Biggest Remaining Weakness For NFL Contenders: Bills Pass Rush, Chiefs RB Depth, Packers QB2 Among Areas of Concern

No NFL team is perfect. Even the league’s best front offices can’t assemble flawless depth charts.

While general managers strive to build rosters with ample depth at crucial positions, we know the NFL landscape is unpredictable. Injuries, ineffectiveness, and other unforeseen circumstances will change how teams think about their rosters in the coming weeks and months, forcing clubs to tap into their backup players.

Some NFL teams have more depth than others. Today, we’re honing in on the weak points and highlighting the most significant remaining roster hole for each 2024 contender.

We’ll look at teams with a win total above eight in the betting markets (apologies in advance to Buccaneers and Seahawks fans).

Which weaknesses should NFL decision-makers be concerned about with Week 1 on the horizon?

Biggest Remaining Weakness | AFC Contenders

Baltimore Ravens | Offensive Line

While wide receiver and EDGE might be sneaky holes for the Ravens, Baltimore’s offensive line is impossible to avoid. During the offseason, John Harbaugh lost 60% of his 2023 OL starters — Morgan Moses, Kevin Zeitler, and John Simpson — and will attempt to replace them with unproven options.

Andrew Voorhees, who might’ve been a Day 1 or 2 pick in 2023 if he hadn’t torn his ACL at the Combine, is poised to take over at left guard. Daniel Faalele (6’8″, 380 pounds) might be the largest guard in NFL history. Second-round rookie Roger Rosengarten is locked in a tight battle with versatile veteran Patrick Mekari at right tackle.

Buffalo Bills | Pass Rush

The Bills signed Von Miller to a six-year, $120 million contract in 2022, hoping he’d put them over the edge. But the now-35-year-old was slow to return from a torn ACL last season and offered next to nothing as a pass rusher once he came back.

Leonard Floyd, Jordan Phillips, Tim Settle, and Shaq Lawson left in free agency after handling more than 1,000 combined pass-rushing snaps.

Buffalo will get DT DaQuan Jones back healthy in 2024, but he’s more of a run-stuffer than a pocket pusher. Unless Greg Rousseau becomes an overnight superstar, the Bills won’t have much juice upfront.

Cincinnati Bengals | Defensive Tackle

While the Bengals don’t have any glaring weaknesses, they didn’t truly replace nose tackle DJ Reader after he signed with the Detroit Lions. Cincinnati drafted Texas A&M’s McKinnley Jackson to fill that role eventually, but he’s a Day 2 rookie currently dealing with a knee injury.

With Reader gone, the Bengals will rely on holdover B.J. Hill, free agent addition Sheldon Rankings, and second-round pick Kris Jenkins Jr. — who profile better as pass rushers — to hold up in the middle of their defensive line.

Cleveland Browns | Quarterback

In May, Pro Football Network said the Browns have the NFL’s second-best roster — if you don’t include quarterbacks in the equation.

But Deshaun Watson remains a complete mystery. Injuries and a suspension have limited him to 12 games over two seasons. Watson’s 42.9 QBR would’ve ranked 24th league-wide in 2023 if he’d posted enough attempts to qualify.

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Cleveland hired former Bills OC Ken Dorsey this offseason, and he will help the Browns run a more wide-open, spread-out attack that plays to Watson’s strengths. Still, we won’t be shocked if QB2 Jameis Winston makes multiple starts in 2024.

Houston Texans | Defensive Tackle

No. 2 cornerback looked like Houston’s most apparent weakness heading into training camp, but second-round rookie Kamari Lassiter quickly ended the Texans’ CB2 battle with a dominant summer showing.

Instead, let’s look at Houston’s defensive tackle rotation, which will be without Denico Autry (PED suspension) for the first six games of the season.

The Texans still have competent players — Mario Edwards, Tim Settle, Folorunso Fatukasi — on the interior, but they lack a Tier 1 DT, even with Autry in the fold.

Indianapolis Colts | Defensive Backfield

The Colts could’ve stood to add more talent at both corner and safety this offseason.

Kenny Moore remains an outstanding nickel, but it’s not as if 2023 draft picks JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones have established NFL track records. If either suffers an injury, Indy will rely on 2022 UDFA Dallis Flowers or Day 3 rookies Jaylin Simpson and Micah Abraham.

The Colts’ safety group has longer pro resumes but still comes with question marks.

