1 Under-the-Radar Problem Every NFL Team Must Fix in Training Camp
As training camp nears, the excitement is building for the NFL’s return. Football is almost back and the optimism is dripping from every fanbase. That hope is a big reason why we love sports, especially football.
Every team, even our favorite one, has problems that must be overcome to win games. The salary-cap era creates parity across the league, so it’s basically impossible to have a perfect team. But we cannot forget about the smaller problems that come back to haunt teams at random parts of the season.
Eventually bad luck will strike certain teams. It happens every season. The best teams are most equipped to overcome unfortunate injuries.
Outside of the obvious issue lurking over every team, there’s an under-the-radar problem that could cost your team in a playoff chase. We’ve identified one of those problems for every team in the league and also provided a potential fix for the issue.
Arizona Cardinals: Cornerback Depth
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For the Arizona Cardinals to succeed in 2015, quarterback Carson Palmer must stay healthy. But as good as the Cardinals were in 2014 with Palmer, they’re coming off of an offseason where they did not make a significant upgrade to the roster.
Instead, free agency cost the Cardinals some talent at cornerback and defensive line.
Arizona already had issues creating pressure without sending the blitz last season. Second-round pick Markus Golden may help but he’s not overly dynamic. Losing cornerback Antonio Cromartie will also sting.
As the Cardinals continue to rely on blitzes to create pressure on opposing quarterbacks, their cornerbacks will be exploited in one-on-one situations. With Jerraud Powers, Justin Bethel and Damond Smith taking on larger roles this year, the Cardinals must ensure the trio is ready for the jump in responsibility and challenge.
Atlanta Falcons: Tight End Production
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In an effort to return to the playoffs in 2015, the Atlanta Falcons overhauled their coaching staff and several positions. The hope is that the roster is more dynamic and the coaching staff more fiery than the previous regime.
The Falcons have bolstered weak spots including left guard, running back and edge-rusher through free agency and the draft. At least in terms of projected starters, the Falcons have a solid roster. They’re a candidate to be a breakout team in 2015.
Right now the weakest position on the Falcons appears to be tight end. Projected starter Jacob Tamme and backup Tony Moeaki lack downfield explosiveness and upside. Atlanta should look to develop young tight ends Mickey Shuler and Levine Toilolo in training camp to help build some depth.
Baltimore Ravens: Wide Receiver Depth Chart
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Some teams have to say goodbye to longtime contributors or up-and-coming talent because of salary-cap restrictions. For years the Baltimore Ravens have been able to overcome their tight cap situation because of the tremendous ownership and coaching staff in place.
After losing receiver Torrey Smith to free agency in 2015, the Ravens must find a way to replace his production. 2015 first-round pick Breshad Perriman should help, but his impact could be limited as he adjusts to the NFL.
Even if Perriman has a great rookie season, the depth chart behind he and Steve Smith is far from promising. The Ravens have been developing Marlon Brown, Kamar Aiken, Jeremy Butler and Michael Campanaro for at least a year each. Now would be a great time for one to separate himself from the rest.
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Buffalo Bills: Offensive Line Talent
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Boasting one of the strongest rosters from top to bottom in the NFL, the Buffalo Bills are close to contending for a playoff spot. With a massive hole at quarterback, 2015 may not be the year the Bills get back to playoff football. But the team has done as much as they can to help mitigate that weakness.
The second-biggest weakness on the roster is the offensive line. Under Rex Ryan’s tutelage, the Bills will be a power running team that wins behind a great defense and ball-control offense. But the offense must provide enough time for their quarterback to get off a pass.
Buffalo has two good starters in left tackle Cordy Glenn and center Eric Wood. The rest of the line is a crapshoot. Guards John Miller and Richie Incognito, along with tackle Seantrel Henderson or Cyrus Kouandjio, are complete unknowns. Buffalo must shore up its starting group in training camp.
Carolina Panthers: Who Starts at Defensive End?
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The Carolina Panthers are looking to extend their playoff streak another season in 2015. Carolina has a strong mix of veterans and young players who should give the franchise another season to compete with the top teams in the NFC. An underrated problem for the Panthers outlook is at the right defensive end position.
Replacing Greg Hardy is going to be nearly impossible with the available talent. Expect the battle to be between Wes Horton and Kony Ealy.
Horton wasn’t very effective creating a pass rush last season, and second-year end Ealy should be ready to overtake him. Ealy’s power should fit well there as a run-supporter with occasional pass-play contributions. But overall the Panthers will need to see a big jump from either to have a solid pass-rush threat from the right side.
