NFL Nation roundtables: Burning questions for all 32 teams

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July 3, 2016, 10:01 PM ET
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— -- This summer, NFL Nation reporters are answering the biggest questions for every team in divisional roundtables. Click on the links after each question to view the answers.

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

  • Buffalo has one of the NFL's oldest venues, Ralph Wilson Stadium. Owners Terry and Kim Pegula have pumped the brakes on talk of building a new stadium, even as some of the league's newer venues are being renovated or replaced. Where does Ralph Wilson Stadium rank among NFL venues?
  • Rex Ryan has a 54-58 record as a head coach, including 8-8 with the Bills last season. Is it time to question his coaching style?

    • Miami Dolphins

  • Dolphins rookie head coach Adam Gase comes with high expectations, especially on the offensive side of the football. Can he thrive in defense-heavy division?
  • No quarterback in the NFL has been sacked more since 2012 than Ryan Tannehill. The Dolphins believe they finally found a solution to their four-year problem when they drafted Laremy Tunsil. Will the addition of Tunsil make a huge impact on Tannehill's ability to stay upright?

    • New England Patriots

  • Uncertainty over the status of quarterback Tom Brady for the first four games of the regular season lingers over the New England Patriots, just as it did in 2015. What is a realistic record in first four games with Jimmy Garoppolo?
  • It is the classic at-the-bar debate that has no correct answer, but many layers that spark passionate debate. How much of Bill Belichick's success is because of Tom Brady?

    • New York Jets

  • The Jets, Dolphins and Bills have missed the playoffs for five, seven, and 16 seasons straight, respectively.  Is the rest of division that bad or are the Patriots that good?
  • Ryan Fitzpatrick is still a free agent, and the Jets' current starter is ... Geno Smith. But the team has loads of talent on both sides of the ball.  Are they a QB away from being a Super Bowl contender?

    • AFC NORTH

    Baltimore Ravens

  • Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. will play his 16th and final NFL season. He will be remembered as one of the toughest and most fiery receivers in NFL history.
  • The Ravens were once one of the surest bets to make the playoffs after reaching the postseason each year from 2008 to 2012. But they are coming off a 5-11 season, their worst since 2007. Will they miss back-to-back playoffs?

    • Cincinnati Bengals

  • Vontaze Burfict isn't a player who inspires ambivalence. The love-him-or-hate-him reaction to the Bengals linebacker is based on his style of play, which at best is All-Pro caliber and at worst is considered over the line. Is Burfict dirty or just ultra-competitive?
  • The Bengals have had five consecutive winless playoff trips. This offseason, they lost key veterans Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu and Reggie Nelson. Although they had a nice draft haul, do they have enough to finally win a playoff game?
  • Cleveland signed QB Robert Griffin III to a low-risk deal this offseason with hopes that new coach Hue Jackson can get the best out of him. Did the Browns make the right move bringing in Griffin?
  • The Browns brought in former Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta and they are increasingly reliant on analytics to make their personnel decisions.  Are they revolutionizing the NFL?

    • Pittsburgh Steelers

  • There are a lot of quality fantasy options in the AFC North, from Antonio Brown to A.J. Green to Ben Roethlisberger. But assuming Le'Veon Bell stays healthy this season , does he become the division's best fantasy play?
  • With his mix of field-stretching throws and accuracy, Ben Roethlisberger is making his presence felt in the debate of the NFL's greatest quarterbacks. Considering stout competition across the league, does Big Ben belong in the conversation of the top three quarterbacks in game?

    • AFC SOUTH

    Houston Texans

  • The Texans' main goal this offseason was to add speed to their offense, and they did it with nearly every skill position acquisition they made.
  • While the rest of the AFC South drafted their quarterbacks of the future, the Texans opted for a slightly more known commodity. Is Brock Osweiler enough of a known quantity that they'll be able to avoid some of the growing pains that come with young quarterbacks?

