With training camps in full swing throughout the league, Eric Edholm lists the top obstacle that each club must overcome to contend with the 2023 NFL season.
NFL Network will air Training Camp: Back Together Saturday on July 29. 13 hours of live coverage from NFL training camps will be available starting at 9 a.m. ET, featuring over 50 commentators, reporters, and team correspondents. Additionally, NFL Films has developed wired sound of players and coaches in action.
The hardest task is figuring out the important future building blocks.
The Cardinals were in the midst of a major roster overhaul when they witnessed a number of players leave this offseason before acquiring a 2024 first-round pick in a trade on draft day. Head coach Jonathan Gannon and new general manager Monti Ossenfort will now need to weather what may be a difficult season while looking ahead, particularly on which younger players may play a role in that rebuild. Leading the pack is quarterback Kyler Murray. However, Murray’s timeline for availability is unclear as he recently suffered an ACL injury. LB Zaven Collins, WR Rondale Moore, OT Josh Jones, and DB Isaiah Simmons are among the recent draft selections in Arizona that raise concerns.
The Falcons’ poor defensive performance in numerous categories last season—they were 23rd in scoring defense and 27th overall—is suggested by their offseason actions. They added defensive talent aggressively through trades (Jeff Okudah) and free agency (signing Jessie Bates III, Bud Dupree, Kaden Elliss, David Onyemata, and Calais Campbell). The primary concern is the pass rush, given that Atlanta had the second-fewest sacks (21) in 2022. It is likely no coincidence that Ryan Nielsen, a former Saints defensive line coach, is now the Falcons’ first-year defensive coordinator. Is it possible for Grady Jarrett, Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ebiketie, and the new players up front to warm up opposition quarterbacks more effectively? Regarding the offense, I’m not too worried. However, it’s difficult to see Atlanta qualifying for the playoffs without improved performance.
