2024 NFL season: No. 1 challenge facing each team

Biggest challenge: Improving the defensive line.

Arizona was bitten by the injury bug up front last year, but finishing at the bottom in run defense can’t happen again. Neither can finishing bottom three in sacks. The team signed veterans Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols and Khyiris Tonga to shore up the interior and drafted Darius Robinson and Xavier Thomas to add juice on the edges. But is it enough? Further development from within also is needed. The Cardinals have a slew of capable role players, but it would be nice if Dante Stills took another step forward and someone from a deep group of edge rushers (Zaven Collins, Dennis Gardeck, Victor Dimukeje, Jesse Luketa, Cameron Thomas and BJ Ojulari) emerged as a difference-maker. Still, the depth and versatility up front appear to have been upgraded this offseason.

Biggest challenge: Upgrading the pass rush.

With the eighth overall pick, the Falcons had their choice of every defensive player in the 2024 NFL Draft. Instead, they took quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who became the lightning-rod selection of the event. Atlanta did use five picks on defenders, including taking DT Ruke Orhorhoro and OLB Bralen Trice on Day 2. But will that be enough, along with what the Falcons already have? Their top two edge rushers from a year ago, Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree, are gone. Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ebiketie, Zach Harrison and possibly DeAngelo Malone will have a shot to form a decent rotation, but there’s not one clear difference-maker. Atlanta also needs DT Grady Jarrett to return to form after a torn ACL. There’s a lot for new head coach Raheem Morris and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake to sort out up front.

Biggest challenge: Getting the defense into good shape.

The early returns on 32-year-old defensive coordinator Zach Orr seem to be positive, which is great news, but nothing has happened yet. We won’t truly find out about Orr and the Ravens’ defensive talent until the group that lost DC Mike Macdonald and some key veteran pieces, including Patrick Queen, lines up against other AFC heavyweights. The draft brought an influx of talent, namely in the secondary, but Baltimore didn’t make major veteran additions on defense. It’s hard to imagine a group that just ranked in the top 10 in several categories suddenly scuffling, but will it be a top-10 unit this season? The offensive line is another area where it’s fair to wonder just how good Baltimore will be, but I believe the Lamar Jackson–Derrick Henry duo can offset some of that. The defense also can draft off of Jackson and the Ravens’ explosive offense, but in order to reach a Super Bowl plateau, the D must do some of the heavy lifting, as well.

Biggest challenge: Sorting things out at wide receiver.

We’ve beaten this one up like a tailgate folding table, but the overhaul at receiver can’t be glossed over. Gone are Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Trent Sherfield and Deonte Harty, a group that accounted for about half of the team’s targets and receiving yards last season. Tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox figure to supply a lot of Josh Allen’s production this season, but players must emerge outside. Khalil Shakir figures to be in line for more work. Curtis Samuel arrives with a chance to be a solid, versatile contributor. Rookie Keon Coleman will have every chance to earn a starting gig. There’s also a cast of dart-throw veterans (Chase Claypool, Mack Hollins, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, KJ Hamler), so perhaps one emerges. But it won’t be stunning if it takes half a season for this group’s identity to develop.

Biggest challenge: Jump-starting the pass rush.

A big focus of the offseason understandably centered on improving the work conditions around second-year QB Bryce Young. The Panthers appear to have made gains in that area. But did they offset the pass-rush void created by the trade of Brian Burns? On paper, not yet. Carolina also saw Yetur Gross-Matos walk this offseason. The team signed D.J. Wonnum and Jadeveon Clowney, but Wonnum (quadriceps) might not start camp healthy and Clowney is on his sixth team in seven seasons, struggling to stack back-to-back strong campaigns over that stretch. Returning players DJ Johnson and Amaré Barno could offer some upside, and K’Lavon Chaisson might be able to revive his career with a new address, but overall, this appears to be an underwhelming group in need of reinforcements.

Biggest challenge: Navigating the spotlight on Caleb Williams.

Williams stands out from recent Bears quarterbacks in terms of talent and personality. His unique style of playing and living might be just what this quarterback-hungry city requires. He clearly has the skill and seems unphased by the spotlight. However, there’s more to success than that. Like his offensive teammates, the No.1 overall pick must grasp new Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldron’s scheme and build a sense of responsibility, a challenging task for any rookie quarterback. Also, he must build rapport with a skilled group of receivers and offensive linemen, which won’t happen instantly. The anticipation among Bears fans is at an all-time high as the season approaches, but they should brace themselves for the possibility that Williams may not immediately become their superhero. Let’s allow the young player some time to adjust before we expect him to decimate defenses.

