With the NFL draft and free agency completed, many questions have been answered regarding depth charts across the league.
The calendar has turned to May, and Desmond Ridder and Sam Howell remain QB1 for the Falcons and Commanders, respectively. But did those teams address glaring holes on the roster to assist their inexperienced quarterbacks?
Also, did teams hear the outcries from their respective fan bases to fill a certain need through the draft or free agency? Titans brass probably did, but that didn’t force them to draft a wide receiver early. Tennessee GM Ran Carthon and coach Mike Vrabel hilariously waved at the TV cameras inside their war room after drafting a tight end to start Day 3 of the draft, with the wide receiver selection eventually arriving in the seventh round.
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Every team has a blueprint for addressing holes on the roster, and most wait until the draft instead of splurging in free agency.
As we head into organized team activities and mandatory minicamps, let’s assess which position holes remain for all 32 teams.
Arizona Cardinals
Biggest needs: OL, RB, DL, ILB, CB
The arrival of rookie Paris Johnson Jr. won’t solve all of Arizona’s problems on the offensive line. After finding a role for Johnson—the Cardinals also have tackles D.J. Humphries and Kelvin Beachum—they’ll need to find competition for new center Hjalte Froholdt. James Conner and Corey Clement might not offer enough juice in the backfield, especially for a team that might start quarterback Colt McCoy for most of the season with Kyler Murray recovering from a torn ACL. As for the defensive side, there’s not enough space here to address Arizona’s laundry list of needs. They lack pass rushers and players who can cover. —Gilberto Manzano
Atlanta Falcons
Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports
Biggest needs: QB, WR, edge
The Falcons have a standout offensive trio with Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts and Drake London, but they’re in need of more pass catchers. Mack Hollins and Scotty Miller as the No. 2 and No. 3 wideout options isn’t ideal for Ridder, who might not be the answer under center in his second year out of Cincinnati. The Falcons took a gamble passing on a quarterback in the draft. Atlanta improved its defensive line with free-agency additions Calais Campbell and David Onyemata, but they need more as one of the worst pass-rushing teams in the league last season with only 21 sacks. —G.M.
Baltimore Ravens
Biggest needs: CB, edge, DT
It’s a rare time when the Ravens aren’t loaded defensively, but the present is such a time. Baltimore has stacked the offense by extending quarterback Lamar Jackson, drafting receiver Zay Flowers and signing Odell Beckham Jr. However, general manager Eric DeCosta did little to bolster the defense, and it could be an issue. The Ravens didn’t bring back a litany of veteran defenders hitting free agency, including corner Marcus Peters, edge rushers Justin Houston and Jason Pierre-Paul, and defensive end Calais Campbell, who signed with the Falcons. If Peters, Houston and Pierre-Paul aren’t re-signed, the Ravens will have problems across the defense. —Matt Verderame
Buffalo Bills
Biggest needs: MLB, WR, RT
The Bills are still one of the top Super Bowl contenders, but the roster is starting to show some issues. Buffalo lost Pro Bowl linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and didn’t replace him. It also failed to add another starting-caliber receiver, leaving the Bills with Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis and little else in the way of proven talent on the perimeter. Beyond the offense, there’s a question about the defensive tackles now and into the future. If Ed Oliver isn’t going to get an extension, the Bills should be backfilling now with either a multiyear veteran or a younger talent who could see a rotation. —M.V.
Carolina Panthers
Biggest needs: ILB, CB
The Panthers might have a sneaky good offense with quality starters across the depth chart. Rookie quarterback Bryce Young won’t have Pro Bowlers at every position, but a stout offensive line with savvy playmakers might make them competitive next season. The defensive side has the better talent with Brian Burns, Jaycee Horn and Derrick Brown, but they need playmakers at linebacker and perhaps at No. 2 cornerback if Donte Jackson isn’t ready by Week 1 because of his Achilles injury. —G.M.
Chicago Bears
Biggest needs: OL, DL, CB
The Bears’ issues on the offensive line and defensive line weren’t going to be solved with one draft class, but GM Ryan Poles delivered building blocks with offensive tackle Darnell Wright and defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. There’s more work to be done on the defensive front with inexperienced players at edge rusher and on the interior of the defensive line. Poles loaded up on future draft picks to continue his lengthy rebuild in the trenches. Chicago has quality safeties with Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker, but they’re hurting at cornerback. —G.M.
