The Biggest Question for Every NFL Team Heading into OTAs
We're getting closer to the dog days of summer, and the sheen of the 2018 NFL draft is beginning to fade. For football fans, this is the perfect time of year to cast your eyes toward the ice or the hardwood.
For teams and players, though, now is the time to begin laying the foundation for the coming season.
We're at that point of the offseason when teams hold mandatory minicamps and organized team activities (OTAs). While things will undoubtedly change some between now and training camp, coaches can begin installing schemes and evaluating rosters.
This is also the time of year when teams hope to get their first tangible answers to their biggest offseason questions. Do early draft picks appear ready to contribute right away? Which aging veterans need to be replaced in the starting lineup? Could an available free agent strengthen the roster? The more answers teams can get to these types of questions now, the better off they'll be in August.
Take a look at each NFL team's biggest question heading into 2018 OTAs.
Arizona Cardinals: Who's Their Week 1 Starter at QB?
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The Arizona Cardinals traded up to No. 10 to grab former UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen. By making the move up, the Cardinals made it clear Rosen is their quarterback of the future. However, they also added Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon in the offseason, so there's no reason to rush Rosen into action early.
The question for the Cardinals is whether Week 1 will be too early for Rosen. If the rookie performs well and doesn't appear overwhelmed during OTAs, Arizona should be inclined to give him a shot at the starting gig.
Bradford is the current starter, according to head coach Steve Wilks said, but Rosen won't be held back.
"We gotta go out there with 11 guys, and Sam's going to be the first guy out there," Wilks said on NFL Network. "But everybody's fighting for a position, so I'm not going to hold him back at all."
Cardinals fans would love nothing more than for Rosen to take over the reins of the offense immediately. This is the point in the offseason when the Cardinals need to find out if he can.
By the end of OTAs, Arizona should know how to tailor a plan for Rosen in training camp—and whether that plan involves prepping him to be a backup or the potential starter.
Atlanta Falcons: Will Steve Sarkisian's Offense Improve in Year 2?
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Last offseason, Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan left to become the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. To replace him, Atlanta hired former Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.
The Falcons offense took a bit of a step back in Sarkisian's first year at the helm. In 2016, Atlanta ranked second in total offense (415.8 yards per game) and first in scoring (33.8 points per game). Last season, the Falcons ranked eighth in total offense (364.8 yards per game) and 15th in scoring (22.1 points per game).
To get Atlanta back to being a legitimate Super Bowl contender, Sarkisian's offense has to improve. General manager Thomas Dimitroff believes it will.
"It's his second year now calling plays in the NFL, he gets a good idea of what flies and what doesn't fly with the personnel we have and don't have," Dimitroff said earlier this month, via SiriusXM Radio. "I think that's gonna be where he's gonna make some major strides."
From a personnel standpoint, much of Atlanta's offense will be unchanged. The Falcons brought in guard Brandon Fusco and replaced receiver Taylor Gabriel with rookie first-round pick Calvin Ridley. Improving the offense will largely fall on Sarkisian, who will start installing his schemes and game plans in OTAs.
Baltimore Ravens: Does Joe Flacco Have Another Super Bowl Run in Him?
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The Baltimore Ravens weren't a disaster in 2017. They had the league's sixth-ranked scoring defense (18.9 points per game allowed) and managed to win nine games. If the Ravens had a half-decent passing attack—they averaged just 189.4 passing yards per game, fourth-fewest in the NFL—they might have been a Super Bowl contender.
Baltimore took steps to improve the passing game this offseason, adding John Brown, Michael Crabtree and Willie Snead. It also drafted tight end Hayden Hurst in the first round. The big remaining question is whether quarterback Joe Flacco can take full advantage of the new talent around him.
Flacco took the Ravens to the Super Bowl in the 2012 season, but he has struggled with his play and with injuries ever since. Last year, he finished with only 3,141 passing yards and 18 touchdowns while throwing 13 interceptions. Even with his new receiving options, Flacco will have to improve to take the Ravens back to the big game again before the team decides to part ways with him.
Baltimore traded up to draft former Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson in the first round, which suggests he'll take over for Flacco at some point. If the veteran doesn't seem to have what it takes to deliver a championship anymore, Jackson may take over sooner than later.
The Ravens will start to get an idea of how much time Flacco has left in the coming weeks.
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Buffalo Bills: Do They Have Enough Talent to Start Josh Allen?
