After visiting a dozen training camps this summer and talking to dozens of sources around the NFL, I compiled intel on all 32 teams.<\/p>\n
The information ranges from a broad overview of how a team could fare this season to more specific tidbits regarding player projections and roster construction.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a lot of ground to cover, so let\u2019s get to it.<\/p>\n
AFC EastBuffalo Bills<\/p>\n
Evaluators around the league believe the Bills are going to benefit from a lot more defensive continuity than they had a year ago, when they had recently moved on from key veterans. They essentially only flipped pass rushers \u2014 Von Miller for Joey Bosa \u2014 and the Bills have as many as five to six rookies who can hammer out defensive roles along the way. They\u2019ll have a chance to win every game with a healthy Josh Allen, but the superstar quarterback and reigning MVP is going to need the defense to break through in January if the Bills are ever going to break through.<\/p>\n
Miami Dolphins<\/p>\n
The Dolphins have worked hard to change their culture this offseason, with coach Mike McDaniel noting<\/a> there\u2019s no longer a need to massage his messages to the entire team. The accountability has been player-driven and coach-approved, and the Dolphins feel they\u2019re practicing as hard as possible from a mental standpoint. They\u2019ve dealt with too many key injuries to get a feel for their true potential this season, but they\u2019ve built a cohesiveness that could benefit them if they\u2019re still in the race in December.<\/p>\n New England Patriots<\/p>\n There\u2019s strong internal belief that quarterback Drake Maye will take another step forward, as the 2024 first-round pick had an impressive initial offseason with coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. The Patriots are also ecstatic over rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson<\/a>, so don\u2019t be surprised if he turns into their lead option. And though there\u2019s been so much attention on wideouts Stefon Diggs and DeMario Douglas, don\u2019t overlook Kayshon Boutte, whose offseason turnaround has been stunning. As for star cornerback Christian Gonzalez, his hamstring injury has been a tricky one, and it\u2019s been tough to pin down a timetable on his return.<\/p>\n New York Jets<\/p>\n The Jets have made a pointed effort to usher in a new era with coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey. They were out in front of that with an intentionally quiet offseason, and they handled business with two of their most promising young stars before training camp by extending cornerback Sauce Gardner (four years, $120.4 million with a $30.1 million annual value that leads all cornerbacks) and wide receiver Garrett Wilson (four years, $130 million; $32.5 million, fifth among receivers). Those were viewed as solid, logical extensions by rival front offices.<\/p>\n AFC NorthBaltimore Ravens<\/p>\n The Ravens already have a uniquely explosive offense with two-time MVP Lamar Jackson running the show, but they\u2019re trying to improve upon what they\u2019ve already built. The team has emphasized explosive plays in practice, even spotlighting the day\u2019s most explosive player on in-house televisions with some of his best plays in practice. It\u2019s ramped up the competition in that regard.<\/p>\n Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to imagine quarterback Joe Burrow coming off a better season, but here\u2019s a scary thought: The Bengals believe Burrow just enjoyed the best training camp of his career. His health is an obvious plus, and he might have actually improved his accuracy and decision-making. Star wideout Ja\u2019Marr Chase is in a similar boat, looking like he could still be ascending after leading the NFL with 127 catches, 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns.<\/p>\n Cleveland Browns<\/p>\n General manager Andrew Berry wasn\u2019t messing around when he said there were no intentions of moving defensive end Myles Garrett, who ultimately signed a four-year, $160 million extension. Of course, there\u2019s a reason evaluators believed he could have been worth at least two first-round picks in a hypothetical trade. In a poll of more than two dozen coaches and executives that will be published next week, Garrett drew more than half of the votes as the NFL\u2019s best defensive player.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh Steelers<\/p>\n Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has added a level of accountability on the practice field and in the facility, according to sources around the team. The offense appears to still be working through some things, as there\u2019s been a lot of turnover at key positions, but Rodgers has been intentional about teaching as much as possible after each play. Don\u2019t be shocked if it\u2019s bumpy out of the gate. However, it\u2019s fair to be cautiously optimistic that Rodgers, wideout DK Metcalf and company will eventually find their rhythm.<\/p>\n AFC SouthHouston Texans<\/p>\n Left tackle Aireontae Ersery has gotten off to a strong start to pace Houston\u2019s remade offensive line. The second-rounder will surely have his rookie moments, but Ersery has looked like a suitable replacement for Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil, whom the team traded to Washington this offseason. The Texans entered the offseason knowing they\u2019d need to rebuild the line, but they didn\u2019t necessarily anticipate such a drastic overhaul before the opportunities presented themselves. Still, they\u2019re encouraged with the new group that is charged with protecting quarterback C.J. Stroud.