Former third-rounder Nick Cross didn’t exactly grab Indy’s starting safety job opposite Julian Blackmon this summer. Veterans Ronnie Harrison and Rodney Thomas could still have roles in the back end. Justin Simmons or Quandre Diggs would’ve looked good in blue and white.

Jacksonville Jaguars | EDGE Depth

Josh Hines-Allen ranked sixth among edge rushers with an 18.3% pressure rate in 2023, while former No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker was at 12.7%. No other Jacksonville edge defender reached an NFL-average 10.8% pressure rate last season.

New Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead finished at 12.2% for the San Francisco 49ers last year and should boost the club’s interior, but the edge remains an area of concern.

Replacement-level veteran Trevis Gipson and recent Day 3 draft picks Tryler Lacy and Myles Cole are the next men up if something happens to Hines-Allen or Walker.

Kansas City Chiefs | Running Back Depth

Surprise, surprise — the two-time defending champs don’t have any major weaknesses.

Left tackle might’ve been a question heading into Chiefs training camp, but second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia grabbed the starting job with an eye-opening summer performance.

If we’re going to quibble with Kansas City’s roster, we’ll go to running back, where the Chiefs are still searching for options behind starter Isiah Pacheco.

Clyde Edwards-Helarie is back on a one-year deal but has recently battled episodes of post-traumatic stress disorder. K.C. has given reps to backups like Deneric Prince and Carston Steele (nominally a fullback) during camp.

Los Angeles Chargers | Offensive Playmakers

We could’ve listed any number of defensive holes for the Chargers. While first-year coordinator Jesse Minter should get the most out of the Bolts’ existing talent, Los Angeles’ defense has to get younger and faster in the coming years.

What about on offense? Justin Herbert is expected to be ready for Week 1 after sitting out with a plantar fascia injury, and the Chargers have an above-average offensive line.

Still, a running back room headlined by Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins and a WR depth chart featuring Josh Palmer and rookie Ladd McConkey leaves much to be desired. Herbert might have the worst set of weapons in the NFL.

Miami Dolphins | Interior Offensive Line

Miami has three new projected starters along its interior offensive line in 2024.

Aaron Brewer is supposed to replace Connor Williams at center, but he’s been sidelined by a broken hand. Liam Eichenberg has struggled to fill in.

Robert Jones is taking over for Robert Hunt, now a $20 million per year right guard for the Carolina Panthers.

Isaiah Wynn may have repeated as the Dolphins’ starting left guard, but he’s still on the PUP list while recovering from a 2023 quadriceps injury. Instead, Eichenberg (if Brewer is back) or free agent signing Jack Driscoll will probably play LG in Week 1.

Mike McDaniel’s scheme and Tua Tagovailoa’s quick release have routinely mitigated Miami’s offensive line issues, and the Dolphins will count on both assets in 2024.

New York Jets | Defensive Line

New York’s Haason Reddick nightmare is still ongoing as Week 1 approaches. The Jets don’t plan to give the veteran pass rusher a raise or acquiesce to his trade request. The longer Reddick is gone, the better the chance Gang Green’s EDGE depth becomes an issue.

But the Jets’ interior defensive line could be a problem, too. High-quality complementary piece Quinton Jefferson signed with the Browns after generating 29 pressures in 2023. He’s being replaced by former 49ers first-round DT Javon Kinlaw, who’s been plagued by inconsistency throughout his career.

Pittsburgh Steelers | Wide Receiver

Pittsburgh might still be hoping to acquire 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk. But if that trade never comes to fruition, Justin Fields or Russell Wilson will be throwing to one of the league’s most uninspiring receiver groups.

George Pickens remains the Steelers’ WR1 after hauling in 63 catches for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns in 2023 while leading the NFL with 18.1 yards per catch. He ranked 21st among wide receivers with 2.05 yards per route run, finishing as one of 24 NFL wideouts with 2+ YPRR.

Behind Pickens, Pittsburgh is counting on third-round rookie Roman Wilson — who isn’t a lock for Week 1 after suffering an ankle injury in July — and journeymen like Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, and Scotty Miller.

Biggest Remaining Weakness | NFC Contenders

Atlanta Falcons | Edge Rusher

Yes, recent trade acquisition Matthew Judon will bolster Atlanta’s pass-rushing plan in 2024. However, a 32-year-old veteran who missed 13 games with injury last season might not be the answer to all the Falcons’ problems.

Atlanta ranked dead last in pass-rush win rate (31%) in 2023 and then lost its two best edge defenders, Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree. Third-round rookie Bralen Trice, who was expected to be deployed in Year 1, is out for the year after tearing his ACL.

