The offseason may be the time for optimism to overflow, but it also might be a time for some fan bases to face the grim reality that they could be in for a long year.
The rebuilding process in the NFL is not always an overnight ordeal, but some teams feel like they have been stuck in rebuilding/reloading mode for decades. In the AFC, there are a number of teams that already look poised for an evaluation year, where wins would almost be annoying compared to the possibility of having higher picks in the 2027 NFL Draft.
The question is -- what actually makes a roster bad in the NFL?
We're going to take a look at the four worst rosters in the AFC (after taking a look at the best), considering the overall talent level, upside, depth, and where they stand at the premium positions (QB, EDGE, CB, WR, IDL). Each division will have one representative on this list.
NFL Power Rankings: 4 worst rosters in the AFC heading into 2026
4. Miami Dolphins
Biggest roster weaknesses: QB, WR, CB
Biggest reasons for optimism: Trenches, RB
The Miami Dolphins are pretty much the definition of a rebuilding team, and they're self-aware in that regard. They went out and signed quarterback Malik Willis for this upcoming transition year, giving him a well-deserved starting opportunity after what he showed as Jordan Love's backup in Green Bay. Still, he's a major question mark and wild card for the upcoming season.
The Dolphins also have arguably the worst group of wide receivers and tight ends in the NFL, but there could be some upside options there with a trio of draft picks at receiver from this year's class and Greg Dulcich, who showed some nice flashes for the team late last season.
The biggest reasons for optimism with this Dolphins team are the most important: The trenches on both sides of the ball. If Patrick Paul can keep progressing, and if Kadyn Proctor is a hit, the Dolphins might actually have a little something enviable cooking on the offensive line.
Defensively, the Dolphins have at least three players they feel they can keep building around with veteran Zach Seiler, 2025 1st-round pick Kenneth Grant, and 2024 1st-round pick Chop Robinson. If either of Josh Uche or David Ojabo can work out as reclamation projects, this team could be set up really nicely to make a jump as early as 2027.
3. Las Vegas Raiders
Biggest roster weaknesses: Defense, WR
Biggest reasons for optimism: Mendoza, Bowers, Jeanty
The Las Vegas Raiders were the worst team in the NFL last season, so it's no wonder they are making another appearance on a list like this.
While the Raiders made a lot of smart moves in NFL Free Agency (Tyler Linderbaum, Quay Walker, Nakobie Dean, others), they simply weren't a couple of free agency moves away from being back in contention.
The Raiders' defensive line might be the worst position group in the NFL, and one of the primary contenders for that distinction could also be their own group of wide receivers. The Raiders also have major question marks in the secondary with Eric Stokes being their best player at cornerback.
The biggest reasons for optimism with this Raiders roster are star tight end Brock Bowers, running back Ashton Jeanty, and #1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. The hope for the Raiders is that those guys can be part of the core that restores this franchise to glory, but GM John Spytek is still going to need another offseason before this team is a true threat in the AFC West.
2. Cleveland Browns
Biggest roster weaknesses: QB, proven cornerstone pieces
Biggest reasons for optimism: Revamped OL, Jared Verse, 2025 NFL Draft class
The Browns simply have one of the least-proven rosters in the NFL, but the talent across the board is not bad at all.
Cleveland's biggest issue is the same issue that has plagued them since 1999: They don't have a quarterback.
At least, not yet.
The Browns' biggest roster weakness outside of quarterback, at this point, is a lack of proven cornerstone pieces at the premium positions on an NFL roster, and maybe more specifically, on the offensive side. Quarterback is the biggest one, but the jury is out for guys like rookie Spencer Fano, or any of the young receivers on this team.
Denzel Ward is a proven star at cornerback, but is also 29 years old already. Jared Verse was a great pickup from the Rams, and is an ascending player who probably won't break Myles Garrett's sack record, but can be a star for this team for the foreseeable future.
One of the biggest reasons for optimism with the Browns right now is their 2025 NFL Draft class. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger was the Defensive Rookie of the Year. Quinshon Judkins looked like a star at running back prior to his injury. Harold Fannin Jr. looks like a high-volume threat at the tight end position. The 2025 class was so good that Mason Graham kind of gets overlooked as the team's top pick.
That class was desperately needed after the Deshaun Watson trade gutted this team of its prime draft capital for a handful of years. They are trending up, but still in the evaluation phase and without a quarterback.
1. Tennessee Titans
Biggest roster weaknesses: EDGE, LB, DBs
Biggest reasons for optimism: Cam Ward, skill players, IDL
The Tennessee Titans had the #1 overall pick in 2025 and the #4 pick in 2026, so they're a team that should be on the rise in the near future if GM Mike Borgonzi has been picking the right players.
Cam Ward has shown some qualities of being a future star in the league, and the Titans went and got him some weapons this offseason. Carnell Tate could be his new go-to target, but Wan'Dale Robinson really took a huge leap forward in his game last season with the Giants, and he cashed in with Tennessee.
With Robert Saleh coming in as the head coach, everyone expects the Titans' defense to take a huge leap forward as a whole. They already have one of the premier stars on the interior defensive line in Jeffery Simmons, but they've now paired him up with John Franklin-Myers, who has 14.5 sacks over the last two seasons combined.
The biggest issues with this Titans roster are still on that side of the ball. They need Jermaine Johnson to work out as a reclamation project off the edge, but the talent there is thin. We'll see how things work out for 1st-round pick Keldric Faulk and 2025 2nd-rounder Oluwafemi Oladejo, who only played six games last season.
The defensive backfield and linebacker positions both have some young talent for the Titans, but they are mostly unproven players. We'll see if Saleh can work his magic with them this coming season.