The NFL Draft and Free Agency has come and gone for 2022. Now is the time for optimism and declaring embarrassment of riches for our rosters. There might be some holes too. Let’s take a look at these glorious holes.
Packers
Potential Hole: WR and TE
Christian Watson was selected at pick 34 joining Sammy Watkins (FA), Allen Lazard (RFA), and Randall Cobb. However, rookie WRs, especially from FCS schools, tend to take some time to develop. Sammy Watkins hasn’t been good for a while. The Packers WR group still has some holes.
Tight end is solid with Robert Tonyan, Deguara and Marcedes Lewis (more blocking). However, Tonyan Is coming off a torn ACL and we shall see how that injury affects him for 2022.
Potential Hole Secondary Depth:
Green Bay is fine with Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Rasul Douglas, Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage. The depth behind them leaves a lot to be desired. Raven Scott would need to step up as 3rd safety and the CB dept his non-existent. Alexander is coming off an injury plagued year and the Packers better hope it is not two in a row. Kesean Nixon and Shemar Jean-Charles leave a lot to be desired as the 4th CB.
Bears
Potential Hole: WR
Darnell Mooney is solid, but the Bears have some question marks. Byron Pringle, Eq St Brown and rookie 3rd rounder Velus Jones were added. They don’t have a number 1 WR and their second year QB could struggle with that.
Potential Hole: Offensive Line
The Bears are hoping 2021 draft picks Teven Jenkins Round 2 and Larry Borom Round 5 solve their tackle problem. RG is a big hole if Sam Mustipher or Dakota Dozier starts.
Potential Hole: OLB
Bears are switching to 4-3. Nick Morrow and Matthew Adams are average LBs at best. The Bears better hope they have career years.
Potential Hole: Defensive Tackle
They lost on Larry Ogunjobi in FA due to injury. Justin Jones was added, and Angelo Blackson is the nose tackle. Mario Edwards is solid depth, but the Bears could have a big problem at DT especially with the LBs behind them sans Roquan.
Lions
Potential Hole: Off Ball LB
The Lions re-signed Alex Anzlaone, added fringe starter/ST ace Chris Board and hope to rejuvenate Jarrad Davis back in Detroit in a 4-3. Detroit hopes 4th round pick from 2021 Derrick Barnes develops too. However, LB looks like a hole for the Lions.
Potential Hole: QB
Jared Goff had a nice end to his season once he got some support. The Lions have built greatly around him with a strong offensive line, plenty of weapons and a solid running game. It will be up to Goff and new OC Ben Johnson to figure out how to make Goff the 100+ QB rating QB he was in 2017/2018. Tim Boyle and David Blough are not adequate backups. If Goff fails, Lions will be picking high and picking QB in 2023.
Potential Hole: CB
Jeff Okudah is in do or die mode in year 3 following a year 2 achilles injury. Oruwariye is solid and had 6 interceptions in 2021. Contract year for AO. Mike Hughes resurged a bit with the Chiefs and the Lions added him to battle AJ Parker for the nickel. Ife Melifonwu showed flashes as a 3rd round rookie. UDFA Jerry Jacobs looked good then tore his ACL in December. Could be PUP for Jacobs. The Lions added to their pass rush and safety which should help but these young CBs must step up or be toasted.
Vikings
Potential Hole Interior Oline/Center:
Vikings didn’t pick up the 5th year option of Garret Bradbury. Ezra Cleveland was solid as a rookie but might be replaced already. Jesse Davis struggled but was added to battle RG with 2nd rounder Ed Ingram. Minnesota has some questions on the interior and will need a big season with their new Head Coach.
Potential Hole: 3-4 DE
Armon Watt and James Lynch don’t look like starters in the Vikings new 3-4 look. This is their only hole in the front 7 though so one will need to step up as a starter.
Potential Hole: CB
Patrick Peterson returns, Cam Dantzler is solid and Andrew Booth was a nice add in Round 2.Chandon Sullivan mans the slot now coming from Green Bay. Rookie CBs can struggle though and Peterson looked old last year. Vikings will need a pass rush to help this secondary out still despite Smith and Cine looking good at safety.