The 2017 NFL season isn’t far away, so it’s time for Niner Noise to take a look around the league to see what’s on tap — strengths, weaknesses and X-factors — for all 32 teams as they prepare for Week 1.
The 2017 NFL Draft is now in the rear-view mirror, and each team around the league is now gearing up for the regular season campaign to commence this September.
Offseasons are funny things. No matter how bad last year was, each new year ushers in a sense of hope and promise for the upcoming campaign.
Considering the NFL’s parity, it’s entirely possible a 2-14 team — like the San Francisco 49ers, for example, can wind up contending for a playoff spot the following year.
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OK, so that might be a stretch. But it wouldn’t be a complete shocker either.
What about the rest of the league? How are the remaining 31 teams across the NFL looking at what’s on tap for the upcoming season?
Niner Noise takes an early look at all 32 teams’ strengths, weaknesses and X-factors heading into 2017. Sure, a number of things will change between now and Week 1. Rosters will go through some shakeups. Players rise and fall. And we can never overlook the very real threat of injuries taking their toll.
But for now, let’s dish out a preview for every team around the league and see what the context and situation is for each franchise.
Atlanta Falcons
2016 Record: 11-5, First Place in the NFC South
Can the Atlanta Falcons overcome the gut-wrenching loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI? Or will they follow the same path as the Carolina Panthers did last season, dealing with a post-Super Bowl hangover after suffering a similar embarrassment in Super Bowl 50?
That will be one of the major questions Falcons head coach Dan Quinn and Co. will have to face this upcoming year.
The good news is Atlanta’s offense remains mostly intact. Quarterback Matt Ryan is coming off an MVP year, and the tandem of he and wide receiver Julio Jones remains among the best in the NFL.
While former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan left town to take the 49ers’ head coaching gig, it’s hard to see the Falcons suffering a major drawback in 2017.
At least on offense.
Strengths
Atlanta’s offense still remains scary. There’s little reason to assume any drop off here, as long as Ryan stays healthy.
Having a running back tandem of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman helps too. Despite the prolific passing attack, the Falcons’ ground game still managed to finish fifth in the NFL with 1,928 rushing yards last year.
Oh, and that guy Vic Beasley is pretty good on defense too. Adding defensive end Takkarist McKinley via the NFL Draft should help up front.
Weaknesses
The Falcons got better up front. But there are still some major questions within their secondary. If the pass rush manages to do its job this season, Atlanta could hold its own well enough to ensure late-game collapses don’t become a regular thing.
Depth could be an issue as well. And we’ll see how the team bounces back after what happened last February.
X-Factors
McKinley could be the perfect complement to Beasley up front. Or the former may not make much of an impact, which would keep Atlanta’s defense roughly in the same boat it was a year ago. The former UCLA star could go either way.
The NFC South is an X-factor all in itself. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ascending, and it’s hard to envision the Panthers staying bad for long.
Arizona Cardinals
2016 Record: 7-8-1, Second Place in the NFC West
The Arizona Cardinals were supposed to be one of the risers last season, especially after making it all to the way to the NFC Championship game the previous year.
Yet a number of injuries and inconsistent play led to a sub-.500 season for head coach Bruce Arians and Co. Sure, the defense was still good enough to rank as the second best unit in the NFL, in terms of yards allowed (4,883). But Arizona never found any sort of consistent rhythm over the course of 16 regular-season games.
Entering 2017, the Cardinals will have to overcome the free-agent departures of defenders Tony Jefferson and Calais Campbell. This shouldn’t be too difficult, especially with EDGE Chandler Jones sticking around one more year on a franchise tag. The team also added safety Budda Baker in the NFL Draft — a very smart pickup.
But the biggest question will be whether or not 37-year-old quarterback Carson Palmer can withstand the rigors of yet another full season. His health is paramount.
Strengths
If Palmer is healthy, and veteran wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is able to contribute, the Cardinals passing game shouldn’t hit much of a hitch.
Running back David Johnson has emerged as one of the league’s stars, and Arians would be wise to feature him often to help alleviate the pressure on Palmer.
Arizona’s defense is still very good. Adding Temple linebacker Haason Reddick was smart. And it isn’t as if the NFC West is a major obstacle to get back into the postseason discussion.
Weaknesses
Jefferson was a key cog in the Cardinals secondary, and we can’t quite assume Baker fits in seamlessly.
But the biggest concern is still under center. Fans in Arizona will cringe every time an opposing player converges on Palmer. And unless the team is banking on a backup like Drew Stanton being perfectly adept to take over, one lone injury could spell disaster.
X-Factors
Baker and fellow defensive back Tyrann Mathieu put a cap on the back end of a very good defense. How well these two players jell should be intriguing.
Another factor will be Johnson, who will likely see an increased load as the team looks to lessen Palmer’s impact over the course of the year. If Johnson can rise to the challenge — and there’s little reason to assume he can’t — the Cardinals should be in decent shape.
Baltimore Ravens
2016 Record: 8-8, Second Place in the AFC North
The Baltimore Ravens are still playing second fiddle to their division rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
And while it’s almost impossible to question general manager Ozzie Newsome, his actions during the 2017 NFL Draft leave a bit to be desired.
Baltimore needed an impact wide receiver to replace Steve Smith, who retired during the offseason. And yet Newsome didn’t take one at all, so one has to wonder how quarterback Joe Flacco’s big arm will be put to use.
Instead, the Ravens added former Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey at No. 16. That’s not a bad pickup, per se. But when was the last time an Alabama corner made a serious impact at the NFL level?
The Ravens managed to find some front-seven help in defensive end Chris Wormley and linebacker Tyus Bowser. But they’ll still need to get an eventual replacement for aging veteran, defensive tackle Terrell Suggs. Can he still play at a high level?
Strengths
Baltimore is still going to live and die by its defense. And that’s fine. This was a top-10 group in 2016, and it only got stronger via the NFL Draft.
Wide receiver Mike Wallace is still contributing at a high level, and he’ll be expected to shoulder a bigger load with Smith no longer in the picture. He’ll have to, but there are certainly worse situations out there.
Weaknesses
Outside of Wallace and, to a lesser extent, Flacco and tight end Dennis Pitta, the Ravens don’t exactly boast a plethora of offensive playmakers. Losing Smith hurts. But losing fullback Kyle Juszczyk via free agency could hurt more than anticipated.
One can hope running back Terrence West emerges as a true No. 1 threat. But that doesn’t exactly inspire a lot of confidence.
X-Factors
Suggs remains a linchpin within Baltimore’s defense. But he’ll turn 35 years old this season, so one can only hope he’s able to replicate his eight-sack campaign from a year ago. There’s help here, but a transition phase is clearly starting to happen.
Baltimore is getting a bit older in its secondary as well. Can safeties Eric Weddle and Lardarius Webb continue to make solid impacts on the wrong side of 30 years old?
Buffalo Bills
2016 Record: 7-9, Third Place in the AFC East
So the Buffalo Bills fired general manager Doug Whaley and gutted the scouting department, surefire signs new head coach Sean McDermott is in charge here.
This would have been more interesting had it happened prior to the NFL Draft. Now it stands as little more than an afterthought.
Regardless, Buffalo was wise to bring back quarterback Tyrod Taylor. It wasn’t as if the Bills would find any better an option. Quarterback Nathan Peterman is an interesting developmental option. But don’t expect him to see the field in 2017.
Running back LeSean McCoy remains the staple on offense. But Buffalo got a potential steal in the draft with wide receiver Zay Jones out of Eastern Carolina. He’ll help take pressure off No. 1 wideout Sammy Watkins, which is a much-needed thing.
