Which NFL Teams Will Take the Longest to Come Together in 2013?

If you look around the NFL landscape, the rosters of the perennial playoff contenders don't change much on a year-to-year basis.

Many of them have an established franchise quarterback, a relatively sound offensive line and impactful linebackers. 

But every year a handful of teams are forced to undergo widespread roster overhauls. Usually, before said teams can turn the corner, they arduously fight through a general jelling process.

Here are a few clubs that have the makeup to experience some growing pains at the outset of the 2013 season. 

Indianapolis Colts

Prominent newcomers: 

DE Bjoern Werner, G Hugh Thornton, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, S LaRon Landry, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, LB Erik Walden, DT Ricky Jean-Francois, RT Gosder Cherilus, CB Greg Toler, LB Kelvin Sheppard, DT Aubrayo Franklin

The Indianapolis Colts didn't really falter in 2012 despite massive roster turnover.  Much of that had to do with Andrew Luck and the team's ability to win close games.  

They won four contests by three points or less, and two of their other victories were by four points. 

Luck's bound to flourish in the system he ran under current offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton while the two were at Stanford, and the familiarity should negate some of the Colts' jelling issues. 

Although the new defensive pieces are upgrades from a season ago, players like Landry, Walden, Jean-Francois, Toler, Franklin and Sheppard will have to create chemistry with core defenders like Robert Mathis and Jerrell Freeman right away. 

It'll be interesting to see how rookies Werner and Thornton acclimate themselves in situational roles to start their professional careers. 

Also, will Ahmad Bradshaw's presence help Vick Ballard's development or stunt his growth due to decreased snap totals?

Don't forget, Pat Angerer and Josh Chapman are coming off major injuries, too. 

Miami Dolphins

Prominent newcomers: 

DE Dion Jordan, CB Jamar Taylor, G Dallas Thomas, TE Dion Sims, WR Mike Wallace, WR Brandon Gibson, OT Tyson Clabo, TE Dustin Keller, LB Dannell Ellerbe, LB Philip Wheeler, CB Brent Grimes

The Dolphins had the flashiest offseason of any team in the NFL. General manager Jeff Ireland, who's likely in a make-or-break season himself, wanted to be aggressive in free agency, and he certainly was. 

Ryan Tannehill has more route-running weapons on the outside, which is an encouraging development for the young and naturally talented quarterback, yet it may be a bit too much to ask Mike Wallace to be a traditional No. 1 receiver.

Then again, Brian Hartline established a decent rapport with Tannehill in 2012 and should alleviate some pressure from the speedster wideout. 

Jonathan Martin struggled on the right side last year, and with Jake Long now a member of the St. Louis Rams, the second-year offensive lineman will protect the franchise's blindside. 

On defense, Ellerbe and Wheeler were added to replace Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett. Ellerbe and Wheeler are younger, more athletic options at linebacker, but it should take some time for the two to click as a tandem. 

Also, it's unclear if Jordan will be used as a pure pass-rushing complement to Cameron Wake or as a creative defensive chess piece.

If Grimes is healthy, he'll be an adequate replacement to Sean Smith in the secondary, and rookie Jamar Taylor possesses the set of skills to thrive on the outside as a lockdown corner. 

The Dolphins undoubtedly have a new identity with many new pieces. 

Buffalo Bills

Prominent newcomers:

QB EJ Manuel, LB Jerry Hughes, LB Manny Lawson, DT Alan Branch, WR Robert Woods, WR Marquise Goodwin, S Duke Williams, G Doug Legursky, QB Kevin Kolb, LB Kiko Alonso

The 2013 Buffalo Bills will look nothing like the 2012 Buffalo Bills, especially on offense. Either free-agent acquisition Kolb or first-round pick Manuel will man the quarterback position—either should be an upgrade over Ryan Fitzpatrick. 

