Sportsnaut
NFL general managers have a tough job, trying to assemble the best roster possible while keeping the salary cap in mind. Yet, all teams still have their own strengths and weaknesses. Some team needs are greater than others.
But who is the worst NFL starter on each team? Let’s take a look before the 2025 season kicks off.
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Darius Robinson could give Akeem Davis-Gaither a run for his money here too, but since he only played six games in his rookie season, we’ll cut him some slack. Plus, the 23-year-old former first-round pick will continue to improve. As for Gaither, the Arizona Cardinals may have been better off targeting a different middle linebacker rather than a 27-year-old sixth-year vet with just 11 starts in his career.
Gaither didn’t grade well in any facet, but linebackers should not be missing 12 tackles in a single season, as he did last year. Though, to be fair, his fellow teammate Mack Wilson didn’t fare much better, missing 13.9% of his tackle attempts compared to Davis-Gaither’s 13.6%. Overall, it’s a linebacker unit that leaves a lot of room for improvement.
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While one would think the worst Atlanta Falcons starter would come from a defense that ranked 23rd in points allowed in 2024. That unit has a lot to prove heading into 2025, but so does this offense. Meanwhile, Michael Penix Jr is heading into his first full season as a starter, but he’ll be paired with a center that doesn’t have much starting experience either.
Center Ryan Neuzil is 28 years old, but he’s only started 12 games in his NFL career. While he played in 51% of the team’s snaps in 224, he also committed seven penalties, tied for the eighth-most at his position. Considering this will be his fifth NFL season, we don’t expect Neuzil to suddenly develop into a Pro Bowl talent.
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Yes, even the Baltimore Ravens have weaknesses. Now heading into his sixth season, defensive lineman Broderick Washington is the weakest link in Baltimore. Set to turn 29 in December, Washington has started some games in each of the past four seasons, but never more than nine.
Now projected to start, Washington managed to record 16 pressures last season, but he doesn’t offer much as a run-stopper. Heck, he’s not even the type to finish the job, as he’s never tallied more than two sacks in a single season. While the Ravens are allocating a $43.5 million cap hit to two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, they clearly are skimping when it comes to their third defensive line starter. Thankfully, defensive coordinator Zach Orr can find creative ways to get his best players on the field all at once,...
