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Aaron Schatz
Every NFL staff tried to deal with roster weaknesses this offseason by way of free company signings, trades and draft picks. However regardless of what number of additions have been made, all 32 rosters exited the draft missing in at the least one place group.
I appeared on the greatest gap on every roster now that the 2025 NFL draft is over. At this level within the offseason, a roster gap doesn’t essentially imply the place group has no clear starters. Most groups have crammed the highest of their depth charts. However loads of models have restricted depth, even after all of the wheeling and dealing.
Let’s pick one unit with remaining questions for all 32 groups, going division by division. (Most of the superior stats referenced under — together with DVOA — are defined right here.)
Bounce to a staff:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
AFC EAST
Place of want: Exterior extensive receiver
Keon Coleman had a quietly environment friendly rookie season. Though he missed 4 video games resulting from damage and had solely 29 catches for 556 yards with 4 touchdowns, Coleman ended with a wonderful receiving DVOA of 11.4% — ranked thirtieth out of 91 qualifying receivers. The Payments added Joshua Palmer in free company; he is a helpful participant with a mean DVOA and back-to-back seasons of at the least 580 receiving yards. However there isn’t any clear No. 1 choice and little or no depth behind Coleman and Palmer.
The following three receivers — Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel and Elijah Moore — are slot choices. The third-best exterior choice might be seventh-round decide Kaden Prather. The Payments ought to take into account bringing Amari Cooper again, if only for depth functions. Basic supervisor Brandon Beane may be OK with the extensive receiver depth, however it’s not optimum.
Place of want: Slot receiver
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle make a wonderful high two, however who’s the third choice? Free agent arrival Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is an out of doors receiver. Veterans Erik Ezukanma and Dee Eskridge by no means actually developed.
Proper now, the highest slot choices are two low-round draft picks from 2024. Malik Washington had 26 catches for 223 yards with no touchdowns, whereas Tahj Washington missed final season with an undisclosed damage.
Place of want: Cornerback depth
The Patriots have three beginning cornerbacks. Christian Gonzalez coated the opposition’s No. 1 choice extra typically than some other nook within the league final season, in line with FTN information charting. He is joined by veteran Carlton Davis III on the surface and Marcus Jones within the slot. However there’s an issue if accidents hit.
Alex Austin began 4 video games over the previous few seasons however is not a powerful choice. There are a few late-round draft picks — Marcellas Dial Jr. from 2024 and seventh-rounder Kobee Minor this yr. Fourth-round security Craig Woodson may have the ability to play some slot, however there is a important drop-off from the highest three.
Place of want: Quarterback
Simply because a staff thinks it has crammed a gap does not imply it is crammed. There’s a chance that free agent pickup Justin Fields will lastly fulfill his NFL potential in his fifth season. However these odds are lengthy.
Fields had his greatest season in 2024 with a 50.8 QBR, however it got here in a six-game pattern. And that QBR would have ranked twenty third within the NFL if he had thrown sufficient passes to qualify. That is higher than what the Jets bought from Aaron Rodgers final season, however it nonetheless is not good, and there’s no assure Fields can match or enhance on it. Tyrod Taylor is a superb backup, however you don’t need him beginning a whole season.
AFC NORTH
Place of want: Left guard
That is extra of a thriller projection. Andrew Vorhees fell to the seventh spherical of the 2023 draft after being injured on the mix. He missed his rookie season, then began three video games in 2024. He had a powerful 97.6% move block win fee, however the pattern dimension was small. We do not actually understand how good Vorhees is kind of but, and he is penciled in to begin. Veteran Ben Cleveland and seventh-round rookie Garrett Dellinger are his backups.
Place of want: Security
Bengals followers anticipated an improve at security in the course of the draft, however no such luck. Vonn Bell is gone, leaving Geno Stone and Jordan Battle because the starters. Each are strong in protection, however they don’t seem to be often known as massive playmakers. Stone has tackling points, too, as his damaged deal with fee of 24.2% was the third highest within the league for defenders with at the least 40 solo tackles. There’s additionally little or no depth in case of an damage. Daijahn Anthony performed solely 11 defensive snaps final season, whereas Tycen Anderson performed solely particular groups.
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Place of want: Large receiver
Jerry Jeudy is nice and simply superb as a No. 1 receiver. It is the whole lot behind him that is the difficulty. The No. 2 receiver is Cedric Tillman, who had solely 339 receiving yards in 11 video games final season. The No. 3 choice is veteran Diontae Johnson, who had a wierd 2024 during which he performed for 3 groups.