Former New York Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine takes over a defense that was much maligned under Dave Wannstedt last year, and the Rex Ryan protege will implement a much more attacking system that's predicated on confusing the offense with multiple base alignments and an array of blitzes.

Second-round selection Alonso will take over as the quarterback of the defense, and Branch will attempt to spell Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus without a considerable dip in production. 

There will be a battle for the left guard spot vacated by the loss of Andy Levitre, and the wide receiving contingent was overhauled with the addition of Woods and Goodwin. 

The Bills now boast a nice blend of youth, experience, athleticism and top-end speed, but all the newly injected talent will learn valuable lessons from mistakes early on. 

Tennessee Titans

Prominent newcomers:

G Chance Warmack, G Andy Levitre, WR Justin Hunter, LB Zaviar Gooden, S Bernard Pollard, TE Delanie Walker, RB Shonn Greene, DT Sammie Hill, CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson, S George Wilson

The Titans weren't bashful during the 2013 offseason, spending good money on free agents like Levitre, Walker and Hill. 

They showed more dedication to their offensive line with the first-round selection of mammoth road-grader Warmack and added another ultra-athletic linebacker in Gooden. 

Veteran corner Alterraun Verner could slide back to free safety in 2013, joining the likes of longtime center fielder Michael Griffin who'll pair with newcomers Pollard and Wilson. 

Quarterback Jake Locker has an underrated group of skillful pass-catchers, and Hunter has the size to be a menace in the red zone. 

Tennessee still has a nice collection of core players like Chris Johnson, Colin McCarthy, Mike Martin, Jurrell Casey and Derrick Morgan, but they'll all be forced to cohesively bond with their new teammates in order to be successful this season. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Prominent newcomers:

OT Lane Johnson, TE Zach Ertiz, DE/OLB Connor Barwin, WR Arrelious Benn, TE James Casey, RB Felix Jones, DT Isaac Sopoaga, S Patrick Chung, CB Cary Williams, S Kenny Phillips

With new head coach Chip Kelly came a shift in culture in Philadelphia for the Eagles. He and his coaching staff signed a bevy of lower-end, lower-risk free agents this offseason, guys who, apparently, Kelly believes are nice fits for his offensive and defensive schemes. 

Barwin may have been the product of immense defensive line talent around him in Houston, but the talent is there. 

Chung wasn't able to stay healthy in New England with the Patriots, yet he wasn't effective in coverage when he was on the field. 

Phillips was emerging as one of the league's finest, all-around safeties before the injury bug infected him in New York with the Giants. Sopoaga is a massive man, and it'll be interesting to see how he fares without Justin and Aldon Smith next to him on the defensive line. 

Johnson headlines the group of rookie newcomers; however, we must remember the Eagles are returning basically their entire starting offensive line from injury in 2013. 

There will be some moments in which Philadelphia demonstrates that it takes time for a bunch of new players to come together. 

St. Louis Rams

Prominent newcomers:

WR Tavon Austin, OT Jake Long, WR Steadman Bailey, C Scott Wells, TE Jared Cook, RB Zac Stacy, LB Alec Ogletree, S T.J. McDonald

The Rams don't have an outrageous number of new players who are expected to contribute in 2013—the newcomers they have just play important positions. 

Sam Bradford has been inching ever so close to the bust label, and now there will be no excuses with the receiving talent the St. Louis' front office acquired this offseason. 

Austin and Bailey are yards-after-the-catch studs, and Cook has a ridiculous size and speed combination at tight end.

To further aid Bradford's development, Long was added to man the vital left tackle spot, and Wells was brought in to solidify the center position.

The defense didn't see much change, and Ogletree will probably play in a situational role initially, which is good for him. McDonald will likely start at safety.

Stacy will likely be relied upon to complement Daryl Richardson and Isaiah Pead in the running game, which can't lean on departed workhorse Steven Jackson anymore.

Playing in the best division in football with new players in key spots, the Rams may struggle before they thrive.