Biggest challenge: Keeping Joe Burrow healthy.

There are cases to be made to highlight the questions at running back, the worries on defense or even the changes along the offensive line. All deserve mention and attention, but nothing is more paramount to the success of the Bengals than the health and performance of Burrow. Having already won Comeback Player of the Year honors in 2021, he’s once again among the favorites following his wrist injury. (The injury-shortened 2020 and 2023 campaigns were perfect displays of the star quarterback’s value.) Burrow wasn’t even himself early last season, mired by a camp calf injury, and so it’s underscored just how critical handling Burrow’s health is, especially considering he has pondered his own “football mortality” as the string of ailments has added up. The pressure to win it all this season has only risen, too, after Tee Higgins and the Bengals ended up in a stalemate over contract negotiations.

Biggest challenge: Helping Deshaun Watson meet high expectations.

The Browns signed Watson to a record contract more than two years ago, and we’re still left to wonder if the quarterback we saw with the Texans will ever regenerate in Cleveland. In Watson’s 12 starts with the Browns, they’ve won eight of those games, but his performance has been plagued by injury and ineffectiveness, and he was outshined by couch import Joe Flacco while sidelined down the stretch last season. Shoulder ailments can be tricky. Will he ever be the same? Last season, the Browns showed that, while the defense can carry a big share of the load, their ultimate ceiling will be defined by how the quarterback performs.

Biggest challenge: Dealing with growing pressure.

The Cowboys enjoyed their third straight 12-5 campaign last year, fueled in part by a brilliant season from Dak Prescott. But Dallas also bottomed out in a home playoff loss to the Packers, and Prescott has yet to receive a contract extension. He’s due to become a free agent next spring. Likewise, Mike McCarthy figures to face immense pressure to win a playoff game after going 1-3 in the postseason over the past three years. Fans are tired of the early exits, and owner Jerry Jones is still longing to end the team’s 28-year Super Bowl drought. The Cowboys are reshuffling their offensive line, enter camp with backfield questions and have done little to supplement a receiver group that was too CeeDee Lamb-dependent last season. If McCarthy and Prescott both thrive in 2024, they each deserve extensions. But there’s a little more wind in their faces after how the past few years have unfolded. 

Biggest challenge: Picking a QB1.

If you ranked the most interesting quarterback situations, the Broncos might be relatively high on the list. But interesting isn’t a synonym for “good” — just ask food critics. Sean Payton would rather have good, of course, and it’s not clear if that’s what will arrive at his table prior to Week 1. Bo Nix might not have been your typical top-12 pick, given that he was the sixth QB drafted in April, but Payton clearly wants the rookie to emerge from this group. Jarrett Stidham offers decent insurance, but he’s been wildly hot and cold in his limited experience. Zach Wilson might be the ultimate wild-card option, but counting on him to contribute in a major way would be specious. What will this group look like heading into Week 1? Denver opens with three of four games on the road and needs another WR threat to emerge opposite Courtland Sutton, after Jerry Jeudy was traded. The Broncos can’t afford another 1-5 type of start in Payton’s second season, but expecting big early returns from the passing game would seem quite optimistic.

Biggest challenge: Fixing the secondary.

The Lions’ Super Bowl window is officially open. The hope is the defense, namely the secondary, isn’t the reason it slams shut this season. Gone are Cameron Sutton, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Jerry Jacobs, Tracy Walker III and Will Harris. Enter veterans Carlton Davis and Amik Robertson, along with first-round pick Terrion Arnold and second-rounder Ennis Rakestraw Jr. The Lions also added to the defensive front, which theoretically should help the back end. But there’s no question that if Aaron Glenn’s D is going to get better, it will require some of those new DBs — including at least one rookie — stepping up in a big way. There’s an emerging core in place with Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu, but the Lions must cut way back on allowing chunk plays. They gave up a league-worst 69 passes of 20-plus yards last season.

Biggest challenge: Elevating the defense.

