All articles tagged with #roster holes
As the NFL free agency frenzy slows down, teams like the Baltimore Ravens are still working to fill roster holes created by offseason departures, particularly on the offensive line. With notable departures including G John Simpson, G Kevin Zeitler, and OT Morgan Moses, the Ravens have a history of letting offensive linemen leave and trusting in their ability to find replacements through the draft or free agency.
The Washington Commanders have been active in addressing roster holes at the start of free agency, signing 14 free agents and re-signing two of their own. The team has focused on adding youth and leadership, with signings like Jeremy Chinn, Frankie Luvu, and Austin Ekeler, who bring both on-field talent and leadership qualities. The aggressive approach to free agency reflects a shift in the team's strategy compared to previous seasons, signaling a new direction under head coach Dan Quinn.
As teams shape their rosters with players acquired via free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft, some voids left by offseason departures are larger than others. Here are the top player departures that will have the biggest impact on their former teams, including Aaron Rodgers leaving the Packers, Tom Brady retiring from the Bucs, and Jalen Ramsey being traded from the Rams. Other notable departures include DJ Moore from the Panthers, Mike McGlinchey from the 49ers, and Maxx Schultz from the Cowboys.
As the NFL approaches its annual summer break, teams still have roster holes that need to be filled ahead of the 2023 season. The Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, and Arizona Cardinals all have areas that need upgrading. Some big-name free agents, including DeAndre Hopkins and Dalvin Cook, are still available, and veterans like Yannick Ngakoue, Jadeveon Clowney, and Justin Houston could help fill the gaps. Training camps in late July will provide an opportunity for teams to tinker with their rosters and plug any remaining holes.
The ACC has seen several teams plug roster holes with instant-impact players from the transfer portal, with Florida State and Miami having three teams in the top 10 of the 247Sports Transfer Team Rankings for the 2023 cycle. Notable transfers include Florida State's Fentrell Cypress II, North Carolina's Devontez Walker, Miami's Javion Cohen, Virginia Tech's Ali Jennings, NC State's Brennan Armstrong, and Louisville's Jamari Thrash. Other ACC teams have also added key transfers to their rosters, including Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech, Pitt, Syracuse, Virginia, and Wake Forest.
The Green Bay Packers have several veteran departures from free agency to replace on the roster entering 2023, including Lazard, Tonyan, Lowry, Reed, Barnes, Amos, Crosby, Lewis, Cobb, and Leavitt. The article suggests potential draft picks to replace each player, including Mingo, Schoonmaker, Pickens, Benton, and Williams. The Packers are expected to target defensive linemen in this draft, and adding an athletic linebacker and special teams player is also a priority.
The Arizona Cardinals have several roster holes to fill after a quiet free agency period. The top five positions in need of reinforcements are quarterback, wide receiver, defensive line, interior offensive line, and cornerback. The team needs to address these positions through the draft and potentially sign a veteran free agent at cornerback to provide leadership and credibility to the unit. The Cardinals' roster still has many holes, and new GM Monti Ossenfort has his work cut out for him.