NFC EAST
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-6)
OPEN CAMP Sunday, Philadelphia
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS QBs Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow; RBs DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews; LB Kiko Alonso; CB Byron Maxwell; WR Nelson Agholor; DBs Walter Thurmond and Eric Rowe
IMPORTANT LOSSES WR Jeremy Maclin; RB LeSean McCoy; QB Nick Foles; LG Evan Mathis; LB Trent Cole; RG Todd Herremans
CAMP NEEDS Get Bradford healthy and acclimated to offense. No. 1 overall pick of 2010 hasn’t played regular-season game since 2013 following two ACL operations. Build chemistry with new faces on both sides of ball. Find replacement for Mathis, two-time Pro Bowl guard released in contract dispute. Choose starting CB alongside Maxwell, who got big bucks to leave Seattle and be top dog in secondary.
NEW YORK GIANTS (6-10)
OPEN CAMP Thursday, East Rutherford, N.J.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo; RB Shane Vereen; S Landon Collins; OTs Ereck Flowers and Marshall Newhouse; WR-special teamer Dwayne Harris; DE George Selvie; DT Kenrick Ellis
IMPORTANT LOSSES SS Antrel Rolle and Quintin Demps; LT Will Beatty; LB Jacquain Williams; DE Mathias Kiwanuka
CAMP NEEDS With starters Rolle and Demps gone, safety spots are wide open. Collins will get one and Cooper Taylor, Nat Berhe and rookie Mykkele Thompson — all without an NFL start — vie for other. OL is major question mark. With Beatty (pectoral) out first half of season, Flowers has to take over at LT, leaving RT unsettled and assistant coach Pat Flaherty looking for his best five. One hope is Vereen becomes Eli Manning’s third-down back.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS (4-12)
OPEN CAMP Today, Richmond, Va.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS GM Scot McCloughan; OL coach Bill Callahan; QB coach Matt Cavanaugh; defensive coordinator Joe Barry; RT Brandon Scherff; DLs Terrance Knighton, Stephen Paea, Ricky Jean-Francois; CB Chris Culliver; S Dashon Goldson
IMPORTANT LOSSES LB Brian Orakpo; RB Roy Helu Jr.
CAMP NEEDS Get QB Robert Griffin III going in right direction again. After taking league by storm and earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2012, Griffin has taken several big steps backward, thanks in part to injuries and inconsistent play. Defense also needs to improve in significant way, especially secondary.
DALLAS COWBOYS (13-5)
OPEN CAMP Today, Oxnard, Calif.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS DEs Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory; CB Byron Jones; LB Jasper Brinkley; OL La’el Collins; RB Darren McFadden (Pulaski Oak Grove, Arkansas Razorbacks)
IMPORTANT LOSSES RB DeMarco Murray; DE George Selvie; LBs Bruce Carter and Justin Durant; WR/KR Dwayne Harris; CB Sterling Moore
CAMP NEEDS Now that WR Dez Bryant has long-term contract and won’t hold out, biggest story will be on battle to replace Murray. Third-year back Joseph Randle has early nod, but former Oakland top 10 pick Darren McFadden will get look, along with oft-injured Ryan Williams, healthy after spending last season on Cowboys’ practice squad. Defense will be watching for ways to get through four-game suspensions to start season for Hardy (domestic violence) and LB Rolando McClain (substance abuse).
NFC SOUTH
CAROLINA PANTHERS (8-9-1)
OPEN CAMP Friday, Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS WRs Ted Ginn Jr. and Devi Funchess; OTs Michael Oher and Jonathan Martin; CBs Charles Tillman and Chris Houston (Razorbacks); S Kurt Coleman; LB Shaq Thompson
IMPORTANT LOSSES DE Greg Hardy; RB DeAngelo Williams (Wynne); S Thomas DeCoud; OT Byron Bell
CAMP NEEDS Panthers locked up QB Cam Newton, TE Greg Olsen and LB Thomas Davis with long-term deals, keeping three key core players in place. They’re hoping Oher is upgrade over Bell at left tackle and does better job protecting Newton’s blind side. Carolina has added weapons for fifth-year QB by bringing back Ginn and drafting Funchess in second round. Team is also high on WR Corey Brown and likes re-emergence of WR Stephen Hill. Thompson, team’s first-round pick, is expected to add speed to defense.