Chicago Bears: Impact Rotation Players
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The Chicago Bears deserve credit for adding several veterans to a roster that had many glaring holes entering the offseason. Through the draft and free-agency period, the Bears were able to add at least five players who figure to earn a significant amount of snaps. That’s a strong offseason.
In filling so many starting spots, the Bears were unable to add much depth at certain positions. It’s hard to be deep throughout the roster, but losing any starter will be damaging for the Bears. They have zero impact backups.
One of the top focuses for the Bears in training camp must be establishing top backups. Injuries are unfortunate but inevitable. It’s critical that the Bears are prepared if any one of their top performers miss any significant time.
Cincinnati Bengals: Receiver Depth
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The Cincinnati Bengals have an impressive roster that is filled with young talent. Under head coach Marvin Lewis, the Bengals have become a winning franchise on the cusp of being strong Super Bowl contenders. They must find a way over the wild-card hump.
There are some obvious weaknesses at quarterback and defensive tackle, but the underrated concern for the Bengals is at a playmaker position. After A.J. Green and Mohamed Sanu, the Bengals lack a reliable receiver.
Between Marvin Jones, Brandon Tate and Denarius Moore, the Bengals lack a legitimate top slot receiver. Green’s injury issues in 2014 only compound the Bengals’ issues. If Green is unable to provide his playmaking prowess at 100 percent in 2015, it’ll be a long year.
Cleveland Browns: Offensive Line Depth
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Just looking at the Cleveland Browns offensive line, it’s hard to be anything but optimistic. The starting unit is one of the best in the NFL, and they added Cameron Erving to the mix in the NFL draft. Whether Erving starts, the Browns have a solid six to rely on.
The concern with this group is at tackle. Left tackle Joe Thomas is the gold standard for elite tackle play. But right tackle Mitchell Schwartz has been shaky in his first two seasons as the starter.
Cleveland’s backups at tackle are wholly uninspiring. Although the interior line is set, the Browns’ under-the-radar problem is what will happen if Thomas or Schwartz get hurt. Backups Michael Bowie and Ryan Seymour are inexperienced, to say the least.
Dallas Cowboys: Interior Defensive Line
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As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for another deep playoff run, this veteran-laden team must stay healthy to survive. That can be said for many teams, but the Cowboys have several thin positions to start with. Defensive tackle is the weakest of all.
Incumbent starter Nick Hayden wasn’t upgraded on this offseason, but he should have been. Pro Football Focus graded Hayden as the worst 4-3 defensive tackle in the league. That’ll be a major problem throughout the season.
The realistic fix for this is playing an edge-rusher inside on passing downs. By shifting Jeremy Mincey or Demarcus Lawrence inside to tackle in nickel sub-packages, not only is Hayden on the sideline but more pass-rush talent is on the field.
Denver Broncos: Team Depth
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It’s been a rough offseason for the Denver Broncos. The team is aging at key spots, including quarterback Peyton Manning, linebacker DeMarcus Ware and cornerback Aqib Talib. Any potential decline by those three could be crippling to the 2015 season.
The losses along the offensive line are worrisome as well. Not only has left tackle Ryan Clady been lost for the season, but changes at left guard and center are troubling. Manning simply won’t have the level of comfort in the pocket that he’s used to.
No matter where you look the Broncos lack depth. Running back is a position without need, but that’s not a difficult position to fill. One or two more injuries for the Broncos and their season could be in jeopardy quickly.
Detroit Lions: Slot Receiver
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The Detroit Lions worked to improve a porous offensive line this offseason. That could pay off quite well as the Lions must produce some sort of running attack in 2015. Quarterback Matthew Stafford hasn’t had much help there.
Getting Calvin Johnson back at 100 percent will immensely help the Lions offense. As good as Golden Tate was in 2014, Johnson is the premier receiver in the league when healthy. But will someone step up behind those two?
The top options in the slot are Jeremy Ross and Corey Fuller. It’s a stretch to think of either as a lock to develop into a reliable slot. Someone must, though, or else the Lions could struggle to be a consistent offensive force.
Green Bay Packers: Linebacker Rotation
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As strong as the Green Bay Packers offense has been in recent memory, the defense has struggled as much. It’s taken historic levels of play from quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Co. for this franchise to overcome the poor defense.
The biggest position of scrutiny last year should be linebacker. Green Bay subsequently released both starting inside linebackers in the offseason, saving cap room and opening playing time. Who fills those spots should be one of the top priorities for the Packers.
With a group of Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Carl Bradford, Jake Ryan and Sam Barrington, the Packers have options to divvy up snaps. Matthews admirably filled in at inside linebacker last year, but that wasn’t supposed to be the long-term play. Bradford and Ryan may offer the most effective combination moving forward.
