Every NFL Team's Most Important Training Camp Battle in 2023

Apr 30, 2023

With the 2023 NFL draft more than a month in the rear view, teams have shifted their focus from roster construction to roster evaluation. Several quality free agents will find their way onto rosters in the coming months, but minicamps, organized team activities (OTAs) and, eventually, training camps are all about finding the best 53 players to carry into the regular season.

Even the most well-established rosters have some question marks at this point in the offseason. Ideally, answers will be found before the regular season kicks off on September 7.

Below, you'll find a look at each franchise's most important positional battle of the summer. Whether it's due to positional value, an area that needs improvement or the offseason departure of a key centerpiece, each of these camp competitions will have a bearing on how the 2023 season unfolds.

We're unlikely to see Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray early in the 2023 season, as he continues recovering from a torn ACL suffered in December. However, we may get a look at the offensive tackle Murray wanted the Cardinals to draft.

According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Murray made it "known" to the front office that he liked Ohio State tackle Paris Johnson Jr. "a lot."

The question is whether Johnson starts his career at the all-important left tackle position or kicks inside to guard as a rookie to accommodate incumbent D.J. Humphries. The Cardinals should sort that out with an open camp competition.

Johnson has the potential to be Arizona's franchise left tackle. Humphries, who was drafted in the first round in 2015 to fill the same role, isn't. He was responsible for 12 penalties and seven sacks allowed in 2021, according to Pro Football Focus, and missed nine games last year with a back injury.

Arizona can release Humphries after this season and save $9 million off the 2024 cap.

Allowing Johnson to work through any rookie struggles this year would make some sense, because there's a real chance that the Cardinals are bad enough to consider replacing Murray at the top of the 2024 draft. Barring that, Arizona should want to get a good look at its left tackle of the future in camp.

The Atlanta Falcons have a dynamic runner/receiver in Cordarrelle Patterson, a 1,000-yard rusher in Tyler Allgeier and a potentially potent playmaker in rookie first-round pick Bijan Robinson.

This camp competition will be less about establishing a starter and more about finding the best ways to utilize Atlanta's backfield committee. Robinson, for example, has already been working at other positions.

[Head coach Arthur Smith] uses me everywhere, from receiver to running back," Robinson said, per ESPN's Harry Lyles Jr. "He lets me do my abilities and skill set the right way, whether it's catching the ball, running routes, obviously running the football, blocking and doing it all."

Of course, someone will emerge from camp as the lead back, and the Falcons will need to find ways to best utilize the others as complementary pieces. It won't be as simple as just telling players to take turns.

Figuring it all out will allow Atlanta to better support second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder, and his 2023 season could be pivotal.

The Falcons only got a four-game look at Ridder last year. This year, he could either establish himself as the long-term answer or send Atlanta back to the quarterback market in 2024.

The Baltimore Ravens should be right back in the playoff mix this season. Baltimore finally extended quarterback Lamar Jackson, added new receivers in Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Agholor and rookie Zay Flowers and returns most of a defense that ranked third in points allowed last season.

However, the offseason departure of cornerback Marcus Peters looms large. Peters missed the entire 2021 season with a torn ACL and wasn't as efficient last season but has also been the established perimeter corner opposite Pro Bowler Marlon Humphrey when healthy.

If the Ravens hope to improve a pass defense that ranked 26th in yards allowed last season, they must find a new full-time starter on the boundary. They signed Rock Ya-Sin after the draft, but he finished last season on injured reserve with a knee injury.

Ya-Sin, who has 38 starts on his resume, may have the inside track if healthy, but he should still face competition from the likes of 2022 fourth-round pick Jalyn Armour-Davis, Daryl Worley, Trayvon Mullen and rookie fifth-rounder Kyu Blu Kelly.

It's a vital competition because if Baltimore doesn't uncover an effective starting corner, opposing quarterbacks may find it all too easy to simply avoid Humphrey in the passing game.

This offseason the Buffalo Bills opted not to re-sign guard Rodger Saffold, who was coming off a second straight Pro Bowl campaign. While Saffold remains unsigned, the Bills have just $1.5 million in cap space available and appear to be moving on.

Replacing Saffold won't be simple, but Buffalo has a pair of intriguing candidates who are likely to compete for the job. The Bills signed former Dallas Cowboys guard Connor McGovern in free agency and then used a second-round pick on Florida's O'Cyrus Torrence.

However, Torrence could also end up competing with Ryan Bates at right guard.

