<
        >

          Starting lineup, 53-man roster projections for all 32 NFL teams

          play
          Should we expect more from Dalton in 2017? (1:01)

          NFL Live explains why the Bengals need to keep their composure through four quarters and help Andy Dalton stay engaged in the game. (1:01)

          • ESPN.com staff
          Jul 26, 2017, 12:07 PM

          As training camps crank up around the league, NFL Nation reporters preview what to expect from every team, laying out each squad's preliminary 53-man roster and starting lineup projections. Who's on the bubble? Which rookie could surprise? Where are each team's biggest strengths and weaknesses?

          Click the links after each team for the projections and previews.

          And for a list of training camp sites, plus rookie and veteran reporting dates, go here.

          AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC West
          NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West

          NFC EAST

          Dallas Cowboys

          • The Cowboys could have as many as five new starters when the season opens, including a new left guard who will get first crack at the spot in camp and should fend off all comers. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • Alfred Morris has three 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, but the Cowboys could look to keep younger backs with more versatility. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • Can the Cowboys do it again? They surprised many with their 13-3 season in 2016, despite Tony Romo being relegated to spectator because of a compression fracture in his back. They enter this season with high outside expectations for a team that looks to be on the rise, thanks to a young core mixed with talented veterans. Full training camp preview.

          New York Giants

          • First-round pick Evan Engram adds a new dimension to the offense with his speed and ability to open up the middle of the field. But Engram's blocking will ultimately determine just how often he's on the field and whether he immediately earns a starting spot. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • The Giants all of a sudden have depth at tight end, which could lead to an unexpected departure. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • The Giants added wide receiver Brandon Marshall in free agency and tight end Engram in the draft. Paul Perkins is now the starter at running back. We'll see if the new additions make a significant difference for an offense that averaged a paltry 19.4 points per game last season. Full training camp preview.

          Philadelphia Eagles

          Washington Redskins

          • Samaje Perine will offer tough competition early and perhaps win the running back job at some point, but if Rob Kelley shows he has improved, he'll hold onto the job for now. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • The Redskins added depth to their defensive front this offseason and enter training camp expecting heated battles at running back and tight end. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • The top storyline heading into camp is QB Kirk Cousins and whether this will be his last season in Washington. The Redskins failed to reach a long-term deal with Cousins by the July 17 deadline, so there's a chance he will be a free agent in the 2018 offseason. Full training camp preview.

          NFC NORTH

          Chicago Bears

          • Mike Glennon gets the first crack at the quarterback job after Chicago signed him for $16 million guaranteed in 2017. No. 2 overall pick Mitchell Trubisky will eventually replace Glennon, but no one knows exactly when. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • Zach Miller's roster spot depends entirely on his health, and if he doesn't recover in time from a foot injury, the Bears could cut the veteran tight end. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • There are really two major storylines for the Bears in 2017. The first involves embattled coach John Fox. The second pertains to rookie quarterback Trubisky, whom Chicago drafted No. 2 overall in April. Full training camp preview.

          Detroit Lions

          Green Bay Packers

          • How quickly Martellus Bennett, the team's biggest free-agent pickup. jells with Rodgers could determine how effective this offense is. Another newcomer, veteran Lance Kendricks, will see plenty of action in two-tight end sets. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • Any of the young receivers could be on the bubble if the Packers don't keep seven wideouts for the second straight year. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • If the Packers don't come out of training camp with at least one new starting cornerback, then something probably went disastrously wrong. They signed veteran free agent Davon House and used their top draft pick on the athletic Kevin King. One or both should start if the Packers hope to radically improve their passing defense. Full training camp preview.

          Minnesota Vikings

          • The starting designation at running back probably doesn't mean much, since Dalvin Cook will get plenty of work and Jerick McKinnon will be involved. Latavius Murray is the most established back on the roster, and his reliability in pass protection will get him plenty of work on third downs. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • The first season of the post-Adrian Peterson era will see the Vikings splitting carries between Murray, Cook and McKinnon (possibly in that order, at least early on). Full 53-man roster projection.

          • The Vikings will try to forge a new offensive identity in 2017 after saying goodbye to Peterson and bringing in two new running backs to replace their all-time leading rusher. Murray and Cook figure to be featured, but the Vikings won't funnel their offense through their ground game as they did with Peterson. Full training camp preview.

          NFC SOUTH

          Atlanta Falcons

          Carolina Panthers

          • Much has been made about the dynamic playmaking ability of Christian McCaffrey as a running back and slot receiver. But the Panthers signed Jonathan Stewart to an extension during the offseason because he's still the first option to jump-start the running game. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • You can debate the running back position more than any other on the Panthers' roster. Does Carolina keep Fozzy Whittaker when it has McCaffrey and wide receiver Curtis Samuel, who can do the same thing as a third-down back? Full 53-man roster projection.

          • As QB Cam Newton goes, so go the Panthers. When Newton had an MVP season in 2015, the Panthers went to the Super Bowl. When he had statistically the worst season of his career in 2016, the team struggled and missed the playoffs. Newton had offseason surgery to fix a partially torn rotator cuff, so training camp will be the first opportunity to gauge whether the problem has been corrected. Full training camp preview.

