{Numbers in braces are Approximate Value, other stats labeled as appropriate.}
The talent is here to be a contender, but it’s never all come together.
Key Additions: Antoine Bethea from SFO; A.J. Green from ROM; Andy Levitre from BER; Bud McFadin from TOK; T.J. Ward from TOK.
Key Departures: Jake Long {5, to BOS}; Alec Ogletree {4, to DUB}; Merlin Olsen {5, to DUB}.
Rookies To Watch: Bob Klein, Woodley Lewis.
QB
Jim Kelly {19} returns after an impressive Year II. With the retirement of Austin Davis, Cecil Isbell {1} moves up to be the primary backup, with rookie Kyler Murray as the 3rd string QB.
RB / WR / TE
This should be interesting. When Thurman Thomas {2} went down with an injury, it opened the door for Marshall Faulk {20} who burst through with an All-Pro season. Thomas is back, and a challenge for Lomé will be balancing workload between the two.
Henry Ellard {17} and Torry Holt {19} return as a top-notch pair of wideouts, and A.J. Green {7}–who never seemed to really catch hold in Rome–joins them as the #3.
TE could be an issue, as rookie Bob Klein is the starter, and there isn’t much depth behind him.
OL
The line should be solid, as Orlando Pace {9} and Andy Levitre {5} start at T, with Adam Timmerman {4} and Ruben Brown {4} inside them and Travis Frederick {14} at C.
DL
Having lost some key talent at DT, the Dzidudu welcome Bud McFadin {1} from Tokyo to start alongside Aaron Donald {11}. Mario Williams {5} and Robert Quinn {11} will provide the rush from DE.
LB
This trio underperformed last year, but all 3 starters return: Isiah Robertson {2} and Cornelius Bennett {3} on the outside and Archie Matsos {4} in the middle.
DB
Terry McDaniel {7} and Stephon Gilmore {3} are strong at CB, but T.J. Ward {3} and Antoine Bethea {4} are unproven as a S combo.
ST
Greg Zuerlein {1} is back to handle kicks, and Johnny Hekker {1} returns as the P. Rookie Woodley Lewis will handle kick return duty.
