8 NFL Teams in Need of a Major Roster Overhaul
Every NFL team, including the Super Bowl winner, goes through roster changes in the offseason. That said, some clubs have more work to do than others.
Typically, new general managers, especially those who take over teams at the bottom of the standings, overhaul their rosters in a rebuild.
In other cases, front offices must cut costs to balance the salary cap, which may result in notable departures with a focus on in-house development and rookie talent.
Let's take a look at eight teams that should consider a wholesale roster transformation rather than a few tweaks. All of the squads below missed the playoffs and have more than a few needs beyond the quarterback position.
Arizona Cardinals
1 of 8
Cap space: $42,183,130
In his words, Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon has left "no doubt" about the quarterback position. For now, Arizona seems likely to pass on signal-callers in the draft to improve the roster around Kyler Murray.
If that's the case, the Cardinals can take Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. with the No. 4 overall pick if he's available. Arguably the best overall prospect in the 2024 draft class, Harrison would immediately become Murray's go-to receiver for the long term.
With about $42.2 million in cap space, the Cardinals could re-sign wide receiver Marquise Brown to round out a solid pass-catching group that includes Michael Wilson, Rondale Moore and budding tight end Trey McBride.
Arizona must rebuild the interior of its offensive line. Center Hjalte Froholdt and guard Will Hernandez have one year left on their respective contracts, and guard Elijah Wilkinson will be a free agent in March.
Defensively, the Cardinals must retool the front and back ends of their defense.
In 2023, Arizona surrendered the third-most passing touchdowns (32) and finished with the second-lowest pass-rush pressure rate (17.1 percent).
The Cardinals have three top-35 picks. They can add Harrison, a top pass-rusher and a playmaking cornerback through the first two days of the draft.
Carolina Panthers
2 of 8
Cap space: $28,599,402
The Carolina Panthers' previous general manager, Scott Fitterer, failed to build a promising supporting cast around rookie quarterback Bryce Young.
Young faced pressure on 24.2 percent of his dropbacks, which ranked ninth across the league, and took 62 sacks.
Last offseason, Carolina signed Adam Thielen to a three-year, $25 million deal before his age-33 term, and he led the team across most receiving categories while averaging just 9.8 yards per catch.
The Panthers completely whiffed with a decision to sign running back Miles Sanders to a four-year, $25.4 million contract. He recorded 129 carries for a career-low 432 yards and a touchdown and caught 27 passes for 154 yards.
Perhaps left tackle Ikem Ekwonu fares a lot better in a new offensive system after giving up 11 sacks this past season, per Pro Football Focus, but new general manager Dan Morgan should use some of the team's cap space to add some pass-catchers. Explosive wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. is about to hit free agency, and pass-catching tight end Hayden Hurst experienced post-traumatic amnesia after a concussion, which may impact him going forward.
Regardless of how the Panthers handle edge-rusher Brian Burns' contract situation, they need to bring in another pass-rusher with Yetur Gross-Matos and Frankie Luvu on expiring contracts.
Jayce Horn has missed 29 games in three seasons, so it makes sense for the front office to sign a low-cost veteran cornerback to solidify the secondary.
Los Angeles Chargers
3 of 8
Cap space: (minus) $45,806,935
The Los Angeles Chargers pulled off a home-run hire with new head coach Jim Harbaugh, but his presence alone isn't going to turn the team around.
The Chargers are $45.8 million over the cap, which means new general manager Joe Hortiz will have tough decisions to make with key players whose contracts account for massive hits against the cap.
Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Derwin James Jr. will count for about $162.2 million in cap space. All five players are either on the other side of 30 years old, have an extensive injury history or both.
Perhaps Los Angeles reworks Mack's deal after he had one of his best seasons, though one has to wonder about Allen, Williams and Bosa, who have all missed at least 11 games over the past two years.
The Chargers may have to cut costs at wide receiver and on the defensive line to get under the cap threshold. Fortunately, they can refill vacancies with pick Nos. 5 and 37.
Because of salary-cap restrictions, Los Angeles could create roster holes in March with the intent to give its early round rookies a ton of playing time in 2024.
Moreover, with center Corey Linsley likely to retire and running back Austin Ekeler and tight end Gerald Everett set to become free agents, the Chargers offense will likely sport a different personnel look next season.
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New England Patriots
4 of 8
Cap space: $66,032,006
The New England Patriots moved on from general manager and head coach Bill Belichick and promoted inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo to lead skipper.
In New England's post-Belichick era, we should expect widespread roster turnover, especially with the club's unconventional front-office transition. As of Thursday, the Patriots haven't hired a new general manager.
Regardless of who makes the personnel decisions in New England, that person or group of people must infuse the offense with dynamic talent. Belichick didn't leave much behind at the skill positions.
For the 2023 term, the Patriots didn't have a pass-catcher with 50 receptions. Rookie sixth-rounder Demario Douglas led the team in catches (49) and yards (561), though he didn't score a touchdown.
Most importantly, New England must figure out its direction at quarterback.
The previous regime benched Mac Jones in Week 12, and Bailey Zappe started in his place for the remainder of the season.
If Mayo and his staff don't see a future with Jones, expect the Patriots to take a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick.
As Belichick's former assistant, Mayo could keep the defense intact, but the Patriots will probably add depth and young players to compete for starting roles. New England only has two defensive linemen and one linebacker under contract (h/t Spotrac) beyond the 2024 campaign.
