Each NFL Team's Updated Cap Space and Biggest Question Heading into Training Camp

Brace yourselves. Training camp is coming.

After months of anticipation, teams will finally start putting pads on and getting to work toward the 2025 NFL season. Rookies around the league will start reporting in the coming days, veterans will soon follow and coaching staffs will start figuring out some answers.

Everyone spent the offseason doing the best they could to address the weaknesses that held them back last season. Training camp is where the answers they have on paper will reveal themselves on the field.

That makes this a good time to review how much cap space everyone has and what each team's biggest question is right now. From position battles to new schemes, every team has a few things they are trying to figure out in camp.

What follows is an updated list of team needs for every team, their current cap situation and the most pressing question they'll be looking at in camp.

Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Darryl Webb

OG Isaiah Adams

Cap Space: $38.5 million

Team Needs

1. Right Guard
2. Wide Receiver
3. Linebacker
4. Cornerback Depth
5. Edge-Rusher Depth

Biggest Question: Is the Answer at Right Guard on the Roster?

An offensive line is only as good as its weakest link. Right now, that link is at right guard for the Arizona Cardinals.

The line has solid to good answers at every other spot. Right guard is where the biggest questions remain. Isaiah Adams ranked 93rd in pass blocking grade among all guards with PFF last season. They brought in Royce Newman, but he hasn't been a full-time starter since 2021.

Jon Gaines II could also emerge as an option, but he's a relative unknown.

There are some intriguing veteran guards on the free-agent market. Dalton Risner and Brandon Scherff bring a ton of experience to the table, and Will Hernandez is already experienced with Arizona.

The question is whether the Cardinals can comfortably say Adams is better than those options.

Right now, it would appear the Cardinals' answer is yes, but he'll need to prove that when the pads come on in training camp.

Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

Edge Jalon Walker

Cap Space: $5.3 million

Team Needs

1. Cornerback
2. Center
3. Interior Defensive Line
4. Linebacker
5. Wide Receiver Depth

Biggest Question: Can Jalon Walker and James Pearce Solve the Pass-Rush Issue?

The Falcons have been plagued with a toothless pass rush for years. Last year, was just the latest entry in a year when quarterbacks felt pretty safe going against Atlanta.

The defense was 25th in pressure percentage and 31st in sacks (31). It's really difficult to maintain an NFL defense when getting that little pressure on the quarterback.

The Falcons took a drastic measure to stop the problem when they double-dipped in the first round of the draft for edge-rushers. Jalon Walker and James Pearce give them two high-end prospects to work with on the outside.

The Falcons also brought in Leonard Floyd to give them an additional veteran presence. However, there are questions Walker and Pearce both need to answer.

Walker played a lot of off-ball linebacker at Georgia. He's built like one at 6'2", 245 pounds and will need to refine his technique.

B/R scout Matt Holder noted Pearce has a lot of potential, but he isn't a "complete product" at this point. As a sub-250-pound edge-rusher, he's going to have to prove he has the strength to hold up against the run to get on the field.

The Falcons need both of their rookies to be instant difference-makers to solve a long-standing issue that could hold the defense back.

Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

CB Marlon Humphrey

Cap Space: $17.9 million

Team Needs

1. Linebacker
2. Interior Offensive Line
3. Cornerback
4. Wide Receiver
5. Safety

Biggest Question: Is the Revamped Secondary Good Enough to Win in the Playoffs?

There's no way around it. Anything less than a Super Bowl is going to feel like a disappointment in Baltimore.

Lamar Jackson is squarely in his prime. Derrick Henry continues to prove he can defy the laws of NFL aging. The Ravens are likely to have one of the league's most unique and dynamic offenses once again.

That leaves it up to the defense to set the ceiling for this squad. Last year, their cornerback depth was tested and failed.

This year, they signed Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie. The veterans will join second-year players Nate Wiggins and TJ Tampa as candidates to play with Marlon Humphrey.

Finding success in the AFC playoffs means beating the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow. As good as Jackson is, the secondary has to be able to hold up their end of the bargain.

Buffalo Bills

AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

DL T.J. Sanders

Cap Space: $95,321

Team Needs

1. Linebacker
2. Safety
3. Cornerback
4. Wide Receiver
5. Interior Defensive Line

Biggest Question: Is the New Look Defensive Line Enough to Break Through in the Playoffs?

Much like the Ravens, anything short of a Super Bowl is going to be disappointing for the Buffalo Bills this season.

Both teams have unquestionably been among the most elite teams in the league. Both have been denied a Super Bowl berth because of Patrick Mahomes' Chiefs.

For both teams, every offseason becomes an arms race to find the edge that could put them over the top. This offseason, it was clearly looking to upgrade the defensive line for the Bills.

