Adding Depth

With the NFL Draft complete and rookie minicamps taking place, teams are getting a better feel for how their roster is coming together.

Most free agents have already signed, and key trades have taken place but moves still need to be made over the next few months as teams look to fill roster holes and build their depth.

ESPN.com has an article by Aaron Schatz titled "Biggest Post-Draft Roster Holes For All 32 NFL Teams."

He writes, "I looked at the biggest hole on each roster now that the 2025 NFL draft is over. At this point in the offseason, a roster hole does not necessarily mean the position group has no clear starters. Most teams have filled the top of their depth charts. But plenty of units have limited depth, even after all the wheeling and dealing."

According to Schatz, teams like the Bills, Browns, Rams, and Eagles must add depth to the wide receiver position. The Steelers and Jets should add another quarterback, while the Patriots, Cowboys, Vikings, and Panthers need to improve their depth at cornerback.

Across the league, the Commanders, Bucs, Cardinals, 49ers, Titans, Raiders, and Bears lack depth at the linebacker position.

NFL teams must address these concerns to have the depth needed at crucial positions to compete at a high level. Teams with deep rosters can withstand the inevitable injuries during the season. It's easy to spot the weak teams that lack depth because they struggle to keep winning when injuries affect their starters.

Whenever they lack a deep position group, they must make the necessary adjustments and improvements and intentionally add depth.

As we consider our favorite NFL teams' holes and roster concerns, I wonder about our lives and where we have limited depth. What “holes” do we need to fill?

Do we need to add depth to our thinking, understanding, and values? Are we lacking deep friendships?

Do we stay on the surface with our neighbors and only ask them about the weather, or do we take it a step further and ask more thoughtful questions?

Do we stick to "business talk" with our co-workers, or do we go deeper when given the opportunity?

Are we lacking depth in our conversations with our spouses or kids?

Are we falling more deeply in love with our spouse each day?

Do we think with depth?

Do we have deeply rooted values we live by?

If we want to build a deep life, we must recognize where we lack depth, make the necessary adjustments and improvements, and intentionally "add depth."

Ultimately, our strongest desire should be to have a deep union with Jesus while constantly strengthening our love and understanding of Him. When we build our lives on Him, we have a deep relationship with Him and can withstand the inevitable "injuries" of life.

Jesus says in Luke 6:47-48 (NLT), "I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built."

Building a deep life centered around Christ as our firm foundation allows us to add depth to our other relationships. We will then experience deep community with other followers of Jesus.

Also, as we seek God through His Word and build a deeper relationship with Him, we see that God's profound character and holiness go way beyond the surface, and we will have a more profound knowledge and appreciation of His greatness.

Romans 11:33 (NASB) says, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!"

Thankfully, we serve a magnificent God whose power and love are endless. Today, let's embrace a deep life with Him as our foundation and continue to rely on Him to help us add depth to our relationships, thinking, understanding, and values.

I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please give me the desire to pursue You more and more. Help me not settle for a shallow life or view of You. Give me eyes to see the depth of Your greatness and power, and a heart deeply in love with You. I pray that my other relationships will also be deep and meaningful. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.