NFL free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft are officially in the books, and NFL teams have done their best to bolster their rosters and address their weaknesses. However, with only limited opportunities to add new talent, some teams still have work to do. In this article, we will go through all 32 NFL teams and identify their remaining needs and priorities entering the rest of the offseason. It also helps to call out the remaining salary cap space teams possess, as that will factor into their remaining offseason strategy.

From rebuilding teams to Super Bowl contenders, each team has its own unique set of needs and challenges, and we will break down what they need to do to compete at the highest level in the 2023 NFL season.

• Updated Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers: QB | TE | RB | WR
• NFL Draft Grades for Every Team
• Thor’s Draft Grades (AFC | NFC)
• NFL Draft Day 1 Winners & Losers (Day 2 | Day 3)
• Fitz’s Round 1 NFL Draft Picks: Dynasty Rookie Draft Outlook (Day 2 | Day 3)

NFL Draft Needs for Every Team

Salary cap numbers provided by Spotrac

Arizona Cardinals

• Estimated Cap Space: 7th
• Team Needs: DT, CB, RB

The Arizona Cardinals addressed most of their needs during the 2023 NFL Draft bolstering their offensive line (Paris Johnson Jr., Jon Gaines II), pass rush (B.J. Ojulari), defensive secondary (Garrett Williams) and wide receiver rooms. Veteran DeAndre Hopkins is also expected to return after not being traded, re-joining a receiving corps consisting of Marquise Brown (2024 free agent), Rondale Moore, Greg Dortch and 2024 third-round pick Michael Wilson.

Arizona also acquired a boatload of 2024 draft picks in Rounds 1, 3 and 4 for the 2024 NFL Draft. Based on current Super Bowl odds, they project to have the 1^st and 2^nd overall picks next season. Quarterback Kyler Murray is no lock to be this team’s starter after the 2023 season, with what the Cardinals have at their disposal in next year’s draft.

The team drafted Houston’s Clayton Tune in Round 5, as a potential stop-gap option while Murray rehabs from his torn ACL. Tune was super accurate last season, posting Sports Info Solutions’ highest on-target percentage (78%) among the 2023 QB Draft Class. He also led the class in passing yards per game (313) and touchdowns per game (3.5). Wouldn’t surprise me at all if the 6-foot-3 and 220-pound quarterback starts games in 2023 as the Cardinals look to lock up next year’s No. 1 overall pick. The veteran QBs on the roster will all be free agents at the end of the season.

Elsewhere on offense, the team made zero additions to the backfield. That slates James Conner as a massive fantasy football winner post-draft, with the team most likely running him into the ground in 2023. The team has a potential “out” in his contract at the end of the year.

I’d keep an eye on the team adding free agent Kareem Hunt if they decide to bring in a veteran. New offensive coordinator Drew Petzig spent the last three seasons with the Cleveland Browns in various roles.

Defensively, the team still lacks quality starters at cornerback and across the interior defensive line. Safety Budda Baker is arguably the team’s best defensive player and he wants to be traded. Simply put, this defense is still bad (against both the pass/run) even after free agency/NFL Draft and it will be obvious when games kick off in September. But I am not sure the Cardinals will care either way with their sights already set on 2024 and beyond.

Atlanta Falcons

• Estimated Cap Space: 13th
• Team Needs: WR, QB, LB

The Falcons fortified their defense during the draft with selections at EDGE and cornerback but neglected to add any more WRs, LBs or QBs.

The team hardly uses the WRs they already have anyway, so that’s not a huge deal. Mack Hollins can suffice as No. 2 in a run-heavy offense. Or perhaps they are waiting for Corey Davis to get cut. And an off-the-ball linebacker is an easy position to fill with a cheap veteran body closer to the start of the NFL season.

All in all, the roster for the Falcons is solid, especially their defense with all the splashy additions they made during free agency: Jessie Bates, Jeff Okudah, Kaden Elliss, Bud Dupree etc.

The biggest question mark regarding how far this team can go comes down to Desmond Ridder’s development in Year 2. With Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts and Drake London at his disposal, one would think Ridder can facilitate an offense that can win games in 2023. And there’s some fantasy sleeper appeal with his game considering he offers mobility. Ridder rushed for over 2,700 yards during his four-year college career (58 per game).

That combined with elite weaponry, suggests he can make some noise as a late-round fantasy quarterback in 2023. Recall that Marcus Mariota was a top-20 fantasy quarterback last season in points per game in 2022. And who can forget how well Ryan Tannehill played for fantasy under Smith’s coaching in Tennessee?

It’s an offense that relies heavily on play action and Ridder was PFF’s 3^rd-highest graded QB when using play action during his final season at Cincinnati. No. 1 you ask in last year’s class? Brock Purdy. Mic drop.

