2026 NFL Team Needs
The 2026 NFL Free Agency period is just weeks away, as is the NFL Combine. That means a ton of NFL news is about to hit the timeline with a bunch of players switching teams. We'll have you covered on X and YouTube when it all breaks, but in the meantime, it's time to get prepared with the hyper-specific team needs for all 32 NFL teams. Too many of these columns are too vague. The sickos, like myself, need to know the specifics to nail their mock drafts and run their offseason simulations. This column is exactly that.
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Raiders Team Needs (QB, LG, LB, DT, C, RT, WR)
QB: Enter Fernando Mendoza, who I very much think is worthy of a 1st overall selection. They will likely release or trade away Geno Smith for a bag of footballs this offseason.
LG: Dylan Parham is a free agent. The Raiders were 32nd in short-yardage success rate and 32nd in rushing EPA per carry. Ashton Jeanty was constantly hit behind the line of scrimmage, thus wasting a top-10 pick in the draft unless this gets changed.
LB: Devin White and Elandon Roberts are free agents after eating a lot of (bad) snaps. The Jamal Adams at LB experiment didn't work either.
C/RG: They have Jackson Powers-Johnson, Jordan Meredith, and cut-candidate Alex Cappa under contract right now, but they aren't good at center or right guard.
RT: 2024 3rd-rounder DJ Glaze has started each year with sub-par results.
X receiver: There are young Z and slot players on the roster in Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, and Dant'e Thornton, but they don't have an X receiver right now.
EDGE: Maxx Crosby is fed up, per Jay Glazer, and the tatted maniac could be the story of "free agency". Meanwhile, Malcolm Koonce is also a free agent. If either leaves, they are in trouble.
DT: They don't have an above-average player at this premium position.
Jets Team Needs (QB, OG, DT, EDGE, Outside CB)
QB: Justin Fields didn't work and will likely be a cut candidate, but Ty Simpson didn't look like an option at 2nd overall on my first watch of him. Kyler Murray would make sense for a coaching staff that must win immediately to save their jobs.
OG: Stud Alijah Vera-Tucker is a free agent after another missed year (torn triceps), and so is veteran John Simpson. They have Joe Tippman to play center or guard, but they need a 1-2 starters between the interior offensive line spots this offseason.
DT: Jay Tufele is a free agent in the wake of trading away super star DT Quinnen Williams. They might have something with Jowon Briggs and veteran Harrison Phillips is under contract at least.
EDGE: The Jets were 32nd in passing EPA allowed on the No. 25 Pass Rush Win Rate. They need more out of Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald, though they've invested a lot into the position already.
Outside CB: Trading Sauce Gardner was a good move given the rest of the roster and the return they got, but it does open up a hole if volatile 3rd-rounder AZ Thomas isn't ready to join Brandon Stephens as a full-time player next year. Once again, this Jets defense was dead last in passing EPA allowed with a defensive-minded head coach. Things will change.
RB: Breece Hall is a free agent, but the Jets could've traded him away at last year's deadline if they didn't plan on keeping him. It'd be puzzling if he left now.
Cardinals Team Needs (QB, RT, RB, FS, LB)
QB: Kyler Murray will likely be released or traded away after eating more of his contract. Jacoby Brissett is under contract and a fringe top-32 QB, but he's a 33-year-old career bridge. New head coach Mike LaFleur will want to pick his own guy eventually. They might not have many options this offseason, however.
RT: Jonah Williams and backup Kelvin Beachum are free agents.
RB: James Conner is a 31-year-old cut candidate, and Trey Benson was hurt just when they needed him last year. Overall, the Cardinals were 29th in rushing EPA per carry. Not good enough.
FS: Jalen Thompson is a free agent. They have a 2024 4th-rounder behind him if they think he's ready.
LB: There are 3 returning players here, but none are stars and two of the veterans are cut candidates. The Cardinals were 26th in EPA allowed per play in general.
DT: Calais Campbell is a free agent. It looks like tweener Darius Robinson is a bust, while 1st-rounder Walter Nolen has flashed but couldn't stay on the field as a rookie. They've over invested into this position recently with boom-bust results.