          New Orleans Saints

          Tampa Bay Buccaneers

          • Vernon Hargreaves III has had one of the best offseasons of any defensive player. He took the coaching staff's advice to play more aggressively, and it resulted in several takeaways during organized team activities and minicamp. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • The Bucs will have to sort out matters at running back twice, both for the season's start, and after Doug Martin returns from his three-game suspension. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • The Bucs are getting rare national attention and are even garnering consideration for the NFC South title. Snagging WR DeSean Jackson in free agency and TE O.J. Howard in the draft has upped expectations for a team that hasn't reached the playoffs since 2007. Full training camp preview.

          NFC WEST

          Arizona Cardinals

          • After a disappointing rookie season in which Robert Nkemdiche played just five games, the expectations are great entering his second season. With Calais Campbell gone, the Cardinals need him to secure a starting role and be productive in 2017. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • First-round pick Haason Reddick will start from Day 1, but much of the Cardinals' veteran lineup will look quite familiar heading into 2017. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • Sure, there are individual position battles that will be captivating, but the top storyline heading into this year's training camp will be how the Cardinals can put last season's underachieving 7-8-1 record behind them as they try to make what could be their last Super Bowl run with their current core. Full training camp preview.

          Los Angeles Rams

          San Francisco 49ers

          • Brian Hoyer is the quarterback whom coach Kyle Shanahan selected to bridge the gap until the Niners can find their long-term franchise solution. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • The Niners' offense faces an adjustment period with three new quarterbacks on the roster. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • This season isn't so much about turning into overnight contenders as it is about taking a step in the right direction, particularly where their long-term future is concerned. Coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have injected some optimism into the franchise, but they also are well aware that a major turnaround in just one season is a long shot. Full training camp preview.

          Seattle Seahawks

          AFC EAST

          Buffalo Bills

          • Training camp will reveal whether rookie second-round pick Zay Jones or veteran free-agent addition Andre Holmes starts opposite Sammy Watkins and get more targets from Tyrod Taylor. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • With depth an issue at defensive end, safety and elsewhere, here's a look at Buffalo's projected roster with an eye on reinforcements coming off waivers. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • For the seventh time since the Bills last made the playoffs -- 1999 -- the franchise hit the reset button this past winter by firing bombastic coach Rex Ryan and replacing him with Sean McDermott. McDermott has brought a more meticulous and measured management style that he hopes will begin to change the culture. Full training camp preview.

          Miami Dolphins

          • Coaches have been impressed with Raekwon McMillan's ability to call signals and line up the defense as a rookie. Former starter Koa Misi (neck) has yet to see the practice field and could lose his job if McMillan continues to play well. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • The Dolphins' expected roster features an overhaul at tight end, depth at wide receiver and a fortified offensive line. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • All eyes will be on the health and progress of quarterback Ryan Tannehill this summer. Tannehill sprained the ACL and MCL in his left knee last December, forcing him to miss the final four games of the season. Surgery was not required, but Tannehill must wear a brace this season. Mobility didn't appear to be an issue in organized team activities and minicamp. Full training camp preview.

          New England Patriots

          • This is a big year for Rob Gronkowski, who was limited to eight games last season with a back injury. Will he be available for all 16 games? Dwayne Allen, acquired from the Colts, is projected as the top backup tight end. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • Intense competition for reserve roles at the offensive skill positions could create some interesting roster decisions for New England. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • Can the Patriots, who are widely viewed as a preseason favorite across the NFL, repeat as Super Bowl champions? After they loaded up in the offseason through various personnel moves, expectations are as high as they've been in the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era. Full training camp preview.

          New York Jets

          • After moving on from Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith, the Jets flirted with several veteran quarterbacks before settling on Josh McCown, 38, a consummate pro who brings wisdom and positive energy. Unfortunately, his recent track record doesn't measure up to his off-the-field intangibles. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • The Jets are largely devoid of name talent at quarterback, wide receiver, tight end and along the offensive line, so late roster moves are in play. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • Do the Jets have any idea what they're doing? It will take a full season to answer that question, but the first clues will start to emerge in the preseason. General manager Mike Maccagnan built this team with an eye on 2018, stripping down a roster filled with overpaid, underperforming veterans and replacing them with young, unproven talents. Full training camp preview.

          AFC NORTH

          Baltimore Ravens

          Cincinnati Bengals

          Cleveland Browns

          • The easy pick at quarterback would have been Cody Kessler, but he exited minicamp as the same player who exited the 2017 season. Brock Osweiler, though, was a pleasant surprise; if he continues to grow and show the same attitude, he could be the guy starting against the Steelers in Week 1. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • The Browns appear set on going wherever DeShone Kizer, Osweiler or Kessler takes them this season behind center. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • The usual quarterback drama persists, but the Browns have put a lot of energy and focus on the defensive side of the ball this offseason. Cleveland is placing a lot of belief in new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, whose loud and in-your-face approach flies in the face of of Ray Horton's cerebral tactics from a year ago. Full training camp preview.