Cornerback Tre’Davious White is also a nice draft pickup too. He’ll replace veteran corner Stephon Gilmore.
Strengths
Having McCoy on the ground is a tremendous asset. And the Bills now have two legitimate receiving threats to bolster the passing game. All this should help Taylor’s numbers improve from last season.
And while Gilmore’s departure is a bit of a concern, McDermott worked wonders with the Panthers defensive backs before taking over as head coach here. It isn’t as if Carolina’s secondary was strewn with well-known names outside of Josh Norman prior to 2016.
Weaknesses
The run defense. Plain and simple.
Last year, the Bills finished 29th in the NFL with 2,130 rushing yards allowed. That’s over 130 yards per game.
Buffalo didn’t do too much to address this via the draft, so one can only hope McDermott’s defensive mindset can make up the difference.
X-Factors
Can Watkins bounce back from a disappointing 2016 campaign? He’ll have some help, with Jones in town, but that could also mean a drop in production.
Additionally, the Bills second-half schedule is absolutely brutal. Four AFC East showdowns — the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins — take place after Week 12. And that Week 12 matchup? A road contest versus the defensively tough Kansas City Chiefs.
Carolina Panthers
2016 Record: 6-10, Fourth Place in the NFC South
Was 2016 merely a hangover season for the Panthers, or is it a sign of things to come?
On paper, Carolina should be vastly better than the 6-10 record head coach Ron Rivera’s squad posted last year. Quarterback Cam Newton didn’t have much help on offense, and the defense was marred by key injuries to major contributors like linebacker Luke Kuechly.
The Panthers added former Stanford star running back, Christian McCaffrey, early in the NFL Draft.
He’s a major weapon for offensive coordinator Mike Shula, but McCaffrey still isn’t an every-down back. If anything, he’s a unique tool. But Carolina needs a playmaker like him to ensure teams don’t clamp down on Newton alone.
If Carolina can stay healthy, and Newton returns to his MVP-like form, it’s likely the Panthers return to prominence and challenge the Falcons for dominance in the NFC South.
Strengths
Despite the down year in 2016, Carolina’s offense remains one of the more complex and potent groups in the NFL. McCaffrey only helps this.
Adding wide receiver Curtis Samuel in Round 2 could mean a big season for veteran wideout Kelvin Benjamin as well. Weight might be a concern here, but he remains a prolific receiver.
And any defense boasting Kuechly is going to be solid.
Weaknesses
The secondary hasn’t quite been the same since cornerback Josh Norman left town prior to 2016. Miami’s Corn Elder could be a nice contributor his rookie season, but this group overall remains a work in progress. Teams will challenge this group regularly.
Carolina’s schedule to start the year is also problematic. Five of the Panthers’ first eight games are on the road, so 2017 could get off to a rough start.
Chicago Bears
2016 Record: 3-13, Fourth Place in the NFC North
What were the Chicago Bears thinking in the NFL Draft?
OK, so Mitchell Trubisky might have been the top-ranked quarterback on draft day. But the Bears are one of those teams needing a plethora of help this offseason. Trading off three picks — two in 2017 and one in 2018 — to move up from No. 3 to No. 2 overall didn’t help matters.
Especially considering they would have had Trubisky if they stayed put.
At any rate, Trubisky will compete with offseason pickup, quarterback Mike Glennon (yes, quite the QB competition) for the starting job this season. It’s anything but ideal.
Whoever wins will be without the services of wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who left town via free agency to join the Philadelphia Eagles.
Adding tight end Adam Shaheen via the draft may help. But all signs are pointing to a very long season in Chicago.
Strengths
Running back Jordan Howard is going to get a lot of work this year. That’s not a bad thing, especially considering he posted over 1,300 yards on the ground last season.
Chicago’s secondary, under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and secondary coach Ed Donatell, overachieved last year. This group will have to do so again in order to keep the Bears defense relevant.
Weaknesses
Where to start? The quarterbacking situation is ugly. The Bears don’t have any offensive playmakers outside of Howard. And the defensive front seven remains a work in progress.
These are just some of the reasons the Bears wound up dead last on Niner Noise’s post-NFL Draft power rankings.
Related Story: Post-NFL Draft Power Rankings for All 32 Teams
With head coach John Fox likely on the hot seat, the situation couldn’t be much worse for a Chicago team in turmoil.
At least quarterback Jay Cutler isn’t in the picture anymore.
X-Factors
Opponents will be wise to take Howard out of the picture. Doing so will put pressure on Glennon, who likely starts anyway, to prove he is worth the lucrative offseason deal he received. Keep in mind, Glennon hasn’t started a game since 2014. So he’s an unquestionable X-factor here.
Cincinnati Bengals
2016 Record: 6-9-1, Third Place in the AFC North
The Cincinnati Bengals may have had one of the uglier seasons in 2016. But they also nailed the 2017 NFL Draft.
That is if you count running back Joe Mixon as a steal.
Mixon’s off-the-field concerns will haunt him the rest of his NFL career. Yet he’s still a tremendous talent, which prompts the question how much teams will tolerate talent versus red flags. That’s another argument for another time.
Adding wide receiver John Ross in Round 1 was another great pickup, especially if the speedster can stay healthy. Linebackers Jordan Willis and Carl Lawson should help bolster the pass rush, which was another pressing need.
The Bengals should be able to bounce back nicely in 2017. At least in the regular season.
Strengths
Cincinnati’s offense is infinitely better now with Mixon and Ross in the picture. Those are two upgrades the Bengals clearly needed to get things back on track this side of the ball. This will help quarterback Andy Dalton look to get back into form.
And after registering only 33 sacks in 2017, the tandem of Willis and Lawson should make defenders Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins’ jobs all the more easier.
Weaknesses
The Bengals offensive line didn’t see much help come in via the draft, which is a problem after losing linemen Kevin Zeitler and Andrew Whitworth via free agency.
Even the best offenses can be stymied by bad O-lines, so this could be a major problem for Cincinnati over the course of the season. We’ll see how well this group adjusts.
X-Factors
Ross’ injury history immediately raises concerns here. Sure, his potential is sky high. But the risk is equally as pressing.
But the majority of focus will be on Mixon. Can he put his past behind him and regularly contribute as a bona fide playmaker? Or will Mixon, overshadowed by his character concerns, fall victim to the pressure he’ll face both on and off the field?
Cleveland Browns
2016 Record: 1-15, Fourth Place in the AFC North
It’s weird to say it, but the Cleveland Browns may actually be on the rise after a very successful NFL Draft.
OK, just because a team is on the rise doesn’t mean its far from the bottom. The Browns are still bad, very bad. But looking at some of the draft additions leaves a lot of room for hope.
Cleveland didn’t do anything dumb with the first overall pick and wisely selected the best player in this year’s draft, Texas A&M EDGE Myles Garrett. Taking former Michigan safety Jabrill Peppers at No. 25 overall might have been somewhat of a reach. But he’s an upgrade over almost anything the Browns can boast right now.
But look at tight end David Njoku as a possible impact player. He might wind up being the favored target for new quarterback DeShone Kizer, who may actually wind up starting at some point this season.
Strengths
There still aren’t too many of which to boast. But head coach Hue Jackson has a vision, and it’s starting to come into place.
Garrett will need some help along Cleveland’s defensive front. But it shouldn’t be too long for his presence to be felt. The Browns have needed an impact player on this side of the ball for some time. Garrett provides that.