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The Buffalo Bills traded up to select former Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen with the No. 7 overall pick, and head coach Sean McDermott is already high on what he's seen from the rookie so far.
"I thought he had great command of the offense, great command of the huddle, and then had two really good solid days in terms of the way he threw the football," McDermott said on WGR 550 Radio.
However, it's fair to wonder whether Allen is ready to start in the NFL right away. He's a raw prospect who struggled with pocket awareness and accuracy in college. He also didn't play against a high level of competition at Wyoming, so adjusting to the NFL is likely to be a challenge for him.
The Bills' lack of offensive talent won't make Allen's transition easier. Outside of a terrific running back in LeSean McCoy and a quality tight end in Charles Clay, they don't have much else in terms of skill-position talent. No wide receiver on the roster finished with more than 500 receiving yards last season.
Allen supporters will argue that his poor completion percentage at Wyoming (56.2) was a result of mediocre talent around him. Can the Bills realistically put Allen in a position to succeed if they likewise give him a subpar supporting cast?
Buffalo will have to take a long look at its offensive talent in the offseason to determine whether it should start Allen as a rookie or go with veteran AJ McCarron.
Carolina Panthers: Who Replaces Andrew Norwell?
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Interior offensive linemen aren't always in the spotlight, but their value is beginning to become apparent.
Take former Carolina Panthers guard Andrew Norwell, for example. He was an All-Pro in 2017, and he signed a five-year, $66.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason.
Carolina will have a difficult time replacing Norwell in the lineup. The Panthers didn't draft a guard, so they'll look to the likes of Jeremiah Sirles, Greg Van Roten, Dorian Johnson and former tackle Taylor Moton instead.
"I know I've had more experience playing tackle, especially playing mostly tackle last year," Moton told Bill Voth of the team's official website. "But I don't like to think I'm naturally better at one or the other. I think naturally I'm just an offensive lineman."
Losing Norwell leaves a big question mark on the offensive line for Carolina. The Panthers can't expect to replace him with another All-Pro talent, but they'll need to find a starting-caliber guard somewhere on the roster.
The competition for the starting job will be one of the most important stories of the Panthers offseason.
Chicago Bears: How Big of a Leap Can Mitchell Trubisky Make?
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The Chicago Bears are hoping quarterback Mitchell Trubisky can make the same kind of second-year leap Jared Goff did in 2017. They've put the pieces around him this offseason that could make it happen.
First, the Bears hired offensive guru Matt Nagy, who helped transform Alex Smith into a more aggressive quarterback last season, as their new head coach. Nagy also helped Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs average 256.5 yards per game through the air (seventh in the NFL), so he should provide Trubisky with a scheme that plays to his strengths.
In addition, Chicago brought in new targets for Trubisky, signing Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel and Trey Burton in free agency. The Bears also added wideout Anthony Miller in the second round of the draft.
The Bears know they can fall back on their powerful run game if Trubisky doesn't become an elite gunslinger this season. But the more steps he can take toward that goal, the more balance the offense will have.
Chicago will get a good look at Trubisky's progress in OTAs.
Cincinnati Bengals: Have They Done Enough to Improve Their Offensive Line?
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The Cincinnati Bengals have now missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Many of the pieces were in place to get back there last season, including quarterback Andy Dalton, receiver A.J. Green and cornerback William Jackson III. However, poor offensive line play derailed Cincinnati's season.
As a unit, the Bengals offensive line allowed 40 sacks last season. It also didn't spring the ground game well, as Cincinnati only averaged 85.4 yards per game, the second-fewest in the league. For the Bengals to get back into the playoff picture, the line play has to improve.
The Bengals traded for left tackle Cordy Glenn and drafted former Ohio State center Billy Price in the first round. However, it's fair to wonder if these two moves were enough.
Cincinnati still has questionable talent at the guard positions and at right tackle. Even if Glenn works out as at the starting left tackle, the Bengals could struggle when opposing defense refuses to put their best pass-rushers opposite him. The Bills' willingness to move Glenn raises doubts about whether he's still a top-tier tackle, too.
Both Glenn and Price are coming off injuries as well. Glenn played only six games last season before foot and ankle issues landed him on injured reserve. Price suffered a torn pectoral muscle this offseason. There's no guarantee that either player will be at 100 percent at the start of the season.
Fortunately, Cincinnati will get a good first look at its line in action during OTAs.
Cleveland Browns: What Will the Secondary Look Like?
