The first wave of free agency is wrapped up as most teams have finished filling out their roster and have begun preparing for the draft. While there are still some high quality free agents, like Justin Simmons and Odell Beckham Jr., most of the remaining players will be added after the draft if a team doesn’t finish filling their needs in the draft. These are each NFC team's biggest needs remaining heading into the NFL Draft, which starts on April 25th.
NFC WEST
San Francisco 49ers
IOL, RT, CB, WR
The 49ers biggest need is easily on the offensive line. Trent Williams is a first ballot hall of famer, but also heading into his age 36 season. LG Aaron Banks is a solid young guard, but outside of him and Williams, the unit is mediocre at best. Their Center, Jake Brendel, and Right Guard, Jon Feliciano, are both above 30 years old, and at Right Tackle, Colton McKivitz struggled all season to hold up in pass protection. Wide receiver is the more interesting need, though, as the position is filled with uncertainty. Star WR Brandon Aiyuk is in the middle of contract negotiations, but rumors of him or Deebo Samuel being traded before or during the draft become more realistic the longer Brandon Aiyuk stays unsigned. Their biggest need on defense is at corner as they struggled to find a consistent corner opposite of star Mooney Ward last season. They did sign Isaac Yiadom from the Saints, but he seems to be just an average option, so upgrading at CB should not be ruled out.
Arizona Cardinals
WR, IOL, IDL, CB
Hollywood Brown left in free agency, and the Cardinals now have a massive hole at WR. 23 year old Michael Wilson had an impressive rookie season, but he isn’t explosive enough to be a WR1. They need to come out of this draft with one of the top 4 receivers. As for the trenches, they could use pieces on both sides of the ball. Free agent addition Jonah Williams should be a serviceable right tackle, but his health is a question. They could also use upgrades at both Center and Left Guard. They also don’t create enough pressure from the interior of their defensive line, so look for them to address this on day 2. Free agent acquisition, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting will be one starting corner, Garrett Williams is most likely their nickel but they need another boundary corner.
Seattle Seahawks
QB?, IOL, DL
The Seahawks are probably alright with Geno Smith at QB, but at age 33, with just 2 years left on his deal, it wouldn’t be surprising if they try to add a younger option. They did trade for Sam Howell, but it’s hard to believe he changes how they view the position. The OL is a much bigger need, as they have real problems at both center and left guard. Right Tackle also might be a need as well, as Abe Lucas has struggled with injuries. Their Defensive Line has pieces, but a difference maker on the interior might unlock MacDonald’s defense.
Los Angeles Rams
QB, LT, DL, LB, CB
The Rams offense is in a good place, but they might be looking for a QB of the future. Matthew Stafford is 36 years old and has an extensive injury history, and their backups Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett leave very little room for optimism. They also need to improve at LT, as both AJ Jackson and Joe Noteboom have struggled. Their defense is in much worse shape, especially after Aaron Donald’s retirement. They need every position except for the secondary, but even at corner, they could use some younger pieces, as free agent acquisition Tre’Davious White is 29 and coming off a torn Achilles. At edge, they need a pass rusher opposite Byron Young. Finding their Aaron Donald replacement at DT is the biggest need.
NFC EAST
Philadelphia Eagles
C, RG, LB, CB
The Eagles need to replace Jason Kelce, and although Cam Jurgens could step in and do an adequate job, this would be a big downgrade from Kelce, and would leave a hole at RG. If they are alright with Jurgens at Center, then they should pick a Jurgens replacement. On defense, their major needs are the same as they were last season. Although LB Devin White is talented, he was benched at the end of his Tampa Bay tenure, and might not be a reliable option. Even if he can be, they should add another LB, because Nakobe Dean is often injured, free agent acquisition Zach Baun is average at best. Corner is a huge need as well, as Bradberry took a massive step back and, in the words of Deebo Samuel, he is trash. Slay is 32 years old, and had a down year, but he is still a good corner. They need to add at least one corner, and start thinking about a Slay replacement.
New York Giants
QB, WR, OL, IDL, SAF
The Giants offense is in such a tough spot, as you could make the case they need every position outside of tight end and left tackle, and center. They did add RG Jon Runyan in free agency, and although RT Evan Neal struggled mightily last season, he still has a ton of potential. They probably just need one more OL to either start at guard or replace Neal at RT, with Neal moving inside. QB and WR are their biggest needs, though. Daniel Jones regressed and then tore his ACL last season, and is a weakness of this team. They have made it clear they want to find a QB in the draft. Their WR room is lacking any explosiveness. Wan'Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt are solid young pieces, and Darius Slayton is consistent, but none of these are real WR1’s. They need a difference maker, especially after losing Saquon Barkley in free agency, and they should target WR with their first round pick. The defense is much better as they only really need a Leonard Williams replacement next to superstar DT Dexter Lawrence.
Dallas Cowboys
RB, OL, IDL
The Cowboys need to replace their losses in free agency. Tyron Smith, Tony Pollard, and Tyler Biadasz all found new homes and left massive holes in Dallas. Tyler Smith is probably going to move to Left Tackle, but then they will need a left guard, a center, and possibly a right tackle to improve upon Terrence Steele. It was a surprise to not see them add a RB in free agency, and they shouldn't go into next season with Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn as their top running backs. DL is an area of concern as well as they struggled to get interior pressure and struggled against the run all season.
