Greatest Positional Strength of Every NFL Team This Season

One of the perks of the necessary evil that is the NFL preseason is that teams and fans alike get to spectate on position battles between veterans, rookies and guys who have no business stepping onto a professional football field.

Every team is going through the same battles right now for who will start and who will be coming off the bench. These position battles are what make the preseason contests thrilling and exciting. Even though fans don’t like watching the fourth quarter of preseason games, those 15:00 periods are do-or-die time for some players.

This article will talk about which position each NFL team is deepest at and how it affects them in the 2011 season. Maybe teams will need the depth while others could trade some of their depth at one position to help out at others. 

Let's go team by team, begging with Arizona and progressing on alphabetically:

Arizona Cardinals: Wide Receiver

Larry Fitzgerald just hit a massive pay day. Now that he’s got a legit deep-threat quarterback since Kurt Warner left, his 2011 season could reflect that of the league’s richest wide receiver in history.

The loss of Steve Breaston to the Kansas City Chiefs means Early Doucet will start as the Z receiver. Adding Todd Heap at tight end from the Baltimore Ravens will help out the passing attack as well.

The receiving corp will be the bread and butter for the Cardinals in 2011. Kevin Kolb will have plenty of targets to choose from, but will his offensive line be able to give him the time to make connections possible?

Atlanta Falcons: Defensive End

Jonathan Abraham and free agent signing Ray Edwards, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, spell maybe the best defensive end combination in the National Football League.

The Atlanta Falcons defense has struggled the last few seasons to get someone to help out Abraham in the pass rushing department. Edwards was the best piece available to add to the puzzle.

These two should provide plenty of pressure on Drew Brees, Josh Freeman and rookie Cam Newton. Being able to rush the quarterback in a division that is loaded at that position is what helps teams separate themselves from the competition.

Baltimore Ravens: Linebacker

Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs are the faces of the Baltimore Ravens fierce defensive front seven.

Even at his older age, Lewis has shown that age is just a number on the playing field. Suggs has been right there with him the last few years to provide serious linebacker depth.

In a 3-4 defensive scheme the Ravens get the luxury of blitzing one or both of these fierce linebackers on almost every play. The big advantage of being rich at that position is that nothing scares rookie offensive linemen and halfbacks assigned to blocking blitzes quite like Lewis and/or Suggs.

Buffalo Bills: Running Back

The Buffalo Bills were the worst rush defense team in the NFL all season, but still managed to have a decent running attack of their own.

Fred Jackson last year for the first half of the season was the starting running back for the Bills, racking up 927 yards and five touchdowns on 222 attempts. He was succeeded by C.J. Spiller towards the end of the season once Marshawn Lynch was dealt to the Seattle Seahawks. Spiller had nearly 300 yards on 74 carries for an impressive 3.8 YPC average.

The Bills will return both Jackson and Spiller this year, so even without wide receiver threats Buffalo can rely on two proven backs to carry the rock.

Carolina Panthers: Tight End

Perhaps the additions of Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen mean the return of the “blonde bombers.”

As Cam Newton adjusts to the NFL game speed, he will have the two most important tools a young quarterback can ask for.

The Carolina Panthers already had a solid 1-2 running back combination with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Now they feature a dynamic tight end combo of Olsen and Shockey.

Newton will have plenty of safety nets to fall back on this season. The Panthers still aren’t seen as serious contenders, so the only pressure he will have to live up to is playing like a true No. 1 overall pick.

Chicago Bears: Defensive Tackle

One of the offseason needs for the Chicago Bears this last year was interior defensive line help in their 4-3 Cover 2 formation.

Jerry Angelo tackled this problem by basically grabbing a punch of random odds and ends, throwing them against the wall and seeing what stuck.

The Bears may have some serious depth now at the defensive tackle position because of all the additions. The quality of those players may not be tremendous, but at least there are plenty of them.

Should one of these tackles (Henry Melton, Matt Toeaina, Amobi Okoye, Anthony Adams, Stephen Paea and Marcus Harrison) struggle, there’s plenty of replacements available.

Cincinnati Bengals: Wide Receiver

Odd to think the Cincinnati Bengals would have strength in a position they were depleted at during the offseason.  Both Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco are no longer Bengals, so a new regime will begin at both starting wide out positions.

The Bengals are ready for this transition though as rookie A.J. Green, Andre Caldwell and Jordan Shipley—all players with three years of NFL service or less—are young and developing receivers for years to come.

In addition to three young receivers, the Bengals youth movement on offense continues to the quarterback position as Andy Dalton will succeed Carson Palmer. Having the time to grow up and learn together will benefit all four players.