Baltimore Ravens

• Estimated Cap Space: 15th
• Team Needs: CB, DT, EDGE

Pay Lamar Jackson. Check. Get him more weapons on offense. Check.

Baltimore took care of business before and during the NFL Draft to lock up their quarterback long-term and surround him with weapons. However, the rest of the selections they made leave a lot to be desired when it comes to the roster needs.

The defense still needs a lot of work. Cornerback behind Marlon Humphrey is shaky. The team is living dangerously with the secondary in its current form. But give the Ravens some credit for acknowledging the hole on the roster, because they immediately signed CB Rock Ya-Sin after the draft. The ex-Colts cornerback was a top-24 graded cover cornerback last season per PFF and will turn 27 years old by the start of the season.

Defensive end/pass rusher is also an area of concern. They drafted edge rusher Tavius Robinson 124^th overall and I am unsure of his immediate impact. He posted just a 9% pressure rate last season (39th out of 43 qualifying 2023 draft-eligible edge rushers).

The Ravens are putting a lot of pressure (no pun intended) on their 2022 draft picks to step up and contribute on the defensive line. Last year’s second-rounder DE David Ojabo and third-rounder DT Travis Jones must deliver for this defense to improve. Ojabo missed time after suffering an injury during the 2022 pre-draft process. Jones played in 16 games last season but finished 72^nd in run-stop percentage (6.9%) per PFF.

If the defense’s struggles carry over from last season, expect more shootout environments from this Baltimore passing attack under new offensive coordinator, Todd Monken.

Buffalo Bills

• Estimated Cap Space: 25th
• Team Needs: WR, EDGE, S, DT

The Bills scooped up first-round talent in OG O’Cyrus Torrence, who fell all the way to pick No. 59. He helps plug the interior – that ranked 5th worst in run-blocking per PFF last season — as my highest-ranked guard in the class. Torrence finished 2022 as the highest-graded guard in the nation in his first season as a Gator after transferring from Louisiana-Lafayette. His overall blown block percentage (1%) ranks No. 2 in the 2023 guard class per Sports Info Solutions.

Combining the addition of Torrence with free agent signing Connor McGovern, the Bills boast a vastly different interior OL that should lead to more success rushing between the tackles with James Cook, Damien Harris and Latavius Murray. Wouldn’t surprise me to see the team lean more on the run game after prioritizing the OL during the offseason.

And although the team did not add any noteworthy WRs, they still added another slot pass-catcher in the form of tight end Dalton Kincaid. However, they should still look to adding more WRs with Gabe Davis (2024 free agent) and Khalil Shakir pegged as the No. 2 and No. 3 WRs respectively.

On defense, the Bills could still use more pass-rush juice and defensive linemen. A lot of expiring contracts on that side of the ball next season. But for this season, they have enough to work with, especially after adding Poona Ford post-draft.

Carolina Panthers

• Estimated Cap Space: 2nd
• Team Needs: CB

Carolina selected their quarterback of the future Bryce Young. Simply put, he’s the best football player in the QB class, and there would be no debate if he wasn’t undersized. They also added a WR for Young in the form of 2^nd-round WR Jonathan Mingo. He joins a totally revamped WR room led by fellow newcomers, Adam Thielen and D.J. Chark Jr. Terrace Marshall Jr. is the most notable carry-over from the previous regime. Don’t be surprised if Mingo makes a major contribution Year 1.

The one area of defense I am most concerned about is the secondary. The team didn’t select or add any cornerbacks in the draft or free agency. Jaycee Horn is a stud, but it’s a bit weak behind him regarding depth. Donte Jackson got hurt at the end of last season, and C.J. Henderson finished the year as PFF’s 13th-lowest graded cornerback in coverage.

Overall, Carolina is a in pretty decent spot from an overall roster construction standpoint. It’s just a matter of how quickly Young can develop chemistry with his receivers to get his team in a position to win games. With the roster in its current form, I doubt we see them finish with a bottom-5 in overall DVOA for a second straight season.

Chicago Bears

• Estimated Cap Space: 1st
• Team Needs: EDGE

The Bears needed a future tackle and got the second-best guy in the 2023 NFL Draft behind Paris Johnson Jr. Zero complaints from me with Darnell Wright slated to protect Justin Fields. They drafted a No. 2 cornerback with Tyrique Stevenson to pair with Jaylon Johnson and slot CB Kyler Gordon.

WR Tyler Scott was a nice 4^th-round addition, with Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney hitting free agency in 2024.

The secondary is in a pretty good spot, and the run defense should get a boost from rookie DTs Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens. The biggest need overall is off the edge. Demarcus Walker looks like the No. 1 pass-rusher, and he had eight sacks last year with the Titans.

The Bears have made vast improvements on both sides of the ball, which should help them stay more competitive in games.

