NFL Team Needs: 2026 NFL Draft & Post-Free Agency Targets (NFC)

NFL free agency reshaped the league — but it didn’t complete it. There are still NFL team needs that remain

While March brought splash signings, trades, and short-term roster fixes, it also clarified where teams still fall short. Holes that weren’t addressed have now become glaring priorities heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, where franchises will look to add young, cost-controlled talent to round out their rosters.

Some teams attacked aggressively in free agency, filling immediate needs and positioning themselves to draft the “best player available.” Others took a more conservative approach — leaving clear paths for rookies to step into meaningful roles right away.

That’s where this breakdown comes in.

Below, we’re identifying each team’s primary and secondary needs following free agency, along with key roster changes that shaped their draft outlook. Whether it’s a contender looking for one final piece or a rebuilding squad laying its foundation, the NFL Draft is where these needs get answered.

I’ve broken down post-free agency needs by conference.

Here are the 2026 NFL Draft & Post-Free Agency NFL Team Needs for the 16 NFC teams.

FantasyPros Fantasy Football My Playbook

NFL Team Needs: NFC Conference

*Free Agency Glossary:

  • ERFA = Exclusive Rights Free Agent
  • RFA = Restricted Free Agent
  • CLUB = Club Option

Arizona Cardinals

Team Needs: QB, RT, EDGE, LB, S

2026 Free Agents Key Losses:

S Jalen Thompson, LB Akeem Davis-Gather, QB Kyler Murray, RT Jonah Williams

2026 Free Agents

2027 Free Agents

Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort did not originally completely rule out Kyler Murray returning as the team’s starting QB – given that he was still under contract (with a cap hit north of $50M) at the start of the offseason. New HC Mike LeFleur (and the team’s new offensive play caller) also hadn’t technically ruled out Murray as a QB option for 2026. NFL insider Dianna Russini reported there was a belief that Murray would be kept in 2026. This is a reversal from just a few months ago, when Russini reported that nobody would be surprised if the team moved on from the 28-year-old QB. Simply put, Arizona wanted to be compensated for Murray, given how many QB-needy teams there are.

And I want to be 6-foot-4 with a six-pack.

The contract complicated things because he’s still owed $36.8 million in fully guaranteed salary and bonuses for 2026, per The Athletic.

The Jets, Browns, Dolphins, Vikings, etc., emerged as potential suitors for the former No. 1 overall pick, especially if Arizona is willing to take on part of Murray’s deal to complete a trade.

But as we know now…Arizona could not find a trade partner and was forced to release Murray. He will play for someone else on the veteran minimum.

All the breadcrumbs suggested the Vikings as the premier landing spot for the short-statured quarterback. We know QBs want to go to Minnesota and play for Kevin O’Connell. Worked for all the other veterans. And that is exactly what happened.

Nevertheless, Murray is probably going to open as a Week 1 starter for the Minnesota Vikings after he signed with them after his release. Best ball drafters should take advantage of his ADP price outside the top-20 QBs.

Also, rumblings emerged that Jimmy Garoppolo could reunite with LaFleur in the desert (Jeremy Fowler).

LaFleur also mentioned that he plans on moving Marvin Harrison Jr. around the formation. They signed Kendrick Bourne to a two-year contract in free agency, who spent time with LaFleur from 2017 to 2020 in San Francisco. Also played with Jacoby Brissett in New England during the 2024 season.

Per FantasyPros’ Derek Brown: Bourne reminded fantasy gamers and the NFL of his talent with two monster games for the injury-depleted 49ers in Weeks 5 & 6 as the WR6 and WR11 in weekly scoring (PPR). Although he will be viewed as the clear-cut No. 4 option, his intelligence and veteran experience could make him annoying for the other pass-catchers in the Cardinals offense. It’s not Mac Jones-Bourne’s level of chemistry, but it’s not nothing.

The offensive line has a ton of free agents over the next two seasons, with RT specifically the biggest immediate need (Kelvin Beachum will be 36 and is on an expired deal). OG Isaac Seumalo was signed to bolster the interior offensive line. They also signed RT Elijah Wilkinson to a two-year deal as a stop-gap option. He previously played for the Cardinals in 2023 as the team’s starting left guard. But again not a player signing that would prevent them from drafting a tackle with the third overall pick.

Charlie Campbell (Walter Football) has reported the Cardinals are high on Spencer Fano.

Defensively, the Cardinals need more pass rush juice, ranking 30th in PFF pass rush grade and 29th in pressure rate generated in 2025.

I think one of Ohio State’s top-ranked defensive players is going to make their way to Arizona at third overall. Keep this in mind.

Current Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort overlapped with Ohio State DC Matt Patricia with the New England Patriots. Ossenfort has drafted an Ohio State player in the first round in two of his three drafts as the team’s GM (four total Buckeyes drafted since 2023). OS’s former OL coach is the current Cardinals’ offensive line coach. Nick Rallis was kept as the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator after being brought on in 2023 (former Eagles LB coach).

They have interior players, but it remains to be seen how second-year DT Walter Nolen will recover from his December Achilles injury. Calais Campbell will be 40 years old in 2026. DT Dalvin Tomlinson was released (signed with the Chargers).

Then, considering all their 2027 defensive line free agents, Arizona may need to use 2026 to extend or replace core pieces early. They signed DT Roy Lopez to a two-year deal worth $10.5 million. Also signed Andrew Billings.

At linebacker, Mack Wilson and Akeem Davis-Gather were projected to be free agents at the end of the season. Wilson finished 2025 on IR after 8 games. Akeem Davis-Gaither finished as a bottom-20 graded linebacker and was already released. Last year’s fourth-round rookie LB, Cody Simon, earned a bottom-10 tackling grade per PFF.

Clearly, they could use an upgrade at off-ball linebacker. They signed Jack Gibbens to a two-year contract from the Patriots.

The secondary isn’t catastrophic, but they need to stay healthier than they were last season. Safety Jalen Thompson is also a free agent (second in defensive snaps played behind Budda Baker). He signed with Dallas in free agency.

Jacoby Brissett is under contract until 2027. Gardner Minshew will join him in the Cardinals QB1 battle. Brissett – for all intents and purposes – appears to be in the driver’s seat to start for the tanking Red Birds.

Veteran James Conner was a legitimate cut candidate – 31 years old and coming off a season-ending foot injury entering the last year of his contract – and Trey Benson hasn’t been able to stay healthy in his two seasons. However, it was later reported that Conner would return to Arizona on a reworked contract.

Given both LaFleur and Nathaniel Hackett’s ties to Breece Hall from their days with the New York Jets, the desert seemed like a sneaky landing spot if Hall doesn’t return to Gang Green. Keep in mind that one of Hall’s best seasons came with Hackett as the Jets’ OC in 2023 (Hall was fantasy’s RB2).

However, the Jets won’t cooperate and seem destined to retain Hall at all costs.

Arizona could/likely add another free agent RB or trade for one. A name to monitor…Jaylen Wright. Played at Tennessee in 2021 with the current Cardinals RB coach…Matt Merritt.

The splashy free agent move was acquiring former Falcons RB, Tyler Allgeier. Although Allgeier hasn’t played for anyone currently on the Cardinals staff, his former OC Zac Robinson was with LaFleur in Los Angeles.

I’ve always been a strong believer in Allgeier since his days at BYU. He produced over 1,000 rushing yards as a 5th-round rookie, and just fell victim to circumstances with the Falcons taking Bijan Robinson in 2023. But TA still forced his way on the field, forcing a timeshare with arguably the best RB in the NFL.

According to the Athletic, Allgeier is sixth in the NFL in rushing success rate (42 percent) and 11th in EPA per rush (0.01) among all running backs, according to TruMedia. He is also one of three running backs with more than 500 carries in the last four seasons who have not fumbled the ball. He has zero career fumbles.

In 2025, he made his biggest impact in the red zone with eight rushing TDs. At 221 pounds and just 737 total NFL touches on his resume, the 26-year-old RB could be in line for heavy volume in 2026.

He should have no issues ascending to the top spot in Arizona under a new offensive coaching staff. Clearly, this staff/team isn’t super confident in former third-rounder, Trey Benson, after two injury-plagued seasons. The move is somewhat curious given that the team restructured Conner’s deal to keep him on the roster. It will be interesting to see whether he looks to get traded on a cheaper deal. Also shows how the new coaching staff values Conner…as they immediately forced him to take a pay cut and signed a younger free agent RB with a similar skill set.

Either way, Allgeier has been the epitome of health throughout his four-year NFL career, whereas Conner/Benson have been anything but. Worth noting that last year’s goal-line RB, Zonovan Knight, signed a one-year deal to return to Arizona.

New York Giants

Team Needs: DT, WR, OG, CB, RB

2026 Free Agents Key Losses:

WR Wan’Dale Robinson, CB Cordale Flott, C Austin Schlottmann, LB Bobby Okereke

2026 Free Agents:

2027 Free Agents:

New York ranked second-worst in the league in run defense in 2025. They need to bolster that defensive interior under the new head coach, John Harbaugh. In free agency, they did next to nothing to improve that unit further.

Furthermore, on defense, another CB is needed. Cor’Dale Flott departed in free agency, and Deonte Banks has been a first-round bust.

They signed Greg Newsome to a one-year deal.

The Giants don’t need a safety per se… as Tyler Nubin and Jevon Holland are under contract through 2028. Ar’Darius Washington signed a one-year deal (coming from Baltimore).

But Nubin regressed in his second season. Under a new coaching staff, there’s no allegiance to the former second-round safety that finished fourth-worst in run defense grade last year per PFF.

Adding somebody like Ohio State safety Caleb Downs makes a ton of sense for a team looking to improve tenfold on defense.

