With the NFL scouting combine in the books, it’s time to focus on free agency. The frenzy is scheduled to (unofficially) begin on March 11 for the legal tampering period.
Ahead of the chaos, the MMQB crew decided to examine each team’s biggest roster needs in free agency. Many teams are in need of a quarterback, and Kirk Cousins is on track to hit the open market—unless he and the Minnesota Vikings agree to terms on a contract extension in the next week.
Edge rusher also seems to be a considerable gap for NFL squads. Here are three roster holes for all 32 teams in the league.
Atlanta Falcons: QB, WR, edge
It’s obvious the Falcons need a franchise quarterback, but it’s unknown whether they’ll chase one in free agency or draft one with the No. 8 pick. But it would be wise for them to make a run at Cousins.
The Falcons also need depth at wide receiver behind Drake London, the 2022 first-round pick. The defense had plenty of success last season, but they’re thin at edge rusher.
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Arizona Cardinals: WR, DL, CB
The Cardinals need a No. 1 wide receiver for Kyler Murray, and they’ll likely find one with the No. 4 pick in the NFL draft. Expect the Cardinals to use their cap space on the defensive side.
Arizona doesn’t have many defensive playmakers outside of safety Budda Baker. It has about $55 million in cap space.
Baltimore Ravens: RB, edge, CB
The Ravens have to figure out their run game. Keaton Mitchell was an exciting rookie but he’s coming off a torn ACL, while J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards are both hitting free agency.
Defensively, Baltimore has a slew of free agents including outside linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jadeveon Clowney, who accounted for 18.5 sacks in 2023.
Buffalo Bills: S, WR, edge
Buffalo will almost certainly let safety Micah Hyde walk, and it could release his running mate Jordan Poyer, too. With third safety Taylor Rapp also slated for free agency, general manager Brandon Beane has work to do there.
Furthermore, with Von Miller no longer productive, and both Leonard Floyd and A.J. Epenesa hitting free agency, the pass rush needs help.
Carolina Panthers: WR, TE, OL
The Panthers certainly have plenty of roster holes to address in free agency, but they need to prioritize adding weapons for Bryce Young, who struggled throughout his rookie season partly because of poor surroundings. If Calvin Ridley or Marquise Brown get to the open market, the Panthers would be wise to contact their respective representatives.
Young also needs better offensive line protection, an area Carolina didn’t expect would do so poorly after retaining its entire starting line from 2022. The Panthers desperately need external free agents for the trenches.
Chicago Bears: IOL, edge, WR
After the Bears decide whether to stick with Justin Fields, they’ll likely look to make upgrades on the offensive line. Chicago will probably bank on tackles Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones having a bounce-back 2024 season, but the team can’t settle on the interior offensive line. The Bears allowed 50 sacks last season.
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Montez Sweat gave the Bears a boost after being traded by the Washington Commanders to Chicago. But the Bears are still thin at the position, as well as at wide receiver behind top target DJ Moore.
Cincinnati Bengals: S, CB, TE
At running back, the Bengals are likely to cut veteran Joe Mixon, leaving second-year man Chase Brown as a starter. Is he ready for the full-time gig?
At corner, youngsters Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner II are both quality players, but Cincinnati must, at minimum, add depth, plus find someone to replace Chidobe Awuzie. The same is true at safety, with Dax Hill needing to prove himself and perhaps get a new running mate on the back end.
Cleveland Browns: RB, edge, LB
Kareem Hunt is going to market. Nick Chubb could be behind him coming off a gruesome knee injury, and, at 28 years old, with a big cap hit.
On defense, Za’Darius Smith is slated for free agency, which could leave the Browns without someone to complement Myles Garrett on the outside.
Dallas Cowboys: IDL, LB, WR
The Cowboys again struggled with stopping the run, especially toward the back end of the 2023 season. Dallas is loaded with pass rushers, but that won’t help much without polished run stoppers at defensive tackle and inside linebacker.
High on the team’s priority list is the looming contract extension for stud wideout CeeDee Lamb, but the Cowboys will also need to find him help after quiet seasons from Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup.
Denver Broncos: QB, LB, OT
The Broncos should remake their roster, starting with the release (and subsequent $85 million dead cap charge unless made after June 1) of Russell Wilson.
Considering its finances, Denver is likely to also move on from left tackle Garett Bolles and linebacker Josey Jewell, creating voids on the offensive line and the defense’s second level.