"The Bills likely won't commit to it publicly, but with his type of talent and fit in the zone-blocking scheme they plan to utilize more in 2023, they’re likely hoping Torrence can win a starting job at right guard as a rookie," Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic wrote.

We may ultimately see competition at both guard spots, and identifying the best starting pair will be vital. Not only will the Bills want to protect quarterback Josh Allen from the interior pass rush, but they'll also want to ensure that a rushing attack that ranked seventh in yards last season continues rolling.

You'll see quarterbacks mentioned on this list frequently. It's the NFL's most important position, and teams that don't have an established starting quarterback are searching for one.

The Carolina Panthers are up first, which is fitting, as Carolina traded up to take the first quarterback in the 2023 draft. The Panthers tapped Alabama's Bryce Young to be their quarterback of the future, and the rookie impressed in early workouts.

"Bryce made a great impression," head coach Frank Reich said, per NFL.com's Eric Edholm. "Obviously, mentally and physically, (he) looked the part in every way."

Looking good in shells and shorts is one thing, though. Beating out 2022 third-round pick Matt Corral and free-agent addition Andy Dalton in camp will be a much tougher challenge. While Young has the highest upside of the group, the Panthers should not put him on the playing field before he's ready.

This is a critical competition for two reasons. For one, it will gauge how quickly Young can go from being the quarterback of the future to the quarterback of the present. Secondly, Carolina has a real chance to compete for a playoff spot if a quality starter emerges at quarterback.

The Panthers went 7-10 last season in an NFC South that was won by the 8-9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's a fairly open division, and Carolina's chances of claiming the crown could hinge on its quarterback competition.

The Chicago Bears traded the No. 1 pick in the draft to the Panthers in a move that signaled the franchise's belief in quarterback Justin Fields. Chicago's goal is now to develop Fields into a capable starting quarterback.

Improving Fields' pass protection will go a long way toward accomplishing that goal after the 24-year-old was sacked 55 times in 2022. He was tied with Russell Wilson, for the most sacks taken in the league. Ideally, 10th overall pick and projected right tackle Darnell Wright will be part of the equation.

Wright, who was named the draft's best pass-blocker and third-ranked tackle by the Bleacher Report Scouting Department, has all the tools to be a day-one starter. However, Chicago can't simply thrust him into the starting lineup.

There's already some uncertainty surrounding left tackle Braxton Jones, who showed flashes as a rookie last season but who was also responsible for 12 penalties and seven sacks allowed, according to Pro Football Focus. The Bears need to find a steady presence opposite Jones.

Ideally, it'll be Wright, but he'll first have to beat out the likes of Larry Borom and Alex Leatherwood to obtain the starting gig.

The Cincinnati Bengals are bringing back most of the roster that reached a second consecutive AFC title game in 2022. However, they have two big holes to fill on the back end of the defense after losing starting safeties Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III in free agency.

Cincinnati has three primary candidates to fill both roles. They used a 2022 first-round pick on defensive back Daxton Hill, but he only played only 131 defensive snaps as a rookie. They also signed former Los Angeles Rams safety Nick Scott and used a 2023 third-round pick on Alabama's Jordan Battle.

Hill has the draft status, and Scott has the experience, having started 16 games last season. However, both Hill and Battle are largely unproven, while Scott (118.5 opposing passer rating) was often a liability in coverage.

At this point in the offseason, there doesn't appear to be a clear front-runner for either starting job.

Players like Michael Thomas and Tycen Anderson should also be in the mix, and Cincinnati needs to uncover its two best options for replacing Bell and Bates. Those two combined for eight interceptions, 16 passes defended, three forced fumbles and were the strength of the secondary in 2022.

The Cleveland Browns play in the loaded AFC North, and if they hope to contend with teams like Baltimore and Cincinnati, they need to see a resurgent season from quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Watson didn't play for the Houston Texans in 2021 before he was traded, and he served an 11-game suspension last year. When Watson finally saw the field for Cleveland, the results were underwhelming (79.1 passer rating).

The Browns have taken steps to provide Watson with an upgraded receiving corps, trading for Elijah Moore, signing Marquise Goodwin and drafting Cedric Tillman. Those three will now compete with Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones and 2022 third-round pick David Bell for playing time.

Cooper and Peoples-Jones were reliable starters last year, but the rest of the receiver room remains unsettled. Bell was the third-most-productive wideout last year with only 214 receiving yards.

