It’s Generation 1 of the NFL season, a while for optimism. Upcoming all, each crew is undefeated.
However the truth is even the most efficient groups have issues as they get ready for the common season to kick off this time. It may well be intensity at a function, a tender participant stepping right into a forming function or total condition.
We don’t cruel to deliver you unwell, however we requested The Athletic’s NFL beat newshounds to spot the most important fear for all 32 groups.
Intensity
GM Monti Ossentfort has spent his first 20 months rebuilding the roster. He’s made forged strikes, upgrading the skill round quarterback Kyler Murray and drafting younger defensive skill. Intensity, then again, rest a priority. Arizona will probably be examined from the beginning, shedding out of doors linebacker BJ Ojulari (ACL) for the season and defensive lineman and first-round pick out Darius Robinson for a minimum of 4 video games as a result of a calf factor. As well as, Arizona’s preseason efficiency didn’t encourage self belief. It’s no longer such a lot that the Cardinals misplaced all 3 video games (tremendous offer), it’s that their second- and third-teamers were given outplayed. This crew may produce a leap, nevertheless it wishes to stick wholesome. — Doug Haller
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Go whisk
The Falcons traded for Matthew Judon all the way through coaching camp to handle what has been their maximum urgent want of the ultimate decade, however, the truth is Judon is 32 and coming off a biceps tear that value him 13 video games ultimate season. He’s nonetheless the Falcons’ splendid pass-rushing possibility as no person else at the roster has had greater than 7 1/2 sacks in one season. What would actually support the Falcons is that if third-year out of doors linebacker Arnold Ebiketie may snatch some other step this 12 months. The Penn Shape product was once Twentieth within the league ultimate 12 months in force fee (17.2 %) amongst gamers with greater than 100 cross whisk snaps, however he completed with simplest six sacks. — Josh Kendall
Offensive crease play games
The Ravens misplaced 3 veteran starters up entrance with guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson departing in separate company and proper take on Morgan Moses getting traded. Their replacements are 3 first-year starters: proper cover Daniel Faalele, a transformed take on; left cover Andrew Vorhees, who ignored his rookie season ultimate 12 months rehabbing a knee trauma; and proper take on Roger Rosengarten, a rookie second-round pick out. It’s telling that heart Tyler Linderbaum ignored a bit of camp with a neck trauma and oft-injured left take on Ronnie Stanley struggled ultimate 12 months and neither is without doubt one of the crew’s greatest issues up entrance. There’s a quantity of doubt for a gaggle that should play games properly in entrance of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. — Jeff Zrebiec
Protection
The Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer duo spoiled the Expenses for seven years. It was once a set-and-forget protection tandem, as they took on such a lot for the protection and had been two in their splendid gamers. Now each are long gone, and the Expenses may snatch a large step again. Founding sturdy protection Taylor Rapp struggled ultimate 12 months in spot begins. Independent protection rest up within the breeze between rookie Cole Bishop, veteran Mike Edwards and Damar Hamlin — a regular sturdy protection. Plus, Bishop and Edwards slightly practiced this summer season age of their first 12 months within the Expenses’ device. — Joe Buscaglia
Out of doors linebacker
Requested if he was once involved concerning the Disagree. 2 cornerback spot then the Panthers traded for Mike Jackson and claimed 3 alternative corners, Dave Canales stated: “Not now.” However the Panthers nonetheless have a hollow at edge rusher, particularly the facet reverse Jadeveon Clowney. Independent-agent acquisition D.J. Wonnum (quad) will leave out no less than the primary 4 video games age forming on PUP. And not one of the wholesome guys competing for OLB2 — DJ Johnson, Okay’Lavon Chaisson and Eku Leota — has seized the activity. The Panthers claimed rookie Jamie Sheriff from Seattle, however the undrafted separate agent is seen as extra of a challenge than a plug-and-play man. — Joseph Particular person
Protective rookie QB Caleb Williams will probably be a supremacy precedence for the Bears this season. (David Banks / USA These days)
Offensive crease
Iciness, development and worries concerning the Bears’ offensive crease. The ones are our Chicago constants, even then an offseason upgrading the offense. With a rookie quarterback in Caleb Williams, the O-line’s efficiency is so important. Can left take on Braxton Jones and left cover Teven Jenkins keep wholesome? How will Coleman Shelton fare at heart? And proper cover Nate Davis, can he after all be worthy? This workforce does have possible if the whole thing comes in combination, and Jenkins may well be probably the most splendid if he avoids trauma, however the crease’s sturdiness problems and insufficiency of Professional Bowl skill makes it, once more, the supremacy query getting into the season. — Kevin Fishbain
Run protection
DJ Reader modified the fit for Lou Anarumo’s protection up entrance. He absorbed double groups at probably the most easiest charges in soccer and continuously cleared field for linebackers to produce performs round him. He’s long gone now and the membership by no means actually changed him because the big-body nostril take on on early downs. Sheldon Rankins and BJ Hill are each enough at preventing the run, however neither has the dimensions to kill just about the similar approach. They drafted McKinnley Jackson within the 0.33 around, however he’s injured. 2nd-rounder Kris Jenkins is a smaller physique adjusting to era within the NFL. They usually had been in most cases terrible preventing the run ultimate 12 months even with Reader. — Paul Dehner
Can they keep wholesome?