The G-Men also hired a former defensive back, Dennard Wilson, as their new defensive coordinator (former Titans DC).

And it’s hardly a stretch to think that Harbaugh would be opposed to taking a “safety” this high, given he has drafted safeties in the first round before (Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks).

LB Bobby Okereke was cut after leading the team in tackles in 2025 ($9M in savings as an impending 2027 free agent). The Giants added Tremaine Edmunds at linebacker.

Tight end Isaiah Likely reunited with Harbaugh, pouring cold water on Theo Johnson‘s third-year prospects. They also signed FB, Patrick Ricard.

WR also remains a need given Robinson’s departure to the Titans. Malik Nabers is coming off a season-ending ACL and meniscus tear. Possibly, he misses one or two weeks to start the year (PUP candidate), but eventually, he will get going and get back to form.

A lot of the discourse regarding Nabers’ availability is that they are ‘hopeful’ he will be ready for training camp. It’s been reported that Nabers is working with the same doctor who did Stefon Diggs‘ ACL rehab, which actually worked very well after a bit of a sluggish start.

Matt Nagy – new Giants OC – also drafted Cole Kmet in the second round as HC of the Bears. Kmet has been the subject of trade rumors. The former Chiefs OC also drafted Darnell Mooney. So it was not too surprising to see the Giants sign Mooney to a one-year contract after he was cut from the Falcons.

Greg Roman was also added to the offensive coaching staff (senior offensive assistant).

WR Marquise Brown is a free agent and has played for all three of Harbaugh, Roman, and Nagy. Hollywood Brown eventually signed a one-year deal with the Eagles.

The other moves they have made at WR are the additions of Isaiah Hodgins and Calvin Austin.

Wouldn’t be shocked if WR was the target for Harbaugh in Round 1. He hasn’t been shy about selecting WRs in the first round, i.e., Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and the aforementioned Marquise Brown.

Across the offensive line, three starters from last season were free agents (two guards and a tackle). OT Andrew Thomas is a stud when healthy, but the rest of the offensive line needs to be addressed during FA and the NFL Draft. They were able to re-sign RT Jermaine Eluemunor to a three-year deal. With Jon Runyan under contract for one more season, they just need one more OG spot addressed. G Aaron Stinnie was also brought back on a one-year deal.

Although I don’t think the Giants would draft/sign an RB in free agency, we are getting reports/smoke that suggest otherwise.

Cam Skattebo is coming off a season-ending injury, and Tyrone Tracy also missed time last season. The Giants have been heavily connected to RBs this offseason and seem smitten by Jeremiyah Love with the 5th overall pick.

Washington Commanders

Team Needs: WR, CB, RB, EDGE, IOL

2026 Free Agents Key Losses:

WR Deebo Samuel, TE Zach Ertz, C Tyler Biadasz, RB Chris Rodriguez Jr., CB Marshon Lattimore

2026 Free Agents:

2027 Free Agents:

The Commanders’ defense needs a lot of help. Last season, they finished second-to-last in yards per pass attempt faced (8.2).

Linebacker Bobby Wagner played the most snaps and is an impending free agent (also 36 years old). Von Miller led the team in sacks (10) and is 37 years old. EDGE Dorance Armstrong was the team’s best pass rusher last season and got hurt after seven games. This is the last year of his contract.

HC Dann Quin talked about wanting speed and violence. Plenty of top-tier prospects in this class check off those boxes.

During free agency, they signed Charles Omenihu and K’Lavon Chaisson to one-year deals. LB Leo Chenal also signed a 3-year deal.

But let’s not bury the lede…the big edge move was pass rusher Odafe Oweh – signing a 4-year deal worth $100 million.

Perimeter CB is another need. Marshon Lattimore is not the same guy anymore after so many injuries. He was cut.

Jonathan Jones is also a free agent. CB Amik Robertson signed a two-year deal.

Safety Jartavius “Quan” Martin is still under contract, along with the other two starting safeties. But Martin allowed the fifth highest passer rating in coverage last season. Safety needs to be addressed here for the Commanders to improve their defense. It’s a great draft class for safeties with three potential first-rounders (it is generally viewed as a strong safety class overall).

The Commanders signed safety Nick Cross during free agency.

Offensively, this backfield might get some more pieces. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is a former  seventh round draft pick (although the coaching staff has expressed confidence in him). He had an up-and-down rookie season with flashes. Chris Rodriguez is a restricted free agent, but he’s likely to return (the team loves him). However, he ended up going to the Jaguars.

I’d expect the other RBs not to re-sign in free agency.

The new offensive coordinator is David Blough (former assistant QB coach), who will replace Kliff Kingsbury.

Blough (former QB with the Browns, Lions, Vikings, and Cardinals) has played with the following RBs who could hit the open market this offseason (trade/cut candidates). Although they are all under contract at this time.

Assistant HC Brian Johnson coached both Swift and Kenneth Gainwell in Philadelphia. RB coach Anthony Lynn also coached Swift in Detroit.

Also, as noted in Matthew Berry’s highly acclaimed “NFL Combine Takeaways” article, he claims the Commanders’ backfield is very much unfinished. Team wants to add a ‘thumper’ and deploy an RBBC akin to Ben Johnson‘s offenses.

They signed Rachaad White to a one-year deal. Full breakdown here. They also added RB Jerome Ford, who played for the Browns.

WR depth is needed after Terry McLaurin (only three WRs on the current roster). They have a few young pieces like Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane – but no established names to pair with TMC. Don’t be surprised if Brandon Aiyuk reunites with his former Arizona State teammate, Jayden Daniels, this offseason.

It just makes so much sense for both sides with Aiyuk’s time in SF coming to an end. Adam Peters brought in former Niners WR Deebo Samuel last season.

Wes Welker is also supposed to take on a larger role with the Commanders’ offense, and he previously coached Aiyuk in San Fran.

So we shall see if Blough is true to his word, feeding TMC 10 targets per game.

For draft purposes – here’s another nugget: The Commanders’ WR coach, Bobby Engram, was the former OC at Wisconsin in 2022. A few college prospects in this year’s class from that Badgers team: WR Skyler Bell and WR Vinny Anthony.

The Commanders’ GM also emphasized selecting a young, explosive playmaker with their top draft pick (specifically highlighted pass rusher as an area of need).

David Bailey, Jeremiyah Love, Arvell Reese, Cashius Howell, Avieon Terrell, Caleb Downs, etc. Embarrassment of riches for the Commanders at seventh overall.

And after a historic combine showing…LB Sonny Styles could be the Commanders’ version of Fred Warner. It seems less likely they take someone with shorter arms like Rueben Bain.

Zach Ertz is coming off a torn ACL in December, so he won’t be back at 35.

The Commanders have some interesting young guys on the roster, such as Ben Sinnott, who could be thrust into larger roles. But he’s hardly done enough to keep the team from drafting a tight end. Or signing one. Case in point, the Commanders splurged in free agency by signing tight end Chig Okonkwo. I love the transaction.

Okonkwo has had 50-plus catches in three straight seasons. And now the super underrated tight end has Jayden Daniels throwing him the ball after he signed a deal with the Washington Commanders in free agency. Okonkwo’s YAC-ability and potential to be the No. 2 target in the nation’s capital are teeing him up to break out in 2026. The YAC metric for tight ends was one of the reasons that drew me to Tucker Kraft over the last 2 years. Chigoziem Okonkwo: 3rd in YAC/reception in 2025 (6.2) & 1st in YAC/reception as a rookie (7.8).

As for the protection upfront, they have the starters from last season intact. Sam Cosmi missed the start of the season but returned in October. He missed the latter portion of the season with a concussion.

The Commanders need to consider OL more in 2027 with their starting center and LT hitting the open market. Laremy Tunsil re-upped his deal to add two more years to his contract.

Center Tyler Biadasz has already been released. G Nick Allegretti was re-signed a week before free agency (projected as starting center). Another guard would help round out the blocking up front.

The Commanders brought back starting left guard, Chris Paul, on a one-year contract as a 2026 projected starter. But again, no long-term commitment.

A few coaching notes to account for. Daronte Jones has taken over at DC after spending 2022-2025 with the Minnesota Vikings in various defensive roles.

He was also the defensive coordinator for the LSU Tigers in 2021. Draft-eligible players in this class from that team?

QB Garrett Nussmeier. Nussmeier is used to backing up Daniels (did for two years at LSU).

New Orleans Saints

Team Needs: WR, CB, EDGE, DT

2026 Free Agents Key losses:

C Luke Fortner, LB Demario Davis, CB Alontae Taylor

2026 Free Agents:

2027 Free Agents:

A shame that the Saints waited so long to start Tyler Shough last season. The rookie QB showed promise as a potential franchise piece for New Orleans. Shough was great throwing at the intermediate level (stickier stat year over year) and on third downs (tougher to replicate, but impressive).

Shough’s 68 percent completion rate on intermediate throws ranked No. 1 in the NFL in 2025. Per Next Gen Stats, Shough finished eighth in completion rate (67.6 percent) overall.

In Shough’s last eight games, he averaged 17.8 fantasy points per game. 260 passing yards and 21.5 rushing yards per game (top-15 fantasy QB numbers).

The Saints saw enough to build around Shough this offseason, so they are set at the QB position.

As for team needs, the Saints EVP & GM Mickey Loomis emphasized the offensive line as a priority when starting a young QB.

HC Kellen Moore also spoke about taking the best player available in the draft. The Saints have some questions to answer at center and guard, given their OL crop hitting FA. Eric McCoy will be back under center after missing the second half of last year with a torn biceps injury.

They definitely have to add a guard, whether it’s in free agency or the draft.

OG David Edwards was the exact guy they needed to bring in… signing him to a 4-year, $61 million contract. They also re-signed G Dillon Radunz to a two-year deal.