    • Indianapolis Colts

  • Colts quarterback Andrew Luck took the AFC South -- as well as the entire NFL -- by storm during his first three seasons. But Luck came crashing back down in 2015. Can any QB in the division surpass Luck?
  • The Colts were a quiet team in free agency, focusing more on the offensive line in the draft. Is the return of Andrew Luck enough for them to regain the top spot in the AFC South?

    • Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles made huge strides in his second season, setting franchise records for attempts, completions, passing yards (4,428) and passing touchdowns (35). However, he also threw 18 interceptions and has racked up 35 in two seasons. Will he ever become an elite quarterback?
  • The Jaguars added two key free agents in DT Malik Jackson and FS Tashaun Gipson and drafted CB Jalen Ramsey and LB Myles Jack in the first two rounds. Have they improved enough defensively to be a legitimate contender?

    • Tennessee Titans

  • Surrounding quarterback Marcus Mariota with better talent has been a priority for the Titans this offseason. What should we expect out of Mariota in his second season?
  • The big, unpopular move made by the  Titans in the eyes of many fans was promoting Mike Mularkey from interim coach to head coach. Will Mularkey finally find success?

    • AFC WEST

    Denver Broncos

  • The Broncos have won five straight AFC West titles.
  • Peyton Manning was the division's most-feared player the past four years. Manning retired, so who takes on that role?

    • Kansas City Chiefs

  • The Chiefs were the hottest team in the league down the stretch in 2015 -- they won 10 consecutive games to end the regular season -- before falling to the Patriots in the playoffs. Still, the jury's out on quarterback Alex Smith.  Is he good enough to lead the Chiefs to a championship?
  • Mark Sanchez, Philip Rivers, Alex Smith and Derek Carr: How do the quarterbacks in the division rank?

    • Oakland Raiders

  • The Raiders have not had a winning season since 2002, yet by "winning" free agency they seem on the verge. Is Oakland the most improved team in the AFC West?
  • The Raiders' Khalil Mack made NFL history by becoming the first player to be named All-Pro at two positions in the same season. The reigning Super Bowl MVP is still in the division in the Broncos' Von Miller. So if were you a general manager in the AFC West, would you rather have Miller's present or Mack's future?

    • San Diego Chargers

  • Tailback Melvin Gordon had a rough rookie season, rushing for just 641 yards while averaging 3.5 yards per carry. He also failed to score a single touchdown or rush for more than 88 yards in a single game.   Coming off microfracture surgery, can Gordon rush for 1,000 yards this season?
  • The Chargers went 4-12 last season, and ended up with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. Can they go from worst to first in the AFC West?

    • NFC EAST

    Dallas Cowboys

  • Dallas could have a prolific offense in 2016. Who is more feared on the Cowboys:
  • Running back Ezekiel Elliott, who Dallas picked No. 4 overall, is the frontrunner for offensive rookie of the year.  Can he have the same success with the Cowboys that DeMarco Murray had in 2014?

    • New York Giants

  • The Giants spent a lot of money on free agents Olivier Vernon, Damon Harrison and Janoris Jenkins. Have the new additions turned the defense into a unit opponents will fear again?
  • Odell Beckham Jr. is on his way to superstardom. How do the other NFC East teams plan to stop him?

    • Philadelphia Eagles

  • Doug Pederson served as Andy Reid's offensive coordinator for three years in Kansas City. His only head-coaching experience is at the high school level. Are NFC East teams happy to see him roaming the sideline or will teams miss facing Chip Kelly?
  • However you rank NFC East quarterbacks, the Eagles probably had the fourth-best starter last year in Sam Bradford. How are the Eagles QBs viewed now that Bradford is competing with Carson Wentz and Chase Daniel?

    • Washington Redskins

  • Washington surprised many people in 2015 by going 9-7 and winning the NFC East. Should the Redskins be viewed as an up-and-coming team or just a one-year aberration?
  • Quarterback Kirk Cousins had a breakout season in 2015, throwing for 4,166 yards with 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. How is Cousins and the Redskins' offense perceived outside of Washington?

