Arizona Cardinals - Right Tackle

With Jonah Williams likely leaving in free agency, that leaves a clear hole at right tackle. Pairing a free agent or using one of their top draft selections on a tackle has to be a top priority as they jump into the start of a rebuild after releasing QB Kyler Murray. While it seems likely the Cardinals will use their third overall pick on either Spencer Fano or Francis Mauigoa, some other cheaper free agent options that could make sense for Arizona include Jermaine Eluemanor, Braden Smith, or Jawaan Taylor.

Atlanta Falcons - Wide Receiver 

The Falcons have a major need at wide receiver with the departure of Darnell Mooney. Drake London has proven to be able to handle the wide receiver one duties, but a lack of a complementary option on the outside allows defenses to key in on him. Without a first-round pick, the Falcons could look to add a receiver on Day Two of the draft with guys like Chris Bell, Chris Brazzell II, or Zachariah Branch. Some free agents that may make sense for Atlanta without breaking the bank include Romeo Doubs or Rashid Shaheed. 

Baltimore Ravens - Edge Rusher

The Ravens' pass rush left a lot to be desired this past season, finishing in the bottom three in total sacks. They also lose two of their starting edges in free agency. Finding a consistent pass rush could help turn around a defense that has many playmakers on the backend. They hold the fifteenth pick in this year's draft, putting them in position to potentially draft guys like Akheem Mesidor, Cashius Howell, or hope one of the premier edges falls to them. Without a ton of cap space, Baltimore could look to add cheaper veterans like Haason Reddick or Von Miller. 

Buffalo Bills - Edge Rusher 

The Bills' defense was good, not great, last season, a partial reason why they let go of longtime Head Coach Sean McDermott. Their main issue was their pass rush, finishing in the bottom third when it came to sacking the quarterback. Sitting all the way at twenty-six in this year’s draft, the top edge rusher may be gone, so they could opt to go after some of the cheaper free agents like Haason Reddick or K’Lavon Chaisson due to their low amount of cap space. Some edge rushers that may fall to them at twenty-six include TJ Parker or Kendrick Faulk.

Carolina Panthers - Edge Rusher

There is a theme here: many teams need to get much better on the edge. The Panthers were bottom-three in total sacks, so finding an edge rusher could really revamp this defense, as it has a solid secondary and a run defense that played much better down the stretch in 2025. Carolina can create the cap space and go after some of the top edge rushers in free agency, like Trey Hendrickson, Jaelin Phillips, or Odafe Oweh. If the Panthers do want to go after an edge with their nineteenth pick, guys like Kedrick Faulk or Cashius Howell make the most sense. 

Chicago Bears - Left Tackle 

With the Bears unlikely to re-sign struggling left tackle Braxton Jones, there is a clear hole at one of the sport’s premier positions. I think it would make sense for Chicago to sign a veteran tackle, since it is such an important position for a team looking to take the jump and truly compete for a Super Bowl. Some players that would make sense for them include Braden Smith, Jermaine Eluemanor, or Cam Robinson. If the team does opt to look for their future left tackle in the draft, players like Caleb Lomu or Kadyn Proctor make the most sense at twenty-five.

Cincinnati Bengals - Defensive Back

While there is a lot to fix on the Bengals' defense, I think finding a premier secondary defender is one of the keys to begin to turn it around. The Bengals need to improve on all three levels, but the secondary is the weakest of the three units… not by a lot. Cincinnati has a ton of cap space this offseason, so I think it makes sense to go after some of the top cornerbacks in a weak free agent class, such as Tariq Woolen or Jamel Dean. They should also address their secondary with their tenth overall pick by selecting either Caleb Downs, Mansoor Delane, or Jermod McCoy.

Cleveland Browns - Offensive Line

The Browns are losing all five of their starting offensive linemen from a year ago to free agency. Despite already trading for veteran Tytus Howard, there is still plenty of work to be done. Sitting near the bottom of the league when it comes to cap space, the Browns should look to try and sign cheap veterans on the inside, like Greg Van Roten, James Daniels, or Brady Christensen. With three picks in the top forty and the sixth overall pick, the Browns could target multiple offensive tackles like Spencer Fano, Francis Mauigoa, Kadyn Proctor, or Caleb Lomu.

