The NFL season will formally kick off on Sept. 4. This week, Yardbarker’s NFL writers received collectively to uncover the “hidden flaw” every staff continues to be trying to deal with earlier than Week 1.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton III.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Photos
DALLAS COWBOYS | Lack of QB depth | Head coach Brian Schottenheimer needed to seek out out what the Cowboys had in backup QB Joe Milton III. Seems, not a lot. The previous New England Patriots backup has thrown for simply 265 yards, a pair of interceptions and a single landing throughout two preseason video games. If Dak Prescott had been to go down, like he did for many of final season, the Cowboys gained’t have a signal-caller who can hold them from spiraling.
NEW YORK GIANTS | Skinny broad receiver room | Malik Nabers proved in his rookie 12 months that he’s among the best receivers within the league after recording 109 receptions for 1,204 yards. The remainder of the broad receiver room, nonetheless, was not as inspiring. Darius Slayton, Jaylin Hyatt and Wan’Dale Robinson had a mixed 1,334 receiving yards. Nabers is the engine of this passing assault, and with out him, the Giants’ offense isn’t a risk by means of the air.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | Unequal cornerback pairing | There aren’t many flaws within the reigning Tremendous Bowl champs’ roster, however the query of who performs nook reverse Quinyon Mitchell continues to be a regarding one. Kelee Ringo, Jakorian Bennett and ex-Big Adoree’ Jackson have but to say the No. 2 CB function this summer time. Jackson will probably get the nod as a nine-year veteran, however pairing the 57th-best cornerback, per Pro Football Focus, with the Thirty third-best in Mitchell creates an unequal duo that offenses can exploit.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | Subpar defensive position | Quarterback Jayden Daniels will proceed to cover most flaws all through Washington’s roster, however the lack of expertise within the defensive trenches is evident. The Commanders’ defensive position was ranked 31st in the NFL by PFF, a part of a unit that gave up 2,337 rushing yards final season, and the one addition to the staff’s entrance this offseason was journeyman Carl Davis. They misplaced their 2024 sack chief, Dante Fowler Jr. (10.5 sacks), in free company to a staff they’ll see twice this season — the Cowboys.
— Conor Killmurray
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers broad receiver Jauan Jennings.
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ARIZONA CARDINALS | Receiving corps |
The Cardinals want second-year WR Marvin Harrison Jr. to interrupt out after recording 885 receiving yards in 17 video games in 2024. Arizona’s WR room appears skinny heading into 2025. The staff has posted a below-average 61.5 receiving grade by means of two preseason video games, via Pro Football Focus.
LOS ANGELES RAMS | Secondary | The Rams’ secondary might be their largest defensive gap. In 2024, L.A. ranked twentieth within the league in passing yards allowed (223.1). Surprisingly, the Rams didn’t choose a nook within the 2025 NFL Draft.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | WR depth | The 49ers acquired WR Skyy Moore in a commerce with the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday, however that doesn’t resolve the WR points. The 2022 second-rounder had one TD catch in three seasons with the Chiefs. WR Brandon Aiyuk (knee) isn’t expected to return until Week 6, and fellow WR Jauan Jennings is battling a calf challenge.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | TE room |
Rookie TE Elijah Arroyo has recorded simply 4 receptions for 33 yards by means of two preseason video games. Beginning TE AJ Barner had simply 245 receiving yards in 17 video games throughout his rookie season in 2024.
— Clark Dalton
NFC North
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker.
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photos
CHICAGO BEARS | Newness on either side of the ball |
There’s a ton of hype surrounding first-year head coach Ben Johnson in Chicago, nevertheless it wouldn’t be a shock if the Bears begin sluggish with a brand new HC, offensive coordinator (Declan Doyle) and defensive coordinator (Dennis Allen). Not solely does Caleb Williams should be taught and grasp Johnson’s sophisticated offense rapidly—he additionally has to construct chemistry with rookie broad receiver Luther Burden III and rookie tight finish Colston Loveland.
DETROIT LIONS | Backup quarterback |
The Lions will as soon as once more have probably the most explosive offenses within the NFL, however they desperately want Jared Goff to remain wholesome as a result of the choices behind him are worrisome. Hendon Hooker has tried solely 9 passes within the NFL and has simply 117 passing yards and two touchdowns within the preseason, and Kyle Allen is a profession backup with a 7-12 file and practically as many interceptions (21) as TD passes (26).