Washington Commanders
QB, TE, OL, EDGE, CB
Washington is going to go QB with the second pick in the draft. They need to set up that player up to succeed by fixing the rest of their offense. Their OL is their biggest need. They did add Tyler Biadasz at Center and their right side of the line, Sam Cosmi and Andrew Wylie are above average starters, but the left side of their line is not good. They might believe in 2023 3rd round pick LG Ricky Stromberg, but I'm not sure they should. At LT, 32 year old Cornelius Lucas III should not be a starting LT for any team, let alone one planning on starting a rookie QB. Their TE is a 33 year old Zach Ertz, who they should also look to improve upon. On Defense, they should try to improve both EDGE and CB as they have mostly average options at both positions.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
QB, WR, EDGE, IDL
The Bears obviously need a QB, after trading Justin Fields, but all signs point to them picking USC QB Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. The 9th pick is where it gets interesting as they could fill any of their remaining needs. Their biggest need is finding an edge opposite of Montez Sweat, as their current options are less than ideal. They also still need a WR as Keenan Allen is only signed for one year and I doubt they want Tyler Scott to be their WR3. An IDL addition would be good too, as Gevon Dexter and Zacch Pickens are young but haven’t shown much high-end talent, and they have very little outside of that.
Detroit Lions
CB, LG, EDGE
The Lions need a cornerback badly. Carlton Davis III is a solid but volatile option, and the opposite side is not looking good. Cam Sutton's domestic violence allegations and subsequent releasing leave a massive hole. Emmanuel Mosely was brought back so he seems to be their top option now, but it’s hard to rely on him to stay healthy after back to back seasons ended by injuries. Left Guard is also a big need, as they lost Jonah Jackson in free agency, and their starting guards are 31 years old (Glassgow), and 33 years old (Zeitler). Edge could be a need as well, as they haven’t gotten consistent pressure opposite Aidan Hutchinson, and it’s hard to bet on free agent addition Marcus Davenport to stay healthy or consistent.
Green Bay Packers
IOL, SAF, LB
The Packers remain the youngest team in the league, so much of their talent is unproven and has untapped potential. They did fill their biggest need when they brought in star safety Xavier McKinney, but they could probably use another safety alongside him. The interior of the offensive line jumps out as a need as center Josh Myers, and Right Guard Sean Rhyan have struggled at times. Linebacker is also a need as 3rd year LB Quay Walker is their only good option, and he has struggled with injuries at times.
Minnesota Vikings
QB, LG, IDL, CB
The Vikings cannot go into 2024 with Sam Darnold as their starting QB and expect to compete. They need to upgrade the QB position, and after trading up to the 23rd pick, it seems likely they package the 23rd and 11th pick in a deal into the top 5 for a QB. The rest of their roster is in good shape, but Dan Feeney should not be their starting LG next season. Their IDL has Harrison Phillips and not much else. Their cornerback room has Byron Murphy Jr., but I doubt they want Shaquill Griffin as their number 2, and their young options like Andrew Booth and Akayleb Evans have struggled.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
EDGE, DT, CB
The Falcons plugged their biggest offensive holes in free agency with QB Kirk Cousins, and WRs Rondale Moore and Darnell Mooney. The defense has major needs, however, as their interior DL is aging. David Onyemata and Grady Jarrett are both going into their age 31 seasons. They also need another edge as Arnold Ebiketie is their only good pass rusher but has just 8.5 sacks in his two seasons. They also only have one good corner, in star A.J. Terrell, but he has just one year left on his deal, so they might need to draft two corners.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
IOL, EDGE, LB, CB
The Bucs brought back both Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield so it’s unlikely they will target either position in the draft. Instead, helping the interior offensive line becomes their biggest need. All three spots could use improvement. On defense, their edge rushers are young, but could use a cornerstone piece to get pressure. At LB Lavonte David isn’t getting any younger and their pieces outside of him shouldn’t be relied on right now. After losing CB Carlton Davis in free agency, they should also try to find a CB to pair with Jamel Dean.
New Orleans Saints
OL, QB, IDL
LT Trevor Penning is having a hard time in the league and they will probably move on from him soon. LG James Hurst is 32, so they probably need to replace him soon too. RT Ryan Ramczyk is also dealing with a knee injury that might keep him out during the entire 2024 season, so their entire offensive line needs work. At QB, Derek Carr was not very good in his first season with the Saints, and at 33 years old, it’s hard to see him improving. They also lost Jameis Winston in free agency, so they need a backup QB even if they don’t pick a Carr replacement. On defense, IDL is a big need, as they don’t have much talent outside of Bryan Bresee.
Carolina Panthers
WR, EDGE, C, CB
I could have just written WR 5 times for their needs, because the Panthers are down bad for a WR. Adam Thielen is still their best WR and, although they in Diontae Johnson, he struggles with drops, and shouldn't be seen as a WR1. Bryce Young was terrible last season mostly because he had no help from his WR room. They need a top receiving option at pick 33. They also need a new Center, as their was constant pressure coming from the interior last season. On defense, after losing Brian Burns, they need a pass rusher. They could also use a cornerback, but if Jaycee Horn can stay healthy, which he hasn’t proven he can do, they could be set.
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