After leaving his post as Boston College’s head coach to run the Packers’ defense, Jeff Hafley faces a lot of pressure to improve a unit that was plagued by leaky run fits and ranked near the bottom of the league in INTs and yards allowed per pass. Matt LaFleur is on his third defensive coordinator after Joe Barry’s units couldn’t achieve enough consistency. The talent appears to be there to improve, especially after the addition of safety Xavier McKinney and a few rookies who could immediately contribute. The Packers could end up starting a defense almost entirely composed of former early draft picks and notable free-agent additions. Expectations should be high for a reason, yet there are unanswered questions remaining, especially in the secondary. 

Biggest challenge: Getting the secondary to jell in time for the season.

The Texans were one of the NFL’s best stories in 2023, riding a hot young quarterback, quality special teams and a timely defense to an unexpected division title and a rollicking playoff victory. But the D must take a step forward in 2024. The pass defense was the biggest culprit a year ago, and there might be outsized pressure on Day 2 draft picks Kamari Lassiter and Calen Bullock to contribute early on, with no clear-cut upgrades from the veteran ranks. The pass rush could be stronger with the additions of Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry. There also are some questions at linebacker and defensive tackle. The Texans’ schedule looks to be quite tough, although there’s a run-up to the offensive heavy hitters they’ll face on the back end. Still, if the Texans want to fancy themselves as Super Bowl contenders, they have to find ways to upgrade defensively early on.

Biggest challenge: Keeping Anthony Richardson healthy as he develops.

There’s a solid case to be made for the Colts being a sleeper team in 2024. But it likely won’t be possible without Richardson staying healthy and making big strides in Year 2. Sure, the Colts nearly made last season’s playoffs with Gardner Minshew taking most of the starts, and new backup Joe Flacco rescued the 2023 Browns down the stretch. But the Colts know they have to find out what Richardson can handle over the course of a whole season. The brief glimpses we saw last year were highly encouraging, but also concerning. He suffered a concussion and a season-ending shoulder injury, the latter of which appeared to still affect Richardson as recently as OTAs. There are questions elsewhere, such as in the secondary and with the skill-position group, but nothing trumps the importance of Richardson’s immediate development.

Biggest challenge: Achieving consistency.

Entering last season, the Jaguars were viewed as up-and-comers, much in the same vein as this year’s Texans. The Jags were on the rise, thanks to a 7-2 finish and two highly competitive playoff performances in the 2022 campaign. They mostly backed that hype up in 2023 by starting the season with an 8-3 mark. But that’s when everything fell apart, as they dropped five of six to fall from the playoff field. So which team is this? That’s the roller-coaster reality staring Doug Pederson, Trevor Lawrence and Josh Hines-Allen in the face. Jacksonville’s offense and defense both must find ways to prevent such wild swings in performance from one month to the next.

Biggest challenge: Settling on a left tackle.

All last season, we openly questioned whether Patrick Mahomes had the kind of wide receiver weaponry needed to win a Super Bowl, and then all the guy did was lead the Chiefs to another title. With that concept as a qualifier — perhaps Mahomes can overcome virtually any impediment — it’s still worth wondering who’ll end up protecting his blind side. Last year’s starter, Donovan Smith, remains a free agent. Could he return? For now, the Chiefs are willing to let Wanya Morris and 2024 second-rounder Kingsley Suamataia compete for the job. Morris struggled a bit in four rookie starts down the stretch, replacing the injured Smith. Suamataia was solid as a pass protector last year at BYU (outside of the Texas game) but wasn’t as effective in the run game. Even with the superhuman Mahomes at QB, the Chiefs need at least solid play here to keep hope alive for a third straight championship. 

Biggest challenge: Getting a difference-making performance at QB.

When the Raiders didn’t select a QB in the 2024 NFL Draft, it left them with a battle between journeyman Gardner Minshew and second-year pro Aidan O’Connell. After some early struggles with turnovers and generating big plays last season, O’Connell settled in down the stretch, with nine TD passes and only one turnover in his final six starts. That earned him the chance to compete with Minshew, who had some moments in 13 injury-replacement starts for the Colts, nearly helping Indy secure a playoff bid. Minshew likewise kept his turnovers down, but his play fluctuated weekly and he took too many sacks. This team has some limitations that put a ceiling on what the offense might be able to achieve, even if the defense should keep the Raiders in most games. But making a playoff run almost certainly involves one of these QBs claiming the job and running with it, exceeding the level of play they each achieved for their respective teams in 2023.