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Plenty of folks will be wondering if first overall pick Baker Mayfield can take the starting job from veteran Tyrod Taylor as a rookie. Regardless of who starts at quarterback, though, the Browns will have trouble succeeding in 2018 if their defense doesn't improve.
Cleveland allowed 25.6 points per game, the second-most in the NFL. They ranked 19th in pass defense (230.2 yards per game allowed), even though many teams held huge leads against them in the second half and eschewed the pass.
The Browns have done a lot of work to rebuild their secondary this offseason. They traded away Jason McCourty and traded for safety Damarious Randall. They added T.J. Carrie and E.J. Gaines in free agency and drafted cornerback Denzel Ward fourth overall.
The next step toward improving the secondary is having defensive coordinator Gregg Williams configure his new unit.
Cleveland has a tremendous slot corner in Briean Boddy-Calhoun. His role should be set. If Randall earns the starting job at free safety, Jabrill Peppers should return to his natural position of strong safety. Incumbent Jamar Taylor will try to hold off Gaines and Carrie for one starting job. Ward should take the other.
The Browns have the talent to field one of the better secondaries in the NFL. The challenge will be putting the right pieces in the right places and getting everyone on the same page before the start of the season.
Dallas Cowboys: Who Will Replace Jason Witten?
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The Dallas Cowboys said goodbye to longtime pass-catcher Jason Witten this offseason. The veteran tight end will join ESPN for Monday Night Football, which leaves a big hole in the offense that won't be easy to replace.
Witten served as a security blanket for the Cowboys for 15 seasons. Though he was never the fastest tight end on the field, Witten found ways to win with effort and veteran savvy. Even at 35 years old, he managed to produce 560 yards and five touchdowns last season.
According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett pushed hard for Witten to return before the tight end officially decided to walk away.
So, who will be Dak Prescott's go-to tight end in 2018? That's something Dallas needs to figure out soon.
The team did draft former Stanford tight end Dalton Schultz in the fourth round, though Schultz isn't a dynamic receiver. The Cowboys also have tight ends Rico Gathers, Geoff Swaim and Blake Jarwin. Those three have nine NFL catches between them.
If someone doesn't emerge as a legitimate receiving threat at tight end, the Cowboys may need to consider signing a free agent like Julius Thomas or Gary Barnidge.
Denver Broncos: Will Case Keenum Continue Playing Like a Star?
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The window is closing, but the Denver Broncos defense is still good enough to deliver a championship. But poor offensive play, primarily at quarterback, has squandered Denver's chances to win in recent years.
Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch and Brock Osweiler combined for just 19 passing touchdowns, 22 interceptions and 52 sacks taken. Too many times, the defense put Denver's offense in prime position only to see the offense stall or turn over the ball.
Better quarterback play could be enough to get the Broncos back into the postseason, which is why Denver signed Case Keenum to a two-year, $36 million deal this offseason.
Keenum was steady and successful for the Minnesota Vikings last year. He passed for 3,547 yards with 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading Minnesota to the doorstep of a Super Bowl appearance.
Can Keenum continue his high level of play? That's the $36 million question the Broncos will be asking this offseason.
They'll get their first extended look at him in their offense in OTAs.
Detroit Lions: Who Will Be the Starting RB?
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The Detroit Lions' ground game has been a disappointment for years.
Detroit hasn't had a player rush for 100 yards in a game since 2013, and it ranked last in rushing in 2017 (76.3 yards per game). The Lions took steps to change that in 2018.
In the draft, the Lions spent a first-round pick on center Frank Ragnow. They also signed veteran back LeGarrette Blount and drafted Kerryon Johnson in the second round. Ragnow will help spring a backfield that now includes Blount, Johnson, 2015 second-round pick Ameer Abdullah and receiving back Theo Riddick.
New head coach Matt Patricia and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter now need to figure out who will be the team's primary ball-carrier.
It probably won't be Riddick, who is one of the league's top receiving backs but isn't a punishing runner. Detroit should hope it isn't Abdullah, who has averaged just 3.8 yards per carry over the course of his three-year career. If Johnson is ready to step in right away, he could be the top back. Blount, who is an early-down battering ram, could also take the role.
Getting the backfield situated during the offseason will go a long way toward improving Detroit's rushing attack. In turn, that should bring balance to the offense and take some pressure off quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Green Bay Packers: How Much Will Their Defense Improve?