Cincinnati Bengals
Biggest needs: RT, TE
Few teams are more loaded than the Bengals, who seemingly have found talent over the past few years across the roster. Cincinnati signed left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. this offseason, and replaced the departing safety duo of Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell with Nick Scott and the ascension of 2022 first-round pick Dax Hill. If there are any issues, it’s at right tackle with Jonah Williams wanting a trade and La’el Collins coming off a late-season torn ACL. Finally, who is going to step up at tight end? Irv Smith Jr. is a nice talent with upside, but he’s never registered more than 365 yards in a season due to injuries. —M.V.
Cleveland Browns
Biggest needs: DT, edge, CB
While the Browns have an excellent offense on paper, the defense is a question at almost every level. In the draft, Cleveland didn’t select until the third round after trading away a horde of draft picks in exchange for quarterback Deshaun Watson. Outside of Denzel Ward and first-round pick Greg Newsome II, the corner room is quite thin. The Browns also need to aggressively attack a deeper rotation on the edge, with Myles Garrett and nobody else who keeps offensive coordinators awake at night. A partner for Dalvin Tomlinson on the defensive interior would be a welcome sight as well. —M.V.
Dallas Cowboys
Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports
Biggest needs: TE, LG, DT
The Cowboys are counting on the tight end duo of Jake Ferguson, who had 19 catches last season, and Luke Schoonmaker, the team’s second-round pick. That might not be enough to replicate the production of Dalton Schultz, who joined the Texans in free agency. Chuma Edoga, who has started a combined one game the past two seasons, might be the front-runner for the starting vacancy at left guard. Dallas might have reached for defensive tackle Mazi Smith in the first round, but it needed help in the interior and could still use another veteran at the position. —G.M.
Denver Broncos
Biggest needs: IOL, edge, CB
The Broncos were limited in their ability to make moves this offseason after trading for coach Sean Payton while still paying for the Russell Wilson deal. In the draft, Denver did little to address its biggest needs, including replenishing the edge rush lost after it dealt away Bradley Chubb to the Dolphins at last year’s trade deadline. General manager George Paton also needs to shore up the offensive line, which added left guard Ben Powers but has real questions at center and right guard. Finally, other than the amazing play of Patrick Surtain II, the corner room is a bit thin on proven talent. —M.V.
Detroit Lions
Biggest needs: WR, DL
Analysis: With Jameson Williams serving a six-game suspension to start the season, quarterback Jared Goff is in need of another pass catcher behind No. 1 option Amon-Ra St. Brown. The arrivals of running back Jahmyr Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta might be enough to keep the team afloat. Detroit made the head-scratching decision to draft inside linebacker Jack Campbell at No. 18 instead of adding defensive line help for Aidan Hutchinson, the 2022 first-round pick. The Lions got better in the back end of the defense, but they neglected the thin defensive front. —G.M.
Green Bay Packers
Biggest needs: WR, OL
The Packers’ receiving corps is promising with Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and rookie Jayden Reed, but quarterback Jordan Love is missing a veteran wideout, a playmaker he can count on for critical third downs. Green Bay might regret not prioritizing the offensive line in the draft after the unit struggled last season. Also, left tackle David Bakhtiari hasn’t completed a season since 2019. —G.M.
Houston Texans
Biggest needs: WR, OLB, OL
It’s been a long three years for the Texans, but there might be an end to their misery in sight. Houston finally took control of its future with the consecutive picks of quarterback C.J. Stroud and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. in the first round. However, the holes are still aplenty throughout the roster. For starters, the Texans need to find a star receiver for Stroud after trading veteran Brandin Cooks to the Cowboys earlier this offseason. Houston also must upgrade the defense, specifically on the back two levels. —M.V.
Indianapolis Colts
Biggest needs: OL, WR, CB
The Colts are finally trying to find long-term fixes to their offense. In the draft, Indianapolis used its first-round pick on quarterback Anthony Richardson, but his weapons on the outside are mediocre. While Michael Pittman Jr. is a quality target, Alec Pierce, Isaiah McKenzie and rookie Josh Downs are all wild cards. Furthermore, the offensive line is a huge concern. Left tackle is especially worrisome with Bernhard Raimann protecting Richardson’s blind side. The interior has guard Quenton Nelson and center Ryan Kelly, but Indianapolis’s front was atrocious last year, allowing more sacks (60) than anybody except the Broncos. —M.V.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Biggest needs: edge, CB, S
The Jaguars had one of the more perplexing drafts, leaving them still with many needs. Jacksonville’s offense should be one of the best in 2023, but the defense has questions galore. For starters, who is the shutdown corner of the group? The Jaguars are putting a ton of faith in the trio of Tre Herndon, Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams. The edge rush is also a potential issue, with Josh Allen and little else in the way of a threat. Jacksonville should absolutely consider upgrades on the open market such as veteran pass-rushers Frank Clark, Houston and Pierre-Paul, among others. —M.V.
