Ranking All 32 NFL Rosters In 2023 As Training Camps Begin To Open

Matt Fitzgerald7/21/2023 4:00 PM

Michael Zagaris. Getty Images.

FOOTBALL SEASON IS [BASICALLY] UPON US. LET'S GOOOO.

Conservative estimates have NFL rosters with a year-over-year turnover rate of about 33%. That’s what makes annual roster rankings so fun — and saves me from feeling too embarrassed about myself from what I wrote at this time in 2022.

Some teams who go all-in for a Super Bowl can look great on paper for a season, and then suddenly age and plummet in perception. More youthful teams who ask a lot of their rookies or second-year players and get that high-end production can skyrocket the next season.

You’ll notice a lot of volatility from where I had these teams ranked last July. That blog drew 134 comments, many of which were angry. Let’s see if we can beat that total this time around!

Without further ado, let’s get into it. Almost goes without saying, but the quarterback position is a major factor here.

32. Arizona Cardinals (Last Year: 15)

Check out their defense. The front seven in particular. It’s grim. Who are these dudes? I’m sure I don’t know. Like unless BJ Ojulari is an immediate double-digit sack guy, y’all are in trouble. Kyler Murray is also recovering from a torn ACL. Even then, he’s what? A top-15 quarterback at best? Losing DeAndre Hopkins doesn’t help Arizona’s outlook. We know the Cardinals are in a rebuild. With a strong 2024 draft class, they could move way up in short order.

31. Houston Texans (Last Year: 32)

Ballsy draft day trade by GM Nick Caserio to get C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. Commendable. Unfortunately, with a subpar o-line and underwhelming receiving corps, I struggle to see Stroud’s path to success as a rookie. The defense looks OK on paper. Just…OK.

30. Chicago Bears (Last Year: 30)

Justin Fields really needs to pop as a passer in Year 3. Improved protection, a second season in the same system and the addition of wide receiver DJ Moore should help the cause. The defense is way too young and thin in the trenches to endorse. Head coach Matt Eberflus needs to work his magic on that side of the ball.

29. New England Patriots (Last Year: 25)

Pretty much everywhere I look on Bill Belichick’s latest roster, my reaction is various forms of, "MEH." Rather uninspiring across the board, save for a secondary that could get a big boost with rookie first-round cornerback Christian Gonzalez.

28. Atlanta Falcons (Last Year: 31)

Despite clear improvements via free agency and the polarizing pick of tailback Bijan Robinson at eighth overall, everything comes down to the QB spot. No idea what to expect from Desmond Ridder. The guy fell to the third round of the draft. Played sparingly as a rookie. If he’s decent and can connect often enough with big-bodied targets Kyle Pitts and Drake London, Atlanta could steal the wide-open NFC South.

27. Las Vegas Raiders (Last Year: 11)

Signing Jimmy Garoppolo without him passing a physical. Not paying reigning rushing champion Josh Jacobs. First-round pick Tyree Wilson dealing with a foot injury like Jimmy G. Between the Raiders’ overall mismanagement and the lacking talent outside of their Davante Adams-Hunter Renfrow receiver duo, it could be a long season in Vegas.

26. New York Giants (Last Year: 28)

Some might think this is disrespectful. The Giants had a super easy schedule in 2022, getting by with a mostly no-name defense and a resurgent Saquon Barkley. Now Saquon is planning to hold out, which puts real pressure on Daniel Jones. Rookie center John Michael Schmitz should help stabilize a still-bad offensive line. Don’t love their defense beyond Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams up front, although first-year CB Deonte Banks should help on the back end.

25. Minnesota Vikings (Last Year: 19)

Woof. The receiving group outside of Justin Jefferson is ROUGH. Made worse by Jordan Addison’s recent citation for allegedly driving 140 mph in a 55 mph zone. New defensive coordinator Brian Flores can only do so much with a defense that was awful in ’22 and almost looks worse now personnel-wise. Good luck backing up that 13-4 mark, SKOL Nation.

