Offensive and Defensive Targets for Every NFL Team in 2016 Free Agency
The 2016 NFL year begins in less than a month, and with it will come another annual edition of free agency.
At 4 p.m. ET on March 9, free-agent players will officially be able to sign with prospective employers. Of course, clubs are allowed to make contact with players' agents and begin negotiation two days prior and will have been evaluating options long before that.
By the time free agency officially opens, NFL franchises will have their targets picked out.
We don't know exactly what team decision-makers are thinking this time of year, and we can only take rumors and potential smokescreens at face value. However, that isn't going to stop us from having a little fun and picking out offensive and defensive targets for all 32 teams ourselves.
Today we're going to peg a target on each side of the football for each franchise based on needs, the free-agent pool and, when appropriate, salary-cap constraints. For this piece, we'll only be looking at free agents from outside each organization.
Do you agree with our selections? Be sure to let us now in the comments section.
Arizona Cardinals
1 of 32
Offensive: Mitchell Schwartz, offensive tackle
Defensive: Adam Jones, cornerback
If the Arizona Cardinals want to ensure quarterback Carson Palmer makes it through anther NFL season, the team had better find a way to upgrade its pass protection.
Palmer was only sacked 25 times in the regular season, but he was frequently pressured. He found himself under even more fire in the postseason. The Green Bay Packers and the Carolina Panthers combined to sack Palmer six times while forcing three fumbles and six interceptions in two playoff games.
Right tackle Mitchell Schwartz should be a top target for Arizona in free agency. He has started every game in his four-year career with the Cleveland Browns and is coming off a season in which he was rated sixth overall among offensive tackles by Pro Football Focus.
Schwartz would be an immediate upgrade over Bobby Massie, who is credited by Pro Football Focus with allowing eight sacks, seven additional hits and 43 quarterback hurries in the regular season and playoffs.
Adding depth in the secondary would also be a wise decision for the Cardinals, who are set to lose cornerbacks Jerraud Powers and Corey White to free agency.
Adding a young, top-tier cornerback might not be an option as the Cardinals are only expected to have somewhere between $13-18 million in cap space. However, a versatile player like Adam Jones would make a whole lot of sense.
Jones is 32 years old and shouldn't require a lengthy high-dollar contract. Yet Pro Football Focus rated him 13th overall among cornerbacks last season, and he would provide added value as a return specialist.
Atlanta Falcons
2 of 32
Offensive: Rueben Randle, wide receiver
Defensive: Bruce Irvin, linebacker
Wide receiver Rueben Randle hasn't exactly been a game-changer during his four-year NFL career, but he has been an excellent complementary piece. A complementary piece is exactly what the Atlanta Falcons could use opposite star wideout Julio Jones.
Veteran Roddy White is no longer the player he once was, and quarterback Matt Ryan's main targets after Jones were tight end Jacob Tamme and running back Devonta Freeman in 2015. Adding Randle would give Ryan another legitimate downfield threat on the outside.
Randle caught 57 passes for 797 yards and eight touchdowns playing alongside Odell Beckham Jr. with the New York Giants last season.
On defense, the Falcons need to focus on adding to the pass rush. Pro Football Focus rated Atlanta 15th overall in pass rush, but the team produced a mere 19 sacks on the season.
Four of the Falcons' sacks came from rookie edge-rusher Vic Beasley, who should be a centerpiece of the defense for many seasons to come. Adding a capable pass-rusher on the other side of the defensive formation should only increase Beasley's effectiveness.
Super Bowl MVP Von Miller would be an obvious target for any team, but there's pretty much no chance the Denver Broncos allow him to hit the open market.
This is why free-agent linebacker Bruce Irvin makes a lot of sense for the Falcons. He only had 5.5 sacks this past season with the Seattle Seahawks but was credited with 12 quarterback hits and 21 additional hurries by Pro Football Focus.
Irvin also has experience playing under Falcons head coach Dan Quinn, who previously served as Seattle's defensive coordinator. This means he should be able to fit himself into Quinn's defense with relative ease.
Baltimore Ravens
3 of 32
Offensive: Alex Boone, offensive guard
Defensive: Trumaine Johnson, cornerback
The Baltimore Ravens don't exactly have a history of chasing high-dollar free agents, and the team is projected to be on the low end in terms of salary-cap space.
Because of cap restraints, the Ravens may find it difficult to sign versatile guard/tackle and pending free-agent Kelechi Osemele. Osemele appeared in four games at left tackle and 10 at left guard in 2015. Among guards, Pro Football Focus rated him 13th overall.
If the Ravens cannot re-sign Osemele, it will behoove the team to add a veteran offensive lineman through free agency. San Francisco 49ers left guard Alex Boone should be a popular option. He is physical, productive and still on the south side of 30.
Pro Football Focus rated Boone 37th overall among guards in 2015. He might not be as dominant or as versatile as Osemele, but Boone would help fill a need and should fit into the budget better.
Baltimore could also use help on the back end of its defense—Pro Football Focus rated the team 23rd overall in pass coverage this past season. Going after a young, up-and-coming cornerback such as Trumaine Johnson would help strengthen the group.
Johnson is coming off his best season as a pro in which he produced 71 tackles and seven interceptions. He appeared in 14 games with 13 starts for the Los Angeles Rams and finished the year rated 20th overall among cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus.
Johnson recently turned 26 years old and should have many fine seasons ahead of him.
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Buffalo Bills
4 of 32
Offensive: Kelvin Beachum, offensive tackle
Defensive: Kevin Williams, defensive tackle
The Buffalo Bills are probably going to be on a fairly tight budget in free agency this year. As things currently stand, the team is expected to be scraping the bottom of the salary-cap barrel, and the Bills may have to make some creative moves to be free-agency players.
