Every NFL team's biggest strength & weakness for the 2023 season

The Cardinals added big resources at receiver under Kliff Kingsbury, and some of the team's top players remain despite the losses of DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green. Marquise Brown is a capable No. 1 option when healthy, while Rondale Moore has also shown flashes in two seasons. Greg Dortch proved to be a capable complementary piece last season, while newcomer Zach Pascal has two 600-plus yard seasons under his belt with the Colts. Returning from a knee injury, tight end Zach Ertz is also a strong receiving option.

While Kyler Murray recovers from knee surgery, Arizona's quarterback situation is in shambles. Assumed starter Colt McCoy was cut after starting during the preseason, so the team turned to Joshua Dobbs, who does not provide much excitement for fans.

The Falcons were a run-heavy team last season, and have doubled down on that effort by selecting Texas star Bijan Robinson in the first round of the draft. He adds to a crowded running back room that already included Tyler Allgeier.

The Falcons turned to rookie Desmond Ridder late last season, and failed to find a replacement for the third-round pick heading into 2023. The jury is still out on Ridder as the starter, as he threw for only 177 yards per game in four starts last season. Atlanta did sign former Washington starter Taylor Heinicke as insurance.

Baltimore's linebacker room blends elite play with experience. Homegrown talents Patrick Queen and Odafe Oweh are ascending, while Roquan Smith is arguably the best middle linebacker in the game and Jadeveon Clowney remains a viable situational pass rusher. The team also added Trenton Simpson and Tavius Robinson in the draft, and have 2022 second-round pick David Ojabo one more year removed from a torn Achilles.

There's no doubt Baltimore's receivers are better than last season after the team signed Odell Beckham Jr. and drafted Zay Flowers in the first round. The Ravens are also expected to pass more under new coordinator Todd Monken, but it remains to be seen if Lamar Jackson is up to the task. The former league MVP had a career-worst 6.9 yards per attempt last season, and has missed significant time over the last two seasons to injuries.

Josh Allen is arguably the best quarterback in football not named Patrick Mahomes, and continues to take his game to new heights. He's finished top three in MVP voting in two of the last three seasons, averaging an elite 4,411 passing yards and 36 touchdowns over the last three years. He's also added over 700 yards rushing in the last two years, challenging defenses in all facets.

The Bills had trouble getting to the quarterback after losing Von Miller to a knee injury last season, which remains a concern this year. Miller missed the start of the season, and it remains to be seen if veteran Leonard Floyd can help. With the elite quarterbacks Buffalo will face in the AFC, it's critical for the team to right the ship and made more difficult with the loss of defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.

A potential holdout for star pass rusher Brian Burns adds some concern, but the pass rush remains Carolina's biggest strength heading into the season. The team added Justin Houston and DeShawn Williams on the edges to Burns and Derrick Brown, making this unit worrisome for opposing offenses when they are all on the field.

Fans are excited about rookie quarterback Bryce Young, but he doesn't have the best set of weapons after the Panthers traded DJ Moore. Veteran Adam Thielen has clearly lost a step, while DJ Chark has struggled to find his Pro Bowl former from 2019 due to injuries. The team is hopeful second-round pick Jonathan Mingo can fulfill the hype early in his career to be a long-term target for Young.

Justin Fields has proven to be an elite running quarterback, helping the Bears lead the NFL in yards per rush and rush yards per game last season. The loss of David Montgomery could hurt, but the team had a capable backup in Khalil Herbert and have improved their offensive line with first-round pick Darnell Wright. 

Chicago had the second-worst sack rate in the NFL last season. Fortunately, they tried to address the issue during the offseason with the additions of Yannick Ngakoue, Rasheem Green, and DeMarcus Walker, but it could take more for the Bears to make significant progress after the losses of Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks in recent years.

The Bengals passing game remained prolific last season with Joe Burrow under center. He has a wealth of weapons with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and new tight end Irv Smith Jr. making for an exciting unit. Unfortunately, a calf injury has clearly handicapped Burrow early in the season.

Cincy has plenty of talent in the secondary, but the lack of cohesiveness is a concern after losing Eli Apple, Vonn Bell, and Jessie Bates. The team will rely more on recent draft picks Dax Hill, Cam Taylor-Britt, Jordan Battle, and DJ Turner, along with new addition Nick Scott.

Despite the loss of Nick Chubb to a major knee injury early this season, Cleveland's running game remains a strength with Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt. Mobile quarterback Deshaun Watson provides another concern for opposing defenses on the ground.

