ESPN - Best NFL Starting Lineups

[kungfoodude]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45711952/2025-nfl-roster-ranking-starting-lineups-projection-32-teams

[Camp Fodder]

Offensive line is the biggest strength currently followed by RB. Obviously doesn’t watch this team

[kungfoodude]

9 minutes ago, Camp Fodder said:

Offensive line is the biggest strength currently followed by RB. Obviously doesn’t watch this team

Well they do preface it by saying "there is some projection here." He is saying he believes WR will be the strength. I definitely disagree and think it will again be the OL and likely RB's but I wouldn't be so quick to say "doesn't watch the team" as much as maybe has a rosier view of the WR corps. Or maybe just doesn't have as high of an opinion of the OL as we do. 

It's an interesting take, to be sure. There are several here that have voiced that "WR corps is a strength" view.

[LinvilleGorge]

If WR is our biggest strength that will be HUGE. It basically means that T-Mac showed up as a legit #1 WR from day one and XL developed into a legit starter over the off-season.

IMO, the strength of the roster is obviously OG. We have one of the best pairs of starting OGs in the league with some decent depth behind them.

The biggest issue we face is that there are numerous compelling arguments to be made about our biggest weakness. LOL 

[CarolinaLivin]

I think there’s plenty of ways you can go about choosing the worst position group for us. LB, S, EDGE, hell even CB. For me, our biggest weakness remains depth. Plenty of reasons behind that (poor drafting, bad contracts, not a big market to attract FAs, etc.). Injuries will and do happen and for us, one big injury to any of our weaker position groups and things start looking similar to last year. The only position groups that can continue contributing while having injuries IMO are OL and RB. So both should be the only two considerations for strengths even though I understand  the hope and/or projection for WRs. I tend to not use projection in “right now” rankings. But i get it. 

[Pejorative Miscreant]

I don’t see Xavier Woods departure as a huge weakness but understand his sentiment.  

[DeeJay]

espn is trash david newton too

[Jon Snow]

2 hours ago, kungfoodude said:

Well they do preface it by saying "there is some projection here." He is saying he believes WR will be the strength. I definitely disagree and think it will again be the OL and likely RB's but I wouldn't be so quick to say "doesn't watch the team" as much as maybe has a rosier view of the WR corps. Or maybe just doesn't have as high of an opinion of the OL as we do. 

It's an interesting take, to be sure. There are several here that have voiced that "WR corps is a strength" view.

I'll believe it when I see it.

[TD alt]

Well, it seems a little confusing, but I guess not: I guess they're thinking that we're going to the way that our receivers go. Barnwell just ranked us 31 at the (so-called) offensive skill positions. ESPN just doesn't think that much of the Panthers. I wonder if it was the O-line that bumped us up one spot, because they obviously don't think that much of our safety position, or our pass-rush. In any event, there should be ample enough bulletin board material here for the team. 

[CRA]

 

*disclaimer, no need to tell us what happened in the end, just quit watching after he gets the Mountain on the ground.  I mean, he technically beat him.  Renfrow isn't cocky enough to then get leg swept and then have all that other stuff happen to him.  

[TD alt]

3 hours ago, kungfoodude said:

Well they do preface it by saying "there is some projection here." He is saying he believes WR will be the strength. I definitely disagree and think it will again be the OL and likely RB's but I wouldn't be so quick to say "doesn't watch the team" as much as maybe has a rosier view of the WR corps. Or maybe just doesn't have as high of an opinion of the OL as we do. 

It's an interesting take, to be sure. There are several here that have voiced that "WR corps is a strength" view.

Yeah, but...they rank us 30th of 32 teams, so the WR-is-a-strength sentiment  is built on hollowed ground (yes, "hollowed," not hallowed). When you're perceived as ranking 30th, there's an argument that all strengths are really perceived as weaknesses.

I mean, basically I wouldn't get carried away with any strength arguments based upon that ranking.

The truth will begin to reveal itself come early September.

Edited 1 hour ago by TD alt