After that comes both veteran Michael Woods II, who had solely seven receptions for 65 yards final season, or Jamari Thrash, who had three receptions for 22 yards as a rookie. Behind them are return man DeAndre Carter, fourth-year participant David Bell and never a lot else.
Place of want: Quarterback
As of this writing, we nonetheless have not decided whether or not Aaron Rodgers will play in Pittsburgh this season. If he would not, Mason Rudolph is the starter.
Rudolph was surprisingly affordable for the Titans final season, and his 55.5 QBR would have ranked twentieth within the league had he thrown sufficient passes to qualify. Nonetheless, no one seems to be at Rudolph and thinks he is a starter for a playoff contender. His present backup is sixth-round rookie Will Howard.
AFC SOUTH
Place of want: Guard
The Texans have loads of guards, however are any of them good? The beginning left guard will most likely be Tytus Howard, a pure deal with who has been up-and-down when enjoying inside. Behind him is veteran Laken Tomlinson, who ranked forty fourth out of 64 ranked guards in move block win fee (91.1%) final season in Seattle.
On the precise aspect, there’s Juice Scruggs, who’s extra of a middle however did have a 93.0% move block win fee at guard final season. Veteran Ed Ingram, who ranked 54th amongst guards in move block win fee (89.8%) final season in Minnesota, is subsequent up. The Texans have thrown lots of our bodies at this place, however how a lot better will they be in contrast with final season’s debacle?
Place of want: Middle
Whereas linebacker was thought-about, the Colts’ present beginning heart is second-year man Tanor Bortolini. He began 5 video games final season however had solely a 91.3% move block win fee as a middle, far under the league common of 93.8%. His run block win fee was additionally under common. Backup Wesley French began three video games in 2023 however did not play final season resulting from an ankle damage.
Place of want: Edge rusher depth
The Jaguars have good starters in Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. However there is not a lot behind them. The Jaguars not too long ago added veteran Emmanuel Ogbah, however he is 32 and had solely 5 sacks as a full-time starter in Miami final season.
Myles Cole had no sacks as a rookie final season regardless of enjoying 11.3% of Jacksonville’s defensive snaps. Yasir Abdullah, an edge/off-ball linebacker hybrid, additionally had zero sacks final yr. The Jaguars can manufacture some depth by often shifting veteran defensive deal with Arik Armstead exterior.
Place of want: Inside linebacker
The Titans do not actually have credible inside linebackers on the roster in addition to veteran free agent addition Cody Barton. Otis Reese IV performed solely 8.4% of Tennessee’s defensive snaps final season. Second-year gamers James Williams and Cedric Grey performed 10.5% and 4.5% of defensive snaps, respectively. One of many veteran LBs nonetheless available on the market — Ja’Whaun Bentley, Kyzir White or Shaq Thompson — would match right here.
AFC WEST
Place of want: No. 2 receiver
This decide wasn’t straightforward, because the Broncos have a reputable two-deep at each spot. The perfect I may give you was the shortage of a transparent No. 2 receiver behind Courtland Sutton. The Broncos have a ton of gamers there, however no one has actually established himself as a powerful WR2.
Marvin Mims Jr. had 39 catches for 503 yards final season, whereas Devaughn Vele had 41 catches for 475 yards. There’s additionally rookie Pat Bryant, who may need bother dwelling as much as his third-round choice, together with veteran Trent Sherfield Sr. and Troy Franklin, Bo Nix‘s previous school teammate.
Place of want: Left guard
The Chiefs have robust starters in all places, as you’d anticipate from a staff that has been to a few consecutive Tremendous Bowls. The most important query is whether or not second-year man Kingsley Suamataia might be profitable at left guard after struggling at left deal with final season. If Suamataia fails there, it falls to Mike Caliendo, who carried out admirably throughout final season’s playoff run after Joe Thuney was moved to deal with.
Place of want: Exterior linebacker
The Raiders’ high exterior linebacker proper now’s Devin White, who could not get on the sector for the Eagles final season and ultimately went to the Texans, the place he began one recreation. He is recognized for overrunning performs and questionable pass-coverage instincts.
Amari Burney is behind White and performed solely 9.1% of Las Vegas’ defensive snaps final season, barely greater than Tommy Eichenberg‘s 7.2%.
Place of want: Middle
Veteran heart Bradley Bozeman ranked twenty ninth out of 33 certified facilities with a 92.0% move block win fee. The Chargers signed him to a two-year extension anyway, however they may have a greater choice behind him after signing free agent Andre James.