RG: Will Hernandez is a free agent, but there's a low-end starter competition brewing behind him already.
Titans Team Needs (EDGE, Outside WR, RG, Outside CB)
EDGE: Despite having All Pro DT Jeffery Simmons, the Titans were 28th in EPA per play allowed on defense. They couldn't rush the passer from the outside, and Arden Key is a free agent on top of it.
Outside WR: Some of this falls on the QB and scheme, but the Titans were 32nd in deep-target completion percentage over expected. Dead last. They didn't have a downfield threat on the team, especially when cut-candidate Calvin Ridley was injured. That's unfair for Cam Ward, who can push the ball downfield and has an aggressive mindset. 2025 3rd-rounder Elic Ayomanor looked stiff on tape and had a hands problem, too. His ceiling feels low.
RG: Kevin Zeitler is a free agent after another quality season, but he's old and the Titans were only 27th in rushing EPA per carry last year. They need to hit on another lineman, despite investing a lot into the line over the years.
Outside CB: Veteran L'Jarius Sneed is busy participating in alleged drive-by shootings, so he's definitely a cut candidate after an injury. The Titans were 29th in passing EPA allowed.
Giants Team Needs (RT, RG, WR, Outside CB, LB, DT, CB)
RG: Greg Van Roten is a free agent. The Giants were 27th in red zone TD rate last year, partially because they didn't push enough piles between the guards.
WR: Slot Wan'Dale Robinson is a free agent. Malik Nabers will play some slot when they get him back from a torn ACL, but they need another receiver or two. Darius Slayton dropped too many passes last year to count on again as a top-2 option on the perimeter.
RT: Jermaine Eluemunor is a free agent, and if the Giants have a pulse, they don't let him live the neighborhood. He's a big-time voice in the locker room and kicked ass on the field as an in-prime 32-year-old. They'll also be losing 1st-round bust Evan Neal this year. Perhaps addition by subtraction.
Outside CB: Cordale Flott is a free agent, and they benched 2023 1st-rounder Deonte Banks.
LB: Bobby Okereke is a cut candidate after getting lost as a run defender too much last year.
DT: The Giants were 32nd in rushing EPA allowed. Insane, considering one of the DTs is Dexter Lawrence. Rakeem Nunez-Roches is a free agent, too.
Browns Team Needs (QB, RT, RG, LG, C, Slot CB, WR, LB)
QB: Deshaun Watson's contract remains immovable, and last year's rookies, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, are also under contract. Most team's have 3 quarterbacks, and the Browns technically have them. Are any good? Of course, not. This just might not be the year to solve the problem. Good luck, Todd Monken. The Browns were 32nd in EPA per dropback.
RT: Jack Conklin is a free agent.
RG: Wyatt Teller is a free agent. I think Teven Jenkins is a good re-sign option for them after a strong end to his contract season.
LG: Joel Bitonio is a free agent. Maybe 2024 3rd-rounder Zak Zinter can play after a huge injury.
C: Ethan Pocic is a free agent, and the Browns were 26th in rushing EPA per carry last year.
Slot CB: 2024 7th-rounder Myles Harden struggled last year.
WR: Jerry Jeudy is a capable No. 2 receiver, but the Browns tried to play him on the outside again and it didn't work. He has to be used as a vertical slot or Z receiver to get the most from him. Besides him, it's forgettable X receiver Cedric Tillman and unproven players. It's a bad group. They were 30th in 20+ yard passes last year.
LB: Thumping off-ball Devin Bush had a breakout year with the Browns, flying downhill as a run blocker while 2nd-round LB Carson Schwesinger controlled the defense and played well in coverage. Bush is a free agent, though. Backup LB Jerome Baker is also a free agent.
LT: Dawand Jones is coming off a torn LCL as a massive human.
Commanders Team Needs (Outside WR, EDGE, LB, Slot WR, LG)
WR(s): Deebo Samuel is a free agent. Terry McLaurin needs two running mates, one at Z and one in the slot. It's a very weak group right now.
