System of a Caleb Downs: The NFL’s Most Improved Position Groups

Summary of System of a Caleb Downs: The NFL’s Most Improved Position Groups

by ESPN, Omaha Productions, Mina Kimes

1h 16m•May 6, 2026
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Overview of System of a Caleb Downs: The NFL’s Most Improved Position Groups

In this post-draft NFL discussion, Mina Kimes and Bill Barnwell identify the position groups they think took the biggest step forward after the draft and free agency, then pivot to the biggest remaining roster questions around the league. The conversation centers on how teams are trying to better support young quarterbacks, improve defensive backfields, and rebuild trenches with a mix of free-agent signings, draft picks, and returning injured players.

Most Improved Position Groups

Carolina Panthers offensive line

  • The Panthers’ line could jump significantly simply because it was so injured last year.
  • Key additions/returns:
    • Robert Hunt returning after missing most of last season
    • Rasheed Walker signed as a bargain left tackle option
    • Monroe Freeling drafted as a developmental tackle
    • Luke Fortner added at center
  • The goal is clear: give Bryce Young better protection, better run-game conditions, and a cleaner evaluation of his future.

Tennessee Titans wide receivers

  • The Titans remade the receiver room to give Cam Ward real separation and after-the-catch help.
  • Core pieces:
    • Carnell Tate as the likely outside difference-maker
    • Wan’Dale Robinson as a slot/YAC option
    • Calvin Ridley back as the veteran outside receiver
    • Chimere Dike as the gadget/deep-threat piece
  • The big takeaway: the Titans finally have multiple receivers who can win against NFL coverage, which they badly lacked last year.

Los Angeles Rams secondary

  • The Rams’ defensive backfield looks much stronger with the additions of:
    • Trent McDuffie
    • Jalen Watson
  • The discussion focused on fit as much as talent:
    • Both players are physical, willing tacklers
    • Both can work in zone-heavy looks
    • McDuffie’s versatility could let the Rams mix man, nickel, and dime more creatively
  • This should make Chris Shula’s defense more flexible and less dependent on safeties covering for weak corners.

Dallas Cowboys secondary

  • The Cowboys’ back end could be one of the biggest defensive upgrades in the league.
  • Key additions:
    • Kobie Durant as a useful outside corner
    • Jalen Thompson at safety
    • Caleb Downs, whom Barnwell called one of the best players in the draft
  • Downs is viewed as a potential do-everything defensive chess piece: deep safety, box defender, big nickel, and possibly even a passing-down nickel role.
  • The unit should also benefit from a more Fangio-like structure, especially if the safeties are used creatively.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive line

  • The Bengals’ pass rush was so bad last year that improvement was almost guaranteed.
  • Major upgrades:
    • Dexter Lawrence
    • Boye Mafe
    • Jonathan Allen
    • rookie Cassius Howell
  • The front should be much deeper and sturdier against the run, which should also help the tackling behind it.
  • The overall point: even without elite sack totals, the group should make the entire defense more functional.

Los Angeles Chargers offensive line

  • The Chargers’ line should be better simply because it was devastated by injuries last year.
  • Returning healthy:
    • Rashawn Slater
    • Joe Alt
  • Interior upgrades:
    • Tyler Biadasz
    • Cole Strange
    • Jake Slaughter drafted as a developmental piece
  • Mina and Bill both stressed that if the tackles stay healthy, this could become one of the league’s best lines. The concern is durability, not talent.

Biggest Remaining Question Marks

Kansas City Chiefs pass-catching group

  • The biggest concern is whether Patrick Mahomes has enough reliable weapons.
  • Why there’s concern:
    • Rashee Rice had a major drop in production and consistency
    • Xavier Worthy had flashes but was hurt early
    • No meaningful upgrade at tight end
  • The Chiefs appear to be betting on internal improvement rather than adding outside help.
  • Barnwell’s bigger point: he wants to see more evolution in the offense itself, not just hope the same group performs better.

Detroit Lions secondary

  • The back end has become a major concern because of injuries and departures.
  • Key issues:
    • Brian Branch returning from an Achilles injury
    • Kerby Joseph dealing with a serious knee issue
    • Amik Robertson leaving in free agency
  • The Lions still want to play a lot of man coverage, but the depth and health at safety/corner are now uncertain.

Green Bay Packers defensive line and cornerbacks

  • The Packers may need Micah Parsons to be a true game-wrecker for the defense to work at a high level.
  • Concerns include:
    • thin pass-rush depth beyond Parsons
    • questions at corner, especially on the perimeter
    • whether Jeff Hafley can get the defense back on track after a late-season slide
  • There’s optimism about the structure of the defense, but the roster still looks incomplete without more help up front.

Seattle Seahawks offensive line

  • Even after a strong season, there’s skepticism that Seattle did enough to improve its interior line.
  • Concerns:
    • not enough investment in the guards/center spots
    • potential regression if Abe Lucas doesn’t stay healthy
  • The broader point: good teams should keep adding to the trenches, and Seattle may have been too quiet there.

New England Patriots edge rush

  • The Patriots’ front is good inside, but the edge group remains a question.
  • Concerns:
    • Harold Landry and Draymond Jones are solid but not enough on their own
    • the team didn’t draft a major edge upgrade
    • pass rush improved late last year mainly because of blitzing and strong secondary play
  • They may need another veteran edge rusher to keep the pressure consistent.

Buffalo Bills wide receivers

  • The Bills’ receiver room still looks shaky relative to how much money they’re spending there.
  • Main concern:
    • they don’t clearly have a true alpha receiver to beat man coverage
    • Dalton Kincaid may still be their best answer against man, which is not ideal for a team that should have stronger outside options
  • The conversation suggested Buffalo is paying for names and depth, but not necessarily solving the core issue at receiver.

Notable Themes and Takeaways

Support young quarterbacks with structure

A repeated theme was that several teams are trying to help young quarterbacks by improving the offensive line or receiver separation:

  • Bryce Young in Carolina
  • Cam Ward in Tennessee
  • Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City
  • Justin Herbert in Los Angeles

Secondary play is a force multiplier

The Rams, Cowboys, Lions, Packers, and Patriots all showed how much defensive structure depends on having trustworthy corners and safeties. When those players are strong, teams can:

  • disguise coverages
  • blitz more effectively
  • play more man coverage
  • force offenses into longer drives

Trenches still drive roster quality

Both hosts repeatedly returned to the idea that:

  • offensive lines become better when healthy and coordinated
  • defensive lines help everyone behind them
  • depth matters as much as top-end talent

Bottom Line

The biggest “winners” after the offseason were teams that either:

  • fixed a damaged position group through health and depth, or
  • added real talent to a weak area with a clear role in mind.

The biggest questions remain with teams that are still depending on:

  • young players to make a leap,
  • veterans to stay healthy,
  • or a scheme change to solve a personnel problem.

If you want, I can also turn this into a shorter “key takeaways only” version or a team-by-team bullet list.