ATLANTA FALCONS (6-10)
OPEN CAMP Friday, Flowery Branch, Ga.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS Coach Dan Quinn; CB Phillip Adams; DE Adrian Clayborn; LBs Brooks Reed, Justin Durant and O’Brien Schofield; WR Leonard Hankerson; TEs Tony Moeaki and Jacob Tamme
IMPORTANT LOSSES OT Sam Baker; OG Justin Blalock; WR Harry Douglas; RBs Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers;, S Dwight Lowery; DEs Osi Umenyiora and Jonathan Massaquoi; CB Robert McClain; DT Corey Peters; LBs Sean Weatherspoon and Prince Shembo.
CAMP NEEDS With Jackson gone, hole must be filled at running back. Rookie Tevin Coleman and second-year player Devonta Freeman are top candidates to start. First-round pick DE Vic Beasley will look to show he can be impact player as edge rusher. New offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan will install zone-blocking scheme on line. Second-year LT Jake Matthews and guard Chris Chester, who played in this scheme in Washington, must develop chemistry. Starter must emerge at tight end, where newcomers Tamme and Moeaki will compete with Levine Toilolo.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-14)
OPEN CAMP Friday, Tampa
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS QB Jameis Winston; LB Bruce Carter; DT Henry Melton; S Chris Conte; CB Sterling Moore; DE George Johnson; T Donovan Smith; G Ali Marpet
IMPORTANT LOSSES S Dashon Goldson; LB Mason Foster
CAMP NEEDS With Winston coming in as No. 1 overall draft pick, there’s not only pressure to play him right away but be successful early. August will be all about getting him ready for season opener, likely showdown with Tennessee’s Marcus Mariota, No. 2 pick in draft. It also will be important to determine how quickly two other draft picks, second-rounders Smith and Marpet, can be integrated into offensive line that will have to protect Winston and open holes for running attack that needs to be more productive to take some burden off young QB.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7-9)
OPEN CAMP Today, White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS RB C.J. Spiller; C Max Unger; CB Brandon Browner; LBs Dannell Ellerbe, Anthony Spencer and Hau’oli Kikaha; DT Kevin Williams (Fordyce); T Andrus Peat
IMPORTANT LOSSES TE Jimmy Graham; OLB Junior Galette; WR Kenny Stills; LG Ben Grubbs; RB Pierre Thomas; LB Curtis Lofton; CBs Patrick Robinson and Corey White; K Shayne Graham
CAMP NEEDS Coach Sean Payton and QB Drew Brees will have to figure out how to replace 148 catches for 1,820 yards and 13 TDs Graham and Stills combined for last season. In addition, departure of Thomas, who had 45 catches for 378 yards, removes reliable check-down option. Saints will look to Spiller as similar type of run-pass threat Thomas was. New Orleans also wants young TE Josh Hill to build on promising 2014 season and pair with veteran Ben Watson to make position credible passing target. Defensively, making up for loss of Galette’s 10 sacks last season could fall on Spencer and rookie Kikaha. Tim Lelito and Senio Kelemete are competing to replace Grubbs.
NFC NORTH
GREEN BAY PACKERS (13-5)
OPEN CAMP Thursday, Green Bay, Wis.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS All rookies — DBs Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins; WR Ty Montgomery; LB Jake Ryan
IMPORTANT LOSSES CBs Tramon Williams and Davon House; LB A.J. Hawk; special teams coach Shawn Slocum.
