As the offseason creeps along slowly with four weeks remaining until training camp, every NFL team still has lingering questions about its roster.
Did the front office do enough in free agency and the draft to take a step forward? How will the new additions pan out? Can the players stay healthy? Will the starting quarterback’s minicamp absence be a distraction?
The worries can pile up during this idle time of year. Luckily, The Athletic’s NFL beat reporters have picked one concern worth tracking for each team as training camp begins.
What should your team be worried about? Check out the list below.
Are they strong enough on the defensive line?
Coming off a four-win season, Arizona needed playmakers. GM Monti Ossenfort addressed this in the draft, taking receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 4. But the Cardinals still have questions on the defensive line. Last season, they ranked last in rushing defense, yielding 143.2 yards per game. Injuries contributed to the lack of resistance, but the need for help was clear. Arizona has since signed tackles Bilal Nichols and Justin Jones and took versatile Darius Robinson with the 27th pick in the draft. Fans here expect Arizona to jump, but it won’t happen without defensive improvement up front. — Doug Haller
Do they have enough cornerback depth?
Atlanta tried to bolster its pass rush this offseason by taking three defensive linemen and an edge rusher in the draft. Still, the only secondary help came from free agents who are fringe roster candidates at best. The Falcons’ new coaching staff talked up their returners at cornerback, but outside of A.J. Terrell, there’s no proven player at the position. Unless Atlanta adds a free agent before training camp, fans will hope everyone stays healthy and that Clark Phillips III and Mike Hughes can take a step forward. — Josh Kendall
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Did they do enough to fill their defensive holes?
This offseason saw an exodus from arguably the league’s best defense in 2023. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and key position coaches Dennard Wilson and Anthony Weaver left for promotions elsewhere. The Ravens also lost outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, inside linebacker Patrick Queen, cornerback Ronald Darby and safety Geno Stone, among others, in free agency. They added some pieces in the draft and are confident several younger players will emerge at other spots. Still, their defensive depth, particularly at outside and inside linebacker and safety, could become a significant problem if injuries hit. — Jeff Zrebiec
Does Josh Allen have enough to work with at wide receiver?
Just one wideout on the roster has caught a pass from Allen in a game. That’s third-year pro Khalil Shakir, who has looked promising but still has a ways to go to establish his bona fides. Buffalo parted with Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, who combined for 162 receptions, 2,002 yards and 15 touchdowns last year. Also gone are depth receivers Deonte Harty and Trent Sherfield. The organization has collected a menagerie to complement tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, including newcomers Curtis Samuel, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, K.J. Hamler, Mack Hollins, reclamation scratch-off ticket Chase Claypool and 2023 fourth-rounder Justin Shorter. Fans are excited by 33rd pick Keon Coleman, although rookie receivers offer no guarantees. The new faces must win Allen’s trust to make this offense work. — Tim Graham
Who besides Jadeveon Clowney can get to the quarterback?
The Panthers were a top-five defense last year despite getting solid but unspectacular production from edge rushers Brian Burns and Yetur Gross-Matos, both of whom departed this spring. They signed veteran Jadeveon Clowney to a two-year deal and added former Viking D.J. Wonnum in free agency. But Wonnum (quad) won’t be ready for the start of training camp, and the rest of the outside linebacker group was either hurt or underwhelming during the spring. Expect general manager Dan Morgan to keep a close eye on the waiver wire, where the Panthers have first dibs the first three weeks of the season. — Joseph Person
Can they protect Caleb Williams?
The Bears feel confident in their projected starting offensive line: left tackle Braxton Jones, left guard Teven Jenkins, center Ryan Bates, right guard Nate Davis and right tackle Darnell Wright. But it’s still a unit that will benefit from more time together. They didn’t get it during the offseason program. There are two players to watch. The first is Bates, a backup guard for the Buffalo Bills last season who is competing with Coleman Shelton. The second is Davis, who appeared in only 11 games last season after signing a three-year, $30 million contract last year. — Adam Jahns
Should they add a veteran running back?
