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Most NFL teams focused their sights on next season a while ago. Now that the Super Bowl is complete, all 32 teams can focus on the areas they need to improve most.
Atop team wishlists? Offensive linemen, franchise QBs, edge rushers and receivers.
With the 2023 season complete and the NFL Scouting Combine and free agency beginning within the next month, The Athletic’s NFL staff identifies the biggest need for every NFL team this offseason.
Arizona Cardinals
Biggest offseason need: Defensive line
No question, the Cardinals need playmakers. With wide receiver Marquise Brown injured for the end of last season, quarterback Kyler Murray lacked options. James Conner was strong out of the backfield. Trey McBride emerged at tight end. After that, there wasn’t much. An elite receiver like Marvin Harrison Jr. would help tremendously. And with the No. 4 pick in the draft, Arizona might be positioned to get him. If he’s there, grab him. That said, Arizona needs help on defense. The Cardinals have lacked a lockdown corner for years. They need an edge rusher. But let’s start inside and work back. Arizona needs an anchor on the defensive line. Someone GM Monti Ossenfort can build around. If Harrison is available, Ossenfort has no choice. But the defensive line must be addressed. — Doug Haller
Atlanta Falcons
Biggest offseason need: Quarterback
Using a rotating combination of Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke, the Falcons finished 21st in the league in EPA per dropback (minus-.04) in the regular season, according to TruMedia. Only six teams threw more than Atlanta’s 17 interceptions, and Ridder added 12 lost fumbles to that turnover total. Former head coach Arthur Smith appealed for a fourth year on the job in part by arguing the Falcons were only a quarterback away from being contenders. Owner Arthur Blank decided to let someone else find that quarterback, firing Smith and hiring Raheem Morris, who has promised to explore the draft, free agency and the trade market looking for an answer. — Josh Kendall
Baltimore Ravens
Biggest offseason need: Offensive line help
Both of the Ravens starting guards, Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson, are unrestricted free agents this offseason. Their two starting tackles, Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses, are 29 and 32, respectively, and are coming off seasons where injuries impacted their performance. Health issues have been a constant for Stanley since 2020. The Ravens have decisions to make on which players to bring back up front, and they do have a few potential internal replacements, but they’ll almost certainly have to add at least one, if not two, starting-caliber offensive linemen this offseason. — Jeff Zrebiec
Buffalo Bills
Biggest offseason need: Wide receiver
Despite having the Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs duo, the second half of 2023 yielded a lack of consistent explosive plays on offense and capped some of the team’s overall potential. It became increasingly apparent that the absence of an explosive receiver who could attract attention away from Diggs made the Bills rely on shorter throws, their run game and longer drives to capitalize on point opportunities. A top-tier receiver addition in the draft could help open up things on offense significantly, which is their best chance of getting to a Super Bowl at least once. — Joe Buscaglia
Carolina Panthers
Biggest offseason need: Wide receiver
When you go 2-15 and fire your head coach and general manager, you have more than just one offseason need. But one trumps all for first-year coach Dave Canales and GM Dan Morgan — getting Bryce Young some receiving help. DJ Chark ranked in the bottom 10 in the league in average separation and catch percentage, while Jonathan Mingo had the fifth-worst catch percentage (50.6) as a rookie. And while Adam Thielen posted a 1,000-yard receiving season, the 33-year-old can no longer stretch defenses. The result: Young too often would stand in the pocket waiting for someone to get open before getting enveloped by the pass rush. — Joe Person
Chicago Bears
Biggest offseason need: Edge rusher
While the focus is understandably on what the Bears will do at quarterback, those choices are straightforward. They need to add edge-rush help opposite Montez Sweat. He made the Pro Bowl and was an instant impact player, helping lift the defense in the second half of the season, but no other D-end tallied more than four sacks. The Bears still ranked last in the league in sacks per pass. DeMarcus Walker came on strong down the stretch, but by adding another edge rusher, Walker could be a very good No. 3, and that would help keep offenses from doubling Sweat. — Kevin Fishbain
Cincinnati Bengals
Biggest offseason need: Defensive tackle (x2)
The Bengals’ pass rush amounted to Trey Hendrickson or bust last year. Hendrickson racked up 17½ sacks and 79 pressures. Sam Hubbard was second in sacks all the way back at six and B.J. Hill second in pressures with 42. Plus, they could lose defensive tackle DJ Reader, who tore his quad in December, in free agency. They need consistent pressure up the middle to complement the edges. They need somebody capable of providing a fraction of Reader’s Pro Bowl-level production. They need a disruptive complement for Hill at three technique. Essentially, they need all the help they can afford. — Paul Dehner Jr.