Weaknesses
Cleveland is still full of holes, and it’s going to take at least a few seasons to address the majority of them.
Even with Kizer in camp, the Browns’ quarterbacking situation likely falls on Cody Kessler early in 2017. That’s far from perfect. And outside of Njoku, he won’t have too many weapons at his disposal.
X-Factors
Njoku could wind up being a spark for Cleveland’s offense. Tight ends are always a favorite for quarterbacks on bad teams.
We could say Kizer is an X-factor here, but he probably doesn’t end up starting until halfway through the regular season.
But all eyes will be on Garrett. Does he justify the first overall pick in the draft? Or does he fall in line with all too many of Cleveland’s other NFL Draft disappointments?
Dallas Cowboys
2016 Record: 13-3, First Place in the NFC East
In 2016, the Dallas Cowboys rode the hot hands of then-rookies, quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott, to a 13-3 record. It shocked the NFL world.
Both players will be back in the spotlight this year, and why wouldn’t they be? The Cowboys offense is prolific once again.
Yet it’s entirely possible Dallas isn’t quite as dominant as last year’s record suggests.
Free agency killed the Cowboys secondary this offseason. And while adding cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis will help, its easy to assume Dallas’ already questionable defense will undergo even more setbacks in 2017.
The Cowboys offense had to protect their defense a year ago. It worked then. How well will it work this season?
Strengths
Dak and Zeke. Oh, and wide receiver Dez Bryant is pretty good too.
Yes, Dallas’ offense is the primary reason why the Cowboys will be at the focal point throughout all of the upcoming regular season. Barring an unforeseen dropoff, both second-year pros should have impressive 2017 campaigns.
And that offensive line? Yeah, it remains one of the best in the NFL.
Weaknesses
Dallas hasn’t found much consistency up front, especially considering how defensive end Randy Gregory has never panned out.
Adding Taco Charlton via the draft should help. But he won’t be an immediate-impact player right away.
The secondary is the biggest concern. It’s going to be a young and inexperienced crop. And the learning curve for rookie defensive backs at the NFL level is always high.
X-Factors
Teams will try and make their adjustments against Dallas’ offense, which is easier said than done. Even if successful, the Cowboys have enough weapons to ensure no team gets comfortable with a lead in games.
The only question will be how well Dallas’ defense holds up, especially in the backfield.
And the Cowboys’ second-half schedule? Brutal.
Denver Broncos
2016 Record: 9-7, Third Place in the AFC West
2017 revealed defensive Super Bowl-winning teams rarely stay dominant longer than a season or two.
One year removed from their victory in Super Bowl 50, the Denver Broncos fell to an average 9-7 record in a tough AFC West division that only figures to be better this year.
True, Denver didn’t have much by the way of quarterback play or in the running game. And the defense, both up front and in the secondary, was the prime reason why the Broncos managed to stay above .500 last season.
One of the biggest offseason needs was to find an upgrade over now-gone offensive tackle Russell Okung. General manager John Elway did this by adding former Utah OT Garett Bolles at No. 20 overall.
It’s a smart investment, especially considering this might be the year in which last year’s first-round pickup, quarterback Paxton Lynch, sees regular snaps under center.
Strengths
The defense. Enough said.
Any team boasting an EDGE like Von Miller will stay relevant and dominant, potentially. But there’s excellent playmaking ability within the secondary as well, especially considering defensive backs Aqib Talib and Chris Harris.
Adding rookie defensive end DeMarcus Walker was also a nice move in Round 2 of the draft.
Weaknesses
The Broncos sorely missed running back C.J. Anderson, who was limited to just seven games last year. With question marks at quarterback, the ground game will be vital to ensure Denver’s defense isn’t the only noteworthy element keeping them in contention within the AFC West.
Incumbent starter Trevor Siemian isn’t the long-term answer. And Lynch will be going through his growing pains at some point soon.
Better get them out of the way while the Broncos’ current window is still open.
X-Factors
Adding free-agent running back Jamal Charles takes some of the pressure off Anderson to stay healthy and contribute in 2017. But Charles is 30 years old, and one can only wonder how long his body will stand up to regular reps.
It won’t be easy within the division. Outside of the Los Angeles Chargers, the Broncos won’t have an easy road to reclaim dominance within the AFC West.
Detroit Lions
2016 Record: 9-7, Second Place in the NFC North
The Detroit Lions may wind up being one of those teams that saw a surge in 2016, only to fall back a bit and regress this upcoming season.
Detroit managed to win a number of close games last year — six of the Lions’ nine wins in 2016 were by four points or less.
Most of this can be pointed at the defense, which was good… not great.
The Lions finished 18th in the NFL in total yards allowed (5,676) and weren’t particularly effective against either the run or the pass.
Most of the work had to be done on offense. And at least quarterback Matthew Stafford seemed to perform better without wide receiver Calvin Johnson than before.
Adding linebacker Jarrad Davis via the NFL Draft should help the defense, and the move gives defensive end Ezekiel Ansah some much-needed help up front.
But the Lions reached for cornerback Teez Tabor in Round 2, who may easily wind up being one of the bigger draft busts of this year’s class.
Strengths
Stafford managed to spread the ball around nicely last season, en route to a 4,327-yard campaign. A diverse passing attack will have to be at the staple of what Detroit does on offense this year, and the Lions are perfectly equipped to handle this.
Wide receivers Golden Tate and Marvin Jones could have big seasons for the Lions this year, and Detroit needs all the contribution it can get from these two.
Weaknesses
The Lions had zero running game last season and didn’t bother addressing this need via the NFL Draft, despite a deep draft class.
A constant rotation of Theo Riddick, Dwayne Washington and Zach Zenner didn’t alleviate the loss of featured tailback Ameer Abdullah in 2016.
Detroit’s secondary is also a problem — one which is magnified by the lack of a true pass rush up front. Look for that to be an issue.
X-Factors
Can Abdullah overcome last year’s setback? He’s going to be the starter this season, so at least he’ll have his chances. And adding former Green Bay Packers guard T.J. Lang helps a lot.
Davis and/or Ansah must force the pressure up front. Not doing so will expose a weak secondary, which could prove to be problematic over the course of the upcoming year.
Green Bay Packers
2016 Record: 10-6, First Place in the NFC North
The Packers’ surge at the end of last season ensured they’d ride yet another trip into the postseason.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers remains one of the NFL’s elite. And as long as he’s there, Green Bay will be a relevant team in the playoff discussion.
The Packers had to deal with some offseason losses, notably safety Micah Hyde and offensive guard T.J. Lang. But adding cornerback Kevin King and safety Josh Jones in Rounds 1 and 2 of the NFL Draft, respectively, should help keep the defense relatively intact.
Also, Auburn defensive tackle Montravius Adams was a nice find in Round 3.
Things will really get interesting this season, though, with the addition of tight end Martellus Bennett via free agency.
Bennett figures to be a major weapon for Rodgers, who can make any receiving option look like a legitimate Pro Bowler.
Strengths
Rodgers leads an offense that finished eighth in the league last year in total yards (5,900) and fourth in points scored (432).
Even with running back Eddie Lacy out of the picture, Green Bay should also look to get production out of BYU’s Jamaal Williams — an excellent pickup in Round 4 of the draft.
The NFC North doesn’t figure to be very strong this season, so the Packers should have little trouble getting back into the playoff picture.
Weaknesses
The Packers secondary may have some new bodies, but it will be interesting to see how well this group adjusts to life at the pro level. As noted earlier, rookie defensive backs can struggle in the transition to the NFL. Expect teams to take advantage of this.