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We saw how unbalanced the Green Bay Packers were last season when Aaron Rodgers went down with a broken collarbone. Green Bay struggled to win without him, and not just because Rodgers has carried the offense for years.
The defense, which allowed 24.0 points per game (26th in the NFL), failed to make game-changing plays or to shut down opposing offenses. Without Rodgers there to rack up points on offense, Green Bay crumbled.
The Packers took steps to improve their defense this offseason. They brought back cornerback Tramon Williams and added defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson. They drafted cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson in the first and second round, respectively, and they added Oren Burks in Round 3.
The Packers also replaced defensive coordinator Dom Capers with Mike Pettine.
Will these changes catapult Green Bay's defense into the top five? Perhaps not, but the Packers should expect some significant improvement on that side of the ball in 2018.
In OTAs, the Packers will start to get an idea of just how much defensive improvement they can expect.
Houston Texans: How Healthy Is Deshaun Watson?
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The Houston Texans thrust quarterback Deshaun Watson into the starting lineup just two quarters into his rookie season. The former Clemson star went on to make six starts, pass for 1,699 yards and 19 touchdowns and lead Houston to a 3-4 record.
Then, Watson's promising run and Houston's playoff hopes ended when the rookie tore his ACL in practice ahead of Week 8.
To return to the playoff picture in 2018, the Texans will need Watson for the majority of the season. So far, it looks like Watson is on schedule to return for Week 1.
"He's doing a good job in his rehab," head coach Bill O'Brien said on NFL Network. "I think he's on schedule to be able to participate in training camp. We're excited about that."
However, Houston cannot help but wonder whether Watson will be the same player he was before the injury and when he'll be back to 100 percent. Even if Watson won't be on the field for OTAs, his continued rehabilitation is easily the most important question mark for Houston with training camp still months away.
Indianapolis Colts: Have They Set Andrew Luck Up for Success?
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The Indianapolis Colts find themselves in a situation similar to Houston's. They desperately need a healthy season from quarterback Andrew Luck. Indianapolis knows what the three-time Pro Bowler is capable of, but it also knows that he's only started 22 games since 2015.
Luck missed all of 2017 after undergoing another shoulder surgery.
Indianapolis is hopeful that Luck will be ready to start in Week 1, but the team also admits that he's a long way away from doing so.
"He's actually not even throwing a football," general manager Chris Ballard said on PFT Live. "He's doing everything we're asking him to do. He's got a program specifically laid out that puts his timeline to be back at training camp. He didn't want to skip a step."
The Colts likely won't see Luck running plays and throwing the ball in OTAs, but they'll be following his recovery closely. The course of their 2018 season largely depends on his offseason progress.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Do They Have Enough Offensive Talent to Support Bortles?
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles is one of the most polarizing players in the NFL.
When he's at his best, he will make a defense pay. When he's playing poorly, it's can be hard to watch.
Bortles will be Jacksonville's starter at least through 2018. The Jaguars inked him to a new three-year, $54 million deal this offseason that includes $26.5 million guaranteed.
The Jaguars now have to figure out whether they have the weapons in place to get the good Bortles in 2018.
They brought in receivers Donte Moncrief and rookie second-round pick D.J. Chark, but they parted with Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins joins the squad, but he'll be tasked with replacing Mercedes Lewis.
Jacksonville figures to lean on Leonard Fournette and the ground game as much as possible in 2018, but teams will be looking to shut down the run. Bortles will have to lead the charge at times, so if the Jaguars don't believe he has the weapons he needs, they may look to bring in more help before the season starts.
Kansas City Chiefs: Have They Improved Their Defense?
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The big question for Chiefs fans is whether Patrick Mahomes will be an upgrade over Alex Smith. However, quality play from Mahomes won't matter much if the Kansas City defense is as bad as it was in 2017.
The Chiefs ranked 25th against the run (118.1 yards per game allowed), 29th against the pass (247.0 yards) and 28th in total defense (365.1 yards) last season. That caused them to reforge their defense over the past few months.
Kansas City traded Marcus Peters and added cornerbacks David Amerson and Kendall Fuller. It parted ways with linebackers Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali. It added linebacker Anthony Hitchens and drafted defensive linemen Breeland Speaks and Derrick Nnadi. The Chiefs also drafted linebacker Dorian O'Daniel and let safety Ron Parker walk.
For now, the Chiefs will be sticking by defensive coordinator Bob Sutton.