Not only did they add veterans in Joey Bosa, Larry Ogunjobi and Michael Hoecht, but they also attacked the defensive front in the draft by taking T.J. Sanders (second round), Landon Jackson (third round) and Deone Walker (fourth round).

Assuming all six new additions make the roster that's a ton of depth up front. After watching the success the Eagles had against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, the Bills have to hope that a deep collection of defensive linemen can push them over the top.

They'll have to be because Buffalo is among the most cap-strapped teams in the league.

Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman

DL Derrick Brown

Cap Space: $18.7 million

Team Needs

1. Cornerback
2. Center
3. Edge-Rusher
4. Linebacker
5. Wide Receiver

Biggest Question: How Much Better Will the Defensive Front Be?

The Carolina Panthers fielded the worst defense in the league last season. They allowed more points and yards than anyone else in the league and the front was at the heart of the problem.

Without Derrick Brown for all but one game, the Panthers defensive line was a turnstile. They gave up nearly 180 yards on the ground per game and were 30th in the league in sacks with just 32 on the year.

We often look at what kind of weapons a team gives its young quarterback to thrive, but pairing Bryce Young with that kind of defense is another form of malfeasance.

The Panthers did take steps to improve up front. They spent a good chunk of money to bring in Bobby Brown III and Tershawn Wharton, persuading two young interior talents from good defenses to come to Carolina.

On the edge, they signed Patrick Jones II before drafting Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen.

Camp and preseason reps will be crucial for the new, young defensive line. They need to be ready to make an early impact to flip the defense's fortune.

Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

QB Caleb Williams

Cap Space: $15.4 million

Team Needs

1. Edge-Rusher
2. Running Back
3. Safety
4. Offensive Tackle
5. Linebacker

Biggest Question: How Quickly Do Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams Jell?

Ben Johnson was brought to Chicago to get the most out of Caleb Williams.

Training camp is going to be where we really start to see what that process is going to look like.

The Bears spent a lot of resources making sure the second-year signal-caller will have the best offensive line they could build in front of him. They added Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland to a receiving corps that already had DJ Moore and Cole Kmet.

Johnson now has a veteran offensive line to work with and the ability to put two capable tight ends on the field in Kmet and Loveland.

You can make an argument that the left tackle and running back spots still need upgraded to closer emulate what Johnson had in Detroit, but the offensive roster is fairly complete.

Now it's on Williams to show he can take advantage.

Cincinnati Bengals

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Edge Trey Hendrickson

Cap Space: $32.6 million

Team Needs

1. Interior Offensive Line
2. Edge-Rusher
3. Safety
4. Interior Defensive Line
5. Cornerback

Biggest Question: What is Going to Happen with Trey Hendrickson?

The Bengals have locked up Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins for the foreseeable future. All three have received massive extensions in the last two years that will set up the offense for a long time.

Those contracts offer a stark contrast to the financial approach on defense, though.

Sam Hubbard's retirement accentuated an existing need for pass-rushers in Cincinnati. Trey Hendrickson's contract situation has made that need even more apparent.

Hendrickson, 30, has made it clear he doesn't intend to play without a new contract. It doesn't seem like progress has been made on a new deal.

To make matters worse, the Bengals still haven't signed first-round pick Shemar Stewart. The former Texas A&M pass-rusher has not yet signed with the team due to a disagreement about the details of his rookie contract.

Hendrickson (17.5) accounted for nearly half of the Bengals' 36 sacks last season. If they don't have him or Stewart, then the pass rush will be lead by Joseph Ossai, Myles Murphy and Cam Sample.

That's not going to cut it in a stacked AFC playoff picture.

Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/David Richard

QBs Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders

Cap Space: $22.5 million

Team Needs

1. Quarterback
2. Wide Receiver
3. Cornerback
4. Edge-Rusher
5. Linebacker

Biggest Question: Can Someone Other Than Joe Flacco Win the Quarterback Job?

Joe Flacco may have Myles Garrett's full support as the Browns' starting quarterback, but that doesn't make starting the 40-year-old quarterback in 2025 a sad proposition.

Flacco may have had a 4-1 stretch as the Cleveland starter in 2023 that endeared him to fans, but he hasn't been a full-season starter since 2017 and is actually worse at taking care of the ball since then.

That's why it's in the Browns' best interest for Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders to emerge from training camp as the starter. Cleveland obviously wants to win, but it needs to come away as a well-positioned team in 2026 even more.

That means figuring out a woeful quarterback situation.

Any one of Pickett, Gabriel or Sanders could provide hope. Pickett could be the latest first-round quarterback to figure things out later in his career. Baker Mayfield, Geno Smith and Sam Darnold have generated hope for that archetype.

