Best- and Worst-Case Scenarios for Every NFL Team's Depth Chart

Every NFL team has a position that is extremely critical, and the success or failure of that position literally means wins and losses. It might be a left tackle that protects the franchise's future at quarterback, or it could be a running back that defenses can't stop.

Every team's depth chart gets set at the beginning of the season, and anything that changes that depth chart creates chaos for teams and their front offices. We are going to examine each team to determine the position and the player that has the ability to create the most chaos or stability for their respective team.

Arizona Cardinals

Best Case Scenario

The best thing that could happen for the Cardinals is for one of their quarterbacks to emerge as a clear-cut starter. In a perfect world it would be Kevin Kolb because of what they had to give up to get him. It is imperative in the new NFL for teams to have a good play-making quarterback

Either way, a starter needs to emerge, and that player needs to be able to drive the ball down the field to challenge defenses vertically.

Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is a monster, and rookie Michael Floyd is a nice compliment. Together they should form a nice tandem for the Arizona offense.

Worst Case Scenario

Larry Fitzgerald is simply a player that the Cardinals would not be able to replace if an injury were to happen. Outside of Michael Floyd, the Cardinals have no real size at the wide receiver position, and there is no player on the roster that can impact the offense like Fitzgerald can.

Without the threat of Fitzgerald on the outside, most defenses would simply load the box, stop the run and make the quarterback beat them. The Cardinals don't have a quarterback that can beat teams without Fitzgerald right now.

Atlanta Falcons

Best Case Scenario

The best way for the Falcons to be efficient in 2012 is for wide receiver Julio Jones to take a big step forward as a second-year player. The Falcons gave up a fortune for Jones, and he showed flashes of greatness in 2011 as a rookie.

Jones is a star in the making because of his incredible blend of size, speed and athleticism. He is a player that defenses will struggle to defend because of his elite athletic ability.

Worst Case Scenario

It would be a nightmare scenario for the Falcons to lose left tackle Sam Baker. There isn't a player on the roster that could step in and fill the role of protecting franchise quarterback Matt Ryan's blind side. Baker is a stabilizing force for the Falcons' offensive line.

Losing Sam Baker would give the offense great problems, in both the running game and the passing game. The Falcons like to use play action to get the ball in the hands of their running backs, and Ryan needs time to make plays as a quarterback. The Falcons' offense would struggle to recover from the loss of their starting left tackle.

Baltimore Ravens

Best Case Scenario

It would be perfect for the Ravens to get wide receiver Torrey Smith to take a nice step forward as a second-year player. He is a large piece of their offense as he causes teams to not be able to defend the run as much as they would like to because of his speed and ability to separate.

If the Ravens can make the defense honest, it will give them a triple threat of players that can make plays. Wide receiver Anquan Boldin needs more room to operate, and running back Ray Rice could be even better in 2012 if Smith gives the defense something more to think about.

Worst Case Scenario

This is simple. If the Ravens were to lose Ray Rice, they would really struggle to move the ball and score points. There is no player on their roster that can do the things that Rice does on a consistent basis.

Rice is the Ravens' offense and is not a player that can be replaced on any level.

Buffalo Bills

Best Case Scenario

The best way for the Bills to get really competitive would be for rookie cornerback Stephen Gilmore to come in as a rookie and produce right away. The Bills play in a pass-happy division, and they need to be able to defend the pass well.

Gilmore is a very talented player that can take the Bills' defense to the next level, especially with the additions that they have made. Gilmore has the ability to play well, and if he shows that ability as a rookie, the Bills could be a dangerous team. 

Worst Case Scenario

The Bills signed defensive end Mario Williams to a massive contract in free agency, and they need him to stay healthy and be a productive pass rusher right away. The Bills don't have the ability to replace what Williams can give them, and it would be devastating for an injury to sideline Williams in 2012.

Considering the amount of money the Bills paid Williams, it would be the worst possible outcome for Williams and the Bills if he were to miss a significant amount of time in 2012.

Carolina Panthers

Best Case Scenario

The best thing that could happen for the Panthers is for quarterback Cam Newton to not regress in 2012. He was phenomenal as a rookie, but the expectations are high for Newton. I have seen Newton on some lists as a top-10 quarterback in the NFL, and it seems way too high for a player entering his second year.