EDGE: The Commanders were 31st in EPA allowed. Von Miller and Jacob Martin are free agents.
LB: Bobby Wagner is a free agent, old, and a liability in coverage. It's not like Frankie Luvu was much better either. The Commanders were a pathetic 28th in rushing EPA per carry allowed.
LG: Chris Paul, not the basketball player, was bad. The Commanders were just 22nd in short-yardage rushing success rate last year.
TE: Zach Ertz heads into retirement with a backwards knee.
RB: There were moments of 7th-round rookie Bill Croskey-Merritt but not enough to prevent an upgrade with Austin Ekeler hitting free agency with a torn achilles.
CB: Every Marshon Lattimore dollar can be removed by releasing him. If they make that choice, they'll need another outside CB next to 2025 2nd-rounder Trey Amos. Mike Sainristill can play on the outside, though is best in the slot.
Saints Team Needs (LG, DT, EDGE, WR, Slot CB, LB, RB)
LG: Dillon Radunz is a free agent. The interior fell apart last year, and that was felt in the red zone where they were 31st in TD rate.
DT: The sum of their parts is better than the individual talent (complementary but also derogatory). They could use another star to take this DL over the top.
EDGE: Cameron Jordan is a free agent, but they thankfully hit on Chase Young in the previous free agency.
WR: Chris Olave will sign a long-term contract, but DeVaughn Vele is a low-ceiling fringe starter who doesn't have the speed to replace Rashid Shaheed. There needs to be one more pass catcher with some upside to give QB Tyler Shough a real chance to develop into something real. The Saints were 31st in 20+ yard passes.
Slot CB: Alontae Taylor is a free agent.
LB: New Orleans legend Demario Davis is a free agent and will be 37 years old, but 2025 4th-rounder Danny Stutsman is there as a potential new starter.
RB: Alvin Kamara bottomed out last year and missed time again. It's amazing that he has a $18M cap hit right now. The Saints were 31st in rushing EPA per carry last year.
Chiefs Team Needs (Outside CB, FS, RB, EDGE, X WR)
Outside CB: Jaylen Watson is a free agent.
FS: Bryan Cook is a free agent.
EDGE: George Karlaftis is solid, but the depth behind him is bad, especially with Charles Omenihu hitting free agency.
RB: Once again, 32nd in 20+ yard runs this year. And that's behind an objectively good run-blocking line. Both Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco are free agents. It's time to get real here.
X WR: How about a receiver who doesn't weigh 160 pounds or faces felonies? That'd be refreshing. The Chiefs need to help Patrick Mahomes out by giving him a back-shoulder ball winner. That'd push Xavier Worthy to a part-time Z-receiver spot (his best spot) and keep Rashee Rice in the slot as a zone winner. Neither Rice or Worthy are 3rd-and-10 gotta-have-it options.
DT: Chris Jones is still a monster, but he didn't have a running mate on the interior last year and will be
TE: Travis Kelce is either going to retire now or next year.
LB: Thumping third backer Leo Chenal is a free agent.
Bengals Team Needs (DT, FS, RG, CB, LB, EDGE)
DT: The Bengals were 32nd in Pass Rush Win Rate. That falls on their edge rushing group, too, but they get nothing from their interior players. They were also 30th in rushing EPA allowed.
FS: This was one of the worst teams against opposing TEs in the NFL history. That's not an exaggeration either. There were so many coverage busts, and this unit couldn't tackle one-on-one. It was close to a disaster. Geno Stone is a free agent.
RG: Dalton Risner is a free agent, as is backup LG Cordell Volson. The 5th-round rookie they trotted out was a total liability, so competition is needed.
Outside CB: I really like DJ Turner on one side, but Cam Taylor-Britt is a free agent and found himself in a rotation last year. The other corner opposite Turner was getting picked on all year long. The Bengals ultimately were 28th in passing EPA allowed.
LB: It was straight-up one of the worst units in the NFL, but two 2025 rookies will get more opportunities to turn it around.