Cutting ties with defensive end Mario Williams and then not using the franchise tag on left tackle Cordy Glenn could open up the space to do exactly that. As Mike Rodak of ESPN.com recently explained, tagging Glenn would effectively cancel out any savings from releasing Williams:
"The exact figure for offensive linemen depends on the NFL's 2016 salary cap, so it won't be determined until early March. But ESPN Stats & Information projects the non-exclusive tag to be $13.7 million. In that case, assigning Glenn the franchise tag would wipe out the $12.9 million in cap savings the Bills will gain by releasing Williams. The Bills would need to find other ways to create space.
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Glenn, whom Pro Football Focus rated ninth overall among offensive tackles for 2015, could be extremely difficult to keep without the franchise tag. If the Bills lose him, they'll need a replacement. This is where Kelvin Beachum comes into play.
Beachum started just six games in 2015 before suffering a torn ACL. However, he started all 16 in 2014 and finished the year rated fifth overall among offensive tackles by Pro Football Focus. Beachum could essentially pick up where Glenn left off, assuming he returns to pre-injury form. Since he is coming off injury and has only two starting seasons under his belt, Beachum should also be a more affordable option than Glenn.
If Williams is out, the Bills will have further need to add depth at the defensive end position. Veteran Kevin Williams is on the older side at 35 years of age. However, he is still playing at a high level. Pro Football Focus rated him 23rd among defensive tackles for 2015. His defensive coordinator with the New Orleans Saints was Rob Ryan, who is now an assistant in Buffalo.
Carolina Panthers
5 of 32
Offensive: Travis Benjamin, wide receiver
Defensive: George Iloka, safety
The Carolina Panthers are expected to have in the neighborhood of $20 million in cap space this offseason, which is why gearing up for another Super Bowl run is a very realistic goal.
Depending on how much cap space the Panthers wind up using to keep cornerback Josh Norman, the team might even be able to go after a top-level target such as safety George Iloka. This would be a smart move as the strong safety position was one of the few weaknesses in the Carolina secondary this past season.
Roman Harper, who is a free agent himself, was rated just 157th among all safeties by Pro Football Focus for the 2015 season.
Iloka, on the other hand, finished 2015 rated 38th among all safeties by Pro Football Focus. He'll also soon turn 26 years old and is young enough to be a long-term piece in Carolina, not just a quick Super Bowl fix.
Offensively, the Panthers should consider adding a free-agent wideout to the roster. Kelvin Benjamin is set to return from season-ending injury in 2016, but there is still room for field-stretching talent on this team.
Travis Benjamin, who finished 2015 with 966 receiving yards and five scores, would provide quarterback Cam Newton with another legitimate deep threat. If opposing defenses feel it's difficult to contain the breakaway speed of receiver Ted Ginn, they should try planning for him with a true speed demon like Benjamin on the opposite side of the field.
Chicago Bears
6 of 32
Offensive: Mike Harris, offensive guard
Defensive: Malik Jackson, defensive end
The Chicago Bears have a few positions of need heading into the offseason. Dan Durkin of CBS Chicago recently explained why offensive guard is one of them:
"The preseason competition between Jordan Mills and Charles Leno Jr. didn’t produce a winner, and the team was forced to move Pro Bowl right guard Kyle Long to right tackle. In all, the team used six different offensive line combinations with three different sets of guards. The duo the team used in place of Long—Vladimir Ducasse and Patrick Omameh—are best suited as emergency backups.
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Chicago could, of course, move Long back to guard. However, he was more than serviceable at right tackle, and it might be easier (perhaps cheaper) to plug in a guard. Pulling Mike Harris away from the Minnesota Vikings would accomplish this while also weakening an NFC North rival.
Pro Football Focus rated Harris, who is only 27 years old, 24th overall among guards.
To strengthen the defense, the Bears might want to tap into head coach John Fox's Denver Broncos roots and look at defensive end Malik Jackson.
Pro Football Focus rated Jackson ninth overall among 3-4 defensive ends for the 2015 season. He finished the regular season with 45 tackles, 5.0 sacs and seven passes defended.
The Bears are projected to have nearly $60 million in cap space, so chasing a top-level free agent shouldn't be an issue.
Cincinnati Bengals
7 of 32
Offensive: Percy Harvin, wide receiver
Defensive: Sean Smith, cornerback
The Cincinnati Bengals are scheduled to send 14 players to unrestricted free agency. Over the next two weeks, the Bengals will likely work to lock up some of those players. Still, the coming market period could cause some major problems for Cincinnati, especially in the secondary.
Cornerbacks Leon Hall and Adam Jones are set to become free agents. So are safeties Reggie Nelson and George Iloka. This is why the Bengals should consider bucking their usual spend-thrift trend in order to secure a top-level free agent such as cornerback Sean Smith.
Smith started 13 games for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015 and finished the year rated 17th among cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus. He would be able to step in and lock down one of the starting jobs at the back end of the Cincinnati defense.
Cincinnati is also set to lose receivers Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu to free agency. Jones might be back, but there is "virtually no chance" that Sanu returns, according to Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com.
If the Bengals want to bring in a receiver who can fill multiple roles, as Sanu often did, they might want to take a look at Percy Harvin.
Throughout his seven-year NFL career, Harvin has shown the ability to make plays as a receiver, as a runner and as a return specialist. If Adam Jones leaves in free agency, the Bengals will likely be looking to a new punt returner.
Harvin has carried personality questions in the past, but so have many players the Bengals have brought in in recent years. From Terrell Owens to Vontaze Burfict to Adam Jones, Cincinnati has welcomed plenty of players with questionable attitudes and off-field issues.
Cleveland Browns
8 of 32
Offensive: Marvin Jones, wide receiver
Defensive: Vincent Rey, linebacker
It shouldn't surprise anyone to see new Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson lobby to raid his former team of talent in free agency. This is why it also shouldn't be a surprise if more than a couple of members of the Cincinnati Bengals make an AFC North switch this offseason.
