Every NFL Team's Missing Piece on Offense and Defense

With the start of NFL free agency looming, it's time to get serious about the positions and players teams need to target. 

Obviously, not everyone can fill every hole, but let's at least identify the big ones and throw out some perfect-world scenarios on both sides of the ball.

AFC East

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Buffalo Bills

Offense: A receiver who can stretch the field for Josh Allen. Darius Slayton would make a lot of sense on the free-agent market. 

Defense: They fell short of 40 sacks in the playoffs, and the pass defense could use some firepower on the edge. Von Miller is about to turn 36, but his presence could enable them to go the draft route here.

Miami Dolphins

Offense: The interior offensive line was a liability even with Robert Jones and Liam Eichenberg hitting free agency. Impending free-agent guard Will Fries would be a dream. 

Defense: It's probably safe to say they couldn't sign someone like Fries and retain a top-flight free agent like Jevon Holland, so a new piece in the secondary could be needed via the draft. Maybe Georgia's Malaki Starks at No. 13 overall? 

New England Patriots

Offense: Both the offensive line and the receiving corps need to improve for young quarterback Drake Maye, but you ought to start by maximizing protection and then focus on the weaponry. They need a potential long-term pillar at left tackle, like Will Campbell in the draft or Ronnie Stanley in free agency. 

Defense: Nobody on the defense had more than five sacks in 2024, and 30-year-old Deatrich Wise Jr. is hitting free agency. The edge needs a high-impact young player like Abdul Carter out of Penn State or 25-year-old potential free agent Dayo Odeyingbo. 

New York Jets

Offense: Got to start with a quarterback. I wouldn't be opposed to rolling the dice on Sam Darnold or Russell Wilson if the price isn't absurd for either, but there's a good chance they won't find the solution this offseason. 

Defense: This unit is decent, but the Jets still need more big-man support for Quinnen Williams up front. Mason Graham out of Michigan makes a lot of sense with that No. 7 overall pick.

AFC North

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Charvarius Ward

Baltimore Ravens

Offense: It becomes a left tackle if Stanley departs. But regardless, the goal has to be to keep bolstering the offensive line for their shiny, pricey quarterback and star running back. I'm watching Armand Membou of Missouri late in Round 1. 

Defense: Kyle Van Noy is about to turn 34, and the Ravens could use another piece on the edge. They could pray for someone like James Pearce Jr. to drop to them in the No. 27 spot. 

Cincinnati Bengals

Offense: For now, their two elite receivers are on the roster. Meanwhile, the interior offensive line remains a question mark pretty much across the board. Could they land Georgia's Tate Ratledge in the second round? 

Defense: The defense quite simply needs a high-impact player who can contribute right away, particularly up front. Pearce or Walter Nolen or potential options in the first round.

Cleveland Browns

Offense: It's all about quarterback in Cleveland...again. If they can land Cam Ward in that No. 2 spot, they have to do it. 

Defense: Even if Myles Garrett stays put on the edge, they need another piece. A veteran like Dante Fowler Jr. would be nice if they could find the cash. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Offense: I think Russell Wilson is the right option at quarterback, but does that count as a missing piece considering he was on the 2024 roster? If not, let's go with a starting-caliber receiver to pair with George Pickens. That could be Emeka Egbuka or Matthew Golden in the draft or Chris Godwin, Amari Cooper or Stefon Diggs in free agency. Or, or, or... Tyreek Hill? 

Defense: They desperately need more talent opposite Joey Porter Jr. at cornerback. Carlton Davis III, Byron Murphy Jr., D.J. Reed or Charvarius Ward would be ideal on the free-agent market.

AFC South

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Houston Texans

Offense: The interior offensive line is a bloody mess, and they can't just rely on the draft. They need a proven vet like Fries or Mekhi Becton. 

Defense: The are powerful on the edge but need more talent inside. Ohio State's Tyleik Williams could make an immediate impact as a first-round pick. 

Indianapolis Colts

Offense: Young quarterback Anthony Richardson needs a high-ceiling safety valve immediately, and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren could work wonders as a first-round pick in 2025. 

Defense: The secondary is awful, especially at safety where there isn't even a lot of potential. Jevon Holland could change the defense.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Offense: If this is going to work with Trevor Lawrence, he will need another option beyond Brian Thomas at wideout. Could that be two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter? It's possible the remarkably talented 21-year-old could kill two birds with one stone...

Defense: They had the league's worst pass defense in 2024, and it need anothers cornerback to work with Tyson Campbell. Ideally, it will be an established dude like Murphy, Davis, Reed or Ward.