EDGE: Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai are free agents. They are desperate for 2025 1st-rounder Shemar Stewart to show up this year after a quiet rookie campaign.
Dolphins Team Needs (QB, EDGE, Outside WR, Outside CB, Slot CB, RG)
QB: Tua Tagovailoa had the perfect setup for his play style, and it wasn't enough with his body breaking down. The new regime will weigh releasing him with $99M in dead money, but even if they don't, more competition is needed. The long-term answer isn't on the roster.
EDGE: Trading away Jaelan Phillips left them with a hole, and they dug deeper by releasing (or perhaps trading) veteran Bradley Chubb. The Dolphins were 23rd in Pass Rush Win Rate. We'll see if 2024 1st-rounder Chop Robinson can have a breakout campaign here, but he'll need help.
Outside WR: Tyreek Hill will be released following a dislocated knee. It's just Jaylen Waddle right now.
Outside CB: Rasul Douglas is a free agent, so it's a lot of faith in reclamation project JuJu Brents right now.
Slot CB: Jack Jones is a free agent.
RG: James Daniels was released.
TE: Darren Waller is a free agent.
DT: 2025 1st-rounder Kenneth Grant is nose tackle type, so they need more juice up the b gaps next to Zach Sieler.
Cowboys Team Needs (Outside CB, Outside WR, EDGE, RB, LB, FS)
Outside CB: Trevon Diggs was released, and they haven't settled on a running mate for the volatile DaRon Bland. The Cowboys were 32nd in EPA allowed last year on the backs of the No. 31 passing EPA secondary.
Outside WR: George Pickens is a free agent, though he's a candidate to at least be franchise tagged if they can't agree to a long-term extension.
EDGE: Jadaveon Clowney and Dante Fowler are free agents. They at least have 2025 2nd-rounder Donovan Ezeiruaku and James Houston right now.
RB: Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders are free agents.
LB: Kenneth Murray and Jack Sanborn are free agents, while Logan Wilson is a cut candidate. The Cowboys ranking 30th in rushing EPA allowed was largely because of their linebackers being so slow.
FS: Both starters are under contract, but that doesn't mean the position is filled.
Falcons Team Needs (DT, LB, TE, QB, WR, Outside CB)
Note: This 13th overall pick belongs to the Rams, dating back to the James Pearce trade.
DT: David Onyemata is a free agent. This team was 25th in rushing EPA allowed last year, and they'll need to get creative at DT and LB with their two long-term edge rushers being very undersized.
LB: Kaden Elliss is a free agent.
TE: Kyle Pitts is a free agent, but he's a franchise tag candidate at the very least.
QB: Michael Penix will be coming off his 3rd torn ACL surgery, and Kirk Cousins will be released. At the minimum, they need a Penix fall-back plan while he rehabs. At the maximum, they need to find a long-term QB with a better all-around game.
WR: They don't really have a slot receiver on the roster depending how we're talking about stud Drake London, and Darnell Mooney is a fringe cut candidate after a disaster 2025 season with various injuries. The Falcons were 28th in downfield completion percentage over expected. Some of that falls on QB play.
LT: Jake Matthew is 34 years old without guaranteed money after this 2026 campaign.
RB: Tyler Allgeier is a free agent, so it's pretty thin behind Bijan Robinson.
Ravens Team Needs (DT, C, EDGE, FS, Outside WR, TE, Outside CB)
DT: Nnamdi Madubuike is a retirement candidate after missing most of the 2025 season (neck). They have Travis Jones at nose tackle, but they are in trouble at 3-tech, especially with tweener Dre'Mont Jones hitting free agency.
C: Tyler Linderbaum is a free agent. The Ravens were 27th in red zone touchdown rate last year, a sign that the OL wasn't pushing piles as much as before.
EDGE: Dre'Mont Jones and Kyle Van Noy are free agents, and they traded away Odafe Oweh at the deadline. They are really banking on 2025 2nd-rounder Mike Green. Risky. The unit was just 27th in Pass Rush Win Rate last year.