Cleveland's biggest needs are quarterback and pass-rusher, but considering the free-agent pool and the team's draft positioning (second and 32nd overall picks), those are likely targets better left to the draft.
The Browns can, however, fill a couple of other needs in free agency by stealing from their in-state rivals. Wide receiver Marvin Jones would immediately upgrade the receiving corps, while linebacker Vincent Rey would be a versatile piece for coordinator Ray Horton's defense.
Standing 6'2" and 198 pounds, Jones would instantly become one of the bigger receivers on Cleveland's roster. He is a capable downfield threat who should provide whoever is taking snaps from center with a reliable target in the passing game. He did miss the 2014 season due to injury but bounced back to snag 65 passes for 816 yards and four scores last season.
According to Pro Football Focus, Rey saw 481 snaps at outside linebacker and 263 snaps at inside linebacker for the Bengals in 2015. He finished the year with 98 tackles, five passes defended, one interception and one sack. His ability to play both inside and out should make him a solid fit for Horton's hybrid 3-4 defensive scheme.
Of course, we have no idea what to expect from Cleveland's new analytics-driven front office, so there's a chance the team throws a few unexpected curveballs into the mix.
Dallas Cowboys
9 of 32
Offensive: Lamar Miller, running back
Defensive: Janoris Jenkins, cornerback
The Dallas Cowboys appear set to part ways with cornerback Morris Claiborne, who has thus far failed to live up to the expectations that come with being the No. 6 overall draft pick in the 2012 NFL daft.
However, the Cowboys can get their hands on a high draft pick from 2012 who has emerged as a legitimate starting corner. Janoris Jenkins, a second-round pick in 2012, has been a starter in all four of his NFL seasons. He appeared in 15 games in 2015 for the Los Angeles Rams, and he racked up 64 tackles and three interceptions.
Pro Football Focus rated Jenkins 24th overall among cornerbacks for the 2015 season. At just 27 years old, Jenkins is young enough to step in and be a multiyear starter in Dallas.
The Cowboys might also want to look at a free-agent running back such as Lamar Miller of the Miami Dolphins. Dallas had a more-than-respectable running game in 2015 (ranked ninth, averaging 118.1 yards per game, but it didn't have a workhorse back like it did in 2014 with DeMarco Murray.
Darren McFadden performed admirably, of course, finishing with 1,089 and 4.6 yards per carry. However, it would seem the Cowboys could produce a truly dominant rushing attack if they can find the right kind of back to complement him.
Miller has looked like he could be that kind of back over the past couple of seasons with Miami. He had 1,269 combined rushing and receiving yards in 2015 while scoring 10 total touchdowns. Pro Football Focus rated him fifth overall among running backs for the season.
Miller will turn 25 this year and should have the potential to be a backfield fixture in Dallas for many years.
Denver Broncos
10 of 32
Offensive: James Starks, running back
Defensive: DeShawn Shead, defensive back
The biggest priority of the Denver Broncos this offseason will likely be keeping as many members of their Super Bowl squad in Denver as possible. When it comes to adding external free agents, the team will probably need to go thrift shopping.
Denver is expected to have a little more than $11 million in cap space, but this expectation comes without knowing what the team might spend to keep pending free agents such as Von Miller, Brock Osweiler, Brandon Marshall and Malik Jackson.
With running back Ronnie Hillman also set to become a free agent, the Broncos may be in the market for a back to complement C.J. Anderson, who is also a restricted free agent. James Starks of the Green Bay Packers would be a solid fit here if the Broncos decide to take a veteran option.
Starks has spent his entire six-year career with the Packers, and he is a proven commodity as a backup and a change-of-pace runner. He rushed for 601 yards in 2015 and also caught 43 passes for another 392 yards. He scored five total touchdowns.
Starks' last contract was for two years and $3.25 million, and the Broncos should be able to land him on a similar or more team-friendly deal.
Assuming Denver manages to keep most of its own free agents, there really won't be any glaring needs on defense. Since safeties T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart both missed time due to injury last year, we'll pencil in a little safety depth.
Seattle Seahawks defensive back DeShawn Shead could be a sneaky addition for this purpose. According to Pro Football Focus, Shead saw 113 snaps at safety and 520 snaps at cornerback this past season.
Shead is versatile, he is used to playing in a physical defense and he should be affordable.
Detroit Lions
11 of 32
Offensive: Alshon Jeffery, wide receiver
Defensive: Terrance Knighton, defensive tackle
The Detroit Lions have a bit of a cloud hanging over the franchise this offseason, because no one is clear on the future plans of star wide receiver Calvin Johnson. He might be headed to retirement. He might not.
"I really don't [have a sense]," Lions president Ron Wood, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. "And if I did, I wouldn't talk about it."
If Johnson decided to call it a career, then receiver becomes an immediate need for the Lions. They could potentially fill that need by going after wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. Grabbing him would also mean taking a weapon away from the NFC North rival Chicago Bears.
Jeffery is coming off an injury-hampered season in which he only appeared in nine games. Yet he still managed to produce 807 yards and four touchdowns. In the two years before that, Jeffery racked up 2,554 combined receiving yards with 17 scores.
The Lions could also use help at the defensive tackle position. Detroit's defensive front took a step back last season when defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley left via free agency. The Lions could potentially bring Fairley back this offseason but might want to look in a direction the team hasn't tried before.
Terrance Knighton would be one solid option at the defensive tackle position. Knighton is primarily a run-stuffer who could help strengthen the interior of Detroit's defensive line. Pro Football Focus rated Knighton 28th overall among defensive tackles in 2015.