"I think we're OK there," head coach Andy Reid said, per Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. "I always look at the big picture of things with Bob and our coaches, and I know what he's done here the last five years. [People are] basing [the reaction] off one game, or two games, and I'm basing it off of five years. So I'm comfortable with him in that spot."
The Chiefs defense is going to be different in 2018, but will it be better? Kansas City needs to find out sooner than later. Otherwise, further changes may have to come, perhaps involving coaching and scheme.
Los Angeles Chargers: How Will They Close Out Games in 2018?
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The Los Angeles Chargers were close to reaching the playoffs in 2018. They finished 9-7 and lost four games by a field goal or less.
Figuring out how to win close games has to be an offseason priority for L.A.
"We felt like we were better than 9-7," defensive tackle Brandon Mebane said, per Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. "So we want to take our next step on actually improving, so we can close out those games that we felt like we should have won."
It's up to head coach Anthony Lynn and his staff to figure out how to do so in 2018. Will the team try to grind out the clock with Melvin Gordon when it's ahead, or will it keep the pressure on with Philip Rivers' throwing arm? Will the defense stay aggressive or try to bend but not break at the end of games?
Fortunately, closing out games with the defense may be easier this season thanks to rookie first- and second-round picks Derwin James and Uchenna Nwosu. James is a playmaking safety, and Nwosu is a pass-rusher who could provide a late-game boost to the pass rush alongside Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram.
If the Chargers do learn how to win close games consistently, other teams in the AFC need to watch out.
Los Angeles Rams: What Will the Linebacker Corps Look Like?
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The Los Angeles Rams made headlines early in the offseason by adding big names in free agency and through trades. Additions such as Ndamukong Suh, Peters and Aqib Talib could boost the defense.
Here's the problem with that assumption: Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips runs a lot of 3-4 looks, and three of last year's four starting linebackers—Alec Ogletree, Connor Barwin and Robert Quinn—are gone. Mark Barron remains, but the Rams have to figure out who their other three starters will be.
Los Angeles added four linebackers—Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Micah Kiser, Trevon Young and Travin Howard—in the draft. It also has veterans like Cory Littleton, Ramik Wilson and Bryce Hager on the roster.
Head coach Sean McVay recently praised some of the veteran linebackers, but he also cautioned that veteran status would not guarantee a starting job.
"By no means are they ahead of anybody else," McVay told Myles Simmons of the team's official website. "Those guys have kind of earned the right to be the ones that are taking those first few reps and then we’ll see based on how they accelerate or how they perform."
The linebacker competition in Los Angeles will go a long way toward determining whether or not the Rams improve their 28th-ranked run defense (122.4 yards per game allowed).
Miami Dophins: Can Ryan Tannehill Do Enough to Renew Their Faith?
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At one point, there was no question that the Miami Dolphins considered Ryan Tannehill their franchise quarterback.
Miami gave the 2012 first-round pick a four-year, $77 million extension back in 2015, and it brought in an offensive-minded head coach in Adam Gase a year later. However, Tannehill's inconsistent play and injury history led the Dolphins to consider selecting his replacement in this year's draft.
"At the end of the day, if one of those guys was there, we would have talked about it, but we just didn’t think anybody would be there," general manager Chris Grier said, per Chris Perkins of the Sun-Sentinel.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Dolphins did consider trading up for a quarterback, but they also told Tannehill that they were sold on him as the starter for 2018.
Tannehill missed all of 2017 with an ACL injury that dated back to December 2016. He's going to have a long road back after the injury and after a full year away from the game.
Heading into the season, the Dolphins have to wonder whether Tannehill can perform well enough to renew their faith in him. If he doesn't, there's a strong chance he and Gase will both be gone after the season.
Minnesota Vikings: Will Kirk Cousins Justify His Contract?
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While the Vikings got a lot out of Case Keenum last season, they believed they could do better at quarterback. As a result, they inked Kirk Cousins to a three-year, $84 million deal that was fully guaranteed.
It's now up to Cousins to prove he's worth that kind of money, as the Vikings likely could have re-signed Keenum for around half of it.
Cousins has a bevy of weapons at his disposal, including Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, Kyle Rudolph and Dalvin Cook. It's more than what Cousins had in Washington last year, and he racked up 4,093 yards and 27 touchdowns with that group.
Integrating Cousins into the Minnesota offense won't be a cakewalk, though. Not only is he a new member of the team, but the Vikings will be working with a new offensive coordinator in John DeFilippo.