Gabriel and Sanders are long shots as Day 2 and 3 selections in the draft. However, starting them would allow them to sink or swim and provide more clarity for 2026.

Either way, watching Flacco lead the Browns to a mid-round draft pick could be the ticket to another year in quarterback purgatory in 2026.

Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Jerome Miron

RB Miles Sanders

Cap Space: $32.5 million

Team Needs

1. Defensive Tackle
2. Offensive Tackle
3. Running Back
4. Safety
5. Wide Receiver Depth

Biggest Question: What Will the Running Back Rotation Look Like?

The Cowboys hit one of their biggest needs this offseason when they finally got CeeDee Lamb a running mate in George Pickens. Dak Prescott hasn't had that good of a one-two punch since Amari Cooper was on the roster with Lamb.

That won't heal all of what ailed them in 2025, though. That's going to require a fixed running game. The Cowboys were 30th in yards per carry last season at 4.0 and last in rushing touchdowns.

Their inability to convert in the run game put even more pressure on a pass game that had few options outside of Lamb.

Pickens is clearly the answer to taking the pressure off Lamb. The answer at running back is a little less discernible.

The Cowboys signed Javonte Williams, but he averaged just 3.6 yards per carry and a success rate of 46.8 in his final season in Denver. Throw in a serious injury history and there are some red flags that come with him becoming the lead back.

They also signed Miles Sanders, but he's averaged just 3.5 yards per carry in his two seasons with the Panthers. The Cowboys will hope he shows up and returns to the form he showed in Philadelphia where he averaged five yards a carry.

Jaydon Blue will also be in the mix. The Cowboys took him with a fifth-round pick. He could wind up being a steal as B/R scout Dame Parson gave him a third-round grade in part because of his speed and ability to break explosive runs.

If Blue can prove worthy of snaps in camp and at least one of the veterans returns to form, then the Cowboys could be really dangerous on offense.

Denver Broncos

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

QB Bo Nix

Cap Space: $15.5 million

Team Needs

1. Wide Receiver
2. Running Back
3. Tight End
4. Cornerback Depth
5. Linebacker

Biggest Question: Does Bo Nix Have Enough Weaponry to Take Next Step?

Few things matter more than context when it comes to developing a young quarterback. A lot of Bo Nix's strong rookie season can be chalked up to working with a strong offensive mind in Sean Payton and one of the league's best offensive lines.

Those two factors should keep Nix from hitting a real sophomore slump. But it's fair to wonder if there's enough firepower surrounding him to make real strides in Year 2.

The Broncos' biggest offensive additions this offseason were Evan Engram, RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins. Engram gives Nix another receiver, but he isn't a true in-line tight end and will turn 30 shortly before the season starts.

Harvey could be a difference-maker. They'll hope he can be an upgrade over Javonte Williams, but that's a lot to expect of a second-round pick. The same could be said of third-rounder Pat Bryant at wide receiver. Dobbins has proved to be a difference-making back, but he hasn't been able to stay healthy.

The Broncos need to find out if the new additions are really enough for Nix and the Denver offense to take the next step.

Detroit Lions

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

IOL Christian Mahogany

Cap Space: $48.6 million

Team Needs

1. Edge-Rusher
2. Interior Offensive Line
3. Linebacker
4. Wide Receiver
5. Interior Defensive Line

Biggest Question: Can New-Look Offensive Line Continue Dominance?

Dan Campbell gets a ton of praise for the Lions' rise to relevance under his watch. One of the most important aspects of his reign has been his ability to hire good assistants and build an elite offensive line.

Both will be tested this season.

We'll get to see new offensive coordinator John Morton and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard do their thing in camp, but we'll also see how a new offensive line comes together.

Fortunately, the Lions can still depend on Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker to be one of the best tackle tandems in the league. On the interior, they'll be replacing Frank Ragnow at center and Kevin Zeitler at right guard.

They have options, but there is uncertainty that will need to be sorted out in camp. Tate Ratledge could contribute as a second-round pick and Graham Glasgow has the versatility to potentially slot in as a guard or center.

Christian Mahogany, a sixth-round pick in 2024, could be pivotal. He graded out really well in a limited sample size with PFF last season.

The Lions will need to show they can develop some young talent inside to continue being one of the league's best offenses.

Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

CB Keisean Nixon

Cap Space: $35.9 million

Team Needs

1. Cornerback
2. Edge-Rusher
3. Interior Defensive Line
4. Interior Offensive Line
5. Linebacker

Biggest Question: Do the Packers Need to Make a Move for a Cornerback?

Jeff Hafley transformed the Packers defense from a middle-of-the-league unit to a top-five unit in EPA per play last season. He deserves the benefit of the doubt, but the cornerback room looks a little shaky after the club released Jaire Alexander.