          Pittsburgh Steelers

          • The Steelers are hoping -- no, expecting -- Bud Dupree to put up double-digit sacks and fulfill his enormous potential; James Harrison will lead the Steelers' pass rush until Dupree takes that spot from him. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • The Steelers are as deep at wide receiver as any position on their roster, meaning they'll have big decisions on how many and which ones to keep. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • The offensive explosion with wideout Martavis Bryant back in the lineup was an offseason storyline. During training camp, eyes should be fixed on the Steelers' years-in-the-making defensive rebuild. The defensive backfield will feature four Day 1 or Day 2 draft picks from the past three years, plus a bevy of veterans. Full training camp preview.

          AFC SOUTH

          Houston Texans

          • At the end of the offseason program, coach Bill O'Brien said the starting quarterback job belongs to Tom Savage -- for now. First-round pick Deshaun Watson will be given every opportunity to compete for the job in training camp and has impressed the Texans coaching staff thus far. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • The battle between Savage and Watson for the starting quarterback job leads the list of question marks for Houston's offense. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • Last season's No. 1 defense lost three starters to free agency -- A.J. Bouye, Quintin Demps and John Simon -- and Vince Wilfork is not back with the team. The Texans, however, do return three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt, who started just three games in 2016 because he aggravated a back injury. Full training camp preview.

          Indianapolis Colts

          • Second-round pick Quincy Wilson is projected to start at cornerback, but the job won't simply be handed to him. You can expect Rashaan Melvin to challenge Wilson. Greg Toler and Patrick Robinson, who have moved on, were often injured in the role opposite Davis over the past four seasons. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • The Colts aim to improve up front after giving up 44 sacks last season. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • All eyes will be on QB Andrew Luck when he takes the practice field and attempts his first pass since January. He missed the entire offseason after undergoing right shoulder surgery in the winter. Owner Jim Irsay went on the record to say Luck would be ready for the start of the regular season, but that target date will remain in question until Luck starts throwing. Full training camp preview.

          Jacksonville Jaguars

          • The Jaguars gave Myles Jack the starting middle linebacker job and moved Paul Posluszny, who has played his entire 10-year career in the middle, to strongside linebacker. Jack's strengths are his athleticism and speed, but he has a long way to go before he's comfortable with all the checks and adjustments. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • The Jaguars could keep a fifth cornerback, as top 2016 pick Jalen Ramsey returns from surgery; depth at safety could prove important moving forward. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • The Jaguars' season will hinge on whether QB Blake Bortles has made improvements in four key areas: turnovers, pocket awareness, decision-making and accuracy. Those are more important than any of his mechanical issues, which he worked on extensively during the offseason. Full training camp preview.

          Tennessee Titans

          AFC WEST

          Denver Broncos

          • Trevor Siemian is the team's starting quarterback until somebody wrestles the job away from him. Until Paxton Lynch wins it clean -- on the field and not on draft status -- it's Siemian's job to lose. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • As the Broncos' roster takes shape, they'll need to consider some talented rookies at quarterback and running back and whittle down their eight receiver candidates. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • The Broncos' impending decision at quarterback will dominate the summer headlines. Either Siemian or Lynch will win the job. But this is a tough one for the coaches. If they hand the job to the guy who didn't really earn it, a veteran locker room filled with players who believe the Broncos are still Super Bowl contenders will not be happy. Full training camp preview.

          Kansas City Chiefs

          • Alex Smith's standing as the starter remains solid despite the fact that the Chiefs drafted QB Patrick Mahomes II in the first round. But Mahomes' presence will be a steady reminder that, sooner or later, Smith's job will be given to another. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • The Chiefs have a young group at receiver and a lot of depth at linebacker, so roster spots involving those positions will get interesting. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • All eyes will be on rookie QB Mahomes, who won't be a starter and may not even play during his first NFL season. But the Chiefs made a bold move to trade up to get Mahomes, making him the only quarterback taken in the first round by the franchise in 34 years. Full training camp preview.

          Los Angeles Chargers

          • Second-round pick Forrest Lamp should be an upgrade at right guard over D.J. Fluker, but he still has to battle Kenny Wiggins for the starting job. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • Mike Williams, the Chargers' first-round pick this year, likely begins the season on the physically unable to perform list but hopefully recovers enough from his back injury to contribute in the second half of the 2017 season. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • Described as matter-of-fact and blunt by his players, new Chargers coach Anthony Lynn (a disciple of former crusty NFL head coach Bill Parcells) will try to turn things around for an organization that has won just nine games in the past two seasons. Full training camp preview.

          Oakland Raiders

          • A second-round pick in 2015, Mario Edwards Jr. played just two games last season due to injury, but the Raiders are counting on him to be the yin to Khalil Mack's yang in 2017. Full starting lineup prediction.

          • The Raiders' projected roster appears to have few question marks, as numerous key contributors from last season's playoff team are returning. Full 53-man roster projection.

          • The Raiders ended a 13-season playoff drought last season with their first winning campaign since, yes, 2002. As such, they seem primed to make a serious Super Bowl run, so long as QB Derek Carr is fully recovered from his broken right fibula and the 26th-ranked defense can plug holes up the middle. Full training camp preview.