Tennessee Titans

Offense: Cam Ward. I believe, and you should too. Don't overthink this, Mike Borgonzi. 

Defense: A poor pass rush could really use an elite edge defender to jump-start this rebuild. A trade for Myles Garrett would be world-changing, but let's also throw impending free agent Josh Sweat out there for Tennessee. 

AFC West

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Denver Broncos

Offense: Young quarterback Bo Nix needs another established receiver to take it to the next level alongside Courtland Sutton. Chris Godwin makes a ton of sense, but we also have to at least mention Tyreek Hill. 

Defense: This D is extremely solid, but Holland would provide a clear upgrade over P.J. Locke at safety. That could be a game-changer when all of the other pieces seem to be falling into place. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Offense: So much depends on who stays or goes at wide receiver, but they have plenty of options there. Trey Smith will apparently be back, but left tackle is still a problem for Patrick Mahomes. If there's any chance they could land Ohio State's Josh Simmons in Round 1, he could make a world of difference right away. 

Defense: They could also really use a new difference-maker in the secondary, but Holland and the big-name corners are likely unsignable, and they may even have trouble keeping Justin Reid. So, we should stick to the draft. Imagine Will Johnson? Or at least Jahdae Barron?

Las Vegas Raiders

Offense: It couldn't be clearer that the missing piece is a quarterback. With Ward likely out of their reach, I'm OK with Shedeur Sanders as long as they don't trade up from the No. 6 spot to land him. Alternatively, a revitalized Russell Wilson could definitely still be that guy. 

Defense: There's some talent at cornerback, but nothing remotely elite. They could be well-positioned to bring in a game-changer there, such as Will Johnson from Michigan in Round 1 (if not Hunter), or Murphy, Reed, Ward or Davis via free agency. 

Los Angeles Chargers

Offense: Justin Herbert needs an elite No. 1 receiver, and potential trade target Tyreek Hill is the obvious No. 1 candidate there. 

Defense: This is tough to pinpoint with so many impending free agents on the defensive side of the ball, but if they were to find a way to land Garrett to replace Joey Bosa, it could change the game in L.A. 

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

Offense: The skill positions are pretty much locked in, but the line needs significant work after veteran guard Zack Martin called it quits. There isn't a lot of money to spend, but Will Fries might be worth it anyway. 

Defense: There really isn't a "missing piece" here, especially with Osa Odighizuwa back in the fold. The focus should be on keeping veterans Eric Kendricks, Jourdan Lewis and Chauncey Golston. 

New York Giants

Offense: Cam Ward is the obvious missing piece under center, but Russell Wilson and Sam Darnold are potential consolation prizes for now. One could have a few good years left, and the upside could still be there for the other.

Defense: A game-changing cornerback could work wonders while addressing a major need, even if Adoree' Jackson sticks around. If they don't go the quarterback route early in the draft, Travis Hunter would be the obvious choice here.

Philadelphia Eagles

Offense: When you're the champ, you're not really missing anything. That said, in order to repeat, the Eagles can't afford to let up and Mekhi Becton could get away. They need to maintain that big, scary offensive line as best they can. That could mean dedicating multiple decent draft picks to the offensive line. 

Defense: With Zack Baun back, they may lose Josh Sweat on the edge. They also know you can't have too many great pass-rushers. I'm imagining a scenario in which they somehow land James Pearce Jr. at the bottom of Round 1.

Washington Commanders

Offense: They already made their splash with Deebo Samuel. You want something more? Jayden Daniels could use a blue-chip tackle like Ronnie Stanley or Cam Robinson. 

Defense: Myles Garrett. Enough said. 

NFC North

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Chicago Bears

Offense: Kudos for the additions of Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney to upgrade the offensive line, but it still needs one more piece for Caleb Williams. Let's see them grab Drew Dalman and send Coleman Shelton to the bench.

Defense: The pass rush is in decent hands with veteran Montez Sweat, but nobody on the roster hit the six-sack mark in '24 and Sweat could use some long-term help. Mykel Williams, Jalon Walker or James Pearce Jr. could put them over the top in Round 1.

Detroit Lions

Offense: Kevin Zeitler could be done in Detroit, but even if not, the veteran guard is about to turn 35. The Lions should try to land the best guard in the draft, Tyler Booker from Alabama. 

Defense: A stronger overall pass-rushing rotation beyond star Aidan Hutchinson could go a long way. I could see an inspired Haason Reddick or Khalil Mack putting them over the top.

Green Bay Packers

Offense: This offense is in blatant need of a true No. 1 receiver to get over the edge. Could they bring back Davante Adams? Or could they chase Tyreek Hill in a trade?