FS: Alohi Gilman and Ardarius Washington are free agents.
Outside WR: Zay Flowers is best as a secondary target, and he can play more slot snaps if they find a more physical outside receiver. Rashod Bateman hasn't taken the leap yet either, so he's destined for No. 3 duties. It's sad that the Ravens were 32nd in pass attempts last year with an MVP candidate at QB.
TE: They extended Mark Andrews (for some reason), while having Isiah Likely and Charlie Kolar hit free agency. If they don't get a FB Patrick Ricard replacement, then they will need more snaps out of this group.
Outside CB: Chidobe Awuzie is a free agent.
LT: Ronnie Staley has added a couple of competitive years recently coming back from major injuries, but it's time to think about a long-term replacement.
Buccaneers Team Needs (EDGE, DT, TE, LB, X WR, Outside CB)
EDGE: Haason Reddick is a free agent. The current rotation of Yaya Diaby, Chris Braswell, and Anthony Nelson looks a lot better with someone else at the front of the group. That's especially true with key free agents at 3-4 DE.
DT: Logan Hall and Greg Gaines are free agents.
TE: Cade Otton is a free agent.
LB: Lavante David is a free agent.
X WR: Mike Evans is a free agent, and while there is a lot of depth in the room, none of them are natural X receivers.
Outside CB: Jamel Dean is a free agent, but they do have 2025 2nd-rounder Benjamin Morrison waiting.
QB: Baker Mayfield's backup is a high school football coach, and this is the final year of his current contract.
Colts Team Needs (QB, RT, EDGE, SS, Outside WR, LB)
Note: This 16th overall pick belongs to the Jets, dating back to the Sauce Gardner trade.
QB: Daniel Jones is a free agent, though their post-season remarks and the other available options make a re-signing likely.
RT: Braden Smith is a free agent and a retirement candidate after concussions and an OCD diagnosis. The Colts unit dropped to 27th in Pass Block Win Rate last year after losing multiple interior linemen and having some injuries at tackle. That can't happen if Daniel Jones is back at less than 100% next year.
EDGE: Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam are free agents. Even with Laiatu Latu emerging, the Colts were 30th in Pass Rush Win Rate.
SS: Nick Cross is a free agent.
LB: Germaine Pratt is a free agent.
Outside WR: Alec Pierce is a free agent. They could lose him, re-sign him, or re-sign him while letting Michael Pittman go. In a few of those scenarios, they'll be looking for another receiver, especially after including Adonai Mitchell in the Sauce Gardner trade.
DT: Grover Stewart is a 33-year-old cut candidate, while Neville Gallimore is a free agent.
Lions Team Needs (EDGE, DT, LB, Slot CB, LT, C/RG)
EDGE: Al-Quadin Muhammad and Marcus Davenport are free agents. The Lions were 26th in ESPN's Pass Rush Win Rate, too.
DT: D.J. Reader is a free agent.
LB: Alex Anzalone is a free agent, and the Lions are one of the only teams holding onto a 3-LB defense for a bulk of their snaps.
Slot CB: Amik Robertson is a free agent, and SS Brian Branch popped his achilles last year.
LT: 33-year-old veteran Taylor Decker is signed but doesn't have guaranteed money left on his deal. The Lions were also 31st in ESPN's Pass Block Win Rate to my surprise.
C/RG: They drafted freak-athlete C Tate Ratledge but played him at RG as a rookie, leaving 34-year-old veteran Graham Glasgow at center. It's unclear if they'd move Ratledge back to his collegiate position or find a new long-term answer. Even their left guard is a 2024 6th-rounder, though he's played fairly well versus his draft status.
Vikings Team Needs (QB, FS, CB, LB, Slot WR)
QB: The firing of GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is a sign that big changes are coming. They simply have to with JJ McCarthy struggling with Day 1 mechanics and health. At the very least, real competition is coming at the Geno Smith, Derek Carr, Kirk Cousins, or Marcus Mariota level.
FS: Harrison Smith retired.
