stephon Gilmore, tight end Dwayne Allen and defensive end Kony Ealy headlined the team's additions. It falls upon the coaches and their teammates to welcome and make each understand the Patriot Way. 

New Orleans Saints

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• Prepare rookie Ryan Ramcyzk to protect Drew Brees' blind side. 
• Allow Adrian Peterson and Mark Ingram to share backfield responsibilities. 
• Continue to reshape an underachieving defense. 

The Detroit Lions weren't the only team to suffer a significant injury to their starting left tackle. The New Orleans Saints did, too. Like Taylor Decker, Terron Armstead suffered a torn labrum and will require a four- to six-month recovery, per ESPN.com's Mike Triplett. 

Fortunately, the Saints used the 32nd overall pick in April's draft to select Wisconsin offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk. While the organization views Ramczyk as a right tackle, he started all of last season on the blind side. 

"He's got the mental makeup to be really successful," veteran right tackle Zach Strief said, per the Sporting News' Alex Marvez. "He’s been kind of a sponge. He’s really excited to get new information.

As long as Ramczyk can hold down the fort at left tackle, Brees and the team's potentially potent rushing attack can be successful. If anything, Ramcyzk came from the Badgers' run-first offense, and the Saints could trend in the same direction with Adrian Peterson and Mark Ingram in the backfield.  

New York Giants

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• Sign Odell Beckham Jr. to a long-term contract extension.
• Acquire offensive line depth. 
• Give middle linebacker B.J. Goodson more responsibilities. 

Whatever the New York Giants' Odell Beckham Jr. does, it's a story. The wide receiver is one of the NFL's most recognizable athletes and a household name. In three years, the former first-round pick already accumulated 4,122 receiving yards. He's dynamic with plenty of personality. Although, the receiver's larger-than-life persona often works against him. 

For example, Beckham skipped voluntary OTAs because he preferred to train away from the team's facility. His absence didn't hurt his ability to prepare for another NFL campaign. 

"Just like you said—mentally, physically, spiritually, everything. I don't think I've been as ready as I am now," Beckham said, per ESPN.com's Jordan Raanan. 

Whether Beckham missed these practices to send a message about his contract is inconsequential. The 24-year-old wide receiver is one of the game's premier players. His rookie contract can be renegotiated this offseason. The Giants would be well-served signing the mercurial talent to a long-term deal. 

On defense, second-year defender B.J. Goodson will take over play-calling duties as the middle linebacker. The first-time starter needs to grow in the role and assert himself among a veteran and talent-laden unit. 

New York Jets

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• Embrace the rebuild. 
• Provide head coach Todd Bowles with assurance he won't be fired after the season. 
• Decide whether the team will trot out a veteran or unproven quarterback. 
• Figure out how to incorporate tight ends into the offense. 

Each year, prognostications are made to predict the NFL's best and worst. It's a pretty safe bet the New York Jets will be the league's worst team this fall. The Jets front office tore down the roster by releasing multiple veterans. The race toward 2018 has already begun.

With that in mind, owner Woody Johnson can do the right thing by allowing the current front office and coaching staff to follow through with their plan to create a copious amount of cap space and potentially acquire the No. 1 overall draft pick without the fear of their jobs being in jeopardy. 

No one wants to see head coach Todd Bowles making decisions in a desperate attempt to win a few meaningless games just to retain his position. This fall should be about developing the young talent on the roster to build toward something a year or two down the road. 

Oakland Raiders

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• Sign quarterback Derek Carr to a long-term extension. 
• Figure out who will serve as Marshawn Lynch's backup. 
• Address middle linebacker beyond current options. 

The summer of Derek Carr has officially begun. The Oakland Raiders quarterback has the potential to become the NFL's first $25 million per year player, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rappoport. 

But the 26-year-old signal-caller placed a timetable on the negotiations. Something must be agreed upon before the regular season begins or he won't discuss an extension until next offseason. 

"I wouldn't even answer my phone," Carr said, ESPN.com's Paul Gutierrez. "The money isn't the thing that drives me. ... What drives me is making sure I'm giving everything that I have with my abilities, and making sure that we win. And I don't want anything distracting my thought process at all."

