Soft-tissue injuries are often prevalent early in the NFL season because there is less contact during training camp and preseason playing time for key contributors is limited. The league lost a few stars in recent weeks and now teams are tasked with filling that lost production.
Here is the most pressing need for every team ahead of Week 3:
AFC North
Bengals: Running back
Following the trade of running back Joe Mixon, the Bengals signed Zack Moss from Indianapolis. They need him to have a big season as the go-to option or second-year runner Chase Brown will be forced into action. According to TruMedia, the team’s rushers average 2.34 yards post-contact, which is the seventh-lowest rate in the league.
Cornerback was the other consideration just because they need the current group to play at a higher level. They did a good job muddying the waters against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs last week.
Wide receiver is a developing situation as Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase continue to be monitored.
Browns: Linebacker
Cleveland’s starting offensive tackles were once again inactive last week. The expectation is that they will be back shortly, but that obviously shoots to the top of the list of needs if Jedrick Wills, Jack Conklin are once again unavailable. The Browns have the highest pressure rate allowed (44.7%) this season, according to TruMedia.
Cleveland has a case for having the league’s best roster. The Browns do not have any needs that would submarine the team’s efforts beyond maybe the quarterback position. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has All-Pro potential but the rest of that unit is up for grabs. Veteran Jordan Hicks has earned the start next to Owusu-Koramoah.
The pass catchers need to be better as well. The Browns led the league in drops last year with 39 and already have eight through two games in 2024.
Ravens: Wide receiver
Coming into Week 1, the concern was…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/biggest-need-for-each-nfl-team-ahead-of-week-3-rams-receivers-49ers-running-backs-bitten-by-injury-bug/
Author : Josh Edwards
Publish date : 2024-09-20 12:39:50
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