Biggest challenge: Making a sizable leap on defense.

Questions about Justin Herbert’s receiving weapons and the run game have dominated the offseason cycle since Jim Harbaugh arrived, so let’s pivot to the other side of the ball. The Chargers’ defensive issues last year ran long, and now Harbaugh has handed the play-calling keys over to ex-Michigan coordinator Jesse Minter, who’s never run an NFL defense before. There are star-caliber players such as Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and Derwin James, but potential trouble spots exist on all three levels of the defense. Is there enough DT depth and talent? That same question could be applied to the secondary, too. And who is starting at linebacker? L.A. must answer those questions prior to a six-game stretch to open the regular season that features three division games and four contests on the road.

Biggest challenge: Replacing Aaron Donald.

With the singular Donald off to retirement, the Rams’ defense will look completely different for the first time in a decade. No surprise, Los Angeles used its first two draft picks on the defensive front, taking FSU teammates Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, before doubling back on OLB Brennan Jackson and DT Tyler Davis on Day 3. I give a lot of credit to GM Les Snead for his foresight in identifying 2023 third-rounders Kobie Turner and Byron Young, who emerged as rookie stars, both reaching the eight-sack mark. But the Rams will find that life is tougher when offenses no longer gear their blocking approaches to containing Donald, so L.A. will need more strong first-year contributions from the D-line. Verse and Fiske both have motors that run hot, so this certainly could turn into a highly competitive group in time. A stiff test arrives right away in Week 1, at Detroit versus one of the NFL’s best offensive lines.

Biggest challenge: Replacing two starters on the offensive line.

One reason why Tua Tagovailoa was able to set various personal bests and start all 17 games for the first time in his career in 2023 was that the Dolphins’ offensive line did its job protecting him. Sure, a quick-pass scheme helped, but Miami allowed the lowest pressure rate in the NFL at 25.6 percent, per Next Gen Stats. The problem is that two major contributors from that line, Robert Hunt and Connor Williams, are now gone. Liam Eichenberg started games at all three interior spots last season and will be in competition for a starting job. But assuming Aaron Brewer wins the center job, Eichenberg might have to compete with the likes of Robert Jones, Isaiah Wynn, Jack Driscoll and Lester Cotton for one of the open guard spots. Terron Armstead is elite at left tackle when healthy, and Austin Jackson made strides on the right side, but the interior remains a worry until we see the group start to materialize.

Biggest challenge: Handling the QB situation.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell has pledged a “competitive environment” in training camp as Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy get set to battle for the starting job. There also are two other QBs (Jaren Hall and Nick Mullens) on the roster, so how O’Connell plans to divvy up practice and preseason reps will be interesting. But it sort of boils down to Darnold, who is the QB1 for now, and McCarthy — and how quickly the latter can prove himself as a rookie. Minnesota will have 20-plus practice sessions and 180 minutes of exhibition football to make a call prior to Week 1. But even if Darnold wins the starting job initially, there’s also the question of when the Vikings might consider pivoting to McCarthy. Can he take over by the team’s Week 6 bye? Or will Darnold stave off the rookie with some strong early play, even against a whale of a schedule? Injury and/or ineffectiveness could throw the whole experiment out of whack.

Biggest challenge: Finding a left tackle.

The Patriots face a slew of short- and long-term questions in the wake of Bill Belichick’s departure, heading into training camp with Jacoby Brissett keeping the seat warm for No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye at QB, questions at receiver and an overall void of skill-position talent. But one big key to making life easier for Brissett and Maye will be the play of the offensive line, and specifically the left tackle spot. The Patriots’ options right now are less than ideal. Chukwuma Okorafor appears to be the favorite there, but he’s almost exclusively been a right tackle in the NFL, with mixed results leading to his benching last year in Pittsburgh. His last start as a left tackle came in 2017 for Western Michigan. Another possible option, rookie Caedan Wallace, was a bit of a reach to me with the 68th overall pick, and he didn’t take a single snap at left tackle in college, per PFF. Calvin Anderson or Vederian Lowe also could be in the mix, but until someone steps up, the Patriots appear to have one of the NFL’s shakier left tackle situations.

Biggest challenge: Finding the best five on the offensive line.