As a result, Carr's contract status is arguably the NFL's most important, because he's expected to reset the market with names like Matt Ryan and Matthew Stafford also waiting for new deals. 

Philadelphia Eagles

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• Establish cornerback rotation. 
• Make sure Carson Wentz continues to work his mechanics. 
• New targets assimilate into offense, gain Wentz's confidence. 

The Philadelphia Eagles achieved their primary goal this offseason when the team acquired wide receivers Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith to place around quarterback Carson Wentz. The responsibility of taking advantage of these targets falls on the second-year signal-caller, who wanted to improve his mechanics. 

"It's coming," head coach Doug Pederson said, per ESPN.com's Tim McManus. "I would say that obviously he's been working extremely hard at everything we've done. He's really understanding our offense and our scheme, and that's part of it, too—making good choices and decisions with the ball. He's been sharp. It's exciting to watch him, and just excited now headed into camp."

Jeffrey and Smith can help by working extra with Wentz. These parties need time to build chemistry between each other. The more reps they can get together the better. 

With the offense expected to improve, the defense still has a glaring hole at cornerback. The team drafted Sidney Jones in the draft, but he's still recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Third-round pick Rasul Douglas will get a chance to play. Otherwise, the coaching staff must get the most out of Jalen Mills, Ron Brooks, Dwayne Gratz and Patrick Robinson. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

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• Keep Martavis Bryant available. 
• Re-establish expectations. 
• Sign Le'Veon Bell to a long-term contract extension instead of playing him under the franchise tag. 
• Make sure 39-year-old linebacker James Harrison is well rested. 

During minicamp, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler said the "Super Bowl should go through Pittsburgh," per ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler. Of course, the New England Patriots are the reigning champions and embarrassed Pittsburgh during the AFC Championship Game.

But the Steelers remain the biggest threat to the Patriots in the AFC, and the team must create a belief structure to defeat Tom Brady and Co. Pittsburgh has a loaded roster, and its capable of ending the Patriots' reign. However, the team must believe it's capable of doing so long before the two meet on the field again. 

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le'Veon Bell won't define how successful the team is this fall. Martavis Bryant will. Bryant is a special target, and his combination of size (6'4" and 211 pounds), length and speed creates a different dynamic within the Steelers offense. But he must remain clean and avoid being suspended. If he does, Pittsburgh will be nearly impossible to stop. If he's not on the field, Mike Tomlin's team is right back where it started.  

San Francisco 49ers

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• Continue to establish new culture and systems.
• Decide whether Carlos Hyde fits into the offense. 
• Find a workable solution to get all of the team's talented defensive linemen and linebackers onto the field. 

The San Francisco 49ers made numerous moves this offseason, yet the hires of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch supersede anything else the team accomplished. 

Stability is the most important factor for the organization after its messy divorce with Jim Harbaugh and one-year flirtations with Jim Tomsula and Chip Kelly. The franchise's willingness to provide Shanahan and Lynch with six-year contracts is a testament to Jed York's commitment to building the team the right way. 

But this rebuild will take time. The 49ers still lack a top-end starter at quarterback. Last year's leading rusher, Carlos Hyde, isn't an ideal fit in Shanahan's zone-stretch offense. The defense will also experience an overhaul under the direction of new coordinator Robert Saleh. 

Right now, everything is about evaluation. The staff will discern who will or will not be part of the team's future. The 2017 isn't completely lost, but expectations need to be tempered as the franchise finally experiences the type of overhaul it desperately needed two and a half years ago. 

Seattle Seahawks

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• Fix the locker room. 
• Find Richard Sherman's running mate. 
• Turn offensive line talent into a complete unit.

The Seattle Seahawks are willing to listen to any offers, even if they involve three-time All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman. Despite being named to his fourth straight Pro Bowl, the Seahawks considered trading Sherman. His attitude toward the team's offense and quarterback Russell Wilson became a large reason behind the scuttlebutt, per ESPN's Seth Wickersham. 

