The landscape in the NFL is ever-changing, which means these bottom feeders from last season will have an eye on turning things around in 2016-17.
Here are the worst teams from every division last year, and where we see them next year:
Dallas Cowboys - Playoffs
The worst team from the NFC East last season is retooled and primed to make a run next season. Despite plenty of suspensions holding back the defense, running back Ezekiel Elliott in the same offense as playmaking tight end Jason Witten and wideout Dez Bryant is a dream scenario for Cowboys fans. If quarterback Tony Romo can stay healthy, the sky is the limit.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Playoffs
The revolving door of playoff teams coming out of NFC South will continue when Jameis Winston takes a step forward next season. From the worst team in the league two years ago to 6-10 and now we'll project the Bucs as a Wild Card team. They won't knock off the Carolina Panthers atop the division, but Tampa Bay can make some noise if their pieces stay healthy and the defense turns it up a notch.
San Diego Chargers - Playoffs
Losing safety Eric Weddle hurts, but San Diego's defense doesn't have to be a shutdown squad when the Chargers are putting up points in bulk.
With free-agent acquisition wideout Travis Benjamin opposite wide receiver Keenan Allen, quarterback Philip Rivers now has two legit downfield options. Running backs Melvin Gordon and Danny Woodhead are suitable 1-2 options out of the backfield and Antonio Gates remains one of the most reliable pass-catching tight ends in the NFL.
San Francisco 49ers - Bust
People around the league believe in Chip Kelly and what he can do with what was a pretty miserable 2015-16 squad. San Francisco could be decent, but the real project is getting quarterback Colin Kaepernick back on track. If that happens, this season is a success, playoffs or not.
Chicago Bears - Bust
Still plenty of pieces away from a playoff spot, the Bears are in full rebuild mode. How much longer quarterback Jay Cutler is around remains to be seen. The team has serious talent at wideout (Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White), just not enough skill elsewhere.
Miami Dolphins - Bust
The Dolphins did well to rebuild the defense in free agency, adding defensive lineman Mario Williams and trading for defensive back Byron Maxwell and linebacker Kiko Alonso are big-time additions. But Miami will feel the loss of wide receiver Richard Matthews and running back Lamar Miller.
The AFC East is just too packed with the New England Patriots, the New York Jets (if they bring quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick back) and the Buffalo Bills for Miami to really compete for a playoff gig. They're a year away.
Cleveland Browns - Bust
The Browns had a heck of a draft and picked up damaged goods in quarterback Robert Griffin III as the rebuilding project gets into the building a foundation stage. Cleveland won't make the playoffs, but this long-term project got a heck of a face lift this offseason.
Tennessee Titans - Bust
The AFC South is wide open after quarterback Andrew Luck's terrible year with the Indianapolis Colts, but the Titans won't compete for the playoff spot. Houston looks great after acquiring quarterback Brock Osweiler, adding wideout Will Fuller and running back Lamar Miller to a solid offense. Jacksonville is the scariest under-the-radar team in the NFL with a healthy dose of young defenders and a real star in the making in quarterback Blake Bortles.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota and the Titans ground-and-pound offense is well on its way to being a force in the NFL, but the defense still needs work and Tennessee is at least a few years away.