Newton won't surprise anyone in 2012. He needs to progress as a quarterback as he is the key to the Panthers' future. The Panthers will go as far as Newton takes them in 2012. 

Worst Case Scenario

Wide receiver Steve Smith is one of the most electric players in the NFL. He challenges defenses vertically on almost every single snap and does things for the Panthers' offense that no one else can do.

The quality of Newton's play has revitalized Smith's career as Smith was spectacular in 2011. He is an incredible deep threat and a player that the Panthers simply can't lose to an injury. The Panthers' offense has no one else that can do the things that Smith does.

Chicago Bears

Best Case Scenario

The best thing that could happen for the Bears is for wide receiver Brandon Marshall to become a threat for their offense. Marshall and quarterback Jay Cutler have shown great chemistry in the past, and Marshall's success would give the Bears an option that they have not had for years.

The Bears play in a powerhouse of a division. They need to score points and keep pace with the likes of the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. Marshall is a key piece here. 

Worst Case Scenario

Linebacker Brian Urlacher is the leader of the Bears defense, and he is a player that can't be replaced, on multiple levels. The Bears have literally no one behind Urlacher that has any experience, and his loss would be a massive blow.

Urlacher is aging but is still a very good football player.

Cincinnati Bengals

Best Case Scenario

Much like other second-year players, the best way for the Bengals to keep moving forward is for quarterback Andy Dalton to not take a step backwards in his development as a player. Dalton had a great rookie season as he took his team to the playoffs.

Dalton is a technically sound quarterback who made some great throws in 2011 and paired with wide receiver A.J. Green to give the Bengals a great rookie duo. Dalton's development as a quarterback is key to the Bengals future. 

Worst Case Scenario

The worst possible scenario for the Bengals is for them to lose A.J. Green in 2012. He is a stud wide receiver and future top-tier player at the position. The Bengals are very young, but they don't have anyone that can do the things that Green does on their roster.

He is a player that pressures the defense in multiple ways, from running deep to working on the outside. Green is a phenomenal wide receiver with an undeniable skill set. His loss would be devastating.

Cleveland Browns

Best Case Scenario

It would be a perfect scenario for a quarterback to emerge for the Browns. Rookie Brandon Weeden is the favorite to start over Colt McCoy, but he needs to do it on the field. The Browns added some real nice talent in the 2012 NFL draft.

If the Browns get decent quarterback play, they will be in a nice position offensively. Though the Browns are very young, they have accumulated some real nice talent on offense and will do well as long they get good quarterback play.

Worst Case Scenario

The nightmare scenario for the Browns involves left tackle Joe Thomas and what he brings each and every game. With the addition of rookie running back Trent Richardson, the Browns have set themselves up to have a real nice power running game.

There is no player on the Browns' roster that can make up for the loss of Joe Thomas. He is widely considered to be one of the best left tackles in the game. It would be an understatement to call it a huge blow for the Browns to lose Thomas.

Dallas Cowboys

Best Case Scenario

The best way for the Cowboys to get back to the playoffs is for rookie cornerback Morris Claiborne to come in and have a big impact. Claiborne pairs with newly acquired cornerback Brandon Carr to form a potentially great tandem in the Dallas secondary.

Considering the division that the Cowboys play in, it is going to be essential for them to play well on the defensive side of the ball. This holds true especially against the pass. 

Worst Case Scenario

Tight end Jason Witten is quarterback Tony Romo's security blanket, and his loss would be a giant blow to the Dallas offense.

It would be very hard to replace the 70-plus catches that Witten produces every year. There is no tight end on the roster that can produce the number of catches and first downs that Witten delivers.

Denver Broncos

Best Case Scenario

It is perhaps the easiest call on this entire list. Quarterback Peyton Manning is going to lead the Broncos, and the best way for them to get to the playoffs is for Manning to stay healthy and productive in his first year as a Bronco.

Manning is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and by all accounts, he is throwing the ball with a lot of velocity in mini-camp. If Manning can get back to what he was pre-neck injury, look for the Broncos to take a giant leap forward. 

