Last time out, we were able to identify the three most important positions that half of the teams in the NFL should address this off-season. Now, we cover the back half of the league and find out what the other 16 National Football League teams need.
📰 Table Of Contents
- 1 Las Vegas Raiders – QB, RB, OL
- 2 Los Angeles Chargers – Edge, WR, TE
- 3 Los Angeles Rams – WR, OL, LB
- 4 Miami Dolphins – OL, WR, QB
- 5 Minnesota Vikings – OL, CB, DT
- 6 New England Patriots – WR, OL, Edge
- 7 New Orleans Saints – Edge, CB, WR
- 8 New York Giants – QB, OL, CB
- 9 New York Jets – QB, CB, DT
- 10 Philadelphia Eagles – Edge, LB, OL
- 11 Pittsburgh Steelers – QB, RB, CB
- 12 San Francisco 49ers – OL, DT, CB
- 13 Seattle Seahawks – OL, WR, DT
- 14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – WR, Edge, S
- 15 Tennessee Titans – QB, Edge, OL
- 16 Washington Commanders – Edge, OL, LB
Las Vegas Raiders – QB, RB, OL
The Raiders have been in quarterback hell for three years, with seven different QBs getting a start since the beginning of the 2022-23 season. They might be the team most in need of a new quarterback.
Las Vegas was far and away the worst rushing team in the NFL last season (12 fewer yards per game than the 31st-ranked team). Adding a game-changing running back is another necessity in Sin City.
Another way to improve the running game is by beefing up the offensive line. This can also help cut down on the number of sacks they surrender (50 last season, tied for the seventh-most in the league).
Los Angeles Chargers – Edge, WR, TE
There is a good chance that Khalil Mack will not be returning next season. Couple that with the fact that Joey Bosa was just released, and it becomes clear that the Chargers will need to add another edge defender.
Their playoff game against the Texans showed that Ladd McConkey doesn’t have much receiving help. The rookie caught 197 of Justin Herbert’s 242 passing yards (81.4%). Another reliable wideout is crucial in LA.
Despite starting five different tight ends throughout the season, they accounted for less than 21% of the team’s receiving yardage. A bonafide number-one tight end will take some additional pressure off of McConkey.
Los Angeles Rams – WR, OL, LB
With Cooper Kupp expected to be traded and three other wideouts scheduled to become free agents, the Rams need to find another pass-catcher to play opposite of Puka Nacua.
LA could let Joe Noteboom test free agency, but that means they’ll lose a starting-caliber left tackle. They’ll need to bring in another offensive lineman to make up for his lost presence.
Two of the Rams’ top-four inside linebackers will test free agency, so adding another interior linebacker to compliment Byron Young and Jared Verse is essential.
Miami Dolphins – OL, WR, QB
Six of the Dolphins’ 14 rostered offensive linemen will be free agents this off-season. Add in the fact that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is a concussion away from potentially retiring, and it’s clear that Miami needs to add bodies along the offensive line.
Tyreek Hill hinted at the idea of being traded somewhere else when the season ended. Plus, five of the ‘Phins wideouts are expected to test free agency. Another wide receiver to play alongside Jaylen Waddle is key.
A reliable backup QB will do wonders for the ‘Phins. If they had somebody other than Snoop Huntley backing up Tua last season, there’s a chance they could’ve made the playoffs.
Minnesota Vikings – OL, CB, DT
The Vikes were able to overcome injuries to the interior offensive line, but they were exposed in the playoffs when they gave up nine sacks. They’re set at the tackle spot, but they need one or two new guards.
All three of Minnesota’s starting cornerbacks will be able to test free agency. I don’t expect them to let go of Pro Bowler Byron Murphy Jr., but they’ll have to find replacements for Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin.
Though defensive tackle Harrison Phillips only has one more year left on his contract, that shouldn’t deter the Vikings from adding another interior defensive lineman.
New England Patriots – WR, OL, Edge
The Pats were last in the NFL in receiving yards per game. They don’t have a true number-one wide receiver at this moment. Adding one to the roster will be crucial for the development of Drake Maye.
Improvements must be made along the offensive line, too. New England was tied with the Tennesee Titans for 28th in sacks allowed last season (52). Maye will need more protection next year.
Plus, the Patriots were last in sacks. Now that defensive head coach Mike Vrabel is calling the shots, he’s going to want a game-wrecking pass rusher along the defensive line.
New Orleans Saints – Edge, CB, WR
With Derek Carr expected to be the Saints’ starting quarterback, edge rusher is their biggest area of need. Defensive end Chase Young will likely leave in free agency, and Cameron Jordan is approaching 36 years old. Finding Jordan’s successor is a top priority.
Now that Marshon Lattimore is out of the picture, New Orleans needs to spring for a top-flight cornerback after finishing 27th in passing yards allowed per game.
Though New Orleans has two good wideouts in Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, they only combined for 14 games played last season. The Saints need a receiver they can rely on to play in every game.
New York Giants – QB, OL, CB
The only QBs that they currently have under contract are Tommy DeVito and Tim Boyle. I don’t care whether it’s through the draft or free agency, a new quarterback is essential in New York.
