Worst NFL rosters 2025: Ranking 10 Worst Rosters in NFL

Yahoo

21 hours ago

The 2025 NFL season is just around the corner, with rosters for all 32 teams largely set aside from a few position battles and training camp competitions. This sets the stage for an evaluation of every club, comparing the most talent-rich lineups with the worst NFL rosters.
Let's dive into our list of the 10 worst rosters in the NFL entering the season.
23. Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders offense should be a lot better in 2025. Las Vegas added arguably a top-14 quarterback in Geno Smith, who should thrive as he plays behind a quality offensive line for the first time in several years. The Raiders also added running back Ashton Jeanty to be the featured back of this unit. Offensively, we feel good about the Raiders' roster. It's a defense that, outside of Malcolm Koonce and Maxx Crosby, inspires zero confidence. Las Vegas has the worst cornerback room in the NFL and is equally bad at off-ball linebacker. It just cracks the list of the worst NFL rosters, but Raider Nation will at least enjoy watching the offense this season.
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24. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins might not regress too much in terms of their win total in 2025, but the state of the roster is an indictment of general manager Chris Grier. Miami's offensive line is marginally improved, which should lead to real strides in the run game. If Tua Tagovailoa stays healthy, Miami's defense will rebound in a big way. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, their secondary is a bottom-five unit. So, even if Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips return healthy and to form, opposing quarterbacks will likely pick apart Miami's corners. On top of all that, the Dolphins' roster lacks much depth.
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25. Atlanta Falcons
If quarterback Michael Penix Jr. takes the step forward that the Atlanta Falcons expect in 2025, this could easily be a top-20 roster. However, we're not willing to bet on that based on the small sample size of his rookie season.
The Falcons' offense is exciting, featuring Bijan Robinson and All-Pro talent Drake London, a bona fide No. 1 receiver. Atlanta's offensive line should also be at least league average, and there is quality depth among the pass catchers.
As with previous iterations of this team, though, the defense remains a concern. A.J. Terrell is still a quality starter, and Jessie Bates is coming off an outstanding season, but cornerback remains a weakness, and a lot is riding on rookie pass rushers.
26. New York Giants
There should be a lot of optimism surrounding the New York Giants defense this fall. A defensive front of Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter is going to wreak havoc on opponents. It'll also make this new-look secondary, featuring Paulson Adebo and Jevon Holland, look even better and the ceiling is even higher if Tyler Nuvin and Dru Phillips take a step forward.
Sadly, New York's offense will likely be its undoing. Russell Wilson is awful when pressured, and he is going to be under duress routinely in 2025 behind this Giants offensive line. It's a shame, because the skill group of Tyrone Tracy Jr., Cam Skattebo, Malik Nabers, and Darius Slayton can do some real damage with the football in their hands.
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27. Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard finally addressed the secondary this offseason by bringing in cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Camryn Bynum. Pair that with a defensive line banking on a second-year leap from Laiatu Latu, and this defense can make significant strides in 2025. Our main concern with the Colts' roster, however, lies with the offense. Indianapolis lost center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries this offseason. Significant regression from the Colts' offensive line is a recipe for disaster, regardless of whether it's Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones under center.
28. New York Jets
The New York Jets have one of the worst NFL rosters in 2025, but it might not be quite as weak as everyone thinks. New York boasts a pair of All-Pro talents in Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner. There are also high-end starters Jamien Sherwood, Quincy Williams, and Michael Carter II rounding out this defense. Offensively, the line projects to be above average, and the trio of Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, and rookie tight end Mason Taylor is expected to surpass league-wide expectations. Of course, the Jets' quarterback situation and the lack of depth at wide receiver and on the defensive line are what drop this unit down our rankings.
29. Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans did the right thing this offseason by focusing their moves on building more of a supporting cast around rookie Cam Ward. While it's still one of the worst rosters in football, the additions to the Titans' offensive line (Kevin Zeitler and Dan Moore Jr.) should at least ensure Ward isn't running for his life on every play. On the defensive side, the tandem of Jeffery Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat on the defensive line can cause a lot of disruption. Those two remain the only bright spots in the Titans' front seven, and the secondary isn't much better. Rebuilding the Titans' roster will take several years.
30. Carolina Panthers
All that really matters for the Carolina Panthers in 2025 is this offensive line keeping Bryce Young upright and the third-year quarterback building off what he showed last season. Carolina does have a good offensive line and the future at wide receiver is bright with the tandem of Tetairoa McMillan and Xavier Legette. Defensively, Derrick Brown is back and Jaycee Horn could be an elite cornerback if he stays healthy. Outside of that core group, except for Nic Scourton, Ja'Tavion Sanders and Trevon Moehrig, there's little to like on the roster.
31. Cleveland Browns
Myles Garrett recognized that the Cleveland Browns had one of the worst NFL rosters in 2025, and all it took was a $160 million contract to convince him this team could contend. At least he got paid. Even with linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah out for the 2025 season, the Browns' defensive talent is good enough to be a top-12 unit. Offensively, just about everything is an issue. Cleveland is projected to have a bottom-three offense this season, and this unit will drag the team down to the bottom of the standings, no matter how good the defense is.
32. New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints have the worst roster in the NFL. Self-preservation seems to be the only reason general manager Mickey Loomis refuses to even consider the desperately needed rebuild. New Orleans lacks depth, its defense has lost the battle to Father Time, and wide receiver Chris Olave has an alarming history of concussions. On a brighter note—perhaps the only one—the Saints' offensive line might finally be good.
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