CB: There is no depth behind up-and-down CB1 Byron Murphy and Isiah Rodgers, neither of whom have long-term guaranteed money right now.
LB: Eric Wilson is a free agent. There's very little depth behind their starters right now.
Slot WR: Jalen Nailor is a free agent.
RB: Aaron Jones is a cut candidate. The Vikings were 26th in big-run rate last year, too.
TE: T.J. Hockenson is a cut candidate.
C: Veteran Ryan Kelly had his 5th and 6th official career concussions this past year.
Panthers Team Needs (C, LB, FS, EDGE, Slot CB, DT)
C: Cade Mays and do-everything Brady Christensen are both free agents.
LB: Christian Rozeboom is a free agent. The Panthers were 27th in rushing EPA allowed. That's with a great DT.
FS: Nick Scott is a free agent.
EDGE: They threw 2nd- and 3rd-round picks at this spot last year, but there's always more needed. D.J. Wonnum is a free agent at OLB. The Panthers were 24th in ESPN's Pass Rush Win Rate.
Slot CB: Chau Smith-Wade is a 2024 5th-rounder who can be upgraded on.
DT: They filled gaps in last offseason next to Derrick Brown, but there is room for improvement.
LT: Icky Ekwonu will be playing on the 5th-year option while coming off a torn patellar tendon.
Packers Team Needs (DT, LB, Outside CB, LT, RG)
Note: This 20th overall pick belongs to the Cowboys, dating back to the Micah Parsons trade.
DT: Trading away veteran Kenny Clark left an opening up the middle, particularly when stopping the run.
LB: Quay Walker is a free agent.
Outside CB: They were signing Trevon Diggs late in the year for a reason.
LT: Rasheed Walker is a free agent. They can restructure their other options to create a starting-5, but another tackle or guard is in play.
RG: If they move 2024 1st-rounder Jordan Morgan to left tackle, then there's an open competition at guard. The Packers were only 27th in big-run rate last year.
EDGE: Once Micah Parsons was out of the lineup, the Packers became one of the worst defenses in the NFL. It was a bad year for Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness.
Steelers Team Needs (QB, LG, Outside CB, WR, DT)
QB: Aaron Rodgers is a 44-year-old free agent. Enough. The Steelers were 32nd in average depth of target last year.
LG: Isaac Seumalo is a free agent.
Outside CB: Underrated late-breakout James Pierre and tiny outside CB Asante Samuel are both free agents. They combined to fill in the spot opposite CB1 Joey Porter Jr.
WR: DK Metcalf is a solid vertical X receiver, but they don't have an in-breaking option opposite him, so it's a fairly easy offense to defend as constructed. The next unit won't be so TE-heavy either with OC Arthur Smith off to Ohio State. The Steelers can go with a slot or Z receiver here. They were just 30th in downfield catch rate last season.
DT: Cameron Heyward will retire eventually (maybe). They do have 2025 1st-rounder Derrick Harmon, but they'll use 3 DTs often so depth is needed unless the scheme is really changing without Mike Tomlin and their DL coach.
Chargers Team Needs (EDGE, LG, C, RG, DT, FS)
EDGE: Odafe Oweh is a free agent after going nuclear in a half year with the team, so it'd be a shock to not see him back. But 35-year-old Khalil Mack is also a free agent.
LG: 1st-round bust Zion Johnson is a free agent. Because of the interior OL, the Chargers were dead last in ESPN's Pass Block Win Rate and 30th in short-yardage rushing success rate.
C: It simply wasn't good enough last year. 32-year-old vet Bradley Bozeman is a cut candidate.
RG: Mekhi Becton didn't work out as a signing last year and is a cut candidate.
DT: It wasn't good enough last year, and Da'Shawn Hand is a free agent.
FS: 34-year-old Tony Jefferson started more than half the year for them.
Outside CB: Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart have way out-played their draft status, but they are just Day 3 picks. Donte Jackson is a cut candidate and Benjamin St. Juste is a free agent.