If the Browns can uncover a quality receiver lineup, Watson will stand a chance of returning to the Pro Bowl form he last showed in 2020. If they can't, Cleveland could be staring down a second straight year in the AFC North basement.

The Cowboys have two key offensive players to replace this offseason, running back Ezekiel Elliott and tight end Dalton Schultz. Both positional competitions will be pivotal, but the one at tight end may be just a little more important.

This is because franchise-tagged running back Tony Pollard will be back to lead the rushing attack with Malik Davis and rookie Deuce Vaughn competing for complementary roles. After losing Schultz, who caught 57 passes for 577 yards and five touchdowns last year, Dallas needs a new starting tight end.

There should be a lot of competition here, with rookie second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker and the returning Jake Ferguson the likely front-runners. Ferguson finished second among Cowboys tight ends last year with 174 receiving yards.

2020 undrafted free agent Sean McKeon, 2022 practice squader Seth Green, Peyton Hendershot and undrafted rookie Princeton Fant should get opportunities in camp as well.

The Cowboys may ultimately use a committee approach at tight end, which is fine. Plenty of teams do. However, someone needs to emerge from camp as the top go-to pass-catcher who can serve as Dak Prescott's security blanket in clutch situations.

Schultz was that tight end last year with more than half his receptions (32) producing first downs or touchdowns.

The big question surrounding the Denver Broncos this offseason is whether new head coach Sean Payton can return quarterback Russell Wilson to the Pro Bowl form he showed with the Seattle Seahawks.

Good coaching can certainly help, and it didn't take long before it became apparent that Nathaniel Hackett was in over his head last year. However, Wilson could also benefit from a quality receiving corps.

Denver has an above-average receiver in Courtland Sutton and a promising potential star in Jerry Jeudy, but there are questions after those two—Kendall Hinton was the only other wideout to top 300 receiving yards in 2022.

Tim Patrick is coming off a torn ACL that he suffered last August. The oft-injured K.J. Hamler is dealing with a partially torn pectoral. Hamler has landed on injured reserve every single season and may not be long for the Broncos if a receiver like Marquez Callaway—who played under Payton with the New Orleans Saints—rookie Marvin Mims Jr. or Hinton emerges.

Getting the most out of Wilson will require having two or three receivers besides Sutton and Jeudy who are reliable, available and consistent. Hopefully, they'll be found through a healthy camp competition.

The Lions added several new defensive pieces this offseason, including cornerback Cameron Sutton, defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson and rookie linebacker Jack Campbell. However, their most important competition will lie on the other side of the ball.

The Lions should have an open and honest competition at right guard, a position that was in flux last year. Halapoulivaati Vaitai missed the season with a back injury, and backup center Evan Brown was thrust into the role. Brown, who departed for the Seattle Seahawks this offseason, was responsible for six penalties and two sacks allowed, according to Pro Football Focus.

Vaitai should be the favorite if he's healthy, but his recovery and rust could play factors. The Lions also signed Graham Glasgow, who spent his first four seasons in Detroit, and used a fifth-round pick on William & Mary lineman Colby Sorsdal.

This is the only real question mark on an offensive line that allowed a mere 24 sacks in 2022, and finding the best possible starter will be important. While the new defensive additions will make the Lions a more balanced team, Detroit is still likely to lean heavily on an offense that ranked fourth overall and fifth in scoring a year ago.

The Green Bay Packers traded away Aaron Rodgers just before the draft and will turn the page to Jordan Love at quarterback this fall. While it will mark a new era for the Packers, this doesn't mean that Green Bay can't also make a return to the postseason.

"I think the Seahawks rebuild off of Russell [Wilson], look at how that turned out," offensive tackle David Bakhtiari said, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky.

If the Packers hope to remain competitive while getting an accurate evaluation of Love, they need to find a fully functional receiving corps. However, Green Bay is extremely young at the receiver position, meaning there should be plenty of competition in camp.

Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure are the only returning wideouts who caught a pass last season. All three were rookies in 2022. They'll be joined by the likes of rookie second-rounder Jayden Reed, fifth-rounder Dontayvion Wicks, seventh-rounder Grant DuBose and undrafted free agent Malik Heath.

The tight-end group is also young, with rookies Luke Musgrave and Tyler Kroft likely to play prominent roles. However, the Packers at least have fourth-year tight end Josiah Deguara to provide a little veteran leadership.

At receiver, Green Bay will have to uncover its leaders and top options during OTAs and training camp.

The Houston Texans got their quarterback of the future when they took Ohio State's C.J. Stroud with the second pick of the draft. The question now becomes whether he can also be the quarterback of Houston's present.