Cleveland Browns: Offensive Line

Madden 12 will feature the “Albino Rhino,” Peyton Hillis on its cover.

One of the reasons Hillis had such a tremendous 2010 season was due in large part to the left side of the Cleveland Browns offensive line.

Eric Steinbach has proven to be a valuable left guard. The Browns left tackle Joe Thomas, who has also proven to be a great commodity, just hit a serious pay day Monday afternoon.

The anchors on the offensive line not only help out Hillis and the ground attack but take significant pressure off of second-year signal-caller Colt McCoy as he tries to establish himself as an NFL quarterback.

Dallas Cowboys: Running Back

Dallas has used a trio of running backs for the last few seasons with Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice in order of carries respectively.

Now with Barber in Chicago, the Cowboys will use a more traditional two-back system with Jones and Choice. Early guesses are that the carries will be divided up on a 60/40 or 70/30 basis. This helps out the Cowboys by keeping backfield legs fresh while causing headaches for fantasy owners.

It will be interesting to see how the dynamics of the Cowboys offense changes with Jason Garrett entering his first full season as the Dallas head coach. The former offensive coordinator may choose to get creative with his backfield.

Denver Broncos: Quarterback

The drama with the Denver Broncos quarterback situation continues into the regular season.

Tim Tebow vs. Kyle Orton is becoming like a heavyweight fight that would anchor a boxing card like Manny Pacquaio vs. Money Mayweather would.

The latest from Broncos camp states that Orton will be the starter. That doesn’t even mean Tebow will be the immediate backup. Another report mentions that Tebow may battle with former Notre Dame bust Brady Quinn for the third roster slot.

However this plays out in preseason, the Broncos must win immediately. If they start the season 0-4 or 1-5, all these replacement QB talks will arise once more.

Detroit Lions: Defensive Tackle

Assuming the Detroit Lions front four can stay healthy, this team will have one of the most feared defensive lines in all of football this season and for many to come.

With Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley and Kyle Vanden Bosch making up 75 percent of the defensive line, the Lions will have a serious pass rush comprised of two young kids and a seasoned veteran with a proven record.

Suh and Fairley at the tackles will become great interior defensive linemen. When Fairley gets healthy and teams are no longer able to just double team Suh, the Lions will be penetrating into the backfield to cause pressure and suffocate runs.

Green Bay Packers: Wide Receiver

Aaron Rodgers is the key to the Green Bay Packers offense. That statement should not surprise anyone. But the gears that make this offense truly operate is the deep and talented collection of wide receivers Rodgers has to choose from.

The receiver corp, led by serious veteran Donald Driver, is consisted of younger players with great hands who run accurate routes and know how to get open in zone coverage.

Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson and James Jones compliment Driver to make up the rest of the unit.

Plus, factor in tight end Jermichael Finley who will win nearly every matchup he has one-on-one with linebackers. The Packers will be gunslingers in 2011.

Houston Texans: Linebacker

The Houston Texans defense was nauseating for fans of the expansion franchise last season. The passing defense was the worst in the league. In a very offensive division, not being able to stop the pass nor the ground attack is a recipe for a losing season.

Former No. 1 overall draft pick Mario Williams has pulled a DeMarcus Ware and left his position as a down defensive end to become an outside linebacker in the Texans 3-4 scheme.

Williams has reportedly taken great strides forward in his transition to linebacker. Consider Brian Cushing is always improving as well and the Texans will have a legit linebacking group this season.

Indianapolis Colts: Wide Receiver

Well there’s really no secret here—the Colts have great wide receivers and have so for the last decade.

One interesting thing to watch this season will be Peyton Manning’s neck which was surgically repaired a few months ago. Should he not be healthy to go Week 1, we will find out whether this Colts receiving unit is great on its own or if Manning is what makes them better.

With names like Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie and tight end Dallas Clark, Manning has plenty of options to go to on passing plays. Just simply playing the Colts demands a nickel defense most downs.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Tight End

Marcedes Lewis has been the offensive stud for the Jacksonville Jaguars passing game. Running back Maurice Jones-Drew certainly adds an element of play-action capability, but Lewis is the team’s big red zone threat.

As far as his personal statistics are concerned, Lewis could see even more targets in 2011 without Mike Sims-Walker on the roster anymore and considering rookie Blaine Gabbert may be seeing playing time if the Jaguars struggle early and want to kick the tires on their first-round draft pick.

On a related note, Lewis is especially valuable in deep fantasy leagues. While some of the big name tight ends go off the board, feel confident with Lewis producing at a very similar pace.