Worst Case Scenario

The Broncos have tied the fate of their team to quarterback Peyton Manning, and they simply can't afford to lose him to an injury. They have also given him an enormous sum of money.

The Broncos don't have anyone else on their roster that can even get close to being competitive on an NFL level as a quarterback.

Detroit Lions

Best Case Scenario

It is an understatement to say that keeping Matt Stafford upright and healthy is first and foremost. That brings us to rookie left tackle Riley Reiff and his ability to play on the right side, either at guard or tackle.

If Reiff can solidify the right side as a rookie, it will go a long way to improving the offense for the Lions, both in the running game and the passing game. It would be a perfect scenario to have Reiff come in as a rookie and play while developing into a long-term solution at left tackle for the Lions. 

Worst Case Scenario

Left tackle Jeff Backus has been incredibly reliable from a health perspective during his career, and it would be a massive loss for the Lions not to have his services. Backus is a very steady but unspectacular player, one that the Lions can't afford to lose.

Green Bay Packers

Best Case Scenario

The Packers are most effective when they get pressure on the opposing quarterback, and they struggled all year to do it in 2011. They struggled with their secondary play due to it, and the best way to fix it is to add a player that can get after the quarterback.

Enter rookie defensive end Nick Perry out of USC. Perry is not a player that will help out much in run defense but is certainly a player that could terrorize quarterbacks playing opposite Clay Matthews.

If Perry can make his presence felt, it could take the Packers' defense back to familiar territory in 2012. 

Worst Case Scenario

Aaron Rodgers can't be replaced by perhaps any other quarterback in the NFL. He is incredibly talented and can make plays with his arm strength and accuracy and with his feet.

There is no one on the Packers depth chart that can realistically play in the NFL, and for that reason the Packers can't afford to lose Rodgers.

Houston Texans

Best Case Scenario

The best way for the Texans to continue their march into the postseason is to have right tackle Rashad Butler play well to make up for the loss of Eric Winston. The Texans have a very good offense, but they had a very bad offseason.

Butler needs to play well on the right side of the line, especially in the running game. The Texans can't afford to slide, especially in a division that might be the most easily winnable one in football. The Texans realistically don't have much competition in the AFC South, but they need to continue playing well, and Butler is a big piece in that. 

Worst Case Scenario

Andre Johnson is an elite wide receiver who is getting up there in age and might start to struggle with injuries. There is no player on the roster that can make up for Johnson's loss, given there is very little NFL proven talent at wide receiver on this roster.

Indianapolis Colts

Best Case Scenario

Rookie quarterback Andrew Luck is going to play right away from the Indianapolis Colts, and it would be a great thing for the Colts if he were to play well from the beginning. Luck is a very highly touted player coming into the NFL as he has all the tools to thrive in the league.

If Luck can be productive as a rookie quarterback with all of the young talent around him, it will mean good things for the future of the Colts. Luck is an exciting player, but he has huge shoes to fill. Playing well as a rookie will be a nice start for him. 

Worst Case Scenario

It would be a huge disappointment for the Colts to lose Luck to an injury as a rookie. It would guarantee them of a very high draft pick in the 2013 NFL draft as there is very little proven NFL talent for No. 2 quarterback Drew Stanton to play with.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Best Case Scenario

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert has been dismissed as an NFL player already, and it is way too early for that. The best thing that could happen for the Jaguars is for Gabbert to have a real solid second year as a quarterback.

Gabbert struggled as a rookie from the outset and never looked comfortable in 2011. He gets a nice addition in rookie wide receiver Justin Blackmon. It gives the Jaguars a No. 1 wide receiver and a player that Gabbert can go to all the time. 

Worst Case Scenario

There is no more valuable player on the entire Jaguars roster than running back Maurice Jones-Drew. He is the Jaguars' everything from an offensive perspective, and his loss would be one that the Jaguars would not recover from. It would all but assure them of a top-five pick in the 2013 NFL draft.

Kansas City Chiefs

Best Case Scenario

Jamaal Charles is a star running back, but he tore his ACL early in the 2011 season. If he can return to form, it sets up the offense for some very nice things. Charles is a game-changer and can carry the Chiefs offense.