Green Bay has been a pass-first offense for some time. And that’s fine. But the Packers will be rolling with three rookie running backs in camp — Williams, Aaron Jones and Devante Mays. How does that work out?
X-Factors
Protecting Rodgers will remain a top priority, and this won’t get much easier after losing Lang in free agency.
Rodgers took 35 sacks a year ago. And one too many of those could easily spell disaster for Green Bay’s chances this season.
Houston Texans
2016 Record: 9-7, First Place in the AFC South
The Houston Texans almost have it all — an elite defense, a dynamic wide receiver corps and a good enough running game.
If only they had a quarterback.
Brock Osweiler didn’t work under center, and the Texans boldly made the move to grab former Clemson signal-caller Deshaun Watson in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. He’s their future, and his success or failure will greatly influence what happens here while Houston’s playoff window remains open.
Watson may not start right away. And the Texans defense, especially with perennial All-Pro J.J. Watt back, should still be a force in a relatively weak AFC South.
Heck, a 9-7 record managed to be enough to get into the postseason dance.
Strengths
No one can doubt Houston’s defense. Watt’s return, as well as defensive tackle Jadaveon Clowney’s ascension, don’t bode well for the Texans opponents this upcoming season.
And that receiving group? It would be among the league’s best if it had a good enough quarterback to operate under center.
Weaknesses
The ground game isn’t prolific enough to ensure whichever quarterback plays won’t have to do too much. Running back Lamar Miller is good, not exactly great. He’s not a game changer.
But the biggest weakness, of course, is at quarterback.
Watson may wind up proving even more doubters wrong at the pro level. Don’t expect it to happen in year one though. Instead, let the Tom Savage/Brandon Weeden show continue.
X-Factors
All eyes will be on Watson this season. If Houston goes through horrid-to-bad signal-caller play early on, it won’t be long before fans start clamoring to see the former Clemson rookie take meaningful snaps.
While head coach Bill O’Brien won’t want to rush his most prized asset, he has to know his team won’t advance far in the postseason, if it gets there, unless there’s some semblance of a quarterback under center.
Indianapolis Colts
2016 Record: 8-8, Third Place in the AFC South
The Indianapolis Colts still have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Andrew Luck. And their receiving corps remains solid.
But only if the Colts could protect Luck with any sort of regularity.
Luck was sacked a whopping 41 times over the course of 2016, and fans are already worried about injuries becoming a factor behind Indy’s weak offensive line. This unit didn’t get much help via the NFL Draft either, only adding former USC tackle Zach Banner, in an otherwise weak draft class.
Yet the Colts defense, so horrible in 2016, did receive some notable upgrades. Safety Malik Hooker should help out immediately. Cornerback Quincy Wilson was a nice find in Round 2, and defensive end Tarell Basham will bolster what was an aging defensive front.
Strengths
Luck remains the pinnacle of Indianapolis’ success. If he’s protected and playing well, the Colts should still be one of the top offensive teams in the league. And that’s fine.
Running back Frank Gore, even at 34 years old when the season begins, remains a powerhouse until otherwise proven wrong.
Weaknesses
The offensive line is still a major concern. And the Colts weren’t aided by few realistic draft options either.
And while the defense received some much-needed help, especially within the secondary, one has to worry a bit about how well someone like Hooker — not known for good angles or sound tackling — will handle his first year as a pro.
Indianapolis’ pass rush lost linebacker Erik Walden to free agency. Who replaces him?
X-Factors
Finding someone to emerge as the premier pass-rusher this season is a must. It’s the only way the Colts will be able to hide any glaring weaknesses in the defensive backfield.
Can Gore continue his production at such a high level? Let’s hope so. But he won’t have the best of O-lines to work behind. Neither will Luck.
How long will Indianapolis gamble on this approach?
Jacksonville Jaguars
2016 Record: 3-13, Fourth in the AFC South
The Jacksonville Jaguars will have a new offensive identity with former LSU running back Leonard Fournette in town.
Fournette is a franchise-saving piece, and that’s exactly what the 3-13 Jaguars need heading into this season.
Jacksonville spent a considerable amount of effort bulking up the defense over the past two offenses, so 2017 will be the chance to see whether or not those investments will pay off. Last season, the lowly Jags finished with the NFL’s 25th worst scoring defense (400) but did manage to finish in the top 10 in fewest yards allowed (5,147). There are pieces here. It’s just putting it all together.
Having Fournette take command of games should help take pressure off the defense. Yet Jacksonville is probably going to stay bad, offensively, as long as quarterback Blake Bortles is under center.
Strengths
The Jaguars ground game immediately goes from a weakness to a strength, thanks to the addition of Fournette. This power-scheme runner is the kind of player teams want to build around. Expect Jacksonville to do just that.
There are some fine components up front and within the secondary, so it wouldn’t be a stretch to see the Jaguars hold their own in games over the course of the season.
Weaknesses
Bortles is not a franchise quarterback. The passing game will be problematic as long as he’s calling the plays.
Adding offensive tackle Cam Robinson in the draft addressed a need. But Robinson is one of those players who could turn sour quickly. Not saying he’ll be a bust, but Robinson could wind up being one of the bigger disappointments of this year’s NFL Draft.
X-Factors
Is Fournette the next Adrian Peterson on the ground? If so, the Jaguars might actually have something resembling an NFL offense. Even if the passing game is lousy. If not, well, another top-five pick has been wasted. Especially in a deep running back class.
The Jaguars might be OK if their defense holds. They’ll benefit from the boost to the running game. But will it be enough?
Kansas City Chiefs
2016 Record: 12-4, First Place in the AFC West
The Kansas City Chiefs found their heir apparent to veteran quarterback Alex Smith by moving up to grab former Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes in Round 1 of the NFL Draft.
Mahomes won’t start this year, and he might not even be quite ready in 2018. That leaves one, possibly two seasons for Smith to finally “get over the postseason hump.”
Smith is still effective, if not overly dynamic. He has a slew of favorite weapons, including tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Expect these two to be major contributors through the air.
But the real focus remains with the Chiefs defense. This is a primary reason Kansas City managed to win the vaunted AFC West last year, and re-signing safety Eric Berry had to be a No. 1 priority.
Strengths
The Chiefs secondary, with Berry and cornerback Marcus Peters, is a top strength for Kansas City heading into 2017.
Having linebacker Dee Ford, who posted a team-leading 11 sacks last year, also helps keep any pressure off the defensive backfield. Overall, this defense remains strong even if the team had to let defensive tackle Dontari Poe walk in free agency.
And fans already know what kind of weapon Kelce is.
Weaknesses
Merely OK quarterbacking play has long paralleled Smith’s career. While calling him a game manager is a bit unfair, the Chiefs had to realize something more was needed. For now, Smith is it though.
How effective will the Chiefs offense be this season, especially with Smith a year older.
X-Factors
Adding former Toledo running back Kareem Hunt in the NFL Draft was a smart move. It will be nice to see Kansas City’s ground game be dynamic once again, considering it wasn’t last year. But will Hunt be able to nicely contribute his rookie year?
The bigger question will be whether or not the Chiefs can finally get over that playoff hump. Not just get in.
Los Angeles Chargers
2016 Record: 5-11, Fourth Place in the AFC West
The Chargers have moved from San Diego to Los Angeles, and the big move could be a bit of a distraction in of itself.
Los Angeles still has a potent offense. But quarterback Philip Rivers was a bit interception prone last season, tossing 33 touchdowns against a league-leading 21 interceptions. Not having enough weapons around him hurt, so it made perfect sense for the Chargers to take former Clemson receiver Mike Williams at No. 7 overall in the NFL Draft.