Dallas Cowboys - Edge Rusher

No surprise that after trading one of the league’s premier pass rushers, it becomes the team’s biggest need heading into the 2026 offseason. Already being $58 million over the cap, there’s not much they can do when it comes to signing free agents to their roster. Luckily, Dallas holds the twelfth and twentieth picks in this year's draft. They are likely hoping for one of the top edges in Arvell Reese, David Bailey, or Rueben Bain to fall, but will likely end up choosing between Akheem Mesidor, Kedrick Faulk, or Cashius Howell, who are all still great options. 

Denver Broncos - Inside Linebacker

With two of the Broncos' off-ball linebackers entering free agency, it leaves the team with few holes looking to fill a void. Denver could try to make a splash in free agency, going after this year's premier free agent linebacker, Devin Lloyd. Some other cheaper options include Devin Bush, Quay Walker, or Nakobe Dean. The Broncos could try to spend their first-round pick on CJ Allen, but if he’s not there, it may not be worth it to reach round one and opt for guys like Anthony Hill or Jacob Rodriguez on day two. 

Detroit Lions - Interior Offensive Line

The Lions' offensive line took a major step back in 2025, mainly due to the departure of guys on the interior like Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler. Rebuilding the trenches and getting back to their identity needs to be a major priority this offseason. The Lions could go after cheaper guys in the free agent market like James Daniels or Isaac Seumalo, but I think the Lions should look to target guard Olaivavega Ioane with their seventeenth pick. If he’s not there, they should look to target guys like Emmanuel Pregnon or Keylan Rutledge on day two. 

Green Bay Packers - Cornerback

The Packers' secondary was a major flaw for a defense that had a solid front seven this past year, with the addition of Micah Parsons. They relied heavily on young guys, and it left them vulnerable on the backside. Without a ton of cap space and no first-round pick, the Packers should look to add a cheap veteran in free agency, like Tariq Woolen or Trevon Diggs, while also using their second-round pick on the position. Some guys who could potentially fall to them are D’Angelo Ponds, Chris Johnson, or Chandler Rivers. 

Houston Texans - Offensive Tackle

A year removed from trading five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, the Texans’ offensive line struggled in 2025. Houston then just recently decided to trade their best remaining tackle, Tytus Howard, leaving a clear hole for them. While they can create a decent amount of cap space to sign veterans like Cam Robinson or Jonah Williams, I think it makes more sense for them to target a young offensive lineman in the draft. Some guys who make sense at pick twenty-eight include Caleb Lomu, Kadyn Proctor, or Max Iheanachor. 

Indianapolis Colts - Edge Rusher

With three of their four main edge rushers heading to free agency, there is a clear need for a pass rusher opposite of Laiatu Latu. Indianapolis has limited cap space and is without its first-round pick, so their options are limited a bit. I think it would be smart to go after some of the cheaper veteran options like Von Miller, Cameron Jordan, or Haason Reddick while looking to add another younger player on day two of the draft. Some of those potential targets could include guys like Zion Young or R Mason Thomas. 

Jacksonville Jaguars - Cornerback

The Jaguars traded starting cornerback Tyson Campbell during the season last year for his replacement, Greg Newsome II. The problem now is that Newsome II is a free agent, leaving two-way player Travis Hunter as the only startable outside corner on the roster. Jacksonville is kind of tied up in cap space and should look to resign some of their own free agents, so I am going to focus on where they can look in the draft, even without their first-round pick. Some potential day two prospects include Keith Abney II, Chris Johnson, or Chandler Rivers.

Kansas City Chiefs - Offensive Tackle

The Chiefs released their starting right tackle, Jawaan Taylor, and while it does save them nearly $20 million in cap space, it leaves a clear hole on the right side of their offensive line. After drafting Josh Simmons last year, pairing him up with a young prospect could make sense. If Spencer Fano or Francis Mauigoa drops to nine, I think either of those guys would make a ton of sense. However, if I were the Chiefs, I wouldn’t count on that happening and would go after some veteran guys like Cam Robinson, Jermaine Eluemanor, or Braden Smith. 