CAMP NEEDS Stay healthy, especially Casey Hayward. Fourth-year cornerback was limited in offseason by foot injury, and has been bothered in past by hamstring woes. He’ll likely take Williams’ spot as starter. Packers also breaking in Randall and Rollins, team’s top two draft picks, at defensive back. Develop confidence in defensive line depth with potential early-season suspension of Letroy Guion, and Datone Jones already suspended for season opener. Guion and Jones had unrelated off-field issues. Renewed focus on special teams under new coordinator Ron Zook after struggles last season and glaring mistakes in loss to Seahawks.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-9)
OPEN CAMP Opened July 26, Mankato, Minn.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS WR Mike Wallace; CBs Terence Newman and Trae Waynes; LB Eric Kendricks; QB Shaun Hill
IMPORTANT LOSSES FB Jerome Felton; WR Greg Jennings; LG Charlie Johnson; LB Jasper Brinkley; QB Matt Cassel
CAMP NEEDS Get RB Adrian Peterson going again after long layoff. Keep QB Teddy Bridgewater healthy. Create chemistry between him and Wallace. Figure out how to get more out of WR Cordarrelle Patterson, who slumped badly after promising rookie season. Solidify RG spot, with Brandon Fusco moving to LG to replace Johnson. Boost confidence of LT Matt Kalil after rough year. Get rookies Waynes and Kendricks up to speed on Coach Mike Zimmer’s defense. Establish starting SS to play next to budding star Harrison Smith.
CHICAGO BEARS (5-11)
OPEN CAMP Today, Bourbonnais, Ill.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS Coach John Fox; WRs Eddie Royal and Kevin White; S Antrel Rolle; NT Eddie Goldman; LBs Pernell McPhee, LB Sam Acho and Mason Foster
IMPORTANT LOSSES WR Brandon Marshall; LB Lance Briggs; CB Charles Tillman; S Chris Conte
CAMP NEEDS Along with new head coach, Bears have new coordinators in Vic Fangio (defense) and Adam Gase (offense). There are question marks all over defense that switches from 4-3 to 3-4. Gase has some playmakers to work with in QB Jay Cutler, White, RB Matt Forte and WR Alshon Jeffery, along with Pro Bowl lineman in Kyle Long. But can Cutler cut down on interceptions after tying Philip Rivers for league lead with 18?
DETROIT LIONS (11-6)
OPEN CAMP Sunday, Allen Park, Mich.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS DT Haloti Ngata; WR Lance Moore; CB Josh Wilson
IMPORTANT LOSSES DTs Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley; RB Reggie Bush; C Dominic Raiola; G Rob Sims; DE George Johnson; CB Cassius Vaughn
CAMP NEEDS Find out how quickly G Laken Tomlinson and RB Ameer Abdullah, team’s top two draft picks this year, can contribute. There’s room for them to play right away after departures on offensive line and in backfield. Abdullah in particular could be counted on to produce in running game along with RB Joique Bell now that Bush is gone.
NFC WEST
ST. LOUIS RAMS (6-10)
OPEN CAMP July 31, St. Louis
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS QB Nick Foles; DT Nick Fairley; LB Akeem Ayers; RB Todd Gurley; QB Case Keenum
IMPORTANT LOSSES QBs Sam Bradford and Shaun Hill; OTs Joe Barksdale and Jake Long; C Scott Wells; G Davin Joseph; DT Kendall Langford; RB Zac Stacy
CAMP NEEDS Foles has already had time to get acquainted with new offense after deal for Bradford. Now, he must establish chemistry with receivers Kenny Britt, Jared Cook and Tavon Austin. Gurley is rehabbing from left knee surgery that cut short his final season at Georgia and is unlikely to be ready for opener. Running back should be in good hands until Gurley is ready, with 2014 starter Tre Mason plus versatile Benny Cunningham.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (11-6)
OPEN CAMP Friday, Glendale, Ariz.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS RG Mike Iupati; LBs Sean Weatherspoon, Darryl Sharpton, LaMarr Woodley and Markus Golden; DT Cory Redding; C A.Q. Shipley; CB Damond Smith; RT D.J. Humphries; RB David Johnson
IMPORTANT LOSSES CB Antonio Cromartie; C Lyle Sendlein; NT Dan Williams; DT Darnell Dockett; LBs Larry Foote and Sam Acho; TEs John Carlson and Rob Housler; WR-KR Ted Ginn Jr.; RG Paul Fanaika.