Both Alexander and Eric Stokes are now gone. Both had their injury issues, but they provided a high ceiling on the outside.

The Packers parted ways with Alexander and allowed Stokes to walk in free agency. Nate Hobbs was the only notable external free-agent addition.

That leaves a potential starting trio of Hobbs and Keisean Nixon on the outside with safety Javon Bullard working in as the nickel and Carrington Valentine playing the role of third cornerback.

Hafley will need to get a feel for whether Hobbs can fit in and whether a player like seventh-rounder Micah Robinson could factor in.

Otherwise, they want to make some calls to gauge who might be available via trade or go to the free-agent market. Asante Samuel Jr., who is recovering from a neck injury, and Jack Jones are among the most notable names available.

Houston Texans

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

OT Aireontae Ersery

Cap Space: $11.6 million

Team Needs

1. Interior Offensive Line
2. Interior Defensive Line
3. Safety
4. Cornerback
5. Linebacker

Biggest Question: Can the Offensive Line Come Together?

The offensive line was one of the biggest issues for the Houston Texans last season. They were 22nd in pass block win rate and 31st in run block win rate.

That was with Laremy Tunsil and Shaq Mason in the lineup.

Both of those veterans are gone and PFF tabbed the Texans as the worst offensive line in the league in their preseason rankings.

They have plenty of work to do to prove the outlet wrong. They added five veteran linemen and drafted Aireontae Ersery in the second round. However, different doesn't necessarily mean better in this case.

Cam Robinson is the most exciting free-agent addition, but there's a reason he's on his third team in two years.

New offensive coordinator Nick Caley and offensive line coach Cole Popovich have their work cut out for them. With so many new additions, they will have options, but they'll be busy getting the unit to get on the right track in 2025.

Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

QB Daniel Jones

Cap Space: $20.6 million

Team Needs

1. Interior Offensive Line
2. Linebacker
3. Quarterback
4. Offensive Tackle
5. Cornerback

Biggest Question: Is Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones Going to be the Starter?

Anthony Richardson is set to cost the Colts $9.2 million this season. They'll be paying Daniel Jones $14 million.

So while Richardson might have benefit of being a 2023 top-five pick, the Colts made a sizable investment in Jones for the 2025 season. That should tell us how seriously head coach Shane Steichen is taking his quarterback competition.

Richardson's checkered injury history hasn't helped his development. It has continued to be a storyline this offseason as he is still dealing with a shoulder injury.

That's going to open the door for Jones to make a real push to be the quarterback. Steichen has been complimentary of his approach this offseason and will look to name the most consistent QB as the starter.

Making the right decision is at the crux of the Colts' hopes this season. A losing season would have Indy getting progressively worse in each of Steichen's three seasons as head coach.

Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/Eric Gay

DL Maason Smith

Cap Space: $19.4 million

Team Needs

1. Safety
2. Tight End
3. Cornerback
4. Interior Defensive Line
5. Interior Offensive Line

Biggest Question: Can the Pass Rush Take a Step Forward?

Much of the Jaguars' offseason storylines have focused on offense. They attempted to build around Trevor Lawrence after giving him a five-year, $275 million contract extension by hiring an offensive-minded head coach, drafting Travis Hunter and working on the offensive line.

However, the Jaguars defense was at fault for a lot of the struggles in 2024.

It's nearly impossible to win games in the league without an effective pass rush, and the Jaguars had one of the worst in 2024. They were dead-last in pass-rush win rate and 30th in pressure percentage.

Those numbers are a bit surprising given how good Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen are, but the edge-rushers didn't get much help from the interior. Walker and Hines-Allen combined for 18.5 sacks. The next most productive player was Maason Smith with three sacks.

It wasn't like the Jaguars went out and got Milton Williams, either. They are hoping to get better production with a new defensive coordinator in Anthony Campanile and a handful of veteran free agents.

Emmanuel Ogbah, Dawuane Smoot and Dennis Gardeck were all brought in to compete for a role on the edge. Ogbah and Smoot have the versatility to also kick inside.

On the interior, they'll be looking for Smith and Jordan Jefferson to show growth heading into Year 2.

Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

OT Josh Simmons

Cap Space: $11.5 million

Team Needs

1. Interior Defensive Line
2. Interior Offensive Line
3. Edge-Rusher
4. Safety
5. Wide Receiver

Biggest Question: Has the Left Tackle Problem Been Solved?

The Chiefs know that protecting Patrick Mahomes has to be their highest priority. As long as he has time in the pocket, they are going to have an effective offense.

Unfortunately, his protection detail had a flaw at left tackle last season. Kingsley Suamataia was unable to take over the role, and the Chiefs were eventually forced to slide Joe Thuney outside from his guard spot.