The Texans have won just 11 games over the past three years, but they're now in the "building" phase of their latest rebuild. New additions like head coach DeMeco Ryans, Dalton Schultz, Devin Singletary, Jimmie Ward and third-overall pick Will Anderson Jr. could have the Texans making a little noise in the AFC South—if they find competent quarterback play.

So far, Stroud appears off to a good start.

"C.J. is progressing well," Ryans said, per Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle. "Each day, he continues to get better, continues to get more comfortable with the verbiage of the offense and his command of the huddle."

To start, however, Stroud will need to pry the job away from returning quarterback Davis Mills and fend off free-agent addition Case Keenum. Any of the three could end up starting Week 1, depending on Houston's timetable for turning the proverbial keys over to Stroud.

Mills (83.3 QB rating) has done a few nice things in Houston, and Keenum (64 starts, 85.2 rating) is one of the better backups in the league. Therefore, there's no reason to put Stroud on the field before he's ready.

If this competition goes the way the Texans hope, though, Stroud will emerge as the top option and immediately improve Houston's level of quarterback play.

The Indianapolis Colts are in a situation similar to Houston's. They won just four games in 2022 but have some nice building blocks in players like Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., Quenton Nelson and a defense that ranked a respectable 15th in yards allowed last season.

Indy could be back in the divisional mix if fourth-overall pick Anthony Richardson can be an early impact player as a dual-threat quarterback. The 6'4", 244-pound Florida product has the physical tools, including immense arm strength and 4.43 speed. He's used those tools to be a highlight of Colts OTAs.

"The word I've heard is dazzled. He has dazzled multiple times with the kind of playmaking he can make, just early in OTAs, you see glimpses of it," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said on SportsCenter (h/t Bleacher Report's Adam Wells).

Richardson won't simply be handed the starting job, though. He'll have to beat out returning quarterback Sam Ehlinger and free-agent addition Gardner Minshew II.

Minshew, who has a career 93.1 passer rating, is a strong insurance option if Richardson isn't ready to start Week 1. However, the rookie has the highest upside of perhaps any NFL quarterback vying for a starting job this offseason.

The Colts' camp competition will help determine just how quickly Richardson can begin dazzling on the playing field.

The Jacksonville Jaguars were a surprise playoff team last season, going from worst to first in the AFC South thanks in large part to the stellar play of second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Keeping Lawrence upright and healthy this season should be a top priority, and because of that, Jacksonville could have competition at both tackle spots.

Left tackle Cam Robinson was serviceable last season but was responsible for eight penalties and four sacks allowed, according to Pro Football Focus. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor departed for the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency.

Robinson's looming suspension for a PED violation further clouds the Jaguars' picture at offensive tackle.

2021 second-round pick Walker Little, who has six career starts on his resume, and 2023 first-round pick Anton Harrison should be heavily involved in the competition on both sides. With Robinson facing suspension, there's a good chance that both are starting in Week 1, though obviously, neither will be handed a job.

Coy Cronk, Josh Wells and seventh-round rookie Cooper Hodges should be in on the competition as well.

The Jags are a solid young team with talent on both sides of the ball, but they'll only go as far as Lawrence can take them. Finding the best possible pair of starting tackles should be priority No. 1 in training camp.

A year ago, the Chiefs traded star wideout Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins and turned to JuJu Smith-Schuster to be their new No. 1 wideout. The move worked out pretty well, as Kansas City went on to win Super Bowl LVII. However, the Chiefs find themselves in a similar position this offseason.

Smith-Schuster departed in free agency, as did Mecole Hardman, who ranked fourth among wideouts with 297 receiving yards despite being limited to only eight games by an abdominal injury.

It's easy to think that coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes are experienced enough to overcome another receiver shuffle. However, it doesn't change the fact that the Chiefs need a new top receiver to pair with star tight end Travis Kelce as a primary target.

Last year's second and third receivers, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Justin Watson, are back. So is in-season addition Kadarius Toney, and the Chiefs are eager to see what the former New York Giants' first-round pick can accomplish with Mahomes.

"It's exciting now for us to be able to take that to year two and build that relationship with Pat," offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said, per Charles Goldman of Chiefs Wire.

Kansas City also signed Richie James and used a second-round pick on SMU's Rashee Rice, so there will be plenty of competition. Ideally, it will yield a receiving corps with which the Chiefs can make another championship run.