The Saints also had a big need at RB.

Devin Neal and Audric Estime are on the roster alongside long-time veteran Alvin Kamara.

Depending on Moore’s confidence in Neal and Estime, the idea was that the Saints were likely to spend an early pick on a running back in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Saints can save $8.5 million in cap space by cutting Kamara after June 1. The Saints RB finished second in fantasy points scored UNDER expectation in 2025. Career lows in rushing efficiency marks for Kamara. At the start of the offseason, he has the largest cap hit among RBs entering the last year of his deal (which he restructured to stay on the roster).

I theorized that free agent Rico Dowdle could have been a great early-down option to pair with Kamara. Ended up in Pittsburgh (reunited with Mike McCarthy).

Kamara’s targets were also nuked in the Kellen Moore offense: Averaged fewer than 17 receiving yards/game. Kamara was never under 30 in any season during his NFL career. Catches also fell to a career-low three per game.

Free agent RB Kenneth Gainwell also has experience playing with Kellen Moore (Philadelphia). He went to Tampa Bay.

Given the Saints’ poor run numbers in 2025 (31st in EPA/rush) pretty obvious that they will add a free agent RB of note.

The splashy signing they made at RB came in the form of Travis Etienne, formerly of the Jaguars. Great fit in with Kellen Moore’s offense.

And perhaps an indicator that the team is ready to move on from Kamara, or at least dramatically reduce his role. Because Etienne doesn’t necessarily project as a piece to use in tandem with Kamara, but rather just take over as the team’s RB1.

Kamara could also retire or get traded. If I am betting now whether he is a Saint in 2026….I would say he is not.

The last time Kellen Moore called offensive plays after his team signed a free agent RB to a lucrative contract….well, Saquon Barkley rushed for a LOT of rushing yards. Etienne has finished no worse than RB17 when he has played at least 17 games in four NFL seasons played (missed entire rookie year). Three years with nearly 1,400 yards from scrimmage.

And apparently, we have been saying his name wrong…as it is pronounced Travis Ay-Chan.

Two elite fantasy RBs with the last name Achane. Fantasy football analysts’ worst nightmare…

More WR depth also makes sense, as there’s not much behind Chris Olave (who is looking for a long-term deal despite contemplating retirement last season due to concussions). Devaughn Vele projects as the No. 2 WR, but another pass-catcher in the draft makes sense. A third compliment to those top two guys makes a lot of sense. The coaches have pumped up former Washington Huskie and New England Patriots washout, Ja’Lynn Polk, as a candidate to fill that void. If anything, his archetype as an outside, possession receiver might be who the Saints look to target in this year’s class.

Shough played with Louisville’s Chris Bell in his final year in school. Or….Moore makes a potential play for a current Eagles WR A.J. Brown.

The Saints also signed TE Noah Fant, who they were interested in signing last offseason. He ended up going to Cincy during the 2025 season. Fant can play the more traditional in-line role while Juwan Johnson operates from the slot. I would note that Johnson’s production fell to below 10 PPG when in-line tight ends Jack Stoll and Foster Moreau were in the lineup. Also fell to sub 8.5 PPG in PPR (TE24) when Devaughn Vele was healthy. Eight games without those three players?

TE5 in PPR.

Defensively, LB, CB, and EDGE highlight the needs based on their top FAs. Defensive tackle isn’t much of a concern, as the Saints’ run defense did post the third-best EPA/rush allowed in 2025. DT John Ridgeway re-signed a two-year deal.

I will say they have a bunch of DL players hitting free agency in 2027, so I could see more depth here, especially if Cam Jordan does not return.

They signed LB Kaden Eliss to replace DeMario Douglas.

The Saints look like a team on the rise entering 2026 after a strong finish in 2025.

They could easily make a luxury pick inside the top-10 of the NFL Draft with someone like Kenyon Sadiq.

Dallas Cowboys

Team Needs: LB, CB, OT, DT, EDGE

2026 Free Agents Key Losses:

S Donovan Wilson, EDGE Dante Fowler Jr., EDGE Jadeveon Clowney, DT Osa Odighizuwa

2026 Free Agents:

2027 Free Agents:

The Dallas offense was a wagon in 2025. But they have key pieces from last year’s unit that are hitting the open market between George Pickens and Javonte Williams.

Pickens is the priority, and I think it’s more likely than not that Dallas finds a way to keep him around, even if they use the franchise tag to buy more time to construct a long-term deal.

Williams had a renaissance with the Cowboys in 2025, but Big D has had major issues with paying RBs since Ezekiel Elliott. They let guys like Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle walk.

If Williams is let go…they will need to bolster the RB room. Instead, he signed a three year contract entering his age 26-season.

On the offensive line, all five starters are back from last season. In fact, the offensive line is intact for the next two seasons with so many guys on lower-cost rookie contracts. Big D continues to build a strong offensive line.

RT Terrance Steele is really the only position Dallas might look for a future replacement for. LT Tyler Guyton has also not lived up to his first-round expectations since being drafted in 2024.

But the defense is hardly in good shape. Particularly the secondary.

Daltas’ defense flashed with some of its young pass rushers in 2025, such as Donovan Ezeiruaku.

But they are losing a lot of veteran edge rusher depth between Dante Fowler Jr. and Jadeveon Clowney. Sam Williams will return on a one-year deal. They traded a 2027 4th-round pick to Green Bay for Rashan Gary.

Acquiring Quinnen Williams was also a huge boost to the defensive interior alongside Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuwa.

Dallas also added Otito Ogbonnia on a one-year deal, and proceeded to trade Odighizuwa to the 49ers for a third-round pick. Recouping draft compensation after the Jets/Steelers trades from last season.

After the trade, Dallas is a bit thin at defensive tackle

Per NFL Draft IQ, the Cowboys have spent a league-high 10 draft picks on the trenches (offensive line or defensive line) within the first three rounds since 2021, including each of their last three first-round picks.

But the secondary was routinely shredded by opposing passers. Rookie CB Shavon Reveal was coming off an injury, so there’s still time for him to contribute in his second season (first full season healthy). DaRon Bland just signed a four-year, $92 million extension with $50 million guaranteed before the start of the 2025 season.

Systematically speaking, Bland could kick inside as the team’s nickelback. Who the Cowboys draft/bring in among the CB group will be telling. Revel projects as a starter on the outside. They also signed safety Coby Durant to a one-year deal, who can offer inside/outside flexibility.

However, safety Donovan Wilson led the team in snaps played and needs a new deal. Malik Hooker is in the last year of his deal. According to The Athletic, cutting him would free up to $6.8 million in cap space. He restructured his contract to stay on the roster.

Dallas also signed safety Jalen Thompson to a three-year deal worth $33 million.

LB Kenneth Murray was also awful in 2025. Logan Wilson is gone. They need to be replaced/upgraded.

Dallas has two opportunities to help their defense in the first round of this year’s draft with picks 12 and 20. But note that Dallas could very well be a team that trades back, given that it does not have any picks in Rounds 2 (has a late third from SF).

New and first-time defensive coordinator Christian Parker will need to be up for the challenge. Parker is coming over from the Eagles after serving as the Broncos’ DBs coach from 2021 to 2023.

Coming from Philly, nobody should be surprised if Dallas looks to follow in the Eagles’ drafting footsteps by selecting former Georgia Bulldogs.

The new linebackers coach for Dallas spent his last three seasons with Georgia. C.J. Allen, you are a Dallas Cowboy.

Also FWIW, the new Cowboys secondary coach, Ryan Smith, recruited CB Mansoor Delane at Virginia Tech before he transferred to LSU.

Another potential draft option includes Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman.

Atlanta Falcons

Team Needs: DT, EDGE, WR, CB, LB, OT

2026 Free Agent Key Losses:

QB Kirk Cousins, DL Leonard Floyd, RB: Tyler Allgeier, LB Kaden Elliss, WR Darnell Mooney, EDGE David Onyemata

2026 Free Agents

2027 Free Agents

Obviously, solving the QB2 situation was a major immediate need for this new-look Atlanta Falcons roster under new head coach Kevin Stefanski. Kirk Cousins seemed possible to stick around, given his connection with Stefanski (they played together in Minnesota). But he was released by the Falcons… with perhaps the team hoping to re-sign him on a cheaper contract (a la if he can’t get any starting jobs in free agency).

Former OC with Zac Robinson gone – replaced with Tommy Rees. Rees was also brought over from Cleveland to serve as the Falcons’ new OC. Before coming to Cleveland, Rees was at Alabama and Notre Dame, serving as offensive coordinator. Some players he coached eligible in this year’s draft class include TE Eli Raridon, RB Jadarian Price, QB Ty Simpson, and RB Jam Miller.

Matt Ryan was also named the new President of Football.

Michael Penix Jr. is coming off another torn ACL injury. It’s his fifth season-ending injury. The Falcons must have a decent second option at the position. Joe Flacco looked like the obvious veteran option if Penix isn’t ready to start the year. And I find it curious that the new regime has seemed to always dodge questions regarding commitments to Penix as the team’s QB1 in 2026.

Regardless, Atlanta had to add somebody behind Penix due to his injury (and history of injuries).

If not Flacco, it will most likely be in the form of a QB that can play under center. A la, Kyler Murray to Atlanta was probably never going to happen. Part of Stefanski’s offensive identity is to run under center – something Murray has not traditionally done.

Cousins ended up not returning to the Falcons, with them opting for another southpaw QB instead. Instead, the Falcons signed Tua Tagovailoa after he was dumped by Miami. Again, he will play on the league minimum in 2026 for the Dirty Birds. Great deal and move in my opinion.

Just gives Atlanta a capable backup quarterback who can keep the fantasy assets in Atlanta afloat. Tua plays best indoors and in warm weather, so he will fit in very nicely as a Falcon.