Kansas City Chiefs: Wide Receiver

The Kansas City Chiefs made some nice wide receiver moves this offseason by drafting Jonathan Baldwin and adding Steve Breaston from free agency to help compliment Dwayne Bowe and Dexter McCluster.

The reason the additions make sense for the Chiefs is because head coach Todd Haley, an offensive guru, will find ways for his young protégé quarterback Matt Cassel to get the ball to all four of them creatively.

Kansas City has features a top-tier running game with Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones for two years now. Being a little more dedicated to the passing game means the offense will become less predictable and more explosive.

Miami Dolphins: Running Back

Things will be different with the Miami Dolphins offense this season, especially in their backfield.

Ronnie Brown has left town for a one-year stint with the “Dream Team” Eagles and Ricky Williams is playing backup to Ray Rice in Baltimore. Fans of the Fins will see two totally new pieces this year carrying the rock for Miami.

The Dolphins spent some cash this offseason and saved a pretty penny picking up Reggie Bush and promotion Daniel Thomas from within. Hard to predict right now which back will be used in what role, but both should get an almost equal number of touches like Brown-Williams did before.

Minnesota Vikings: Linebacker

Minnesota lost some key defensive players to free agency this summer, meaning that someone else will have to step up for the Vikings.

It might be time to look at this linebacking crew, anchored by Chad Greenway, as the fuel for the defense. Overall, this is a pretty loaded part of the Viking defense. E.J. Henderson and Erin Henderson play the middle and weak side backers respectively.

Pressure is on Greenway to perform this year especially with the departure of Ray Edwards and Pat Williams. Someone has to be able to provide the strong side pressure from blitzes and run stopping.

New England Patriots: Defensive Tackle

Shaun Ellis won’t be tackling Tom Brady ever again unless it’s in practice.

The New England Patriots are in the middle of a transition with its defense, going from a 3-4 to a more traditional 4-3 scheme. One of the needs prior to making the switch was getting defensive tackles to play as down linemen.

Some nice moves were made by the Kraft family bringing in Albert Haynesworth and Shaun Ellis to help out Vince Wilfork on the defense line. The Patriots, assuming everything goes as planned, will have one stellar pass rush. There’s certainly plenty of star power and there’s no doubt Bill Belichick will get the most from his new players.

New Orleans Saints: Wide Receiver

This one should come across just as shockingly as it did when the Colts were predicted to have a great wide receiver group.

The passing attack has been the meat and potatoes of the New Orleans Saints offense ever since Drew Brees came to the franchise. He has partially been so successful with the offense here because of the personnel he works with out wide.

Every year it seems a different receiver steps up to the plate and surprises everyone. This star studded cast featuring role players like Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Devry Henderson and Robert Meachem get the job done game in and game out for the Saints.

New York Giants: Defensive End

Ask Jay Cutler from Week 4 last season what he thinks about the dual threat of New York Giants defensive ends Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora.

In that game, each end had three sacks alone. The Giants were able to tack on nine total sacks in the first half, finishing the contest with double digits.

The health of Umenyiora is up in the air right now, but Jason Pierre-Paul seems ready to be able to serve as a fill-in until Osi’s body is 100 percent again.

This front four for New York is scary for opposing offenses. It’s not even so much stopping the line as it is just trying to contain it.

New York Jets: Cornerback

The Jets had an up and down summer depending on who you ask. One one hand, the wide receivers and defensive ends are all different.

On the other hand, retaining Darelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie as the team’s top two corners was a feat all in itself.

There will be a learning curve for the new players slatted to come in at defensive end for a Rex Ryan team that prides itself on hitting hard and forcing takeaways.

While that curve is learned, Ryan can feel good about Revis and Cromartie anchoring the defense and covering up for mistakes with bad blitzing or broken tackles.

Oakland Raiders: Running Back

Rarely do things go right for the Oakland Raiders these days, but the Darren McFadden and Michael Bush combination for the Raider backfield was simply stellar in 2010.

McFadden and Bush were the league’s premier run game a year ago showing that the black and silver had an offensive plan that could actually be effective.

While Jason Campbell continues developing in this new system with yet another new head coach and less than desirable receivers, the Raiders look to stay committed to the run that won them eight games last season.

Will this year be another positive step forward for Oakland?

Philadelphia Eagles: Cornerback

A month ago, the Philadelphia Eagles may have had their strength at wide receiver or quarterback. Now after the lockout is over and they were able to make some moves, there should be no doubt where the strength of this team lies.

The additions of Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will help out two-time champion Asante Samuel to form the NFL’s best trio of cornerbacks maybe of all time.

