Ah yes, NFL offseason—the time of year when fans convince themselves that signing a 32-year-old edge rusher with one good ACL or trading for a disgruntled, but talented receiver will be the move to finally get them over the hump. These NFL contenders are better off than most, sure… but there’s still one gaping hole staring us in the face on each squad!
And they are at the mercy of the team’s general manager to get his head out of the sand and recognize what we all see hiding in plain sight.
Let’s take a look around the league and pick out 10 legit NFL contenders who have one legit hole left on their roster that needs addressing if they want to achieve Super Bowl glory!
What do these 10 NFL contenders need for a chance to win the Super Bowl?
Kansas City Chiefs: Defensive Line
Yes, it does feel wrong—almost illegal—to critique the Chiefs’ defense when Chris Jones is still mowing down opposing offensive linemen and single-handedly dominating games.
But once you get past him, things get really thin, really fast for this NFL contender. Tershawn Wharton’s gone, Mike Pennel is aging like a glass of milk, and their depth chart behind Jones is uninspiring to say the least…
A big part of the plan appears to be Jerry Tillery—formerly a first-round pick, now a journeyman who doesn’t exactly bring the juice and hasn’t been reliable against the run, which is, coincidentally, the exact area KC got trucked in during the Super Bowl.
Rookie Omarr Norman-Lott might develop into a nice piece, but that is far from a foregone conclusion.
And for the here and now in which Kansas City is trying to compete, their interior D-line is looking like a liability more than an asset.
Let’s be clear… Kansas City doesn’t need a total overhaul here. They don’t need an Aaron Donald to show up at training camp. But they do need reliable depth—run stoppers who can hold the point of attack, rotate in, and keep Jones from having to do it all himself.
If they don’t shore this up, teams are going to keep gashing them right up the gut.
Philadelphia Eagles: Cornerbacks
Obviously, the Eagles are the reigning champs—and though their roster was pillaged a bit this offseason, they did well to retool at most positions… but there are still questions—particularly in their defensive backfield.
The cornerback position, in particular, raises concerns. Quinyon Mitchell is set to start, and Cooper DeJean is a certified baller, but the depth chart behind them is uncertain, to put it lightly.
Kelee Ringo and Adoree’ Jackson are in the mix, yet neither has solidified the cornerback 2 role… and Eli Ricks one of the other names getting thrown around is still developing in the eyes of most analysts.
Without a clear answer opposite Mitchell, the secondary could be vulnerable against teams with strong passing attacks, and if Philadelphia wants to try and repeat, they would be wise to address this in short order.
Detroit Lions: Cornerback
Overall, the Lions have done an impressive job turning their defense from a liability into a strength under Dan Campbell, and promoting Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator was a clear sign they want to keep building off that momentum.
There were some rough stretches last year, but the reality is that they were ravaged by injuries.
In any case, there is one area that remains unsettled for this NFL contender—if not outright concerning—the cornerback room.
The problem isn’t just the projected starters—it’s the lack of depth behind them.
Detroit lost Carlton Davis III this offseason, a physical man-to-man corner who played a key role in their high-pressure scheme. D.J. Reed was a nice pickup, but the group falls off a cliff there.
Which made it all the more puzzling that the Lions didn’t draft a single cornerback in 2025, nor have they really looked to bring in any high-end veteran insurance. Avonte Maddox was added in free agency, but he’s a natural slot corner, not a reliable boundary option. That puts a lot of pressure on Amik Robertson, a solid contributor but not a proven full-time starter, to play a larger role than expected.
In a conference loaded with elite wide receivers and pass-heavy offenses, Detroit is taking a major gamble banking on internal growth. There are still quality free agents available—guys like Kendall Fuller, Asante Samuel Jr., and Rasul Douglas could offer immediate help—and the Lions would be smart to make a move before they get exposed in coverage.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Linebacker
The Buccaneers quietly put together a solid 2024 campaign and look poised to stay competitive in a wide-open NFC South—but if there’s one position group that’s lagging behind the rest, it’s the linebacker corps.
Lavonte David has been the heart and soul of this defense for over a decade, but the reality is, he’s 35 years old and finally starting to show some signs of decline.
After him, things get murky. K.J. Britt logged significant snaps in 2024 but finished the season with a 45.5 PFF grade, well below average. He struggled in both coverage and pursuit, and while he’s shown flashes of improvement, he hasn’t locked down the starting role by any means.
SirVocea Dennis is back from injury and has upside, but he’s still unproven after missing most of his rookie season. Banking on him to be a major contributor without a reliable backup plan is a risky proposition.
They don’t need to swing for the fences here, but bringing in a veteran with range—or even a thumper who can reliably handle early-down duties—would go a long way in keeping this defense balanced.
Denver Broncos: Running Back
The Broncos have quietly reshaped their roster over the last two seasons, and entering 2025, they look like a team on the verge of something real. The defense is among the league’s most physical, the offensive line has turned into a clear strength, and their young receiving corps—led by Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., and Devaughn Vele—is solid and still improving.
But if there’s one position holding this possible NFL contender back from having a truly complete offense, it’s the running back room.
Based on what we’ve seen from Sean Payton building out a roster in New Orleans—and the way he turned around the Broncos in relatively short order… we should trust him, but, man, he could make things a whole lot easier for himself and his young quarterback if they invested a little bit more in their backfield.