<\/p>\n Indianapolis Colts<\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t sound like quarterback Anthony Richardson<\/a> will be going anywhere in the short term. Colts GM Chris Ballard publicly said he has no intention of trading the 2023 first-rounder, and QB-needy teams around the league have been given reason to believe that\u2019s true. On the flip side, teams aren\u2019t tripping over themselves to acquire a QB who would join them as a backup, especially one who evaluators know needs playing time to develop.<\/p>\n Jacksonville Jaguars<\/p>\n Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has a golden opportunity with coach Liam Coen<\/a>, but don\u2019t expect it to be seamless. Coen\u2019s system is as effective as it is complex, and he prefers to send Lawrence to the line with two play calls nearly 90 percent of the time. That\u2019s a massive uptick from Lawrence\u2019s previous offenses. One trusted QB expert believed Lawrence could turn it on in the second half of the season when he becomes more comfortable.<\/p>\n Tennessee Titans<\/p>\n Quarterback Cam Ward has come as advertised<\/a>. But the most common compliment? The Titans have been thrilled by the No. 1 pick\u2019s work ethic. He shows up early every day, typically around 5 a.m., to start his workout, and he\u2019s frequently bringing new players along with him. The leadership \u2014 along with his teammates\u2019 eagerness to follow \u2014 is an important quality.<\/p>\n AFC WestDenver Broncos<\/p>\n The Broncos are a hot name in league circles, with rival teams believing they\u2019re prepared to continue their momentum after ending their eight-season playoff drought. Quarterback Bo Nix<\/a> had his fans before the draft, and they feel justified by the way he played as a rookie. But even still, league evaluators see a lot of room for improvement and believe he\u2019s capable of raising his game. It also helps that the defense is loaded under highly respected coordinator Vance Joseph, so Nix shouldn\u2019t be pressured to do too much, too soon.<\/p>\n Kansas City Chiefs<\/p>\n It\u2019s surreal how much the narrative has changed with the Chiefs. In a discussion of their roster makeup with rival executives, the conversation quickly pivots to their defensive identity. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is regarded among the best at his job in the league, and interior enforcer Chris Jones is on a Hall of Fame trajectory. No one is diminishing Patrick Mahomes\u2019 body of work, but the ongoing turnover in offensive personnel has taken a toll on his statistical production. The Chiefs averaged 493 points during Mahomes\u2019 first five seasons as the full-time starter, but just 378 over the past two seasons.<\/p>\n Las Vegas Raiders<\/p>\n Coach Pete Carroll quickly set a new tone in Vegas.<\/a> They compete hard, and he keeps it fun and energetic like he has in his previous stops. That extends beyond the players and into the coaching staff and front office, too. And with a new offensive coordinator in Chip Kelly, the Raiders\u2019 early opponents are eager to see how they\u2019ll play because there\u2019s a lot of mystery with this new regime.<\/p>\n Los Angeles Chargers<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for potential head-coaching candidates, it would be wise to start with Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. One rival executive was adamant he\u2019ll be a head coach soon, perhaps as early as 2026. Minter has prior experience with the Ravens (2017-20) and Jim Harbaugh\u2019s talented Michigan staffs before following him to Los Angeles. Teams in search of a defense-minded approach will be doing work on Minter and Packers DC Jeff Hafley.<\/p>\n NFC EastDallas Cowboys<\/p>\n The Cowboys believed they would eventually strike a deal with linebacker Micah Parsons, but the Packers stepped up with a strong offer. The two first-round picks are the headliners of the surprise trade<\/a>, but defensive tackle Kenny Clark will help one of the worst run defenses in the league from a season ago, and they\u2019ve got more financial flexibility to balance the roster in the future. And with four first-rounders in the next two drafts, the Cowboys can get very aggressive to target Dak Prescott\u2019s heir \u2014 if they\u2019re so inclined.<\/p>\n New York Giants<\/p>\n Let\u2019s focus on their two first-round picks. Edge rusher Abdul Carter, who was viewed by many evaluators as the best overall player in the draft class, has been doing a few things every day in practice that have caused coaches and teammates to ooh and ahh. As for quarterback Jaxson Dart, this was some cool perspective from our conversation over the summer: \u201cI want to be the best in everything I do, especially this game,\u201d Dart said. \u201cMy happiest self is when I\u2019m out there competing and succeeding. Down deep, that\u2019s what drives me. I want to be the best. \u2026 I just love this game.\u201d<\/p>\n Philadelphia Eagles<\/p>\n Opposing teams gush over the Eagles with so much admiration and respect. Conversations running through the NFC landscape and forecasting which teams have the best chance in January seemed to almost always return to some form of, \u201cYeah, but the Eagles \u2026\u201d They\u2019ve got an elite front office, the league\u2019s best defensive play caller in Vic Fangio and an offense that\u2019s willing to get into a brawl on every play. That\u2019s a formula that tends to keep teams near the top of the food chain.