Cleveland Browns
Biggest offseason need: Wide receiver
The Browns are only going to become one of the AFC’s elite teams if Deshaun Watson plays like an elite quarterback. And though Watson played well in November before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, the vertical pass game didn’t take off until Watson was gone. The Browns feel good about having Amari Cooper and tight end David Njoku at the front of their pass-catching group, but the rest of the group is still a bunch of questions. The Browns need more speed — and probably more size and consistency, too. They’ll almost certainly add to the receiver room in both March and April. — Zac Jackson
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"I hope to see the Lions in the Super Bowl before I die"
My friend Ken L
The Cowboys could use some clarity at running back, as well as some beef at defensive tackle. Even the offensive line, with uncertainty surrounding Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz’s future in Dallas, could use a good look. But the Cowboys need to ensure they figure out what is going on at linebacker. There hasn’t been any official word yet, but Leighton Vander Esch’s playing future is uncertain, at best. Promising 2023 rookie DeMarvion Overshown has yet to play in the NFL and is coming off a major injury. The Cowboys would love to keep Micah Parsons as a pass rusher, which means acquiring quality starting linebackers (and competent depth) is important. — Saad Yousuf
Denver Broncos
Biggest offseason need: Quarterback
The Broncos are likely to soon move on from Russell Wilson, the veteran quarterback who went 11-19 as Denver’s starting quarterback in the two seasons since his blockbuster trade from the Seattle Seahawks. The move to release Wilson would leave the Broncos with a whopping $85 million dead-money hit and leave a gaping hole at a position the Broncos have been unable to fill successfully since Peyton Manning’s retirement in early 2016. The Broncos have longtime backup Jarrett Stidham, who started the final two games following Wilson’s benching, but they’ll surely add more. Will they acquire their next starter by way of free agency? The draft? A trade? It is all on the table as coach Sean Payton searches for the quarterback he can build around in Denver. — Nick Kosmider
The Lions are in desperate need of help at cornerback. The trio of Cam Sutton, Jerry Jacobs and Kindle Vildor was largely ineffective, and the loss of Emmanuel Moseley (torn ACL in his first game) didn’t help. Detroit allowed 7.4 yards per attempt in 2023 (third-worst) and struggled to contain top receivers down the stretch and in the playoffs. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, figuring out the cornerback position is of the utmost importance this offseason. The Lions should be able to find help in free agency or the draft. — Colton Pouncy
Green Bay Packers
Biggest offseason need: Safety
The Packers’ top three safeties from 2023, Darnell Savage Jr., Jonathan Owens and Rudy Ford, are all scheduled to be unrestricted free agents. Green Bay needed upgrades at the position, anyway, and that was before the team hired Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley as its new defensive coordinator. Hafley loves one-high safety looks, which require an athletic playmaking safety deep in the middle of the field on an island. Whether the Packers address the position early in the draft, in free agency or via trade, doing so is atop Green Bay’s priority list this offseason. — Matt Schneidman
Houston Texans
Biggest offseason need: Cornerback
The Texans certainly exceeded expectations last season as they went 10-7 to win the AFC South and reach the playoffs. DeMeco Ryans’ defense has room for improvement, however, especially against the pass, where Houston ranked 22nd in the league, yielding 234.1 yards per game while managing just 14 interceptions. Second-year pro Derek Stingley Jr. led the team with five interceptions, but fellow cornerback Steven Nelson (four interceptions) is set to become a free agent, as is slot CB Tavierre Thomas. — Mike Jones