Defense: "Green Bay cornerback" is also one of the most glaring needs in the NFL. Carlton Davis III, Byron Murphy Jr., D.J. Reed or Charvarius Ward could change that.

Minnesota Vikings

Offense: The guard situation is tenuous even if Dalton Risner returns, and they will want to support and protect J.J. McCarthy as best they can. Ensuring they land a primo guard like Tyler Booker early in the draft could be huge. 

Defense: They may simply focus on keeping the band together here, but with practically the entire secondary slated to hit free agency, the Vikings will need to target a high-upside corner or safety as a potential difference-maker. Keep an eye on Jahdae Barron from Texas.

NFC South

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Atlanta Falcons

Offense: It's a quarterback not named Kirk Cousins. They are hoping it's Michael Penix Jr., of course. There's still a decent chance it's neither, and we're having this conversation again in 2026. 

Defense: Myles Garrett in the dream scenario. Josh Sweat in the slightly more realistic one. May it at least be someone like Pearce, Green or Walker in the first round. You get the point. 

Carolina Panthers

Offense: The receiving corps needs work, but it's more important that they bolster the line for Bryce Young as there is some decent budding talent at wideout. A bigger potential game-changer could be stealing talented veteran center Drew Dalman from the division-rival Falcons. 

Defense: This seems broad, but they truly do just need talent on defense in general. They need a new face of this D (and I don't think Jaycee Horn is it), and it would make a lot of sense if that came via a top-10 pick on someone like Shemar Stewart, Jalon Walker or James Pearce Jr. on the edge.

New Orleans Saints

Offense: Say what you will about the Saints' direction and the aging Derek Carr, but there's no way some other quarterback is the "missing piece" for an offense that lacks depth and consistency at the receiver position and talent within the interior offensive line. The best shot they have at changing that quickly is by hitting on a first-rounder with a receiver such as Tetairoa McMillan from Arizona.

Defense: They are also likely to lose several veteran pass-rushers in free agency and could use a high-potential edge who has the ability to turn this defense around swiftly. Like practically the entire NFC South, they should be gunning for someone like Stewart, Walker, Pearce or Green in Round 1. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Offense: This still depends on what happens with guys like Chris Godwin and Ben Bredeson, but the presence of Baker Mayfield and the shape of the line overall makes this about receiver regardless of Godwin's fate. McMillan, Emeka Egbuka and Luther Burden III are all first-round targets in the draft who would make sense. 

Defense: There could also be a changing of the guard here at the edge position, and the Bucs' defensive missing piece could be one of those guys mentioned above for their division rivals. But we also have to throw Garrett out there in this spot.

NFC West

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Arizona Cardinals

Offense: The skill-position pieces are there, but they are going to need a strong new starter at guard. Fresh blood from someone like impending Colts free agent Will Fries could make a massive difference.

Defense: There isn’t a lot beyond Zaven Collins on the edge, and they have money to spend on a playmaker. Hate to bring up Myles Garrett up again, but is there a more perfect "missing piece?"

Los Angeles Rams

Offense: With veteran receiver Cooper Kupp seemingly as good as gone, a receiver who could at least replace him at a lower rate and possibly even outperform him would make sense as the closest thing to a "missing piece." I'm eyeing a Matthew Golden fall in Round 1, and a strong rookie season from the Texas product. 

Defense: Cornerback just jumps off the page, which brings Carlton Davis III, Byron Murphy Jr., D.J. Reed or Charvarius Ward into play as potential surprise free-agent additions. 

San Francisco 49ers

Offense: Considering their potential issues within the interior offensive line, and the fact that they are sturdy as can be at the skill positions, the 49ers are one of those teams that should try to perfectly time landing the best guard in the draft. I think that's Tyler Booker, but Will Campbell could play inside or outside and might still be within San Francisco's first-round reach.

Defense: Talent is needed at cornerback regardless of what happens with impending free agent Charvarius Ward. Replacing or complementing him with David, Murphy or Reed could do the trick. 

Seattle Seahawks

Offense: DK Metcalf’s trade request complicates things, but combined with Tyler Lockett's departure, it certainly highlights Seattle's need for a standout pass-catcher to break from the NFL's middle class in 2025. I’m imagining what they could do with Chris Godwin or even the likely cheaper Darius Slayton supporting Jaxon Smith-Njigba (and possibly still Metcalf).

Defense: Hate to cop out on the final blurb, but this D is locked in and solid. The "missing piece" might simply be who they bring in to replace the released Dre'Mont Jones. Pearce, Green and Walker are all candidates in the middle of Round 1.