Another pressing issue was protecting Rivers. The veteran QB suffered 36 sacks a year ago, so Los Angeles wisely drafted offensive guards Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney in Rounds 2 and 3, respectively.
Yet one of the bigger problems the Chargers faced was with their defense. Overall, this unit ranked 29th in total points allowed in 2016 (423) and struggled to maintain any sort of consistency within the secondary outside of cornerback Casey Hayward.
Building around second-year pro Joey Bosa will help, and EDGE Melvin Ingram is smart. These two are cornerstone pieces.
But will this be enough?
Strengths
The Chargers have a number of defensive playmakers, but this entire group has yet to jell as a unit. Perhaps that happens in 2017, which leads one to believe this could be a strength.
Bosa and Ingram are the linchpins here. Why wouldn’t they be?
And Rivers will have more weapons at his disposal, which should help cut down on the turnovers. In turn, the defense rests. It’s that simple.
Weaknesses
Running back Melvin Gordon enjoyed a Pro Bowl year last season, but the Chargers ground attack wasn’t much of a force.
It might have to be this season, especially with some of the defensive questions Los Angeles will have to address.
And playing in the AFC West? No, this won’t be an easy season.
X-Factors
Rivers should bounce back from a so-so year in 2016, and a lot of it hinges on Williams’ ability to contribute and stay healthy. If this new pairing goes well, the Chargers offense should be pretty exciting this season. But if it doesn’t, this year might be a duplicate of last season.
And are the trio of Bosa, Ingram and Hayward enough to carry the defense?
Los Angeles Rams
2016 Record: 4-12, Third Place in the NFC West
The Los Angeles Rams may be back in Southern California, but they didn’t leave their offensive woes behind them in St. Louis.
Running back Todd Gurley was supposed to continue his ascension, but that didn’t happen. Will it in 2017? And can quarterback Jared Goff, selected No. 1 overall last year, finally make his lofty draft status worthwhile for a Rams team that gave up so much to grab him?
At least former Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Sean McVay comes to town with a proven offensive approach. Maybe this enough. But credit the Rams for making moves to get Goff weapons in the draft.
Receiving targets Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds should help. And tight end George Everett is a solid addition here.
The only question is how good Goff can be.
Defensively, the Rams are fine. Especially up front.
Strengths
As noted, the defense will be the best thing Los Angeles has going for it. And adding Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator should boost this group even more. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald remains a force, and cornerback Trumaine Johnson is a solid piece within the secondary.
This will be enough to keep the Rams in games, as long as the defense doesn’t tire out from being on the field too long.
Weaknesses
Gurley likely has one more chance to prove his rookie season was more than just one of those weird anomalies. If his 2017 campaign is anything like last year, the Rams will be quick to move on. Especially if McVay has his say.
L.A.’s receivers may be good, not great. It’s been a while since the Rams have had a true No. 1 receiving threat. They still don’t.
X-Factors
Year one didn’t go so well for Goff. But there was turmoil within the Rams organization, so not meeting expectations immediately can be excused to a point.
But how far along will he be in his maturation process this year, especially considering a new head coach and added weapons? The excuses will start drying up really quickly.
And if Goff continues to struggle, all those lost picks given up to nab him will leave a very sour taste in SoCal.
Miami Dolphins
2016 Record: 10-6, Second Place in the AFC East
Head coach Adam Gase certainly has his Miami Dolphins on track, offensively, heading into 2017. And quarterback Ryan Tannehill might actually look to be the answer.
Hard to think that as a reasonable conclusion a while back.
It’s going to be fun watching running back Jay Ajayi command national attention this year, if he can pick up where he left off. And the Dolphins were wise to ensure wide receiver Kenny Stills stuck around for a bit longer too.
Some of the major questions will be on defense though. Finishing with the 29th highest yardage allowed last season — how did then-coordinator Vance Joseph get a head coaching job? — the Dolphins will look to avoid the underachievement that plagued them a year ago.
Linebackers Charles Harris and Raekwon McMillan, Miami’s first two picks in the NFL Draft, should help this.
And that may be the best hope to contend with those mighty New England Patriots.
Strengths
Gase has his offense clicking, and there shouldn’t be too much of a reason to expect anything different this year. As long as Ajayi plays like he did last year, almost everything else on this side of the ball should fall into place.
Harris might be one of the better pass-rushers to come out via the draft. The Dolphins need it too.
Weaknesses
Tannehill might be a good quarterback. But he has yet to be “great.”
OK, that’s a lot to ask. But 2017 could wind up being a show-me year, especially with a solid crop of signal-callers potentially on the draft-watch list next offseason.
And even with those defensive additions, this group has yet to “prove it” as well.
X-Factors
Ajayi isn’t going to surprise anyone this season. But he’s good enough a runner to effectively carry an offense, even if Tannehill isn’t tearing things up through the air.
Stills is a player to watch, for sure, but keep an eye out on former Virginia Tech receiver Isaiah Ford, whom the Dolphins selected in Round 7 of the NFL Draft. He slipped but could be a nice sleeper pick for Miami’s offense.
Minnesota Vikings
2016 Record: 8-8, Second Place in NFC North
The 2016 Minnesota Vikings went as far as their offensive line would carry them, and that wasn’t particularly great.
Especially down the stretch.
This offseason saw some upgrades, and those will help keep quarterback Sam Bradford upright for most of the year. At least one can hope.
Minnesota’s defense also doesn’t get a lot of recognition, but this same group will be called upon to handle a pretty high-flying NFC North division this year. That won’t be easy.
Offensively, the addition of running back Dalvin Cook and center Pat Elflein in Rounds 2 and 3, respectively, of the NFL Draft should make the Vikings offense more prolific and not so reliant upon Bradford and his rapport with Stefon Diggs.
With free-agent O-line additions too, maybe Minnesota gets back to challenging the Packers for a playoff berth in 2017.
Strengths
The Bradford-Diggs connection was fun to watch last season, and it should be again. Plus, the addition of Cook makes the Vikings offense just about as exciting as it was when Adrian Peterson, in his prime, was in town.
Not long ago, some might have viewed Cook as the best collegiate tailback coming out in the draft. He slipped, but the talent is there.
And that defense? Yeah. It’s pretty good.
Weaknesses
Even though the O-line is better, it’s still far from a perfect unit. The new additions may help. But O-lines typically take a while to jell. And it isn’t as if there’s adequate depth here. Not yet at least.
Things fell apart quickly after a hot start in 2016, largely due to the O-line. But there were other issues as well. Minnesota couldn’t get its running game together, which puts even more pressure on Cook to deliver immediately.
Is he up for the task?
X-Factors
Cook is obviously one. The Vikings finished 2016 with the league’s worst rushing offense. And when the rapport between Bradford and Diggs fell off a bit later in the season, the Vikings offense started to go flat.
Bradford — along with his health and ability to find legitimate targets — will also be a deciding factor in who comes away with the division crown.
New England Patriots
2016 Record: 14-2, First Place in the AFC East
Say what you want about the defending Super Bowl champions. The New England Patriots aren’t likely to go anywhere. Not as long as quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick are in town.
The Pats will be relevant, even dominant, as long as those two are factors. 2016 was a perfect example of this, and we shouldn’t expect anything less this season.
With tight end Rob Gronkowski coming back, and hopefully staying healthy, the Patriots offense will remain dynamic.
And it isn’t as if Brady can’t turn an unknown wide receiver, like Chris Hogan, into an overnight sensation.