Detroit Lions: CB, OL, edge
The Lions are set at safety (Kerby Joseph, Ifeatu Melifonwu) and slot cornerback (Brian Branch). The same can’t be said for outside cornerback after the signings of Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley backfired in 2023.
Detroit might be in need of offensive linemen if the team doesn’t retain soon-to-be free agents Jonah Jackson and Halapoulivaati Vaitai. Jared Goff has flourished behind the Lions’ stout offensive line over the past two seasons.
Green Bay Packers: OL, DB, LB
It’s time for the Packers to add a new left tackle, with David Bakhtiari coming off another injury-riddled season. But the Packers will probably look to address that area of concern in the draft, partly because there aren’t that many available veteran tackles.
The Packers appear set on making it work with cornerback Jaire Alexander, but the secondary could still use help after a rocky 2023 season.
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Houston Texans: TE, RB, edge
The Texans have Will Anderson Jr., but they need to fortify the other side by re-signing or replacing Jonathan Greenard. The latter won’t be easy, as the Florida Gators product had 12.5 sacks.
Offensively, tight end Dalton Schultz and running back Devin Singletary are both free agents. General manager Nick Caserio needs to keep building around second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud, who looks to be a superstar.
Indianapolis Colts: WR, CB, S
For the Colts, this offseason needs to start with the tag being applied to Michael Pittman Jr. After that, the front office should add another playmaker on the perimeter, giving Pittman and rookie Josh Downs some support.
Finally, the secondary needs an overhaul. If general manager Chris Ballard doesn’t bring back corner Kenny Moore II, Indianapolis needs multiple corners and could use at least one starting safety.
Jacksonville Jaguars: CB, IOL, edge
Another AFC South team with multiple defensive needs. The Jaguars have to retain Josh Allen, who led the team with 17 sacks in 2023. After that, Jacksonville should move off corner Darious Williams and replace him with a better option while adding more depth.
Up front, Jacksonville has multiple needs along the interior, with both guard and center being problem areas.
Kansas City Chiefs: WR, DT, OT
It’s no secret the defending champs need help at receiver. Beyond Rashee Rice, the room needs a makeover and should be addressed in both free agency and the draft.
Defensively, the Chiefs are looking at a barren defensive tackle depth chart if Chris Jones walks. Kansas City might need to spend north of $30 million annually to retain him, but he’s worth the price.
Las Vegas Raiders: CB, QB, RB
The Raiders have myriad needs on both sides of the ball, but none bigger than quarterback. After being suspended for violating the league’s Performance Enhancing Substance Policy, Jimmy Garoppolo is almost certainly gone, while Aidan O’Connell projects as a backup.
Another question for new general manager Tom Telesco is whether to keep Josh Jacobs. After leading the league in rushing yardage in 2022, Jacobs notched only 805 yards on 3.6 yards per carry last season. Upgrade?
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Los Angeles Chargers: WR, TE, CB
After revamping the coaching staff and front office, the roster is next. Both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams have cap hits of more than $32 million this season. Expect Williams to be cut, creating a need on the outside. At tight end, Gerald Everett is hitting free agency and could be on the move.
At corner, the Chargers already traded away J.C. Jackson last year and might see Michael Davis bolt in free agency. Outside of Asante Samuel Jr., there’s very little certainty.
Los Angeles Rams: OL, CB, edge
Raheem Morris did a terrific job getting his inexperienced defense to overperform last season. But the former Rams defensive coordinator is now coaching the Falcons, and Aaron Donald still needs veteran help. Look for L.A. to add depth at edge rusher and cornerback.
General manager Les Snead made a savvy trade move last season after adding offensive guard Kevin Dotson. If Dotson leaves in free agency, the team will have a hole on the interior and could use upgrades at the tackle spots.
Miami Dolphins: DT, edge, IOL
The Dolphins are facing a cap crunch and because of that, must be creative in the coming weeks. For general manager Chris Grier, his top priority should be retaining Christian Wilkins, one of the league’s top defensive tackles.
Grier will also need to shore up the offensive line as Connor Williams, Kendall Lamm, Robert Hunt and Isaiah Wynn are all hitting free agency.
Minnesota Vikings: CB, IOL, IDL
The Vikings likely don’t want to be big spenders in free agency as they aim to retain Cousins and Danielle Hunter, two star players who would take a sizable chunk of the team’s salary cap if back in Minnesota this upcoming season.