CAMP NEEDS By all accounts, QB Carson Palmer’s return has gone well and he expects to fully participate in camp, although Cardinals may take cautious route. There will be competition at center (Shipley and Ted Larsen). Bobby Massie remains the right tackle while first-round pick D.J. Humphries tries to work into the mix. New defensive coordinator James Bettcher must show he can maintain essentially same blitz-dominated 3-4 scheme. Third-year ILB Kevin Minter, bothered by injuries in past, must show he is worth 2013 second-round pick. RG Jonathan Cooper, 2013 first-rounder, is healthy again; he missed entire rookie campaign with broken leg. Pro Bowl special-teamer Justin Bethel and Jerraud Powers will vie for cornerback job opposite Patrick Peterson, who was slowed by diabetes in 2014. S Tyrann Mathieu also seeks return to dominating rookie form after knee and hand injuries.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (14-5)
OPEN CAMP Thursday, Renton, Wash.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS TE Jimmy Graham; DT Ahtyba Rubin; CB Cary Williams and Will Blackmon; DE Frank Clark; WR Tyler Lockett
IMPORTANT LOSSES CB Byron Maxwell; C Max Unger; G James Carpenter; LB Malcolm Smith; defensive coordinator Dan Quinn; linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr.
CAMP NEEDS Keeping peace with everyone. DE Michael Bennett is unhappy with contract even though he signed extension with Seattle before 2014 season. LB Bruce Irvin is peeved Seattle chose not to pick up fifth-year option on rookie contract and has expressed disappointment in various ways during offseason. And then there is lingering cloud of contract extensions for QB Russell Wilson and LB Bobby Wagner and whether those will carry into regular season.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (8-8)
OPEN CAMP Saturday, Santa Clara, Calif.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS Head coach Jim Tomsula; WRs Torrey Smith and Jerome Simpson; RB Reggie Bush; DL Darnell Dockett; OL Erik Pears; CB Shareece Wright; former Australian rugby league star RB/special teams Jarryd Hayne
IMPORTANT LOSSES Former coach Jim Harbaugh; LBs Patrick Willis and Chris Borland; RT Anthony Davis; DE Justin Smith; RB Frank Gore; LG Mike Iupati; WR Michael Crabtree; CBs Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox; P Andy Lee
CAMP NEEDS QB Colin Kaepernick spent much of offseason in Arizona working on his craft under guidance of Kurt Warner. Now he will try to take on greater leadership role necessitated by departures of veterans Willis, Gore and Justin Smith. New-look offensive line must come together quickly and looks to find some consistency during preseason with perhaps LT Joe Staley only one playing in regular spot as Alex Boone likely moves from RG to LG in place of Iupati. Veteran placekicker Phil Dawson is helping groom rookie punter Bradley Pinion. Tomsula has had time with players during organized team activities and minicamps but still must get plenty done during camp to determine best combinations.
AFC EAST
MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-8)
OPEN CAMP Thursday, Davie, Fla.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS DTs Ndamukong Suh, Jordan Phillips and C.J. Mosley; WRs DeVante Parker, Greg Jennings and Kenny Stills; TE Jordan Cameron;, CB Zack Bowman; G-T Jeff Linkenbach; C J.D. Walton; Gs Jamil Douglas and G Jacques McClendon; DB Brice McCain; LB Spencer Paysinger
IMPORTANT LOSSES WRs Mike Wallace, Brandon Gibson and Brian Hartline; TE Charles Clay (Little Rock Central); DL Jared Odrick; DT Randy Starks; DE Dion Jordan; LBs Dannell Ellerbe, Jason Trusnik and Philip Wheeler; RBs Knowshon Moreno and Daniel Thomas; Gs Shelley Smith and Daryn Colledge; C Samson Satele; CB Cortland Finnegan; S Jimmy Wilson
CAMP NEEDS Coach Joe Philbin must sort out revamped receiving corps, secondary and offensive line desperately in need of upgrade. In his first three seasons, QB Ryan Tannehill has been sacked NFL-high 139 times. Team remains thin at guard, and it’s unclear whether LT Braden Albert will return from knee injury in time for opener.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (15-4)
OPEN CAMP Today, Foxborough, Mass.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS CB Chimdi Chekwa; DE Jabaal Sheard; QB Matt Flynn; WR Brandon Gibson; TE Scott Chandler
IMPORTANT LOSSES CBs Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner; DT Vince Wilfork; RBs Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley; OL Dan Connolly; equipment managers Jim McNally and John Jastremski
CAMP NEEDS Develop backup quarterback in case QB Tom Brady’s four-game suspension is upheld. Candidates are Jimmy Garoppolo, in his second season, and veteran Matt Flynn. Patriots will also need to revamp defense to account for losing Revis and Browner, as well as Wilfork.