Eagles Team Needs (RG, Outside CB, TE, RT, LG, FS)
RG: It was a weak spot for the line all year.
Outside CB: They have a stud in Quinyon Mitchell, but the other side was the weak spot of the defense all year long. They won't put Cooper DeJean outside, so it's time to round out the secondary with at least a fringe starter.
TE: Dallas Goedert is a free agent.
RT: Lane Johnson will be 36 years old and is considering retirement.
LG: Landon Dickerson is thinking about retirement due to injuries.
FS: Reed Blankenship is a free agent.
LB: Nakobe Dean is a free agent, so it'll be Zach Baun and 2025 1st-rounder Jihaad Campbell in 2-LB sets. They'll need a distant LB3 still.
Jaguars Team Needs (LB, Outside CB, FS, DT, RB)
Note: This 24th overall pick belongs to the Browns, dating back to the Travis Hunter trade.
LB: Devin Lloyd is a free agent.
Outside CB: Montaric Brown and Greg Newsome are free agents. It does look like Travis Hunter is set up to play more corner in 2026, however.
FS: Andrew Wingard is a free agent, while SS Eric Murray is 32 years old.
DT: Arik Armstead is 33 years old and on the final year of his deal.
RB: Travis Etienne is a free agent. They do at least have 2025 4th-rounder Bhayshul Tuten and 6th-round pass protector LeQuint Allen at least.
Bears Team Needs (Outside CB, EDGE, DT, FS, SS, LB)
Outside CB: Nahshon Wright is a free agent.
EDGE: Better depth behind Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo would be nice. The Bears were 31st in ESPN's Pass Rush Win Rate with them.
DT: Grady Jarrett is 33 years old and Gervon Dexter is replacable.
FS: Kevin Byard is a free agent.
SS: Jaquan Brisker is a free agent.
LB: Tremaine Edmonds is a cut candidate. LB3 Noah Sewell tore his achilles late in the year.
LT: Braxton Jones is a free agent, Theo Benedict ultimately was an interesting story but a below-average option, and then 2025 3rd-rounder Ozzie Trapillo tore his patella tendon. It's the lone weak spot on a great OL. I haven't heard Kiran Amegadjie's name in a bit either.
Bills Team Needs (EDGE, LG, C, Outside WR, DT, Slot CB, LB)
EDGE: Joey Bosa is a free agent.
LG: David Edwards is a free agent.
C: Connor McGovern is a free agent.
Outside WR: It's never good when (free agent) Brandin Cooks off the trash heap is getting a ton of playoff snaps over a former 33rd-overall pick (Keon Coleman).
DT: DaQuan Jones is a free agent.
LB: Matt Milano is a free agent.
Slot CB: It was a very key spot left for dead for Sean McDermott's defense.
49ers Team Needs (Outside WR, LG, DT, C, Outside CB)
Outside WR: Brandon Aiyuk unpolitely forced his way out, and Jauan Jennings is a free agent. Ricky Pearsall is a downfield threat but is far from a well-rounded player right now. This room needs multiple new faces.
LG: Spencer Burford is a free agent. The 49ers were 24th in short-yardage success rate and 31st in big-run rate last year. Tough combo when the starting RB is Christian McCaffrey. Losing Aaron Banks last offseason hurt their rushing ability.
DT: Just nowhere near good enough, and it's a position the Niners have historically tripled-down on. This was mostly an edge-rusher injury stat, but the 49ers were 29th in ESPN's Pass Rush Win Rate.
C: Jake Brendel is 34 years old and on his final year.
Outside CB: Renardo Green and Deommodore Lenoir are only so scary. The 49ers finished 25th in passing EPA allowed.
LT: Trent Williams wants to keep playing and remains very good, but he is a 38-year-old on the final year of his deal right now.
Texans Team Needs (RG, DT, RB, SS, RT, C)
RG: Ed Ingram is a free agent and a fringe starter. To nobody's surprise, the Texans were 30th in ESPN's Pass Block Win Rate and 29th in short-yardage rushing success rate.
DT: Sheldon Rankins, Tim Settle, and Folorunso Fatukasi are free agents.