When the Las Vegas Raiders signed quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo earlier this offseason, the foot injury he sustained last season required a wavier because, according to ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio, Garoppolo would not have passed a physical.

The Raiders, at least publicly, aren't concerned with the injury.

"I have very good information that would tell me that we’re going to be fine." head coach Josh McDaniels said, per Michael Blinn of the New York Post.

While the Raiders may feel positive about Garoppolo, it would be foolish to discount the importance of their backup quarterback competition. Garoppolo has a lengthy injury history and has played 15 or more games in a season only twice.

There's a very good chance that Las Vegas will need to count on Brian Hoyer, Chase Garbers or rookie fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell at quarterback at some point this season. There's at least some chance that the Raiders will need to start a quarterback other than Garoppolo for the entirety of the campaign.

Even if Las Vegas' goal isn't to win in 2023—and in the early stages of the latest rebuild, it might not be—the team can't properly evaluate offensive talent without at least serviceable quarterback play.

The Raiders must be prepared to play without Garoppolo for at least a stretch, and they'll establish their alternative options through camp competition.

This past season, the Los Angeles Chargers were saddled with one of the league's worst run defenses. Los Angeles ranked 28th in rushing yards allowed and dead-last in yards per rush surrendered (5.4).

This was partially due to inconsistent linebacker play, which is why the Chargers signed Eric Kendricks and drafted Daiyan Henley. However, L.A.'s 3-4 base defense can't thrive against the run if the defensive front isn't pushing the pocket, holding the edge and keeping linebackers clean on rushing plays.

We should see a good amount of competition along the defensive line, as the Chargers try to rebuild the unit. Jerry Tillery was released during the 2022 season, and L.A. opted not to re-sign linemen like Tyeler Davison, Christian Covington and Forrest Merrill. It also re-signed Morgan Fox, signed Nicholas Williams, drafted Scott Matlock and added Jerrod Clark as an undrafted free agent.

It's imperative that Los Angeles finds a stronger rotation along its defensive line. The run defense won't improve otherwise, and the Chargers must ensure that pass-rushing linebackers like Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack have a clear path to the quarterback. Neither can happen if the defensive front can't hold the point of attack.

The Los Angeles Rams might be in store for a bounce-back season, though a lot will hinge on the health and play of quarterback Matthew Stafford.

If the Rams hope to have Stafford on the field and playing well, they'll need to see dramatically improved pass blocking. Stafford was sacked 29 times in only nine games, and L.A. surrendered 59 sacks on the season.

Joe Noteboom and Rob Havenstein will likely be back at the tackle spots, though rookie fifth-round pick Warren McClendon might get an opportunity to compete. We're likely to see more shuffling on the interior, which lost Oday Aboushi, Matt Skura, David Edwards and Chandler Brewer in free agency.

Los Angeles used a third-round pick on TCU guard Steve Avila and signed Wake Forest's Sean Maginn as an undrafted free agent. Maginn could push Brian Allen—who battled a calf injury and played only seven games last season—at center. Avila may already be L.A.'s best option at guard.

2022 third-round pick Logan Bruss missed his rookie season with a torn ACL and MCL, but he'll have a chance to beat out Coleman Shelton. Shelton was responsible for five penalties and four sacks allowed in only 720 snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Tremayne Anchrum, Zach Thomas and undrafted free agent Grant Miller should also be in the mix at guard. The Rams have to see some improvement along the offensive interior if they plan on returning to relevance in 2023.

The Miami Dolphins had one of the league's most explosive passing attacks in 2022. However, offensive balance eluded them. Miami ranked 19th in yards per carry (4.3) and didn't run often (31st in attempts).

Finding more potency in the ground game would allow the Dolphins offense to be a complete threat. For that to happen, Miami must find the right combination of players for its backfield committee.

Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., Salvon Ahmed and Myles Gaskin are all back after playing in 2022. The Dolphins also drafted Texas A&M speedster Devon Achane in the third round, and they may not be totally content with their depth.

According to Sports Illustraded's Albert Breer, the Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings were "deep" into trade talks involving Dalvin Cook earlier this offseason.

The jobs of Mostert and Wilson, an in-season acquisition, are probably safe, as both played prominent roles last year. Achane can add a new dynamic to the rotation with his 4.32 speed. However, the Dolphins must still sort out depth, decide how to best utilize the backs on the roster and determine if another addition is needed.

If Miami can field an above-average rushing attack this season, its offense, led by Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, could become borderline unstoppable.

