Training camps open in a matter of weeks, and every NFC roster still has at least one gap that could decide its season. Free agency and the draft filled most of the holes teams walked into the offseason with — Philadelphia, the Rams and a handful of others enter training camp about as complete as a roster gets — but nobody in the conference is without an obvious question mark.
Here’s the single biggest remaining roster issue for all 16 NFC teams, division by division, with an eye toward what could still get fixed via a late free-agent signing or an August trade.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys — cornerback depth. The Cowboys addressed most of their defense this offseason, but the cornerback room behind DaRon Bland is thin. Bland, an All-Pro in 2023, has missed 15 games combined over the past two seasons. Free-agent addition Cobie Durant is solid in coverage but shakier against the run, and 2025 draft pick Shavon Revel Jr. is still trying to shake off an injury-marred rookie year. Unless one of Dallas’ younger corners takes a real step forward, the outside of that defense stays exposed.
New York Giants — center. General manager Joe Schoen and new head coach John Harbaugh had a productive offseason, even lining up depth to offset the loss of Dexter Lawrence on the interior defensive line. The lingering worry is on the other side of the ball: John Michael Schmitz projects as the starting center after surrendering five sacks and 23 quarterback pressures a year ago, according to Next Gen Stats. He also struggled in the run game. Unless he takes a real leap in year four, center could be a weak link in Harbaugh’s new-look offense.
Philadelphia Eagles — safety. Reed Blankenship started 51 games at safety for Philadelphia over three seasons, including playoffs, before leaving for Houston this offseason. That pushes Marcus Epps into a bigger role alongside Cooper DeJean (when he isn’t playing slot corner), Michael Carter II and Jonathan Jones. Epps has starting experience — he was on the field every game for Philadelphia’s 2022 NFC Championship team — so the drop-off shouldn’t be steep. On an otherwise loaded roster, though, safety is the clearest remaining question.
Washington Commanders — wide receiver opposite Terry McLaurin. Cornerback and defensive tackle both carry question marks in Washington, but the receiver room behind McLaurin is the bigger concern. Treylon Burks hasn’t lived up to his first-round billing from Tennessee, and Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson are complementary pieces at best. Third-round rookie Antonio Williams profiles as a slot option rather than an outside answer. Jayden Daniels will again need to create offense without a proven second target.
NFC North
Chicago Bears — defensive tackle. Chicago’s interior defensive line — Gervon Dexter Sr., Grady Jarrett and Andrew Billings a year ago — struggled badly against the run and posted the sixth-lowest pressure rate in the league. The Bears swapped Billings for the similarly middling Neville Gallimore this spring and added only depth pieces beyond that. In a division where trench play often decides games, this looks like a real vulnerability.
Detroit Lions — secondary. Detroit’s back end has taken a beating since last summer. Terrion Arnold was released after being arrested on eight felony charges, Brian Branch tore his Achilles, and Kerby Joseph’s status is uncertain as he manages a lingering knee issue, The Athletic reported in June. At cornerback, D.J. Reed, Rock Ya-Sin and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. headline a group that also includes Roger McCreary and fifth-round pick Keith Abney II. If Branch or Joseph miss extended time, Detroit will lean harder on Christian Izien, Avonte Maddox, Thomas Harper and free-agent pickup Chuck Clark. It’s the one soft spot on an otherwise excellent roster.
Green Bay Packers — edge rusher. Micah Parsons is one of the best pass rushers in football when healthy, but he won’t be for a while. Parsons told reporters in June that his surgery — which included both an ACL repair and a meniscus procedure from his Dec. 29 operation — carries a strict nine-month recovery rule, pushing his earliest possible return to late September, according to ESPN. That likely means Parsons opens the season on the physically unable to perform list and doesn’t suit up until closer to Week 7 or beyond. Behind him, Lukas Van Ness has just 8.5 sacks across three seasons, and fourth-round rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton was described as having “limited pass-rushing upside” by NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein. Green Bay opens against Minnesota, at the Jets, home against Atlanta and at Tampa Bay — all before Parsons is even eligible to return to practice.