Will Cousins be a significant upgrade over Keenum? The Vikings will start finding out during OTAs.
New England Patriots: Have They Improved on Defense?
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The New England Patriots struggled on defense for stretches of the 2017 regular season and again in Super Bowl LII. During the regular season, New England ranked 29th in total defense, allowing an average of 366.0 yards per game.
Heading into OTAs, defense is thus the Patriots' biggest question.
While the Patriots parted with offensive pieces like Dion Lewis, Nate Solder, Danny Amendola and Brandin Cooks this offseason, that side of the ball should be OK so long as Tom Brady is healthy and playing at his usual level. Things are less certain on defense, as the Pats lost starting corner Malcolm Butler to the Tennessee Titans.
New England spent a second-round pick on cornerback Duke Dawson and added linebackers Ja'Whaun Bentley and Christian Sam on Day 3. It also traded for cornerback Jason McCourty, added pass-rusher Adrian Clayborne and should have 2017 draft pick Derek Rivers back from injury.
To get back to the Super Bowl and have a shot at winning it, the Patriots need their new-look defense to be better than last year's group. They'll begin forging that unit in OTAs.
New Orleans Saints: How Big of an Impact Will Marcus Davenport Have?
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The New Orleans Saints have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL.
They have a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Drew Brees and a rushing attack that ranked fifth in the NFL last season (129.4 yards per game). The Saints also have a defense that allowed only 20.4 points per game (10th in the NFL) last season and features the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, Marshon Lattimore.
By trading up for former Texas-San Antonio edge-rusher Marcus Davenport, the Saints hope they now feature one of the league's best pass-rushing duos, too.
New Orleans has a premier sack-artist in Cameron Jordan, who amassed 13.0 sacks in 2017. However, they didn't have a high-end complement for him before Davenport. No one else on the defense logged more than 4.5 sacks last season.
If Davenport can rack up sacks as a rookie, the Saints should have one of the NFL's best edge-rushing combos. That would improve their already rising defense and help prevent big plays like the one that ended New Orleans' playoff hopes.
Is Davenport the missing piece of the Saints' championship puzzle? New Orleans will start to find out in OTAs.
New York Giants: Is Odell Backham Jr. Back to 100 Percent?
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The New York Giants are betting they can make another championship run with quarterback Eli Manning. They added running back Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick to help Manning, and the rookie could immediately be one of the NFL's best offensive players.
If wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is healthy and back to 100 percent, Manning could have two of the league's top offensive players at his disposal. There's no guarantee that Beckham is the same receiver he was before he fractured his ankle, as he has yet to be cleared to return to full practice.
"He's going through his rehab to get fully cleared, so he was able to be involved in the walkthrough, but as we get going here competitive full speed, he won't be able to participate," head coach Pat Shurmur explained as the Giants held their first minicamp practice of the year, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com.
Beckham is heading into the final year of his rookie deal. If the Giants re-sign him now, they may be able to get a more team-friendly deal as opposed to them waiting until next offseason. However, they also run the risk of making a mistake if they give Beckham a big-money deal and he isn't as dominant as he once was.
While Beckham is a tremendous route-runner and can make tough catches, he isn't a straight-line burner. If the ankle injury robbed him of some of his 4.43 speed, Beckham may have a hard time creating separation. Given his smaller stature (5'11", 198 lbs) and lack of physicality, that could cause his stellar carer to decline.
New York Jets: Will Sam Darnold Show Enough to Win the Starting Job?
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When the New York Jets took former USC quarterback Sam Darnold with the third overall pick, they made it clear he would be their quarterback of the future. He has a chance to be the quarterback of the present, too.
"We're going to give him the opportunity to go out there to [earn] the position," Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said on the Rich Eisen Show. "But, of course, our focus is not necessarily to throw him into the fire until he's earned it. Nothing's been predetermined one way or another."
Darnold will have to show a lot this offseason to overtake journeyman Josh McCown on the depth chart. McCown was a quality starter for the Jets last season. Darnold is an unpolished product with a penchant for turnovers and questionable pocket awareness.
The Jets will want to see Darnold make a lot of progress during OTAs. If he does, they may give him a chance to challenge for the starting job in training camp. They also may decide to part ways with Teddy Bridgewater, who has only $500,000 of his contract guaranteed.
But if Darnold struggles this offseason, New York can head into training camp focused on starting McCown and grooming Darnold for the backup role.
Oakland Raiders: Will They Have a Productive Running Game?