They also need to improve the offensive line. The Giants were tied for the 11th most sacks allowed while finishing 23rd in rushing yards per game. Adding guards and/or tackles can fix both of those problems.
A number-two wide receiver might also be necessary, but I think that bringing in a cornerback or two is more urgent. Big Blue cannot finish next season with the 30th-ranked pass defense (103.1 quarterback rating allowed).
New York Jets – QB, CB, DT
Much like their neighbors, the Jets need to add another quarterback. With Aaron Rodgers expected to be released this June, I believe Gang Green will bring in two QBs: one through the draft and one through free agency.
New York could be at risk of losing their number-two and number-three cornerbacks, so they will need some other guys to cover the side of the field that Sauce Gardner isn’t on.
Four of the Jets’ seven rostered defensive tackles are expected to test free agency. Even if they bring back two of those guys, they will still need more bodies to fill out the rest of the front seven. Quinnen Williams can’t do it all by himself.
Philadelphia Eagles – Edge, LB, OL
Three of Philly’s best pass-rushers (Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, and Milton Williams) are no longer under contract. The Eagles have to bring in another defensive lineman to get after the quarterback if all three of those guys leave.
Even though they’re reportedly re-signing Zack Baun, two of their other linebackers will likely test free agency. Plus, Nokobe Dean will miss some time next year recovering from a torn patellar tendon. They’ll need more linebackers once Baun’s contract is made official.
I don’t think Mekhi Becton will return next season, so they’ll have to find his replacement. It also couldn’t hurt to pick a successor to 34-year-old right tackle Lane Johnson.
Pittsburgh Steelers – QB, RB, CB
Neither Justin Fields nor Russell Wilson is currently under contract with Pittsburgh. Though they’ll probably just re-sign Wilson, I would really like them to draft a QB or sign a different bridge quarterback in free agency.
Najee Harris is on his way out the door, and backup Jalen Warren is a restricted free agent. Considering how inept their passing attack looked at times, signing an elite running back should be a top priority for the Steelers.
Five of Pittsburgh’s cornerbacks will be free agents when the new league year begins. They have their number-one corner in Joey Porter Jr., but they need to add more bodies in the secondary.
San Francisco 49ers – OL, DT, CB
Four of the Niners’ offensive linemen are scheduled to test the free-agent market. On top of that, star left tackle Trent Williams will be 37 next season. They need to add offensive linemen.
The inside of their defensive line needs some work, too. One of their two starting defensive tackles, Javon Hargrave, was just cut.
With four of their nine cornerbacks no longer under contract, I see the 49ers adding some more corners through free agency and the draft.
Seattle Seahawks – OL, WR, DT
Geno Smith turns 35 years old next season, so it’ll be important to keep him upright and avoid any catastrophic injuries. Bringing in another center – their starter retired midway through the season – or guard could do wonders for Seattle.
With rumors swirling that the ‘Hawks might trade DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett being cut, Seattle should try adding another wide receiver to take attention away from Pro Bowler Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Three of the Seahawks’ defensive tackles are scheduled to be free agents. They need another big body in the middle of the defensive line to take the focus away from Jarran Reed and Leonard Williams.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – WR, Edge, S
Chris Godwin is basically gone. Meanwhile, Mike Evans will be turning 32 this off-season. They have a good number-two option in Jalen McMillan, but they need to add a slot receiver or an outside wideout and move McMillan to the slot.
Outside of Vita Vea and Lavonte David, the Bucs’ front seven consists of Calijah Kancey, Logan Hall, Yaya Diaby, K.J. Britt (an unrestricted free agent), and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. I don’t know who any of those guys are, which tells me they need to add an edge rusher or two at the linebacker and defensive end spots.
Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead both missed extended time last season due to injuries. They should bring in another hybrid safety to fill in for either one of those guys if they get injured.
Tennessee Titans – QB, Edge, OL
Despite starting two different quarterbacks, the Titans were ranked 29th in team quarterback rating. Whether it’s through free agency or the draft, they should move on from Will Levis and Mason Rudolph.
If Tennessee doesn’t use the number-one overall draft pick on a quarterback, then they should select Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter. He will be able to help the Titans improve their 30th-ranked pass rush.
Tennessee’s offense was tied with the Patriots for the fifth-most sacks allowed last season. They were also 20th in rushing yards per game. Adding big bodies along the offensive line is a quick remedy for both of those problems.
Washington Commanders – Edge, OL, LB
The team’s top two sackers (Dante Fowler Jr. and Clelin Ferrell) are both scheduled to be free agents. Even if they bring back one of those guys, they’ll need to find another edge rusher to make up for the lost production of either Fowler Jr. or Ferrell.
They have their franchise quarterback. Now, the Commanders need to ensure he is protected well, especially if Sam Cosmi is going to be out for a good part of the 2025-26 season.
The NFC Championship game proved that Washington needs to beef up its linebacking corps. That becomes painfully obvious when you remember that starting middle linebacker Bobby Wagner turns 35 this summer.