24. Washington Commanders (Last Year: 21)

Sam Howell is a giant question mark, yet the Commanders are so good on the defensive line and have a ton of playmakers on offense. For whatever reason, I have more faith in Howell than, say, Desmond Ridder. I feel like I’m still overshooting a little with Washington. Whatever. Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson are among the most gifted receiving trios in the league. That’s a big deal.

23. Los Angeles Rams (Last Year: 2)

When Matthew Stafford is right, he’s still a top-flight QB. Question is, how much more wear and tear can he take? Aaron Donald is a living legend. Cooper Kupp won the receiving Triple Crown when the Rams ran to the Super Bowl. Lots of injuries in ’22 tanked LA’s season. If you look beyond Donald, though, their defense is in awful shape. The departure of Jalen Ramsey leaves the secondary with pretty much nobody.

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last Year: 3)

Taking Tom Brady out of the equation is obviously a big blow to Tampa. More than anything, this is just an old team. Mike Evans appears to hobble more with each passing season. Lavonte David turns 34 in January. Three spots on the o-line are up in the air. Oh yeah, and Baker Mayfield is under center. Still, I like the Bucs’ defense overall. Intrigued by Calijah Kancey joining Vita Vea in what could be a devastating d-line duo.

21. Indianapolis Colts (Last Year: 20)

There’s plutonium-grade explosive potential between Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson. That Colts rushing attack is going to be a problem. If Richardson can deliver with marginal accuracy to Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce, this offense could obliterate expectations. I hesitate to project too much when it comes to rookie classes. However, Indy had one of the best drafts, should have an instant starting corner in JuJu Brents and benefit from the return of a healthy Shaquille Leonard.

20. Carolina Panthers (Last Year: 24)

Projecting a bit here that No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young will flourish as a rookie with a loaded coaching staff at his back. The Panthers have built a strong offensive line in recent years, and have loads of young talent on defense. Lots of solid-but-unspectacular across this roster. Young will need to elevate it, especially because Carolina doesn’t have a surefire WR1.

19. Tennessee Titans (Last Year: 17)

Easy to forget about Ryan Tannehill since the Titans have used Day 2 picks on Malik Willis and Will Levis in successive drafts. Tannehill can still play. Maybe giving him decent blocking and DeAndre Hopkins will boost his confidence. First-rounder Peter Skoronski is a plug-and-play starter to help protect Tannehill. Then I like, don’t love, Tennessee’s defense, headlined by dominant interior pass-rusher Jeffery Simmons.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers (Last Year: 23)

TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith are in the running for the NFL’s best edge-rushing duo. Pittsburgh looks better on paper than I realized going in. Can’t say I’m quite sold on Kenny Pickett, who I half-jokingly have often said has a ceiling that’s 85% of Joe Burrow. Kind of a compliment, kind of not. Let’s see how Kenny fares as an NFL sophomore before pumping the Steelers up too much.

17. Cleveland Browns (Last Year: 18)

Speaking of wild-card AFC North field generals, we have Deshaun Watson. All-world scumbag. Gifted passer of the football. Beyond Deshaun, the offense looks good blocking-wise, pass-catching-wise and Nick Chubb-wise. Dalvin Tomlinson and Za’Darius Smith add necessary beef to the defensive front. Stellar defensive backfield, too.

16. New Orleans Saints (Last Year: 16)

Settling the QB position with Derek Carr and adding a 17-TD rusher from ’22 in Jamaal Williams should go a long way in helping the Saints’ offense. I’ll still hold onto hope that they can get something out of supreme skill players Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas. Tight end Juwan Johnson flies under the radar but had 508 yards and a team-high seven receiving TDs last year. The d-line isn’t what it once was, but the back seven on defense is too loaded for me to consider New Orleans’ roster below league-average.

15. Denver Broncos (Last Year: 9)

Yup. Overshot on forecasting Russell Wilson’s maiden season in the Mile High City. By default, he should improve with Sean Payton calling the plays. Don’t particularly love the trajectory the Broncos’ receivers have been on. Mike McGlinchey coming over from San Francisco will shore up the problematic right tackle spot. Denver’s defense is exceptional, led by lockdown corner Patrick Surtain II and free safety Justin Simmons. Yeah. Mixed feelings on the Broncos.