    • NFC NORTH

    Chicago Bears

  • Jay Cutler had a breakout season in 2015, but offensive coordinator Adam Gase left to take the head-coaching job in Miami. Given Cutler's well-documented inconsistencies over the years,
  • Alshon Jeffery is one of the top receivers in Bears history, but he played in only nine games last season because of injuries. Do you think Jeffery will overcome his injury problems and play like a top-five receiver in 2016?

    • Detroit Lions

  • Calvin Johnson spent almost a decade as the No. 1 option for the Lions and a good chunk of that time as the best receiver in the NFL. Has his retirement made the Lions the division's least-explosive offense?
  • Darius Slay is considered one of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL. Is he the best cornerback in the NFC North?

    • Green Bay Packers

  • After the Vikings ended the Packers' run of four straight division titles last year, is there a changing of the guard in the NFC North or was it just a fluke ? and the Packers are still the team to beat?
  • Lamarr Houston said Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is "a little too arrogant." Was that just one man's opinion or do you get the sense other players around the division feel the same way?

    • Minnesota Vikings

  • Vikings coach Mike Zimmer is the only coach in the NFC North who hasn't led a team to a Super Bowl, but after leading his team past the Packers to a NFC North title last season, Zimmer is attracting plenty of attention. Where does he rank among the NFC North's head coaches?
  • Adrian Peterson became the first 30-something running back in 11 years to win the rushing title last year when he posted 1,485 yards at age 30. Will Peterson do it again at age 31, or is the sun setting on "All Day"'s time at the top?

    • NFC SOUTH

    Atlanta Falcons

  • Matt Ryan was paid like an elite quarterback when he received a five-year, $103.75 million extension in 2013 that included $59 million guaranteed.
  • Julio Jones the second-highest single-season receiving yardage total in NFL history last season, compiling 1,871 yards. Will he be the first receiver in NFL history to reach the 2,000-yard mark?

    • Carolina Panthers

  • Cam Newton seems to be a lightning rod for as much criticism as he gets praise. How does the rest of the division view the league MVP? Is he liked, or do players consider him a phony?
  • Carolina has owned the NFC South lately. Which team has the best chance to overtake the Panthers and win the division?

    • New Orleans Saints

  • Expectations for the Saints haven't been this low coming into the season since Sean Payton and Drew Brees first arrived in 2006. Has the window closed for Drew Brees and Sean Payton?
  • Brandin Cooks has emerged as one of the NFL's top young receivers, with eight touchdowns over his last nine games. Does he merit coverage from top cornerbacks?

    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • The Bucs' firing of Lovie Smith came as a surprise to many in the league, despite the team's struggles defensively. Was firing Smith and hiring Dirk Koetter the right move?
  • In April's NFL draft, the Bucs made a shocking move -- trading back into the second round to select Florida State kicker Roberto Aguayo. It was the first time in 11 years that a kicker was selected in the first three rounds of the draft. Was it the right move?

    • NFC WEST

    Arizona Cardinals

  • The Cardinals have won 34 games in the past three years and reached the NFC Championship Game last season.
  • Carson Palmer is coming off arguably the best season of his career. At 36, how much does he have left in the tank?

    • Los Angeles Rams

  • The Rams believed they were a quarterback away from turning the corner and becoming a contender. Now that they have Jared Goff, does the rest of the NFC West agree?
  • Running back Todd Gurley won offensive rookie of the year in 2015. With Marshawn Lynch retired, is Gurley already the best non-quarterback offensive skill position player in the NFC West?

    • San Francisco 49ers

  • Which quarterback gives the San Francisco 49ers a better chance to win: Colin Kaepernick or Blaine Gabbert?
  • Chip Kelly was fired, but he landed on his feet in San Francisco. What will he bring to the 49ers that last season's coach, Jim Tomsula, lacked?

    • Seattle Seahawks

  • Russell Wilson led the NFL in passer rating last season, but some coaches in the NFL still don't put the Seattle Seahawks signal-caller in the top tier of quarterbacks. How do you think the coaches and players in the NFC West view Wilson compared to the other quarterbacks in the NFL?
  • The Seattle Seahawks have plenty of players who get under the skin of opponents. Who is the guy that seems to irk your team -- either the players or the fan base -- the most?