Judon will help, but the Falcons probably need to see a significant leap from 2022 draft picks Arnold Ebiketie and DeAngelo Malone to field an above-average EDGE group.

Chicago Bears | Edge Rusher

Chicago rarely blitzes, so it needs another edge rusher capable of winning 1-on-1 matchups alongside Montez Sweat.

According to TruMedia, the Bears posted the NFL’s worst pressure rate (27.6%) when rushing four in 2023. No defense generated less EPA via sacks on a per-snap basis on those snaps.

General manager Ryan Poles was involved in discussions for Judon before he went to the Falcons. With holdovers like DeMarcus Walker, Dominique Robinson, Daniel Hardy, and rookie Austin Booker as Chicago’s next-best options, Poles might have to consider trade alternatives.

Dallas Cowboys | Running Back

The Cowboys have been proactive with their defensive line this month, signing free agent EDGE Carl Lawson and acquiring DT Jordan Phillips from the New York Giants.

Dallas hasn’t taken the same course at running back, where Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle are in line to split touches after Tony Pollard signed with the Tennessee Titans.

While the Cowboys’ new offensive line starters (left tackle Tyler Guyton and center Brock Hoffman) might dictate Dallas’ rushing success more than who’s actually carrying the ball, it’s still surprising Jerry Jones didn’t look for another backfield option.

Don’t be surprised if the Cowboys claim an RB at next week’s final roster cutdowns.

Detroit Lions | Edge Rusher

Aidan Hutchinson led the Lions with 11.5 sacks and a 17.4% pressure rate in 2023. John Cominsky was Detroit’s only other returning EDGE with at least two sacks last season, and he’s out indefinitely after tearing his MCL in July.

The Lions signed former first-round pick Marcus Davenport to a two-year deal in March. While he may have remaining upside, the 27-year-old has been consistently hindered by injury issues.

Detroit may have to rely on additional interior pressure from breakout candidates Alim McNeill and Levi Onwuzurike instead.

Green Bay Packers | Backup Quarterback

While the Packers locked up Jordan Love for the long haul this summer, they haven’t solidified their backup quarterback situation.

Sean Clifford, Love’s QB2 last year, attempted one pass in 2023 and has averaged just 5.3 yards per attempt this preseason. Micahel Pratt, a seventh-round rookie out of Tulane, has an average depth of target (adOT) of 5.5 yards on 25 preseason dropbacks. The Browns’ Dorian Thompson-Robinson ranked dead last in aDOT in 2023, and even he was at 6.1 yards.

Green Bay should get Ryan Tannehill on the phone.

Los Angeles Rams | Linebacker Depth

The Rams used free agency and the draft to cover up many of their weaknesses this offseason. While Los Angeles has no hope of replacing future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald, it drafted defensive linemen Jared Verse and Braden Fiske while bolstering its secondary with veterans like Tre’Davious White, Darious Williams, and Kam Curl.

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Ernest Jones is an underrated linebacker, but the Rams might have a problem if he goes down with an injury. Christian Rozeboom posted the NFL’s third-worst missed tackle rate among LBs in 2023, while top backup Troy Reeder is stretched as a starter.

L.A. played Dime packages with Jones as the only ‘backer on the field on 17.3% of its plays last season, nearly double the NFL-average rate (9.8%, per TruMedia).

Philadelphia Eagles | Linebacker

While the Eagles don’t have any conspicuous roster holes, general manager Howie Roseman has never heavily invested in linebackers.

That won’t change in 2024, when offseason additions Devin White and Zack Baun are projected to replace 2023 starters Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow.

Former third-round pick Nakobe Dean — who might’ve led Philadelphia’s LB in snaps last year if not for multiple injuries  — should also play a role.

San Francisco 49ers | Defensive Line Depth

The 49ers’ roster is stacked. Assuming they eventually work out solutions with WR Brandon Aiyuk and OT Trent Williams, San Francisco has no obvious weaknesses.

A couple of areas along the 49ers’ defensive line could be causes for concern.

One, can the Niners’ defensive tackles hold up against the run? Arik Armstead was a solid run defender in San Francisco before being released this offseason. Javon Hargrave and offseason additions Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliott are more gap-shooters than lane-cloggers.

Two, do the 49ers have enough pass-rushing juice opposite Nick Bosa? Leonard Floyd has nine-plus sacks in four straight years but turns 32 in September. Yetur Gross-Matos never truly developed for the Carolina Panthers before joining San Fran this offseason.