RB: Joe Mixon is a cut candidate after a completely lost season, and Nick Chubb isn't under contract. I wasn't all that impressed with Woody Marks during his rookie season and view him as a backup contributor only.
SS: The rest of the secondary is nasty, but M.J. Stewart is a free agent.
RT: 33-year-old Trent Brown is a free agent, and I'm not sure if 2024 2nd-rounder Blake Fisher is really in their plans. LG Tytus Howard can also kick out there if needed.
C: The combination of Jake Andrews and Juice Scruggs has been underwhelming recently.
EDGE: They have two freaks already, but there isn't a clear EDGE3 with some pending free agents.
Rams Team Needs (Outside CB, FS, WR, RT, C)
Outside CB: Cobie Durant, Roger McCreary, and Akhello Witherspoon are free agents. This position predictably cost them in their playoff game with the Seahawks.
FS: Kamren Curl is a free agent.
Special Teams: Just everything to do with it after finishing 28th in EPA there.
WR: This can be a slot or outside receiver, given how versatile Puka Nacua is. But the OPOY finalist and aging X-receiver Davante Adams are prone to injuries, and the current depth in the slot or at Z receiver is pretty weak.
RT: Rob Havenstein retired, though 2023 5th-rounder Warren McClendon stepped up well last year.
C: 31-year-old Coleman Shelton can be replaced.
LB: They were pretty slow on tape.
Broncos Team Needs (DT, LB, TE, RB, Slot WR)
LB: Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are free agents.
DT: John Franklin-Myers is a free agent.
TE: Evan Engram's impact was very minimal. An every-down "Joker" is always on the mind of Sean Payton. Pure blocking-TE Adam Trautman is also a free agent.
RB: J.K. Dobbins is a free agent, and 2025 2nd-rounder RJ Harvey was very inconsistent reading his blocks and in pass protection. Harvey needs some development and didn't earn guaranteed bellcow status with his play as a rookie. An early-down option to complement his explosiveness would be wise. Tyler Badie is around for pass protection as a distant RB3.
Slot WR: There are real contributors in the receiver room, but is it a great group? Not really. Courtland Sutton and 2025 3rd-rounder Pat Bryant offer size. Troy Franklin and Marvins Mims offer speed. A pure slot with some wiggle and toughness would split the difference nicely, and that's an area of the field that Bo Nix needs to get more out of. It's too downfield to checkdown/scramble right now.
Patriots Team Needs (EDGE, FS, RT, C, TE, NT)
EDGE: K’Lavon Chaisson is a free agent. This could be a stand-up outside linebacker type given their strength at DT.
FS: Jaylinn Hawkins is a free agent.
RT: Morgan Moses is 35 years old.
C: Garrett Bradbury can be upgraded.
TE: Hunter Henry is 32 years old, while Austin Hooper is a free agent.
NT: Khyiris Tonga is a free agent. Milton Williams and Christian Barmore are elite pass-rushing options at 3-tech, but the Patriots will use 3-DT lines and that was Tonga at the nose.
LT: The plan is to keep Will Campbell outside after a brutal postseason coming off an MCL injury, but just in case they change their mind, I'll list LT. Campbell's anchor concerns wouldn't just go away by moving him to guard or center either, so I do expect the Patriots to back up their words this offseason and keep Campbell at blind side protector.
Seahawks Team Needs (Outside CB, EDGE, RB, FS, RG)
Outside CB: Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen are free agents.
EDGE: Boye Mafe is a free agent.
RB: Kenneth Walker is a free agent, and Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in January.
FS: Coby Bryant is a free agent.
RG: Anthony Bradford was the weak link on the entire offense.
Outside WR: Rashid Shaheed is a free agent. They did trade the equivalent of a 3rd-round pick for him as a rental, so they'd assumedly chase him again this offseason. If they lose him, it'll be 2025 5th-rounder Tory Horton as the deep threat. He flashed early.
LB: The other backer next to Ernest Jones was the weakest part of a historically great Seahawks defense.
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