It’s been an eventful NFL offseason thus far. Tom Brady retired (again). A legendary Green Bay Packers quarterback is on the verge of joining the New York Jets (again). And there has been plenty of drama about the Baltimore Ravens extending quarterback Lamar Jackson (yep, again).
We’ve also watched two weeks of free agency unfold, during which many teams addressed their biggest needs, while a few others paid heavily to acquire new talent.
We’ve already seen standouts like Javon Hargrave, Miles Sanders, T.J. Edwards, Isaac Seumalo and C.J. Gardner-Johnson change squads. And those are just players from the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Oh, and the Chicago Bears have traded their first overall pick in next month’s draft.
The draft, which takes place from April 27-29, is the next big stage of the offseason, and no matter how well teams have navigated things to this point, every franchise has needs it must address. Here, we’ll analyze those needs, focusing on factors like past performance, roster makeup, offseason player movement and relevant recent buzz.
Arizona Cardinals
- Top Needs: CB, Edge, WR
Even with Kyler Murray recovering from a torn ACL, the Arizona Cardinals are not among the teams that need a quarterback. Murray is expected to return at some point this season, and the team has a solid backup in Colt McCoy.
Arizona needs a wide receiver, though. Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore are a serviceable duo but not elite. It also appears that DeAndre Hopkins is on the way out.
“The Cardinals’ initial ask, to get a second-rounder and another asset for Hopkins, seems to have fallen flat,” Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote Monday. “… To try to facilitate something, I’m told Arizona has granted teams permission to talk to Hopkins and his agents.”
Defensively, the Cardinals could use a premier cover corner to help bolster a unit that ranked 24th in passing yards allowed (230.3 per game) and 28th in passing touchdowns allowed (29). McCoy is a good spot starter, but he isn’t going to carry Arizona through weekly shootouts.
The Cardinals also need someone who can get after the quarterback. They added L.J. Collier (three career sacks) in free agency, but he’s a dramatic downgrade from the recently retired J.J. Watt (12.5 sacks in 2022) and free-agent loss Zach Allen (5.5 sacks).
Expect the defense to be a big draft focus for new head coach Jonathan Gannon, who last served as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator.
Atlanta Falcons
- Top Needs: CB, LB, Edge
The Atlanta Falcons are another team that shouldn’t be in the quarterback market next month. They don’t have an established star signal-caller. However, they do have 2022 third-round pick Desmond Ridder, and they seem committed to giving him a legit opportunity in 2023.
Atlanta snagged a terrific insurance policy when it signed Taylor Heinicke in free agency.
The Falcons also addressed significant needs by acquiring tight end Jonnu Smith, wideout Mack Hollins and safety Jessie Bates III. They re-signed offensive linemen Kaleb McGary, Germain Ifedi and Chris Lindstrom.
Their focus should now be on continuing to bolster a defense that ranked 23rd against the run, 25th against the pass and 27th in total yards allowed. The team hired defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, and it’s time to get him additional talent.
Despite adding Mike Hughes in free agency, Atlanta could use another starting-caliber corner. It could also use a sideline-to-sideline linebacker to help bolster the run defense.
However, the team’s biggest defensive liability last year was its inability to get to the quarterback (second-fewest sacks at 21). Adding a top-tier edge defender or interior pressure man should be the No. 1 priority on draft day. The Falcons recently agreed to add Calais Campbell, but the 36-year-old is not a long-term answer.
If the Falcons can improve their defense and continue running the ball well (fourth in yards per carry last season), Ridder will have a fair shot at developing into a reliable starter.
Baltimore Ravens
- Top Needs: WR, OL, Edge
On Monday, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson took to Twitter to announce that he asked for a trade March 2. If the Ravens don’t find a way to resolve Jackson’s contract situation in the next month, they could draft a quarterback to compete with Tyler Huntley, who was a restricted free agent this offseason.
As things stand, Baltimore should be focused on improving a passing attack that ranked just 28th in yards (178.8 per game) and 21st in net yards per attempt (5.8) last season. Mark Andrews is an elite tight end, but the receiver position is lacking. And the free-agent signing of Nelson Agholor does not change that.
Baltimore also needs to replace guard Ben Powers. He was a bright spot on the offensive line last season, responsible for only one penalty and zero sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. He departed for the Denver Broncos in free agency.
Defensively, the Ravens need to acquire a high-end edge-rusher. Baltimore had 48 sacks last season, but 15 of those were logged by Calais Campbell and Justin Houston. Houston is 34 years old and remains unsigned, while Campbell just signed with Atlanta.
Even if Houston returns to Baltimore, the Ravens have to get younger on the edge.