With most teams reporting for training camp this week, David Helman identifies the most pressing positional concern for each NFC club.
The NFL grinds to a bit of a halt in the month leading up to training camp. But with most teams set to report this week, it's again time to give our attention to the gridiron. Among other things, the return to the practice field puts a spotlight on the biggest weaknesses across the league. Every team has at least one serious question mark at a specific position — often due to a lack of depth or experience or a lingering injury.
Dallas Cowboys: Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa is an underrated player and a quality interior pass rusher on the Dallas defense. The issue is what's next to him on the Cowboys' depth chart — which is to say, not much. Johnathan Hankins left in free agency, and 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith is coming off a deeply disappointing rookie season. The Cowboys need someone to step up desperately, and not just for the sake of the defensive line.
Chicago Bears: Defensive tackle Matt Eberflus coached for a long time under Rod Marinelli, so it's interesting that his Bears defense hasn't quite found a premier pass rusher from the three-technique position. The hope has to be that Gervon Dexter continues to grow into that role. Dexter was productive enough for a rookie, making one of the toughest transitions in pro football, but the Bears need more — not just from him, but from everyone else.
Atlanta Falcons: Defensive end There was a reason just about every draft expert was mocking Dallas Turner to the Falcons before they shockingly selected Michael Penix Jr. Atlanta has an obvious need for pass rushers, and it hasn't done much to address that fact. In the long run, perhaps picking Penix will be one of the best decisions in franchise history. In the present, it'll be interesting to see how the Falcons plan to pressure opposing quarterbacks.
Arizona Cardinals: Edge rusher On the bright side, the Cardinals' offense has come a long way in a calendar year. On the downside, this defense is still going through a bit of a rebuild — particularly the pass rush. The Cardinals finished 30th in the league in sacks last year, and I'm not convinced it's going to get a lot better right now. Darius Robinson is a promising first-round pick, but I don't think he qualifies as a pass rush specialist this early in his career.
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