Charles' return would be huge for the continued growth of the Chiefs' offense. It would give quarterback Matt Cassel a playmaker that can keep defenses guessing, and it would allow him to get the ball down the field to wide receiver Dwayne Bowe.

Worst Case Scenario

Derrick Johnson is a great linebacker and a tackling machine for the Chiefs. He is a stabilizing force for the defense and a player that can't be replaced because there isn't much talent on the depth chart behind Johnson.

Miami Dolphins

Best Case Scenario

The best case scenario for the Miami Dolphins is to put rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill on the bench for a year to get the seasoning that he needs. Quarterback Matt Moore was a solid player in 2011, and he can make things happen for the Miami offense.

Moore is a tough player who showed some good things in 2011. He is a decent quarterback but is certainly not the long-term answer at quarterback here. It makes long-term sense for the Dolphins if he can bridge the gap and allow Tannehill to develop. 

Worst Case Scenario

Offensive tackle Jake Long is one of the better tackles in the NFL, and his loss would be a gigantic blow to the Dolphins' offense. There really isn't much on the depth chart behind Long, and his loss would assure the Dolphins of a top-5 pick in the 2013 NFL draft.

Minnesota Vikings

Best Case Scenario

The Vikings took Christian Ponder early in the 2011 NFL draft, and he played well at times as a rookie. The best thing that can happen for the Vikings is for Ponder to continue to progress as a quarterback.

He is a talented quarterback, but he needs time to develop. If Ponder doesn't regress in 2012, it means good things for the Vikings. 

Worst Case Scenario

Defensive tackle Jared Allen continued his assault on NFL offenses in 2011. He finished with 22 sacks on the year, and his ability to pressure the passer certainly held the Vikings in games that they didn't belong in.

Allen is not replaceable with any player that the Vikings have. Looking at their depth chart, there isn't much at all behind him. Allen's loss might assure the Vikings of an early pick on the 2013 NFL draft.

New England Patriots

Best Case Scenario

In a perfect world, the addition of wide receiver Brandon Lloyd gives the New England offense a vertical threat that it hasn't had since the Randy Moss days. Quarterback Tom Brady loves to spread the ball around, and if Lloyd can get deep and open up the field for the offense, then it means great things for this already explosive group.

Lloyd has the potential to put up really nice numbers in this offense and will create mismatches because of the way the Patriots run their spread offense. If he plays well, the Patriots will be in store for great things in 2012.

Worst Case Scenario

There is no player more valuable to the Patriots than quarterback Tom Brady. He is an incredible quarterback who brings great intangibles to the game. Looking at the Patriots' roster it is easy to see that Brady can't be replaced, and it would be a problem that they would struggle to overcome.

New Orleans Saints

Best Case Scenario

The Saints are going to be without the services of middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma for the entire 2012 season. This is where recently acquired Curtis Lofton enters the picture. He will need to play well to make up for the loss of Vilma, but he is capable.

Lofton is a really good football player, and if he can ease the pain of losing Vilma, then he will have done his job. It will mean good things for the Saints if Lofton can be productive this year.

Worst Case Scenario

Chase Daniel and Sean Canfield. These are the names behind quarterback Drew Brees on the depth chart. It is unimaginable to think about the Saints' offense without Drew Brees behind center. The loss of Brees would be something the Saints would not be able to overcome.

New York Giants

Best Case Scenario

The best case scenario for the New York Giants is for rookie David Wilson to take the running back job from oft-injured Ahmad Bradshaw. Wilson is an electric running back who could have a really nice impact on the Giants offense.

Wilson is incredibly fast and tough. If he can be productive as a rookie in the Giants' offense, it means that the offense hasn't lost a beat after losing a few pieces in free agency. 

Worst Case Scenario

Defensive end Jason Paul-Pierre is a force along the edge of the Giants defense. He uses his athleticism to create mismatches against bigger offensive linemen, and he gets to the quarterback quite often.

His loss would be huge for the Giants defense as they use the pressure they create from their front seven to mask their struggles in the secondary.

New York Jets

Best Case Scenario

The best way for the New York Jets to move forward after a strange offseason is for quarterback Mark Sanchez to take a significant step forward after a tumultuous 2011 season. The Jets brought in quarterback Tim Tebow, creating a circus-like atmosphere around the team.