To make things even better, New England added speedy wideout Brandin Cooks via a trade with the New Orleans Saints. The rich get richer.
Linebacker Dont’a Hightower, the unquestioned leader of the defense, stays put as well. Yes, this unit is just as good too.
Strengths
It would be redundant to list all the strengths here. The Patriots boast one of the best, if not the best, QB to play in the NFL. And it doesn’t matter who’s on the receiving end. But Cooks and Gronkowski are legitimate threats and mismatch nightmares.
Belichick is a genius, known for taking opponents’ best players out of the game plan. So it’s no surprise New England boasted the league’s best scoring defense a year ago.
Should we go on?
Weaknesses
There aren’t too many. Perhaps the Patriots rushing attack isn’t at the elite level. And losing out on LeGarrette Blount in free agency might hurt a bit. But the Pats have gotten by with sub-par running games before without any setback.
Maybe the Patriots’ 2017 NFL Draft class wasn’t overly stellar. They only brought in four players. But knowing how New England operates, some of these guys may wind up being household names in two or three years.
X-Factors
Brady will be elite until, well, he isn’t. Yet Brady is aging and will turn 40 years old by the time Week 1 rolls around. Father Time always wins, so the clock is ticking.
Gronkowski’s health is another concern. Sure, the Pats got by last season with fellow tight end Martellus Bennett filling in for an injured Gronkowski. But the former is with the Packers now, so what happens if yet another injury befalls Gronkowski in 2017?
Still, the Patriots will be fine.
New Orleans Saints
2016 Record: 7-9, Third Place in the NFC South
The Saints moved on from wide receiver Brandin Cooks and landed yet another first-round pick in the process.
But the 49ers managed to engineer ahead of the No. 32 overall pick and grab linebacker Reuben Foster, who would have been a perfect fit in New Orleans’ underachieving defense.
Instead, the Saints drafted offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk — a decent pickup but perhaps not the best use of resources here. At least New Orleans tried to solve some of its secondary worries by taking cornerback Marshon Lattimore with the No. 11 overall pick. That was a good move. And safety Marcus Williams, taken in Round 3, should be able to contribute right away as well.
But the focus will continue to be on the offensive side of the ball, where quarterback Drew Brees and Co. will look to replicate the kind of production that netted the Saints the No. 1 yardage offense in the league in 2016 (6,816).
Running back Mark Ingram doesn’t look to be on the move, and he’ll be helped by rookie draftee Alvin Kamara.
Yet the focus will remain on the defensive side of the ball. This unit was putrid last season, and it cost the Saints a chance at a .500 record.
Strengths
Brees is another elite-level quarterback. And even without Cooks in the picture, one can figure the Saints won’t have much trouble putting up lofty passing numbers over the course of the season.
And the two-headed monster of Ingram and Kamara should be plenty of fun to watch.
If the offense can stay healthy, there should be little reason to assume this group will be back in the top five again this season.
Weaknesses
While Lattimore’s addition helps, the Saints still lack a good enough pass rush. Defensive end Cameron Jordan is the only player to watch here, and getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks will be the only way to limit exposure to a young and developing secondary.
No team gave up more passing yards than New Orleans last year, so this will be paramount.
X-Factors
The first half of the Saints’ 2017 schedule is brutal. Things don’t get easy until a Week 8 matchup against the Bears. And closing out the last four games of the season with two games against the Falcons won’t help matters either.
Everything hinges on the Saints defense’s ability to make notable improvements this year. Anything less, and New Orleans will be looking at yet another losing record.
New York Giants
2016 Record: 11-5, Second Place in the NFC East
The New York Giants hold the claim of being one of just two teams to beat the Cowboys last season, and they did so twice.
That alone makes them a legitimate candidate to take over the reins in the now-tough NFC East. Remember when this was the weakest division in the NFL?
Not so much anymore. New York’s defense is vastly improved, thanks to all those 2016 free-agent additions. And the offense only got better by adding wide receiver Brandon Marshall to a crop that already includes Odell Beckham Jr.
As long as quarterback Eli Manning continues to play at a high level, the Giants will do fine on offense. And we shouldn’t expect any sort of setback this year. Especially if he can utilize rookie tight end Evan Engram on a frequent basis.
Strengths
Both the offense and defense look superb and are filled with playmakers. The Giants will need both sides of the ball to function at a high level this season, but there’s little reason to assume they won’t.
New York’s running game might be a bit of a question mark. But adding tailback Wayne Gallman later in the draft could prove to pay off handsomely.
Weaknesses
Gallman could wind up being a nice player, but the Giants could have addressed their rookie tailback needs a bit earlier.
Yet the biggest problem likely stands along their offensive line. Ereck Flowers should be over at right tackle, and the Giants still might wind up paying dearly for not protecting Manning up front. It’s not as pressing an issue as for some teams with bad O-lines, but this remains one of the bigger question marks New York faces.
X-Factors
How will the tandem of Marshall and Beckham jell? Should we expect a fierce and beneficial competition between the two? Or will this descend into some sort of locker-room problem affecting the rest of the team?
It’s probably a bigger deal on paper than in reality. But as long as the Giants are winning — and we should expect such in 2017 — things shouldn’t be that big of a deal.
New York Jets
2016 Record: 5-11, Fourth Place in the AFC East
New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles will be on the hot seat this season. And he won’t be the only one.
The Jets are one of those teams where nothing seems to be going right as of now. They lost wide receiver Brandon Marshall, which hurts the offense, and the defense was about as underachieving as can be in 2016.
No wonder the Jets finished 30th in offense (275 points scored) and 28th on defense (409 points allowed). That’s the formula for a 5-11 record.
Without any legitimate option at quarterback, things could stay ugly for the Jets this season, offensively. Unless running back Matt Forte winds up carrying this group on his shoulders, it’s likely going to be yet another long season in New York.
Hey, at least the Jets addressed some secondary concerns by adding safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye in the NFL Draft, right? Those weren’t bad moves.
Strengths
Adams and Maye are upgrades right away. So that’s a plus. And rookie tight end Jordan Leggett will immediately be a favored target for quarterback Bryce Petty, if he winds up being named the starter.
Defensive linemen Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson are still good players, at least they should be. So maybe both of these guys are able to put 2016 behind them and start afresh this season. That would be nice.
Weaknesses
Even with additions to the secondary, New York’s cornerback crop remains a very worrisome group. And without the regular pressure up front, it was all too often the Jets’ defensive backs wound up being exposed by merely average offenses last year.
Petty could wind up being a nice quarterback still. Yet he doesn’t have much around him. And until the Jets figure out what direction they’re trying to go, it’s likely he’ll struggle again in 2017.
X-Factors
Adams is the kind of player teams want to build around. Not only is he a bona fide playmaker, but he also brings key leadership to a locker room — an element the Jets sorely need right now.
If the defense can rally around their rookie hopeful, perhaps we’ll see an uptick from some of last year’s underachievers.
That might be the best thing to happen for New York this upcoming season.
Oakland Raiders
2016 Record: 12-4, Second Place in the AFC West
The Oakland Raiders were one Derek Carr injury away from likely going very deep in the playoffs.
This leg injury to the Raiders’ star quarterback was a shame, especially for this Oakland team on the rise. Oakland’s offense was prolific last year, with wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree combining for over 1,000 receiving yards each.
And while the Raiders won’t have running back Latavius Murray back in the fray — welcome back to Oaktown, Marshawn Lynch — at least the silver and black shouldn’t suffer any major offensive drawbacks.