Deshaun Watson looked rusty after returning from a suspension last season, and he hasn't done another this preseason to provide more confidence. He completed only 58% of his passes with 184 yards passing per game. Cleveland hopes new wideout Elijah Moore helps Watson progress alongside top weapons Amari Cooper and David Njoku.

Dallas ranked third in sack rate last season despite a subpar season from DeMarcus Lawrence. Micah Parsons has quickly become one of the top defensive players in the NFL, and the team added another threat with interior lineman Mazi Smith.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was often criticized for his vanilla offense while in Green Bay, and he's decided to take over play-calling this season in Dallas. That's a major concern, especially after insisting the team would run more under his watch. The Cowboys personnel is built to air out the ball with the addition of Brandin Cooks, a healthy Michael Gallup, and versatile running back Tony Pollard, yet they could be set to squander that strength.

Denver's secondary is in a slight state of flux, but the task is made easier with two elite players in Pat Surtain II and Justin Simmons. 

Russell Wilson was a mess in his first season with Denver, completing a career-worst 60.5% of his passes with only 16 touchdowns in 15 games. A new coaching staff led by Sean Payton has been tasked with fixing the nine-time Pro Bowlers, but only time will tell if he's fixable at age 34.

The Lions offense was a revelation in 2022, finishing in top five in points and yards with gifted play caller Ben Johnson and talented personnel. Jared Goff has successfully revitalized his career with the Lions, while Amon-Ra St. Brown has quickly become an elite receiver. The team lost touchdown leader Jamaal Williams but are optimistic about new additions David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Sam LaPorta.

The rebuilding Lions roster was plagued on defense last season and particularly in the passing game, allowing the second-highest yards per pass attempt. They've done well to improve the secondary with Cameron Sutton and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, but it will likely take time for the unit to mold. The development of 2022 first-round pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson should help.

The Packers have elite talent in their front seven with Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, and De'Vondre Campbell, while 2022 first-round picks Devonte Wyatt and Quay Walker showed flashes last season. The young talent looks even better this season after the team used their first-round pick on edge rusher Lukas Van Ness.

The Pack lost significant receiver talent for the second consecutive offseason, as Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Robert Tonyan departed after the team lost Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling the previous offseason. Green Bay did see great flashes from Christian Watson in his rookie season, and could be as optimistic about rookie second-round pick Jayden Reed.

It's rare for a team that has been as bad recently as the Texans to be in a good position on the offensive line. The team has reason to feel very comfortable in four of five spots, with Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil along with Kendrick Green Shaq Mason, and Tytus Howard. The center position is one concern, with the potential of rookie sixth-round pick Jarrett Patterson seeing significant playing time, but young quarterback C.J. Stroud is in good hands.

After purging receivers over the last several seasons, the Texans don't have many expertienced targets for their rookie quarterback. Nico Collins has shown flashes, while Robert Woods and tight end Dalton Schultz were productive earlier in their careers. Still, there's no guarantee they will bounce back on a new team, though rookie Tank Dell is showing promise.

The Colts defense struggled in a forgettable 2022 season, but the pass rush remained a strength. They finished top 10 in sack rate as DeForest Buckner and Kwity Paye wreaked havoc, and new acquisition Samson Ebukam could help make up for the loss of Yannick Ngakoue this season.

Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson wasn't an accurate passer at Florida, and the team knows it will take time for him to develop in the NFL. The Colts had trouble passing last season with a merry-go-round at quarterback, and the loss of wideout Parris Campbell won't help.

Trevor Lawrence made a huge jump in his second NFL season with over 4,000 yards passing and 25 touchdowns. He could take another leap in his third year, especially after the team added Calvin Ridley. Added to Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, Evan Engram, and Travis Etienne, Lawrence has a bevy of options.

The Jags did a good job in pass protection last season, but the offensive line could be a problem this year. The team lost Jawaan Taylor in free agency, while Cam Robinson was suspended for the start of the season. The pressure will be on rookie Anton Harrison to help fill the void.

The Chiefs were the top offense in the NFL last season despite losing Tyreek Hill, and have ranked in the top six in points scored in every season of Patrick Mahomes' career. While there are questions at wideout, the team still has Travis Kelce, a talented running back room, and arguably a better offensive line after addressing the tackle spots. Of course, they also still have the catalysts with Mahomes' incredible play and Andy Reid's play calling.

