Strengths and Weaknesses for All NFL Teams

These are my opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of all NFL teams. You will notice that there are some teams that do not have much detail. That is my bias coming through. The more detail, the more I believe the team to be stacked.

AFC

Baltimore Ravens

• Strength: Quarterback – Lamar Jackson remains one of the league’s premier dual-threat QBs, coming off career bests in passing production and leading the NFL in QBR. His backup, Cooper Rush, provides steady insurance. The offense is difficult to stop when Jackson and LT Ronnie Stanley are both healthy.

• Weakness: Guard – Both guard spots are unsettled with underwhelming run blocking. Daniel Faalele especially struggled last year. Injuries and lack of proven depth (relying on rookie or sophomore players) make this Baltimore’s only obvious roster concern.

• X-factor: Health of LT Ronnie Stanley.

• Nonstarter to know: Rookie kicker Tyler Loop replaces Justin Tucker.

Buffalo Bills

• Strength: Quarterback – Josh Allen, the reigning MVP, maintains elite dual-threat ability and is a perennial top-3 QB. His arm talent and rushing power keep defenses guessing.

• Weakness: Safety – Plenty of bodies, few answers. Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop, and Damar Hamlin all lack high-end grading, and there’s little upside unless a young player makes a leap. My favorite to stand out is Bishop.

• X-factor: WR Keon Coleman and TE Dalton Kincaid—if neither breaks out as a top target, the passing attack could stagnate.

• Nonstarter to know: WR Elijah Moore, unproven but potentially dynamic in this offense.

Cincinnati Bengals

• Strength: Wide Receiver – Ja’Marr Chase is coming off a historic season (1,700 yards, 17 TDs). Tee Higgins (when healthy) offers a true top-end WR2, with good depth.

• Weakness: Secondary – The loss of veterans hurt; Cam Taylor-Britt leads a group that underperformed in 2024 (run defense and pass coverage both concerns).

• X-factor: New defensive coordinator Al Golden’s ability to get more out of a shaky defense.

• Nonstarter to know: NT T.J. Slaton, a high-end gap clogger needed for run defense.

Kansas City Chiefs

• Strength: Quarterback – Patrick Mahomes’s all-time talent pulls the Chiefs into contention every year, with deep playoff runs the norm even with fluctuating supporting casts.

• Weakness: Offensive Tackle – Major question marks on both sides. Jawaan Taylor’s production has lagged, and the LT job is up for grabs (hopeful rookie Josh Simmons could win it).

• X-factor: WR Rashee Rice’s development (and legal status)—his emergence could revive KC’s vertical passing game.

• Nonstarter to know: Edge Felix Anudike-Uzomah, a first-round pick needing to break through.

Houston Texans

• Strength: Edge Rusher – Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. (23 combined sacks in 2024) create one of the league’s most disruptive duos. The Texans also boast strong depth with Denico Autry and others. Wide receiver is another strength for this team.

• Weakness: Interior Defensive Line – Lacks playmaking; no current player posted an above-average grade or 32+ tackles last season. Age and lack of upside are issues.

• X-factor: Rookie WR Jayden Higgins stepping up if Tank Dell isn’t healthy.

• Nonstarter to know: OT Blake Fisher, a potential swing starter facing stiff competition.

Denver Broncos

• Strength: Offensive Line – Led the NFL in both pass and run block win rates in 2024; all five starters return. The interior (Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz, Ben Powers) is especially stout.

• Weakness: Wide Receiver – Courtland Sutton is reliable, but WR2 and WR3 spots are unsettled, depending on development from young players like Marvin Mims Jr.

• X-factor: If Mims Jr. makes the leap, the offense may open up significantly.

• Nonstarter to know: Edge Jonah Elliss, a versatile run defender and situational rusher.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Strength: Wide Receiver – Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter could be a major duo for years to come.

• Weakness: Offensive Tackle – Inconsistencies and injuries have been issues for several seasons; pass protection is a big concern.

• X-factor: A revived run game could impact the overall attack.

Indianapolis Colts

• Strength: Running Back – Jonathan Taylor (when healthy) offers big-play ability; the run game is the team’s offensive identity.

• Weakness: Wide Receiver – After Michael Pittman Jr., production and depth are shaky.

• X-factor: Anthony Richardson’s development as a passer.

New England Patriots

• Strength: Running Game – New schemes emphasize multiple backs.

• Weakness: Edge Rusher – Pass rush lacks star power and depth.

Miami Dolphins

• Strength: Wide Receiver – Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are a league-best speed/production duo.