I will say that schematically, these two QBs don’t play too similarly (despite both throwing left-handed). Penix pushes the ball outside the numbers, and Tagovailoa does the exact opposite. Last year, Tua Tagovailoa threw behind the line of scrimmage on 26.9 percent of his attempts this season, the highest in the NFL for the second straight season and the 2nd-highest rate of his career. Tagovailoa averaged a 2.60-second time to throw in 2025, the quickest in the NFL.

They might have needed a replacement tight end if Kyle Pitts left in free agency. Adding another TE – David Njoku perhaps – also makes a lot of sense given the 12 personnel this offense also likes to operate from. The team has put the tag on Pitts, so he will be returning to Atlanta for at least 2026 until they complete a long-term deal. But as I mentioned…bringing back Pitts does not exclude Atlanta from the tight end market. Veteran Austin Hooper was brought in to fill the Y tight end role. Played with Stefanski in Cleveland. Also caught passes from Matt Ryan.

The Falcons also need to address the tackle position and IOL with FAs hitting those areas.

RT Kaleb McGary will also be returning from a season-ending knee injury in 2026.

Could also see WR given how poor Darnell Mooney was in 2025 (although he seemed like he was playing through injuries the entire season). The depth behind Mooney/Drake London was absurd for the Falcons. Mooney was released.

The Falcons signed a bunch of JAG WRs – Jahan Dotson, Olamide Zaccheaus – to ensure a highly concentrated target share between Bijan, London, and Pitts.

Defensively, the pass rush finally came alive last season. One of the few bright spots in a disappointing year for the Dirty Birds overall.

But then edge rusher James Pearce Jr. had to go and get arrested, putting his status in doubt for next year (and future years, given the prior regime traded up for him).

So just like death and taxes…pass rush is back on the Falcons’ draft/needs board.

Otherwise, bolstering the secondary would be priority No. 1. Dee Alford left as a free agent. However, Billy Bowman could kick inside and defend the slot (he got hurt last season).

LB Kaden Ellis also left as a free agent and led the team in snaps on defense. Divine Deablo will be a free agent in 2027 after missing games with injuries last year. They signed Christian Harris (one-year deal).

And even though pass rush was much better in 2025, there are a lot of bodies on the DL/EDGE that might walk in free agency (regardless of how Pearce’s situation shakes out). So, more defensive line depth is really needed here (particularly the interior). According to the Athletic, six of the nine interior defensive linemen who played for Atlanta last year are impending free agents or already gone.

Matt Ryan said in his opening news conference that his team would stop the run this year.

He also echoed that sentiment on an episode of “This Is Football” with Kevin Clark: Opened with running the football well, stopping the opponent from running the football well, etc.

The Falcons’ new GM is Ian Cunningham, who has been the Bears’ assistant GM since 2022. Started with the Ravens, and did personnel stuff with the Eagles as well. A lot of experience from some strong drafting teams that tend not to let value slip down the board.

Also learned a lot from those teams, building through the trenches across the OL and DL.

And given Cunningham’s ties to the Bears, possibly he could make a move for a player on the trade block, such as D.J. Moore. Instead, he made a trade with the Eagles to acquire safety Sydney Brown. Likely getting ahead of all the FA safeties they have in 2027.

Cole Kmet and Raiders No. 2 TE Michael Mayer also played with Rees at Notre Dame.

Smart draft strategy and free-agent spending will be key for Atlanta, given that they do not have a first-round pick (traded to the Rams to select Pearce in last year’s draft). A move aging like spoiled milk.

Cunningham recently stated on ESPN that he wants to build his team through the draft, following the three principles: “draft, develop, and retain.”

And he loves draft picks.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Team Needs: EDGE, CB, WR, LB

2026 Free Agent Key Losses:

WR Mike Evans, CB Jamel Dean, CB Kindle Vildor, DT Logan Hall, RB Rachaad White

2026 Free Agents:

2027 Free Agents:

Multiple sources across the NFL have stated that Mike Evans was expected to leave Tampa this season to join a contender. He’d like to go to a contender and win another title. That’s the big domino waiting to fall among the WRs available in free agency. Losing Evans to the 49ers will very much change the landscape of the Buccaneers’ receiving corps.

But it’s not as if they can’t manage. After all, they drafted Emeka Egbuka last year in Round 1 when they had Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan ALL in-house.

The team also lost RB Rachaad White, although Sean Tucker looks like a decent RB2 option (returning as an RFA, as he was assigned a first right of refusal tender) behind Bucky Irving. Irving is coming off an injury-plagued season, but new OC Zac Robinson is throwing out Bijan Robinson comparisons to the fellow dual-threat RB. White made his biggest contributions in the Buccaneers offense as a pass-catcher, so you could see Irving’s receiving numbers really grow in Year 3.

However, the return of Tucker and the pass-catching specialist Kenneth Gainwell signing a two-year deal suggests Irving is more of a loser in the fallout of NFL Free Agency.

I should note that Gainwell’s new RB coach, Skip Peete, coached with Kellen Moore in Dallas. Moore coached Gainwell in 2024 with the Eagles.

Every-down TE Cade Otton will also return in the Bucs’ offense. Still, they might just do what they did last year and draft another weapon for Baker Mayfield…potentially Oregon tight end, Kenyon Sadiq. They drafted Oregon’s Tez Johnson in 2025. The year before that, they drafted Bucky Irving.

OL is in good shape with guys returning from last season.

It’s a big win if OT Tristan Wirfs can return to full health. OG Cody Mauch should also return as the starting guard after missing nearly all of last year due to a knee injury.

Injuries are really what derailed the Bucs’ offense in 2025. If they can just get healthy in 2026, we could see them return to 2024 form. But if they don’t…it will be interesting to see how things shake out for pillar players on the final years of their contracts: Baker Mayfield, Godwin (club option year), and DT Vita Vea.

As noted previously, Tampa Bay has a new OC.

They also have a new QB coach who was Indiana’s QB coach last season during their run for the 2025 College Football National Championship.

Obviously, that roster is chock-full of NFL talent, but that coaching connection could bolster the case for Tampa Bay to select former Hoosiers this April. They won’t take the QB projected to go No. 1 overall…but WR Omar Cooper, CB De’Angelo Ponds, and WR Elijah Sarratt seem all like viable options.

Defensively, it’s a cornerback. Todd Bowles’ defenses can always snuff out the run, but they constantly get ripped by opposing pass attacks as fantasy football’s “pass-funnel defense.”

They had the eighth-lowest pressure rate generated despite the fourth-highest blitz rate.

CB Jamel Dean signed elsewhere on the open market. However, they are excited about some of their younger defensive backs.

Pass rusher Haason Reddick may also not return after getting just three sacks last season. Yaya Diaby was the best pass rusher for TB last season and is entering the last year of his contract. Getting DT Calijah Kancey back from injury will help, but generating pressure off the edge is a must for Tampa Bay. They added Al-Quadun Muhammed and A’Shawn Robinson to one-year deals as band-aid pass-rush options.

GM Jason Licht said at the NFL Combine, “In order to take the next step, we need to be able to get more pressure on the quarterback.”

According to J.T. Olson on X, Licht hasn’t used his first pick on a player under a 9.0 RAS since 2016. An edge rusher they could target would be Miami’s Akheem Mesidor.

LB Lavonte David ranked second on the team in defensive snaps. But he is 37 years old and is currently unsigned (mulling retirement). Linebacker SirVocea Dennis will be a free agent in 2027. A Day 1 linebacker the Bucs could consider would be Georgia’s C.J. Allen.

However, the addition of LB Alex Anzalone to a two-year contract potentially takes them out of the early linebacker market for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Detroit Lions

Team Needs: OT, EDGE, LB, DT, CB, RB

2026 Free Agent Key Losses:

RB David Montgomery, LB Alex Anzalone, EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad, CB Amik Robertson, DT Roy Lopez, OT Taylor Decker

2026 Free Agents:

2027 Free Agents:

Center Frank Ragnow’s retirement before the start of last season caused a ripple effect that negatively impacted the blocking upfront. The Lions were in such a bad spot that they tried to get him to come back out of retirement, but he suffered a hamstring injury that eliminated any chance of return.

OT Taylor Decker dealt with injuries as the season progressed (also mulling retirement). He was already released.

34-year-old IOL Graham Glasgow is a potential cut candidate in the final year of his deal (also released). Guard Christian Mahogany also got hurt in 2025. Dan Skipper retired (joined the team as an OL coach).

Detroit got ahead of the free agency center craze by signing Cade Mays. OT Larry Borom also signed with the Lions as OT3 (one-year deal).

RB David Montgomery also remains a potential salary cap cut candidate. Holmes was non-committal on his return to the team in 2026, as they look to get on the positive side of the salary cap. We got a report that said Monty wanted “out” on March 1st, but the Lions RB disputed the claim.

But Monty was probably just keeping things close to the vest…as he was subsequently dealt to the Houston Texans for a fourth-round pick, a seventh-round pick, and OL Juice Scruggs.

Drew Petzing is stepping in as the Lions’ new offensive coordinator after serving in that role for the last three seasons in Arizona. Petzing’s addition is a clear nod to getting back an effective rushing attack that wasn’t as effective in 2025 for Detroit.

Jahmyr Gibbs will remain the focal point, but another RB filling Monty’s void is a real possibility if the team moves on. James Conner and Jerome Ford could be some cheaper replacement options for ‘Knuckles.’ The Lions could also select a bigger back in this year’s draft.