The shift from Joe Mixon to a combination of Zack Moss and Chase Brown came by design to create more explosiveness and versatility. Yet, the Bengals feel one man short as they search for a third-down back. Moss can fill the role, but backups Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans need competition. Samaje Perine filled this masterfully in 2022 (and might end up being the answer here if Denver cuts him), but the Bengals never replaced him. Jerick McKinnon, Joshua Kelley, Latavius Murray and Matt Breida are all free agents and took a higher percentage of third-and-long snaps than any Bengals running back last year. — Paul Dehner Jr.
What will they get from Deshaun Watson?
If this feels awkwardly familiar, it should. For the third straight offseason, the internal focus revolves around getting Watson ready to play at a consistently high level. This year, he is recovering from November shoulder surgery and might not be fully cleared by the start of camp. The Browns feel like they have a top-shelf roster and enough pieces to help Watson, but his ceiling is the team’s ceiling. Watson is set to play in 2024 at a record salary-cap number of $63.9 million, and the Browns as a whole have become an older team. It’s not that Watson has to be phenomenal in September, but by the back half of the season, we’ll probably know if he can finally deliver big returns — or if the Browns’ big spending might yield only mediocre results. — Zac Jackson
How quickly will injured defenders return to expected form?
The Cowboys have justified a lot of their inactivity, particularly on the defensive side, by pointing to the return of players they lost last year to season-ending injuries. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown showed promise in training camp as a rookie, but his season ended with a torn ACL in the preseason. Trevon Diggs got off to a great start but tore his ACL in practice before Week 3. Although the Cowboys added Eric Kendricks in free agency, they’ll rely heavily on Overshown emerging as the real deal. After not re-signing Stephon Gilmore, they’ll also count on Diggs returning to his All-Pro level to hold down one side opposite of DaRon Bland. — Saad Yousuf
Do they have enough of a ceiling at quarterback?
The Broncos have been pleased with rookie Bo Nix’s progress. They believe longtime backup Jarrett Stidham has starting potential and looks comfortable in his second year in Sean Payton’s offensive system. Zach Wilson has talent that could make him a problem for defenses if he can put it all together. Having all three on the roster gives the Broncos options at quarterback in 2024 — but few guarantees. Nix is the future after being selected with the 12th pick in April’s draft, but can the sixth quarterback selected immediately operate the offense more efficiently than Russell Wilson did last season? The lukewarm expectations for the Broncos externally are primarily tied to the big question at quarterback. — Nick Kosmider
Do they finally have enough to elevate their defense?
The Lions made a series of moves to address a defense that allowed the third-most points per game (23.2) of any playoff team last season. Even then, Detroit made it to the NFC Championship Game, but their defensive deficiencies were on display throughout the season. To address those issues, the Lions traded for Carlton Davis III, signed Amik Robertson and drafted Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the first two rounds — all cornerbacks. They also signed tackle D.J. Reader and edge Marcus Davenport to strengthen their defensive line. The hope is that these pieces won’t take long to integrate and that Aaron Glenn will finally have the horses to run his aggressive, man-heavy defense. — Colton Pouncy
How will the second outside cornerback spot shake out?
Eric Stokes is starting there now opposite Jaire Alexander, but the 2021 first-round pick, despite everyone singing his praises in May and June, has barely played over the last season and a half. Carrington Valentine held his own as a seventh-round rookie in 2023, but do the Packers see him as consistent starter material or just a worthy fill-in like last season? The Packers didn’t draft a cornerback, so it’ll be on one of those two to show the flashes they’ve shown in the past can happen regularly. — Matt Schneidman
How will additions to the secondary fare, and is there enough linebacker depth?
The Texans knew they had holes to fill in their secondary and tried to address those needs by drafting cornerback Kamari Lassiter and safety Calen Bullock. It could take some time for the unit, including corners Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson, to solidify. However, the linebacker unit also represents an area of concern because of limited playmakers. Free agent addition Azeez Al-Shaair helps, and Christian Harris remains in the mix, but depth is a real issue. There aren’t any obvious developmental difference-makers to turn to if either goes down with an injury, and few reliable options remain in the free agent market. — Mike Jones
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Will Anthony Richardson continue feeling shoulder soreness?