GREEN BAY PACKERS | Extensive receiver drops | Final season, Jordan Love misplaced 28.2 EPA (Anticipated Factors Added) resulting from broad receiver errors on third and fourth down, which was the worst mark for any NFL quarterback since 2020. Love must get extra assist from his receivers in 2025, and the Packers are hoping rookie first-round decide Matthew Golden will lead that cost.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS | Security protection | The Vikings are loaded on protection, however opposing offenses are going to check this security room early and sometimes. Harrison Smith is 36 years previous and flirted with retirement within the offseason. Josh Metellus ranked a hundred and twentieth out of 171 safeties in PFF protection grade (55.0) final 12 months and the backup choices are younger and inexperienced.
— Jack Dougherty
NFC South
Carolina Panthers guard Robert Hunt.
Jim Dedmon-Imagn Photos
ATLANTA FALCONS | Working again depth |
Bijan Robinson is a stud, and Tyler Allgeier is a strong, if unspectacular, RB2, however the choices behind the duo are troubling. Nate Carter, a 2025 undrafted free agent, is likely to be the best choice, with fellow backups Jashaun Corbin and Elijah Dotson combining for 11 yards on 15 carries (0.7 yards per try) this preseason.
CAROLINA PANTHERS | Move safety |
In March 2024, the Panthers invested mightily of their offensive line, signing guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis to offers with $89.215 million in ensures. These signings haven’t paid dividends — Carolina’s offensive line ranked thirtieth in ESPN’s pass-block win charge rankings in 2024 — and the unit has had a tough preseason, permitting three sacks and 16 whole pressures over the primary two weeks.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | Tackling |
The Saints, who sat their defensive starters in opposition to the Jaguars in preseason Week 2, missed a number of tackles within the 17-17 tie. New Orleans was one of many league’s worst tackling groups a season in the past, and it doesn’t bode nicely that, if referred to as upon, second-string defenders are more likely to proceed the troubling development.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | Kick returns |
The Bucs offense is among the league’s finest, which may masks a possible kick return deficiency. Tampa has averaged simply 21 yards per kickoff return this preseason, which ranks thirtieth within the league, forward of solely the Bears (18.8 yards per return) and Panthers (18 yards per return), per Pro Football Focus data.
— Eric Smithling
AFC East
Buffalo Payments defensive finish Michael Hoecht.
Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photos
BUFFALO BILLS | Absentee pass-rushers | Maybe extra forgotten than hidden, early-season suspensions to edge rushers Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi may exacerbate Buffalo’s extra apparent issues within the secondary. Hoecht has regarded particularly good in camp, however a subpar cross rush within the staff’s first six video games may expose gamers like security Cole Bishop and cornerback Tre’Davious White, who’ve struggled within the preseason.
MIAMI DOLPHINS | Working again depth | The Dolphins have secondary issues as nicely, particularly after shedding cornerback Kader Kohou for the season with an ACL tear, however the operating again place appears fairly skinny with De’Von Achane nursing a calf harm. The staff has vowed to be cautious with their No. 1 rusher, and for good cause, contemplating backup Jaylen Wright averaged simply 3.7 yards per carry for 249 yards and no scores as a rookie in 2024.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Turnover differential |
The addition of Stefon Diggs ought to bolster New England’s underwhelming group of broad receivers, however the four-time Professional Bowler gained’t do something for the staff’s Twenty ninth-ranked turnover differential (-11) in 2025. Mike Vrabel’s Titans led the league with a (+11) differential in 2020, however the Patriots’ new head coach couldn’t do any higher than (-3) in his final three seasons with Tennessee.
NEW YORK JETS | Penalties |
Saturday’s 1-of-5 efficiency by new beginning quarterback Justin Fields apart, New York’s largest flaw hides contained in the referee’s pocket. Per Statmuse, no staff was referred to as for extra penalties (137) for extra yards (1,134) final season than the Jets, who path solely the Cowboys (570) with 556 penalties over the previous 5 years.
— Bruce Ewing
AFC West
Denver Broncos tight finish Evan Engram.