Indianapolis Colts
Biggest offseason need: Cornerback
Indianapolis’ secondary was repeatedly torched in 2023 largely due to its inexperience and injuries in the cornerback room, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the team addressed that issue early with the No. 15 pick. The Colts’ most experienced cornerback, Kenny Moore II, is set to become a free agent, and even if they retain the 28-year-old, there are no other proven options on the roster. JuJu Brents, a 2023 second-round pick, showed promise as a starting cornerback, though injuries limited him to just nine games in his rookie season. If Indy doesn’t want to spend a high draft pick on a cornerback, then it must acquire a starter in free agency. — James Boyd
Jacksonville Jaguars
Biggest offseason need: Interior offensive line
The Jaguars finished the season next to last in yards before contact per rush (0.94). It’s no coincidence then that the Jags also finished 30th in yards per attempt (3.6), 31st in rushing EPA and 30th in rushing success rate. All of this to say the Jaguars’ ground game was atrocious and must improve if Trevor Lawrence and company hope to get back into the AFC title hunt. That starts, for this team at least, on the interior offensive line. Luke Fortner showed he is not the answer at center; the Jaguars don’t appear to have a starting left guard under contract; and right guard Brandon Scherff may be cut for salary-cap relief. This group needs to be remade this offseason. — Jim Ayello
Kansas City Chiefs
Biggest offseason need: Reliable receivers
We all know this one. The Chiefs need more viable, reliable receivers, especially a veteran or two to help the team’s offense reclaim its juggernaut status. Last season proved the Chiefs have the coaching staff (Andy Reid), quarterback (Patrick Mahomes) and two strong pass catchers (tight end Travis Kelce and receiver Rashee Rice) to help maintain their status as the league’s champions. But the continual arms race in the AFC is only going to intensify this offseason. The Chiefs need to counter by acquiring better receivers for Mahomes. — Nate Taylor
continued..
"I hope to see the Lions in the Super Bowl before I die"
My friend Ken L
Aidan O’Connell fared admirably in his 10 starts as a rookie considering the circumstances, but he mostly looked like someone best suited for a role as a backup. At the very least, the Raiders need to bring in a starting-caliber quarterback in free agency to compete for the job with O’Connell. Ideally, though, they’ll land their quarterback of the future in the 2024 draft. There’s no guarantee they can get in range for one of the top prospects — they currently own pick No. 13 in the first round — but they should make every effort to do so in a loaded class headlined by Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (North Carolina) and Jayden Daniels (LSU). — Tashan Reed
Los Angeles Chargers
Biggest offseason need: Center
The Chargers have needs all over the roster as new head coach Jim Harbaugh and new GM Joe Hortiz enter their first offseason. Numerous positions would qualify as an answer to this question. Tight end, running back, cornerback, safety, linebacker. The Chargers could also use upgrades along the offensive line at guard and tackle. Even receiver or edge rusher, depending on how the team maneuvers through its cap situation. But center might just be the most glaring hole of all. Starting center Corey Linsley said last month there is a “99 percent” chance he will be retiring this offseason because of a heart-related medical issue. The Chargers do not have an apparent replacement on the roster. They will need to find a starting center at some point in the coming months, whether through the draft or free agency. — Daniel Popper
Los Angeles Rams
Biggest offseason need: Pass rusher