And its not just the passing attack that will be challenged, Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins are Eagles now too.

Offenses beware: no matter how you plan to attack the Philadelphia defense, they will make your day a living nightmare.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Linebacker

With names like James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley, James Farrior and Lawrence Timmons, the Pittsburgh linebacking crew is back and primed for another year of making your favorite NFL team’s day a disaster.

The Steelers have shown that when you come to work and perform well as a linebacker, the team has no fear rewarding you with an attractive contract. No player will ever not want to perform with incentives like that.

This linebacker group in the Steelers 3-4 setup is traditionally one of the strengths of this franchise dating back to the 1970’s and the Steel Curtain. No surprise here the Steelers still valuable the linebackers to this day.

San Diego Chargers: Safety

An old saying says if something sounds too good to be true, it’s probably because it is.

San Diego Chargers fans may be feeling that way when the season begins and Eric Weddle and Bob Sanders are the opening day safeties.

These two form the best over-the-top secondary defense in the league. However, and a however is stressed, there may be a legitimate concern for these two.

Weddle just became the richest safety in NFL history signing a new deal with the Chargers this offseason. He may suffer from a case of “new paper syndrome.”

As for Sanders, who has struggled to stay healthy, he has missed 39 games in the last three seasons. If he gets injured again, forget it.

San Francisco 49ers: Running Back

The decision to name the running back spot for the 49ers wasn’t so much because their best strength was at this position, but rather because there was no other positional quality anywhere else on this team.

Frank Gore is reason enough to consider the running back spot a team strength. He’s durable as well so he provides his own depth. He has certainly proven to be capable and willing to carry an offense on his shoulders.

Gore’s wheels will be stretched this year while San Fran tries to figure out the quarterback position going forward. Gore will have to pace the load as changes all over the place begin in San Francisco.

Seattle Seahawks: Wide Receiver

It helps bringing in a former Minnesota Viking in Sidney Rice to help compliment Mike Williams at receiver. However, bringing if Tavaris Jackson to run the offense is seldom a wise decision.

Jackson is unreliable, inaccurate and won’t stretch the field with the vertical threat dimension of the passing game.

Despite Jackson being under center, the strength this season will be at receiver for the Seahawks. Williams and Rice are a formidable combination capable of getting the job done.

Zach Miller also has changed zip codes from Oakland to Seattle. Jackson will more than likely check down a high number, so his targets should be significant as well.

St. Louis Rams: Running Back

The Rams added some quality running back depth this offseason to provide some relief for Steven Jackson capable of working the offense like he does.

Former Buccaneer Cadillac Williams and former Falcon Jerious Norwood will provide the backup for Jackson at the running back spot. Having these two on board gives the Rams their best positional depth in the backfield.

Without Pat Shurmur to help Sam Bradford’s development continue, St. Louis will need a reliable running game to stay effective on offense. Consider that Bradford is a candidate for the sophomore slump this season as well.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Defensive End

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were able to get Da’Quan Bowers in the early second round of this past spring’s draft, it showed the franchise is dedicated to establishing defensive pressure at the defensive end position.

Bowers, who suffered an injury prior to the draft, will likely begin the season second on the depth chart behind Michael Bennett. If he gets a few snaps here and there and succeeds, he may soon find himself on the starting line.

Coupled with Adrian Clayborn on the weak side, Bowers will have plenty of help as the Buccaneers try to re-establish the great defense that carried the franchise to a Super Bowl in the early 2000’s.

Tennessee Titans: Quarterback

There’s plenty of value here for the Tennessee Titans with both Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker as the quarterback position.

How the Titans worked this combination is pure brilliance. Locker is the guy for the future. Hasselbeck will be the starter immediately. The two already share a relationship because of the close proximity from their last two teams. Hasselbeck was the Seattle Seahawks QB while Locker finished his college career at the University of Washington.

Hasselbeck isn’t a 4,000 yard passer anymore but he will be able to mentor Locker and show him what it takes to play at the NFL level. These two additions were wise for Tennessee.

Washington Redskins: Safety

Much like the Chargers, not many teams are loaded at the safety spot this season except for a few franchises here and there. The Washington Redskins will be one of those clubs this season.

Strong safety Oshiomonho Atogwe joins the Redskins after an impressive debut to his career with the Rams. LaRon Landry, a Redskin for four seasons now, returns to man the free safety spot.

The two aren’t necessarily game changers all on their own, but this is where the Redskins see the most positional strength. The NFC East is a quarterback-driven division, so having someone back deep to pick off poor or inaccurate passes is a must.

Follow me on Twitter @BrettLyons670.