There were major concerns for the Chiefs defensive line entering the season. Star defensive tackle Chris Jones held out and missed Week 1. Free agent signing Charles Omenihu is suspended for the first six games of the season, a costly loss after the team lost Frank Clark and Carlos Dunlap in the offseason. The pressure will be on young defensive ends George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah while the team waits on Jones and Omenihu to get on track.

The Raiders has spent big at wideout over the last two offseasons, adding Davante Adams last year and Jakobi Meyers this offseason. Added to slot receiver Hunter Renfrow, the Raiders are set to provide new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo with plenty of viable options.

Vegas was unable to stop the pass last season, and probably haven't done enough in the offseason to change their fortunes. Veteran cornerback Marcus Peters is past his prime, and the team will also be relying on fourth-round rookie Jakorian Bennett. Marcus Epps is an improvement at safety, but unlikely to be a complete remedy.

Justin Herbert has established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in football through three seasons, even as his stats declined slightly last season will fighting through injuries. He has a bevy of weapons with veterans Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler, and the team drafted first-round wideout Quentin Johnston. The addition of former Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore could add yet another dimension to the offense.

The Chargers have had major problems at inside linebacker recently, and ranked dead last in yards per rush attempt allowed (5.4) last season. They hope the addition of former Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks gets the team on the right track, but it will take a full-time effort to fix the run defense woes.

The return of Matthew Stafford is a welcome sight for the Rams after he missed time in 2022 to injury. The team had one of the most potent passing offenses in the league during their Super Bowl run two years ago, and the combination of Stafford and head coach Sean McVay should help the team rebound if the veteran can stay healthy.

Years of kicking the can down the road have caught up to the Rams roster. The team is inexperienced, particularly on defense, with little even the most hardcore NFL fan would recognize beyond Aaron Donald. The team is also young at wideout and the offensive line, so there could be growing pains this season.

With major additions on the offensive line, wide receiver, and head coach Mike McDaniel last season, Miami turned around their offense. They went from 22nd in points during 2021 to 11th last season despite Tua Tagovailoa missing a large chunk of the regular season to injuries. Most of the key players are back for 2023, including Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle.

Injuries ruined Miami's season when they reached the playoffs last year, and they remain a concern. Tagovailoa contemplated retirement after multiple concussions, left tackle Terron Armstead has had multiple injuries, Jalen Ramsey is set to miss a large part of 2023 following knee surgery, and the running back room has taken a huge hit. The Dolphins are dangerously close to having another season undone by injuries.

Kirk Cousins has become a whipping boy in NFL circles, but his production is undeniable. He threw for over 4,500 yards and 29 touchdowns last season, while top target Justin Jefferson has had a historic start to his career. The addition of T.J. Hockenson at the trade deadline last season and rookie Jordan Addison this year could put this passing offense over the top. Unfortunately, Jefferson's early-season hamstring injury does make things more complicated.

Minnesota's pass defense allowed the second most passing yards per game in the NFL last year. While much of the secondary is revamped, it's also raw while relying on youngsters Akayleb Evans and Mekhi Blackmon. 12-year veteran safety Harrison Smith has also shown signs of losing a step

Bill Belichick's defensive genius has been on full display during his 20-plus year tenure in New England, with a defense that's finished in the top half of the league in points allowed every year since 2006. The defense will be younger this season, but the expectation is that it will continue to produce with stars like Matthew Judon and Davon Godchaux.

Mac Jones took a big step back in his second NFL season. While much of the blame has been placed on the offensive coaching staff, the team's offseason personnel moves aren't very reassuring. Jones enters a pivotal year for his career, with the hope that new additions JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mike Gesicki, and offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien will spur a turnaround.

The Saints have quickly become a team known for defense under Dennis Allen, and were particularly strong against the pass last season. New safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye helped the team rank in the top three in opponent yards per pass attempt and passing yards allowed. The secondary remains elite with that safety duo, along with corners Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo, plus a strong defensive line anchored by Cameron Jordon.

The Saints offense has stagnated since Drew Brees' retirement, failing to find a viable quarterback. They're hopeful Derek Carr is the answer this season, and second-year wideout Chris Olave has certainly shown flashes. Still, Carr has been far from elite during his NFL career, so it could be a lot to ask him to carry the offense back to its former level.

The Giants emerged as an elite running team last season, with a healthy year from Saquon Barkley along with the contributions from mobile quarterback Daniel Jones. The team hopes to spread the ball more this season, but a run game that averaged 4.9 yards per attempt last season is a good fallback option.