If Sanchez can quiet his critics by playing well early in 2012, it will go a long ways to calming the team. He will regain the full support of the locker room and keep the Jets from going off the rails. 

Worst Case Scenario

The Jets are a power running team, and the player that helps out the most is center Nick Mangold. He is a very powerful athletic center who can get to the next level.

The Jets offense would really struggle to run the ball without Mangold, and there isn't any depth behind him.

Oakland Raiders

Best Case Scenario

Quarterback Carson Palmer cost the Oakland Raiders a fortune, and he needs to play well to make the risk and cost worth it. If Palmer can play well in 2012, it will mean that the Raiders offense is running on all cylinders.

Palmer is a very good quarterback who looked to be finished as an NFL player in Cincinnati. He has the skill set to be a very productive player still, and there are some nice pieces in Oakland for Palmer to work with. It would really be a great thing for the Raiders if Palmer were to have some success.

Worst Case Scenario

For the very reasons above, the player that the Raiders can't afford to lose is Carson Palmer. Palmer cost the Raiders so much, and quarterback Matt Leinart is No. 2 in Oakland. There isn't much hope for the Raiders if Palmer were to get hurt.

Philadelphia Eagles

Best Case Scenario

The best thing that can happen for the Philadelphia Eagles is for quarterback Michael Vick to stay healthy. He hasn't been able to do it for some time, but if he can, it means great things for the Eagles' offense.

Vick is an incredible athlete but also a very good quarterback. He exposes his body too much while running the ball, but he is incredibly dangerous. A healthy Michael Vick is a scary-good football player. 

Worst Case Scenario

There is one player that means the most to this team, and it is running back LeSean McCoy. McCoy is very dangerous, both running the ball and catching it out of the backfield. He is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball.

The problem is that there isn't another running back on the roster that can even come close to doing what McCoy can do.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Best Case Scenario

The Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled for some time to protect quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. They used their first two picks this year to draft an offensive guard and an offensive tackle. Mike Adams is projected to play left tackle as a rookie, which is a tall task.

Adams is talented, and if he can fill the position and play well as a rookie, it will mean that the Steelers' offense is better than it has been in quite some time. It is a best case scenario for Adams to come in as a rookie and pay dividends. 

Worst Case Scenario

It is a scary thought when you think about how good wide receiver Mike Wallace can be. He is almost unstoppable in the Steelers' offense and is a threat each and every play.

The Steelers have some nice young talent at wide receiver, but no one comes close to being the threat that Wallace is. They simply can't afford to lose him.

San Diego Chargers

Best Case Scenario

The Chargers have struggled for years to get pressure on the quarterback, and this is where rookie outside linebacker Melvin Ingram enters the picture. He has the potential to be a terror for offenses as an edge pass-rusher.

Ingram has a lot of ability and is an athletic freak. If he can get pressure on the quarterback to help out this defense, then he will have does his job as a rookie. The more pressure that Ingram gets, the better things will be for the Chargers' defense.

Worst Case Scenario

There really isn't a player whose loss would impact the team as greatly as quarterback Phillip Rivers' would. Rivers is a great quarterback and does things for this offense that make it really good.

Charlie Whitehurst is here as a backup, but that prospect should not make anyone happy if it were to come to that.

San Franciso 49ers

Best Case Scenario

There is one great scenario that can happen for the San Francisco 49ers, and that is for quarterback Alex Smith to continue to develop in this offense. It will set the team back if Smith doesn't take that next step.

The 49ers have added playmakers of offense through free agency and the draft, and these weapons should give Smith more opportunity to make bigger plays as a quarterback. It would be great for the 49ers to have Smith take the reins and play well in 2012. 

Worst Case Scenario

The one player that the 49ers can't afford to lose is defensive tackle Justin Smith. Smith is dominant and creates chaos along the interior of the defensive line. He can get pressure on the quarterback from inside, and that helps the defense in that it frees up other players to get to the ball.

There isn't a player on the roster that can do the things that Smith does, and he is simply too important to what they do on defense for him to miss time on any level.

