Every NFC team's biggest need entering free agency
theScore goes division by division to identify the biggest need for every NFC team entering free agency, which opens March 18 at 4 p.m. ET. The legal tampering period begins two days prior.
AFC I NFCNFC EastDallas Cowboys
Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport / GettyBiggest need: Secondary
The Cowboys are prioritizing in-house free agents Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper. Whether Dallas resolves those contract negotiations by using its tags or signing both to multi-year deals, star corner Byron Jones appears to be the man on the outside looking in. The Cowboys will need to replace their top cover man and may have to do so on the cheap.
Top potential FA targets: Chris Harris, Bradley Roby, Tony Jefferson
New York GiantsBiggest need: Pass-rusher
Finding someone who can consistently get to the quarterback is of the utmost importance to the Giants. New York ranked in the bottom third of the league in sacks in 2019 and its team leader in that statistic, Markus Golden, is set to hit free agency.
Top potential FA targets: Jadeveon Clowney, Everson Griffen, Ezekiel Ansah
Philadelphia EaglesBiggest need: Wide receiver
For a team thought to be among the deepest in the league, Philly has substantial holes at multiple positions. Cornerback and linebacker are areas of need, but the Eagles' most glaring hole comes at wide receiver. While they're expected to address the position at the draft, Carson Wentz needs experienced targets if the club is to make a deep postseason run.
Top potential FA targets: Robby Anderson, Emmanuel Sanders, Demarcus Robinson
Washington RedskinsBiggest need: Cornerback
Washington needs an influx of talent across the board. The Redskins can focus on taking the best player available in the draft. Assuming they franchise tag Brandon Scherff and find a way to coerce Trent Williams back, they can focus on cornerback and tight end in free agency. James Bradberry would be a suitable replacement for recently released veteran Josh Norman.
Top potential FA targets: James Bradberry, Byron Jones, Prince Amukamara
NFC NorthChicago Bears
Brett Carlsen / Getty Images Sport / GettyBiggest need: Tight end
Finding a stud, all-around tight end would check several boxes for the Bears offensively. Chicago tight ends amassed 416 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 2019, which ranked 31st and 32nd in the league, respectively. No team called pass plays using 12 personnel (one running back and two tight ends) fewer times than the Bears last season (28).
Top potential FA targets: Austin Hooper, Eric Ebron, Tyler Eifert
Detroit LionsBiggest need: Defensive tackle
The Lions were solid at stopping the run game in recent years, but a largely weak defense in 2019 negatively affected their strong group of defensive tackles, and now Detroit might lose its three biggest names at the position. Damon Harrison was released, while Mike Daniels and A'Shawn Robinson are both impending unrestricted free agents. Cornerback could also become a major need for the Lions, depending on Darius Slay's future - which will likely be away from Detroit - but the team can address that issue with the third overall pick in the draft.
Top potential FA targets: Javon Hargrave, D.J. Reader, Jarran Reed
Green Bay PackersBiggest need: Linebacker
The Packers enter free agency with major question marks at two positions: receiver and inside linebacker. However, wideout Equanimeous St. Brown didn't play at all last year due to injury, third-round rookie tight end Jace Sternberger lined up on only 6% of the team's offensive snaps, and Davante Adams is still a stud when healthy. On the other hand, Green Bay has no young talent or superstar at inside linebacker. B.J. Goodson, who had a subpar 2019 campaign, and Blake Martinez, who led the team in tackles, are impending unrestricted free agents.
Top potential FA targets: Cory Littleton, Kyle Van Noy, Joe Schobert
Minnesota VikingsBiggest need: Secondary
It would be ideal for the Vikings to land some big free agents this offseason in order to improve their secondary, but their lack of salary cap space will likely force them to look for cheaper options. Cornerbacks Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander, standout safety Anthony Harris, and rotational defensive backs Jayron Kearse and Andrew Sendejo are all unrestricted free agents. Minnesota needs to open up cap space, which could even lead to Xavier Rhodes' departure.