The Vikings defense was a disaster in 2022, finishing 31st in passing yards allowed, 31st in total yards allowed and 28th in points allowed. Unsurprisingly, Minnesota retooled its cornerback room this offseason.

Gone are corners Patrick Peterson, Chandon Sullivan, Duke Shelley, Kris Boyd and Cameron Dantzler. Minnesota signed Byron Murphy and Joejuan Williams before drafting USC's Mekhi Blackmon and LSU's Jay Ward in Rounds 2 and 3, respectively.

The new group will have a chance to compete with the likes of Akayleb Evans, D. J. Wonnum and 2022 second-round pick Andrew Booth Jr. immediately. Booth appeared in only six games as a rookie before undergoing season-ending knee surgery. Evans, a 2022 fourth-round pick, appeared in 10 games as a rookie.

There's a lot of youth at the cornerback position in Minnesota, and there's even more uncertainty. What is certain is that the Vikings will struggle to keep pace with the top teams in the NFC if they cannot substantially improve their pass defense.

The offseason addition of seasoned defensive coordinator Brian Flores should help, but the Vikings need to see a competent crop of cornerbacks emerge as starters during camp.

The goal for the New England Patriots this season should be to get quarterback Mac Jones back to the Pro Bowl form he showed as a rookie in 2021. New England hired proven offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien to help with the challenge, but it needs to see more from its receiving corps.

New England ranked 20th in passing yards and 19th in passing touchdowns (19) last season.

DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton and special-teams ace Matthew Slater return for another Patriots run. However, Thornton, a 2022 second-round pick, had only 22 catches as a rookie and has plenty to prove, while Slater rarely sees offensive snaps.

Two of New England's top four 2022 wideouts, Nelson Agholor and Jakobi Meyers are gone, replaced by JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookies Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas.

Presumably, Parker, Bourne and Smith-Schuster will emerge as Jones' top receiver targets in 2023, but the Patriots must establish ancillary options and depth. These were issues last season, as Meyers and Parker were the only receivers to top 500 receiving yards on the season.

In an AFC East that features dynamic receivers like Stefon Diggs, Garrett Wilson, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, New England has to play a bit of wide-receiver catchup during camp.

Like the Patriots, the New Orleans Saints have a lot riding on their receiver competition in camp. 2022 first-round pick Chris Olave is the only returning wideout who topped 500 receiving yards a year ago, and there are a lot of questions surrounding the rest of the receiving corps.

Perhaps the biggest involves three-time Pro Bowler Michael Thomas. He missed all of 2021 following ankle surgery and missed all but three games last season because of a foot injury. Thomas was last a 1,000-yard receiver in 2019, though the Saints are optimistic about his return.

"I think he would tell you that things are going well, and we’re excited and optimistic about where he's going to be when we begin training camp," general manager Micky Loomis told SiriusXM NFL Radio (h/t John Sigler of Saints Wire).

If Thomas can't return to form, the Saints will need a player like Rashid Shaheed, Tre'Quan Smith, free-agent addition Bryan Edwards or rookie A.T. Perry to evolve into a dependable go-to target.

New Orleans has an opportunity to establish itself as the favorite in the wide-open NFC South thanks to the arrival of four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr. However, Carr isn't going to be the same above-average signal-caller he was in Las Vegas if the Saints can't upgrade their receiving corps.

It's a passing league, and fans can count the New York Giants among the teams that need to upgrade their receiving corps.

Quarterback Daniel Jones is fresh off a breakthrough campaign (and a corresponding contract extension) that saw him finish a career-best 92.5 quarterback rating. However, Jones and the Giants offense can't take the proverbial next step without more receiving help.

New York's 2022 offense ranked just 26th in passing yards and 27th in yards per attempt (6.0). Darius Slayton and the departed Richie James were the only players to top 400 receiving yards last season.

The Giants have taken steps to add competition to their receiver room. They re-signed Slayton and Sterling Shepard while adding Parris Campbell and Jamison Crowder in free agency. They then grabbed former Tennessee speedster Jalin Hyatt in the third round.

While several new faces are entering the mix, the Giants should also hope to see more from 2022 second-round pick Wan'Dale Robinson. He appeared in only six games as a rookie but battled a knee injury and was eventually lost to a torn ACL.

A full offseason with Isaiah Hodgins—who wasn't signed until November but finished with 351 yards and four touchdowns—could also help in a big way. There will be plenty for Giants fans to monitor at receiver this summer in terms of health, chemistry and, of course, competition.

