NFL: 6 Teams with the weakest rosters heading into the 2023 season

Apr 28, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; From left to right, Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud (left), second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and Texans linebacker Will Anderson Jr., third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, pose for a photo at a press conference at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

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TEMPE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 16: General manager Monti Ossenfort of the Arizona Cardinals answers a question from the media during a press conference introducing new head coach Jonathan Gannon at Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center on February 16, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

NFL team no. 1: Arizona Cardinals

Sorry, but Arizona Cardinals fans you might be in the Caleb Williams sweepstakes. Before diving into the bad, I want to give the Cardinals some credit. Their best move of the offseason was their trade during the draft. Instead of selecting offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. with the third overall pick, they traded back to the 12th overall pick. They acquired additional draft capital, including Houston’s first- and third-round picks in 2024, before trading up to the sixth overall pick for Johnson.

Kyler Murray shouldn’t rush back. Even if he did, this isn’t a team worthy of fighting for a playoff spot. The Cardinals seem to be content with writing off the 2023 campaign and focusing on a big splash in the 2024 draft.

Unfortunately, the Cardinals did little to upgrade their roster via free agency. It didn’t help that two key players, defensive lineman Zach Allen and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. signed with other teams. They didn’t do anything to replace them.

Another area of concern for the Cardinals is their defensive line and interior offensive line. The defensive line lost its top player in Zach Allen, and the remaining players graded below average last year. The offensive line, particularly at center needs an upgrade.

The youth movement is evident in the Cardinals’ plans for the upcoming season. The team will rely on young players like Garrett Williams, a third-round pick at cornerback, to make an immediate impact. However, relying on inexperienced players can be risky and may lead to inconsistencies and growing pains.

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