Top potential FA targets: Jimmy Smith, Kendall Fuller, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
NFC SouthAtlanta Falcons
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports / Action ImagesBiggest need: Defensive end
Ranked second-last in sacks in 2019, the Falcons need help at one of football's most important positions. The team parted ways with Vic Beasley due to his inconsistencies, and Takkarist McKinley has failed to live up to his first-round status. The quickest fix is through free agency.
Top potential FA targets: Ezekiel Ansah, Jason Pierre-Paul, Dante Fowler Jr.
Carolina PanthersBiggest need: Linebacker
More will be asked of Brian Burns and Shaq Thompson after Luke Kuechly's retirement. However, their responsibility would be eased by the addition of a veteran linebacker such as Joe Schobert or Cory Littleton.
Top potential FA targets: Joe Schobert, Cory Littleton, Blake Martinez
New Orleans SaintsBiggest need: Wide receiver
Drew Brees is coming back to "make another run at it," and in order to take advantage of the future Hall of Famer's last chase of a second championship, the Saints need to supply him with additional offensive weapons. Michael Thomas has carried the offensive load on the receiving end for the past four seasons. A secondary option is imperative for the Saints' Super Bowl hopes.
Top potential FA targets: Robby Anderson, Emmanuel Sanders, Travis Benjamin
Tampa Bay BuccaneersBiggest need: Quarterback
Before the Buccaneers decide whether to bring back Jameis Winston for a sixth season, they'd like a look at what's behind Door No. 2. If Tampa Bay can improve at quarterback by adding a proven veteran, the team's head coach and general manager have made it clear they'll do so. Expect the Bucs to be involved in any bidding wars for either Tom Brady or Philip Rivers.
Top potential FA targets: Philip Rivers, Tom Brady, Teddy Bridgewater
NFC WestArizona Cardinals
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyBiggest need: Defensive line
The defensive line is just one of the Cardinals' many needs, but it might be their biggest one considering it posted just seven sacks in 2019. Overall, despite having Chandler Jones, Arizona's defense ranked in the bottom 10 in quarterback pressure percentage per dropback (20.2%). In terms of depth, Rodney Gunter is an unrestricted free agent, 32-year-old Corey Peters is entering the last year of his current contract, and Zach Allen played in only four games as a rookie last year before suffering a season-ending neck injury.
Top potential FA targets: Jadeveon Clowney, Javon Hargrave, D.J. Reader
Los Angeles RamsBiggest need: Front seven
Although the Rams' offensive line may be the obvious answer here, the solutions to their instability at the position may already be on their roster, as they acquired several young linemen last season. L.A.'s front seven, meanwhile, could lose multiple key players to free agency, including outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr., defensive lineman Michael Brockers, and inside linebacker Cory Littleton. Losing Littleton, in particular, would cost the Rams a standout defender and depth at an already thin position.
Top potential FA targets: Jamie Collins, Kyle Van Noy, Joe Schobert
San Francisco 49ersBiggest need: Wide receiver
San Francisco would love to have another reliable starting cornerback. But the team is still in need of improved weapons around Jimmy Garoppolo despite drafting two wideouts in the first three rounds in 2019 and acquiring veteran Emmanuel Sanders midseason. Additionally, Sanders, 33, is set to hit the open market. But even if he re-signs with the club, finding another possession target for Garoppolo should be a priority.
Top potential FA targets: Amari Cooper, Robby Anderson, Breshad Perriman
Seattle SeahawksBiggest need: Pass-rusher
The Seahawks typically possess a dangerous front seven, but they suffered from subpar production last season after trading away Frank Clark. Seattle wants to re-sign Jadeveon Clowney, but he may look to reset the market for pass-rushers. Even with Clowney, the Seahawks recorded the second-fewest sacks (28) in the NFL last year.
Top potential FA targets: Jadeveon Clowney, Dante Fowler Jr., Jason Pierre-Paul
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