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The Oakland Raiders took a step back on offense in 2017. They averaged only 18.8 points per game (23rd in the NFL) after averaging 26.0 (seventh) the year before.
Part of that regression was due to quarterback Derek Carr returning from a significant leg injury. However, Oakland's running game also averaged only 97.1 yards per game (25th).
Marshawn Lynch led the Raiders with 891 yards and a respectable 4.3 yards-per-carry average, but he was only effective between the tackles and is now another year older. To bolster the backfield, Oakland brought in Doug Martin, who averaged only 2.9 yards per carry in 2017.
The Raiders are hoping that offensive guru and Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden can turn the offense around this season. To do so, the Raiders must field a ground game better than last year's.
In OTAs, Gruden and the Raiders will get an idea of whether Lynch has something left in the tank and if Martin is worth even having on the roster. They may decide that a guy like Jalen Richard, who averaged 4.9 yards per carry in 2017, deserves a larger offensive role.
Finding the right combination of ball-carriers will be paramount to an offensive turnaround in the Bay Area.
Philadelphia Eagles: How Far Away Is Carson Wentz?
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The Philadelphia Eagles managed to win the Super Bowl with backup Nick Foles under center. However, starter Carson Wentz was a legitimate NFL MVP candidate before he suffered a season-ending knee injury, and he will make the Eagles a better team once he's healthy.
For now, the Eagles don't know when Wentz will be ready to get back under center. They'd love to have him return sooner than later, but the last thing the Eagles want to do is bring him back too soon.
"He's making progress each day, and we just continue that process, and he continues to throw and get stronger," head coach Doug Pederson said Friday, per Tim McManus of ESPN.com. "It's a fine line, too, this time of year, of maybe trying to do too much, too soon. But our guys are on top of it, he's on top of it, he's managing it extremely well and I'm encouraged with where he's at."
Fortunately, Philadelphia won't have to rush Wentz back onto the field because they have Foles to stand in as a temporary placeholder. Regardless, the Eagles will undoubtedly keep a close eye on Wentz's recovery over the coming weeks and months.
Pittsburgh Steelers: How Do They Replace Ryan Shazier?
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The Pittsburgh Steelers defense wasn't quite the same after star linebacker Ryan Shazier suffered a season-ending back injury in early December.
In his 12 games last season, Shazier racked up 89 tackles, 11 passes defended and three interceptions. Replacing his production and his leadership won't be easy.
That's partly why Pittsburgh decided to draft safety Terrell Edmunds in the first round. Though raw, he's a quick defender who can make some of the plays Shazier did. Defensive coordinator Keith Butler believes Edmunds can also help replace Shazier's defensive communication as well.
"We think Terrell is gonna be able to do that for us," Butler explained, per Bryan DeArdo of 247Sports. "We think he's gonna be able to help us with our communication and stuff like that."
Pittsburgh also added linebacker Jon Bostic, who has the experience and veteran savvy Edmunds lacks. These two may combine to give the Steelers at least part of what they had in Shazier, but it might not hurt to bring back linebacker Lawrence Timmons as well.
Two years ago with the Steelers, Timmons racked up 114 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions.
San Francisco 49ers: Have They Added Enough to Be Playoff Contenders?
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The 49ers were one of the league's hottest teams at the end of 2017. They could be one of the league's hottest teams in 2018, too.
In a huge step for the franchise, San Francisco locked up quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo with a new five-year, $137.5 million deal. The next big step will be making the playoffs.
San Francisco needs to figure out whether it has the pieces to accomplish that goal this season.
Garoppolo will be the centerpiece of the team, and the 49ers added other quality pieces in the offseason. They brought in cornerback Richard Sherman and center Weston Richburg. They drafted left tackle Mike McGlinchy and wide receiver Dante Pettis.
Are these additions enough to put San Francisco in the playoff conversation? It's possible.
The Rams appear better on paper, but the Cardinals may struggle at quarterback, and the Seattle Seahawks appear poised for a defensive decline. The 49ers will at least be relevant in the NFC West.
This offseason, the 49ers will get a look at their retooled roster and determine their realistic goals for 2018. While every team comes out looking to make the playoffs, some teams aren't yet set up to make a run.
It's fair for the 49ers to wonder if they are.
Seattle Seahawks: Have They Done Enough to Protect Russell Wilson?