Las Vegas Raiders - Wide Receiver 

The Raiders are drafting Fernando Mendoza with the first pick to be their franchise quarterback, and his top wide receivers include Tre Tucker and Jack Bech. While he does have elite young tight end Brock Bowers, they need to have some sort of threat out wide to open up the offense. With a ton of cap space, bringing in one of the top free-agent wide receivers like Mike Evans, Alec Pierce, or Jauan Johnson should be a top priority. Las Vegas could also look to add a day two receiver like Mendoza’s former teammate Omar Cooper Jr., Chris Bell, or KC Concepcion.

Los Angeles Chargers - Interior Offensive Line

The Chargers' offensive line was historically bad this past season after losing both of their starting tackles, Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater. While the tackle position is expected to be one of the team's strengths with those guys coming back, they lost one of their starting guards to free agency and cut the other. The Chargers have a ton of money, so it would make sense to go after one of the top guards in free agency, such as Joel Bitonio or Alijah Vera Tucker. Los Angeles could also look to add Olaivavega Ioane with their first-round selection if he is available. 

Los Angeles Rams - Wide Receiver

I originally had cornerback as the top need for the Rams, and while writing this, they traded for one of the league’s top ones in Trent McDuffie. While on the surface, wide receiver looks like a major strength for Los Angeles, and it is currently, Davante Adams isn’t getting any younger, and they don’t have much else behind him, and Puka Nacua. The Rams should look to use their thirteenth overall pick on one of the top wide receivers in the draft in Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate, or Jordyn Tyson. If those three are gone, I would look to use a day two pick on a receiver. 

Miami Dolphins - Cornerback

After a disappointing season from the secondary, the Dolphins desperately need to find their cornerback one this offseason. Luckily, they are in a great position to do so, holding the eleventh pick in this year’s draft. While Miami could look to add a veteran in free agency, it should only be as a complementary piece to whoever they take at eleven. Some free agents they should look at are Jaylen Watson or Cordale Flott. That being said, grabbing either Mansoor Delane or Jermod McCoy with their eleventh pick has to be a top priority. 

Minnesota Vikings - Defensive Back

Minnesota’s secondary was weak last season, not having any quality starters outside of Byron Murphy Jr. Adding to that room looks to be the top priority for the Vikings this offseason. The cap situation isn’t great, so Minnesota should look to go after cheaper veterans like Tony Jefferson, Amik Robertson, or Rasul Douglas while prioritizing defensive backs in the draft. Assuming the top defensive backs don’t fall to eighteen, the Vikings should be targeting Dillon Thieneman, Aveion Terrell, or Colton Hood with that pick.  

New England Patriots - Wide Receiver

Already weak at the receiver position, the release of Stefon Diggs makes this the clear biggest hole on the roster. The Patriots could look to trade for a star wide receiver if one were to become available, but with a healthy cap situation, the Patriots could look to target the top receivers on the market, like Ja'uan Jennings, Mike Evans, or Tyreek Hill. If they opt to look for their wide receiver answer in the draft, guys like Omar Cooper Jr., Chris Bell, or KC Concepcion could be available with their thirty-first overall pick. It is a deep receiver class, so New England could look to find their guy on day two or even three. 

New Orleans Saints - Wide Receiver 

After trading away Rashid Shaheed last season, the Saints desperately need to add a weapon for Tyler Shough. Chris Olave is a good player for them, but the offense needs to add more firepower if they want to help Shough’s development. Near the bottom of the league in cap space, New Orleans could look to add cheap veterans like Kendrick Bourne or Keenan Allen. However, I think the best course of action is to use their eighth overall pick on one of the draft's top wideouts in Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, or Jordyn Tyson. 

New York Giants - Inside Linebacker

While the Giants could also use some help on the offensive line, moving on from both Micah McFadden and Bobby Okereke leaves the league's worst run defense in average yards per carry with a massive hole in the middle of their defense. While I don’t think the Giants should break the bank on the position, players like Quay Walker or Devin Bush could make sense in free agency. The Giants could also opt to use their fifth overall pick on Sonny Styles after his ridiculous combine. If they don’t take Styles at five, some day two options include Anthony Hill or Jacob Rodriguez. 