Green Bay Packers
12 of 32
Offensive: Travis Benjamin, wide receiver
Defensive: Tamba Hali, linebacker
The Green Bay Packers would be wise to upgrade their linebacker corps in the offseason. Whether the team's greater need is inside or outside depends on what its future plans are for Clay Matthews.
If the Packers decide to keep Matthews inside instead of moving back to the outside linebacker position, Tamba Hali of the Kansas City Chiefs could prove to be a smart addition. Hali was rated fifth overall among 3-4 outside linebackers by Pro Football Focus for the 2015 season. He finished the year with 48 tackles, 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Even if Matthews returns to the outside, a three-man rotation of Matthews, Julius Peppers and Hali could be a true terror for opposing quarterbacks.
The return of a healthy Jordy Nelson should help Aaron Rodgers and Co. get back to the field-stretching passing attack the Packers are used to. However, if Green Bay wants to stretch the field even more, the team might want to adding a speedster like Travis Benjamin.
Benjamin, who ran a 4.36-second 40 at the scouting combine coming out of Miami, is a true burner at the receiver position. He racked up 966 yards and five touchdowns with the Cleveland Browns in 2015, and he was tied for fourth in the NFL with six receptions of 40 yards or more.
At just 5'10" and 175 pounds, though, Benjamin might not be much of a factor on Hail Mary plays. For this Packers team, this could be an issue.
Houston Texans
13 of 32
Offensive: Kirk Cousins, quarterback
Defensive: George Iloka, safety
The Houston Texans managed to win nine games and the AFC South last season, but the team still doesn't have a franchise quarterback in place. Since Houston made the playoffs and won't pick until 22nd overall, drafting a starting quarterback might not be a realistic possibility
However, Houston might be able to find its man in free agency, in the form of Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins. According to Bleacher Report's Jason Cole, Washington and Cousins are not close in contract negotiations. If the Redskins do no use the franchise tag, Cousins could be available.
There's a lot to like about Cousins' game if you're Houston. The former Michigan State star won nine games in 2015 and finished the season rated 16th overall among quarterbacks by Pro Football Focus.
The Texans already have a playoff-caliber defense and one of the game's top receivers in DeAndre Hopkins. Cousins could be the piece that begins to transform the Houston franchise into a legitimate contender.
Because starting strong safety Quintin Demps is headed toward free agency, the Texans also have a need at the back end of their defense. If Houston wants to keep talent there and get younger at the position, the team should take a long look at George Iloka.
Iloka only made 12 starts for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2015, but he started all 32 between 2013 and 2014. He finished last season rated 38th overall among safeties by Pro Football Focus. He will turn 26 years old this year and could potentially provide the Texans with a defensive piece for the next several seasons.
Indianapolis Colts
14 of 32
Offensive: Mitchell Schwartz, offensive tackle
Defensive: Bruce Irvin, linebacker
Rushing the passer and protecting the quarterback were two major issues for the Indianapolis Colts. Fortunately, there's enough talent out there for the Colts to address both problems in free agency.
Addressing the right tackle position should be priority No. 1 regarding the offensive line. Joe Reitz performed admirably at the position for much of the season. However, he did allow eight sacks and 26 additional hurries, according to Pro Football Focus.
With Indianapolis expected to have more than $20 million in cap space, a top-tier tackle such as Mitchell Schwartz should be a realistic target. Schwartz, whom Pro Football Focus rated sixth overall among offensive tackles, would be an immediate upgrade at the right tackle position.
Even if the Colts decide to target a pass-rusher early in the 2016 draft, it wouldn't hurt to add a young sack artist through free agency. Linebacker Robert Mathis, who will turn 35 in late February, tied with defensive end Kendall Langford with a team-high seven sacks.
Adding a pass-rusher such as Bruce Irvin of the Seattle Seahawks would help Indianapolis boost its pass rush long before draft boards are set. Irvin only produced 5.5 sacks in 2015, but he did add 12 quarterback hits and 21 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
Irvin, of course, would be making a switch from a 4-3 base defense to one that works primarily from the 3-4. However, adding him would bring the bonus of boosting the team's defense against the pass. Pro Football Focus rated Irvin ninth overall among 4-3 outside linebackers in pass coverage this past season.
Jacksonville Jaguars
15 of 32
Offensive: Alex Mack, Center
Defensive: Eric Berry, Safety
The Jacksonville Jaguars are projected to have more salary-cap space than anyone this offseason. The team could have more then $70 million to play with and should put a chunk of that toward chasing top-tier free agents. The team might want to start with a guy it was interested in a couple of years ago.
If Pro Bowl center Alex Mack opts out of his contract this offseason, he'll be able to do so thanks to the Jaguars. It was Jacksonville that signed Mack to an offer sheet with an opt-out clause when he was given the transition tag by the Cleveland Browns in 2014.
Mack would fill an immediate need along the Jacksonville offensive line.
The Jaguars should also go big by targeting a game-changing talent for their defense. Safety Eric Berry, who was named to the Pro Bowl and named the 2015 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, should top the list.
Berry is only 27 years old, and Pro Football Focus rated him fourth overall among safeties for the 2015 season. He could easily provide the Jaguars with another young building block to go alongside the likes of Blake Bortles, Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. His addition would also address a need the Jaguars are longing to fill.
"It’s hard to find a free safety that we’re actually looking for: The guy that can run from red line to red line [imaginary lines that are midway between the numbers and the sideline]," head coach Gus Bradley said, per Mike DiRocco of ESPN.com.
This is, of course, assuming the Kansas City Chiefs don't figure out a way to prevent Berry from hitting the open market.
Kansas City Chiefs
16 of 32
Offensive: Mohamed Sanu, Wide Receiver
Defensive: Courtney Upshaw, Linebacker
The Kansas City Chiefs found themselves a top-flight wide receiver last offseason in the form of Jeremy Maclin. However, the team is still lacking a true No. 2 wideout, which is a problem that presented itself when Maclin suffered an injury in the postseason.