The Saints are an older team on the whole, but there could be plenty of youth up front on offense. With James Hurst (retired) and Andrus Peat (signed with Las Vegas) gone, and with Ryan Ramczyk now out for the season, there are as many as three OL jobs up for grabs. First-round pick Taliese Fuaga, a college right tackle, is expected to get the first crack at left tackle. After two years of struggles on the blind side, 2022 first-rounder Trevor Penning is attempting the reverse move, trying to win the RT spot. Former first-rounders Erik McCoy and Cesar Ruiz are expected to be rocks inside, but the favorite at the remaining guard spot appears to be Nick Saldiveri, who logged all of 18 offensive snaps last season as a 2023 fourth-rounder out of Old Dominion. New Orleans also changed offensive coordinators and swapped in a whole bunch of new faces on the offensive staff — including OL coach John Benton, who was out of the league last season — so there will be a lot of acclimating on the fly in camp, even if that process has been underway since April.

Biggest challenge: Getting the most out of Daniel Jones.

The Giants cast their offseason die with the decisions to let Saquon Barkley walk in free agency and stay the course with Jones, ultimately bypassing the QB options they had in April’s draft. It was a risky approach, but there’s no crossing back over the Rubicon now. The G-Men know they must put Jones in the best possible position to succeed again, with his strong 2022 campaign suddenly feeling so long ago, thanks to multiple injuries and poor play. A porous offensive line certainly didn’t help last season, and it’s not clear if New York made major upgrades there. If Jones is healthy, he’ll have some talented receivers to throw to. But how well can he move after his season-ending ACL injury? And what is his confidence level after the Giants openly considered drafting his replacement? If Jones can’t promptly bounce back, Drew Lock, who signed a one-year deal with the team, could be breathing down his neck in short order.

Biggest challenge: Building chemistry on the offensive line.

With Aaron Rodgers coming back from a torn Achilles tendon suffered on his fourth snap as a Jet, New York appeared to reinforce the 40-year-old quarterback’s protection with the requisite offensive-line help, but it’s going to take some patience to see if that’s truly the case. The new left tackle, 33-year-old Tyron Smith, has missed 37 games over the past four seasons. Presumably, his camp regimen will have ample rest days built in. Right tackle Morgan Moses, also 33, is returning from a pectoral injury and hasn’t been practicing since joining the team. New left guard John Simpson also missed reps this spring and summer. Right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker is coming off his own season-ending Achilles injury and has yet to practice this offseason. First-round OT Olu Fashanu might be a work in progress, but he could be thrust into the fire. The talent to insulate Rodgers appears to be there, but this group needs time to jell, and it’s not clear when that opportunity will arise.

Biggest challenge: Getting the secondary up to speed.

New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s two-high schemes have caught on around the league, but the veteran coach arrived in Philadelphia after a trying year in Miami. With the Eagles, Fangio is tasked with taking on an underachieving unit and making it fly again, with the biggest challenge coming in the secondary. There’s an influx of talent with the additions of first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell and second-rounder Cooper DeJean, as well as the return of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, whom the Eagles undoubtedly missed last season. (Also keep an eye on formerly suspended CB Isaiah Rodgers.) Along with Darius Slay, Reed Blankenship, Avonte Maddox and a few other returners, there is enough in the secondary to thrive, but absorbing a new scheme and breaking in two rookies early will be hurdles.

Biggest challenge: Determining an offensive identity.

The Steelers have a quarterback battle unlike any other around the league. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are a decade apart in age, but they’re both at a career crossroads. How Pittsburgh plans to use the two signal-callers will be fascinating. Is Wilson the clear Week 1 starter? Is there a Fields package in the offense? Will Fields fully usurp Wilson at some point? That all remains to be seen. If there is a Fields package, it’ll be run by new Steelers OC Arthur Smith, whose handling of the Falcons’ quarterbacks over the past few years was suboptimal, even if the QB talent in Atlanta was lacking. Smith also must contend with OL changes and a WR corps that lost one of its big playmakers when Diontae Johnson was traded to Carolina. Mike Tomlin played quarterback roulette last year and lost, despite Pittsburgh making the playoffs. The AFC North is a bear. How the offense materializes is the obvious, No. 1 issue for this team right now.

Biggest challenge: Getting the most out of the D-line makeover.