14. Green Bay Packers (Last Year: 8)

Christian Watson has the upside to be a top-10 wide receiver. Can Jordan Love get him the ball effectively? That is the question. Green Bay will count on a few rookies in wideout Jayden Reed and tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft to be considerable contributors to the passing attack. Good news? An excellent backfield duo of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. Additionally, the Packers have studs all over their defense: Big tackle Kenny Clark, dynamic EDGE Rashan Gary, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell and cornerback Jaire Alexander.

13. Detroit Lions (Last Year: 26)

Once Jameson Williams serves his suspension, he’ll form a dynamite receiving tandem with Amon-Ra St. Brown. Not a bad pair of running backs in David Montgomery and 12th overall pick Jahmyr Gibbs, either. Between those skill guys and an elite offensive line, Jared Goff couldn’t be in better position to flourish. Detroit’s prospective defensive improvement is all conjecture. I don’t feel too strongly about their recent upgrades. All I really know is, Aidan Hutchinson is a star.

12. Jacksonville Jaguars (Last Year: 27)

Amazing what a competent culture and Super Bowl-winning coach can do for a generational QB prospect in his second year. Trevor Lawrence led the Jags to five straight wins, the AFC South title and a historic 27-0 rally to triumph on Wild Card Weekend. Lawrence now has Calvin Ridley as a brand-new weapon to throw to alongside Christian Kirk, Zay Jones and tight end Evan Engram. Don’t forget tailback Travis Etienne, either. Just need to see more from Jacksonville’s D. The progress of rising second-years Travon Walker and Devin Lloyd is an X-factor that can take that unit to another level.

11. Dallas Cowboys (Last Year: 12)

I imagine America’s Team won’t led All-Pro guard Zack Martin’s possible holdout carry on too long. He’s so good. The receiving threesome of CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup has the chance to be special. Micah Parsons masks any and ~~all~~ most issues the Cowboys might have on defense. Stephon Gilmore is a sneaky-nice addition to start at corner on the other side of ballhawk Trevon Diggs. Should be a pretty formidable crew in Dallas. Whether or not that translates to playoff prowess is another matter.

10. Los Angeles Chargers (Last Year: 5)

Will the Bolts be paper tigers yet again, or will they finally put it all together? That’s not the point of this exercise. Unless I was counting coaches as part of a roster. In which case, Brandon Staley would knock the Chargers down several pegs. In Staley’s defense somewhat, LA got tagged with myriad injuries and still could’ve gone deep in the postseason if not for, you know, that colossal collapse against the Jags. Justin Herbert will have the best line and best receiving group of his young career if Quentin Johnston can contribute anything in Year 1. Linebacker Eric Kendricks is a fine offseason addition next to former first-rounder Kenneth Murray Jr. Can’t go without mentioning the Joey Bosa-Khalil Mack EDGE combo. Derwin James is an all-world, Swiss Army knife defender. Cornerback is the only position I have major questions about.

9. Seattle Seahawks (Last Year: 29)

As much as I loved the Seahawks’ 2022 draft class even in its immediate aftermath, I didn’t expect pretty much ALL of them to be exceptional players right out of the gates. That’s what essentially happened. So hell yes, I’m banking on Devon Witherspoon and Tariq Woolen being perhaps the best cornerback tandem in all of football. Not to mention, Jaxon Smith-Njigba will be a matchup nightmare with opponents already having to worry about fellow receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Let’s see if Geno Smith can build on his breakout 2022 campaign.

8. Baltimore Ravens (Last Year: 7)

I’d have the Ravens higher if all their key contributors didn’t have major injury histories. Lamar Jackson got hurt down the stretch of the past two seasons. Odell Beckham Jr. was out of football for a whole year. J.K. Dobbins missed a season and a half with a blown-out knee. Rashod Bateman has played 19 games since being drafted 27th overall in 2021. Between linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen, plus defensive backs Marlon Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton, and Marcus Williams, Baltimore has plenty to be excited (and a little less apprehensive) about on the other side of the ball.