The New York Jets finally have their future Hall of Fame quarterback after trading for Aaron Rodgers. However, if the Jets hope to see Rodgers return to the MVP form he last showed in 2021, they need to provide him with adequate pass protection.

Last season, New York surrendered 42 sacks.

The problem is that the Jets failed to land a premier tackle prospect early in the draft and don't have a high-level starter entrenched on either side. Last year's starting left tackle, Duane Brown, will turn 38 in August, while projected right tackle Mekhi Becton is an extreme injury risk.

The 2020 first-round pick has only appeared in one game over the past two seasons because of knee injuries.

New York added former Packers and Broncos tackle Billy Turner and drafted Pittsburgh's Carter Warren in Round 4. They recently added former Patriots lineman Yodny Cajuste for depth. Returning tackle Max Mitchell could enter the camp competition as well.

There are plenty of questions here, which is a problem since New York's playoff hopes rest on the health and play of the 39-year-old Rodgers. If the Jets don't emerge from camp with a competent pair of starting tackles, they may not get their desired return from the Rodgers investment.

The Philadelphia Eagles did an excellent job of retaining key players this offseason, but keeping their entire Super Bowl roster was never feasible. In free agency, Philly lost starting safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps.

Replacing the duo won't be easy. Gardner-Johnson logged six interceptions, and the pair produced a combined 14 passes defended. Their departure leaves safety as arguably the only unsettled position group on the entire Philadelphia roster.

However, the Eagles have prepared for the transition at safety.

The Eagles added Terrell Edmunds and Justin Evans in free agency and used a third-round pick on Illinois safety Sydney Brown. They also have 2022 undrafted free agent Reed Blankenship, who appeared in 10 games as a rookie and allowed an opposing passer rating of only 66.9 in coverage.

Nevertheless, there's a difference between having strong candidates and successfully replacing a standout safety tandem. The challenge will be made easier by the fact that Philly has a tremendous pass rush (70 sacks in 2022) and brings back starting corners Darius Slay and James Bradberry.

However, if the Eagles hope to again have a truly elite defense, they need to identify an all-new starting safety group during training camp.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have some new faces at key positions like cornerback (Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr.) and receiver (Allen Robinson II) that could lead to some intriguing camp competition.

However, no position battle will be more important this summer than the one at left tackle.

The Steelers traded up for Georgia's Broderick Jones in the first round. Jones was one of the top-rated tackle prospects in the draft, but he may not be polished enough to be a day-one starter.

"He needs considerable refinement in his use of hands, posture/hat placement and overall ability to stay attached to blocks," Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.

Ideally, though, Jones will beat out incumbent Dan Moore Jr. and provide an upgrade on Kenny Pickett's blindside. Moore was serviceable but was responsible for 10 penalties and seven sacks allowed, according to Pro Football Focus.

If Jones can't supplant Moore, perhaps he can push the 24-year-old to be better. Either way, Pittsburgh would benefit tremendously from improved play on the left edge. The Steelers should be looking to continue developing Pickett as the quarterback of the future while improving a rushing attack that ranked 25th in yards per carry (4.1) last season.

The San Francisco 49ers have one of the league's most complete rosters but will enter training camp with some questions at quarterback. 2021 first-round pick Trey Lance is coming off of a season-ending ankle injury, while 2022 seventh-round pick Brock Purdy recently underwent elbow surgery.

Purdy, who went 5-0 with a 107.3 passer rating during the regular season last year, should have the inside track to start if he's healthy. That's a big "if," however, and Lance is going to get every opportunity to prove that he's still the quarterback of the future.

"Really proud of Trey," general manager John Lynch said, per David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com. "Trey came back off a broken and dislocated ankle, and he's out there, has had a really, really quality offseason. So we still remain very high on Trey."

San Francisco also added 2018 first-round pick Sam Darnold as insurance this offseason. While Darnold should be viewed as a fallback option, he's a good one. He has 55 starts on his resume and posted a respectable 92.6 passer rating with the Panthers last season.

The 49ers reached the NFC title game last year but failed to push the Eagles after losing both Purdy and backup Josh Johnson to injuries. Their ability to make another deep playoff run hinges on their ability to find a healthy and dependable quarterback during camp.

When Clint Hurtt became the Seahawks' defensive coordinator last year, he brought with him a new 3-4 base defense. The results were underwhelming—Seattle ranked 30th in rushing yards allowed—and the defensive front has been reconstructed this offseason.