New York Jets - Edge Rusher 

To be blunt, the Jets could use just about everything outside of running back or tackle, but after trading Jermaine Johnson, there is a clear need at edge rusher to pair with promising young edge rusher Will McDonald IV. While the Jets do have a lot of cap space this offseason, I think it would make more sense to use their money elsewhere due to the fact that they have the second overall pick and are in a prime position to take an edge of their choice. The top guys they’ll get to choose from are Arvell Reese, Reuben Bain, or David Bailey. 

Philadelphia Eagles - Cornerback

On a roster without a lot of holes, outside cornerback next to Quinyon Mitchell is surely on the top priority list of GM Howie Roseman. After losing Darius Slay last offseason, the Eagles were shuffling between Adoree Jackson and Kelee Ringo, who both struggled on the outside. With not a ton of cap space and looking to retain their own players, Philadelphia should shift its focus to the first round of the draft, hoping that players like Aveion Terrell or Colton Hood fall to their twenty-third pick, likely missing out on the top two corners in this class. 

Pittsburgh Steelers - Wide Receiver 

Pittsburgh's offense has been stale for the past few years, and the additions of DK Metcalf and Aaron Rodgers last year didn’t change that. Metcalf, despite being paid top receiver money, did not have the kind of year they would’ve hoped for. The Steelers have a lot of cap space, so they could look to fill the receiver hole with guys like Jauan Jennings or Alec Pierce. Pittsburgh could also look to add through the draft with their twenty-first overall pick. Some options there include Denzel Boston or KC Concepcion, but the receiver class is deep, so they could wait until day two.

San Francisco 49ers - Offensive Line 

The 49ers' offensive line was one of the worst in the league last year, especially in games where future Hall of Fame tackle Trent Williams did not play. Even with Williams, they need to upgrade the opposite tackle position and the interior of the line. Being near the middle of the league in cap space, I think they should target interior linemen like Kevin Zeitler or Wyatt Teller in free agency. Holding the twenty-seventh pick in this year’s draft, San Francisco should look to target one of the tier two tackle prospects in Caleb Lomu or Kadyn Proctor in the first round. 

Seattle Seahawks - Cornerback

On an elite defense, Tariq Woolen was one of the few spots where Seattle got inconsistent play. Now, Woolen is a free agent, and there is a clear hole at the outside cornerback position this offseason for Seattle. With a healthy cap number, the Seahawks will likely retain a few of their upcoming free agents but could still pursue some veterans in free agency, like Jaylen Watson or Jamel Dean, to help them compete for another Super Bowl. With their thirty-second pick, it may make sense to take Brandon Cisse, unless Colton Hood or Aveion Terrell were to somehow fall to them. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Edge Rusher 

Tampa Bay’s defense took yet another step back last season, and a big reason for that was its inability to get to the quarterback. They need to add a consistent pass rush if they want to compete for the NFC South title. Being near the middle of the league in cap space, the Buccaneers could go for the middle-tier pass rush free agents like Arnold Ebiketie or K’Lavon Chaisson. That being said, they are in a good position at fifteen to select one of the tier two pass rushers in the draft, Cashius Howell, Akheem Mesidor, or Keldrick Faulk if they choose to go that route. 

Tennessee Titans - Wide Receiver 

While the Titans do have a ton of other needs, especially defensively, I don’t think you can fairly evaluate last year’s first overall pick, Cam Ward, without adding better weapons on the outside. Being first in the league in cap space gives them the ability to go after the top free agent wide receivers, such as Alec Pierce or Jauan Jennings. While I don’t think any of the receivers are worth taking with their fourth overall pick, the Titans should look to target players like Omar Cooper Jr., KC Concepcion, and Chris Brazzell II with their second-round pick. 

Washington Commanders - Edge Rusher

The Commanders' defense was one of the league’s worst last season, and there are holes on every level. One of the best ways to quickly improve a defense is by being able to get to the quarterback. Washington is amongst the top teams in the league in terms of cap space, putting them in a prime position to go after veterans like Trey Hendrickson, Odafe Oweh, or Khalil Mack. With their seventh overall pick, I think they should go with the best defender available. If David Bailey, Reuben Bain, or Arvell Reese were to fall to them, I think that would be an easy pick.