• Weakness: Offensive Line – Injuries and inconsistent starters, especially at tackle, make this a perennial issue.

• X-Factor: Can Minkah turn this defense into a top-tier unit? 

New York Jets

• Strength: Defensive Line – Quinnen Williams anchors a deep and talented front.

• Weakness: Offensive Line – Fields might be running for his life......again.

Tennessee Titans

• Strength: Safety – Experienced and productive.

• Weakness: Offensive Line – Lots of turnover and little high-end talent.

NFC

Philadelphia Eagles

• Strength: Offensive Tackle – Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson are elite run/pass blockers, keeping Jalen Hurts upright and explosive runs possible.

• Weakness: Edge Rusher – After losing multiple contributors, unproven players like Nolan Smith Jr. and Jalyx Hunt must step up.

• X-factor: Interior O-line depth; can new starters keep the run game dominant?

• Nonstarter to know: CB Kelee Ringo, a possible breakout if the veteran CB group falters.

Detroit Lions

• Strength: Running Back – Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery lead the NFL in team production over two years.

• Weakness: Interior Offensive Line – Center and guard depth tested after retirements/injuries.

• X-factor: Can new offensive coordinator John Morton maintain creative success?

• Nonstarter to know: Dan Skipper, the versatile backup O-lineman.

San Francisco 49ers

• Strength: Tight End – George Kittle is an elite receiver and the best blocking TE in the league, with improved depth behind him.

• Weakness: Defensive Tackle – Major offseason losses, thin depth, and unproven young players forced into key roles.

• X-factor: Health of Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk.

Minnesota Vikings

• Strength: Defensive Front – Stars and depth at edge and DT, with new additions and 2024 rookies giving Minnesota tons of pass rush.

• Weakness: Cornerback – Injuries and departures make this a potential liability, especially against top WRs.

• X-factor: Rookie (hasn't played an NFL game) QB J.J. McCarthy’s ability to take advantage of a loaded offense.

Green Bay Packers

• Strength: Safety – Veteran Xavier McKinney and rising youngsters, ideal for three-safety schemes.

• Weakness: Cornerback – Lack of proven players after Jaire Alexander’s departure.

• X-factor: Edgerrin Cooper’s potential as a breakout linebacker.

Dallas Cowboys

• Strength: Linebacker – Fast, aggressive group led by Micah Parsons.

• Weakness: Offensive Line – Aging core and injuries have eroded consistency and depth.

Los Angeles Rams

• Strength: Wide Receiver – Young superstar Puka Nacua and veteran Davante Adams form a powerful pair, matched with Matthew Stafford’s arm.

• Weakness: Off-ball Linebacker – Lack of high-end starters, few proven options.

• X-factor: Rookie LB Omar Speights’s run-stopping.

• Nonstarter to know: Safety Jaylen McCollough.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Strength: Wide Receiver – Mike Evans and Chris Godwin remain elite, and rookies add explosive potential.

• Weakness: Edge Rusher – Little proven ability to generate sacks from the edge.

• X-factor: Health and recovery of LT Tristan Wirfs.

Chicago Bears

• Strength: Offensive Line – Massive upgrades across the interior, with quality tackles and revamped depth.

• Weakness: Running Back – D’Andre Swift is efficient but hasn’t shown workhorse reliability or TD upside.

• X-factor: QB Caleb Williams’ second-year progression under new coaching.

New Orleans Saints

• Strength: Defensive Line – Consistent run-stopping and pressure up the middle.

• Weakness: Quarterback – Derek Carr is steady but lacks the dynamism or high-end ceiling that others in the division have.

Atlanta Falcons

• Strength: Running Back – Bijan Robinson leads a versatile, talented backfield.

• Weakness: Defensive Line – Roster lacks a consistent pass rush or quality tackle play.

Carolina Panthers

• Strength: Cornerback – Lockdown coverage and playmakers.

• Weakness: Offensive Line – Still searching for the right mix and protection for Bryce Young.

Seattle Seahawks

• Strength: Running back= Charbonnet and Walker are a heck of a one-two punch.

• Weakness: Offensive Line – Depth, health, and proven production are all in question.

Washington Commanders

• Strength: Off-ball Linebacker – Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu are major playmakers.

• Weakness: Safety – Thin group, lacking playmaking and depth.

• X-factor: Marshon Lattimore must return to top form at CB.

Arizona Cardinals

• Strength: Interior Defensive Line – Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell stabilize what was a huge liability.

• Weakness: Off-ball Linebacker – Unproven at all spots, and little depth.