Ranking the NFL’s worst position groups
Cowboys still searching for answers at wide receiver and tight end
Last week, USA TODAY assessed the best positional groups by team throughout the NFL. In the name of balance (and curiosity), it seemed only fair to evaluate which clubs are the weakest in every spot.
Here’s the bad news: Quarterbacks — Bills: Nathan Peterman, AJ McCarron and first-rounder Josh Allen have combined for five regular-season starts, and McCarron already is banged up. Allen’s upside has been evident in preseason, but inexperience will be an unavoidable issue no matter who plays most this year.
Running backs — Colts: On a level playing field, Indianapolis’ backs might hold their own against similarly unproven groups in Denver and Seattle. But the Colts are already dealing
with a hamstring injury to presumed starter Marlon Mack, who had just 3.8 yards per carry last year, and a fourgame suspension to Robert Turbin, who’s averaged 3.8 yards per carry in a six-season career. Slightly built rookie Nyheim Hines (5-9, 198) is swift but not built for a heavy workload, while journeyman Christine Michael ... is a journeyman in every sense of the word. Yikes.
Wide receivers/tight ends — Cowboys: A case could be made for Jacksonville, especially after Marqise Lee went down Saturday. But at least the Jags have youngsters (Dede Westbrook, Keelan Cole, rookie D.J. Chark) with highend potential. Meanwhile, Dallas is searching for answers after the offseason departures by Jason Witten and Dez Bryant. Allen Hurns, Cole Beasley and Terrance Williams offer experience and varying levels of past success, but none will compel defenses from packing in to stop running back Ezekiel Elliott. Rookie Michael Gallup could surprise.
Offensive line — Texans: Buffalo’s making a push here, too, after a horrific showing in front of Allen on Sunday. But in Houston, C Nick Martin, perhaps better known as the younger brother of far more talented Dallas G Zack Martin, is the lone holdover from last year’s usual O-line. The Texans weren’t able to land Nate Solder in free agency and didn’t draft until the third round, though rookie Martinas Rankin could help eventu- ally. But this team is mixing and matching while hoping for some quick cohesion in front of QB Deshaun Watson (he was decleated by the Rams’ Ndamukong Suh on Saturday) and his surgically repaired knee.
Defensive line — Bills: Only two teams had fewer sacks than Buffalo’s 27 last year, and only three were worse against the run. Sure, it’s a new season, but the Bills are still trying to make do with castoffs (Trent Murphy, Star Lotulelei), limited role players (Adolphus Washington, Jerry Hughes) and disappointments (Shaq Lawson). Former Pro Bowl DT Kyle Williams is a fabulous locker room guy, but he’s in decline and already battling a bum knee. Rookie DT Harrison Phillips has a real chance to emerge.
Linebackers — Colts: Indy is in a transitory period as it reverts to a 4-3 front after failing to make the 3-4 scheme work during ex-coach Chuck Pagano’s six-year hitch. Last season’s leading tackler, Antonio Morrison, wasn’t a scheme fit and had been listed as a backup behind Najee Goode (four starts in six NFL seasons) and injured Anthony Walker before getting traded to Green Bay over the weekend. Rookies Matthew Adams, Zaire Franklin and Skai Moore are vying for time, but the highest hopes rest with Darius Leonard. The second-round pick has plenty of ability but will battle a significant learning curve coming from South Carolina State.
Secondary — Buccaneers: The league’s worst statistical defense in 2017 also ranked last defending the pass. Tampa Bay’s upgrades on the defensive line should reduce pressure on a beleaguered back end, but the starters essentially return intact. But there is reason for optimism. S Justin Evans is only entering his second season, and the Bucs added corners M.J. Stewart and Carlton Davis in the second round of this year’s draft. Vernon Hargreaves, the 11th overall pick in 2016, really needs to develop into an effective slot corner.
Special teams — Raiders: Take this evaluation with a grain of salt. Though most clubs have solidified rosters by this point of preseason, special teams is an area that tends to remain in flux — even well into and through the regular season. But the situation in Oakland is notable given the stability the Raiders enjoyed for so long in the kicking game with Sebastian Janikowski — did you know he was a Seahawk now? — and former punters Shane Lechler and Marquette King. But Jon Gruden could cast his lot with rookies in those positions even as he looks for a solution in the return game (turf toe landed Griff Whalen on injured reserve Monday, just hours after Ryan Switzer was traded). Dwayne Harris used to be elite but will turn 31 next month.