The Chiefs might want to consider fifth-year wideout Mohamed Sanu as a candidate for the position. Sanu logged just 33 receptions and 394 yards for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2015. However, he served as Cincinnati's No. 2 receiver the year before, when wideout Marvin Jones and tight end Tyler Eifert were both injured.
Sanu finished the 2014 season with 790 receiving yards and five touchdowns. According to Pro Football Focus, he was on the field for 1,014 snaps in 2014. That number dropped to 661 snaps this past season. Given the right opportunities, Sanu should be able to shine as Kansas City's potential No. 2 wideout.
With Tamba Hali set to enter free agency, the Chiefs might also want to search for outside linebacker help. One player who might fit is Baltimore Ravens linebacker Courtney Upshaw.
Upshaw is a versatile, every-down linebacker who could fill a variety of roles in the Chiefs defense. He wouldn't bring as much of a pass-rush presence as Hali (just 2.0 sacks to Hali's 6.5 in 2015), but Upshaw is young, talented and reliable. He has appeared in every regular-season game since being drafted in 2012.
He finished the 2015 season with 51 total tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles.
Los Angeles Rams
17 of 32
Offensive: Brock Osweiler, Quarterback
Defensive: Prince Amukamara, Cornerback
A problem for the Los Angeles Rams this offseason is that the team is set to lose cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson to free agency. Keeping one may be entirely possible, but keeping both could prove difficult.
If the Rams do find themselves in the market for a cornerback, Prince Amukamara could fit the bill. Though injuries have been an issue with him, he has been productive when healthy. He finished the 2015 season with 63 tackles, 10 passes defended and an interception.
Pro Football Focus rated him 37th overall among cornerbacks for the season.
Offensively, the Rams need to take a hard look at the quarterback position. The team traded for Nick Foles last offseason and then signed him to a contract extension. Of course, the Rams later benched Foles in favor of Case Keenum, so it appears the team has little interest in him as a long-term solution.
If the Denver Broncos allow quarterback Brock Osweiler to exit the building, the Rams would be wise to make a move. Los Angeles is set to pick 15th overall in the first round of this year's draft, which might be too late to snag any quarterback the team loves.
Adding Osweiler would give the Rams a tall, strong-armed quarterback to build an offense around. The team could then potentially use that 15th overall pick to go get Osweiler a No 1 receiving target.
Los Angeles already boasts a strong defense and a legitimate workhorse back in Todd Gurley. Adding Osweiler could be the move that transforms the Rams from a team that can compete in the NFC West to one that can win it.
Miami Dolphins
18 of 32
Offensive: Matt Forte, Running Back
Defensive: Leon Hall, Cornerback
The Miami Dolphins spent big last year in free agency, which is part of the reason why the team is projected to have less than $10 million in cap space with which to work. Spending big didn't turn the Dolphins into a contender, and this year, the goal should be adding complementary pieces, not headline-capturing names.
Targeting players on the high side of 30 might be one way to fill team needs within the budget.
If Miami can find a way to upgrade its pass defense in free agency, it should. Pro Football Focus rated the Dolphins just 25th in pass coverage last season. Taking a cornerback such as Leon Hall away from the Cincinnati Bengals makes sense for a couple of reasons.
For one, Hall is a solid starting cornerback—Pro Football Focus rated him 27th overall among cornerbacks this past season. Second, the Dolphins have a connection with him. Miami defensive coordinator Vance Joseph spent the past two seasons as the defensive backs coach in Cincinnati.
Assuming the Dolphins don't find a way to re-sign Lamar Miller, the team is probably going to want to find a running back to complement second-year back Jay Ajayi. Drafting a running back might make more sense here, but targeting one in free agency does have its advantages.
If the Dolphins can land a back such as, say, Matt Forte, they can keep him from landing with a division rival. The New York Jets and New England Patriots will both presumably be in the market for a running back. Miami has to find a way to get out in front of the Patriots if the team hopes to ever win the AFC East. Pilfering a potential free-agent target would be one way to work toward that goal.
It should help that Dolphins head coach Adam Gase spent last season coaching Forte as the offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears.
Minnesota Vikings
19 of 32
Offensive: Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver
Defensive: Leon Hall, Cornerback
The first priority of the Minnesota Vikings this offseason has to be finding weapons for third-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Adding a young and emerging talent such as wide receiver Alshon Jeffery would go a long way toward aiding Bridgewater's development.
Minnesota is expected to have more than $20 million in cap space, so making a move for a hot target such as Jeffery is doable. This, of course, is assuming the Chicago Bears don't tag or re-sign Jeffery before March 9.
Jeffery is a big target at 6'3" and 216 pounds, and he has the type of catch radius that quarterbacks dream about. In four seasons, the former South Carolina pass-snagger has logged 252 receptions for 3,728 yards and 24 touchdowns.
As an added bonus, adding Jeffery would mean subtracting from the NFC North rival Bears.
The Vikings do not have a ton of needs on defense but may be in the market for a cornerback to replace Terence Newman. Newman is 37 years old and set to hit the open market himself. He also showed he can play some safety during the 2015 season, so even if he is re-signed, it might make sense to make him more of a rotational player.
Leon Hall would make sense for the Vikings at cornerback. Like Newman, he played under Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer when he was with the Cincinnati Bengals. At 31 years old, Hall would be a younger option, and he is coming off a year in which Pro Football Focus rated him 27th overall among cornerbacks.
New England Patriots
20 of 32
Offensive: Matt Forte, Running Back
Defensive: Rolando McClain, Linebacker
The New England Patriots aren't typically major players in free agency, and they likely won't be again this season. The team is expected to have somewhere in the $10 million range in terms of salary-cap space.