Denver did invest in the position this offseason, spending a second-round pick on RJ Harvey out of UCF.
He’s the most exciting talent at running back they’ve added in a while, but asking a rookie to carry the load in Sean Payton’s offense from Day 1 is asking a lot, especially when the depth behind him is, at best, unsettled.
Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Tyler Badie, and Blake Watson. That’s a lot of names, but very little in terms of proven production.
Los Angeles Chargers: Tight End
Jim Harbaugh’s arrival has reignited the Chargers’ identity—physical, old-school, smash-mouth football with a modern edge. He’s got his quarterback in Justin Herbert. He drafted Ladd McConkey to be his chain-mover. The offensive line is sturdy, and the defense has potential. But if there’s one offensive position that still feels noticeably incomplete, it’s tight end.
We get that Jim Harbaugh likes to run the ball early and often, but imagine if they actually gave Justin Herbert a big body to complement McConkey? Doing so could really help the young quarterback take his game—and the team as a whole to the next level.
And considering Harbaugh’s immense desire to get Mr. Herbert to Canton, you’d think that he would be ready to start making moves on this!
There are still veterans available who could provide experience and versatility. And if the Chargers want to unlock the full potential of this offense in Year 2 under Harbaugh, adding a legit option at tight end is the logical next step.
Los Angeles Rams: Cornerback
The Rams continue to retool on the fly, blending a youth movement around Matthew Stafford and the remaining pieces of what was once a locker room with a heavy veteran presence to stay competitive.
The offense has enough firepower, and the front seven, led by Kobie Turner and Byron Young, is active and disruptive. But the secondary—specifically the cornerback group—still feels like the weak link.
Darious Williams is back in the fold and will likely start on one side, while Ahkello Witherspoon and Cobie Durant round out the top three. All three have experience and, at times, shown flashes. But last year, none of them graded particularly well in coverage, and they struggled to consistently hold up against high-powered passing attacks.
Because the reality is you can generate as much pressure as you want, which the Rams certainly do… but against the top contenders come NFL playoff time, those coverage vulnerabilities will ultimately be exploited.
Green Bay Packers: Defensive Tackle
Green Bay’s defensive front quietly became one of the league’s most reliable units last season, and losing nose tackle TJ Slaton to the Cincinnati Bengals could be a bigger deal than many are acknowledging. Slaton was a 340-pound anchor who held the point of attack and allowed guys like Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt to play more freely around him. Now? That core run-stopping presence is gone—and not easily replaced.
The Packers are hoping Kenny Clark can slide into more one-technique work, which might work in theory, but Clark’s best reps have come when he’s able to move around and create mismatches. Devonte Wyatt has shown growth and will take on a larger role, but he’s more of an upfield disruptor than a traditional space-eater.
They waited until Round 6 of the draft to select Warren Brinson out of Georgia—an intriguing athlete but not a plug-and-play run stuffer. The more logical replacement might be undrafted rookie Nazir Stackhouse, who filled that role in college… but relying on a UDFA to play a pivotal role in the trenches isn’t exactly a safe plan.
Washington Commanders: Edge
Washington finished 2024 with one of the lowest pressure rates in the NFL, and despite some free agent additions, there’s still no game-changing pass rusher on this contender.
Dorance Armstrong led the team with a modest 14% pass-rush win rate—a solid rotational player, but not someone you want headlining your defensive line.
The team brought in Deatrich Wise and Clelin Ferrell, but both are more known for setting the edge and playing the run than turning the corner and terrorizing quarterbacks… and neither is setting the fanbase ablaze with excitement if we are being honest.
For a team looking to take the next step and push deeper into the postseason, they simply need more disruption, especially in today’s NFL, where even average quarterbacks will carve up a defense if they’re allowed time to scan the field. That was painfully evident in the NFC Championship game last year, where the Commanders’ lack of pressure was fully exposed against a mobile Jalen Hurts.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Wide Receiver
Now… calling the Steelers an NFL contender is contingent on the assumption that they are signing Aaron Rodgers comes true—and that they get a more Packers-esque version of Rodgers than the Jets did.
But assuming Rodgers ends up in Pittsburgh—which is still not officially confirmed—the Steelers’ offense suddenly becomes a lot more interesting.
Even with Rodgers under center and D.K. Metcalf now in the fold, one thing is still abundantly clear: they need more at wide receiver. I am sure that Pittsburgh had its reasons, but trading away George Pickens opened up a massive hole. Metcalf is a legitimate wide receiver 1, no question, but the options behind him are shaky.
Roman Wilson, the second year wideout from Michigan, is a fun prospect with speed and toughness, but he’s coming off an injury and didn’t exactly light the world on fire during his first year… I mean, the guy played one game and didn’t even register a catch! That is hardly a plan if you ask us!
Going down the list, Robert Woods is a respected vet, but he’s not moving the needle in 2025.
In today’s league, one good receiver just isn’t enough—especially when you’re trying to maximize what could be the final productive window of a Hall of Fame quarterback. Rodgers has always worked best when surrounded by a deep group of pass-catchers. Right now, that group looks one-dimensional and thin.
There’s still time for Pittsburgh to bring in help, and the good news is that Rodgers does tend to attract talent. If they can land a reliable WR2—someone who can win consistently on the outside or feast in the slot—this offense could take off.