NFL Teams with the Biggest Red Flags at Start of Training Camps

The difference between building a Super Bowl contender and something much less almost always boils down to how well the roster is constructed. Every team has holes and weaknesses, so it’s up to the front office and coaching staff to field a deep and competitive roster. Some red flags end up not mattering as much as anticipated, while others prove to be crippling.

Whether a preseason contender or pretender, there are several glaring red flags that could cost teams during the regular season or playoffs. We’ve identified the biggest individual problem areas for six different teams. Of all the singular position issues in the NFL, these six are the most prominent.

Besides identifying these issues, we have the best possible solution as well. With training camp and preseason coming up soon, how teams address these red flags may have an enormous effect on their 2015 season.

Denver Broncos: Offensive Line

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

It’s not even training camp yet and the Denver Broncos have already suffered a high-profile injury at a key position. Left tackle Ryan Clady’s torn ACL opens a massive hole for the Broncos at a time when quarterback Peyton Manning needs protection the most. Manning regressed significantly after suffering a quad injury late in 2014.

Denver seems poised to enter training camp with rookie Ty Sambrailo at left tackle, Ben Garland at left guard, center Gino Gradkowski, Louis Vasquez at right guard and Chris Clark at right tackle, per Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. That’s a scary proposition, since only Vasquez is a proven player. Clark filled in admirably in 2013 at tackle when Clady was again injured.

Manning’s loss of arm strength and the ability to take a hit has forced Denver to throw the ball extraordinarily fast. Denver’s receivers are among the NFL's best at getting quick separation. They really have no choice, though, since Manning can’t create additional time in the pocket.

The Broncos should continue cycling through their two top options at left tackle, guard and center. Saimbrailo should have a camp battle with Ryan Harris. Shelly Smith will square off against Garland. And Gradkowski will go up against Max Garcia. These competitions should bring out the best in all parties.

Seattle Seahawks: Offensive Line

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

As effective as the Seattle Seahawks’ running game has been the last three seasons, the offensive line has been a sieve for pass-rushers to get through. Quarterback Russell Wilson now has an improved group of receivers after the team traded for tight end Jimmy Graham. But will he have enough time to get the ball out to him?

Seattle is breaking in two new starters at left guard and center this year. Even the incumbent starters struggled in 2014, which is a major cause for concern. Tackles Justin Britt and Russell Okung allowed a combined 56 quarterback hurries, six sacks and were called for 18 penalties, per Pro Football Focus.

Something has to change for Wilson to fulfill his potential and be the most effective quarterback he can be. Adding veteran Evan Mathis would be a major upgrade at left guard. If he’s too expensive, then an in-house option would be rookie Mark Glowinski. Glowinski is a terrific athlete who could potentially start at center or left guard.

Cleveland Browns: Starting Quarterback

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Years of an ongoing rebuilding process for the Cleveland Browns has finally started to bear fruit for the franchise. The Browns roster is stacked with young talent at most positions after wise free-agent signings and good draft hauls. All hasn’t gone perfectly, but there is enough talent for the Browns to challenge for a divisional title in 2015.

The one area where the Browns have continued to strike out is at quarterback. This isn’t breaking news to anyone. But if the Browns can get average play out of Josh McCown or Johnny Manziel this year, then this roster can make a lot of noise.

Cleveland is in a difficult position with Manziel. On one hand, if he isn’t the better quarterback, then he shouldn’t start. But the team must find out if he can be an impact player on the field, and McCown starting would block that.

Manziel should be given every chance to prove he is a franchise quarterback this season. We know that McCown is nothing more than a decent backup. If Manziel can’t beat out McCown, maybe that says it all about his NFL future.

Arizona Cardinals: Pass-Rushers

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

The reasons for optimism about the Arizona Cardinals’ 2015 season are clear. It all starts with Carson Palmer's return as the quarterback under center. Arizona could be a legitimate Super Bowl contender if Palmer can stay healthy.

There is a major red flag on the other side of the ball, though. Arizona failed to address their need for an impact pass-rusher through the NFL draft and free agency. Losing defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is also potentially a major blow, as Bowles was a mastermind at creating pressure from all over.

Unless LaMarr Woodley turns back the clock a few years, then Alex Okafor will be the Cardinals’ best pass-rusher at linebacker. He’s not as much of a creator as a cleanup tackler, though. Someone must emerge for the Cardinals as a creator.

Our solution is to give rookies Markus Golden and Shaquille Riddick a large number of snaps in training camp and preseason games. Riddick has the athleticism and ideal size to become something special. Getting him up to speed as quickly as possibly will not be easy, though.

New England Patriots: Secondary

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

The defending Super Bowl champions ran into difficulties this past offseason. Several impact players received tough goodbyes. The New England Patriots still have an unparalleled system for success, though, so they deserve time to figure out their plan of attack.

New England’s glaring weakness right now is in the secondary. Losing Darrelle Revis was especially painful, as he’s still the NFL's premier cornerback. He allowed safety Devin McCourty to provide help coverage to the rest of the defense.

The options to start at cornerback aren’t inspiring right now. Logan Ryan is a decent talent, but he is sure to be outmatched as a No. 1. Justin Green, Bradley Fletcher and Malcolm Butler must make leaps and bounds to be quality starters as well.

New England’s best choice is to give this group of players the most snaps possible and keep an open mind about personnel. Repeating their success as a defensive unit with these cornerbacks will be very difficult. 

Buffalo Bills: Starting Quarterback

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

If you were to plug in a top 15 into the Buffalo Bills’ roster, this team would be a trendy Super Bowl pick. The Bills have as many impact talents throughout the roster as any other NFL team. Problem is, there’s not one decently qualified quarterback available to head coach Rex Ryan.

Buffalo’s options are between Matt Cassel, EJ Manuel and Tyrod Taylor. Manuel lost the starting job midseason in 2014 to Kyle Orton, and he’s been completely unable to live up to his lofty draft status. Cassel was beaten out by rookie Teddy Bridgewater in Minnesota last year and is now grasping to continue his career.

Taylor is the most unknown and intriguing option the Bills have. He’s thrown just 35 passes in four seasons, but his athleticism would at least force defenses to consider him a threat.

The preseason should help clear up this tangled mess of quarterback candidates. If Taylor or Manuel can just guide the Bills’ passing attack to a respectable level, the team will be a very difficult opponent on a weekly basis.

All stats used are from Sports-Reference.com.

Ian Wharton is an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. 

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