BUFFALO BILLS (9-7)
OPEN CAMP Friday, Pittsford, N.Y.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS Coach Rex Ryan; offensive coordinator Greg Roman; RB LeSean McCoy; WR Percy Harvin; QBs Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor; TE Charles Clay (Little Rock Central); OG Richie Incognito; FB Jerome Felton
IMPORTANT LOSSES LBs Kiko Alonso and Brandon Spikes; RB C.J. Spiller; QB Kyle Orton; S Da’Norris Searcy; TE Scott Chandler
CAMP NEEDS Identifying starting quarterback amid three-player competition between Cassel, Taylor and EJ Manuel, Bills’ 2013 first-round pick who lost job to Kyle Orton one month into last season. Settling offensive line concerns on and off field. Guards Incognito and rookie third-round pick John Miller are counted on to take over as starters. Offensive line coach Aaron Kromer’s status is uncertain after being placed on indefinite paid leave for allegedly punching boy and threatening to kill his family.
NEW YORK JETS (4-12)
OPEN CAMP Thursday, Florham Park, N.J.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS Coach Todd Bowles; GM Mike Maccagnan; offensive coordinator Chan Gailey; CBs Darrelle Revis, CB Antonio Cromartie, and Buster Skrine; WRs Brandon Marshall and Devin Smith; S Marcus Gilchrist; QB Ryan Fitzpatrick; G James Carpenter; DL Leonard Williams; RB Zac Stacy
IMPORTANT LOSSES Coach Rex Ryan; offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg; defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman; WR Percy Harvin; RB Chris Johnson; QB Michael Vick; CB Kyle Wilson; NT Kenrick Ellis
CAMP NEEDS Bowles tasked with reviving franchise that struggled to win in last few seasons under brash and popular Ryan. First order of business: Bowles and Gailey need to see if QB Geno Smith can show marked improvement in third NFL season. Otherwise, well-traveled veteran Fitzpatrick could eventually find himself under center. Several other positions need sorting, particularly at running back, right guard and depth at wide receiver and linebacker.
AFC SOUTH
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (13-6)
OPEN CAMP Saturday, Anderson, Ind.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS OLB Trent Cole; WRs Andre Johnson and Phillip Dorsett; RB Frank Gore; OL Todd Herremans; DL Kendall Langford; S Dwight Lowery
IMPORTANT LOSSES S LaRon Landry; DE Cory Redding; RB Trent Richardson; WR Reggie Wayne; OT Gosder Cherilus
CAMP NEEDS Colts must find starting line that can keep QB Andrew Luck upright more often, get Dorsett, Johnson and Gore acclimated to offense, and help Luck figure out how to cut down turnovers. Defensively, 34-year-old Robert Mathis remains big question after tearing left Achilles tendon in September. With or without Mathis, Indy’s defense must get stouter against run and create more consistent pass rush.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-13)
OPEN CAMP Friday, Jacksonville, Fla.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS TE Julius Thomas; RB T.J. Yeldon; OT Jermey Parnell; C Stefen Wisniewski; CB Davon House; LB Dan Skuta; DE Jared Odrick
IMPORTANT LOSSES WR Cecil Shorts III; DEs Red Bryant and rookie DE Dante Fowler Jr., who injured knee in first practice and will miss season.
CAMP NEEDS QB Blake Bortles must get more comfortable in pocket and in new coordinator Greg Olson’s offense. Have to keep second-year receivers Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee healthy. Have to develop better chemistry on offensive line that contributed to franchise-record 71 sacks in 2014. Have to get more out of two third-year pros, LT Luke Joeckel and S Johnathan Cyprien. Need significant contributions from six free agents team gave $78 million guaranteed to make immediate impacts.
