NFL Teams Facing Big Holes After Initial Free Agency Frenzy

NFL free agency is a crucial period for teams to address weaknesses and bolster their rosters. However, it’s also a time when mistakes can be made, and unforeseen holes can emerge. This year, several franchises are facing difficult questions after the initial wave of free agency signings, trades, and re-signings.

Many teams entered free agency with hopes of using their available cap space to acquire proven playmakers. However, the market quickly thinned out as several top players opted to remain with their current teams. This shortage of high-end talent, combined with key defections, has left some teams with significant needs that must be addressed.

Here are five teams with glaring holes to fill after the first phase of free agency:

New England Patriots: Wide Receiver and Left Tackle Woes

The New England Patriots, armed with the most cap space in the league (over $125 million), were aggressive in the early stages of free agency. Their biggest signing was defensive tackle Milton Williams, who received a four-year, $104 million deal, the richest in franchise history.

Despite spending over $141.4 million in guaranteed money, the Patriots still have pressing needs at wide receiver and left tackle. The top options at both positions were unavailable before free agency officially began, with Tee Higgins being franchise-tagged by the Cincinnati Bengals and Ronnie Stanley re-signing with the Baltimore Ravens. Chris Godwin also chose to take less money to stay with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Patriots might be able to find a solution at left tackle in the draft, with LSU’s Will Campbell potentially being a consideration with the No. 4 pick. However, the wide receiver class is considered weaker than last year’s, lacking the high-end talent of Malik Nabers, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Rome Odunze. This could leave the Patriots without a true No. 1 target for Drake Maye, their No. 3 overall pick.

Maye showed promise as a rookie but often had to compensate for subpar protection and a lack of separation from his receiving corps. While a second-tier veteran receiver or another rookie could help Maye, neither is likely to transform a group that didn’t have a single player average more than 43 yards per game last season.

New coach Mike Vrabel remains optimistic, stating that "there’s a lot of time" to address these needs. However, Patriots fans may be feeling a greater sense of urgency.

Washington Commanders: Pass Rush Concerns

The Washington Commanders have been one of the busiest teams in free agency, adding or re-signing 25 players. They made significant moves by trading for left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., addressing two of the team’s most unstable positions.

However, the Commanders still have a major need: a consistent pass rush. Last season, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn managed to create a unit that ranked seventh in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate despite limited investment on the edge. But now, Dante Fowler Jr., who led the team with 10.5 sacks, has returned to the Dallas Cowboys.

One potential solution could be a trade for Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. The Commanders have ample cap space and a willingness to spend big on veterans, especially with Jayden Daniels on a rookie deal. However, their recent trades have depleted their draft assets, leaving them with only three picks in the first five rounds. General manager Adam Peters might be hesitant to trade away his top selection and undermine a potential draft-and-develop strategy.

If a trade for Hendrickson doesn’t materialize, the Commanders could target an edge rusher with the No. 29 pick. Marshall’s Mike Green and Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku could be viable options if available.

Los Angeles Chargers: Defensive Line Vulnerability

Under Jim Harbaugh, the Los Angeles Chargers are continuing to embrace a run-heavy identity. The additions of running back Najee Harris and offensive guard Mekhi Becton suggest the Chargers will continue to focus on grinding down defenses with their ground game.

However, the defense is a different story. With Poona Ford leaving for the Los Angeles Rams, the Chargers are now relying on a patchwork group to anchor their defensive line. DaShawn Hand and Naquan Jones were brought in to provide depth after the team re-signed Teair Tart. Still, a defense that ranked 27th last season in yards allowed per carry (4.7) appears even more vulnerable.

If the Chargers want to add an immediate impact player on the defensive line, they may need to do so through the draft. Michigan’s Kenneth Grant and Oregon’s Derrick Harmon could be first-round targets, while Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams and Texas’ Alfred Collins could be options on Day 2.

San Francisco 49ers: Rebuilding the Defensive Line

Robert Saleh, the former 49ers defensive coordinator, is back with the team that helped launch his head-coaching career. However, he returns to a defensive front that is a shadow of its former self.

The 49ers have cut defensive end Leonard Floyd and defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins, leaving Nick Bosa as the only remaining fixture on the defensive line. There are few in-house options that Saleh would feel comfortable with starting.

The free-agent market for defensive linemen has dried up quickly. With the 49ers facing a salary-cap reset due to Brock Purdy’s expected extension, it’s unlikely they’ll make any significant additions in free agency.

Even with holes popping up throughout the roster, addressing the defensive line is a priority. Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham and Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart could be candidates for the No. 11 overall selection. However, the 49ers could also take advantage of the deep talent pool at both positions later in the draft.

Green Bay Packers: A True No. 1 Receiver

Last August, Packers coach Matt LaFleur dismissed criticisms of his receiving corps’ composition, stating, "I want to vomit every time I hear No. 1 receiver, to be honest with you." However, if Green Bay fails to add a top-tier pass-catcher, LaFleur might have other reasons to feel queasy.

While the quartet of Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks has shown promise, none of them emerged as a reliable go-to target for Jordan Love when the offense struggled. Consistently beating man coverage was a problem, with only Wicks posting an open score of more than 70 in ESPN’s metric (though he also struggled with drops).

Finding a solution won’t be easy, especially given the exorbitant free-agent and trade market for receivers. The Packers have prioritized spending elsewhere, signing offensive guard Aaron Banks to a four-year, $77 million contract and cornerback Nate Hobbs to a four-year, $48 million deal. This may leave general manager Brian Gutekunst to search for a receiver in the second wave of free agency or, more likely, the draft.

Texas’ Matthew Golden could be a first-round option who can consistently create separation. Iowa State’s Jaylin Noel and Mississippi’s Tre Harris could also help round out the group.

These five teams face significant challenges after the initial rush of free agency. How they address these holes in the coming weeks and during the draft will be crucial to their success in the upcoming season.