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Nobody is stunned to see the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs amongst a handful of undefeated groups, however that’s about all that has gone in keeping with schedule early within the NFL common season. Accidents are starting to mount throughout the league and that’s stretching depth at key positions.
Right here is essentially the most urgent want for each staff forward of Week 4:
AFC North
Bengals: Line of defense
Myles Murphy, Cameron Sample and McKinnley Jackson are all on injured reserve. Sheldon Rankins and B.J. Hill had been each inactive for Monday night time’s recreation in opposition to the Commanders. These two gamers, in addition to Trey Hendrickson and Kris Jenkins, had been on Wednesday’s damage report. It’s a depleted unit in Ohio’s queen metropolis.
Cornerback was the opposite consideration simply because they want the present group to play at a better stage. They did a very good job muddying the waters in opposition to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs final week.
Browns: Offensive line
Beginning left deal with Jedrick Wills returned final week however then left throughout within the recreation because of an damage. Jack Conklin has but to make his season debut and beginning proper guard Wyatt Teller was added to injured reserve this week. The Browns have the second-highest stress fee allowed (44.7%) this season, in keeping with TruMedia. The poor quarterback play doesn’t assist.
The go catchers have to be higher as effectively. The Browns led the league in drops final 12 months with 39 and have already got a league-leading ten drops three video games in 2024.
Ravens: Edge rusher
Former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald is now the coach in Seattle. Baltimore is making use of stress on 27.1% of opponent’s dropback makes an attempt, which is the fourth-worst fee within the league, in keeping with TruMedia.
Coming into the common season, the priority was relating to the offensive line, who welcomed two new starters with Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele. Utilityman Patrick Mekari is within the beginning lineup as effectively. Left deal with Ronnie Stanley has battled accidents lately. There may be loads of unknown in that unit. They’re permitting stress on 23.1% of dropbacks, which is the very best fee within the league, in keeping with TruMedia.
The unit has proven loads of creativity working horizontally, however the lack of a downfield risk may show to be difficult over the course of the season. Since registering 9 receptions for 111 yards and one landing within the opener, tight finish Isaiah Likely has simply three catches for 30 yards.
Steelers: Broad receiver
With Diontae Johnson gone, Pittsburgh has little outdoors of George Pickens. The hope is that Calvin Austin III takes on a much bigger function and rookie Roman Wilson’s acclimation to the NFL is quick and clean. Austin had a giant week in opposition to the Chargers, however that might want to proceed.
The offensive line has taken just a few hits with Troy Fautanu and Nate Herbig have succumb to accidents.
AFC South
Colts: Cornerback
Essentially the most-pressing want is cornerback. The state of affairs was exacerbated when second-year starter JuJu Brents discovered his approach onto injured reserve Sep. 10. Of the 5 cornerbacks on the Colts roster, three had been undrafted free brokers and none had been drafted sooner than the fifth spherical.
Final week, the staff added defensive deal with DeForest Buckner to injured reserve.
Jaguars: Cornerback
Cornerback can be a difficulty elsewhere within the division. Darious Williams was a casualty of the franchise’s seek for wage cap well being. He was changed by 30-year-old Ronald Darby. Though Tyson Campbell impressed a 12 months in the past, he’s now on injured reserve with a hamstring damage.
Jacksonville’s offensive line must be extra constant. The Jaguars are permitting stress on 40.2% of dropbacks, which is the seventh-worst fee within the league, in keeping with TruMedia. They rank beneath common in yards earlier than contact on the bottom however Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby mix for the league’s third-best yards after contact (3.72).
Texans: Defensive deal with
Defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins, Maliek Collins and Teair Tart are gone from final 12 months’s roster. They signed veterans Folorunso Fatukasi and Mario Edwards, however that is still a place to observe. Fatukasi was restricted at follow Thursday. Depth couldn’t deal with any accidents to that unit.
Titans: Edge rusher
The brand new-look Tennessee protection leaves lots to be desired in Brian Callahan’s first season as coach. Rather a lot has been placed on the plate of Harold Landry III and Arden Key. The unit must discover a extra constant strategy to generate stress having completed within the backside 5 in staff stress fee a 12 months in the past, per TruMedia. Depth is much more regarding. The operation is at present second-worst within the NFL (23.1%).