7. Buffalo Bills (Last Year: 1)

How crazy is it that I perceive the Bills to have the third-best roster in their own division after regarding them as the very best roster heading into 2022? Aging in key areas, er, season-ending injuries to Von Miller and Micah Hyde have me doubting the Bills’ stout D going forward. WR2 Gabe Davis fell way short of expectations in ’22. Don’t love Buffalo’s depth anywhere on defense, in fact, nor does their offensive line inspire a lot of confidence. Josh Allen is a beast. He can only do so much to boost Buffalo’s stock.

6. New York Jets (Last Year: 22)

The Jets are stacked. Had Aaron Rodgers been in the fold last season, they might’ve made it to at least the AFC Championship Game. Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall are elite playmakers entering their second year. Pass-rusher Carl Lawson will be another year removed from a torn Achilles. Sauce Gardner is already in the conversation for best corner in the NFL, with a legit No. 2/alt CB1 in D.J. Reed opposite him. Superstar d-tackle Quinnen Williams’ future is secure with a big payday. Loving how the Jets are shaping up for a probable Rodgers renaissance.

5. Miami Dolphins (Last Year: 14)

If I’m going to hammer the Ravens for medical red flags, maybe I should be harder on the Dolphins considering what Tua Tagovailoa went through with multiple concussions. However, Miami has at least a semi-viable backup in Mike White. Oh yeah, and perhaps the fastest collection of skill position talent in the NFL. Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane, Robbie Chosen? DAMN. Burners everywhere. Oh yeah, and Jalen Ramsey is CB1 with Xavien Howard and Kader Kohou already in the mix. Jevon Holland is an excellent safety. Then you factor in Christian Wilkins, Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb on the front seven? The Fins are loaded, I’m telling you.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (Last Year: 6)

I could put the Chiefs in the top 10 on the strength of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce alone. Doesn’t matter how much Mahomes is limping his ass around, how slow Kelce looks, or what the scoreboard says. Mahomes will dig deep for some improvisational magic whenever necessary. Kelce will inexplicably be wide open on every single key down. Kansas City will be fine. It’s inevitable. Never mind that the Chiefs have a premier interior defender in Chris Jones, a sensational linebacker in Nick Bolton and two fantastic young corners in Trent McDuffie and L’Jarius Sneed.

3. Cincinnati Bengals (Last Year: 4)

Can’t overstate how huge it is that Joe Burrow has a legit left tackle now in Orlando Brown Jr., who came over from KC. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd comprise the best triumvirate of receivers in the sport. Every single position on Cincinnati’s base nickel defense is firmly set, save for the safety spots vacated by departed free agents Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell. Dax Hill was a first-rounder in 2022 and will fill in one of those spots. Then it’s between ex-Ram Nick Scott and Alabama rookie Jordan Battle. Thanks to a blend of open-market hits, savvy draft picks and, yes, Joe Burrow, the Bengals have a truly elite roster.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (Last Year: 10)

No big surprise here. I almost gave the Eagles the edge over the 49ers because of a clearer, more proven QB situation. San Francisco just has more star power. Time to stop doubting Jalen Hurts until further notice. Philly has the NFL’s deepest defensive line and just had a 70-sack season. They also boast the greatest offensive line going right now. A.J. Brown turned out to be a huge addition and a go-to guy for Hurts. DeVonta Smith is a heck of a WR2. The RB corps is stacked with D’Andre Swift, Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Gainwell. Could go on and on but isn't this long enough?

1. San Francisco 49ers (Last Year: 13)

Considering I stated at the outset how much QBs would weigh, it goes to show how insane San Francisco’s roster is to rank No. 1 with such a dubious situation at the most important position. I’ll believe Brock Purdy is the real deal and healthy when I see him start Week 1 and continue his unbelievable rise from Mr. Irrelevant obscurity to star 49er. Take your pick to praise the rest of the Niners’ lineup. Huge names all over the place. Bosa. Deebo. Warner. McCaffrey. KITTLE. Williams. Hufanga. Armstead. Hargrave. Aiyuk. It’s fucking ridiculous. How did ~~John Lynch~~ Kyle Shanahan get away with this, especially after an apparent whiff on Trey Lance with the third overall pick?