There’s a lot of drama surrounding the Brandon Aiyuk situation right now, and Kyle Shanahan must keep his team’s focus while it tries to get over the hump after the second heartbreaking Super Bowl loss to Kansas City in the past five seasons. But if we want to pivot more to the roster challenges facing this club, we have to start with the defensive line. That’s the position group that saw the most overhaul this offseason, with Arik Armstead, Chase Young, Javon Kinlaw, Clelin Ferrell and Randy Gregory all gone from last year’s club. Leonard Floyd, Maliek Collins, Jordan Elliott and Yetur Gross-Matos headline the offseason additions in this area. Pro Bowler Nick Bosa still anchors the front, and Floyd has been a steady pressure source in recent years. But there’s pressure on new defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, who has risen fast through the ranks over the past couple years, to keep this unit among the better ones in the NFL, perhaps with some help from new assistant head coach/defense Brandon Staley.

Biggest challenge: Keeping the passing game afloat.

It’s a brand new day in Seattle under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald, with a particularly interesting situation on offense. Ryan Grubb’s explosive passing game helped the University of Washington make it all the way to this past season’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Will the offensive coordinator’s scheme translate to the professional team in town? Seattle’s receiving corps — headlined by DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba — gives Grubb plenty of firepower, even if there are big worries with other elements of the offense. The fact that Grubb arrives with Geno Smith fresh off a step-back season is notable. The Seahawks quietly traded for 2023 Commanders starter Sam Howell, and it won’t shock me if the third-year pro is starting at some point. But Smith will have every opportunity to keep the job and reprise his 2022 success. The 33-year-old needs more weekly consistency, avoiding the sacks and turnovers that plagued him at times last season.

Biggest challenge: Keeping Baker Mayfield humming.

Mayfield authored a stirring comeback season in 2023, helping rescue the Buccaneers from a 4-7 start to win a third straight NFC South title and resoundingly upset the Eagles on Super Wild Card Weekend. Mayfield used his legs more than in previous seasons, attacked more vertically and cut way back on his sacks and turnovers, rightfully earning a lucrative extension with Tampa Bay. Now he must reprise that effort with new offensive coordinator Liam Coen — whom the quarterback worked with during a brief stint with the Rams in 2022 — taking over for Dave Canales, who’s now the head coach in Carolina. On the positive side, Mayfield appears to have an even stronger WR corps, with all the key members returning and the additions of Sterling Shepard and third-round pick Jalen McMillan. The Bucs also boast good pass-catching options at running back and tight end. But Coen will be calling plays solo at the NFL level for the first time, and Tampa has some worries on the interior of the offensive line. 

Biggest challenge: Giving Will Levis every chance to succeed.

If the Titans have one primary goal this season, it’s determining whether or not Levis is a franchise quarterback to build around. Everything else is window dressing. Tennessee could be a surprise team, even in the suddenly intriguing AFC South, but the ultimate upside in Nashville feels capped, especially given the limitations on defense. Also, for the first time in years, the franchise is without Derrick Henry, replaced by Tony Pollard, who can help Levis with his receiving ability. Passing-game options shouldn’t be an issue after the team signed Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd for Brian Callahan’s maiden season in the big chair, but the right side of the offensive line is a mystery for now, and the schedule might be tougher than folks realize. If Levis can play at, say, the same level Jake Browning did when he took over under Callahan last season in Cincinnati, Tennessee could turn some heads.

Biggest challenge: Protecting Jayden Daniels.

This offseason has been a pleasant surprise for the wayward Commanders, with first-year GM Adam Peters ushering in a new era by refurbishing the roster with a cast of competitive veterans and hungry, talented rookies, including No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels. I like what I’ve seen so far. But that doesn’t mean Peters and his crew were able to check off every box this offseason. The offensive line, in particular, stands out as a potentially leaky unit, and that’s worrisome for Daniels, whose thin build was a pre-draft talking point. I’ve written about what I think Daniels can achieve as a rookie, but nothing can undercut that faster than poor blocking. After all, just look at last year’s offensive tape. Cornelius Lucas could be the Week 1 left tackle, with Andrew Wylie manning the RT slot following an uneven debut season with the Commanders. The interior will largely be new. So, with a new offensive system under Kliff Kingsbury, a new head coach in Dan Quinn, a rookie QB and only so much blocking talent up front, a dose of reality could swiftly dampen the current excitement in Washington.