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The Seahawks defense is likely to take a step back after losing pieces like Sherman, Michael Bennett and most likely Kam Chancellor. That will place a lot of pressure on the offense, particularly quarterback Russell Wilson, to pick up the slack.
Has Seattle done enough to support Wilson?
Seattle has long ignored the offensive line in front of Wilson, and it hasn't had a strong running game in several years. This has led to Wilson taking 248 sacks and many more hits in his six NFL seasons.
Seattle didn't draft an offensive lineman before the fifth round this year, but it did add a potential three-down back in first-round pick Rashaad Penny. However, the Seahawks also parted with pass-catchers Paul Richardson and Jimmy Graham in free agency.
This offseason, the Seahawks need to determine whether Wilson has enough support. If not, they may need to make a move for a starting-caliber lineman or a security-blanket tight end before the season begins.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Do They Have Enough Talent in the Secondary?
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the worst pass defense in the league last season (260.6 passing yards per game allowed). For Tampa Bay to get into the NFC South hunt, its pass defense has to dramatically improve.
The Buccaneers solved part of the problem by acquiring pass-rushers Jason Pierre-Paul and Vinny Curry. Last season's defense produced a league-low 22 sacks, but that number should be on the rise in 2018.
The Buccaneers have to wonder whether they've done enough to fix the back end of the defense, though.
Tampa Bay doesn't have much eye-catching talent in its secondary. Former first-round selection Vernon Hargreaves has been a bit of a disappointment. While Brent Grimes is solid, he's nearing the end of his career. Chris Conte and Keith Tandy are experienced safeties, but they're nothing special.
The Buccaneers didn't go after a premier defensive back in free agency, and they didn't draft one in the first round. They did add corners M.J. Stewart and Carlton Davis in Round 2, along with fourth-round safety Jordan Whitehead.
These three rookies should be given chances to start in 2018, but Tampa Bay doesn't know whether they'll be able to immediately upgrade the secondary. The Buccaneers should start figuring that out in OTAs.
Tennessee Titans: Do They Have Enough Receiver Talent?
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The Tennessee Titans undoubtedly would like to see quarterback Marcus Mariota take a step forward. They would also like to have enough of a passing game to complement their strong ground attack.
It's fair to wonder, though, whether the Titans have surrounded Mariota with enough receiving talent.
Outside of a great tight end in Delanie Walker, Tennessee has mostly question marks in its pass-catching corps. Former first-round pick Corey Davis started only nine games as a rookie, while Taywan Taylor and Rishard Matthews combined for a meager 1,026 receiving yards. No wideout reached the 80-catch mark.
Is that enough talent for Mariota to succeed? General manager Jon Robinson believes so.
"We certainly have to add some guys here for camp," Robinson told Jim Wyatt of the team's official website. "But as far as going out and adding marquee names, we can line up and win a lot of games with the guys we’ve got."
It isn't unusual to hear executives speak positively about their rosters even if they feel differently in private. If Tennessee doesn't have enough talent to improve the passing game—it ranked 23rd with an average of 199.4 yards per game last season—it may want to trade for a player or add a free agent like Dez Bryant.
Washington Redskins: Which Alex Smith Are They Getting?
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Washington parted ways with Cousins in the offseason and replaced him with Smith. It's now imperative to figure out which version of Smith they'll have for 2018.
For years, the 2005 No. 1 overall pick held the dreaded "game manager" label. He was widely viewed as a quarterback who would make easy completions and avoid turnovers but wouldn't carry his team to victory with aggressive play.
"Calling Alex Smith Checkdown Charlie is an offense to Charlie," Danny Kanell of SiriusXM said of Smith a few years ago. Former NFL kicker Lawrence Tynes once referred to Smith as a "checkdown master."
Smith was more aggressive in 2017, as he led a Kansas City offense that ranked seventh in passing with an average of 256.5 yards per game. He passed for 4,042 total yards, 26 touchdowns and finished third in the NFL with 13 passes of at least 40 yards.
Before the start of training camp, head coach Jay Gruden and offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh need to figure out whether they have the conservative Smith or the aggressive one. They also must determine which version they want and which is best-suited for the current roster.
Does Washington want Smith firing the ball downfield to Josh Doctson and Paul Richardson with regularity, or does it want him handing off to Derrius Guice and tossing screens to Chris Thompson while taking the occasional shot downfield?
The Redskins should be able to better figure out what kind of game plan to craft in training camp by getting a good look at Smith and the pieces around him in OTAs.
All contract information via Spotrac.com.
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