Cincinnati Bengals

• Estimated Cap Space: 8th
• Team Needs: TE, RB

The only roster spot the Bengals failed to improve this offseason, was at the tight end position. The secondary got major upgrades in the draft in the top-3 rounds, as did the pass rusher with Clemson’s Myles Murphy. But in a talent-rich tight end class, it was perplexing that Cincy didn’t select one at any point.

That suggests the team has confidence in ex-Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr.

The former Alabama tight end has still yet to turn 25, but injuries have plagued him over the last two seasons. His impressive sophomore campaign seems like a distant memory, more than an actual way to project him moving forward. At least Smith was able to return from the high-ankle sprain that placed him on IR in 2022, and he will get the chance to be fully healthy during off-season activities. Before his injury in Week 8, ISJ was the TE23 in points per game (5.7) and caught at least two passes in all but one game. The former second-round pick still has talent and could easily rebound on a high-powered Bengals offense that features tight ends plenty in the passing game. His 20% target rate per route run ranked 12th among all tight ends with at least 30 targets in 2022.

Waiting until Round 5 to draft Chase Brown also indicates the team isn’t too concerned about Joe Mixon’s availability heading into the 2023 season.

Drafting two WRs (Charlie Jones and Andrei Iosivas) was also wise by Cincy considering both Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd will be free agents in 2024.

Cleveland Browns

• Estimated Cap Space: 21st
• Team Needs: EDGE, RB

Cleveland didn’t have a ton of high-end draft capital to work with, but I liked what they did with their limited picks. WR Cedric Tillman (a draft crush of mine) gives Deshaun Watson another big-bodied target on the perimeter. He also presents a cheap alternative than the team re-signing Donovan Peoples-Jones, who will hit FA in 2024.

Nose tackle Siaki Ika helps address a major need for the Browns defense that was gashed versus the run last season.

All in all, the Browns look strong up-and-down the roster at the conclusion of the NFL Draft. Cornerback Denzel Ward just needs to bounce back after struggling last year, because the Browns found a gem in No. 2 cornerback Martin Emerson.

Emerson finished with the third best PFF coverage grade among the rookie CBs last season.

Cleveland not investing in another running back signifies they are happy with Jerome Ford as the No. 2 RB behind Nick Chubb. Chubb could be in for a monster year if Ford doesn’t capture Kareem Hunt’s old role.

Dallas Cowboys

• Estimated Cap Space: 10th
• Team Needs: OL, RB, CB

During the NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys neglected to make any worthwhile additions across the offensive line, cornerback, running back or wide receiver positions.

The team’s three projected starting trio of cornerbacks – Jourdan Lewis, Stephon Gilmore and Trevon Diggs – are all free agents in 2024.

Last year’s first-round pick Tyler Smith projects to take over at left guard after the team lost Conner McGovern in free agency.

Dallas also waited until the 212^th pick to draft a running back. Tony Pollard is slated for heavy usage as a result with Deuce Vaughn, Ronald Jones, Rico Dowdle and Malik Davis presenting zero threats to his RB1 status. There’s a better chance the team re-signs Ezekiel Elliott on cheap deal.

Denver Broncos

• Estimated Cap Space: 23rd
• Team Needs: EDGE

For the Denver Broncos, their biggest need remains at pass rush. They could use some extra juice after finishing bottom-10 in pressure rate in 2022. The team never replaced Bradley Chubb after trading him to Miami, and prized free-agent acquisition Randy Gregory was limited to just six games due to injury.

Dre’Mont Jones led the team in total pressures but signed with the Seahawks in free agency (three-year, $51 million deal).

To combat the losses, they did add Zach Allen from Arizona off the edge in free agency and drafted Drew Sanders, who can bring pressure as a hybrid linebacker/pass rusher.

Detroit Lions

• Estimated Cap Space: 3rd
• Team Needs: CB, DT, EDGE

The Detroit Lions were not prepared to miss out on CB Devon Witherspoon at the top of the 2023 NFL Draft. Missing out on the No. 1 CB in the class caused a ripple effect on their entire draft strategy, and the Lions finished the draft without selecting any additional cornerbacks. It’s a major cause for concern because this secondary was shredded last season. They added Cam Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley from free agency but traded away Jeff Okudah after a career year. Moseley has also played just 16 games over the last two seasons.

They also waited until late Round 3 to draft a defensive tackle after struggling against the run last season. Only the Giants allowed more expected points versus the run than the Lions in 2023.

The Lions defense – particularly the No. 2 cornerback spot – could hold them back from living up to lofty pre-season expectations.

They also didn’t add any wide receivers to mitigate the loss from the Jameson Williams six-game suspension. Detroit added pass-catchers in the forms of Marvin Jones, Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs, but there’s a lot of projection with that group. Ergo, there’s going to be a lot of double-digit target games for Amon-Ra St. Brown while Jared Goff gets comfortable with the new guys. Wheels up.