However, it wouldn't be surprising to see New England take a swing at a free-agent receiver or running back in order to increase the talent level at the skill positions. One name that makes a ton of sense is running back Matt Forte.
Forte is 30 years old and is coming off an injury-hampered season. However, he is still productive—Pro Football Focus rated him 19th overall among running backs for 2015. Forte is also versatile and an adept pass-catcher, as evidenced by his 102-catch season for 2014.
If the Patriots can land Forte on a short-term, team-friendly deal, he would be a perfect fit for the New England offense. Promising Forte an opportunity to chase a ring might be enough to convince him to do that deal.
The Patriots should also think about bolstering the depth in the defense, possibly at the linebacker position. Inside linebacker Jerod Mayo recently announced his retirement, so there is a need there.
One option on the inside is Rolando McClain, who has battled injuries throughout his career but who has been productive when healthy. According to Doug Kyed of NESN.com, the Patriots made McClain an offer last offseason before the linebacker chose to re-sign with the Dallas Cowboys.
McClain finished the 2015 season rated 13th overall among inside linebackers by Pro Football Focus.
New Orleans Saints
21 of 32
Offensive: Bilal Powell, Running Back
Defensive: Morris Claiborne, Cornerback
The New Orleans Saints probably aren't going to be major players in free agency this season, as the team is expected to be one of those working tight against the salary cap.
However, this doesn't mean the Saints can't strengthen their roster through the market.
The first goal for New Orleans has to be finding a way to improve the team's 31st-ranked pass defense (284.0 yards per game allowed). Because of cap constraints, going after a top-tier cornerback such as Josh Norman or Sean Smith probably isn't an option. However, targeting a young corner with potential is a real possibility.
This is why the Saints might want to gamble on Morris Claiborne. The former LSU standout would be a bit of a reclamation project, as he battled injuries with the Dallas Cowboys and never lived up to the expectations of being a high first-round pick. Yet the physical potential is there, and Claiborne is still only 26 years old.
There is still time for Claiborne to develop into a legitimate NFL starter.
The Saints might also want to look at running back depth, which was an issue in 2015. It would be great to see the Saints bring back Chris Ivory, but there is more of a need for a change-of-pace back to complement starter Mark Ingram. This is the role C.J. Spiller was supposed to play in 2015.
New Orleans should take a long look at Bilal Powell here. He's just 27 years old and does a variety of things well.
“He’s a very good receiver. He’s a very good runner out of the gun. He understands the offense and what we’re trying to get done. And when he gets the ball in his hand, he makes things happen,” Jets offensive coordinator Chan Gailey said of Powell, per Daniel Popper of the New York Daily News. “And he’s a good pass protector."
Powell rushed for 313 yards and caught 47 passes for 388 more in 2015.
New York Giants
22 of 32
Offensive: Chris Ivory, Running Back
Defensive: Sean Smith, Cornerback
With a couple of new pieces in place, the New York Giants should be able to get right back to being one of the top teams in the NFC East. Considering the Giants are expected to have more than $55 million in cap space, getting those pieces should be a realistic goal.
One move the Giants could make is luring running back Chris Ivory over from the other Jersey team. Running back isn't the biggest need—Rashad Jennings rushed for 863 yards and 4.4 yards per carry—but New York could build a truly dominant rushing attack.
A three-back rotation of Jennings, Ivory and Shane Vereen could literally run over the competition within the division.
Defensively, the Giants need to focus on defending opposing passing attacks. New York allowed a league-worst 298.9 yards per game through the air in 2015. Landing a premier pass-rusher would be ideal, but there aren't many of those going around, so we'll pencil the Giants in for a cornerback.
Sean Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs is one of the better pass defenders likely headed to market this offseason. Pro Football Focus rated him 17th overall among cornerbacks for the 2015 season. Smith will turn 29 before Week 1, but he should have a handful of strong seasons still ahead of him.
Of course, if guys such as Von Miller and Josh Norman make it to market, the Giants should show interest in joining the ensuing chase.
New York Jets
23 of 32
Offensive: Doug Martin, Running Back
Defensive: Adam Jones, Cornerback
The New York Jets are currently projected to have more than $13 million in cap space. However, much of that could be used to lock up players such as quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson.
If the Jets find a way to end up with enough cap space to play the free-agency game, the team would be wise to target a workhorse running back such as Doug Martin. This is because running backs Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell are both slated to hit the market themselves.
Martin finished second in the NFL in rushing yards with 1,402 of them. He also added 33 receptions for 271 yards while scoring seven total touchdowns.
Adding Martin would solidify the position for New York for the near future. The Boise State product just turned 27 years old last month.
On defense, the Jets should search for cornerback depth. Antonio Cromartie was a borderline disaster in 2015, and he finished the season rated just 203rd among all cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus. Cromartie, who is scheduled to earn $8 million in base salary in 2016, could easily be a cap casualty.
Bringing in a seasoned veteran such as Adam Jones would help fill out the Jets' cornerback depth. Pro Football Focus rated Jones 13th overall among cornerbacks for the year. He would also bring with him the added bonus of a legitimate punt-return threat.
Oakland Raiders
24 of 32
Offensive: Brandon Brooks, Offensive Guard
Defensive: Tashaun Gipson, Safety
The Oakland Raiders are undoubtedly a team on the rise. If the team can add a couple of premium pieces in free agency, it should be a legitimate contender in the AFC West in 2016. Fortunately, the Raiders are projected to have upward of $70 million in cap space available with which to chase their targets.
One of those pieces is going to have to be a replacement for retired safety Charles Woodson.
The hot names in free agency include safeties Eric Berry and Eric Weddle. However, the Raiders might be able to get themselves a bargain by targeting safety Tashaun Gipson instead.