Now, Thuney is gone and the Chiefs have placed bets on Jaylon Moore and Josh Simmons to fill the role.

Moore, 28, got a two-year, $30 million contract in free agency this offseason. He has promise, but he's only started 12 games in his four years as a reserve for the 49ers.

They also spent a first-round pick on Josh Simmons. He's coming back from a torn ACL, but he is supposed to be full-go for camp.

Ideally, one of their newest additions will prove they are ready to start in Week 1. The Chiefs also have to figure out if Suamataia can cut it at left guard, so the entire left side of the line is worth following in the coming weeks.

Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/John Locher

CB Darien Porter

Cap Space: $31.8 million

Team Needs

1. Cornerback
2. Linebacker
3. Wide Receiver
4. Offensive Tackle
5. Edge-Rusher

Biggest Question: Can the Cornerback Room Defy Expectations?

The Raiders are set to embark on a new era with Pete Carroll at the helm. The roster is a lot more exciting on offense with Geno Smith and Ashton Jeanty promising a more functional offense.

The defense is where most of the questions lie, and the cornerback room is the most troubling.

Jakorian Bennett is the top in-house option. He ranked 111th in PFF pass coverage grade among all cornerbacks last season.

Eric Stokes and Darien Porter were the top offseason additions who will be competing in camp. The former has struggled with injuries and inconsistency since being selected by the Packers in the first round of the 2021 draft. The latter had just one year of real college production as a starter.

Both Stokes and Porter have the length and size Carroll has coveted in his cornerbacks, but they're a long way from playing like the Legion of Boom.

If Carroll can't get them at least playing up to league average, there will be consequences for the entire defense.

Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty

WR Quentin Johnston

Cap Space: $27.6 million

Team Needs

1. Cornerback
2. Wide Receiver
3. Interior Defensive Line
4. Tight End
5. Left Guard

Biggest Question: Who is Going to Emerge as WR2?

The Chargers defense underwent a transformation with Jim Harbaugh's staff taking over last season. New defensive coordinator Jesse Minter's crew ended up leading the league in scoring defense.

The offense was a bit more of a work in progress. It went from 21st in the league in scoring to 11th, but it took some time to figure out how to best utilize Justin Herbert.

Greg Roman has proved himself as an offensive coordinator who can provide a high floor. His offenses are always going to run the ball well, but the question is how good the passing game is going to be.

A lot of that is going to depend on how the receiving corps develops. Ladd McConkey established himself as Herbert's go-to guy last season. The receiver room has plenty of questions after him.

Quentin Johnston is running out of time to prove he can be a second option. Mike Williams is coming back to the Chargers, but he's now 30 years old with waning production over the last two seasons. Tre Harris is a rookie who might take some time absorbing an NFL offense after playing in Lane Kiffin's college system.

Someone needs to use training camp to prove they can be the second option who opens up the passing game.

Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

CB Cobie Durant

Cap Space: $20.8 million

Team Needs

1. Cornerback
2. Linebacker
3. Safety
4. Edge-Rusher
5. Quarterback of the Future

Biggest Question: Do the Rams Have a Surprise Breakout Cornerback?

If the season started today, the Rams could be trotting out Darious Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon as their starting outside corners. That's a scary thought in a division that features Brandon Aiyuk, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr.

The Rams have a massive need at cornerback. They were expected to be a team in on trading for Jalen Ramsey, but that ship has sailed.

There are a few free-agent options worth considering. Rasul Douglas and Stephon Gilmore could each be fits, but the best-case scenario is that one or more of the Rams' young cover corners can show exponential growth in training camp.

All three of the top candidates to do that already have NFL experience.

Cobie Durant started 14 games last season and could wind up being the team's top corner. Emmanuel Forbes Jr. is a 2023 first-round pick who struck out in Washington and Derion Kendrick could be on the roster bubble after getting waived and re-signed this summer.

If any of those three can grow from their experience and become consistent starters, it would be a huge development for a Rams defense that still feels like it is in transition.

Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

CB Storm Duck

Cap Space: $4.5 million

Team Needs

1. Cornerback
2. Tight End
3. Offensive Tackle
4. Interior Offensive Line
5. Wide Receiver

Biggest Question: Can the Dolphins Cornerbacks Prove Doubters Wrong?

On paper, the Dolphins had a big need at cornerback before they traded Jalen Ramsey. Now that he's in Pittsburgh and Minkah Fitzpatrick is back with the team, the pressure is on for the cornerbacks on the roster to step up.

Kader Kohou is an underrated player on the defense. He should have the slot position on lock after holding quarterbacks to a 79.3 passer rating when targeted last season.

The outside is less secure.

Storm Duck surpassed all expectations as an undrafted free agent last season making three starts and logging four pass deflections. However, jumping into a starting role in Year 2 is a big leap.

