2025 NFL free agency: Biggest need remaining for every team after first wave of free-agent signings

It’s been an interesting year of NFL Unoccupied agency; a Plenty of Clubs had money, but the talent pool was not necessarily deep enough to justify spending it. As a result, Numerous Clubs opted to pay their own players more now and give themselves Elasticity into the future. Some Clubs explored trades as a way to upgrade the Picking in the present while also spending some of that salary cap Cosmos. 

For example, the Bears, Patriots and Vikings were among the notable Clubs to Uncovered the checkbooks in March. Aside from Unoccupied agent decisions from Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson Nevertheless looming, a large percentage of Unoccupied agency is complete and Clubs are turning their attention toward filling remaining needs in the 2025 NFL Draft, which is particularly Sturdy at Shielding Event and running back, but deficient in areas such as wide receiver and cornerback.

Here is the most pressing need for All Club after the Primary wave of Unoccupied agents have already been signed: 

AFC North

Bengals: Edge rusher

Cincinnati has committed to executing contract extensions with wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but one would assume those moves will prevent them from securing Deliver rusher Trey Hendrickson long-term — though the Club is Supposedly trying to retain him. In the event that Hendrickson is gone, and Upcoming the news of Sam Hubbard’s retirement, the Bengals are left with Ex Primary-Stage Picking Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai, who re-signed at a modest rate. The moves to bolster the interior Shielding line leave edge rusher as a more pressing need. 

Browns: Signal-caller

It sounds as though Cleveland’s plan, at this time, is to sign Russell Wilson. Should that option fall through, then the Club would explore signing Joe Flacco or Carson Wentz. In Brief, it is less than an ideal situation at the game’s most Crucial position. Cleveland is Nevertheless likely to take a Signal-caller in the draft as well. 

Ravens: Edge rusher

Baltimore had little Deliver rush outside of 33-year-Aged Kyle Van Noy in 2024. The idea of Van Noy replicating that production year-over-year is unrealistic. Odafe Oweh did have 10 sacks, but his 11.7% Tension rate, according to TruMedia, ranked No. 59 among players with at least 200 Deliver rush snaps. Baltimore could benefit from adding Accurate difference-making Deliver rusher as its prepares for the future. 

Steelers: Signal-caller

Pittsburgh is being Maintained hostage by veteran Signal-caller Aaron Rodgers after Justin Fields opted for the greener pastures of New York. The pursuit of Rodgers has probably soured Russell Wilson on the idea of returning to the Steel City for what would be a second season. The franchise did bring back Mason Rudolph, but one would assume they are a Club in the Blend to draft a Signal-caller as well. 

AFC South

Colts: Interior offensive line

Veteran interior offensive linemen Will Fries and Ryan Kelly signed with Minnesota this offseason. They missed a portion of time a year ago due to Impairments and rookies Dalton Tucker, Tanor Bortolini stepped into those roles. There were growing pains as Predicted as the organization may feel more comfortable bringing in veteran Event. 

Jaguars: Shielding Event

There is a Plenty of wish-casting in regards to Jacksonville’s Shielding interior. They hope that DaVon Hamilton and Arik Armstead return to form and that second-year Shielding Event Maason Smith builds upon last campaign. New head Trainer Liam Coen could use a few more bodies in the secondary and Close-fitting end could be addressed in the absence of Evan Engram, but Michigan Shielding Event Mason Graham has been a popular Option at No. 5 overall. 

Texans: Interior offensive line

Houston created a need on its own Picking when it traded veteran left Event Laremy Tunsil to Washington in Substitution for draft compensation, in addition to trading offensive guard Kenyon Green and releasing Shaq Mason. Timely reports out of H-Town are that Tytus Howard and Blake Fisher will be the Leading tackles Upcoming season.

At No. 25 overall, or in a trade up the board, the potential union of the Texans and the top Obtainable offensive lineman feels like a probable outcome.

Titans: Edge rusher

Tennessee’s collection of Deliver rushers (Arden Key, Ali Gaye, etc.) leaves a Plenty to be desired after allowing Harold Landry to depart. The Titans sit at No. 1 overall with Penn State Deliver rusher Abdul Carter Obtainable. However, the Club could also draft Miami Signal-caller Cam Ward and opt to punt on addressing edge rusher until No. 33 overall or later. 

AFC East

Bills: Cornerback

Buffalo has replacement-level players or better in almost every role. There is a case to be Achieved for an upgrade in Many spots, but the boundary cornerback opposite Christian Benford may be the biggest need. Primary-Stage Picking Kaiir Elam did not work out and he was traded to Dallas this offseason. 