Houston Texans: Strong Safety Starter
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The obvious question for the Houston Texans lies at quarterback. Who will start there for the Texans is the biggest issue that must be hashed out this summer. But the under-the-radar question is on the defensive side of the ball.
The Texans have a talented defensive backfield led by cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson. The duo is among the top in the NFL. Adding free safety Rahim Moore should only make that unit even stronger.
The last spot in the secondary, strong safety, has yet to be determined. Free-agent signing Stevie Brown could be terrific if he’s healthy but that’s a tough thing to predict. Don’t rule out Eddie Pleasant or Kurtis Drummond, either.
Indianapolis Colts: Cornerback Depth
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As good as the Indianapolis Colts offense is, the defense still gives many reasons for pause. It’s hard to see that unit being Super Bowl-caliber based off of what we’ve seen the past few years from a group very similar to this one.
Indianapolis added veteran Trent Cole as an edge-rusher, which may help pump life into an otherwise poor unit. Robert Mathis is coming off an injury and young rushers Bjoern Werner and Jonathan Newsome still have a shred of upside left. That group should work itself out in training camp.
But at cornerback the Colts have few options to complement Vontae Davis. Greg Toler is one of the worst starting cornerbacks in the NFL, but the Colts don’t have a solid replacement. Rookie D’Joun Smith would need to show massive improvement from his college film to prove worthy of starting.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Edge Pass Rush
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The Jacksonville Jaguars’ need for an edge-rush presence isn’t under the radar, but it’s so obviously their top need that it couldn’t be ignored. Losing 2015 first-round pick Dante Fowler Jr. is a huge loss and puts a large amount of pressure on the defense.
Aging defensive end Chris Clemons will now be relied upon as the top edge-rusher. That’s bad news for the Jaguars, as Clemons appeared much slowed in 2014. He’ll be joined by linebacker Dan Skuta.
Skuta will assume a full-time role after defecting from the San Francisco 49ers this offseason. He’s a good rusher who can impact the passing game. But whether he will play well enough for starting snaps is a major question. If not, someone else must step up.
Kansas City Chiefs: Inside Linebacker
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The Kansas City Chiefs have a veteran roster that looks poised to compete for a divisional title in 2015. There aren’t many major holes right now, as long as edge-rusher Justin Houston is present when the season starts. That would create a major hole for the Chiefs.
Next to Houston is a potentially troublesome area though. The return of Derrick Johnson as the starting inside linebacker could quell this concern, but that’s a gamble in itself coming off of injury. Even if Johnson is ready to roll, who plays next to him?
The addition of Ramik Wilson in the fourth round of the 2015 draft could provide the answer. Wilson’s collegiate film wasn’t great but there’s no one ahead of him with more promise on the Chiefs roster. Kansas City could be in trouble if he doesn’t challenge for one of two open positions.
Miami Dolphins: Linebacker Depth
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Instead of upgrading the linebacker position this past offseason, the Miami Dolphins splurged on defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. They shouldn’t be blamed for that decision, as Suh is a future Hall of Fame-type player. There was no such linebacker available.
But the Dolphins' depth at linebacker is nonetheless an issue. Middle linebacker Koa Misi was injured for a large part of 2014 and wasn’t very good when he did play. He fits more naturally at strong-side linebacker, but Chris McCain is poised to start there.
Besides Jelani Jenkins, this could be a troublesome unit for Miami. McCain was a training camp stud last year, then barely played in the regular season. Outside of backup Spencer Paysinger, the Dolphins are limited with their options.
Minnesota Vikings: Receiver Consistency
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The clear concern for the Minnesota Vikings entering training camp appears to be the offensive line. The unit was very poor in 2014 after suffering some injuries and regression from left tackle Matt Kalil. If that happens again the Vikings could be in for a disappointing season.
Looking at the under-the-radar concern for this team, the Vikings should be worried about the consistency from the receiver position. As a whole, this group lacks a dynamic receiver who can overtake the ballgame. New acquisition Mike Wallace is a burner but showed poor attitude, ball skills and hands in Miami.
The rest of the group is hardly inspiring. Their best bet may be to give rookie Stefon Diggs a bigger role than Jarius Wright and Cordarrelle Patterson. He’s a potential stud slot receiver that quarterback Teddy Bridgewater can grow with.
New England Patriots: Running Back Depth
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For the past 15 years, the New England Patriots have been able to find productive talent where few others have. The running back position is one that the Patriots have done very well to squeeze production out of. But this group is one of the worst they’ve had in recent memory.