Other contenders include Artie Burns, Cam Smith, Ethan Bonner and rookie Jason Marshall Jr.

Trading away Ramsey made sense from a money standpoint and it might have been time to move on from the veteran. But there has to be an exit strategy on the field and it isn't clear the Dolphins have a good one.

They'll have to hope the answers are on the roster because there isn't much cap space to find other solutions.

Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Stacy Bengs

CB Byron Murphy Jr.

Cap Space: $25.7 million

Team Needs

1. Cornerback
2. Safety
3. Linebacker
4. Edge-Rusher Depth
5. Offensive Tackle Depth

Biggest Question: Can Brian Flores Make the Cornerback Room Work?

Brian Flores has proved himself as one of the league's best defensive coordinators over the last few seasons. He's going to have to prove it again with a secondary that has more questions than answers going into 2025.

The Vikings retained Byron Murphy, but they didn't re-sign either Stephon Gilmore or Shaquill Griffin this offseason. Instead, they brought in Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah.

That will definitely make them younger at the position. The question is whether it will make them better. Murphy does his best work in the slot, so the Vikings could have a competition to fill both outside corner spots.

Rodgers and third-year player Mekhi Blackmon are the favorites. But the former was never a full-time starter for the Eagles, and the latter is coming off an ACL tear that cost him the 2024 season.

The good news is that Flores' aggressive scheme is bound to generate pressure and make life easier for the secondary. He's going to have to get a good feel for whether those players will pick up his system in camp or if they need to make additional moves.

New England Patriots

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

WR Stefon Diggs

Cap Space: $61 million

Team Needs

1. Edge-Rusher
2. Wide Receiver
3. Cornerback
4. Safety
5. Offensive Tackle

Biggest Question: Is There Enough Wide Receiver Talent for Drake Maye to Continue Progression?

Drake Maye finished 17th in total QBR as a rookie with Hunter Henry as the No. 1 target at his disposal. Henry led the team in targets as a 30-year-old tight end, and fellow veteran tight end Austin Hooper was fourth on the team with 59 on the season.

That's a sad state of affairs for someone learning to navigate the league in their debut season.

The Patriots were armed with huge cap-space budget going into the offseason, but there weren't a lot of opportunities to add firepower in the pass game.

The most notable addition was Stefon Diggs. They'll hope he can make a successful comeback after an ACL tear cut his 2024 campaign short after eight games.

The 31-year-old had six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons before 2024. But hoping he gets back to that level at this age off a serious knee injury is a lot to ask.

Mack Hollins will also join the competition. He doesn't put up the biggest numbers, but he's a good blocking receiver and will provide veteran leadership.

The young options bring the upside. Kayshon Boutte flashed potential last season and Ja'Lynn Polk will get a chance to show a lot of improvement after a disappointing rookie season.

Throw in third-round pick Kyle Williams, and there are a lot of unknowns with potential for the Patriots.

New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

QB Tyler Shough

Cap Space: $23.3 million

Team Needs

1. Quarterback
2. Edge-Rusher
3. Cornerback
4. Interior Defensive Line
5. Interior Offensive Line

Biggest Question: Who is Going To Start at Quarterback?

The 2025 Saints already feel much different than any iteration of the team we've seen in a long time. After pushing to remain competitive with a veteran quarterback at the helm, they are finally set to hand the reins to a young passer.

The question is which one it will be.

Tyler Shough should be considered the favorite. The club just used an early second-round pick to select the 25-year-old out of Louisville. However, Spencer Rattler will also get a look and tight end Foster Moreau just said the job was "anyone's for the taking" in an interview with SiriusXM.

Rattler got a taste of what it's like to start in the league as a rookie last season. The Saints went 0-6 in the games he started, and he only threw four touchdowns to five interceptions.

Obviously, he's going to need to perform better than that if he's going to win the job. This is one Saints fans should be hoping the rookie wins.

Making a clean transition to Shough would be an ideal situation after Derek Carr's retirement.

New York Giants

AP Photo/Noah K. Murray

Head coach Brian Daboll and QB Russell Wilson

Cap Space: $3.9 million

Team Needs

1. Quarterback
2. Interior Offensive Line
3. Linebacker
4. TIght End
5. Interior Defensive Line

Biggest Question: Can Russell Wilson Save Brian Daboll's Job?

Russell Wilson and Brian Daboll haven't had a ton of time to get to know one another, but they have to feel like kindred spirits going into the 2025 season.

Daboll is probably on his last strike as Giants coach. It wouldn't be surprising to see them move on in the offseason if he can't get some momentum going in the Big Apple.