"We're teammates," Sherman said about Wilson, per ESPN.com's Sheil Kapadia. "It's like a family. It's like everyone else in a family. We fight for one another, just like I'm fighting for the other 52 guys out there; I'm fighting for him, and he's fighting for us."

The reported rift between the Seahawks defense and offense must be addressed, though. Head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider must close the divide in order for Seattle to realize its Super Bowl potential.

Once the locker room is addressed, the onus falls on offensive line coach Tom Cable to fix the team's weakest unit. This offseason, the Seahawks signed Luke Joeckel and drafted Ethan Pocic and Justin Senior to compete for spots along the offensive front. According to Cable, the front office "nailed it" with their acquisitions, per 710 ESPN Seattle's Brady Henderson.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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• Sign Mike Evans to a contract extension. 
• Find a starter at strong safety. 
• Incorporate O.J. Howard into the lineup. 
• Stick with Ali Marpet at center. 

Since quarterback Jameis Winston was the team's first overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, he's considered the top up-and-coming star in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense. He's not. Mike Evans is already one of the league's best wide receivers. The 6'5", 231-pound target accumulated 3,578 receiving yards in his first three seasons.

Now that he's entering his fourth campaign, the Buccaneers organization has an opportunity to sign Evans to a long-term extension, and it should. Evans ranked fourth in the league last season with 1,321 receiving yards.

While Winston and Evans are a terrific tandem, the Bucs defense propelled the team to six wins in its final eight contents. But the unit lacks a true starter at strong safety. This year's second-round pick, Justin Evans, is expected to fill the role, but he's yet to practice. The franchise also signed veteran J.J. Wilcox to compete. He's missed most of the offseason with an injury, too.  

Tampa Bay's offense is loaded, but a strong defensive presence will be necessary for the Bucs to compete in the NFC South this fall.

Tennessee Titans

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• Get new targets to buy in to system. 
• Cornerback rotation needs to be established. 
• Allow Marcus Mariota to regain trust in his injured leg. 

In Year 1 under general manager Jon Robinson and head coach Mike Mularkey, the Tennessee Titans built an identity with their #ExoticSmashmouth. The same physical approach once employed along the offensive line and running back stable is now being used with the team's wide receiver additions. 

"When I first got around all of them at the same time I talked to them about, we're going to be the toughest group on the field," wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson told ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky. "Whether it's O-line, D-line, linebackers. We want to be known as the toughest, most physical group on the field. It's about toughness, toughness, toughness, physicality. Guys have bought in."

This offseason, Tennessee selected wide receiver Corey Davis with the fifth overall pick, chose Taywan Taylor in the third round and signed veteran Eric Decker to provide quarterback Marcus Mariota with an exciting new trio of targets. Mariota needs reps with each of these receivers, though. More importantly, the quarterback needs to build confidence after he fractured his right fibula. 

"Now it's getting to the point of trusting myself to do it, because a lot of it, even through this entire rehab process, it's going through that mental obstacle of, you want to protect it," Mariota said, per The Tennessean's Jason Wolf.

Washington Redskins

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• Settle a new defense with multiple new starters. 
• Establish Terrelle Pryor, Josh Doctson as the team's top targets. 
• Keep Kirk Cousins happy. 

The Washington Redskins made a lot of changes this offseason. How much the organization actually moved the needle is up for debate. After firing general manager Scot McCloughan and being forced to hire new offensive and defensive coordinators, the team will almost certainly experience some repercussions. However, the organization found ways to acquire quality talent. It just needs to settle in place for Washington to compete this fall. 

For example, both DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon departed in free agency. The team signed Terrelle Pryor and last year's first-round pick, Josh Doctson, is expected to play in more than two games. 

On defense, the team decided to address all three levels with the additions of defensive tackle Terrell McClain, defensive end Jonathan Allen, linebacker Zach Brown and safety D.J. Swearinger. The defense could feature six or seven new starters to open the 2017 campaign.  

What's important is getting everyone on the same page, including the team's quarterback. Washington has yet to reach a long-term agreement with Kirk Cousins. If this year's squad comes together around him, it could be a vital factor moving forward with him as Washington's franchise signal-caller.