If the Browns get excellent quarterback play games and keep slightly wholesome, they’ll have a anticipation to change into an actual AFC contender. The 2 are connect in combination, however no longer simply because Deshaun Watson is getting back from shoulder surgical procedure. Watson has been simply OK over his 12 video games in two seasons with the Browns, and he hasn’t taken a are living snap since ultimate November. The Browns have 13 gamers time 30 or used, they usually’re nonetheless getting offensive tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin and defensive take on Dalvin Tomlinson again from knee accidents. This a skilled roster with a lofty ceiling, nevertheless it wishes potency and availability from Watson. — Zac Jackson
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Operating competition
The Cowboys just lately signed four-time Professional Bowler Dalvin Prepare dinner to their apply squad. Their greatest offseason addition on the function was once bringing again Ezekiel Elliott. Will the ones two be plethora to interchange Tony Pollard? Rico Dowdle, 26, must be that favourite to top the crew in dashing. He’ll have a larger function this 12 months and almost definitely has extra upside than the alternative two 29-year-olds. Others who may get one of the most workload are Deuce Vaughn and fullback Hunter Luepke. Dallas believes operating back-by-committee can paintings. However there are causes to consider it is usually a serious problem, particularly with beginners forming at heart and left take on. — Jon Machota
How the Broncos information Bo Nix thru inevitable heartbreak
Optimism swelled round Nix, the twelfth pick out within the NFL Draft, all the way through an important two-game stint within the preseason. He seems like a powerful have compatibility to run Sean Payton’s offense. However it will be naive to consider it’s going to all be clean crusing from the while Nix takes his first snap at boisterous Lumen Grassland in Seattle on Sept. 8. The Broncos are a slightly younger crew, and the roadblocks gained’t simplest be skilled by means of the quarterback. However it’s remarkable that Denver has a plan for directing Nix thru his inevitable struggles. Payton will wish to display the persistence and savvy essential to retain Nix’s arrow on an upward trajectory, even if there are dips in his trail. — Nick Kosmider
Intensity at edge and WR
The Lions have constructed a well-rounded roster with few clear holes. If you happen to’re taking to nitpick, although, intensity at broad receiver and edge will be the park to start out. Jameson Williams will probably be stepping right into a forming function for the primary while in his profession, and age he appeared in a position for the highlight in camp, we’ll wish to see him put together in video games. WR3 was once a revolving door, and the Lions are turning to a couple of 30-year-olds in Tim Patrick and Allen Robinson to grant serviceable manufacturing. Utmost 12 months, the crew struggled to generate a cross whisk reverse Aidan Hutchinson and at the moment are depending at the oft-injured Marcus Davenport to play games a starter’s workload in 2024. — Colton Pouncy
In 12 video games ultimate season, Jameson Williams stuck 24 passes for 354 yards and two touchdowns. (Eric Seals / USA These days)
Kicker
Mason Crosby was once the Packers’ kicker for 16 seasons from 2007 thru 2022. The participant they supposed to be his substitute, 2023 sixth-round pick out Anders Carlson, is already long gone. Upcoming Carlson’s rocky rookie season and underwhelming coaching camp, the Packers excepted each Carlson and his challenger, veteran Greg Joseph. Their Generation 1 kicker will probably be undrafted rookie Brayden Narveson, whom they claimed off waivers from the Titans on Wednesday. Narveson made 6 of seven farmland targets all the way through preseason video games, together with a 59-yarder and a game-winner in opposition to the Seahawks as while expired, however can he kick within the parts at Lambeau Grassland? — Matt Schneidman
Offensive crease condition
The Texans battled accidents alongside their offensive crease all ultimate season, forming 11 linemen. Most effective proper cover Shaq Mason began all 17 video games. Offensive crease lecturer Chris Strasser did a superb activity of plugging in items, however the Texans are hoping he doesn’t have to try this this 12 months. Left take on Laremy Tunsil rest probably the most splendid at his function however had offseason knee surgical procedure. He has performed a complete slate of video games simply as soon as in his profession. Holding quarterback C.J. Stroud upright, and paving the best way for a extra constant run competition led by means of offseason acquisition Joe Mixon, tops the Texans’ precedence checklist. — Mike Jones
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Can the secondary conserve up?
