10 NFL teams poised for a big turnaround

Every new NFL season brings hope for struggling teams. These 10 squads could be headed for big turnarounds during the 2019 season.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals have nowhere to go but up after last season, and there's reason to think they will see improvement with the additions of head coach Kliff Kingsbury and quarterback Kyler Murray. Last year's offense was overpowered up front, but Murray's mobility and Kingsbury's play-calling should go a long way in improving an offense that scored a league-worst 225 points and tallied only three wins.

Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta cleaned house in the offseason by firing both the offensive and defensive coordinators, but injuries were as big a culprit as any in regard to the Falcons' struggles in 2018. Atlanta has Devonta Freeman, Deion Jones and Keanu Neal healthy heading into training camp. The team addressed its offensive line issues in the draft and hopes the defense can get a boost with better health. While the NFC South has turned into one of the league's most competitive divisions, the Falcons have the talent to rebound from 7-9.

Buffalo Bills

Buffalo already had a strong defense last year and has made some significant personnel moves on offense. Among them are the additions of center Mitch Morse, wideouts John Brown and Cole Beasley and running back Frank Gore. Those moves should help second-year quarterback Josh Allen along. With Allen healthy after Buffalo's Week 11 bye last season, the Bills were 3-3 and two of their three losses were by four points or less. They have a solid shot of returning to at least .500.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns have been the story of the offseason, with big additions led by Odell Beckham Jr. We shouldn't overlook the additions of Olivier Vernon and Sheldon Richardson who, along with Myles Garrett, gives the team a ferocious pass rush. Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb should also be able to take steps forward in their second seasons, and the team finished 2018 on a high note, winning five of their final seven games. After the personnel losses that Pittsburgh and Baltimore had in the offseason, Cleveland has a real shot to win the AFC North.

Green Bay Packers

Green Bay's offense has been unimaginative and stagnant recently under Mike McCarthy, so new head coach Matt LaFleur should be a welcome addition for Aaron Rodgers and Co. However, it's the defense that the Packers hope will make the biggest jump after adding high upside pass rushers in Za'Darius Smith, Preston Smith and rookie Rashan Gary. Entering the second year under defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, the Packers have high hopes of bouncing back from a 6-9-1 season.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are still loaded with talent on defense, even after significant losses like Telvin Smith and Malik Jackson. One year removed from an AFC championship appearance, the Jaguars finished 2018 with a 5-11 record, so their ability to bounce back could ultimately be determined by the success of new quarterback Nick Foles. He's almost certainly an improvement over Blake Bortles, but how he fares with weapons that are somewhat lacking relative to what he had in Philadelphia remains to be seen. If the offense can make progress, Jacksonville should compete for an AFC South title.

New York Jets

As usual, New York's moves have been controversial, but the team is clearly improved over last season. New head coach Adam Gase should help second-year quarterback Sam Darnold, and the quarterback has some new weapons to work with in Le'Veon Bell and Jamison Crowder. The defense has also brought in some high upside talent with linebacker C.J. Mosley and first-round pick Quinnen Williams.

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders seemed a bit like a sideshow at times during Jon Gruden's return, but they're clearly serious about winning soon by the looks of their offseason moves, which was headlined by the addition of star wideout Antonio Brown. But they also have improved with Tyrell Williams, Trent Brown and rookie running back Josh Jacobs, and they addressed their pitiful pass rush from last year (13 sacks) by drafting Clelin Ferrell and fixing their linebacker corps. It would be a lot to ask of the Raiders to make the playoffs in the tough AFC West this year, but they could inch toward .500.

San Francisco 49ers

Injuries were the story for San Francisco in 2018, most notably to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and running back Jerick McKinnon. The team limped to a 4-12 finish but could be ready to break through with several high-impact additions and a return to health from the aforementioned pair. Dee Ford and Nick Bosa should greatly improve the pass rush, while linebacker Kwon Alexander helps the run defense. The addition of rookie wideouts Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd also give Garoppolo some interesting playmakers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jameis Winston has been a relative bust since he was drafted first overall in 2015, but proven head coach Bruce Arians could be the perfect fixer. His downfield offense is a great fit for Winston's talents, and the Bucs are also hopeful Arians can coach the risk-taking out of Winston. The Bucs lost Kwon Alexander in the offseason and have some major issues up front after losing Jason Pierre-Paul to a neck injury in a car accident. Still, there is intriguing new blood on that side of the ball with five draft picks in the first four rounds, along with new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.