Interestingly, they went with a different route…signing former Chiefs RB, Isiah Pacheco. The 5-foot-10 and 216-pound RB doesn’t exactly profile as a carbon copy of Monty. Injuries have hurt Pacheco’s production over the last few years. He suffered a fractured fibula in Week 2 and was placed on IR on September 18, 2024. MCL sprain last year. The 26-year-old is under four yards per carry in back-to-back seasons. He’s not super used as a receiver nor used at the goal line.

  • 2025: 3rd-worst elusive rating
  • 2024: Worst elusive rating.

So Gibbs 1.01? Now that he has a clear path to red-zone touches. I think there’s a legitimate case to be made if it’s only Pacheco and a bigger rookie RB vying for touches in the Lions’ backfield. Pacheco just seems like nothing more than a handcuff to Gibbs, unless he proves he’s past the injuries. It’s also just a one-year deal.

I did note that last season, it did look like Pacheco was starting to turn the corner…before he got banged up again.

Weeks 6-8 (including Week 6 versus the Lions), Pacheco averaged 4.3 YPC. Per Next Gen Stats, he hit a season-high four explosive runs of 15 MPH. Against? The Lions. Clearly, Pacheco’s Week 6 performance versus Detroit’s defense had some influence on this signing. I think I’d need some positive reports about Pacheco’s return from injury before taking stabs on him in early best ball drafts.

Defensively, the team has been gutted by injuries in the last two seasons. More CB depth is a must with Amik Robertson/Arthur Malet/Rock Ya-Sin potentially gone as free agents. Rock Ya-Sin will return on a one-year deal.

But it’s possible they still want to upgrade this position with guys like Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw plagued by injuries. Roger McCreary is limited as a slot cornerback.

Another pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson is also a big need. If they don’t draft a tackle in Round 1, I presume it’s because they have an EDGE rusher ranked very highly on their draft board.

Al-Quadin Muhammad‘s 12 sacks are hitting the open market (signed with Tampa Bay). Another DT also makes some sense with three guys from last year all hitting FA (Lopez, Reader). They signed D.J. Wonnum to a one-year deal. Levi Onwuzurike signed a one year, $1.25M contract extension.

 

Minnesota Vikings

Team Needs: EDGE, DT, RB, OL, S, CB, TE

2026 Free Agent Key Losses: WR: Jalen Nailor, DL Jonathan Allen, DL Javon Hargrave, S Harrison Smith

2026 Free Agents:

2027 Free Agents:

J.J. McCarthy was a glorified rookie QB in 2025 after missing his true rookie year due to injury.

He has started just 10 games in his first two years in the NFL. He missed time due to more injuries, as he did in Year 1, which definitely hindered his growth potential.

Needless to say, the 2025 results put Minnesota in a tough place at QB. They have ensured having a better QB plan in 2026. Because McCarthy is in danger of losing his job, even at 23 years old.

After last year’s bumpy ride, Minnesota had to add another piece to the QB room. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has discussed creating a more competitive QB room next year because this team can’t let another Max Brosmer situation play out. Or watch McCarthy fail and waste any effort by the Brian Flores-led defense.

Simply put: The general manager who drafted McCarthy No. 10 in 2024 has been fired, and the coach who was in full agreement with that decision is now under considerably more scrutiny. Whoever they decide to bring in as the new GM would play a big role in this new QB addition.

At the time of this writing, the GM role remains vacant with no plans to fill the role until after the NFL Draft. Rob Brzezinski is filling the GM role through the draft. He’s the current executive vice president of football operations while also serving as the interim GM. Been with the Vikings organization since 1999.

Given the current hierarchy, it would appear that KOC has the most prominent voice in the building, especially regarding the team’s next QB.

The Vikings eventually settled on Kyler Murray as their veteran QB after he was released from the Arizona Cardinals. He will play for the Vikings under the $1.3 million league minimum for one season.

Last year, Murray finished fourth in rushing yards per game among QBs (34.6). The new Vikings QB has been a top-20 QB every year of his career – including four top-10 finishes (five in PPG, including the season from injury in 2023).

The Vikings also re-signed Carson Wentz to a one-year deal.

RB and TE are skill positions that need to be addressed with both Aaron Jones and T.J. Hockenson on the potential salary cap chopping block. Jones originally owned the third-highest RB cap hit ($15 m) this year. He is also a 31-year-old RB who battled injuries last season (AC Joint). It’s a scary injury because it’s easy to re-aggravate, as he saw happen in 2025.

If Jones is cut…RB becomes a top need for Minnesota with nobody left under contract in 2027. It was confirmed on March 1st that Jones would be released.

However, Jones appeared to take a revised deal to stay with the Vikings. Still, the long-term need at the position will need to be addressed.

Jones split backfield work last year with Mason, finishing as the RB34 in PPG (8.9). The long-time veteran rushed for a career-low 4.2 yards per carry and 2.7 yards after contact per attempt in 2025. The former Packers RB is definitely starting to show signs of decline, hence why the Vikings forced him to take a pay cut.

He did finish the season on a decent high note after missing Weeks 3-7. Weeks 14-17, Jones averaged just shy of 10 fantasy points per game with touch counts of 14, 15, 23, and 21 to conclude his 2025 season. However, Mason was also playing through injuries over this time (left Week 16 versus the Giants).

When both guys are healthy, it’s likely a committee approach with Jones seeing more of the pass-game usage. Jones was heavily involved as a receiver, particularly in starts by McCarthy (2.3 receptions per game overall and a 14 percent target share, which ranked 8th among RBs).

Mason also has the slight edge near the red zone…however, they used both guys in that area of the field last season.

Mason did flash some decent rushing upside earlier in the year when Jones missed five games, averaging 13.5 PPR PPG, 15 carries, and 75 rushing yards.

Final takeaway: In their 10 healthy games together, Jones averaged 8.3 PPG (half-PPR as RB38). Mason was buried at 5.6 PPG (RB58). He really needs an injury to Jones for him to be fantasy relevant unless the roles/touches dramatically shift in his favor.

A big part of why the Vikings struggled offensively in 2025 was the offensive line. It was gutted by injuries. OT Christian Darrisaw only played 10 games. Starting center Ryan Kelly only played eight games (and might be another cut candidate). Kelly announced on March 6th that he was retiring from football.

The rest of the starting unit should be back next season, which bodes well if they can benefit from greater injury luck.

However, OT Brian O’Neill will be a free agent at the end of the year. The signed OT Ryan Van Demark from Buffalo.

Defensively, Brian Flores is going to push for an edge rusher in Round 1 – not necessarily a cornerback. Both are needed with the defensive interior in good shape. However, the team released both DT Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen.

Linebacker needs to be addressed, with the top two guys from last season in need of new deals. Same goes for CB – just need more bodies.

Linebacker Eric Wilson signed a three-year extension. CB James Pierre also signed a two-year deal.

And as it is every year…Harrison Smith will eventually need to be replaced at safety. He just turned 37 years old. They re-signed safety Tavierre Thomas to a 2-year deal worth $4.6 million.

Carolina Panthers

Team Needs: DT, TE, EDGE, WR, S, OT

2026 Free Agent Key Losses:

RB Rico Dowdle, C Cade Mays, EDGE D.J. Wonnum, DL A’Shawn Robinson, LB Christian Rozeboom

2026 Free Agents:

2027 Free Agents:

The Panthers had the second-worst pressure rate generated in 2025 (31st in PFF pass rush grade).

Pass rush, please. Because the Panthers’ secondary was low-key solid in 2025. Good group of starting CBs and safeties. They also retained many of their own CBs.

More DTs are always a must. The Panthers’ run defense still hasn’t been able to fully hold opposing RBs, even with DT Derrick Brown playing at a high level. A’Shawn Robinson will be a free agent at the end of the year (also rumored to be a cut candidate, according to the Athletic). He signed with the Buccaneers.

LB Christian Rozeboom also departed as a free agent (Tampa Bay). Linebacker Trevin Wallace was a third-rounder in last year’s class, but he went on IR with a shoulder injury.

Carolina made some splashy moves in FA to help their defense. Big contracts for LB Devin Lloyd and EDGE Jaelan Phillips.

Onto offense.

Rico Dowdle is a free agent. Dowdle said his decreased carries at the end of the season will impact his thinking in free agency. Claims he wants to go somewhere where he can get the bulk of the carries. Saints? Jets? Broncos? Steelers? Steelers.

Ergo… could 2026 be Jonathon Brooks‘ comeback szn?

We’ve already seen Chuba Hubbard lose his job once. Panthers HC Dave Canales already said he will have a chance to compete for the starting job. Both Canales and GM Dan Morgan have praised Brooks.

Canales is also handing play-calling duties to OC Brad Idzik.

Brooks is only 22 years old. Adds a pass-catching threat/element that’s missing from this running back room.

As for QB, Bryce Young will be under center with the team picking up his 5th-year option.

Across the offensive line, they need to address center with Cade Mays/Austin Corbett, each hitting the open market. Center Luke Fortner signed a one-year deal.

Also, OT Ickey Ekwonu is recovering from a serious knee injury (ruptured patellar tendon) in the playoff loss to the Rams. Stone Forsythe was signed on a one-year deal. Likely just a backup option, because he was not good last season. Per Joe Person…Stone Forsythe allowed 11 sacks in 13 games last year, which ranked 89th out of 89 qualified offensive tackles, per PFF. Not great.

However, they were not done…as they also signed OT Rasheed Walker, who started for the Packers last season.

I don’t think WR is a major need, assuming they get Jalen Coker signed as an exclusive rights free agent. But WR might be the BPA when they are on the clock.

Ja’Tavion Sanders hardly seems the answer at tight end for the Panthers two years into his career.

Also worth mentioning that Darrell Bevell is the new assistant HC in Carolina. Spent the last four years in Miami (QBs coach and pass game coordinator). If somebody would suggest taking a flier on any former Dolphins, it very well could be Carolina.