The Giants have an imposing defensive line with stars Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Despite the push upfront, the Giants had major issues stopping the run last season, allowing 5.3 yards per carry and 146 rush yards per game.

Making the most of high draft picks and free agent signings, the Jets became an elite pass defense quickly last season. Former first-rounders Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner have already become elite players, and the team allowed fewer than 200 yards passing per game last season.

The Jets revamped their offense at the skill positions, adding Dalvin Cook, Allen Lazard, and Randall Cobb. The question is whether the offensive line will be able to block well enough for the plan to come together. Left tackle Duane Brown struggled last season, while right tackle Mekhi Becton has been unable to stay healthy.

The defending NFC Champs have many strengths, but none more impressive than the offensive line. The line has multiple elite players, including Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, and Jordan Mailata, a luxury that helped the team rank top five in rushing and get first downs in short-yardage situations at will last season. Age and new starter Cam Jurgens add some concern, but Philly's offense should have another great year if the line remains intact.

The combination of Marcus Epps and C.J. Gardner-Johnson at safety was a strength for the Eagles late last season. With that pair gone, the team turns to Terrell Edmunds, Reed Blankenship, and rookie Sydney Brown. It's difficult to know what to expect with the changes, but the position has the potential to be the defense's weak link.

The Steelers pass rush seemingly fell off last season, though it's worth remembering that superstar T.J. Watt played only 10 games due to injury. In the meantime, the defense saw Alex Highsmith post 14.5 sacks and Cameron Heyward continue to play at an elite level. A healthy Watt should allow the Steelers to return among the most feared defenses.

Kenny Pickett showed flashes during his rookie campaign, but he also had days we expect from rookie quarterbacks. The team is hopeful he can take a big step forward this season, though it's far from a guarantee. Pittsburgh has also struggled to rush the ball with former first-round pick Najee Harris still trying to find his footing in the NFL.

A defensive line that was already excellent prior to this season became truly elite with the addition of Javon Hargrave in free agency. Adding to stars Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead, the 49ers have one of the most feared front fours in the NFL.

The 49ers seemingly struck gold with seventh-round pick Brock Purdy last season. He was 7-0 in starts before injuring his elbow in the NFC Championship. Purdy was extremely accurate and efficient in Kyle Shanahan's quarterback-friendly offense. Still, there are naysayers about his lack of elite tools and experience. He can only answer those questions with continued success and a deep playoff run.

With the addition of first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle has arguably the best wide receiver trio in the league. Joining DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, Geno Smith has a bevy of weapons.

Seattle's defense has its fair share of talent, but a busy offseason also brings challenges. The team added new faces like Dre'Mont Jones, Bobby Wagner, Jarran Reed, and Devon Witherspoon to a talented group of young players. The expectation is that the Seahawks defense will ascend quickly, but they will need time playing together.

It's not exactly what the Bucs had during their recent Super Bowl run, but the team still has a strong front seven. Vita Vea, Devin White, Lavonte David, and Shaquil Barrett continue to be assets, and the team is hopeful young, high draft picks Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Logan Hall, and Calijah Kancey can following in their footsteps.

Tampa Bay made a half-hearted effort to replace Tom Brady, signing Baker Mayfield in the offseason. Mayfield rehabbed his career late last season with the Rams, but prior to that point he struggled with Cleveland and Carolina. With a shaky running game and wideout room that has already suffered injuries, it could be another long year for the former first-overall draft choice.

Derrick Henry's production fell slightly last season behind a banged-up offensive line, but he remained a scary threat whenever he touched the ball. Adding the explosive Tyjae Spears as a complementary back, Tennessee's run game could bounce back this season.

Tennessee's defensive struggles in 2022 were a direct result of poor play in the secondary. The team has struck out on multiple cornerback draft picks, and there remains concern this season despite the addition of Sean Murphy-Bunting.

Former first-round pick Chase Young remains out with injury early this season, but Washington's defensive line should be just fine with three talented, former first-round picks up front. The team finished top 10 in sack rate last season, helping the unit hold offenses to less than 200 yards passing per game.

Washington's defense has been very vanilla since Ron Rivera was hired in 2020. The team finally feels it has a long-term quarterback with Sam Howell, and made a bold hire with former Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy coming over. The Commanders have the weapons to help, including Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, but we still need to see the production on the field.