Green Bay Packers

• Estimated Cap Space: 20th
• Team Needs: S, CB, OL

The Packers added a plethora of weapons during the draft to arm new starting quarterback Jordan Love with pieces to succeed. But they failed to add a true-difference maker at the safety position, outside drafting Iowa State’s Anthony Johnson Jr. in the 7^th round of the 2023 NFL Draft. There’s reason for concern in Green Bay’s backend after the performances they displayed last season.

Safety Adrian Amos played the most snaps against the run but remains an unsigned 30-year-old free agent. He also was a major liability in coverage as PFF’s fifth-lowest graded safety in coverage. His teammate Darnell Savage ranked 4th-worst in that category.

Safety with coverage skills is still on top of the Packers’ off-season priorities. The best-case scenario with the current roster is that Johnson makes an immediate impact in run support.

Houston Texans

• Estimated Cap Space: 5th
• Team Needs: WR

The Texans took care of their glaring needs right off the bat during the NFL Draft between their first four selections. C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr., Juice Scruggs and Tank Dell fill the exact positional needs Houston had to address heading into the draft.

However, I still believe that the wide receiver room could use more talent.

Nico Collins, John Metchie III, Robert Woods, Noah Brown and two 2024 rookies aren’t exactly a Murder’s Row of pass-catchers. The surrounding talent makes it tough to trust Stroud to post solid passing numbers in Year 1.

There’s also just a glaring lack of sheer speed overall on the offense, which could prove problematic as the season progresses.

Indianapolis Colts

• Estimated Cap Space: 4th
• Team Needs: IOL, EDGE, S

The Indianapolis Colts addressed several of their primary needs during the NFL Draft, including quarterback, cornerback, wide receiver, offensive tackle, and defensive tackle. While they also added depth at safety, tight end, edge rusher, and running back, they still have some remaining needs on the roster.

The Colts could look to add depth at interior offensive line edge or safety, depending on how their current players perform during training camp and the preseason.

The interior OL unit underwhelmed tremendously last year, specifically at right guard. Will Fries graded out as the 8th-worst pass-blocking guard. His backup Danny Pinter ranked fourth worst. With other depth pieces between Matt Pryor (49ers) and Dennis Kelly not returning, the Colts could really use another starter along the right side of their offensive line.

Safety Rodney McLeod will be 33 years old when the season kicks off and he signed with the Browns. He was impressive in his 11th season and first year with the Colts, capping the year as PFF’s eighth highest-graded safety. His coverage grade ranked second.

Overall, the Colts did an excellent job in the draft, and they seem to have put themselves in a good position to compete in the upcoming season.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Estimated Cap Space: 6th
• Team Needs: DT, EDGE

Based on the Jaguars’ 2023 NFL Draft selections, they addressed their main need at OT with the selection of Anton Harrison in the first round. However, they did not invest in their other areas of need, including DT, EDGE, and S until the later rounds. They added Tyler Lacy and Raymond Vohasek to their defensive line, but both are more suited as run defenders than pass rushers. Yasir Abdullah was their only pick at EDGE, but he is undersized and lacks strength.

The team did get a steal from safety Antonio Johnson falling into the fifth round, who can play multiple positions in the secondary and offers strong run defense and pass-rushing skills.

Overall, while the Jaguars made some solid picks, they still have needs on the defensive line that they did not fully fix during the draft.

Kansas City Chiefs

• Estimated Cap Space: 27th
• Team Needs: DT, CB

Based on the Chiefs’ 2023 NFL Draft selections, they seem to have addressed most of their needs. They added pass-rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah in the first round, which bolsters their edge rush. However, they may still need more help in the interior defensive line and cornerback positions.

2022 7th-rounder Jaylen Watson is penciled in as a starter for 2023. Three of the team’s top-4 cornerbacks will be second-year players, so adding veteran depth would be a strong investment for the Chiefs.

The defensive interior also needs fine-tuning behind Chris Jones (a 2024 free agent). Free agents Khalen Saunders (Saints) and Derrick Nnadi ranked right behind Jones in snaps played from the defensive interior in 2022. The team re-signed Nnadi, but he’s not any good. Among DLs with at least 400 snaps, Nnadi finished as PFF’s 83rd-graded interior defensive lineman among 87 qualifiers.

They did address the wide receiver position with the addition of Rashee Rice in the second round. The draft selection of Wanya Morris – along with the post-draft free agent signing OT Donovan Smith — gives them more depth across the offensive line. Finally, the addition of safety Chamarri Conner in the fourth round gives them more depth in the secondary. Overall, the Chiefs did a good job of addressing most of their needs, but there are still a few areas they could improve upon.

