NFL Draft 2025: Team Needs After the Free Agency Frenzy
The dust has settled from the initial whirlwind of free agency, and NFL teams are now squarely focused on the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled to commence on April 24th and conclude on April 26th. While free agency saw significant player movement, including Sam Darnold heading to Seattle, Davante Adams finding renewed contentment in Los Angeles, Jevon Holland taking his talents to New York, and Milton Williams securing a lucrative deal with New England, the draft presents the next opportunity for teams to address their remaining roster deficiencies.
Each of the 32 teams enters the draft with specific needs, hoping to bolster their squads with promising young talent. USA TODAY Sports has taken a deep dive into the most pressing needs for each team, offering insights into their potential draft strategies following a busy free agency period.
AFC East
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Buffalo Bills: The Bills desperately need to improve at Cornerback, Defensive Back, and Interior Offensive Line. The team addressed its pass rush by bringing in Joey Bosa, a younger player compared to Von Miller. However, Bosa’s injury history raises questions. The Bills had a 24th ranked pass defense that needs significant improvement. The team needs help defending the pass. According to Pro Football Focus, opposing teams caught 72% of their passes against the Bills, an AFC East high.
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Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins are seeking to add players at Offensive Line, Safety, and Defensive Tackle. The offensive line is still an area of need. The team also saw defensive standouts Christian Wilkins and Jevon Holland leave the team in free agency in consecutive seasons.
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New England Patriots: The Patriots are focusing on adding players at Wide Receiver, Edge Rusher, and Offensive Line. The Patriots were big spenders in free agency. The Patriots are building their team in the image of head coach Mike Vrabel.
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New York Jets: The Jets are trying to improve their team at Tight End, Wide Receiver, and Linebacker. With Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams gone, Justin Fields has taken over at QB with a chance to revitalize his career. Every QB needs good surrounding parts to be successful.
AFC North
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Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens are looking to improve at Edge Rusher, Defensive Line, and Interior Offensive Line. Even with the veteran presence of Kyle Van Noy, who turns 34 this month, the Ravens lack a dominant edge rusher. Additionally, Baltimore’s pass defense ranked among the worst in the league last year.
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Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals’ needs are at Cornerback, Defensive Line, and Interior Offensive Line. With Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins consuming a significant portion of the team’s salary cap, the Bengals must rely on successful drafting to fill crucial defensive holes.
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Cleveland Browns: The Browns’ most significant needs are Quarterback, Wide Receiver, and Edge Rusher. The Browns are in prime position to draft a QB with the second overall pick. Russell Wilson recently visited the team. Last year Cleveland averaged the fewest number of points in the NFL.
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Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers are hoping to find talent at Quarterback, Defensive Line, and Interior Offensive Line. The Steelers are still awaiting Aaron Rodgers’ decision. They need to think about a QB of the future regardless of Rodgers’ choice.
AFC South
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Houston Texans: The Texans are looking to find players at Offensive Tackle, Offensive Guard, and Defensive Tackle. They did add veteran tackle Cam Robinson in free agency but is he enough? Houston must protect C.J. Stroud, who was sacked an AFC-most 52 times, better.
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Indianapolis Colts: The Colts are focusing on adding depth at Tight End, Wide Receiver, and Linebacker. The Colts’ top tight end had a paltry 14 receptions last season. The team wants to add a reliable and consistent TE.
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Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars are seeking to improve at Cornerback, Tight End, and Offensive Line. While the additions of Jourdan Lewis and Eric Murray provide some secondary help, more defensive reinforcements are needed.
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Tennessee Titans: The Titans are trying to improve their roster by drafting players at Quarterback, Wide Receiver, and Edge Rusher. The Titans’ inactivity in the quarterback market gives us some insight into their draft plans.
AFC West
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Denver Broncos: The Broncos need to find players at Running Back, Wide Receiver, and Defensive Line. The Broncos let their leading rusher Javonte Williams walk in free agency.
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Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs are trying to find players at Offensive Line, Edge Rusher, and Safety. It remains to be seen whether the Chiefs solved their left tackle woes with the addition of Jaylon Moore. On defense, the loss of Justin Reid is a big blow to Kansas City’s secondary.
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Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders are looking to find players at Running Back, Linebacker, and Cornerback. The Raiders had the NFL’s worst rushing attack in 2024. They also lost leading tackler Robert Spillane in free agency.
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Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers are hoping to find players at Wide Receiver, Tight End, and Defensive Line. While Mekhi Becton and Mike Williams fill needs on offense, the Chargers need pass catching help. Justin Herbert averaged a career-low 227 passing yards per game in 2024.
NFC East
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Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys need to improve at Offensive Line, Running Back, and Linebacker. The Cowboys will likely draft at least one offensive linemen after Zack Martin’s retirement.
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New York Giants: The Giants are hoping to find players at Quarterback, Interior Offensive Line, and Cornerback. What better time than the upcoming draft. The Giants have flirted with some veteran QBs, but they need to bring a young signal caller in.
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Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles are hoping to find players at Edge Rusher, Interior Offensive Line, and Safety. The reigning Super Bowl champs lost a lot of talent in free agency, including Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, Darius Slay and Mekhi Becton.
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Washington Commanders: The Commanders’ needs are Edge Rusher, Cornerback, and Defensive Tackle. Washington lost its top pass rusher in Dante Fowler Jr. Furthermore, Marshon Lattimore didn’t live up to expectations with the Commanders.
NFC North
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Chicago Bears: The Bears’ needs are Edge Rusher, Offensive Tackle, and Wide Receiver. The worst total offense in the NFL last season still needs more aid on that side of the ball.
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Detroit Lions: The Lions are hoping to find players at Edge Rusher, Linebacker, and Defensive Tackle. Detroit signed D.J. Reed to replace Carlton Davis at cornerback.
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Green Bay Packers: The Packers are trying to find players at Cornerback, Offensive Line, and Wide Receiver. The Packers did add slot CB Nate Hobbs in free agency.
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Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings are trying to find players at Cornerback, Linebacker, and Safety. The Vikings are attempting to form a new version of the “Purple People Eaters” after the additions of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in free agency.
NFC South
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Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons need to improve at Edge Rusher, Defensive Line, and Interior Offensive Line. Atlanta had an NFC-low 31 sacks in 2024.
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Carolina Panthers: The Panthers need to find players at Wide Receiver, Edge Rusher, and Offensive Line. The Panthers must continue to build an offense around the QB. Carolina had the fourth worst offense in the NFL this past season.
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New Orleans Saints: The Saints are trying to find players at Wide Receiver, Cornerback, and Defensive Line. New Orleans ranked in the bottom half of the league in total offense and points per game.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Buccaneers are focusing on finding players at Interior Offensive Line, Cornerback, and Linebacker. The Bucs starting interior line allowed 79 pressures last season, per Pro Football Focus.
NFC West
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Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals are hoping to find players at Defensive Line, Wide Receiver, and Cornerback. Several holes remain on both sides of the ball. The Cardinals haven’t finished a season above .500 since 2021.
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Los Angeles Rams: The Rams need to find players at Linebacker, Cornerback, and Offensive Line. Davante Adams was a splash free agency signing. The Rams had the worst run defense in the NFC West last season.
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San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers are looking to find players at Cornerback, Edge Rusher, and Interior Offensive Line. The 49ers had a mass exodus of talent in the midst of an offseason where Brock Purdy is expected to sign an extension.
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Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks are looking to find players at Linebacker, Interior Offensive Line, and Offensive Tackle. Seattle had the NFC’s worst rushing attack last season largely because of a poor offensive line.