The Colts will go as far as Richardson and his surgically right shoulder take them. The second-year quarterback underwent season-ending surgery last October and began throwing again in February. Richardson was fully cleared for spring practice but missed the final day of veteran minicamp due to what he described as “a little soreness” in his shoulder. He wasn’t concerned, nor was Colts coach Shane Steichen, who said Richardson would’ve played if they had an upcoming game. Richardson needs all the reps he can get after being limited to just four games as a rookie. But if he continues to miss practice this summer, the level of concern regarding his shoulder will only increase. — James Boyd
Who are they?
It’s more about the unseen and the unknown with the Jaguars. For as strong as they looked from late 2022 into early 2023, they were equally mistake-prone and inconsistent as they blew their AFC South lead to the Texans. So, was the success a mirage? Or will they be able to eradicate the mistakes and make another run at the playoffs? The staff changes clearly indicated Doug Pederson knew they couldn’t stay the course, so that’s a positive sign. And a healthier (and richer) Trevor Lawrence will be enough to shield the Jaguars from subtle faults. But we won’t know until the season whether they’re a changed team ready to meet the expectations that have been in place for a couple of years. — Jeff Howe
Who will protect Patrick Mahomes’ blind side?
The lone major position battle when the Chiefs start training camp next month is at left tackle, the premium position most responsible for protecting the blind side of Mahomes, the league’s best quarterback. The two players competing for the job are rookie Kingsley Suamataia and second-year player Wanya Morris. During mandatory minicamp, the Chiefs gave more first-team repetitions to Suamataia to help prepare him for the next few months. As a rookie, Morris was solid but showed he needed to improve as a pass protector. The primary concern is that both players struggle to progress throughout training camp and the preseason. — Nate Taylor
Will someone step up at cornerback?
The Raiders have two starters set with outside corner Jack Jones and nickelback Nate Hobbs locked in as starters. The second outside cornerback spot, however, is up in the air. As it stands, it’s a three-way competition between Brandon Facyson, Jakorian Bennett and Decamerion Richardson. Facyson and Bennett both struggled with their health and performance last season and Richardson is a raw rookie, so it’s easy to understand the concern. Rather than sign a one-year stopgap, the Raiders hope the coaching staff can develop someone already on the roster into a competent starter. If that bet doesn’t pay off, the Raiders will have a significant weakness on a defense that otherwise looks to be in great shape. — Tashan Reed
Do they have enough safety depth?
Coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz have done a commendable job turning over the roster and filling out depth in their first offseason together. But one position that lacks depth is safety. The starting pairing of Derwin James Jr. and Alohi Gilman returns from 2023, but the players behind them are unproven. This could become an issue because defensive coordinator Jesse Minter plans to move James around. James played regularly in the slot during spring practices, and when he moves to that position, a safety must replace him in the deep part of the field. AJ Finley and JT Woods have been rotating with the first team when James moves to nickel. Those two have a combined 117 defensive snaps in their NFL careers. — Daniel Popper
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford seeks more guaranteed money on a four-year, $160 million deal he signed in 2022. (Jessica Rapfogel / USA Today)
What are they going to do about Matthew Stafford’s contract?
Rams coach Sean McVay confirmed in April that Stafford wanted more guarantees on his existing deal. Stafford signed a four-year, $160 million deal in the spring of 2022 — and $63 million was guaranteed, though none is after this season. Stafford could be using this situation to broadcast his intent to play beyond his current contract. He participated in all voluntary and mandatory workouts this spring, so this isn’t a “problem” just yet. But as training camp nears, both sides will need to move this conversation forward from what little progress was made this spring. Stafford has the option of holding out and incurring fines, and the Rams have no experienced backup in that case because Jimmy Garoppolo is suspended for Weeks 1 and 2. But would Stafford really miss the opener in Detroit? — Jourdan Rodrigue
Is there enough talent/depth on the defensive line?