The Panthers did an excellent job filling in their holes during free agency, giving them a lot of flexibility in the draft. Last year, they drafted two of the youngest players in the class between Nic Scourton and Trevor Etienne.

Green Bay Packers (pick traded to Dallas)

Team Needs: CB, EDGE, DT, OL

2026 Free Agent Key Losses:

EDGE Rashan Gary, QB Malik Willis, RB Emanuel Wilson, WR Romeo Doubs, LT Rasheed Walker, C Elgton Jenkins, LB Quay Walker, CB Nate Hobbs, EDGE Kingsley Enagbare

2026 Free Agents:

2027 Free Agents:

Tucker Kraft ranked as the TE1 through 8 weeks (14 PPG). TE2 in PPG. Lead all TEs in YAC/reception. Kraft was a ‘my guy’ the last two seasons, and all he did was deliver before he tore his ACL. But I wouldn’t completely write off the 25-year-old freak athlete after the season-ending injury. Recall that Packers WR Christian Watson came back in 2025 after a very late ACL injury. He received an All-Pro vote. With no complications in Kraft’s surgery, a 2026 Week 1 return isn’t out of the question based on the 10-month recovery timeline.

So with Luke Musgrave still under contract, I think GB stays pat at tight end.

Jordan Love is really efficient. He finished second in the NFL in 2025 in EPA/dropback.

But GB’s commitment to the run (fourth-highest rush rate, eighth-lowest pass rate over expectation) hurt his fantasy appeal. Losing his No. 1 playmaker last year with Kraft also hurt his fantasy numbers (17.8 PPG, QB14). If GB leans more into their franchise QB/pass game with a strong supporting cast in 2026, we could very much see Love post an MVP-statistical season with strong passing TD rates. One game with Christian Watson and Tucker Kraft last season…the Packers QB tossed for 360 yards and 3 TDs.

But it won’t be the same cast of characters. WR Romeo Doubs is gone in free agency (why they drafted Matthew Golden last year). The team is not low on Golden entering his second season.

Then there’s the curious case of…. Is Josh Jacobs a cut candidate? Probably very unlikely even after a bit of a down year.

Weeks 1-10: Jacobs was the fantasy RB5 in PPG (18.1) with 11 rushing TDs. Then he suffered a knee injury in Week 11. Once he returned in Week 13, he was clearly not himself. RB23 in PPG (10.5). 12 PPG (RB21) from Week 7 onward after hurting his calf.

Ended the season as RB11 in PPG (14.3). The Packers RB fell just shy of 1,000 rushing yards despite 254 carries, taking a step back in his second season with Green Bay. If healthy, Jacobs has a top-five fantasy ceiling. But as the 28-year-old continues to pile up volume and small injuries, fantasy managers should be wary of the production tapering off.

However, with MarShawn Lloyd unable to stay healthy, a capable Jacobs should remain the focal point of the Packers’ rushing attack. But with how Emanuel Wilson showed out at times…it’s possible Jacobs’ reps get pulled back in 2026. Again, he battled through a myriad of injuries (calf, knee) just to play even when he was clearly not anywhere close to 100 percent (if that).

I do think GB will add to this backfield at some point this offseason (to add more explosiveness). How much they shell out for Wilson as an RFA will also tell of how they view him (and Lloyd entering Year 3).

They opted to re-sign Chris Brooks and let Wilson walk to Seattle on a low-cost deal.

Christian Watson returned to the lineup in Week 8 after tearing his ACL late in the 2024 season. Despite coming off a brutal injury, Watson was electric. He supplanted Doubs as the WR1 in the Packers’ offense, and I presume that’s how it shakes out in 2026. Watson was the WR17 in PPG (11.5) to go with a 34 percent air yard share (over 1,000 air yards). Hit career highs in yards and yards per route run. Never saw fewer than four targets in any contest. Watson led the NFL with 294 deep receiving yards after coming back from his injury.

The Packers will have to decide what they want to do with Watson and Jayden Reed in the long term; both wideouts are in contract years (same with Dontayvion Wicks).

Green Bay’s offensive line dealt with several injuries in 2025. They were particularly poor when RT Zach Tom missed time to end the season. And two of their tackles from last season are free agents (Rasheed Walker started at LT for 17 games and signed with Seattle). Possibly (and very likely), the team kicks Jordan Morgan outside from guard to tackle.

C/OG Elgton Jenkins is also in the last year of his deal and is coming off a lower-leg fracture with ligament damage. He will be 30 in December. He signed with the Browns after being released from the Packers.

C Sean Rhyan was signed back on a 3-year deal. OT Darian Kinnard will also come back on a one-year deal.

The offensive line personnel appear set for 2026 – but obviously, GB should continue to invest in depth pieces, as the unit did not perform well in 2025. They lost Jenkins and Walker, and Morgan making the switch to LT is more of a projection. Tom is coming off an injury.

OG Aaron Banks also did not live up to his contract expectations in Year 1.

Defensively, the Packers also got nuked by injuries. Edge Micah Parsons, CB Nate Hobbs, and DT Devonte Wyatt all ended 2025 on IR. Wyatt and Parsons are expected to return in 2026, but the level of effectiveness remains to be seen. Hobbs signed with SF after being released.

Losing Wyatt took a toll on the defensive interior, and he is also in the last year of his rookie deal. Per PFF, Green Bay’s defensive tackles ranked 31st in PFF run-defense grade (30.6), contributing to the fourth-most rushing yards allowed between the tackles in the NFL.

They signed Javon Hargrave after he was released by the Vikings. Also signed Jonathan Ford (the team that drafted him).

The pass rush is going to need help to start the year, with Parsons likely far from 100 percent when he returns. The team also needs to figure out an upgrade plan for Rashan Gary if they decide to move on. Matt Schneidman says he would be surprised if Gary is on the team next season. He was traded to Dallas for a future fourth-round pick in 2027.

Schneidman is also a strong advocate for them to go CB on Day 2 of the draft.

CB Keisean Nixon is in the last year of his deal, along with Carrington Valentine. So, more CB depth would be advised. Also, it’s fair to acknowledge the Packers’ cornerbacks as one of their defense’s big weaknesses before the injuries derailed the front seven. Definitely an area they won’t forego looking for upgraded personnel.

They added CB Benjamin St. Juste to a two-year contract.

Jonathan Gannon was hired as the team’s new DC after he got fired as the Cardinals’ HC. He has obvious ties to his old team and the Eagles, so any of their defensive free agents could easily find their way to Wisconsin.

Philadelphia Eagles

Team Needs: OT, EDGE, S, WR, TE

2026 Free Agent Key Losses:

EDGE Jaelan Phillips, EDGE Azeez Ojulari, LB Nakobe Dean, S Reed Blankenship, S Sydney Brown

2026 Free Agents:

2027 Free Agents:

Another year gone by, and yet another year with Philly owning a brand-new offensive coordinator for Jalen Hurts.

Sean Mannion is the guy for 2026. He was a GB coach and assistant for the Packers over the last two seasons. Promoted to quarterbacks coach the following year after Tom Clements retired.

Last played in 2023. He will be 34 years old in April.

The overarching plan is to install a McVay/Shanahan-type offense. More under-center plays, for example. Run game marrying the play-action game. Full read by Dave Zangaro.

The Eagles also brought in former Buccaneers OC, Josh Grizzard, as the new pass game coordinator. Also coached in Miami since 2017.

Will this revamped offensive coaching staff be able to get this uber-talented Eagles offense back on track? I am skeptical. If Mannion commits to the scheme and Hurts isn’t a great fit…what happens then?

The Eagles QB hasn’t been nearly as productive over the last two years as he was at the elite levels he reached in the past. QB8 in back-to-back seasons. QB7 in PPG (19.1) under 20 PPG in 2025. His rushing was also way down (career lows across the board) last season.

With a QB6 ECR, I will not be drafting Hurts in fantasy football for 2026 with the Eagles’ current offensive outlook.

Philadelphia’s offensive line’s regression has not helped.

Offensive tackle Lane Johnson is getting older (almost 36), although he continues to plan on playing into his 14th season. OG Landon Dickerson was mulling retirement, but has decided to come back for the 2026 season (signed a new two-year deal).

Center Cam Jurgens has been seeking and receiving stem cell treatment to deal with his several injuries.

OT Fred Johnson is still a free agent (started nine games at RT last season).

As our fearless leader and resident Eagles homer put so eloquently in my review of this team needs….LT Jordan Mailata is the only starting OL who is a lock to even be on the team in 2027 (now joined by Dickerson).

The Eagles’ sportsbook odds are listed at +115 to go OL with their 1st pick in the NFL Draft.

However, the Eagles’ longtime OL coach, Jeff Stoutland, will not be returning. The new OL coach is Chris Kuper. He has been with the Minnesota Vikings since 2022.

Tight end Dallas Goedert is a free agent (along with two of their backup TEs). He was an absolute TD machine in the red zone in 2025 (for the first time ever, he saw such heavy usage inside the opponent’s 20-yard line).

Philly values tight ends that can add value as run blockers.

So far, Philly has re-signed Grant Calcaterra and Johnny Mundt in free agency. Goedert eventually signed a one-year $7 million contract extension with Philadelphia.

A.J. Brown is as good as gone in Philly. It’s just a matter of time before the Eagles get the right trade offer. Rickey Scoops believes it will be a post June 1st trade.

And that is noteworthy not just for his own fantasy outlook, but for the outlook of the teammates he is leaving behind.

DeVonta Smith has shown a fantasy WR1 ceiling when his teammates have missed time the last few seasons. Most recently, in Week 8 of the 2025 season, Smith went 6-84 yards on nine targets with AJB out of the lineup.