Gipson had a bit of a down year this past season, but he was remarkable in his injury-shortened campaign of 2014. Pro Football Focus rated Gipson 15th overall among safeties for the year. Gipson also has a nose for the football, a trait Woodson was well-known for. Over the past three years, Gipson has recorded 13 interceptions and a forced fumble.
At just 25 years old, he could be a long-serving piece in the Raiders defense.
Oakland should also think about its future at the right guard position. The team called upon veteran J'Marcus Webb there, and he struggled. Pro Football Focus rated him 70th overall among guards for the season.
Houston Texans right guard Brandon Brooks, on the other hand, was rated a much more respectable 34th overall among guards. He is set to become a free agent and, like Gipson, has youth on his side. Brooks is 26 years old and could also be a building block for the foreseeable future.
Philadelphia Eagles
25 of 32
Offensive: Brock Osweiler, Quarterback
Defensive: Tamba Hali, linebacker
Assuming the Philadelphia Eagles don't use the franchise tag on quarterback Sam Bradford, don't view Mark Sanchez as a starter and don't try to reacquire Nick Foles form the L.A. Rams, the team is going to be in the market for a quarterback.
Sure, there are a number of variables here, but they all add up to one thing. If the Denver Broncos allow quarterback Brock Osweiler to enter free agency, the Eagles should make a push to sign him.
The Eagles have downfield targets such as Jordan Matthews and Zach Ertz who can take advantage of Osweiler's strong arm. Philadelphia also has a solid running back trio—DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles—that can help protect Osweiler as he adjusts to head coach Doug Pederson's offense.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport has linked Pederson with Kansas City Chiefs pending free-agent quarterback Chase Daniel, so perhaps Pederson already has a signal-caller in mind. However, it would be tough for Philadelphia to pass on a guy with Osweiler's potential.
“He’s definitely someone who’s proven,” Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson recently said on NFL Network’s NFL Total Access, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post. “He’s been underpaid for four years, quietly waiting."
One former Chiefs player who makes a lot of sense for Philadelphia is outside linebacker Tamba Hali, whom Pro Football Focus rated fifth overall among 3-4 outside linebackers for the 2015 season.
Having Hali reunite with Pederson in Philadelphia almost makes too much sense.
Pittsburgh Steelers
26 of 32
Offensive: Shaun Draughn, Running Back
Defensive: Adam Jones, Cornerback
The Pittsburgh Steelers are projected to have around $10 million in cap space this offseason, though this may not be a large limiting factor. The Steelers don't often chase big-name free agents. Instead of going after top targets, Pittsburgh is more likely to look for complementary pieces.
The Steelers, though, might want to go after a starting-caliber talent like cornerback Adam Jones.
Jones was rated 13th overall among cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus for the year. Adding him would give Pittsburgh depth at cornerback and would give the team a top-tier threat at return specialist. Pro Football Focus rated Jones seventh overall among kick returners for 2015.
Snagging Jones would also take a weapon away from the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals—assuming the Steelers could convince him to cross sides in the bitter rivalry. Jones will turn 33 near the start of the 2016 season and should be able to be signed with a relatively team-friendly short-term deal.
There aren't a lot of needs on offense that the Steelers are likely to address in free agency, but the team might want to take a look at running back depth. Losing running back Le'Veon Bell and later DeAngelo Williams was likely one of the reasons Pittsburgh struggled in the postseason.
Running back Shaun Draughn should be available at a team-friendly price. He made the first six starts of his career this past season with the San Francisco 49ers but appears better-suited as a change-of-pace back or fill-in. Draughn averaged just 3.5 yards per carry but caught 25 passes for 175 yards in his six San Francisco appearances.
Draughn spent parts of the 2014 and 2015 seasons with the Cleveland Browns, so he is also familiar with the AFC North.
San Deigo Chargers
27 of 32
Offensive: Marvin Jones, Wide Receiver
Defensive: Malik Jackson, Defensive End
The biggest weakness for the San Diego Chargers in 2015 was the team's shaky defensive front. The unit rarely dominated at the point of attack and was a complete disaster against opposing ball-carriers. Pro Football Focus actually rated San Diego dead last in run defense for the season.
This is where stealing defensive lineman Malik Jackson away from the AFC West rival Denver Broncos could greatly benefit San Diego. Jackson played primarily from the end position this past season, and he could do the same in San Diego's 3-4 base defense. In Denver, Jackson was a force against both the run and the pass.
Pro Football Focus rated Jackson ninth overall among 3-4 defensive ends for the 2015 season. He finished the regular season with 45 tackles, 5.0 sacs and seven passes defended.
Offensively, the Chargers could use some bolstering in their receiving corps. Two of the team's top three pass-catchers were running back Danny Woodhead and tight end Antonio Gates. The team's top wideout, Keenan Allen, missed eight games due to injury. Fellow wideout Malcom Floyd has made it clear to the Chargers' official website that 2015 was his final season.
Increasing receiver depth should be a goal, and the Chargers can fill their order by looking to Cincinnati Bengals wideout Marvin Jones.
Assuming Allen returns close to 100 percent in 2016, Jones would likely step in as the team's No. 2 wideout. This is the role he often played in Cincinnati this past season, when he caught 65 passes for 816 yards and four touchdowns.
San Francisco 49ers
28 of 32
Offensive: Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver
Defensive: Trumaine Johnson, Cornerback
There's no denying now that the San Francisco 49ers are in the midst of a full-on rebuild. Fortunately, the team is projected to have about $50 million in cap space to build with this offseason.
The 49ers should have the cash to go after a big-name free agent like wideout Alshon Jeffery if the new regime so chooses. Signing Jeffery would make a lot of sense, because the 49ers lack a top-tier receiving option and might see receiver Anquan Boldin leave in free agency himself.
Jeffery is coming off an injury-marred season during which he only appeared in nine games. However, he still managed to produce 807 yards and four touchdowns. In the two years prior, Jeffery racked up 2,554 yards and 17 scores.