Defensive pieces like linebackers Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin have also made their play. They’re among the best in the league and a testament to what general manager Reggie McKenzie has done here.
If there was a pressing need, it was within the secondary. And Oakland addressed this with NFL Draft picks, cornerback Gareon Conley and safety Obi Melifonwu.
Strengths
The Raiders offense remains a pinnacle of whatever happens this season. It’s an elite group and shouldn’t suffer too much a drawback with Murray out of the picture.
Carr’s health shouldn’t be an issue either. The broken leg suffered doesn’t appear to be hindering him at all now, and we should expect yet another solid season from the Raiders’ star signal-caller.
And keep on the lookout for Mack and Co. This front seven is pretty good.
Weaknesses
While the additions of both Conley and Melifonwu should help, Conley’s legal issues could wind up biting Oakland in a major way this year. We’ll see how this plays out, but the Raiders secondary is still far from perfect.
The Raiders could also have used a bit of offensive line help via the draft, but there weren’t exactly a lot of top-tier options available.
X-Factors
The Raiders’ eventual move to Las Vegas in a couple of years may wind up being a distraction for the players on the field. Sure, they’ll say the right things. But this carries weight. How much of it is yet to be determined.
And with Lynch, one has to wonder if the 31-year-old tailback is going to resemble his Beastmode self, or if this is little more than a ploy to keep Raiders fans coming to Oakland Coliseum. Lynch hasn’t played a full season since 2014. That’s a long time.
Philadelphia Eagles
2016 Record: 7-9, Fourth Place in the NFC East
The Philadelphia Eagles have the unfortunate task of competing with both the Cowboys and Giants twice a year.
That hurts their playoff chances, but at least the Eagles made strides to get second-year quarterback Carson Wentz some more weapons on offense.
Added to the mix are wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith. This could help quite a bit. And yet the bigger concern is on defense, particularly in the secondary.
Philadelphia lacked cornerbacks in 2016. It hurt in a big way, and the Eagles lacked any sort of playmaking production from this crucial position.
The Eagles hope to address this by adding former Tennessee EDGE Derek Barnett — who may be the best pure pass-rusher coming out of college — as well as corners Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas in Rounds 2 and 3, respectively.
Jones (Achilles) may not start this season. So that’s a risk right there. But Douglas should be able to contribute right away.
Strengths
Barnett is an immediate upgrade for the pass rush. So look for that group to be vastly improved from a year ago.
This should help alleviate pressure within the defensive backfield as well. And the Eagles still boast a dynamic ground attack, led by tailbacks Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles.
Sproles remains a key weapon and a unique commodity to have.
Weaknesses
Jeffery and Smith help in the passing game. But the former has been a bit of a disappointment since his 2014 campaign, and the latter all but disappeared during his days in San Francisco. Are these two cases mere anomalies or signs of what’s to come?
And while the Eagles made some upgrades to the secondary via the NFL Draft, only Douglas will have an immediate impact. That’s a cause for concern.
X-Factors
We’ll have to see how Wentz handles his new receiving options. This could provide the next step in his maturation process, which is a must-have thing for the Eagles to gain any sort of headway within a tough division.
If the defense can overachieve this year, especially on the back end, Philadelphia might be in position to at least climb over the Washington Redskins in divisional standings.
But the Eagles aren’t on par with either New York or Dallas.
Pittsburgh Steelers
2016 Record: 11-5, First Place in the AFC North
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is coming back for another season, and that’s music to Pittsburgh Steelers’ fans ears.
And he’ll have wide receiver Antonio Brown back at his disposal — even more music, especially when paired with running back Le’Veon Bell returning on a franchise tag.
Pittsburgh amassed its 11-5 record last year thanks entirely to its offense. The defense was downright bad and has been for some time now.
How much of that will change this season? Adding EDGE T.J. Watt was the perfect move for the Steelers. He’ll immediately provide the dynamic pass-rushing threat Pittsburgh has lacked since the days of James Harrison in his prime.
Harrison is back though, and he’ll get some much-needed help.
Cornerback Cameron Sutton was a nice pickup in Round 3 of the NFL Draft. He may take some time to develop, but he should be able to make some noteworthy contributions in year one.
Strengths
Bell, Brown and Ben.
As long as this trio is working efficiently, the Steelers will remain favorites for any AFC North crown.
Pittsburgh’s offense is prolific enough to overtake even the best defenses in the league. And the Steelers already proved they can win the shootout matchups. That might not help much in the postseason though.
Weaknesses
The defense, especially within the secondary, proved to be a major problem for the Steelers over the course of the year.
Adding some pass-rush help up front should help here. But this is a unit in transition and will likely need a couple of years to truly transform into the kind of defense Pittsburgh is known for.
X-Factors
Roethlisberger’s health is a never-ending concern, and 2017 is no different. If he stays healthy, all should be well. At least on offense.
But one player to watch here is former USC wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. As teams clamp down on Brown, Smith-Schuster may wind up being the primary beneficiary of single-man coverage.
Having two prolific receivers is the last thing Pittsburgh’s opponents want to see on game day.
San Francisco 49ers
2016 Record: 2-14, Fourth Place in the NFC West
My, how much have the 49ers changed things in Santa Clara this offseason.
General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have completely stripped a boring and ineffective roster this offseason, parting ways with over 50 percent of last year’s group.
Lynch also engineered one of the most masterful trades of the NFL Draft, moving down from No. 2 overall and grabbing defensive end Solomon Thomas a spot later and picking up three picks from the Bears in the process.
All the while, Chicago could have stayed put and grabbed quarterback Mitchell Trubisky anyway.
Lynch also nabbed linebacker Reuben Foster, via a draft-day trade with the Seattle Seahawks, at the tail end of Round 1. Just think, the Niners may have a dynamic linebacker tandem once again with Foster and NaVorro Bowman.
San Francisco also made some notable offensive additions, signing a number of blue-chip players, including quarterback Brian Hoyer, fullback Kyle Jusczcyk and wide receivers Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin.
With Shanahan installing a more prolific offense, it’s clear this rebuild is taking the right steps.
Strengths
The Niners don’t have many, but at least the front seven is looking pretty solid with Thomas, Foster, Bowman and last year’s standout, DeForest Buckner, in place. Adding running back Joe Williams should help alleviate the pressure on Carlos Hyde to perform solely on his own, which is exactly what the latter needs.
At best, the 49ers have a solid general manager proving himself and a clear vision what the team wants to do moving forward.
That’s the best news Niners fans have had in a while.
Weaknesses
San Francisco is still undergoing some major transitions within its secondary, and the cornerback group figures to be one question mark. Rashard Robinson suddenly emerges as the team’s No. 1 cornerback, and he’ll be paired with rookie Ahkello Witherspoon. The depth here isn’t great.
The 49ers offensive line, despite adding Pro Bowl center Jeremy Zuttah, is far from perfect. So this could be a problem for any offensive rhythm.
Despite the additions, the Niners still lack an elite-level offensive playmaker.
X-Factors
Gutting the roster means young, promising players have the chance to shine this season. But that doesn’t mean everyone will.
Hoyer is a stopgap option, and the 49ers aren’t going to pin their hopes on rookie QB C.J. Beathard anytime soon. So Hoyer it is.
But look for rookie tight end George Kittle to be a factor. Had he played in a more established collegiate program than Iowa, he might have been a household NFL Draft name.
Kittle could be soon.
Seattle Seahawks
2016 Record: 10-5-1, First Place in the NFC West
The once-mighty Seahawks may not seem so mighty anymore, but they’re still a perennial playoff contender and have no real threat within the now-weak NFC West.