Las Vegas Raiders

• Estimated Cap Space: 11th
• Team Needs: OT, LB, QB

The Raiders made some solid selections during the 2023 NFL Draft and addressed several areas of need. They added Tyree Wilson in the first round, which solidified their pass-rush opposite Maxx Crosby, but they did not address their need for a starting cornerback in the early rounds. Tight end Michael Mayer was a great addition to the offense in the second round, and the selection of Byron Young in the third round will help improve the Raiders’ run defense.

In the later rounds, the team added Jakorian Bennett, who has the potential to become a starting cornerback, and Aidan O’Connell, who provides much-needed depth at quarterback. Veteran Duke Shelley was also signed as a veteran in free agency, and he graded out extremely well by PFF in 2022 as a Minnesota Viking. He finished last season as PFF’s 3^rd-highest graded cornerback (86.4).

However, the team did not address their needs for a starting linebacker or offensive tackle, which are still areas of concern. Veteran linebacker Robert Spillane was brought in from the Steelers but he has never been a true full-time off-the-ball linebacker.

Tackles Brandon Parker (re-signed after missing all last year with injury) and Jermaine Eluemunor (re-signed) are both back to compete for starting RT duties. They have some depth with 2022 7th-rounder Thayer Munford as a direct in-house replacement after seeing plenty of snaps as a rookie. Parker and Eluemunor will both be free agents in 2024.

It was noteworthy that the Raiders also did not sign any running backs. That likely signifies another bell cow workload season for Josh Jacobs.

Los Angeles Chargers

• Estimated Cap Space: 12th
• Team Needs: DT, SCB, S, TE, RB

Based on the Chargers’ 2023 NFL Draft selections, it seems that they have not adequately addressed their needs at DT, slot CB, and S.

While WR Quentin Johnston is a good fit for the team they have other pressing needs that should have been prioritized at other points during the draft. The Chargers’ defense has struggled against the run for several years, and their picks in the draft do not suggest that this will change.

LB Daiyan Henley and EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu may be useful in certain situations, but neither is a true solution to the team’s defensive struggles. Additionally, while speed demon and return specialist WR Derius Davis is a solid addition to the team, he does not help address their defensive needs.

The team doesn’t have a legitimate nickel defensive back to man the slot after losing Bryce Callahan and Nasir Adderly. Former 2022 6^th-round pick Ja’Sir Taylor projects to being the team’s starting slot cornerback.

Additionally, three of their top running backs including Austin Ekeler, are on expiring contracts at the end of the season.

The Chargers should look to address these areas of weakness through trades if they are to make noise in the AFC race.

Los Angeles Rams

• Estimated Cap Space: 26th
• Team Needs: S, LB

After the 2023 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams addressed many of their major needs. They selected Steve Avila to bolster their offensive line, Byron Young and Kobie Turner to improve their defensive line, and Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson to add depth to their secondary.

Offensive tackle Warren McClendon was also a nice value pick for their offensive line, while Puka Nacua and Zach Evans could contribute as wide receiver and running back respectively. Quarterback Stetson Bennett could even find his way onto the field if Matthew Stafford is not fully healthy.

With these additions, the Rams’ remaining needs are linebacker and safety. Last year’s strong safety Taylor Rapp signed with the Bills and former starting free safety Nick Scott signed a deal with the Bengals. The team released Bobby Wagner earlier this offseason.

Current projected starters at linebacker and safety include 2020 UDFA Christian Rozeboom and 2022 7^th-rounder Russ Yeast. Woof.

Overall, the Rams had a productive draft to plug roster holes with the 14 selections they made, but the talent of the roster is mediocre at best.

Miami Dolphins

• Estimated Cap Space: 29th
• Team Needs: OL, TE

Miami lacked the draft capital necessary to fill their team’s needs without sacrificing positional value. So, they wisely invested in going with a best-player-available approach with selections like CB Cam Smith in the second round. Smith was my fifth-ranked rookie CB in the class, so I love the value of him at 51st overall. In 2021, he earned PFF’s second-highest coverage grade in the FBS. And over the last two seasons, Smith has broken up 15 passes.

They also had a need for a running back which was taken care of in the form of Devon Achane.

And they did eventually draft a tight end in the form of former Stanford WR, Elijah Higgins, who will be converting to TE at the NFL level. Still, expecting a Day 3 TE-WR convert to hit the ground running in Year 1 is a stretch. But hey, somebody has to be this year’s Chigoziem Okonkwo.

I still strongly side with Miami needing more on the offensive line, specifically at tackle. Depth players like Greg Little (PFF’s lowest-graded tackle in 2022), Eric Fisher, and Brandon Shell are all free agents.