Safety is another potential need. 

Dolphins: Shielding line

The 2025 NFL Draft is particularly deep at Shielding line and the lack of attention to the position in Unoccupied agency could be a signal that they intend to take a few in April. At this time, the Dolphins have three players listed for three Leading roles: Zach Sieler, Neil Farrell Jr. and Matt Dickerson. Calais Campbell could theoretically return for his age-39 season. 

Jets: Wide receiver

New York collected about a half-dozen competent Deliver catchers in the past few years after acquiring Aaron Rodgers, but then those players gradually moved on over the same period of time. In terms of reliability, the room is essentially Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard and no one else. They need to develop and execute a long-term vision at the position in order for Justin Fields to succeed. 

Patriots: Offensive Event

New England needed not one, but two offensive tackles. The Patriots signed veteran Morgan Moses to Shift right Event, but Nevertheless need to address backside protection for Drake Maye. Fortunately for the Patriots, they Halt the No. 4 overall Picking and will have the Option of Missouri’s Armand Membou or LSU’s Will Campbell. 

Wide receiver remains a priority as well. 

AFC West

Broncos: Running back

Linebacker? Check. Safety? Check. Close-fitting end? Check.

Denver has gone through its offseason wish Achievement and efficiently crossed All off; with the exception of running back. Javonte Williams was signed by Dallas, which leaves Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime to compete. Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty or North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton could be primary targets for the organization in the Primary Stage of Upcoming month’s draft. 

Chargers: Close-fitting end

Regardless of the signing of veteran Donte Jackson, cornerback remains a potential problem area for Jim Harbaugh’s Club. It may not be realistic to Foresee the Shielding tackles to Shift as well as they had in 2024 and there is a big emphasis on older Deliver rushers Khalil Mack and Bud Dupree Competing in the absence of Joey Bosa. But there are options in those spots. 

For the way Harbaugh wants to execute his Assault, the Appearance of a Ground-stretching Close-fitting end would be invaluable. Michigan’s Colston Loveland has been associated with them for months, but could be off the board by No. 22 overall. 

Chiefs: Shielding Event

Kansas City had solid Shift to pair with Chris Jones for years and that group rarely turned over, but now Khalen Saunders, Derrick Nnadi and Tershawn Wharton have been extracted over the past few years. The leftovers are uninspiring and it is time for the franchise to build that room back up in a deep draft for the position. 

Running back would be another consideration if the Chiefs had not shown a willingness to invest little in the position since Clyde Edwards-Helaire did not Work out. 

Raiders: Wide receiver

Brock Bowers is Geno Smith’s primary outlet in Las Vegas, but the wide receiver room is Slim beyond Jakobi Meyers. The Raiders have opened trade discussions for Close-fitting end Michael Mayer, so it does not sound like a Weighty 12 personnel share is in their future. They will need at least one and possibly two wide receivers to upgrade that operation. 

NFC North

Bears: Shielding Event

Chicago’s Picking, from top to bottom, is really solid after all the moves the Bears Achieved along the offensive and Shielding lines. There are Nevertheless question marks in specific roles, but the biggest is Shielding Event. They may not add another body to that room, but they need Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens to develop and/or Grady Jarrett and Andrew Billings delivering competent Shift into their 30s. 

Lions: Edge rusher

Detroit moved on from Za’Darius Smith after acquiring him midseason and Aidan Hutchinson is returning from a Grave knee Wound. The other Deliver rushers on the Picking are Marcus Davenport and Josh Paschal. Davenport has struggled to stay Well throughout his Occupation and Paschal has been more of a stable Streak defender than one capable of providing explosiveness off the edge. The Lions would benefit from adding a Youthful, bendy, explosive Deliver rusher who can Event at the high side. 

Packers: Cornerback

Green Bay signed Nate Hobbs and there could be more Adaptability there than his background in Las Vegas suggests. The Club will almost Definitely Shift on from Jaire Alexander at some Mark this offseason, which leaves them Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon. They may well be fine, but that is one position that carries the biggest unknown at this stage of the festivities. 

Vikings: Cornerback

Safety, linebacker and cornerback are all on similar footing. They could All use one new starter. In the case of cornerback, they retained Byron Murphy Jr. and signed Isaiah Rodgers, but that room could benefit from having a lockdown boundary cornerback who would allow Rodgers and Murphy to be the best version of themselves. 