Starter LeGarrette Blount is a good power back who is capable of running for a few solid games a year. He lacks consistency, though. This is why the Patriots are carrying eight backs into training camp.
Backup Jonas Gray broke out for a big game late last year, then disappeared for the season. The best candidate is probably James White, the Patriots’ fourth-rounder in 2014. He’s got the pedigree to be a solid rotational back, and the team clearly saw something special in him for them to draft him.
New Orleans Saints: Jairus Byrd’s Health
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Depending on who you ask, the New Orleans Saints had a good or bad offseason. Losing players like Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills obviously stings. The acquisitions of Max Unger, Andrus Peat, C.J. Spiller and Stephone Anthony do give hope that the Saints won’t take long to bounce back.
The Saints defensive struggles in 2014 are worrisome moving forward. Cornerbacks Keenan Lewis and Brandon Browner must take advantage of the pass rush that Cameron Jordan and Junior Galette create. Lewis dropped in effectiveness in 2014 and Browner’s always needed an elite free safety to be good.
The key for the New Orleans defense to become above average could be safety Jairus Byrd’s health. He wasn’t able to maximize his talents in 2014, but a full offseason to recover and prepare could be the key. The Saints must protect Byrd for the 2015 campaign.
New York Giants: Safety Impact
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It’s a shame how the New York Giants have already suffered a major injury in such a critical season. Left tackle William Beatty is absolutely crucial for the offensive line to succeed but will miss a chunk of the season. The Giants must scramble to fix their offensive line for quarterback Eli Manning.
That’s the obvious need in training camp. To find the under-the-radar need, we flip to the defensive side of the ball. The safety position should give cause for concern.
Rookie strong safety Landon Collins is limited in coverage but very good in the box as a run defender. That’s a good second-round pick. That leaves either Cooper Taylor or Mykkele Thompson to be an impact coverage player, which could be a major issue.
New York Jets: Linebacker Depth
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With a new head coach calling the shots, the New York Jets are a highly interesting team entering 2015. Todd Bowles, an accomplished defensive mind, assembled an impressive staff to help him. His team won’t be lacking talent, either.
One concern the Jets should have is at the linebacker position. This applies both inside and out. Led by veterans on the wrong side of 30, the Jets could see performance dip from some stalwarts.
At edge-rusher, Quinton Coples and Jason Babin cannot be counted on. Babin has been an effective pass-rusher in his career but is now 35 years old.
Inside linebacker features David Harris and the unproven Demario Davis. This just isn’t a position that offers any depth or confidence if an injury happens.
Oakland Raiders: Offensive Identity
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The Oakland Raiders not only upgraded their roster via the draft and free agency but also their coaching staff. The move to hire Bill Musgrave as offensive coordinator does raise some eyebrows, as he lacks experience developing young quarterbacks. Developing Derek Carr should be the Raiders top priority.
What will help Carr is a better offensive identity than what they had in 2014. Former offensive coordinator Greg Olson simply copied Carr’s collegiate offense to help bridge the gap for him. That will not be enough to help Carr develop.
Musgrave told the media, via Raiders.com, that he will adjust the offense to his talent. This is the mark of a good coach. But he must stick to the run game and go vertical more often than Olson or else he’ll fail like his predecessor.
Philadelphia Eagles: Offensive Line Depth
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For the most part, the Philadelphia Eagles upgraded their roster with their laundry list of transactions this offseason. That is besides releasing All-Pro guard Evan Mathis without compensation. Philadelphia will be unable to replace that quality of a player this season.
The move also cuts down on the depth the team had on the line. With Mathis, Allen Barbre was the top backup, and he could play the interior line positions. Now, the Eagles backups are all former undrafted free agents without much experience.
The solution for the Eagles is a difficult one. They cannot afford to rotate their backups into the starting lineup, as the starters must grow comfortable with each other. Expect the preseason games to be filled with backups earning snaps.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Defensive Reliability
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There are a lot of new faces when looking at the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. Not only is defensive coordinator Keith Butler new, but the Steelers have added five rookies via the 2015 draft to the defense. Change is here for Pittsburgh.
Outside of the rookies, there are still players to develop into major roles. Defensive linemen Stephon Tuitt and Daniel McCullers figure to be bigger parts of the unit. Linebacker Arthur Moats could split time with Bud Dupree. Second-year linebacker Ryan Shazier must stay healthy this season to fulfill his immense potential.
If the Steelers can develop a few of their young studs, this is a dangerous unit. There is much more speed than in years past. Pittsburgh will be in trouble if it cannot find some impact talent among the crowd in training camp.