Wilson is probably on his last chance as an NFL starting quarterback. His tour as a veteran stop-gap has included stops in Denver and Pittsburgh. Both were quick to pass on doing the experience again.

The head coach-QB combo is going to have to find chemistry early and that starts in training camp.

There are things to get excited about in the future. Jaxson Dart could be the quarterback of the future and Abdul Carter is a potential superstar.

But success in the short term is likely going to depend on how quickly Wilson and Daboll can come together and put the offense on a winning path.

New York Jets

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

QB Justin Fields

Cap Space: $37 million

Team Needs

1. Wide Receiver
2. Interior Defensive Line
3. Quarterback
4. Safety
5. Cornerback

Biggest Question: Can the Jets' Passing Game Be Good Enough to Threaten Defenses?

There should be little doubt the Jets are going to be able to run the ball. Justin Fields is a threat with his legs, and the trio of Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis gives them a young, deep backfield.

Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand's time working with Ben Johnson in Detroit should help him design a nice rushing attack.

The question, as it has been with Fields, is how much can he do as a passer. He has struggled with timing and accuracy in his career.

Reuniting with college teammate Garrett Wilson could spark a new level for him. Wilson has been complimentary about Fields' leadership and the chemistry they share.

Fields will need to develop chemistry with some other receiving threats for the Jets offense to take off, though.

The receiving hierarchy is still TBD with Josh Reynolds, Tyler Johnson and fourth-round pick Arian Smith showing up to compete with Allen Lazard, Malachi Corley and Xavier Gipson for roles in the offense.

Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

EDGE Jalyx Hunt

Cap Space: $31.1 million

Team Needs

1. Interior Defensive Line
2. Cornerback
3. Wide Receiver Depth
4. Offensive Line Depth
5. Backup Quarterback

Biggest Question: Can They Reload on the Defensive Line?

The Eagles are in good shape to defend their title in 2025. The core on offense remains intact and the secondary has exciting young pieces to build around.

The same can be said for the defensive front, but there's still a lot of production that walked out the door in 2025. Josh Sweat (16), Milton Williams (12) and Brandon Graham (11) were second, fourth and fifth on the team in pressures, respectively, per Pro Football Reference.

Sweat and Williams both left in free agency. Graham retired. Bryce Huff, who was sixth on the team in pressures, was traded to the San Francisco 49ers.

There are potential answers on the roster. Jalyx Hunt will be asked to step into a bigger role in his second season. The Eagles might have gotten big bargains in Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche in free agency.

Having Jalen Carter is going to help. He's trending toward becoming the most disruptive interior defender in the league. Nolan Smith also put together a promising age-23 season.

But the best Eagles teams in the Howie Roseman era have had deep pass-rushing groups. There's work to be done to develop the same thing this season.

Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Foto/Matt Freed

QB Aaron Rodgers

Cap Space: $24.4 million

Team Needs

1. Wide Receiver
2. Cornerback
3. Offensive Line Depth
4. Linebacker
5. Edge-Rusher Depth

Biggest Question: How do the Weapons Mesh with Aaron Rodgers?

Aaron Rodgers is "pretty sure" his first season as Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback will be his final year in the NFL.

We're set for one interesting finale.

Rodgers is used to a certain sense of freedom when it comes to the offense he's running. His longtime partnership with Nathaniel Hackett offered him a lot of autonomy within the offenses they orchestrated together.

Arthur Smith doesn't have the same history with quarterbacks. He's a play-caller with an identity steeped in multiple tight ends, running the ball and play-action passing.

To make the marriage even more interesting, the Steelers don't have a prototypical group of pass-catchers. After trading for DK Metcalf, they have the ideal vertical target for Rodgers signature deep ball.

However, newly acquired tight end Jonnu Smith might be the team's second-best receiver. He's a catch-and-run threat coming off his most productive season.

The Steelers can typically figure things out on defense. But breaking in a new quarterback and a bunch of receivers he hasn't thrown to is going to be the most interesting subplot of training camp.

San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

WR Ricky Pearsall

Cap Space: $47.7 million

Team Needs

1. Cornerback
2. Interior Offensive Line
3. Wide Receiver
4. Interior Defensive Line
5. Linebacker

Biggest Question: What Will the Receiver Room Look Like as Brandon Aiyuk Gets Healthy?

The Niners just handed Brock Purdy a massive extension to elevate the offense in San Francisco. He'll be put to the test right away this season.

The 49ers traded away Deebo Samuel. Brandon Aiyuk's timeline to return from the ACL and MCL tear that ended his season last October is murky. All of a sudden, the team has less firepower than it's used to.

Fortunately, Purdy will still have George Kittle to rely on. Jauan Jennings is also coming off his best season yet. However, the rest of the receiver room is speculative.

All eyes will be on Ricky Pearsall. The second-year player had a strong finish to the season, but he'll need to prove he can carry that into the 2025 season.