Tennessee has used its first-round decide on offensive linemen in every of the previous two years. The Titans employed among the finest offensive line coaches within the NFL and signed free agent middle Lloyd Cushenberry. Regardless of that funding, stress has nonetheless been getting house by way of three video games.
AFC East
Bills: Linebacker
Buffalo misplaced loads of management from its protection this offseason and circumstances had been exacerbated in coaching camp when linebacker Matt Milano was doubtlessly misplaced for the 12 months. Reserve Tyrel Dodson departed for Seattle in free company so it leaves Dorian Williams and Terrel Bernard to shoulder the load.
The inside offensive and defensive traces had been additionally a consideration, however the staff has carried out effectively early within the season.
Dolphins: Defensive deal with
A number of seasoned items from final 12 months’s staff are actually gone. Tua Tagovailoa was positioned on injured reserve final week and the offensive operation was turned over to Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley. There are issues about that place within the brief time period, however there’s not precisely a bevy of choices awaiting them in free company.
They signed a number of veteran defensive linemen to pair with Zach Sieler in an effort to rebuild a line of defense that misplaced Christian Wilkins this offseason. Benito Jones and Calais Campbell are the 2 who made it by way of the offseason. Campbell turned 38 not way back. Miami has one of many lowest yards-before-contact charges within the league, however one of many worst yards after contact, in keeping with TruMedia.
Cornerback and extensive receiver depth can be a priority at the moment.
Jets: Linebacker
C.J. Mosley is coping with a toe damage. Quincy Williams continues to be wholesome and out there however the depth is unproven.
There may be additionally the lingering query about Haason Reddick’s future with the group. Happily, former first-round decide Will McDonald IV has exploded with 5 sacks. Jermaine Johnson II was added to injured reserve so that doesn’t assist the pass-rush state of affairs.
Patriots: Offensive deal with
All of it begins upfront with the offensive line. If that isn’t solidified, then the remainder hardly issues. The staff is permitting stress on 45.8% of dropbacks, which is the best fee within the NFL, in keeping with TruMedia. Mike Onwenu began at proper deal with, which is a task he has adequately stuffed previously, and former sixth-round decide Vederian Lowe is beginning at left deal with.
AFC West
Broncos: Offensive line
Denver is coming off its greatest efficiency of the season in opposition to the Buccaneers. Heart Lloyd Cushenberry departed in free company. Denver’s inside offensive line consists of Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg and Quinn Meinerz. Proper deal with Mike McGlinchey is now on injured reserve. Whereas in New Orleans, Sean Payton constantly invested premium draft belongings into the offensive line 12 months over 12 months however it isn’t precisely a energy for his Broncos staff that’s ushering in a brand new period at quarterback. In line with TruMedia, they’ve a backside 10 stress fee allowed.
Linebacker depth has been challenged with Alex Singleton and Baron Browning discovering their strategy to injured reserve.
Chargers: Offensive deal with
Beginning offensive tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater didn’t follow Thursday. Reserve offensive deal with Trey Pipkins was a restricted participant. Foster Sarell is the one wholesome possibility at this level.
Defensive deal with and cornerback are crucial areas of weak point.
Coach Jim Harbaugh needs to construct a troublesome, bodily soccer staff and which means being cussed within the trenches, before everything, which led to the number of Joe Alt at No. 5 total. They’ve been operating the ball effectively and successfully. The extensive receivers have carried out above expectation.
Chiefs: Operating again
Operating again Isiah Pacheco was added to injured reserve this week. The staff elevated Kareem Hunt to the energetic roster and can doubtless lean on rookie Carson Steele and Samaje Perine within the interim.
Cornerback was a main want after transferring L’Jarius Sneed this offseason. It seems to be as if they’ll be capable of cobble a secondary along with Trent McDuffie, Chamarri Conner and others.
Raiders: Cornerback
The outlook at quarterback shouldn’t be thrilling, however little may be performed about that at this stage of the NFL calendar. Cornerback is a much bigger challenge. Jack Jones was a very good discover for them on the waiver wire, however the staff misplaced Amik Robertson in free company. Nate Hobbs is a strong veteran. Rookie Decamerion Richardson didn’t follow Thursday.