San Diego Chargers: Linebacker Quality
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In an effort to help a decent but unspectacular defense, the San Diego Chargers invested two high picks on the unit. By adding linebacker Denzel Perryman and cornerback Craig Mager, the Chargers clearly want more playmakers. Both players flashed major talent in college.
The linebacker group is the more notable concern for the Chargers. Incumbent Donald Butler is a good tackler but doesn’t offer any type of turnover creation. He’s a nondescript player who needs a bigger presence next to him.
Manti Te’o hasn’t been that guy, but Perryman may be. Throughout his time at Miami, Perryman was a huge hitter with a nose for the football. The Chargers must give him the chance to start in training camp.
San Francisco 49ers: Cornerback Impact
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The dust has settled on a tumultuous offseason for the San Francisco 49ers. The fact that football is right around the corner should be a welcome feeling for the franchise.
Depending on how Tramaine Brock plays in his return from an injury-shortened 2014 season, the 49ers may have the worst cornerback depth in the NFL. Brock was solid in 2013, but missing an entire season with a hamstring and toe injury is not promising. San Francisco must keep him healthy.
Otherwise the 49ers will rely on Dontae Johnson and Shareece Wright. Johnson showed good raw talent in 2014 but has a little way to go before he’s reliable. Wright is a low-end cornerback with no upside at this point and should not start.
Seattle Seahawks: Interior Offensive Line
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In hopes of finally landing a great receiver for their offense, the Seattle Seahawks traded for tight end Jimmy Graham. The Pro Bowler is one of the top vertical weapons in the NFL and should be a great fit with the Seahawks. Expect quarterback Russell Wilson to be pleased.
Seattle is making a big bet on Wilson making a very poor offensive line look good, though. The unit is great for running back Marshawn Lynch, but Wilson’s penchant for escaping the pocket too early is only made worse by his bad line.
Offensive line coach Tom Cable has his work cut out for him. He is responsible for the development of Alvin Bailey, Lemuel Jeanpierre and J.R. Sweezy. Seattle must get those three as many snaps as possible before the start of the season.
St. Louis Rams: Offensive Line Alignment
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The St. Louis Rams knew they had to rebuild an old, porous offensive line. Their investment this offseason into the group has been more than respectable. The Rams spent a total of five draft picks on linemen, including supplemental draft pick Isaiah Battle.
The talent within the group remains to be seen, but the Rams won’t fail for lack of trying to improve the unit. They now have enough bodies on rookie deals to continue developing. There are much worse financial situations to be in.
Our guess for who wins starting jobs are Jamon Brown at right guard and Rob Havenstein at right tackle. These were the top two picks the Rams selected, and both offer a punishing, downhill style that fit the attitude that Jeff Fisher wants from his team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Pass-Rush Consistency
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers built up their offense this offseason. They’re going to need the ammunition they invested in to pay off early to survive all of the shootouts they seem destined for. By investing just one draft pick into the defense, the Buccaneers lack the firepower for an average unit.
Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is excellent but has struggled staying on the field. If he’s off the field, the Buccaneers will really struggle to create any type of pressure. Edge-rushers Jacquies Smith, George Johnson and Larry English have shown almost no consistency thus far.
It’s an odd strategy by head coach Lovie Smith. Maybe a young rusher like William Gholston or Ryan Delaire steps up but that’s a long shot. The Buccaneers must try to find a consistent rusher.
Tennessee Titans: Guard Play
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It’s an old-school way of building a team, but the Tennessee Titans have tried to build from the inside out. They invested heavily into the offensive line before drafting their franchise quarterback, Marcus Mariota. The hope is this makes Mariota’s life easier.
So far guards Andy Levitre and Chance Warmack haven’t been the pass-blockers that the Titans need for the price they’ve paid. Both are solid run-blockers, but Pro Football Focus found that each gave up over 20 quarterback hurries in 2014. That’s simply not good enough.
Levitre’s health hasn’t been the same in Tennessee as it was in Buffalo. The Titans may not be able to do much about that. But the team should continue to invest time into Warmack. At just 23, Warmack still has great upside and had a strong second half in 2014.
Washington Redskins: Safety Impact
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The Washington Redskins are an enigmatic group entering the season. There’s hope that the team can push for the playoffs if they stay healthy, but there are massive question marks at key positions.
The secondary is one of those question marks. The additions of Dashon Goldson and Jeron Johnson could give the team two new starters at safety. Each is a high-risk player, though.
If one can be a solid starter, there’s more reason to hope this defense can do enough to win games for the team. Washington must develop Johnson in hopes he’s the next Kam Chancellor, or else it could be a very long season again.
All stats used are from Sports-Reference.com.
Ian Wharton is an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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