He is objectively good, if not great, wide receiver…and his numbers do not truly reflect his talent profile. He was more efficient than Brown was in 2025, while posting his third 1,000-yard season. More importantly, the Slim Reaper averaged career-high marks in yards per route run (3.1) and yards per target (11.9) when aligned out wide. Only Jaxon Smith-Njigba (3.8) and Puka Nacua (3.6) have averaged more yards per route run when aligned out wide among 89 wide receivers to have logged at least 150 such routes.

Nick Sirianni thinks that Smith hasn’t even hit his ceiling.

The Eagles also signed WR Marquise Brown in free agency after losing Jahan Dotson.

The Eagles’ defense was still fantastic in 2025. But they do have some areas that need some fine-tuning ahead of the 2026 season.

Free agent safety and team captain Reed Blankenship logged over 1,000 snaps last season (signed in Houston). They drafted safety Andrew Mukuba in the second round last season, but he ended last year on IR. They also traded Sydney Brown to the Falcons. They also brought back Marcus Epps.

They basically have all their same EDGE rushers as last season, except Jaelan Phillips is gone. They traded for him last year before the deadline. Veteran Brandon Graham is always welcome back, but how effective he can be as a 38-year-old-old situational pass rusher remains in question. Can’t rely on him too heavily to have a massive on-field impact.

According to GM Howie Roseman, they only have “three” pure edge rushers on the roster. A priority position. Always starts up front (S/O @Coachspeakindex).

DT Jordan Davis signed a three-year contract extension. Arnold Ebiketie also signed a one-year deal coming off a career year with Atlanta, per PFF.

Another CB to replace/upgrade Adoree Jackson would also be advised. They still have Michael Carter II in the slot after they traded for him last season. But with Cooper DeJean also being a great slot defensive back, Carter’s fit in this 2026 defense will be one to watch (if he isn’t cut based on the bloated contract that he signed with the Jets). He won’t be back on his current deal (restructured his contract to a one-year option). Possible that he moves to safety.

The Eagles view DeJean as an “elite” asset as the nickelback, which means they need another perimeter CB opposite Quinyon Mitchell.

They got that guy in the form of Tariq Woolen, while also signing Jonathan Jones to a one-year deal.

Chicago Bears

Team Needs: EDGE, S, DT, CB, WR

2026 Free Agent Key Losses:

WR DJ Moore, CB Nahshon Wright, LB Tremaine Edmunds, DL Andrew Billings, S Kevin Byard, S Jaquan Brisker, S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S Jonathan Owens

2026 Free Agents:

2027 Free Agents:

The Bears have done an excellent job surrounding their young QB, Caleb Williams, with a top-shelf offensive line and play-making receivers. Luther Burden and Colston Loveland both showed out in the second halves of their rookie seasons, and that growth is expected to continue into Year 2 under HC Ben Johnson.

Burden finished the season (combined regular and postseason) seventh in yards per route run (2.34).

Loveland finished the regular season top-five among TEs in PFF receiving grade and yards per route run (1.97). From Week 7 onward…the Bears TE ranked top-five in targets, catches, and yards (26 percent target rate and TE4 in PPG at 11.1). Only Trey McBride had more receiving yards per game (61/game) compared to the Bears’ TE.

The former Michigan product also went NUCLEAR in the first round of the playoffs: Loveland recorded eight receptions for 137 yards on 15 targets against the Packers, with the majority of his production coming when he created separation. Loveland generated 111 yards on six receptions (10 targets) when wide open (3+ yards of separation), while adding 94 yards on four receptions (six targets) on vertical routes. The rookie tight end particularly excelled against zone coverage, where he hauled in all eight of his targets for 137 yards on 13 targets via Next Gen Stats.

Cole Kmet also has an out in his contract, so the team could move on from him to shift MORE focus toward Loveland. The Bears’ offense did so over the team’s last four games when Loveland commanded a whopping 28.5 percent target share (nearly 12 targets per game).

However, the Bears love to use two-TE sets… so I don’t think they’ll dump Kmet given the value he adds to the offense.

The Bears’ offense used 12 personnel on 32.5 percent of their offensive snaps this season, the seventh-highest rate in the league, including a season-high 57.7 percent in Week 18 against the Lions.

In 12 personnel this season, they averaged 5.6 yards per play (eighth-most in NFL) and a 45.5 percent success rate (eighth-highest).

Now, WR becomes more of a need as the team traded DJ Moore. Veteran Olamide Zaccheaus is also a free agent. But given the new issues on the offensive line…it seems likely that is the direction the Bears will go with their newly acquired draft capital.

Moore had several trade suitors because of how long he has been in the NFL (2018). Could reunite with Joe Brady in Buffalo (overlapped in Carolina). Per the Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia, Bills GM Brandon Beane has a history of making trades with Bears general manager Ryan Poles.

This turned out to be exactly what happened…with Moore being dealt to the Buffalo Bills for a mid-round pick compensation.

As noted by RapSheet, Brady called plays in Carolina with Moore from 2020-2021 (WR22 and WR19 half-PPR fantasy finishes). But nearly 1,200 receiving yards and four TDs in both seasons (11.5 PPG in half-PPR WR17 in 2025). Career-high 163 targets in 2021.

Moore is coming off a disappointing WR32 finish last season- his lowest since his rookie year. But he was being phased out by the new coaching staff in favor of Ben Johnson’s players, whom he drafted. A WR32 (WR43 in PPG) finish is actually pretty impressive given the optics of the situation (scored eight TDs, including twice in the postseason). He also scored 21.9 PPR fantasy points in his lone start without Rome Odunze or DJ Moore in the lineup (22.5 PPR PPG in two games without Burden).

Moore will turn just 29 years old in April. Stefon Diggs was 29 years old in his last elite season with the Bills (before Brady took over the following season as the offensive play caller).

Worth noting that Bears backup QB, Tyson Bagent, could be on the move to a QB-desperate team this offseason. Could he be a potential backup to Michael Penix Jr. for the Falcons? A move to Atlanta would reunite him with GM Ian Cunningham.

On the offensive line, the starters from last year will all return. And looking ahead to 2027, OT Darnell Wright is the only one who needs a new deal, but the Bears have the fifth-year option. Offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo is also expected to miss most of next season, so there is a need for tackle depth. Theo Benedet is an ERFA under contract till at least 2027. Braxton Jones will return on a one-year deal. They also signed OT Jedrick Wills for additional depth at tackle.

And unfortunately, the Bears’ IOL suffered another blow in the form of center Drew Dalman, announcing his retirement at age 27. Chicago wasted little time replacing him…trading for former Patriot/Viking center: Garrett Bradbury.

But again, it’s a one-year deal (same theme with many of the tackle signings).

D’Andre Swift has been rumored to be a trade/cut candidate entering the last year of his deal. The Bears found something in seventh-rounder, Kyle Monangai, but he is best deployed as part of a tandem. Monangai finished sixth overall in rushing success rate (also had zero fumbles) in his first season. Finished RB29 overall and as the RB30 in PPG.

The Bears definitely need to address their defense more than their offense if they want to repeat as NFC North Champions. Odds are they won’t have the same defensive turnover luck two years in a row. They finished 29th in yards allowed (29th in yards per carry allowed) and 31st in pass-rush win rate (ESPN).

Three of their starting safeties are FAs. The need was addressed with the addition of safety Coby Bryant (three-year deal). But they lost so much more in sheer snaps. A combined 3000-plus snaps from their top three safeties last year. Big shoes to fill. They did re-sign Jaylon Jones and Cam Lewis from Buffalo (nickel CB/S).

More linebacker depth is advised after they were defeated by injuries in 2025. Tremaine Edmunds was also released.

D’Marco Jackson inked a new two-year deal. They also signed LB Devin Bush to a three-year deal worth $30 million.

I think they would benefit from another run-stuffer and edge rusher. DL Gervon Dexter is entering the last year of his contract. Daniel Hardy will return on a two-year contract. DT Neville Gallimore was signed during free agency.

Note that the Bears will get back edge defender Dayo Odeyingbo (torn Achilles) and second-year defensive interior Shemar Turner (torn ACL) back from season-ending injuries.

Perimeter CB Nashon Wright also left in free agency. CB Tyrique Stevenson will be in the last year of his contract.

Poles wants to go BPA with the 25th overall pick. Also mentioned wanting to enhance the defense’s speed. Ben Johnson emphasized a need for more pass rush, according to Eli Ong.

EDGE rusher is the biggest need for the Bears. Listed at -155 odds to draft a DL/EDGE player (pretty juicy on several sportsbooks).

San Francisco 49ers

Team Needs: EDGE, OT, OG, WR, S

2026 Free Agent Key Losses:

WR Kendrick Bourne, CB Jason Pinnock, DL Jordan Elliott, LT Spencer Burford, EDGE Bryce Huff

2026 Free Agents:

2027 Free Agents:

Hate to beat a dead horse, but the San Francisco 49ers need to be healthier in 2026. We all saw the defense suffer from so many injuries in 2025.

EDGE Nick Bosa (expected to return by training camp), LB Fred Warner (almost returned for playoffs), LB Tatum Bethune, DE Mykel Williams (ACL), and DT Alfred Collins (shoulder) will all return. They also want to bring back LB Eric Kendricks to pair with Warner. They already brought back Dre Greenlaw. And they traded for DT Osa Odighizuwa from Dallas (sending a third-round pick).

But given the state of the defense relying on so many players coming off injuries (and the loss of DC Robert Saleh), the 49ers can’t risk not bolstering defensive depth across the front seven.

The pass rush last season was particularly putrid: 30th in pressure rate and 32nd in sacks. Bryce Huff also recently announced his retirement.

GM John Lynch wants to “smartly add” edge rushers through FA and the draft. Maxx Crosby coming to town?