<\/p>\n Washington Commanders<\/p>\n Wide receiver Deebo Samuel looks leaner and faster after shedding weight this offseason. The Commanders have been blown away by his commitment to recapturing as much of his prime as possible. Samuel\u2019s production leveled off over his last three seasons with the 49ers, but he could be an asset with Washington, especially now that Terry McLaurin is back in the fold<\/a> and ready to unlock the offense\u2019s potential.<\/p>\n NFC NorthChicago Bears<\/p>\n Second-year wideout Rome Odunze<\/a> has taken on more of a natural leadership role, which has impressed those in every corner of the building. The No. 9 pick of the 2024 draft quietly tallied just 54 catches for 734 yards and three touchdowns last season, but he\u2019s growing in new coach Ben Johnson\u2019s system on and off the field. The Bears believe it\u2019s important for quarterback Caleb Williams to have leadership support within other positional groups.<\/p>\n Detroit Lions<\/p>\n Rival coaches and executives are forecasting a more challenging season for the Lions after losing coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, though not to the point that they miss the playoffs; they\u2019ll likely face more adversity than they did in 2024. Still, the league seems to be higher on the defense, noting the players on that side still take on coach Dan Campbell\u2019s identity, and it always helps to have someone like Aidan Hutchinson attacking quarterbacks. Linebacker Alex Anzalone had an impressive summer, too, league sources said.<\/p>\n Green Bay Packers<\/p>\n Rookie first-rounder Matthew Golden had a tremendous camp, to the point where it might not be all that shocking if he quickly becomes quarterback Jordan Love\u2019s go-to wide receiver. He was turning heads early in the offseason, and he maintained that momentum through the summer. But let\u2019s focus more on Parsons, who should be an absolute force for defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Rival executives already loved the Packers\u2019<\/a> front seven, in terms of high-end talent and depth, and Parsons will be a franchise cornerstone. To some around the league, Hafley has already turned himself into a bona fide head-coaching candidate, and this is the type of move that will raise his profile in a big way.<\/p>\n Minnesota Vikings<\/p>\n Defensive coordinator Brian Flores\u2019 peers have an immense amount of respect for his system, and the Vikings will be counting on him to deliver another masterpiece season. The offense has been scaled down with quarterback J.J. McCarthy taking over. There\u2019s measured optimism around the league McCarthy will bloom into a productive starter, but don\u2019t expect it to be a seamless transition from Sam Darnold\u2019s terrific 2024 campaign.<\/p>\n NFC SouthAtlanta Falcons<\/p>\n This is an important upcoming stretch for tight end Kyle Pitts<\/a>, the athletically gifted No. 4 pick from the 2021 draft who is playing on his fifth-year option. Pitts has averaged 49 catches and 663 yards over his first four seasons with 10 total touchdowns. Teams have been under the impression Pitts could have been available in a trade in the past, and that could be the case if the Falcons stumble before the Nov. 5 deadline. The obstacle there, though, would be the balance of Pitts\u2019 $10.878 million salary.<\/p>\n Carolina Panthers<\/p>\n Defensive lineman Derrick Brown has somewhat quietly been a high-impact player for a few years, and judging by conversations with those around him this season, it doesn\u2019t sound like there\u2019s any dropoff in sight. Brown has continued to impress this summer and should be a force, although the rest of that Panthers defense continues to need a lot of work.<\/p>\n New Orleans Saints<\/p>\n The Saints are excited about second-year cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. The 2024 second-round pick out of Alabama showed up to camp in terrific shape, and he\u2019s shown strong ball skills, instincts and toughness. McKinstry could become their next stud corner after Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo departed.<\/p>\n Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/p>\n Baker Mayfield and the Bucs<\/a> can be expected to readdress his contract in the offseason \u2014 barring a surprise return to the table before that, anyway. The Bucs got tremendous value out of the first season of his three-year, $100 million contract, so Mayfield is in line for a raise with another strong season. It\u2019s reasonable to feel confident in an amicable resolution once they reach that point, as general manager Jason Licht leads one of the handful of most respected front offices in the NFL. He wants Mayfield around for the long term, and Mayfield feels the same way.<\/p>\n NFC WestArizona Cardinals<\/p>\n The Cardinals keep getting closer with a measured roster-building approach, and they\u2019ve been aided by quality coaching since Jonathan Gannon arrived in 2023. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis continually come up in conversations around the league as assistants who deserve more recognition.<\/p>\n Los Angeles Rams<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a fun, bold prediction. One rival executive predicted Rams defensive end Jared Verse would be the league\u2019s best defensive player this season. The 2024 first-round pick and Defensive Rookie of the Year was more disruptive than his 4.5 sacks would suggest, and the young and improving Rams defense might have another star on its hands.<\/p>\n San Francisco 49ers<\/p>\n