Linebacker and defensive deal with are just a few secondary wants. Las Vegas is permitting 152.7 speeding yards per recreation, which is the fourth-most. The unit ranks within the backside 10 of yards earlier than and after contact, in keeping with TruMedia.
NFC North
Bears: Inside offensive line
There are just a few positions that might warrant consideration as the most important want however none are fully destitute both. Defensive deal with, edge rusher and the inside offensive line are the most important wants on Chicago’s roster. There may be hope at edge rusher with DeMarcus Walker, Austin Booker, Darrell Taylor or Dominique Robinson doubtlessly stepping up reverse Montez Sweat.
Lions: Edge rusher
There may be not a place on Detroit’s roster that requires dire consideration. Even at a place like edge rusher, the franchise has choices reverse Aidan Hutchinson. Marcus Davenport, Derrick Barnes and John Cominsky are on the injured reserve. The Lions have invested a second-round decide in Josh Paschal and want him to rise to the event.
Normal supervisor Brad Holmes did an excellent job turning cornerback right into a place of energy this offseason by buying and selling for Carlton Davis, drafting Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr.. These additions give the protection extra freedom.
Packers: Linebacker
Youthful is an correct description of the Packers roster as it’s at present constructed. There’s a path ahead for primarily each place however they’re overly reliant on these younger gamers growing quickly. Three safeties had been drafted to play alongside free agent signee Xavier McKinney.
Linebacker has some query marks with De’Vondre Campbell absent however rookies Edgerrin Cooper and Ty’Ron Hopper have an opportunity to fill the void. Quay Walker, a 2022 first-round decide, is abruptly the elder statesman in that room. Isaiah McDuffie is part of the dialog as effectively. Inexperienced Bay is permitting 3.60 yards after contact, in keeping with TruMedia, which is the fourth-worst fee within the league.
Two operating backs, AJ Dillon and MarShawn Lloyd, are on injured reserve, so there’s loads of stress on Josh Jacobs to remain wholesome and produce.
Vikings: Inside offensive line
Minnesota is permitting stress on 40.4% of drop backs, which is the fourth-worst fee within the NFL, in keeping with TruMedia. Beginning offensive guard Dalton Risner has been on injured reserve since August.
It was my assumption that some side of the protection can be excessive on the listing of wants however the numbers haven’t mirrored it to date. Harrison Phillips and Jerry Tillery have been on the coronary heart of some defenses that had been unable to cease the run. But, the Vikings are permitting 0.83 yards earlier than contact, in keeping with TruMedia, which is the second-lowest fee within the league.
NFC South
Buccaneers: Linebacker
Linebacker is an issue space. The Buccaneers are permitting 3.60 yards per rush after contact, which is third-worst within the NFL, in keeping with TruMedia. The room seems to be lots totally different with Devin White now in Philadelphia.
They’ve performed an ample job addressing the inside offensive line with the signing of Sua Opeta, final 12 months’s second-round number of Cody Mauch and this 12 months’s number of Graham Barton. Opeta is on the injured reserve. Tampa Bay is averaging 0.41 yards earlier than contact, in keeping with TruMedia, which is the second-lowest fee within the league.
Falcons: Broad receiver
An damage to Rondale Moore actually put the staff’s extensive receiver depth into perspective. Ray-Ray McCloud III is the third receiver with sixth-round decide Casey Washington and KhaDarel Hodge being the one different two extensive receivers on the roster. Darnell Mooney leads the staff in receiving yards by way of three video games.
Beginning offensive tackles Jake Matthews and Mike McGary didn’t follow Thursday.
Panthers: Edge rusher
Carolina diverted the vast majority of its sources to the offensive aspect of the ball in help of former No. 1 total choice Bryce Young final offseason. The protection was adversely affected and the entrance line is basically composed of employed mercenaries quite than homegrown expertise. These selections didn’t affect Younger in the way in which that that they had hoped. Head coach Dave Canales elected to bench Younger previous to final week’s recreation.
Move rusher Brian Burns was traded away at a reduction and the burden falls on Jadeveon Clowney. They’ve utilized stress on 28.0% of opponent’s drop backs by way of three video games, in keeping with TruMedia, which is the sixth-worst fee within the league. For perspective, the highest of the league (Denver) sits at 44.7%.