They also might need another safety. S/CB Jason Pinnock left as a free agent. Safety Ji’Ayir Brown will be a free agent in 2027.

Raheem Morris’s addition as defensive coordinator probably won’t alter the 49ers’ free-agency and draft plans (though perhaps the archetype defenders they select). Point blank, this team loves to add to their defensive trenches. The former Falcons HC traded up for a pass rusher in the first-round of last year’s draft.

Per the Athletic’s Matt Barrows, Morris’ arrival as defensive coordinator means the 49ers will likely consider more small, speedy edge rushers than they’ve scouted in the past.

Worth noting that the 49ers also brought in former Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to their front office.

Buy (tentatively) Ricky Pearsall. The 49ers WR was constantly injured in 2025. But he posted four games with 85-plus receiving yards. He also led the 49ers in receiving yards per game (59/game). And there is an immense opportunity for Pearsall in the 49ers’ new-look passing offense.

Jauan Jennings is a free agent, and it’s unclear whether he will return. Brandon Aiyuk is not coming back. They like Jacob Cowing, but he’s not proven and is returning from injury. Tight George Kittle is coming off a torn Achilles. Demarcus Robinson is another cut candidate.

“If” the third-year WR can stay healthy, Slick Rick could be a major piece of winning fantasy football rosters in 2026 as the potential 49ers WR1. Just need to get this man out of the tub.

That being said, he will face additional competition, potentially in the form of a rookie WR. Reports have surfaced that the Niners will be ‘aggressive” going after a WR in the draft. Makes sense given their current need for the position.

And the big move the 49ers made early in free agency was signing Mike Evans. Full breakdown here.

They also signed veteran slot WR Christian Kirk.

The team expects Kittle to return next season, even after he tore his Achilles tendon. Still, he’s not getting any younger (33 in October), so it would be wise for the Niners to search for his future replacement unless Jake Tonges (RFA) is the guy they believe can take the TE1 reins. Tonges re-upped his deal for two more years.

On the offensive line, the 49ers might have reached a stand-off with OT Trent Williams. The future HOFer will be 38 years old in 2026. Obviously, if the two sides can’t agree, the Niners will have a gaping hole at left tackle. Regardless of whether he returns in 2026 (last year of his deal), SF should be prioritizing finding his future replacement.

They signed former Patriots OT Vederian Lowe, but he is a backup.

They have a bunch of offensive line holes on the center to the left side, including last year’s starting left guard. Center Jake Brendel will be a FA in 2027.

Does shed some light on why you can bet on the Niners to take an offensive lineman at plus money (+105) at some sportsbooks with their first pick in the draft.

I don’t need to get super deep into the Christian McCaffrey 2025 workload concerns as we project him for 2026. But….

In the last 13 years, only one RB was a top-five fantasy RB following a 400-plus touch season.

But needless to say, he is very much in danger of missing time next year after seizing 450 touches as the last man standing in the Bay Area. He will turn 30 years old this year. Brian Robinson is a free agent, and the team is excited about second-year RB Jordan James (S/O @Coachspeakindex).

Los Angeles Rams

Team Needs: OT, WR, QB, DT

2026 Free Agent Key Losses:

S Decobie Durant, CB Roger McCreary, OT Rob Havenstein, CB Ahkello Witherspoon

2026 Free Agents

2027 Free Agents

Team Needs: OT, WR, QB, DT, EDGE

Matthew Stafford is going to return to the Rams for 2026, but it remains to be seen how many years he has left. LA has been rumored to be in the backup/development QB market, given that Jimmy Garoppolo is still a free agent.

A veteran name to watch? Zach Wilson. Played under the current Rams QB coach in New York.

Second-year tight end Terrance Ferguson will be a stud and possesses an extremely high ceiling. Tyler Higbee is 33 years old, even after signing a two-year contract extension with L.A. this offseason. He has been hurt the last two seasons, playing just 13 regular-season games

Davante Adams is getting older and is a dark-horse potential salary cap cut candidate despite the Rams wanting him to return next season.

The Rams are listed with the shortest odds at +145 to go WR (followed by OL at +280) with their first pick in the draft.

Nobody else is behind Puka Nacua in the Rams pecking order (neither Adams nor Nacua is under contract for 2027). We could very much see the Rams’ young TE make a major leap in 2026. His 20.8 yards per reception led all TEs in 2025, along with an extremely high average depth of target (17.6).

Per Next Gen Stats…Ferguson averaged 17.6 air yards per target this season, the most among players at his position with at least 25 targets by more than six full yards.

Ferguson was targeted on 12 of his 37 deep routes (32.4 percent), the highest rate among tight ends to run at least 15 such routes. He hauled in five deep targets for 144 yards and two touchdowns, good for the second-most deep receiving yards by a tight end.

The list of TEs that rank highly in yards/receptions and ADOT over the past several seasons includes: George Kittle, Kyle Pitts, and Juwan Johnson.

RT Rob Havenstein is retiring from the NFL after 11 seasons. Two more of the Rams’ depth tackles are also free agents. Then the entire interior OL is hitting FA in 2027. They won’t lose all of those IOL guys, but they might not be able to re-sign all three.

They are also high on RT Warren McClendon, and it’s been reported that they want to extend him.

On defense, the obvious need is in the secondary at CB. That was the Rams’ Achilles heel in 2025. It’s a unit that just needs to improve overall. And the Rams wasted no time in addressing this area, trading for Chiefs CB, Trent McDuffie, with the 29th overall pick and some Day 3 selections. They then signed him to a lucrative extension to make him one of the highest-paid defensive backs in the NFL.

Safety Kamren Curl is also an impending free agent (led team in defensive snaps in 2025). Signed a 3-year $36 million contract extension.

And the Rams still weren’t finished improving their secondary. CB Jaylen Watson signed a three-year deal worth $51 million.

The Rams’ two big 2027 defensive free agents are EDGE Byron Young and DT Kobie Turner (both 2023 third-round picks).

But with this team in full-blown “win now” mode, I’m not sure they have to use high-end draft capital on either DT/EDGE unless it’s BPA. Would probably lean toward DT…as I don’t think they will let Young walk after a career 2025 campaign.

They already paid DT Poona Ford last offseason.

The Rams had two first-round picks (Nos. 13 and 29, thanks to Atlanta). Therefore, it would make sense for them to just grab the most immediate impactful players (or player). After the McDuffie trade, they “only” hold the 13th pick in this year’s draft.

The Rams have some notable coaching changes this offseason, including the promotion of Nathan Scheelhaase to OC. Spent time in college at Iowa State. Former Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury was also brought in as assistant HC.

Former Rams WR Robert Woods was also brought in as an assistant WR coach.

Seattle Seahawks

Team Needs: RG, RB, EDGE

2026 Free Agent Key Losses:

EDGE Boye Mafe, RB Kenneth Walker III, CB Tariq Woolen, S Coby Bryant

2026 Free Agents

2027 Free Agents

The Seahawks won’t have either of their top two RBs from last season ready for Week 1. Kenneth Walker is a Chief, and Zach Charbonnet is coming off a very poorly timed ACL injury on January 19th (surgery a month later on February 20th). Although the discourse surrounding Charbonnet’s injury has been generally positive.

One free agent running back with whom new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury is familiar: Brian Robinson. Fleury was the run-game coordinator for the 49ers in 2025. J.K. Dobbins could be another option, given his Baltimore overlap with Mike Macdonald.

However, the rhetoric out of Seattle’s camp has been that they will draft someone in this year’s class. They also signed former Packers RB Emmanuel Wilson, albeit to just a one-year deal.

I don’t hate the betting odds for Seattle to go RB at nearly 9-1 with their first pick.

Part of the Seahawks’ offensive identity was running the football. third-lowest pass play rate (50 percent).

Unless the new offensive coaches view this run game as “broken” with different backs…I’d imagine they want to keep an emphasis on establishing the run (maintaining what worked so well under Kubiak, while adding in 49ers wrinkles).

Fleury also added that running the ball in the “red zone” tends to lead to the most offensive success. I’d also acknowledge that he also served as the 49ers’ TE coach from 2022 to 2025. George Kittle‘s TDs spiked during this stretch. Before 2022, Kittle had zero seasons with more than six TDs. He never had fewer than six TDs after the 2022 season.

AJ Barner TE1 szn?

WR Rashid Shaheed was scheduled to be a free agent. After trading for him last season, I’d imagined that they would want to bring him back (unless the Las Vegas Raiders try to reunite him with Klint Kubiak). Second-year WR Tory Horton would likely take on the “Shaheed role” if he doesn’t return to Seattle in 2026.

However, the Horton breakout will have to wait as Shaheed signed a 3-year deal to return to the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks.

Across the offensive line, there is still a weakness in the interior at the right guard and potentially the center spots. G Anthony Bradford and C Olu Oluwatimi will be free agents in 2027. Starting center Jalen Sundell missed time last year with a knee injury.

Part of why the Seahawks’ defense was so great in 2025 was their vast depth on the defensive line. Boye Mafe left in free agency, with somebody paying him more than his two-sack production from 2025. So just continuing to add to the DL/EDGE will remain a top priority for Seattle (specifically, guys who line up outside the tackle).

The true biggest defensive need is at CB. Josh Jobe and Tariq Woolen are both in need of new deals. Woolen left for the Eagles, but Jobe stayed with Seattle after signing a three-year deal.

Safety Coby Bryant is also a free agent (Chicago Bears), but Seattle has strong depth. Ty Okada made the team as an undrafted FA and finished 10th in snaps (second-most at free safety). He was a much cheaper option than bringing back Bryant. Ranked 16th out of 75 safeties per PFF.

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Andrew Erickson

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Andrew Erickson is a fantasy football analyst at FantasyPros. LFG.