Kansas City Chiefs
Jay Biggerstaff/USA TODAY Sports
Biggest needs: RT, WR
The defending champion Chiefs are loaded once more, but receiver has to be a clear concern. Kansas City traded for former first-round pick Kadarius Toney last year and signed veteran Richie James in free agency, but this is juxtaposed by the loss of JuJu Smith-Schuster. Are Toney and James enough to bolster an otherwise middling group, along with second-round rookie Rashee Rice? The Chiefs’ other main question is at right tackle. The rest of the offensive line is fantastic, but the right edge will be a training camp battle between third-rounder Wayna Morris and Lucas Niang, who missed most of last year recovering from a knee injury. —M.V.
Las Vegas Raiders
Biggest needs: CB, OL, QB
If the Raiders are ever going to compete in the AFC West, it starts with building a far better defense. Las Vegas hasn’t addressed the secondary in a significant way, leaving the corner room to be led by Nate Hobbs. In a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, that’s not enough. Offensively, the line remains a problem. Left tackle Kolton Miller has developed into a nice piece, but the rest of the group is full of questions. In the draft, Las Vegas didn’t take meaningful strides to improve up front ahead of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who is a placeholder. —M.V.
Los Angeles Chargers
Biggest needs: DL, LB, RB
The Chargers are going to have tough decisions ahead, and it starts with figuring out how to eventually replace running back Austin Ekeler. Ekeler is entering the final year of his deal, and nobody behind him on the depth chart has shown the slightest hint of being able to produce at the veteran’s level. Los Angeles also needs to upgrade at linebacker. The Chargers lost Kyle Van Noy in free agency and are currently relying on Eric Kendricks and Kenneth Murray to man the second level. Kendricks struggled mightily last year with the Vikings, while Murray has been a disappointment since being a 2020 first-round pick. —M.V.
Los Angeles Rams
Biggest needs: DL, ILB, CB, S
The Rams desperately need experienced defensive players to help All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald. Los Angeles is counting on Day 2 picks Byron Young and Kobie Turner to make an immediate impact on the defensive line. The Rams prioritized the secondary in the draft last season, but cornerbacks Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick might not be ready to make the leap in 2023. The defense needs plenty of work, but the offense appears in good shape with the addition of guard Steve Avila to help quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp. —G.M.
Miami Dolphins
Biggest needs: OL, edge
Few general managers have done more work to upgrade their roster than Chris Grier has for the Dolphins over the past three years. In that time, Grier has drafted quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, receiver Jaylen Waddle, safety Jevon Holland, edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and others, while trading for corner Jalen Ramsey and receiver Tyreek Hill. Still, Miami needs help at right tackle and left guard along its front. Edge is also listed not because Phillips and Bradley Chubb aren’t good, but because the production was only middling last year. The Dolphins need Phillips to take the proverbial next step while Chubb stays healthy and produces. —M.V.
Minnesota Vikings
Biggest needs: OL, IDL, ILB
Outside of left tackle Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill, most of the Vikings’ offensive linemen struggled last season, especially the interior. Minnesota passed on drafting offensive linemen with hopes of their current unit improving this season. That might backfire, but the Vikings also had many needs defensively, which they addressed after selecting wide receiver Jordan Addison in the first round. The secondary looks better with cornerback Mekhi Blackmon and safety Jay Ward, but there’s a massive hole on the interior of the defensive line with the free-agency departure of Dalvin Tomlinson. —G.M.
New England Patriots
Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports
Biggest needs: WR, OT, QB
Patriots fans might not like the reality, but quarterback is absolutely one of the team’s biggest needs until proved otherwise. New England would be wise to bring in a veteran reserve such as Teddy Bridgewater, who can step in and help the offense score 20 points if Mac Jones struggles again. New England is also without a star receiver, despite the three-year deal handed out in free agency to Smith-Schuster. The Patriots are one of the better defensive teams in football, but the offense is a problem, including the tackle spots. —M.V.
New Orleans Saints
Biggest needs: OG, edge, CB
With the team declining the fifth-year option for right guard Cesar Ruiz, it’s somewhat surprising the Saints waited until the fourth round to draft Nick Saldiveri. Also, left guard Andrus Peat is coming off a subpar season. Isaiah Foskey, a second-round pick, will likely be asked to make an immediate impact as the No. 2 pass rusher behind Cam Jordan. New Orleans also needs a reliable No. 2 cornerback to pair with Marshon Lattimore. —G.M.