New Orleans Saints
5 of 8
Cap space: (minus) $83,683,454
The New Orleans Saints are $83.7 million over the cap, so they'll go into their bag of salary-cap-saving tricks to meet the threshold for the new league year.
Over the past few years, the Saints have managed to maneuver the cap without losing a tremendous amount of talent, but this offseason could be different for them.
Similar to the Los Angeles Chargers, they have an aging roster, but the club has a lot more cap space tied to the quarterback position with Derek Carr's deal accounting for $35.7 million. For comparison, Justin Herbert's cap number is $19.3 million in 2024.
The Saints don't have a third- or fourth-round pick, and with their salary-cap restrictions, don't expect them to make big splashes in free agency.
New Orleans has to take a long look at wideout Michael Thomas, linebacker Demario Davis, cornerback Marshon Lattimore and safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye, who will all count for at least $9.6 million against the salary cap this year.
The Saints will likely push their free-agent shopping cart through the bargain-bin line to replace notable veterans and hope to land a couple of rookies who can immediately contribute in prominent roles.
New York Giants
6 of 8
Cap space: $21,847,691
The New York Giants created their own issues in terms of salary-cap limitations.
In March of last year, they signed quarterback Daniel Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract with $81 million in guarantees. Jones battled injuries throughout the 2023 campaign and struggled while healthy, throwing for two touchdowns and six interceptions in six starts.
If the Giants plan to make the most out of their investment in Jones, they must bolster their offensive line and pass-catching groups. Big Blue's offensive line allowed the fourth-highest pressure rate (26.4 percent) per dropback leaguewide in 2023.
With the exception of left tackle Andrew Thomas, the Giants need upgrades or in-house development at every other position across the offensive line.
Connected to the decision to sign Jones to a multiyear contract, the Giants franchise-tagged running back Saquon Barkley. Thus, they'll have to make another call on whether to retain him in the coming weeks. If not, Big Blue will likely search the free-agent market or draft his replacement.
Last offseason, the Giants acquired tight end Darren Waller from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a third-round pick. Waller's cap number will rise from $4.7 million in 2023 to $14.1 million for the 2024 term.
Here's the problem: Waller doesn't produce at a level that justifies the rising cost of his contract.
In 12 games with the Giants this past season, Waller caught 52 passes for 552 yards and a touchdown. By the way, he's missed 13 games over the previous two years.
New York needed Waller to spark an underwhelming pass-catching stable, but because of his injury history, the team has to add more talent at wide receiver.
The Giants parted ways with defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale, which is a sign of change on that side of the ball. Regardless, expect the coaching staff to find replacements for soon-to-be free agents Xavier McKinney and Adoree' Jackson in the secondary.
Tennessee Titans
7 of 8
Cap space: $68,120,341
The Tennessee Titans turned over their coaching staff and welcomed new lead skipper Brian Callahan in January.
Callahan will succeed Mike Vrabel, who led a hard-nosed, physical team that lost its way offensively over the past couple of years. The Titans ranked 27th or worse in scoring and total yards for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Now, general manager Ran Carthon and Callahan will start a clean slate together with $68.1 million in cap space and pick Nos. 7 and 38 in the early rounds of the upcoming draft.
First and foremost, the Titans should scout veteran and rookie quarterbacks to challenge 2023 second-rounder Will Levis and Malik Willis for the starting job.
In nine starts, Levis threw for 1,808 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions with a 58.4 percent completion rate, which doesn't seem like enough to solidify himself for the lead position.
Tennessee will probably find a new engine for its offense with workhorse running back Derrick Henry set to become a free agent in March.
On top of that, DeAndre Hopkins will turn 32 years old in June, and fellow wide receiver Treylon Burks hasn't provided first-round return in terms of production, partially because of injuries.
In addition to needs at the offensive skill positions, Tennessee should address its front line after the unit allowed the highest pressure rate (27.5 percent) per dropback this past season. Left guard Peter Skoronski may be the only lock to start within that group for 2024 campaign.
Tennessee could also add an interior defensive lineman, linebacker and cornerback to fill a void at every level of its defensive unit.
The Titans have a long laundry list of roster needs, though fortunately for them, they have the financial capital to make waves in free agency.
Washington Commanders
8 of 8
Cap space: $73,649,626
On Thursday, the Washington Commanders hired Dan Quinn, who will work with general manager Adam Peters to rebuild a roster with holes in key areas.
In all likelihood, the Commanders will use the No. 2 overall pick on a quarterback. In 2023, Sam Howell struggled in a pass-heavy offense, leading the league in interceptions. He would've lost his starting job if Jacoby Brissett didn't miss the last two games with a hamstring injury.
On another positive note, they're projected to have the most cap space in 2024, which will allow them to add upgrades at right tackle and left guard and in the pass-rush.
Before the 2023 trade deadline, Washington traded edge-rushers Chase Young and Montez Sweat to the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears, respectively. The Commanders' new regime may not retain of couple of starters in cornerback Kendall Fuller and safety Kamren Curl.
With three top-40 picks and a few impact free-agent signings, Washington can expedite the rejuvenation of its roster.
If the Commanders hit on their pick or signing at quarterback, they could make a leap comparable to the Houston Texans' immediate rise from a team with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 draft to a playoff squad in the same year.
NFL draft order and picks information provided by Tankathon.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
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