Austin Jackson barely played last year after being placed on IR very early on. Guard Liam Eichenberg has struggled for two years as PFF’s fourth-lowest graded guard among 85 qualifiers. Miami added Dan Feeney from the Jets, but he is a depth piece at best. Same for tackle Geron Christian Sr.

Minnesota Vikings

• Estimated Cap Space: 32nd
• Team Needs: EDGE, LB, QB

After the 2023 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings appear to have addressed many of their immediate needs. They drafted a talented wide receiver in Round 1 with Jordan Addison, who should complement Justin Jefferson well and provide an immediate spark to the offense. They also picked up two cornerbacks in Mekhi Blackmon and Jay Ward, which should bolster the secondary, and a nose tackle in Jaquelin Roy to help plug the defensive interior.

The major need that the Vikings did not address in the draft was the EDGE position. They did not draft an EDGE rusher, and this could be a cause for concern as they ranked near the bottom of the league in sacks last season. The Vikings will need to address this position through free agency or other means to improve their pass rush and create pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Offensively, they still don’t have a long-term answer at quarterback with Kirk Cousins slated to be a free agent in 2024. They drafted QB Jaren Hall from BYU on Day 3, but he’s hardly a lock to be the future franchise QB.

New England Patriots

• Estimated Cap Space: 17th
• Team Needs: FS, OT

The New England Patriots addressed most of their needs except for safety. They drafted a cornerback, Christian Gonzalez, who can provide versatility and fill a need in the Patriots defense. Keion White, an edge rusher, was picked in the second round and can help improve the pass-rush. Marte Mapu, a linebacker with great speed, was selected in the third round, but his size at 221 pounds makes it questionable whether he can be a Day 1 contributor at linebacker.

They also added depth to the interior line with Jake Andrews, Sidy Sow, and Atonio Mafi, all of whom could be developed into starters. Although tackle will need to be addressed sooner rather than later, with Trent Brown and Yodny Cajuste slated for 2024 free agency.

Kayshon Boutte, a receiver with great potential, was chosen in the sixth round. DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne are free agents in 2024. Tyquan Thornton and JuJu Smith-Schuster headline the team’s top 2 WRs heading into 2024.

However, the team still needs another safety to address that position. Devin McCourty‘s retirement is a major deal. He led the Patriots defense in total snaps and finished the year second in tackles. His 90.0 PFF tackling grade ranked 7th among all safeties last season. The team re-signed safety Jabrill Peppers, but he is more of a run-stuffing box safety so they still need a center fielder at the free safety position. Veteran Adrian Phillips is projected as the team’s starting free safety.

New Orleans Saints

• Estimated Cap Space: 9th
• Team Needs: EDGE, LB, CB

After the conclusion of the 2023 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints took care of several needs, with a strong emphasis on improving their defensive line. With the additions of Bryan Bresee and Isaiah Foskey, the Saints have bolstered their pass rush and run defense, which were areas of concern. They also added Nick Saldiveri to their offensive line, which was another area of need.

However, they did not address their needs at EDGE, LB, or CB during the draft.

The Saints would have been smart to bring in more cornerbacks. Marshon Lattimore dealt with injuries all last season, forcing Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor to play more than the team would have liked. Taylor came around as a 2022 second rounder generating a 58.3 passer rating when targeted. Adebo didn’t fare nearly as well, allowing a 123.6 passer rating while drawing 10 penalties. The team likely needs a slot cornerback/safety versatile player with P.J. Williams hitting the open market.

The addition of running back Kendre Miller will provide depth and insurance at running back in case of an Alvin Kamara suspension. Jake Haener will serve as a backup quarterback option.

New York Giants

• Estimated Cap Space: 31st
• Team Needs: S

The New York Giants took care of business, filling team needs during the 2023 NFL Draft and in free agency. They drafted Deonte Banks and Tre Hawkins at cornerback, John Michael Schmitz at center, and Jalin Hyatt at wide receiver, among other selections.

The team also re-signed several key players, including Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton, while acquiring Darren Waller and Parris Campbell through trades and free agency.

Additionally, running back Saquon Barkley returned to form in 2022, and the offensive line improved overall. However, with the departure of safety Julian Love, the team may still need to look for a replacement. Free agent acquisition Bobby McCain will play from the slot and penciled-in starter Jason Pinnock allowed the league’s 5^th-highest passer rating when targeted last season.

New York Jets

• Estimated Cap Space: 19th
• Team Needs: OT, DT, LB

Atop the list of remaining needs for the Jets is the offensive tackle (and OL in general) position due to some expiring contracts and underwhelming incumbents. The team also finished as PFF’s third-worst grading pass-blocking unit in 2022.

After losing out in the tackle market early, the Jets finally did get OT help in Round 4 of the draft with Carter Warren. Warren boasts massive arm length (88th percentile) with a ton of playing experience at left tackle. He likely fell into Day 3 due to a season-ending injury last year that limited him to four games.