Seattle dangled the idea of trading cornerback Richard Sherman during the offseason, but he’s staying put. And safety Earl Thomas comes back from a season-ending injury a year ago. That’s good news. We also shouldn’t bank on the Seahawks’ front seven suffering any sort of setbacks this year either.
The Seahawks defense remains a staple of their success. Yet quarterback Russell Wilson continues to receive deserved praise.
Wilson has done plenty with relatively few well-known receiving pieces outside of tight end Jimmy Graham. And Graham isn’t even Wilson’s favorite target. That honor goes to wide receiver Doug Baldwin.
Adding defensive tackle Malik McDowell early in Round 2 of the NFL Draft was a good move, although he might have slipped a bit further. And center Ethan Pocic in Round 3 might help alleviate Seattle’s biggest worry — it’s offensive line.
Strengths
While perhaps not quite as intimidating as it used to be, the Seahawks defense is still a force and should be so again this season.
So much of what Seattle does on the field is predicated by its defense, so this group will remain at the heart of the Seahawks’ 2017 efforts.
And Wilson? Well, he’s earned the right to be considered one of the league’s elite.
Weaknesses
The Seahawks haven’t quite figured out how to get their running game back on track after running back Marshawn Lynch’s temporary retirement. Adding former Packers tailback Eddie Lacy via free agency might help, but he comes with worries of his own.
But the biggest concern of all will be the O-line. Outside of center Justin Britt, this entire group was a major liability for Seattle over the course of 2016.
Adding Pocic won’t be nearly enough.
X-Factors
With a weak division, Seattle shouldn’t have any trouble finding its way back to the NFC West crown this year.
Wilson’s health and the ability to keep him protected will be top priority for offensive line coach Tom Cable. So far, it hasn’t gone exceptionally well.
We’ll also have to see how solid the rushing attack is behind Lacy. If it works, the Seahawks offense could return to a 2015 form. That’s a good thing.
If not, well, at least the defense remains stout.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2016 Record: 9-7, Second Place in the NFC South
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may very well be one of the NFL’s risers in 2017.
This unit surprised many last season, thanks largely to the outstanding performances of quarterback Jameis Winston and wide receiver Mike Evans. Now, the Bucs can add veteran receiver DeSean Jackson to the mix. Rookie tight end O.J. Howard too, taken No. 19 overall in the NFL Draft.
Running back Doug Martin will miss the first four games of the 2017 season while serving a mandated suspension, which means rookie tailback Jeremy McNichols might see a lot of action early.
And the defense? Let’s see how rookie safety Justin Evans performs, along with first-year pro linebacker Kendall Beckwith.
Tampa Bay will be a team to watch this season.
Strengths
The Buccaneers may wind up having one of the more explosive receiving groups in the NFL in 2017.
Evans, Jackson and now Howard is a scary mix for anyone facing Tampa Bay this year. And Winston’s maturation process has been fun to watch.
The defense is solid enough too, especially on the back end. So don’t be too surprised if the Buccaneers make a run at the NFC South title by year’s end.
Weaknesses
It would have been nice to see Tampa Bay make a few more additions to help the pass rush, so this lack could wind up being a bit of a liability over the course of the season. It’s not bad, just not terrific.
Yet a more pressing issue could be the running game. With Martin out, and possibly losing steam as well, relying on McNichols and a crop of backups isn’t the ideal scenario here.
X-Factors
Tampa Bay has a fairly rough schedule to start 2017, so it’s possible the Buccaneers are unable to get off to a hot start. Matchups versus the Giants and Patriots in Weeks 4 and 5, respectively, could ultimately determine just how far the Bucs go this season.
So this puts pressure on guys like Winston to perform at a high level. He’s earned praises already, but is he ready for the next step?
Tennessee Titans
2016 Record: 9-7, Second Place in the AFC South
Like the Buccaneers, the Tennessee Titans are one of the NFL’s risers for 2017.
The Titans had two pressing needs this offseason — finding legitimate receiving help for quarterback Marcus Mariota and additional depth within the secondary. Tennessee addressed these issues with two first-round picks in the NFL Draft.
First, the team took wide receiver Corey Davis, widely viewed as the best wideout in the draft. The Titans then nabbed cornerback Adoree’ Jackson at No. 18 overall.
And don’t sleep on fellow wideout Taywan Taylor in Round 3.
If Mariota was playing in a bigger market, he’d easily be viewed as one of the game’s rising stars. Heck, he is already.
So 2017 should be a fun season for Titans fans. They should easily be considered a legitimate playoff contender.
Strengths
Tennessee’s passing offense immediately improves with the additions of both Davis and Taylor. Combined with the dual-threat capability Mariota poses, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Titans boast one of the more prolific offenses in the league this upcoming season.
Especially if running back DeMarco Murray picks up where he left off last year
The defense isn’t bad either, especially after adding a top cornerback in Jackson.
Weaknesses
While the defense is looking pretty good in 2017, up front could be a bit of an issue for Tennessee over the course of the season.
Depth isn’t particularly great, as is the case with many teams coming off rebuilds, and the pass rush still lacks that true top-tier threat.
Most of this will mean problems against the passing game — an area where the Titans allowed the third most yards in the NFL last season (4,307).
X-Factors
Playing in the AFC South will help matters a bunch here. But the Titans may not be quite ready to overtake teams like the Colts and Texans on a regular basis. Tennessee will have to if they want to make the playoffs.
Mariota, like Jameis Winston, has shown enough to be considered on the next tier of solid QBs. But is he going to thrive with his new weapons?
Washington Redskins
2016 Record: 8-7-1, Third Place in the NFC East
Niner Noise wraps up this offseason NFL preview by looking at a team that will likely finish in the cellar of the NFC East this year — the Washington Redskins.
Washington lost its two best receivers to free agency — DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon — so that hinders quarterback Kirk Cousins’ abilities to effectively move the ball through the air. Not having former offensive coordinator Sean McVay in town also hurts matters.
The Redskins didn’t do much to alleviate these losses, but they did manage to reinforce their defense throughout the draft.
Even without a general manager in place.
Pickups of former Alabama defenders Jonathan Allen and Ryan Anderson should help matters here. So should the Round 3 selection of former UCLA cornerback Fabian Moreau.
Still, the Redskins are destined for a decline.
Strengths
The defense should be notably better than it was last year, and that’s a good thing when Washington has to face off against the Giants and Cowboys twice a year.
Cousins remains the Redskins’ best offensive player, but it will be interesting to see how he handles the lack of true receiving talent on the outside. At least rookie running back Samaje Perine makes things more interesting.
Weaknesses
While improved, the defense is still far from perfect. It would have been nice to see the Redskins grab a defender to lock down the interior of the defense, and it’s hard to say whether or not Allen can be that guy.
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Josh Norman is a good cornerback, for sure, but even he can’t cover the entire field. And Moreau will take some time to adjust.
But the biggest problem will be on offense. It’s likely going to be a long year, offensively, for head coach Jay Gruden and Co.
X-Factors
With Cousins on a franchise tag, there’s no way the Redskins will make the same move a third year in a row. So, basically, the veteran quarterback is playing in a contract year.
It’s not ideal to do this without prolific receivers at his disposal, so look for Cousins’ stats to take a bit of a decline. If they don’t, credit to him.
Next: NFL power rankings: A post-NFL Draft look at all 32 teams
2017 might be a year in which Washington’s defense is forced to carry the load. Is this group up for the challenge? If not, the Redskins will look back at this year wondering what went wrong.