It’s clear the Colts’ season hinges on quarterback Anthony Richardson’s condition and availability. However assuming he performs a complete marketing campaign, some other obtrusive fear is Indianapolis’ green secondary. Colts GM Chris Ballard has been adamant that younger gamers — together with second-year cornerbacks JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones, in addition to third-year protection Nick Move — wish to play games to get well. The Colts may’ve added a veteran at both function in separate company however opted in opposition to it. Now, a playoff berth most likely rests on how temporarily the kids can develop up and conserve their very own. — James Boyd
Will they live to tell the tale the early gauntlet?
Mentor Doug Pederson is aware of it’s remarkable to do a greater activity of defending QB Trevor Lawrence, so you’ll be able to’t not include the offensive crease. I’m additionally no longer positive in the event that they’ve were given plethora store cross rushers, however I feel pristine defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen’s competitive nature will fan the flames of added force. So I’ll guard my biggest fear is the early stretch in opposition to the Dolphins, Browns, Expenses and Texans (with all however the Cleveland competition at the street). If the Jaguars display up because the crew that limped unwell the stretch in 2023, they’ll be 0-4. However I feel the Jaguars will flip it again round and contend for a playoff spot. — Jeff Howe
Did the Chiefs get the left take on spot proper with Kingsley Suamataia?
The Chiefs, led by means of lecturer Andy Reid and common supervisor Brett Veach, have lovely a lot rebuilt the crew’s offense, placing in combination a probably tough spaceship for quarterback Patrick Mahomes to function. Mahomes seems to have enough of skill-position guns with tight finish Travis Kelce, receivers Marquise Brown, Rashee Rice and rookie Xavier Valuable and operating backs Isiah Pacheco, Carson Steele and Samaje Perine. The largest fear is with second-round pick out Suamataia and his cross blockading. In restricted snaps within the preseason, Suamataia earned an 82.8 pass-blocking grade from Professional Soccer Center of attention, the easiest of any rookie take on. The preseason, although, isn’t the common season. — Nate Taylor
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Quarterback
Gardner Minshew was once named the starter then an uninspiring pageant with Aidan O’Connell. The training team of workers preferred the veteran’s revel in and mobility, however his play games all through coaching camp and the preseason was once lackluster. He was once faulty, his timing was once beggarly and he put the ball into hurt’s approach a ways too regularly. Possibly he’ll enhance as he grows extra happy with offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s device and develops more potent chemistry along with his teammates, nevertheless it’s crispy to be ok with him given what we’ve revealed. — Tashan Reed
Justin Herbert’s bedrock
So far, Herbert has returned from his plantar fascia trauma without a problems. Herbert was once in a strolling boot for 2 weeks in early August. He ignored alike to a few weeks of apply. He returned Aug. 19. That time, he appeared like himself in coaching camp. He was once correct. He was once shifting properly, together with making throws at the run. Nonetheless, it is a aimless trauma. There’ll at all times be a chance of aggravation as a result of the character of the plantar fascia, which is the arch ligament. With out Herbert, the Chargers have very slight anticipation of staying aggressive, even then upgrading at additional quarterback by means of buying and selling for Taylor Heinicke. — Daniel Popper
Can the Rams get their offensive crease wholesome then offseason funding?
The Rams spent tremendous on their inner offensive crease, extending cover Kevin Dotson and signing cover Jonah Jackson in separate company. Additionally they prolonged left take on Alaric Jackson and moved cover Steve Avila to heart to deal with the arriving of Jonah Jackson. Heading into the season, Avila is again at left cover to support offer protection to the left facet in their crease, which is lacking Alaric Jackson because of a postponed. That implies Jonah Jackson is filling in at heart then lacking maximum of camp with a shoulder trauma. Proper take on Rob Havenstein has but to apply as he returns from an ankle trauma (he may accomplish that this time). The Rams’ season is based on maintaining 36-year-old quarterback Matthew Stafford upright. The whole lot is okay, proper? — Jourdan Rodrigue
Mike McDaniel has gotten the Dolphins to the playoffs in each his seasons because the crew’s head lecturer, however each led to wild-card losses. (Kim Klement Neitzel / USA These days)
Is that this crew constructed to win in December and January?