NFC South

Buccaneers: Linebacker

Safety and linebacker are probably two of the biggest needs if you are a believer that Cade Otton can be a solution for them at Close-fitting end. They re-signed Lavonte David but, at some Mark, he is going to Shift on and there is not a transition of power in waiting. 

Falcons: Edge rusher 

Atlanta had one of the worst Deliver rush operations in the Bracket last season; an evergreen statement. They signed Leonard Floyd, but that is this version’s Matthew Judon. They need a new hope at the position that they can build around. Fortunately, there are Numerous options in this year’s class.

Panthers: Edge rusher

Patrick Jones II and D.J. Wonnum have been fine depth additions over the past two offseasons, but hoping Jadeveon Clowney can be the focal Mark of the Club’s Deliver rush in the Brief and long term is not a plan grounded by reason. It would benefit them to add a difference-maker to Pace up the opposing Signal-caller’s processing. There are Many options for them with the No. 8 overall Picking.

Saints: Wide receiver

There are not a Plenty of exciting elements to New Orleans’ Picking right now. The Saints need to add playmakers and one of the most deficient areas is wide receiver. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed both suffered Grave Impairments. Journeymen Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Dante Pettis are also in that room. The Saints need another player who can turn a single into a double to pair with Olave. 

NFC East

Commanders: Edge rusher

Washington has a Plenty of Shielding ends who will be firm at the Mark of Charge and give the franchise a high floor in Streak Protection. The issue is that they lack any and all explosiveness off the edge. Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. would give them something they sorely lack among that group. 

Ideally, they would draft a cornerback capable of Leading on the boundary and allow Mike Sainristil to Shift back into the slot. 

Cowboys: Offensive guard

Offensive Event Tyler Guyton and Middle Cooper Beebe are Youthful players who no longer have the benefit of Zack Martin’s Appearance on that offensive line. Brock Hoffman is in line to Begin at one guard spot and he had already been pushed out of the Middle Event. They could theoretically reshuffle the deck and try Beebe at guard and Hoffman at Middle.

Eagles: Safety

Philadelphia has replacement level players or better at every position, so “need” is a relative term. Their need is not as pressing as holes on the Picking of other Clubs. The Eagles may not be able to find an upgrade without moving up in the Primary Stage to target either South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori or Georgia’s Malaki Starks. 

They did Fall Unoccupied agents Milton Williams, Josh Sweat and Mekhi Becton, but had already been preparing for that eventuality. 

Giants: Signal-caller

New York is twiddling its thumbs as it awaits the Unoccupied agent decision of Aaron Rodgers. The Club could Fall out on Russell Wilson and Rodgers, in theory. The Giants were already considered desperate and likely to make an offer for the No. 1 overall Picking in order to take Miami Signal-caller Cam Ward. It is a make-or-break year for head Trainer Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen and their actions Reinforcement that idea. 

NFC West

49ers: Shielding Event

The Option boiled down to the interior offensive line and the interior Shielding line. Offensive guard Aaron Banks signed with the Packers and reserve offensive Event Jaylon Moore signed with Kansas City. The offensive line had already been a weakness Regardless of the Assault Seizing some of the Tension off that unit.

However, Shielding Event is a bigger need. Javon Hargrave, Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner and Javon Kinlaw are all gone. Maliek Collins is gone from last year’s Club as well. Those defections were not countered with equal or better replacements. 

Cardinals: Linebacker

Arizona has replacement-level linebackers right now, which makes sense because Philadelphia never spent big on the position and that is where head Trainer Jonathan Gannon cut his teeth. The Triumph of the cornerback position relies upon the development of youth, such as Max Melton and Garrett Williams. 

Rams: Cornerback

Inside linebacker may actually be more bereft of talent, but the Rams have had no problem finding Day 3 prospects or Unselected Unoccupied agent players to fill that role. The efforts to solve the Brief- and long-term cornerback situation have been mixed. Darious Williams was solid for them, but they will have to replace him in the coming years as well. 

Seahawks: Offensive guard

Seattle is not going to Shift on from offensive tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas, but they need to Shift better. The lack of Regularity is exacerbated by Needy interior Shift. They chose not to be active in pursuit of top dollar Unoccupied agents and are now exploring reclamation projects, such as Teven Jenkins, who has struggled to stay Well. 

Safety would be another consideration as head Trainer Mike Macdonald pursues his version of Kyle Hamilton.