HOUSTON TEXANS (9-7)
OPEN CAMP Friday, Houston
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS NT Vince Wilfork; QB Brian Hoyer; S Rahim Moore; CB Kevin Johnson; WRs Jaelen Strong, Nate Washington and Cecil Shorts III
IMPORTANT LOSSES WR Andre Johnson; S D.J. Swearinger; QB Ryan Fitzpatrick; C Chris Myers
CAMP NEEDS After using four quarterbacks because of injuries, they’ll use camp to decide whether Brian Hoyer or Ryan Mallett (Arkansas Razorbacks) will start. Mallett made first two starts of career last year after Texans benched Fitzpatrick. But he tore pectoral muscle and missed rest of season. Hoyer, who started 13 games for Cleveland last season, signed with Houston in offseason. Texans also need to see progress of OLB Jadeveon Clowney’s rehabilitation from December microfracture surgery and if he’ll be ready for Week 1.
TENNESSEE TITANS (2-14)
OPEN CAMP Thursday, Nashville, Tenn.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau; QB Marcus Mariota; LB Brian Orakpo; CB Perrish Cox; S Da’Norris Searcy; TE Anthony Fasano; WRs Dorial Green-Beckham and Harry Douglas; RB David Cobb
IMPORTANT LOSSES OTs Michael Roos and Michael Oher; RB Shonn Greene
CAMP NEEDS Oversee Mariota’s development. Offensive line must settle down and improve to protect rookie QB. Green-Beckham and Cobb need to stay healthy and on field after hamstring woes limited both rookies in the offseason. Cobb and RB Bishop Sankey must show they can run ball consistently in NFL.
AFC NORTH
BALTIMORE RAVENS (11-7)
OPEN CAMP Today, Owings Mills, Md.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS QB Matt Schaub; FS Kendrick Lewis; WR Breshad Perriman; offensive coordinator Marc Trestman
IMPORTANT LOSSES DT Haloti Ngata; WRs Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones; LB Pernell McPhee; TE Owen Daniels; C Gino Gradkowski; RB Bernard Pierce
CAMP NEEDS Replace Smith and Jones, who provided Flacco with deep threats he needed to make short passing game click. Ravens hope Perriman, team’s top draft pick, can help fill void. Harbaugh also needs to find tight ends to take over for Daniels and injured Dennis Pitta. Defensively, Baltimore will seek to fill out front line that’s sure to miss Ngata, and cornerbacks and safeties need to get on same page to avoid miscues that plagued unit in 2014.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (10-6-1)
OPEN CAMP Thursday, Cincinnati
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS DE Michael Johnson; LB A.J. Hawk; QB Josh Johnson
IMPORTANT LOSSES CB Terence Newman; QB Jason Campbell; TEs Jermaine Gresham and Alex Smith; S Taylor Mays
CAMP NEEDS Figure out if MLB Vontaze Burfict can do much as he recovers from two knee operations, or whether they’ll be relying on Hawk to start. Pick someone to replace Newman, who left as free agent for Minnesota. Leon Hall returns as starter at other cornerback spot, with Adam “Pacman” Jones returning backup. First-round pick Dre Kirkpatrick assumes he’ll get Newman’s starting job, but Darqueze Dennard — another first-rounder — will push him during most closely watched competition in camp. Also, AJ McCarron and Josh Johnson will compete for No. 2 job behind Dalton.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (7-9)
OPEN CAMP Thursday, Berea, Ohio
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS QB Josh McCown; WRs Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline; DB Tramon Williams; P Andy Lee; WR Terrelle Pryor; DL Randy Starks
IMPORTANT LOSSES WRs Josh Gordon and Miles Austin; QB Brian Hoyer; TE Jordan Cameron; LB Jabaal Sheard; CB Buster Skrine; DL Ahtyba Rubin; K Billy Cundiff; S Jim Leonhard
CAMP NEEDS Once again, quarterback remains unsolved mystery. McCown, 36, showed skills in 2013 with Chicago, but went 1-10 last season at Tampa Bay. Johnny Manziel is trying to earn back team’s trust following highly publicized rehab stint during offseason. Gordon is banned for year, depriving club of its best big-play threat.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (11-6)
OPEN CAMP Sunday, Latrobe, Pa.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS RB DeAngelo Williams (Wynne); LB Bud Dupree; CB Senquez Golson; WR Sammie Coates
IMPORTANT LOSSES S Troy Polamalu; CB Ike Taylor; DE Brett Keisel; LB Jason Worilds
CAMP NEEDS: Departure of Polamalu, Taylor and Keisel — and their combined six Super Bowl rings — and longtime defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau signaled tail end of youth movement several seasons in making. New coordinator Keith Butler, promoted from linebackers coach, is tasked with returning some of bite to pass rush that has been only sporadically effective since 2010. S Shamarko Thomas will be given every opportunity to graduate from Polamalu’s apprentice to starting job but needs to stay healthy, which hasn’t happened much during his first two years in league.