The Dolphins were wise to add Calais Campbell to a depth chart featuring Zach Sieler and a lot of question marks after losing Christian Wilkins in free agency. Campbell isn’t the All-Pro he once was, but he has continued to defy Father Time, and Miami is making a low-risk bet that he can do it again at age 38. Still, the depth behind Campbell and Seiler is questionable. Perhaps Teair Tart, Neville Gallimore, Da’Shawn Hand or Benito Jones will step up, but for the moment, an injury to either Seiler or Campbell could be a big problem for Miami. — Jim Ayello
Who is the team’s No. 3 wide receiver?
Is it Brandon Powell? Can Jalen Nailor stay healthy enough to play the role? If it’s not those two guys, then who? This roster hole surfaced once K.J. Osborn signed with the Patriots in free agency. The Vikings staff loves Powell, which is understandable. He is reliable, tough and shifty. But he is also a 5-foot-8, 181-pounder and the team’s punt and kick returner. If he’s WR3, who will return kicks? Trent Sherfield is another option, but he didn’t blow the staff away in OTAs. There are some free agent options like Hunter Renfrow, but Renfrow isn’t much of a blocker. Does coach Kevin O’Connell want a receiver who can help in the run game? If so, that might be hard to find at this point. — Alec Lewis
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What do they do at left tackle?
The Patriots waited until the third round to address their massive need at the most crucial position on the offensive line — then used that pick on Caedan Wallace, a guy who hasn’t played left tackle since high school. He’s competing for the job of protecting Drake Maye’s blind side with Chukwuma Okorafor, the Steelers’ swing tackle last season. The results in spring practices weren’t great for the offensive line. For now, they need to hope that was simply a sign of the team’s good pass rush — not of what’s to come for the group this season. — Chad Graff
Will Chase Young make an impact?
The Saints added Young to beef up a sagging pass-rusher group. A healthy Young should provide a boost given his bounce-back 2023 season between the Commanders and 49ers with a 14.7 pass rush percentage rate. But … Young has a neck injury and he’s yet to take the field. The Saints only inked Young to a one-year deal, so there’s no long-term commitment. That said, the Saints badly need Young to help the team affect the opposing quarterback. The 25-year-old is on a prove-it deal, and the Saints are hopeful he can prove it because he’d be a great next step if this is the last year for Hall of Fame candidate Cam Jordan. — Larry Holder
Did they improve enough on the offensive line?
You could have asked the same question of the Giants for the past decade, and each season, the answer has remained no. The Giants hope they finally got it right this year, particularly after investing in free agents Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemunor to fortify the unit. Throughout the spring, Runyan lined up at right guard. Eluemunor assumed the left guard spot, which should create a formidable tandem with left tackle Andrew Thomas, assuming Evan Neal remains at right tackle. But that’s a big assumption. Will Neal play well enough to keep his job? He has been rehabbing after undergoing surgery in January to repair a small fracture in his ankle. The Giants can’t afford another season wrecked by poor offensive line play. — Charlotte Carroll
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When will the full offensive line actually practice together?
The Jets have had an unreal run of bad luck on the offensive line the last two years, though some of that was brought on by GM Joe Douglas relying on players with age or injury concerns. Well, they’re doing that again — though this group, on paper, is their best offensive line in years. The issue? They haven’t all practiced together a single time yet, and they might not consistently in training camp either. Left tackle Tyron Smith will be on a practice plan heavy on rest days — and he’s missed 37 games over the last four years. Right tackle Morgan Moses hasn’t practiced this spring and is coming off pectoral surgery. Right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker is coming off an Achilles injury, hasn’t practiced this spring and suffered season-ending injuries in back-to-back years. Left guard John Simpson missed a few practices and is a newcomer. Center Joe Tippmann is the only mainstay, but he needs to prove he’s ready to take a step forward in his second year. Will this group have enough time in training camp to build chemistry? — Zack Rosenblatt
Is there clarity in this offensive system?
Eagles fans will spend their summer nights dreaming of the possibilities associated with a star-studded offensive depth chart. But there’ll be the occasional intruding nightmare that the coaching staff will once again fail to maximize the talent on their roster. Every TV screen in Philly will be in danger if the Eagles begin the season looking as lost offensively as they did during their historic collapse last season. New OC Kellen Moore has said he wants a “clean operation” for Jalen Hurts. How will Moore’s philosophy blend with Nick Sirianni’s? — Brooks Kubena
Will they make a big trade splash for a receiver?