To further bolster the tackle position, New York also signed Billy Turner after the draft.

Defensively speaking, the need for bodies upfront and at safety are the top-two priorities.

Safety Lamarcus Joyner is a free agent. Jordan Whitehead, Chuck Clark and Ashtyn Davis will be 2024 free agents.

DT Sheldon Rankins signed with the Texans in free agency. They added Quinton Jefferson at the top of April, but he finished last season as PFF’s 7^th-worst graded run defender. They also signed Al Woods after the draft.

Linebacker might also need some fine combing to mitigate the impending losses of Kwon Alexander.

Philadelphia Eagles

• Estimated Cap Space: 14th
• Team Needs: LB

The Philadelphia Eagles made some smart moves in the 2023 NFL Draft and free agency that addressed some of their key needs. They drafted Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith to bolster their defensive line and pass rush, respectively and also added depth to their offensive line and secondary with Tyler Steen and Sydney Brown. Kelee Ringo was another steal for the Eagles, who could develop into a starter and provide flexibility in their cornerback position. Additionally, they traded for D’Andre Swift to add to their running back depth.

With a Super Bowl roster, it’s hard to find actual holes. If I had to nitpick, I would look at their linebacker room. They still need to replace T.J. Edwards (Bears) and Kyzir White (Cardinals) at linebacker. Edwards is vastly underrated. He led the team with 135 tackles in 2022. White finished second with 83. They at least have 2022 third-round and former Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean as an in-house replacement. Nikolas Morrow is projected to start as the team’s weak side linebacker. He finished as PFF’s 6^th-worst graded run defender last season with the Bears.

Overall, the Eagles have made significant strides in addressing their needs and positioning themselves as favorites in the NFC.

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Estimated Cap Space: 22nd
• Team Needs: S, LB

The Pittsburgh Steelers made several smart moves during the 2023 NFL Draft, addressing some of their key needs. With the selection of offensive tackle Broderick Jones in Round 1 – and key interior OL additions made in free agency – the Steelers significantly improved their offensive line, which will provide better protection for their QB, Kenny Pickett. They also addressed their cornerback need by drafting Joey Porter Jr. in Round 2 and later picking up Cory Trice Jr. in Round 7. They also inked Chandon Sullivan to a deal after the draft.

The addition of Keeanu Benton and Nick Herbig will boost their defensive line and linebacker corps, respectively.

I’d argue that the only remaining needs are an off-ball linebacker and safety.

Robert Spillane (Raiders), Devin Bush (Seahawks) and Myles Jack are gone. And the last thing the Steelers want to do is rely on Tae Crowder, who led all linebackers in missed tackle rate (24%) in 2022. FA-signee Cole Holcomb will be a plug-in piece, but he dealt with injuries last year in Washington.

Former starting safety Terrell Edmunds signed with the Eagles, and the Steelers replaced him with Keanu Neal.

San Francisco 49ers

• Estimated Cap Space: 16th
• Team Needs: OL, CB

On defense, the 49ers’ biggest weakness was against the pass last season. No team could run on their No.1-ranked run defense, but it was a different story when teams dropped back to throw. Improving the secondary becomes even more pertinent when you consider the guys SF lost from their defensive backfield. CB Emmanuel Mosely (Lions) and S Jimmie Ward (Texans). S Tashaun Gipson re-signed with the team, but only on a one-year deal. The team also sneakily added Isaiah Oliver/Myles Hartsfield as starting slot defenders.

Ward operated as the team’s primary slot defender, and Gipson provided run support as an elite free safety tackler.

They wisely drafted Penn State safety, Ji’Ayir Brown, in Round 3 after he fell in the draft due to a slow 40-time (4.65). He fills a major need after they lost Jimmie Ward in free agency. Brown operated very close to the line of scrimmage at times in Penn State’s defense boasting the No. 1 blitz rate, lowest aDOT and most pressures per game in the safety class. He’s not overly athletic but makes up for it with leadership and football IQ.

However, I am not okay that SF did not add any OL or primary CBs with their top draft picks, opting to draft a backup tight end with Cameron Latu late in the third round.

Seattle Seahawks

• Estimated Cap Space: 24th
• Team Needs: LB

The Seattle Seahawks had a solid draft overall, with some standout picks and a few questionable ones. They surprised some by taking CB Devon Witherspoon with the 5th pick, but he’s projected to be a top-tier cover cornerback, so it’s hard to criticize the pick too much. Jaxon Smith-Njigba at pick 20 was a steal and will give the Seahawks a strong No.3 WR option, which will allow them to run more 3WR sets. Derrick Hall in Round 2 adds some edge rusher firepower, and Mike Morris in Round 5 doubles down on pass rushers.