AFC WEST
OAKLAND RAIDERS (3-13)
OPEN CAMP Friday, Napa, Calif.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS Coach Jack Del Rio; WRs Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree; C Rodney Hudson; S Nate Allen; LBs Curtis Lofton and Malcolm Smith; DT Dan Williams; RBs Trent Richardson and Roy Helu Jr.; TEs Clive Walford and Lee Smith
IMPORTANT LOSSES WR James Jones; RBs Darren McFadden (Pulaski Oak Grove, Akansas Razorbacks) and Maurice Jones-Drew; C Stefen Wisniewski; CBs Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers; DTs Antonio Smith and Pat Sims; LB Miles Burris; S Tyvon Branch
CAMP NEEDS Biggest holes to fill are on right side of offensive line and at cornerback. After disappointing debut season in Oakland at right guard, Austin Howard is moving back to natural right tackle position to compete for starting job with 2013 second-round pick Menelik Watson. That leaves utility lineman Khalif Barnes, Matt McCants, J’Marcus Webb and rookie Jon Feliciano to battle at guard. DJ Hayden, team’s top pick in 2013, is competing for starting cornerback role with two second-year players, TJ Carrie and Keith McGill. Trio has just 15 career starts.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (9-7)
OPEN CAMP Friday, St. Joseph, Mo.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS WR Jeremy Maclin; S Tyvon Branch; OLs Ben Grubbs and Paul Fanaika
IMPORTANT LOSSES TE Anthony Fasano; WRs Dwayne Bowe and Donnie Avery
CAMP NEEDS All-Pro LB Justin Houston must get up to speed after skipping offseason program, then signing six-year, $101 million contract July 15. Must also settle OL after acquiring two new guards, getting Jeff Allen back from injury and drafting Mitch Morse in second round. WRs need to sort out depth chart with Maclin only clear-cut starter. Ditto DBs with rookies Marcus Peters and Steven Nelson figuring into mix.
DENVER BRONCOS (12-5)
OPEN CAMP Friday, Englewood, Colo.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS Coach Gary Kubiak; TE Owen Daniels; FB James Casey; LT Ty Sambrailo; DE Vance Walker; C Gino Gradkowski
IMPORTANT LOSSES LG Orlando Franklin; TEs Jacob Tamme and TE Julius Thomas; NT Terrance Knighton; S Rahim Moore; WR Wes Welker; C Will Montgomery
CAMP NEEDS Get young offensive line to jell so that 39-year-old QB Peyton Manning can focus on perfecting Kubiak’s new offense. Hope RB C.J. Anderson’s Pro Bowl season wasn’t fluke and Montee Ball can avoid another injury-marred campaign so Broncos can have 1-2 punch in backfield to ease pressure on passer. With DE Derek Wolfe facing four-game suspension, get MLBs Danny Trevathan (new kneecap) and Brandon Marshall (foot) up to speed to anchor Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defensive scheme.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (9-7)
OPEN CAMP Thursday, San Diego
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS CB Patrick Robinson; S Jimmy Wilson; WRs Stevie Johnson and Jacoby Jones; G Orlando Franklin; DL Mitch Unrein; RB Melvin Gordon; LB Denzel Perryman
IMPORTANT LOSSES C Nick Hardwick; G Jeromey Clary; OLB Jarret Johnson
CAMP NEEDS Chargers have to get offensive line improved, running game moving forward and pass rush nastier. Franklin was obtained to form big wall with LT King Dunlap to better protect QB Philip Rivers and open holes for Gordon. Chris Watt, one of five players to start at center last year, will be starter in his second season. Chargers had only 26 sacks last year and will be asking a lot of LBs Melvin Ingram and Jerry Attaochu.