New York Giants
Biggest needs: OG, S
The Giants got it right drafting John Michael Schmitz to become the new starting center. Now they need upgrades at guard after an inconsistent season from Mark Glowinski at right guard. Also, Shane Lemieux, who has only two combined starts in the past two seasons, might be penciled in as the starting left guard. New York might have gotten a steal drafting cornerback Deonte Banks at No. 25, but it still needs help at safety. —G.M.
New York Jets
Biggest needs: OT, TE
Looking at the Jets’ depth chart, New York is one of the league’s more complete teams. In the draft, general manager Joe Douglas added edge rusher Will McDonald IV, along with center Joe Lippmann in the second round. The big concern, still, is who will protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the edges? New York can’t fake enthusiasm about fourth-year tackle Mekhi Becton, whom they declined the fifth-year option. The other area to watch is tight end. C.J. Uzomah is a quality player, and Tyler Conklin had 58 receptions for 522 yards in 2022. Both will be counted on by Rodgers when teams double cover receiver Garrett Wilson. They will need to consistently beat man coverage and work underneath in zone. —M.V.
Philadelphia Eagles
Biggest need: ILB
The Eagles took a hit with free-agency departures, but quickly recovered with a star-studded draft class headlined by first-round picks Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith from Georgia. The lone hole on Philadelphia’s depth chart might be at inside linebacker with second-year player Nakobe Dean being thrust into a starting role. Perhaps safety is a concern, but the Eagles added a mix of veterans (Terrell Edmunds) and rookies (Sydney Brown) to replace C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps. —G.M.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Biggest needs: CB, ILB
Nobody had a better draft than the Steelers, which addressed multiple needs without reaching. The AFC North runs through the Bengals and Ravens, but Pittsburgh could considerably close the gap if it can find a post–June 1 corner to sign, playing them alongside rookie Joey Porter Jr. and veteran Patrick Peterson. The Steelers should also be trying to upgrade at the defense’s second level. Pittsburgh has a tremendous edge rush led by T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, but the combination of Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts is serviceable but nothing more. —M.V.
San Francisco 49ers
Biggest needs: OL, edge, CB
San Francisco has plenty of uncertainty on the offensive line outside of star left tackle Trent Williams. With Super Bowl aspirations and questions at starting quarterback, the 49ers might ask throughout the season why they didn’t prioritize the offensive line in the offseason. But Trey Lance, who will start until Brock Purdy recovers from his arm injury, will have the benefit of playing with “YAC” monsters Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey. Star edge rusher Nick Bosa could also use an experienced No. 2 pass rusher. —G.M.
Seattle Seahawks
Biggest needs: TE, IOL, edge
The Seahawks are set at wideout with the arrival of Jaxon Smith-Njigba to go with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Quarterback Geno Smith, however, needs more production from tight ends Noah Fant and Will Dissly. Interior offensive line could also be an issue with mixed results last season. Also, edge rusher appears thin after Uchenna Nwosu, but perhaps second-round pick Derick Hall will help with that. —G.M.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
Biggest needs: QB, RB, OL, edge
Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask might not be the long-term answer at quarterback, but at least one—probably Mayfield—will get an opportunity to prove that notion wrong this season. The Buccaneers surprisingly passed on drafting a running back after averaging a league-low 76.9 rushing yards per game. The Buccaneers drafted guard Cody Mauch, but they still have uncertainty on the offensive line after a forgetful season for the starting unit. Tampa Bay improved the interior of the defensive line with the first-round selection of Calijah Kancey, but Shaquil Barrett might be the only quality edge rusher on the roster. —G.M.
Tennessee Titans
Biggest needs: OT, WR, LB
The Titans addressed their offense in the draft, selecting offensive lineman Peter Skoronski, quarterback Will Levis and running back Tyjae Spears in the first three rounds. However, general manager Ran Carthon still has ample holes to fill over the coming months, including more help along the offensive line. Carthon’s biggest issue might prove to be the passing game. Starting QB Ryan Tannehill is limited, and the receivers aren’t inspiring beyond second-year wideout Treylon Burks. Defensively, the Titans have to be concerned about their linebackers, specifically after losing David Long Jr. in free agency. —M.V.
Washington Commanders
With coach Ron Rivera entering a critical fourth season in Washington, he’s putting plenty of stock in second-year quarterback Sam Howell, who made only one start last season. The Commanders passed on drafting a quarterback and are banking on Howell making major improvements with a talented supporting cast. Washington addressed many needs through the draft and free agency. It’s an impressive roster, but Washington could use another playmaker at linebacker. —G.M.