The Steelers traded Diontae Johnson in the offseason, then created cap space before the draft with the assumption they would take a swing at a big-time receiver in either free agency or the trade market to play alongside George Pickens. Nothing ever materialized and the Steelers head into training camp with a sizable question mark at the WR2 position. They will let the group of Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller and Marquez Callaway battle it out in camp, but whoever comes away with the victory will do little to prevent teams from bracketing Pickens. That’s where a trade for one of the 49ers’ receivers — Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel — might materialize because it is unlikely one of the aforementioned receivers suddenly turns into a legitimate second threat for Russell Wilson. — Mark Kaboly
Maliek Collins is a new face on the 49ers’ defensive line. (Cooper Neill / Getty Images)
Have they done enough to improve both lines of scrimmage?
The 49ers ranked in the twenties when it came to pass protection last season, and that was certainly an issue in their Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs. They also slid to 26th in run defense efficiency, a problem directly connected to their defense’s larger regression. The team has responded by making offseason investments on both fronts. The D-line has undergone an overhaul, with defensive tackles Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliott replacing Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw, respectively. Will those additions be enough to re-energize the run defense, or will the team need one of its younger nose tackle types to play a significant role? Along the O-line, the 49ers drafted Dominick Puni and signed some swing tackle options. We’ll see how quickly Puni can earn a job along the languishing interior. That’s Step 1 for improving pass protection ahead of Brock Purdy. — David Lombardi
Who will start on the interior O-line?
Center and right guard are the positions Seattle must resolve after signing left guard Laken Tomlinson. The team needs offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and line coach Scott Huff, neither of whom has NFL experience, to develop talent at those positions. Olu Oluwatimi (one career start at center), Anthony Bradford (10 starts at right guard) and rookie Christian Haynes make this an unproven group. — Mike Sando
Are they vulnerable at cornerback?
The Buccaneers have a good one in Jamel Dean but are counting on Zyon McCollum to become a starter. The 2022 fifth-round pick held up in nine starts last season, allowing three touchdowns but breaking up nine passes. The Bucs traded Carlton Davis because they needed cap space to sign Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Antoine Winfield Jr. and others. But for their gamble to work, they need McCollum to live up to their expectations. Third-round corner Tykee Smith likely will get work as the nickel corner. — Dan Pompei
Have they done enough to stop people this season?
The offense has been the issue and the focal point, and the Titans will be improved up front and at receiver with exciting backs in Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard and a franchise quarterback hopeful in Will Levis. GM Ran Carthon also made some key defensive adds, most notably L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie at corner. Dennard Wilson is a first-time defensive coordinator who gives off head coach vibes. But Sneed’s knees kept him from practicing this spring. Second-round tackle T’Vondre Sweat was hurt early and missed minicamp. Edge is questionable beyond Harold Landry. Safety is questionable after Amani Hooker. Inside linebacker is questionable, period. The best sight in camp would be Sweat healthy and in shape, starting what could be a terrific partnership with Jeffery Simmons. — Joe Rexrode
Who will play left tackle?
The offensive line features three new starters. Developing chemistry can take time once the five-man unit is established. That’s yet to happen, even if we assume Cornelius Lucas is the Week 1 option at left tackle. Any hyperventilating over protection worries for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is a tad overblown. Lucas, a longtime swing tackle, is decent and third-round pick Brandon Coleman flashed his athleticism in camp. Still, the free agent market is thin — maybe ex-Cardinal D.J. Humphries can reunite with Kliff Kingsbury? — and so the left tackle battle likely comes down to these two. Until we see how the blind-side protector competition plays out, it’s understandable that some might hang on to their apprehension. — Ben Standig
(Top illustration: Eamonn Dalton / The Athletic; photos of Deshaun Watson, Jalen Hurts, Keon Coleman: Terence Lewis, Bryan Bennett, Nick Cammett / Getty Images)