It’s a tough call between cornerback and outside linebacker. Veteran corner Ahkello Witherspoon may have played himself into a contract elsewhere, and there is little consistency among other younger players. Meanwhile, the Rams have pieces of their pass rush in place between Aaron Donald, Kobie Turner and Byron Young — but are missing an experienced outside rusher to make the group more cohesive. A great pass rush can fix a lot of issues in the secondary, so I’ll pick that as the position with the “edge” in roster needs rankings for a team that has quite a few. — Jourdan Rodrigue
Miami Dolphins
Biggest offseason need: Offensive line
Will star left tackle Terron Armstead retire or return for another season? Can the Dolphins afford to bring back 26-year-old Connor Williams, arguably the best center about to hit the free-agent market, who also happens to be coming off a torn ACL? Guard Robert Hunt is also slated for free agency. Can they bring him back, too? The Dolphins have questions up and down their offensive line, both in terms of their starting lineup and depth. Addressing the unit charged with protecting Tua Tagovailoa and opening lanes for their potent rushing attack is perhaps the biggest challenge facing Miami this offseason. — Jim Ayello
Minnesota Vikings
Biggest offseason need: Quarterback
The Vikings could extend longtime starter Kirk Cousins before his contract voids in March. If the two sides can’t come to an agreement, though, Cousins’s dead cap hit will accelerate onto the team’s cap for the 2024 season. Which is to say: If there’s no extension, Cousins is not likely to return to Minnesota. In that case, the team would need a quarterback. They could attempt a massive swing in the draft via trade up. Or, they could sign a bridge option and select a developmental quarterback at No. 11 or even later on in the draft. Regardless, an answer at this spot is needed. — Alec Lewis
New England Patriots
Biggest offseason need: Quarterback
There are a few directions we could’ve gone here. Offensive tackle is a massive need. So is wide receiver. But the Patriots don’t have a starting-caliber quarterback, and until you have that, nothing else matters in the NFL. So whether they search for one in free agency (Kirk Cousins, Baker Mayfield, etc.), via trade (Justin Fields, Russell Wilson), or through the No. 3 pick (Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels) the Patriots desperately need a quarterback. — Chad Graff
New Orleans Saints
Biggest offseason need: Tackle and/or guard
The Saints attempted to select their left tackle of the future in the 2022 NFL Draft by taking Trevor Penning. That decision bombed not even two years into Penning’s career after only starting six games and being benched. This forced veteran Andrus Peat to fill in at left tackle with utility lineman James Hurst playing left guard. All of this adds up to a less than optimal situation for 40 percent of the Saints’ offensive line. If the Saints don’t address the issues properly, then expect Derek Carr to be a piñata and the offense to wander through an abyss of mediocrity once again. — Larry Holder
New York Giants
Biggest offseason need: Offensive line
So many options, how do I pick? The quarterback situation is well-documented, but the Giants do have one in Daniel Jones. The bigger question regarding that position is his health. So should I instead say wide receiver, where the Giants desperately need a No. 1 option? Maybe, but I think the most pressing need is at offensive line, following a season in which the Giants allowed the second-most sacks (85) in NFL history. We can ask all the quarterback questions we want, but without a healthy and successful line, it doesn’t really matter. The Giants must find upgrades and solidify this unit . — Charlotte Carroll
continued..
"I hope to see the Lions in the Super Bowl before I die"
My friend Ken L
This has been the case for most of the last decade (if not longer), though at least the Jets have a quarterback in Aaron Rodgers — albeit a 40-year-old one coming off Achilles surgery. Alas, the Jets started 13 offensive line combinations in 17 games last season. They’ve had bad luck with injuries for two straight seasons, though the decision to enter 2023 with a 38-year-old Duane Brown and an injury prone Mekhi Becton as the two best tackle options was a bad idea.