I do know, I do know. You’ve heard this one 100 occasions. I am getting it. However till the Mike McDaniel Dolphins turn out they gained’t every year abatement unwell the stretch, it’s taking to be the most important narrative that haunts this crew. Getting into the 2024 season, the Dolphins are 4-10 underneath McDaniel in the ones iciness months, together with 0-2 within the postseason. In order a lot amusing as some other sizzling get started can be, each NFL analyst underneath the solar goes to hold a caveat on their celebrate of Miami this season that can tone one thing like this: “Another great win for the Dolphins, but can they get it done when the games matter most?” — Jim Ayello
Handovers by means of the quarterback
Thirty-nine NFL quarterbacks have thrown no less than 1,000 passes within the ultimate 5 years. Sam Darnold ranks ultimate between them in passer score and EPA in keeping with dropback. How a lot of this was once a byproduct of his circumstance? Communicate to family in Fresh York and Carolina, and also you’ll pay attention tales that produce you miracle what number of quarterbacks spent their first 5 NFL seasons in worse conditions. Most effective Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick have accumulated a better interception-per-attempt fee than Darnold amongst starters since 2018. Darnold has additionally fumbled 38 occasions in 56 video games. The 2023 Vikings’ season was once darkened by means of quarterback yields. If the computer virus bites them once more, it’ll be tricky sledding in opposition to a troublesome agenda. — Alec Lewis
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Offensive competence
The Patriots aren’t anticipating to have an above-average offense. They’re practical about their staff with a receiver workforce and offensive-line unit that each rank some of the league’s worst. However a 12 months in the past, they paired a evil roster with offensive disorder and it ruined the season. The expectancy now could be merely to be competent. Steer clear of foolish consequences (like the ten(!) flags at the offensive crease within the ultimate preseason competition). Don’t flip the ball over. Run it properly (and a quantity). That didn’t actually occur in coaching camp as they realized a pristine scheme. So the fear now could be whether or not they may be able to put that in the back of them and change into, say, the league’s Twentieth-best offense. That will be a step ahead. — Chad Graff
Offensive crease balance
The Saints tie a couple of groups indexed above with issues about their entrance 5. Get started with 2022 first-round pick out Trevor Penning at proper take on. He was once benched ultimate season and did himself deny actual favors this offseason to curb the nervousness of Saints lovers, and almost definitely the decision-makers within the development. Left cover will even possess a pristine starter with Lucas Patrick having a look to be the man there, which additionally leaves slightly to be desired. A minimum of there’s optimism at left take on with 2024 first-round pick out Taliese Fuaga rightfully forming. Heart Erik McCoy and proper cover Cesar Ruiz can’t stop everyone. — Larry Holder
The secondary
The Giants took a step towards fortifying their greatest sickness by means of re-signing veteran cornerback Adoree’ Jackson on Friday. However the truth that the Giants had been pressured to deliver again Jackson, who were available on the market for 8 months, a time sooner than the beginning of the season illustrates their desperation. The Giants obviously don’t have faith in younger corners Cor’Dale Flott and Nick McCloud, who were competing for the Disagree. 2 activity all through camp. And there’s deny pledge that 2023 first-round pick out Deonte Banks is able to be a Disagree. 1 nook. Upload in rookie starters at slot nook (third-round pick out Dru Phillips) and protection (second-rounder Tyler Nubin), and there are so many of questions at a function that may devastate a season. — Dan Duggan
Haason Reddick’s holdout
The Jets traded for Reddick, probably the most NFL’s maximum prolific sack artists, then letting Bryce Huff advance in separate company and nearest proceeded to industry John Franklin-Myers for peanuts. Later, Reddick didn’t display up for the rest but even so his intro information convention and now the Jets most likely will roll into the season with a quantity of unproven gamers filling in for him: particularly Micheal Clemons, 2023 first-round pick out Will McDonald and journeyman Takk McKinley. The Jets’ protection can nonetheless be stellar with out Reddick, however their cross whisk is lacking a plenty piece — and if McDonald isn’t in a position to step up as a supplement for Jermaine Johnson and Quinnen Williams, it may well be a subject matter. — Zack Rosenblatt
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The shape of the protection
Up to the staleness of Philadelphia’s offensive device ultimate 12 months contributed to the crew’s surprising fall down in 2023, its protection was once much more calamitous. The Eagles surrendered the NFL’s second-most passing yards. They ranked thirteenth within the league in quarterback force proportion then score moment the former season. All the way through their 1-5 stretch, they owned the league’s second-lowest EPA in keeping with play games (-0.14), in line with TruMedia. The group was at the supply of its coveted device by means of hiring DC Vic Fangio and devoted a portion of separate company and the primary two selections of the draft to supplying the secondary. Will the Eagles reclaim their id as a protection to be feared? — Brooks Kubena
Do they have got plethora feature intensity at WR?
