NFL Teams will have time to reassess their line-ups between their mini camps and training camp sessions. Mini camps usually take 3 days and the last NFL-organized team activity with the minicamps is through.
The offseason OTA are the training camps. Here are the teams that identified their roster deficiencies after their minicamp organized team activities.
AFC North Division Teams
Baltimore Ravens: Wide Receiver
The Baltimore Ravens are in dire shortage of wide receivers as its lead receiver Marquise Brown went off in a trade deal. Brown and the Ravens’ third-round pick were traded to the Arizona Cardinals for the 23rd pick in the first round.
Brown reunited with his college quarterback Kyler Murray. Arizona picked up the fifth-year option on Brown’s contract on April 28, 2022.
In addition, WR Sammy Watkins left on free-agency exit depleted their line-up of receptionists. On April 14, 2022, Watkins inked a one-year contract with the Green Bay Packers for $4 million.
Lamar Jackson did not attend the Ravens’ OTAs. It is the lack of targets he will have when he returns that represents a scenario of concern.
Baltimore has a strong WR option in Rashod Bateman, at the least, there is still a veteran on the receiving end to work over the middle. The free market is drying up and the Ravens must consider trade avenues.
Cleveland Browns: Defensive Tackle
Defensive end Myles Garrett supported the come-back Jadeveon Clowney return. Clowney last played for the Tennessee Titans on a $12 million one-year contract. On May 22, 2022, Clowney re-signed with the Browns on a one-year deal worth up to $11 million.
Garrett has some candidates he wants to play DE to augment the team’s interior defenses. The Browns held back in re-signing DT Malik Jackson due to his arrest charges in Deerfield Beach, Fla., on public exposure, aggravated battery of an officer, and resisting arrest, according to Broward County court records.
In another case, the Browns will suffer QB Deshaun Watson’s ban due to violations of the NFL prohibited drugs policy. The offense could penalize him with a minimum of six to eight months suspension.
AFC South Division Teams
Houston Texans: Tight End and Offensive Linebacker
The Houston Texans have one of their weaknesses exposed. The Texans are in dire need of big strong men to back the defensive line.
Houston chose Guard Kenyon Green in the first round of the NFL Draft but the team is deficient in long-term solutions for their problem.
Green is the recipient of first-team All-America honors from Sporting News, the Associated Press, CBS Sports, and USA Today. He was also named a second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, The Athletic, and the American Football Coaches Association,
Pro Football Focus rated the 2021 Houston Texans offensive line 29th in the NFL as Justin Britt and A.J. Cann remain in place at center and right guard.
Former first-rounder Tytus Howard does the tackle and guard back and forth does not help either. In addition, Quarterback Davis Mills will be struggling with the lack of depth of offensive linebackers.
Another deficiency the Texans must address is the Tight End post. The team needs the tight end to complement the fullback, to clear a path in the opponent’s defense for the tailback to pass.
Indianapolis Colts: Wide Receiver
The Indianapolis Colts are in short supply of wide receivers, clamping on draft capital, and making use of what they presently have.
Indianapolis had WR Zach Pascal who recorded 5 catches for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns during the 27–20 win against the Texans in his last game with the Colts.
Pascal was placed as a second-round restricted free agent on March 17, 2021; he inked the deal on April 19, 2021. He went on to sign a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles on March 21, 2022, reuniting him with his former Colts offensive coordinator, Nick Sirianni, who is now the Eagles head coach.
The Colts have to re-sign 33-year-old Ty Hilton; his re-signing would not do much for the team. Then there is Michael Pittman Jr. with top wingmen Paris Campbell and Alec Pierce.
Pierce is a product of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and was the Most Valuable Player of the West Suburban Conference Silver Division after catching 25 passes for 372 yards in his senior year.
Quarterback Matt Ryan needs to have reliable targets to showcase what he has left in his arsenal, and they urgently need a veteran receiver in the ranks.
Tennessee Titans: Guard
The Tennessee Titans released Wide Receiver A.J. Brown and replaced him with first-round pick Treylon Burks. A product of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, he skipped the invitation to play for Penn State in the 2022 Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day in Tampa.
Burks forwent his senior year and declared his decision to join the 2022 NFL Draft.
Tennessee is a run-oriented team and the loss of wide receiver A.J. Brown will hurt them in the process. The Titans will have new starters at left guard and right tackle.
The team needs blockers on the line scrimmage. Brown did a good job with them and is now blocking for the Philadelphia Eagles on a new 4-year, $100 million contract. After the trade, he is guaranteed $57 million that will keep him with the Eagles through 2026.
Tennessee also sacrificed Rodger Saffold by releasing him on March 10, 2022, as a cap hoarding casualty. Former undrafted free agent Offensive Guards Aaron Brewer and ex-Seahawks backup Jamarco Jones will be their options for guard duty.
Running Back Derrick Henry’s prime is ebbing, depreciating his blocking skills that will not bode well for the Titans.