James has at all times had shockingly excessive move block win charges. He was at 95.7% final yr, fifth amongst facilities, and at 96.5% in 2023, second behind the Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey.
NFC EAST
Place of want: Cornerback depth
The most important gap was extensive receiver, however that was solved with the George Pickens commerce. So let’s pivot to cornerback. DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs are robust starters, however there are questions on whether or not Diggs will likely be prepared to begin the season after surgical procedure late final yr to restore cartilage injury in his left knee. There are additionally well being questions concerning the No. 3 nook, third-round rookie Shavon Revel Jr. He was considered a first-round expertise however fell due to an ACL tear.
Depth is poor if Diggs or Revel is not prepared for Week 1. Caelen Carson allowed a horrendous 98.4% protection DVOA in restricted time as a rookie, together with 10.9 yards per goal. Kaiir Elam was a first-round decide however washed out in Buffalo. Security Israel Mukuamu can line up within the slot however performed solely 18% of Dallas’ defensive snaps final season.
Place of want: Tight finish
Theo Johnson had a strong season for a fourth-round rookie, catching 29 passes for 331 yards and one landing. However the Giants want extra manufacturing than that, and Johnson is not often known as a powerful run blocker. New York wants depth as nicely, as backup Daniel Bellinger had solely 14 catches for 125 yards.
Place of want: No. 3 extensive receiver
A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith may be the perfect beginning receiver duo within the NFL, however there is a steep drop after them. The opposite receivers mixed for less than 365 receiving yards final season, led by Jahan Dotson‘s 19 catches for 216 yards. The one newcomer is former Panthers receiver Terrace Marshall Jr., who had simply three catches and 41 yards for the Raiders final season.
Place of want: Linebacker depth
It is a good factor the Commanders not often play base protection (solely 13% of the time final season), as a result of their linebacker depth is horrible. There will likely be issues if Frankie Luvu or Bobby Wagner suffers an damage, because the backups are second-year gamers who have been fifth-round picks: Dominique Hampton and Jordan Magee. Hampton did not play a defensive snap final season, whereas Magee performed solely 15. The Commanders additionally added Kain Medrano within the sixth spherical.
NFC NORTH
Place of want: Linebacker depth
The Bears haven’t got a transparent No. 3 linebacker. Their No. 3 ‘backer from final season (Jack Sanborn) is now in Dallas. That leaves little or no behind veterans T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds.
Fourth-round rookie Ruben Hyppolite II may be counted on instantly, a troublesome ask for a participant drafted far forward of the place he was projected to go. Different choices embody Amen Ogbongbemiga, who performed solely 15 defensive snaps final season, and Noah Sewell, who performed simply 5.
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Place of want: Edge rusher depth
After all of the accidents they suffered final season, it was a shock that the Lions did not draft an edge rusher till Ahmed Hassanein within the sixth spherical. Can the Lions preserve an edge rusher rotation wholesome behind Aidan Hutchinson — assuming Hutchinson himself can keep wholesome?
Marcus Davenport has performed solely six video games the previous two seasons. Al-Quadin Muhammad is 30 years previous, although he had three sacks in 9 video games in 2024. Josh Paschal has solely 5 sacks in three seasons. The remainder of the depth chart is made up of road free brokers.
Place of want: Edge rusher
Rashan Gary was the one Packers edge rusher with at the least 5 sacks final season. Lukas Van Ness, the staff’s 2023 first-round decide, has been a disappointment — he is penciled in as a starter regardless of having solely seven sacks in his first two seasons.
Neither Kingsley Enagbare nor Brenton Cox Jr. has a lot upside, however they mixed for 9.5 sacks final season. Fourth-round rookie Barryn Sorrell didn’t fare nicely in our SackSEER projections, with a projection of solely eight sacks over 5 seasons.
Place of want: Cornerback
Byron Murphy Jr. is again after a wonderful season during which he ranked seventh within the league in my protection DVOA metric. However you want three beginning cornerbacks within the NFL, plus depth behind them. Proper now, the opposite two starters could be Mekhi Blackmon and Isaiah Rodgers.
Blackmon missed final season with a torn ACL and had a below-average 9.8% protection DVOA as a rookie in 2023. Rodgers was good with the Eagles final season however began solely three video games. Behind them are Jeff Okudah, a onetime excessive draft decide who performed solely 7% of Houston’s defensive snaps final season, and Tavierre Thomas, a 29-year-old slot nook who performed solely 4% of Tampa Bay’s defensive snaps in 2024.
NFC SOUTH
Place of want: Line of defense
Atlanta has three clear starters for its 3-4 scheme, however how a lot ought to the Falcons belief these gamers? Atlanta ranked twenty sixth in run cease win fee final season.