The Jets have two players locked in as starters (Joe Tippmann and Alijah Vera-Tucker), maybe three if left guard Laken Tomlinson isn’t cut. At minimum, the Jets will need at least two new starting offensive linemen plus better depth — all with the important goal of protecting Rodgers. GM Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh’s jobs depend on keeping Rodgers upright. — Zack Rosenblatt
Philadelphia Eagles
Biggest offseason need: A No. 2 cornerback
For all the offensive inefficiencies the Eagles displayed in their 1-6 collapse, the core of that side of the ball remains largely intact. For all that a talented defensive front left to be desired in 2023, the system newly hired defensive coordinator Vic Fangio brings shouldn’t fail at the line of scrimmage because Philadelphia doesn’t have the right players already under contract. No, the Eagles surrendered the fifth-most explosive plays (by coach Nick Sirianni’s definition) due to the instability of their secondary. James Bradberry was frequently burned on critical man-to-man situations. Even if the 30-year-old Bradberry rebounds in 2024, the Eagles still must consider the age of No. 1 cornerback Darius Slay (32), who missed five games last season with a knee injury. General manager Howie Roseman must identify a reliable and durable heir at corner, perhaps on both sides of the field. — Brooks Kubena
Pittsburgh Steelers
Biggest offseason need: Reliable quarterback play
The hope going into the 2023 season was that Kenny Pickett would take the proverbial Year 2 leap, elevating the offense and establishing himself as the future behind center. It didn’t happen. While Pickett’s Week 13 ankle injury and subsequent surgery opened the door, the truth is the second-year signal caller didn’t do enough to prove he’s clearly better than Mason Rudolph. There’s a reason the Steelers started Rudolph for the biggest games of the season in Week 18 and in the playoffs, even though Pickett was healthy enough to go. Now, the Steelers must decide if new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith can unlock something in Pickett the NFL hasn’t seen, if Rudolph (who is a free agent) is the answer at QB1 or if they need to explore an outside alternative. — Mike DeFabo
San Francisco 49ers
Biggest offseason need: Defensive end
You can make a strong case for offensive tackle, considering left tackle Trent Williams’ age (35) and the fact that right tackle Colton McKivitz gave up a team-high nine sacks this season. But the 49ers’ defense is predicated on getting pressure on the quarterback with four defensive linemen, and right now they have just one edge rusher, Nick Bosa, who can do that consistently. Furthermore, most of their other defensive ends — Chase Young, Clelin Ferrell and Randy Gregory — aren’t signed beyond this season. The only ends who are signed are unproven: Drake Jackson and 2023 rookie Robert Beal Jr. — Matt Barrows
Seattle Seahawks
Biggest offseason need: Linebacker
Linebacker will be a priority for new coach Mike Macdonald to upgrade as the team looks to fortify itself down the middle on both sides of the ball. Bobby Wagner is a Seahawks legend headed for the Hall of Fame, but with the organization making a clean break from the Pete Carroll era, he has presumably played his final snap in a Seattle uniform. Wagner and fellow linebacker Jordyn Brooks can become free agents in March. We should expect Macdonald to reset a position that was a strength for him in Baltimore. Patrick Queen could be a player to watch if the Ravens let him reach free agency. — Mike Sando
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Biggest offseason need: Edge rusher
Maybe more than any team, the Bucs’ needs are tied to their pending free agents, specifically quarterback Baker Mayfield, wide receiver Mike Evans, linebackers Lavonte David and Devin White, and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. Outside of those positions, the most glaring need probably is edge rusher, and it will be a bigger need if the team cuts Shaquil Barrett, which is possible. The Bucs hit on a couple of rookie defensive linemen last year in end YaYa Diaby (7 1/2 sacks) and tackle Calijah Kancey (4 sacks), but they need more juice up front. — Dan Pompei
Tennessee Titans
Biggest offseason need: Offensive line
Specifically, left tackle, which has been a disaster zone the past two seasons after Taylor Lewan had to call it quits. But the Titans need a right tackle badly as well, and a center, and they need to hope their left guard — Peter Skoronski, last year’s first-round pick — starts living up to the billing in 2024. Great tackles don’t make it to free agency often, so that’s probably more of a draft priority after potential interior upgrades among the free-agent crop. The good news for the Titans is everything they do up front should look better now that Bill Callahan is coming to Nashville to coach the position. — Joe Rexrode
Washington Commanders
Biggest offensive need: Offensive line
The obvious answer is quarterback, but holding the No. 2 pick means we know how the Commanders can check that box. The line play is less certain other than to note Washington has the league’s most cap space and six selections in the top 102 picks. Other than right guard Sam Cosmi, all spots are in flux for a unit that factored heavily into allowing 65 sacks last season. Left guard is the biggest hole, but left tackle becomes the bigger concern if Charles Leno is cut for cap relief. — Ben Standig
"I hope to see the Lions in the Super Bowl before I die"
My friend Ken L
I'm loving this article by a Dallas Cowboys columnist, Richard Paolinelli of Inside The Star, because as long as Jerry Jones is in charge, the Cowboys will underachieve:
If they weren't division rivals, a Justin Fields to Minnesota trade would make a lot of sense. Vikings are ready to win now, but need a veteran QB. Dobbs showed that a mobile QB could be effective in Minny.
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