But if Cousins decides a change of scenery is best, the Vikings could be in the market for a top veteran cornerback. They would likely look to fill their quarterback needs through the draft if Cousins walks.
New England Patriots: QB, WR, OL
Basically, the entire offense is a need. The Patriots don’t have their 2024 starting quarterback on the roster yet, and save for DeVante Parker, they are bereft at receiver as well.
Then there’s the offensive line, with Trent Brown and Mike Onwenu slated for free agency. Onwenu won’t be cheap to retain, as he’s one of the top free agents on the market.
New Orleans Saints: OL, IDL, edge
The Saints are in a strange position because they have many reliable playmakers across the roster. But most are in the back end of their prime, and New Orleans hasn’t made the postseason since 2020.
The team needs to get younger through the NFL draft. Also, notable free agents likely aren’t an option, with New Orleans currently $16.7 million over the salary cap, according to Over the Cap.
New York Giants: QB, OL, WR
Daniel Jones doesn’t appear to be a franchise quarterback based on his inconsistent performances throughout his five seasons in New York. But if the Giants are searching for a Jones replacement, that will likely come via the draft, with the team holding the No. 6 pick.
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Whether it’s Jones or a new starter, the Giants desperately need offensive line improvements and are missing a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver. New York has money to spend, with about $32 million in cap space.
New York Jets: OL, TE, WR
There’s also an argument for quarterback on this list, but let’s assume the Jets address that in the draft. For Aaron Rodgers to be successful in 2024, he needs an upgraded offensive line, both at tackle and on the interior.
New York also needs to figure out the receiver position beyond Garrett Wilson. Mecole Hardman Jr. was a flop, and Allen Lazard is trending toward being cut after this season. The Jets need a viable weapon to pull coverage away from Wilson.
Philadelphia Eagles: ILB, DL, DB
The Eagles’ defense drastically declined last season, with arguably the worst group of linebackers and an aging secondary. Philadelphia will likely have plenty of options for free-agent linebackers, a list that might include Baltimore’s Patrick Queen and Carolina’s Frankie Luvu.
Adding safeties and cornerbacks could be tough to find for the Eagles. Perhaps they chase Kansas City’s L’Jarius Sneed, who could reportedly be on the trading block.
Pittsburgh Steelers: QB, CB, OT
The Steelers can pretend Kenny Pickett is good. Or, they can be reasonable and find a suitable replacement. That’s their first job. Then, general manager Omar Khan must address the tackle spot opposite Broderick Jones.
Defensively, Joey Porter Jr. is one corner with potential, but there’s little else of long-term value at the position. Pittsburgh should be looking to get better on the defensive perimeter.
San Francisco 49ers: edge, CB, OL
The 49ers could have a tough time making waves in free agency if they don’t create cap space. San Francisco’s loaded defense disappointed last season, which led to the team firing defensive coordinator Steve Wilks after the Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs.
Nick Bosa will also likely need a new running mate, because it doesn’t appear the team will re-sign Chase Young.
Seattle Seahawks: S, LB, IDL
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Some believed the Seahawks would move on from Geno Smith, but he wasn’t the problem for the team’s failures in 2023. With Smith expected back in Seattle, look for the Seahawks to revamp the defense.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Seahawks let linebackers Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks walk in free agency. They could also cut safeties Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB, OL, LB
Currently, the Buccaneers have a hole at quarterback, as Baker Mayfield is scheduled to be a free agent. Expect the team to work out a long-term contract extension with Mayfield to take care of that position.
The Buccaneers need to re-sign wide receiver Mike Evans and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. Tampa Bay could also have a new group of linebackers, with Lavonte David and Devin White both scheduled to hit free agency.
Tennessee Titans: CB, OT, WR
Tennessee is another AFC team with obvious offensive needs. The Titans should be aggressive in adding weaponry alongside veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who has a year remaining on his deal.
They also have major needs across the offensive line. Andre Dillard struggled and isn’t the long-term answer on the left side. Upgrades on the interior should also be a priority, helping second-year quarterback Will Levis reach his potential.
Washington Commanders: QB, edge, OL
The Commanders will likely address their quarterback concerns with the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft, possibly selecting Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels.
Washington’s biggest roster hole is at edge rusher after trading away Sweat and Young in October. The franchise has about $78 million in cap space to splurge on pass rushers later this month.