It would be nice for fellow second-year player Jacob Cowing to earn some snaps in training camp. They also added Demarcus Robinson this offseason.

At least one player outside of Kittle and Jennings needs to show they can be a difference-maker until Aiyuk comes back.

Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/John Froschauer

IOL Gray Zabel

Cap Space: $31.2 million

Team Needs

1. Interior Offensive Line
2. Cornerback
3. Wide Receiver
4. Offensive Tackle
5. Interior Defensive Line

Biggest Question: Will the Interior Offensive Line Be Good Enough to Give Sam Darnold a Shot?

Sam Darnold resurrected his career in Minnesota last season. He was able to overcome the ghosts of his past because he was playing behind one of the best offensive lines in the league.

The Vikings led the league in pocket time last season. That was critical to Darnold's success as dealing with pressure has historically been his Achilles' heel.

On paper, the Seahawks are going to have a hard time replicating that success up front. They were 21st in pass block win rate and the interior of the offensive line was responsible for a lot of the struggles.

They drafted Gray Zabel in the first round, and the rookie appears to be penciled in to play left guard. That still leaves the center and right guard spots up for grabs.

At the pivot, Olu Oluwatimi is the incumbent with Jalen Sundell potentially pushing him for the job. Anthony Bradford is the returning starter at right guard with Christian Haynes also in the running.

Last year, the Seahawks ended up signing Connor Williams late to start at center. It's possible they could be going back to the late free-agency well to find a starter again if things don't go well at camp.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

OT Tristan Wirfs

Cap Space: $29.8 million

Team Needs

1. Edge-Rusher
2. Left Guard
3. Offensive Tackle Depth
4. Safety
5. Cornerback

Biggest Question: What's the Plan While Tristan Wirfs is Out?

Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard is already running into his first problem as the Bucaneers new offensive coordinator.

News of Tristan Wirfs getting knee surgery that could see him miss at least the first four games of the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list broke just a few weeks before camp.

The Buccaneers signed Charlie Heck in March. It didn't seem like a significant signing then, but he could wind up playing a huge role early in the season.

He has 21 starts across stints with the Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers. He hasn't been a full-time starter since 2021.

Heck will have training camp to show he can step in like he was paid to do in March. If he struggles, then there are a few notable veterans available on the free-agent market.

DJ Humphries or George Fant could be veterans to keep an eye on. They aren't optimal at this point, but the Bucs will need to have an answer.

Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/George Walker IV

WR Elic Ayomanor

Cap Space: $30.7 million

Team Needs

1. Edge-Rusher
2. Linebacker
3. Tight End
4. Right Guard
5. Wide Receiver

Biggest Question: How does the Wide Receiver Room Stack Up?

The Titans are set to embark on the Cam Ward era with a new-look group of wide receivers. Calvin Ridley returns as the presumptive No. 1 receiver, but there are plenty of questions to answer after that in camp.

Surrounding a rookie quarterback with the right context is always crucial for development and early success. The Titans put a lot of resources into making sure Ward has weapons to work with. Figuring out how to best use them will be crucial in camp.

The best candidate to be the No. 2 option is Tyler Lockett. He's the most experienced, but it's also worth noting he's going to be 33 in September and is coming off his least productive season since 2017.

Van Jefferson gives them another veteran to compete for playing time. But Lockett and Jefferson's best contributions to the team might be how much they help a trio of rookies figure out life in the league.

Fourth-round picks Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike and undrafted free agent Xavier Restrepo will all have a chance to work their way up the depth chart.

Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Edge Deatrich Wise

Cap Space: $21.6 million

Team Needs

1. Edge-Rusher
2. Tight End
3. Linebacker
4. Cornerback
5. Wide Receiver

Biggest Question: Did They Do Enough on Defense to Live Up to the Hype?

The Washington Commanders won't be sneaking up on anyone in 2025.

Last year, they were the plucky underdog led by a dynamic rookie quarterback. This year, they are already ranked sixth in the latest iteration of our power rankings.

It's not hard to love the offense. Jayden Daniels is a transformational talent. They added Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel to give them a legitimate franchise left tackle and sidekick to Terry McLaurin.

The defense is another story.

The Commanders' moves on that side of the ball were less splashy. They added Jonathan Jones and Deatrich Wise, but both are on the wrong side of 30. Will Harris is coming off his best season in New Orleans, but he isn't a needle-mover.

Javon Kinlaw and Eddie Goldman should help with interior line depth, but neither is going to take the group to the next level.

The good news for Washington is that Dan Quinn has a great track record of getting the most out of his defenses. But if the Commanders don't live up to the hype in Daniels' second season, it's most likely because the defense just didn't materialize.