It's true that the 49ers and new head coach Chip Kelly need to find a quarterback through either free agency or the draft. However, there will be more free-agent signal-callers on the market than established star receivers. San Francisco should make the bold move of going after one while it can. This would make life much easier on whoever is taking snaps from under center next season.
Defensively, the 49ers should look to upgrade their pass-coverage unit, which was rated just 27th overall by Pro Football Focus last season.
Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson would be a great free-agent target for a couple of reasons. For one, he is coming off the best season of his career. He finished the season rated 20th overall among cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus.
Snagging Johnson would also mean weakening an NFC West rival.
Seattle Seahawks
29 of 32
Offensive: Alex Mack, Center
Defensive: Jerraud Powers, Cornerback
When the Seattle Seahawks made the move to acquire tight end Jimmy Graham last offseason, part of the deal meant they had to give up Pro Bowl center Max Unger. Replacing him proved to be a consistent issue in 2015.
The Seahawks tried three different players at center—Lemuel Jeanpierre, Patrick Lewis and Drew Nowak—with none of the three cementing himself as a long-term solution.
If Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack decided to exercise his option to terminate his contract, the Seahawks should pounce. Adding Mack would again give Seattle a Pro Bowler in the middle of its offensive line.
Defensively, the Seahawks are still searching for a reliable running mate for star cornerback Richard Sherman. Last season, the team tried the combination of Cary Williams, DeShawn Shead and Jeremy Lane. Seattle released Williams midseason, and Shead and Lane are both set to enter free agency.
Stealing away cornerback Jerraud Powers from the NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals might help Seattle fill out its secondary while also weakening the opposition. Powers started 13 games in 2015 and produced 52 tackles, a sack and an interception.
Bringing in Powers would be a more financially shrewd move then, say, spending large to acquire Josh Norman. However, Powers knows the division, is just 28 years old and he could be a component in the secondary for a handful of coming seasons.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
30 of 32
Offensive: Cordy Glenn, Offensive Tackle
Defensive: Trumaine Johnson, Cornerback
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to have close to $50 million in cap space this offseason. The Buccaneers need to put a chunk of that money toward the talent pool surrounding second-year quarterback Jameis Winston.
This is why the Buccaneers should take a chance and go after Cordy Glenn, who should be one of the hottest offensive tackles on the market this year. Glenn started all 16 games at left tackle for the Buffalo Bills in 2015 and finished the season rated ninth overall among offensive tackles by Pro Football Focus.
Glenn is only 26 years old and, presumably, could protect Winston for the next several seasons.
Yes, Tampa spent a second-round pick on Penn State tackle Donovan Smith last offseason, but Smith struggled as a starter. Pro Football Focus rated him just 138th among all offensive tackles for the season.
Defensively, the Buccaneers should focus on upgrading a pass defense that was rated dead last in coverage by Pro Football Focus last season. If Tampa wants to keep adding young pieces and building for the future, a guy like Trumaine Johnson could make for the perfect target.
Johnson is coming off a 71-tackle, seven-interception season with the Rams, easily the best of his career. He appeared in 14 games with 13 starts and finished the year rated 20th overall among cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus.
Like Glenn, Johnson is 26 years old and could be a valuable young building block for the Buccaneers.
Tennessee Titans
31 of 32
Offensive: Mitchell Schwartz, Offensive Tackle
Defensive: Eric Berry, Safety
The Tennessee Titans are expected to have somewhere in the neighborhood of $50 million in salary-cap space once free agency opens. Therefore it only makes sense for this young team to target some of the big names on the market.
Improving the offensive line in front of second-year quarterback Marcus Mariota would be a good first step. The Titans were rated just 25th in pass protection by Pro Football Focus last season.
Left tackle Taylor Lewan was mostly solid in 2015—Pro Football Focus rated him 14th overall among offensive tackles. Adding a player like right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, whom Pro Football Focus rated sixth overall, would help bolster the other side of the line.
The move would also give the Titans flexibility with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. With the line upgraded, the Titans could look at a playmaking pass-rusher or receiver at the top of the draft while working harder to flip the pick to a quarterback-needy team.
If the Kansas City Chiefs allow safety Eric Berry to reach the open market, Tennessee should chase him.
Berry would give the Titans a true playmaker at the back end of their defense, and he could pair with Da'Norris Searcy to form one of the better safety tandems in the league. He would also become a nice playing piece for ever-creative defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.
Washington Redskins
32 of 32
Offensive: Lamar Miller, Running Back
Defensive: Muhammad Wilkerson, Defensive End
The Washington Redskins are scheduled to lose starting running back Alfred Morris to free agency next month. Though rookie Matt Jones (490 yards rushing, three touchdowns) showed some promise, he failed to prove that he can be a reliable workhorse back.
This is why it makes sense for the Redskins to target a young ball-carrier in free agency. Assuming Washington finds a way to retain quarterback Kirk Cousins, the team's next step should be to supply him with a strong running game.
Miller only rushed for 872 yards this past season with the Miami Dolphins, but he did average a solid 4.5 yards per carry. He also caught 47 passes for 397 yards while scoring 10 total touchdowns.
Miller was rated fifth overall among running backs by Pro Football Focus for the season. He's also only 24 years old and could be in Washington's offensive plans for many future seasons.
On defense, Washington should target one of the few game-changing defensive linemen available on the market. If the New York Jets allow defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson to reach free agency, he should be that target.
Adding Wilkerson would give the Redskins a pass-rushing presence on the defensive line and a nice complement to linebacker Ryan Kerrigan. Wilkerson, who produced 12.0 sacks in 2015, did much of his work from the end position in a 3-4 base defense. He should be able to do the same in defensive coordinator Joe Barry's system.
All contract and salary-cap information via Spotrac.
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