Now, the Falcons are changing Grady Jarrett with Morgan Fox, who turns 31 in September. David Onyemata wasn’t spectacular final season and turns 33 in November. The staff is relying on 2024 second-round decide Ruke Orhorhoro, the third starter, to step up at nostril deal with, however he performed solely 13.3% of Atlanta’s defensive snaps as a rookie. And third-year participant Zach Harrison — who must be a backup — hasn’t lived as much as his potential but. This group additionally struggles dashing the passer, because it mixed for 7.5 sacks a yr in the past.
Place of want: Cornerback
Carolina has all types of nook questions. Jaycee Horn is not any drawback when wholesome, however 2024 was the primary time he performed 14 or extra video games in a season. Veteran Michael Jackson struggled final season, rating 79th out of 93 qualifying cornerbacks in protection DVOA and ninetieth in yards allowed per goal. Nickelback Chau Smith-Wade had good charting numbers as a rookie however in a really small pattern dimension, as he performed solely 25% of defensive snaps.
The principle depth consists of Akayleb Evans, who did not work out in Minnesota, and Shemar Bartholomew, who performed solely 17 defensive snaps final season.
Place of want: Edge rusher
The Saints ranked thirtieth in move rush win fee final season and did not add a lot to their move rush this offseason. Veterans Chase Younger and Carl Granderson are nonetheless starters after getting 5.5 sacks every a yr in the past. Cameron Jordan continues to be right here, too, however he’s going to be 36 years previous and had solely 4.5 sacks in 2024.
Isaiah Foskey has by no means lived as much as his second-round billing, with zero sacks in two seasons. The brand new gamers are Jonah Williams, who bounced between three rosters final season and had no sacks, and seventh-round rookie Fadil Diggs.
Place of want: Inside linebacker
Lavonte David continues to be actually good, however he is 35 years previous. The larger query is who will likely be enjoying subsequent to him now that Okay.J. Britt is gone. The Bucs signed Anthony Walker Jr., however he was a little bit of a disappointment final season for Miami. One other chance is third-year man SirVocea Dennis, however he performed solely 4 video games final season. Veteran Deion Jones appeared in two video games for the Bucs, his fourth staff in 4 seasons.
NFC WEST
Place of want: Inside linebacker
The departure of Kyzir White, who wore the inexperienced dot final season, underlines the Cardinals’ linebacker questions. Final season marked Mack Wilson Sr.’s first as a full-time starter since 2019. So there is not a protracted monitor report of success. Taking part in subsequent to him will likely be Akeem Davis-Gaither, who began double-digit video games for the primary time final season however has had tackling points previously.
The backups are third-year man Owen Pappoe and fourth-round rookie Cody Simon, who led Ohio State in tackles in 2024.
Place of want: No. 3 extensive receiver
Davante Adams was a big addition, however the departures of Cooper Kupp and Demarcus Robinson produced a web lack of one beginning extensive receiver. Tutu Atwell is now the No. 3 choice. He had a strong 2024 with 11.7% receiving DVOA to go together with 42 catches for 562 yards, however he isn’t considered a beginning choice across the league. And the depth behind him is poor.
Jordan Whittington had 22 catches for 293 yards as a sixth-round rookie in 2024, however Xavier Smith had solely two catches for six yards. The Rams did not draft a receiver till choosing Konata Mumpfield in Spherical 7. Los Angeles won’t want a No. 3 receiver that always, although, as drafting Terrance Ferguson in Spherical 2 signifies extra two-TE personnel groupings.
Place of want: Exterior linebacker
Fred Warner is a future Corridor of Famer, however he wants assist. Dee Winters earned blended evaluations whereas subbing for the injured Dre Greenlaw, and the third linebacker for base protection will most likely be undersized third-round rookie Nick Martin.
The backup in any respect three positions is Luke Gifford, a six-year veteran who turns 30 earlier than the season. He has solely 5 profession begins and performed on below 20% of Tennessee’s defensive snaps final season.
Place of want: Middle
The Seahawks drafted Gray Zabel within the first spherical to play left guard, however they nonetheless want extra at heart. Olu Oluwatimi is slated to begin at heart and was under common final season in move block win fee (92.4% vs. NFL heart common of 93.8%) and particularly in run block win fee (64.5% vs. NFL heart common of 72.8%). Except final yr’s third-round draft decide, Christian Haynes, can transfer to heart, the backups are undrafted free brokers Jalen Sundell and Federico Maranges.