Seattle Seahawks

Best Case Scenario

The Seattle Seahawks need a quarterback to emerge and become the unquestioned starter. In a perfect world, that quarterback should be Matt Flynn because of the money that it took to bring him into the fold.

Flynn is a good quarterback but that's coming from a very small sample size. If he can emerge as the No. 1 out of camp, it will stabilize the offense and bring some sense of harmony for the Seahawks' offense, something it hasn't had in years. 

Worst Case Scenario

The best way to welcome a new quarterback comes into the starting role is to protect him as best as you can. Enter left tackle Russell Okung. Okung missed time in 2011 with a torn pectoral muscle after being thrown by Trent Cole.

He needs to get healthy, as there is not much depth at the position. It would instantly create problems for whoever will be the quarterback will be to have Okung miss significant time in 2012. There isn't a plug-and-play option behind Okung, and the Seahawks would struggle without him.

St. Louis Rams

Best Case Scenario

The Rams need to get quarterback Sam Bradford playing well again as he looked to regress in 2011. To be fair, he was banged up, and he did get much help from his skill players.

The best way for the Rams to put themselves into the playoffs is to get high quality play from Bradford. He is more than capable and should really have a bounce-back season in 2012. It signals great things for the Rams to get good play from him as it also quiets those who wanted him traded for another rookie quarterback.

Worst Case Scenario

Running back Steven Jackson is a beast, but he is an aging star. He makes the offense go as he is at times unstoppable. He can run it very well and is incredible catching the ball out of the backfield.

He is the one shining star that the Rams have had on offense for years, and they don't have anything on the roster that can do what he does. If Jackson goes down for an extended period, we might see the Rams at or near the top of the 2013 NFL draft.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Best Case Scenario

In a perfect world, the free agent acquisition of wide receiver Vincent Jackson means a much improved, more balanced offense. If Jackson can draw coverage away from the other pieces that the young Buccaneers have, then he is doing his job.

Jackson is a gifted play-maker. Realistically, his addition causes players like wide receiver Mike Williams and rookie running back Doug Martin to have more room to operate. This will open up the offense for quarterback Josh Freeman.

The Buccaneers paid Jackson a lot of money, and they need him playing at a high level. If he can play at a consistently high level, look for the Buccaneers offense to take a giant step in the right direction.

Worst Case Scenario

Offensive guard Carl Nicks was brought over in free agency, and his acquisition gives the Buccaneers a dominant interior lineman. They really stabilized the interior, and losing Nicks to injury would be a death blow for the offense, both in the running and passing games.

There is no one on the roster that can make the impact that Nicks will make. It is for that reason that the Buccaneers can't afford to lose him.

Tennessee Titans

Best Case Scenario

The best way for the Titans to put themselves firmly in playoff contention is for wide receiver Kenny Britt to get back on the field making plays and doing what he does best. He stretches the field and is a huge target for whoever will end up as the starting quarterback for the Titans.

The Titans have a very impressive trio of play-makers on offense between Britt, rookie wide receiver Kendall Wright and running back Chris Johnson. Britt's deep play ability opens up the offense for everyone else, and his successful return spells great things for the Titans' offense. 

Worst Case Scenario

There might not be a more explosive running back in the entire NFL than Chris Johnson. He is a home-run threat each and every time he touches the ball.

The Titans can't find that anywhere else, and they simply need him back into 2010 form to get into playoff contention.

Washington Redskins

Best Case Scenario

This is simple. The Redskins gave up three first-rounders and a second-round pick to move up to the second overall spot in the 2012 NFL draft to get quarterback Robert Griffin III. If he can pick up the offense and make plays with his arm talent and his feet, then the price the Redskins paid is well worth it.

The Redskins will allow him to make plays on the move, and his athletic ability will surprise NFL defenses. He is an incredibly accurate thrower, and he has all the tools to be a massive success in the NFL. If he can put together a good rookie season, it will mean great things for the Redskins' offense. 

Worst Case Scenario

On the flip side, it would be a devastating blow for the Redskins to lose Griffin to injury. He needs to stay healthy to develop as a quarterback. 

The other options on the depth chart are fellow rookie Kirk Cousins and journeyman Rex Grossman, who simply aren't as good as Griffin. His loss would be massive on multiple levels for the Redskins.