LSU’s Anthony Bradford in Round 3 adds some strength to the interior guard position, but he doesn’t project to be a center. Although he could be a Day 1 starter at guard. Bradford is a strong run blocker, finishing first in the class with a positive run rate generated when run behind (64%) per Sports Info Solutions.

Olusegun Oluwatimi in Round 5 could potentially be a starting center, as he was recognized as the nation’s best center/interior offensive lineman and had a very low blown block rate.

However, the pick of RB Zach Charbonnet at 52nd overall is questionable, as they already have Kenneth Walker entrenched as the starter and could have waited to draft a different RB with pass-catching chops or signed someone in free agency. However, the selection looks less porous when you step back and evaluate the roster as a whole, which I’d argue is one of the more complete ones in the NFL.

Linebacker is the only position I think they could use more long-term investment in with Jordyn Brooks, Bobby Wagner and Devin Bush all on 1-year deals. But that’s a 2024 problem.

The 2023 Seahawks look like a low-key playoff contender in a conference with major question marks outside of the Eagles.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Estimated Cap Space: 30th
• Team Needs: QB, S

The addition of Calijah Kancey and YaYa Diaby improves the Buccaneers’ defensive line, while Cody Mauch’s selection will bolster the offensive line.

Additionally, SirVocea Dennis provides depth and versatility at the linebacker position.

As a result, it appears that Tampa Bay’s most pressing needs have been addressed except for quarterback and safety.

The team seems “fine” rolling ahead with Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask, with their sights likely set on the 2024 NFL Draft to select their future franchise QB. However, the projected starter (or whoever will play the most games) is anyone’s guess. GM Jason Licht recently said that the team also wanted to bring in another veteran quarterback. Woof.

All things considered; I’d bet that Mayfield is the guy they roll with. New offensive coordinator Dave Canales helped resurrect Geno Smith’s career in Seattle, in an offense led by Shane Waldron. Waldon comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree, which Mayfield played under last season. The former first-round pick has a massive leg up to learn the playbook at a faster pace than Trask, and that will likely give him a massive edge.

The Bucs also still have some pressing needs in their defensive secondary. Safeties Mike Edwards (Chiefs), Logan Ryan and Keanu Neal (Steelers) are gone. CB Sean Murphy-Bunting signed with the Titans. Ryan Neal is projected to start at strong safety, and he finished last season as PFF’s fourth-highest graded cover safety. However, Neal and Antoine Winfield Jr. will both be free agents at the end of the season.

Worth noting that Mike Evans will also be a free agent at the end of the season, and he makes sense as a potential trade candidate.

Tennessee Titans

• Estimated Cap Space: 18th
• Team Needs: WR, LB, CB

Based on their draft selections and free agency moves, the Titans appear to have filled their main needs, including quarterback and offensive line. They also added depth at running back with Tyjae Spears. Derrick Henry has been floated in trade rumors and will be a free agent in 2024.

However, there are still question marks at cornerback and wide receiver, as they did not address those positions during the draft. Additionally, the Titans could use more help at linebacker, as it was a pre-draft need and they did not select any linebackers in this year’s draft.

They brought in Luke Gifford from Dallas on a two-year contract, but he has mostly been a special teams player. The Titans also signed linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair to a one-year deal, who Ran Carthon is familiar with from their time spent in SF together.

Most of their starters are returning from their secondary, but it’s a unit that played horribly in 2022. The Titans ranked last in passing yards allowed per game (275). They need another perimeter CB after inking inside cornerback Sean Bunting to a one-year deal. Starter Kristian Fulton is on an expiring contract.

Treylon Burks is the No. 1 WR followed by Nick Westbrook and Kyle Philips. Not good for the offense. But the lack of capable pass-catchers is great for second-year tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo to build off an impressive rookie season.

Washington Commanders

• Estimated Cap Space: 28th
• Team Needs: QB, TE

Washington used their early picks to select two cornerbacks, Emmanuel Forbes and Jartavius Martin, which was a much-needed move to improve their pass defense. However, Forbes was considered a reach, while Martin is projected as a slot cornerback.

On the offensive side, Washington added a plethora of offensive linemen through free agency and the draft. The OL needed improvement after finishing bottom-10 in both pass-blocking and run-blocking efficiency per PFF in 2022.

They also signed quarterback Jacoby Brissett, which could suggest that they are not sold on second-year QB Sam Howell as their QB1. But with zero QBs drafted, the organization seems confident that Howell can rise to the challenge and beat out the long-time veteran.

One of the more surprising moves – or lack thereof – was Washington not drafting a tight end. That suggests the team feels comfortable with Logan Thomas, another year removed from his ACL injury. LT has been completely written off by the fantasy community with an ADP of TE39 in early best ball drafts.