When the Steelers traded former Professional Bowl receiver Diontae Johnson, they shook up the attic room dynamics and added a cornerback (Donte Jackson) who must step right into a forming function. Alternatively, the exit additionally created a large query mark at receiver that was once by no means solved. That the Steelers had been inquisitive about a participant (Brandon Aiyuk) who would have value greater than T.J. Watt to make use of tells you the crew itself will have to be occupied with receiver intensity. That room at this time options George Pickens and a quantity of questions. Veteran Van Jefferson, third-year receiver Calvin Austin and rookie Roman Wilson will attempt to respond to that looming void. — Mike DeFabo
Heart
The 49ers have already revealed problems at this function support derail a season in 2020 when accidents compelled them to their fourth-string possibility at heart. Intensity has been higher in recent times, nevertheless it’s precarious once more getting into 2024. Starter Jake Brendel has been managing knee tendinitis, and the one alternative lineman with substantial NFL revel in at heart, Jon Feliciano, is on injured store. The 49ers are having to position a quantity of religion into third-year guy Nick Zakelj because the then in crease in the back of Brendel at a place that’s extremely remarkable to lecturer Kyle Shanahan because it lets in the quarterback to “play fast.” Any bother at this function — the 49ers had problems with low snaps in coaching camp — can temporarily destabilize the offense. — David Lombardi
Seattle Seahawks
Offensive crease
Seattle has high-end skill at its power positions; the operating again and receiver rooms particularly are one of the best within the league. However that was once true ultimate 12 months as properly and the Seahawks nonetheless underachieved on that facet of the ball, in large part as a result of incompetence up entrance. Will left take on Charles Move have a bounce-back 12 months? Is Connor Williams the solution at heart? How lengthy will proper take on Abe Lucas’ healing from knee surgical procedure snatch? What’s going to Seattle get from Laken Tomlinson at left cover? The solutions to those questions will probably be important to Seattle’s luck in 2024. — Michael-Shawn Dugar
Offensive scheme
The Bucs by no means expected being as efficient as they had been ultimate season then Tom Brady’s leaving. A excellent proportion of the credit score was at offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who has since change into the pinnacle lecturer of the Panthers. In his park is Liam Coen, who’s making noteworthy alterations, together with extra appears to be like, extra deception, extra movement and extra QB autonomy on the crease. On the very least, the Bucs are more likely to exit thru a finding out curve. They have got to pray Coen has extra luck than he did in his one earlier season as an NFL offensive coordinator when the Rams completed ultimate in offense and had a 5-12 document. — Dan Pompei
Tennessee Titans
Out of doors linebacker
The Titans have an excellent one in Harold Landry, and one 12 months got rid of from an ACL rehab, he must be primed for a fertile season. There’s a vital drop-off then him. Arden Secret’s again for a moment season and, age it’s excellent information for the Titans that Key gained his attraction on a PED postponed, he’s a journeyman who offer sporadic pass-rush bursts. Veteran Rashad Weaver had a calm camp. Caleb Murphy is a second-year challenge. The most productive construction of camp was once the emergence of seventh-round pick out Jaylen Harrell — he’ll be an element. The Titans want Jeffery Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat to produce the out of doors guys glance higher with inner dominance. — Joe Rexrode
Serving to Jayden Daniels
The heralded first-round quarterback has appeared the phase in coaching camp and within the attic room. Does Daniels have plethora receiving goals then Terry McLaurin and Austin Ekeler? Buying and selling this summer season’s model of Jahan Dotson didn’t harm the WR room up to some think, however the excess non-McLaurin choices insufficiency important upside. The most productive pink zone goal, Zach Ertz, hasn’t remained wholesome since 2021. Are the take on choices secure plethora? Dry announcing sure over 17 video games in response to the veteran choices. Will the questionable cornerbacks top to thrusting Daniels into weekly shootouts? Sure, those are more than one issues, however they join on the participant Washington hopes can top them out of the NFL wilderness. — Ben Standig
(Representation: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; pictures: Todd Rosenberg, Scott Taetsch / Getty Photographs)