Gone are Shelby Harris, Poona Ford, Al Woods, Quinton Jefferson and L.J. Collier, but Seattle signed Jarran Reed, Dre'Mont Jones and Mario Edwards Jr. before drafting, pass-rusher Derick Hall, defensive end Mike Morris and defensive tackle Cameron Young.

The list of returning defensive linemen is short and includes Myles Adams and Bryan Mone, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 15.

The massive transformation is sensible, as Hurtt desperately needed players who better fit his scheme. However, that doesn't mean that Seattle will have an easy time transitioning to a very different unit.

While veterans like Reed and Jones appear to be surefire starters (they're bringing 123 combined starts to Seattle), Mone's injury complicates matters and the Seahawks need to establish depth.

It'll be a process, but if the end result provides Seattle with a functional front seven, the Seahawks should be right back in the playoff mix. With skill players like Zach Charbonnett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba entering the equation, an offense that ranked ninth in scoring last season could be even better.

This one should come as no surprise. With Tom Brady retired, the Buccaneers need to find a new starting quarterback—and a reliable one if they have any hope of competing in the NFC South this season.

The top two candidates are 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask and 2018 first overall pick Baker Mayfield, who was signed in free agency. John Wolford, who was signed post-draft, could also enter the equation.

Trask has been in Tampa's system the longest, but the strong-armed Mayfield may be the best match for dynamic downfield receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

"The way we were trying to run our offense [last] year, the style of offense we were trying to run, I thought he was the perfect fit for it," head coach Todd Bowles told NFL Media's Judy Battista of Mayfield (h/t JoeBucsFan.com).

Tampa has piece in place for whichever quarterback emerges, including Evans, Godwin and new offensive coordinator Dave Canales. As Seattle's quarterbacks coach last year, Canales helped Geno Smith resurrect his career as a Pro Bowler.

It's a critical competition for the Buccaneers, and in many ways, a win-win proposition.

If either Mayfield (28 years old) or Trask (25) develops into a quality starter this season, Tampa could have its long-term successor to Brady. If neither does, the Bucs could be in play for one of next year's top QB prospects.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill is entering the final year of his current contract. That means that 2023 second-round pick Will Levis could be the full-time starter next season, if not sooner.

While Tannehill should enter camp as QB1, it's worth noting that he's coming off a season-ending ankle injury and went just 6-6 as a starter last season. He's also learning a new offense under new offensive coordinator Tim Kelly.

There have been growing pains.

"A lot of new stuff, terminology, concepts, blocking schemes, the whole thing," Tannehill said, per Nick Suss of the Tennessean. "There are a lot of mistakes being made, but they’re good mistakes. We’re growing from them

All of this means that Tannehill might not be quite as entrenched as outside observers might believe. If Levis is the future, and the Titans want to get a look at that future sooner than later, the rookie will be allowed to push Tannehill in camp.

This competition goes beyond the starting job, though. Tennessee will want to evaluate Levis to see if inserting him during the regular season makes any sense—a very relevant factor if the Titans get off to a slow start and begin pondering 2024 quarterback prospects.

Competition will also be important to determine if 2022 third-round pick Malik Willis has any future with the franchise. Willis got some opportunities as a rookie but posted a dismal 42.8 passer rating through eight games and three starts. If he falters, Tennessee could be in the market for a new long-term backup.

Though the Washington Commander signed journeyman Jacoby Brissett this offseason, they don't appear likely to hold an open quarterback competition. Second-year man Sam Howell appears poised to be the Week 1 starter.

"He's taken the bull by the horns, and he's really led us a lot this offseason," wideout Terry McLaurin said of Howell, per Zach Selby of the team's official website.

If the Commanders want to see Howell succeed, they need to find a reliable pair of starting tackles. Left tackle Charles Leno Jr. surrendered eight sacks last season, according to Pro Football Focus, and the line as a whole gave up 48 sacks.

Washington signed tackles Andrew Wylie and Trent Scott in free agency, and both could compete with Leno and right tackle Cornelius Lucas this offseason. It also added Utah's Braeden Daniels in the fourth round, and he could get an opportunity as well.

Finding improved pass protection, especially on the edges, is imperative with a young quarterback like Howell taking the reins. Last year's primary starter, Taylor Heinicke, was under pressure on 27.7 percent of his dropbacks.

Howell is mobile but is also a shorter quarterback at 6'1". He may need to frequently roll to the edges to see the field, and if his tackle cannot hold the perimeter rush, it could be a massive problem.

*Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference unless otherwise noted.