Minnesota Vikings — tight end. T.J. Hockenson looked like a top-tier tight end three years ago; he’s totaled just 893 yards and three touchdowns over the two seasons since. Minnesota’s tight ends produced the fourth-fewest receiving yards in the league last season, and the team didn’t address the position this offseason. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings give the Vikings a strong receiver trio, but the lack of production at tight end caps the offense’s ceiling for whichever quarterback ultimately wins the starting job.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons — interior defensive line. Atlanta’s top two defensive tackles by snaps in 2025, David Onyemata and Ruke Orhorhoro, are both gone — Orhorhoro dealt to Jacksonville as part of an offseason trade. That leaves Brandon Dorlus, Maason Smith, Zach Harrison and free-agent addition Da’Shawn Hand to fill the void. Dorlus played well a year ago, but the loss of proven interior talent could be the weak point in an Atlanta defense that’s trending up everywhere else.
Carolina Panthers — tight end. Carolina passed on Oregon prospect Kenyon Sadiq in the draft, didn’t sign a notable free agent at the position and hasn’t made a trade to address it either. That leaves Bryce Young throwing to Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders at tight end. Barring a breakout from a younger receiver, Young will again be short on reliable targets beyond Tetairoa McMillan.
New Orleans Saints — wide receiver depth. Drafting Jordyn Tyson eighth overall to pair with Chris Olave gives New Orleans one of the more promising young receiver duos in the league — on paper. Both carry injury history: Olave missed nine games in 2024 after suffering two concussions, and Tyson dealt with injuries in every one of his four college seasons. Beyond that pair, the depth chart thins out fast, which could make the Saints’ passing offense feast-or-famine in 2026.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — tight end. Tampa Bay’s defense saw plenty of turnover but still looks solid on paper. The offense is a different story at tight end, where the Buccaneers had the league’s least productive group last season — 61 catches, 589 yards and two touchdowns combined, with Cade Otton accounting for nearly all of it. The only addition at the position this offseason was a Day 3 draft pick, leaving Baker Mayfield without an upgrade at a spot that needs one.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals — quarterback. The Cardinals’ quarterback situation has changed significantly since last season. Kyler Murray is no longer with the team, and Jacoby Brissett is now positioned as the starter after going 1-11 in 12 starts last year, even while posting a respectable 94.1 passer rating and 64.9 completion percentage. Brissett is also currently in a contract dispute, according to Yahoo Sports, and his availability for training camp is not guaranteed. Behind him sit journeyman Gardner Minshew and 24-year-old rookie Carson Beck. It’s a room without a proven long-term answer, and that’s likely to remain true until next spring’s draft at the earliest.
Los Angeles Rams — wide receiver depth. The Rams have arguably the most complete roster in the league, which makes any concern here relative. Los Angeles passed on drafting a receiver until the sixth round, leaving the WR3 spot behind Davante Adams and Puka Nacua as the clearest question. Adams is 33 and missed three games last season; Nacua has dealt with injuries in each of his three NFL seasons. In the Rams’ NFC Championship Game loss to Seattle, no receiver other than that pair caught a single pass.
San Francisco 49ers — center-field safety. San Francisco has lacked a true deep safety since Talanoa Hufanga left in 2025. Ji’Ayir Brown, Malik Mustapha and Marques Sigle didn’t separate themselves last season, Jason Pinnock departed in free agency, and the only notable addition so far is Ashtyn Davis. The front of the defense should be better with Nick Bosa back and the additions of Osa Odighizuwa and Dre Greenlaw, but the back end remains a question as Raheem Morris takes over defensive play-calling duties from Robert Saleh.
Seattle Seahawks — wide receiver depth behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Seattle’s receiver room looks deeper on paper than it plays. Cooper Kupp, now entering his age-33 season, averaged just 2.6 catches and 28.3 yards per game over the second half of 2025 with one touchdown. Rashid Shaheed topped 30 receiving yards only three times in 12 games with the Seahawks, including the playoffs, and hasn’t scored a receiving touchdown in Seattle. Smith-Njigba, meanwhile, handled 36.6% of the team’s receptions last season — the highest share by any player in a decade, per TruMedia. Kupp remains healthy and under contract entering camp, but Seattle is still leaning on one receiver to do most of the heavy lifting.