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Photos
DENVER BRONCOS | Lack of TE depth |
Regardless of lacking eight video games due to shoulder and hamstring accidents in 2024, the Broncos nonetheless signed former Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram in free company. Denver wants the two-time Professional Bowler to remain wholesome in 2025. TE Adam Trautman had 188 receiving yards in 17 video games final season, whereas fellow TE Lucas Krull logged 152 receiving yards in 13 video games.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Secondary |
Apart from 2023 first-team All-Professional Trent McDuffie, the Chiefs are skinny at cornerback. Kansas Metropolis ranked 18th within the NFL in passing yards allowed final season (218.8). The Chiefs signed CB Kristian Fulton in free company, however he allowed a career-high 5 landing catches in 15 video games with the Chargers final season, per Pro Football Reference.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Move-rush |
EDGE Khalil Mack may begin slowing in 2025 after turning 34 on Feb. 22. The Chargers took South Carolina Gamecocks EDGE Kyle Kennard (decide No.125) within the 2025 NFL Draft. Nevertheless, he has no sacks by means of three preseason video games.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Move blocking | New Raiders QB Geno Smith might be on the run this season. The Raiders tied for seventh within the league in sacks allowed (50) in 2024, and their cross blocking doesn’t look improved. Pro Football Focus gave Vegas a 54.1 pass-block grade by means of its first two preseason video games, twenty third within the NFL.
— Clark Dalton
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers operating again Jaylen Warren.
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BALTIMORE RAVENS | Lack of offensive line depth |
As dominant because the Ravens’ floor recreation may be, their offensive line nonetheless isn’t one in all their largest strengths and their depth is even shakier. If one thing had been to occur to beginning tackles Ronnie Stanley or Roger Rosengarten, the Ravens don’t have a longtime participant behind them, whereas third-round decide Emery Jones has but to play within the preseason.
CINCINNATI BENGALS | Offensive line |
The Bengals’ protection is unhealthy and goes to be worse with out Trey Hendrickson, we all know that. However there’s one other huge concern brewing on the staff’s power – offense – on the subject of the offensive line and their means to maintain quarterback Joe Burrow upright. The trio of Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins wants to hold this staff, and if Burrow doesn’t have time to cross the ball – or takes too many hits – there are going to be huge issues.
CLEVELAND BROWNS | Cornerback depth |
We all know the Browns have considerations all around the offense, however some defensive considerations are additionally beginning to lurk, particularly on the subject of their cornerback depth. Martin Emerson’s coaching camp harm was an enormous blow to that unit, and whereas Denzel Ward is among the league’s higher cornerbacks, he’s additionally vulnerable to lacking time all through a season.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Working recreation | The Steelers wish to be a operating staff, and are constructed to be a operating recreation, however thus far within the preseason and coaching camp, their operating recreation has failed to realize any kind of traction. If that doesn’t change when the common season begins, their offense goes to be simply as inept because it’s been over the previous two years, if no more.
— Adam Gretz
AFC South
Houston Texans operating again Joe Mixon.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Photos
HOUSTON TEXANS | Working again sturdiness |
Joe Mixon was higher than anticipated in his first season in Houston final 12 months, however the 29-year-old missed a while with an ankle harm. He has handled one other ankle harm in the course of the preseason and isn’t a lock to play in Week 1. The Texans signed Nick Chubb (who can be 29) this offseason to function the backup behind Mixon, and his prolonged harm historical past is well-documented.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | | Move rush means |
The Colts have a gifted defensive entrance that options three former first-round picks in DeForest Buckner, Laiatu Latu and Kwity Paye, however they did a poor job of getting after the quarterback final season. Indy had simply 36 sacks as a staff in 2024, which ranked 26th in the NFL. It stays to be seen if second-round defensive finish JT Tuimoloau could make an affect as a rookie.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Lack of WR depth |
Brian Robinson Jr. had an excellent rookie season with 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns, however he’s the one confirmed wideout on Jacksonville’s roster. Whereas No. 2 general decide Travis Hunter has super upside, there is no such thing as a assure he’ll make a huge effect in his first 12 months. The Jaguars additionally traded Christian Kirk and do not need one other WR on their roster with greater than 30 catches in a season.
TENNESSEE TITANS | | Linebacker expertise | The Titans made a pleasant addition after they signed Cody Barton, who has 100 or extra tackles in every of the final three seasons. Outdoors of him, they’ve virtually no linebacker expertise. As PFF notes, Tennessee had 5 linebackers who performed not less than 200 snaps final season, and all have since left the staff.
— Steve DelVecchio