Cornerback, apart from Jaycee Horn, is a weak point. 4 defensive backs are on the injured reserve. On the whole, there’s not lots for this franchise to hold its hat on proper now.
Saints: Line of defense
New Orleans is permitting 1.85 yards earlier than contact within the run recreation, which is the seventh-lowest fee within the league, in keeping with TruMedia. Khalen Saunders was a restricted participant at follow Thursday. Opponents have simply 66 carries in opposition to the Saints this season regardless of averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
NFC East
Commanders: Offensive deal with
After taking LSU’s Jayden Daniels because the quarterback of the long run, the Commanders additionally want a left deal with of the long run after releasing Charles Leno. Rookie Brandon Coleman and Andrew Wylie are the beginning offensive tackles. Coleman has been credited with 5 pressures and two sacks allowed over the previous two weeks. Wylie has one of many increased crushed charges within the NFL, in keeping with TruMedia. In addition to Daniels is taking part in and as rapidly as he’s eliminating the soccer, that takes a number of the stress off of his blockers.
Edge rusher can be the opposite space at which they need to throw future belongings after sacrificing Chase Young and Montez Sweat within the rebuild.
Cowboys: Line of defense
Dallas had struggled to cease the run coming into Thursday Night time Soccer in opposition to the Giants, however they managed to carry New York to only 1.1 yards per carry. Move rushers Demarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons had been unavailable on the finish of that recreation as they nursed accidents. Can Dallas be stingy in opposition to the run transferring ahead or will they revert to previous methods?
Eagles: Inside offensive line
The lack of middle Jason Kelce to retirement has taken a harsh toll on the Philadelphia offensive line. They’ve the third-highest stress fee allowed, in keeping with TruMedia. Cam Jurgens stepped into the function left vacant by Kielce and Landon Dickerson, Mekhi Becton are beginning at guard.
Giants: Offensive line
The development of the offensive line stays a thriller. Jermaine Eluemunor has began at proper deal with forward of former first-round decide Evan Neal. What comes of the battery that features John Michael Schmitz, Greg Van Roten and Jon Runyan Jr.? Depth behind that unit is comparatively restricted as effectively. They rank within the backside half of the league in stress fee allowed, in keeping with TruMedia.
Cornerback issues had been alleviated a bit with the return of Adoree’ Jackson. Linebacker is one other place to think about.
NFC West
49ers: Operating again
The 49ers have misplaced operating backs Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell. The alternative, Jordan Mason, had a fumble final week. Coach Kyle Shanahan is proactive in investing in that place however early-season accidents have already challenged depth.
San Francisco must proceed investing in its offensive line. The 49ers eliminated proper deal with Mike McGlinchey however didn’t substitute him with an analogous funding. Trent Williams is the one former first-round decide and Aaron Banks was the one Day 2 choice previous to the number of Dominick Puni. Puni has seemed good early in his profession however the transforming should proceed.
Cardinals: Line of defense
The largest challenge is the defensive entrance seven. Arizona had 12 draft picks and solely two, together with first-round selection Darius Robinson, had been used on the defensive entrance seven. Robinson has but to make his debut as he nurses a calf damage sustained throughout coaching camp. The Cardinals have one of many 10 lowest staff stress charges by way of two video games, in keeping with TruMedia.
Accidents have taken beginning proper deal with Jonah Williams and offensive deal with draft choice Christian Jones.
Rams: Broad receiver
The place does one start when discussing Los Angeles’ damage points? The Rams have misplaced two star extensive receivers, two contributing cornerbacks and two projected beginning offensive linemen. Following the losses of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, the Rams are left with Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell at receiver.
The commerce of Ernest Jones IV opened up the dialog for linebacker being the most important place of want on the time. In his absence, the staff is left with Troy Reeder, Christian Rozeboom and Omar Speights.
Seahawks: Linebacker
Seattle signed linebackers Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker in free company earlier than drafting Tyrice Knight within the first spherical. New coach Mike Macdonald did deliver out the very best in linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen final season in Baltimore. The hope is that he has an analogous impact on the group cobbled collectively by normal supervisor John Schneider.
The Seahawks have a sound roster if they’ll keep wholesome and, so far, they’ve.
