Every NFL franchise's biggest position to improve, plus free agency and draft solutions

The Cowboys need to add to their defense, and they have the draft capital to make it happen

Zachary Pereles

Mar 23, 2026

8:00 am ET

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13 min read

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The new NFL season is officially two weeks old, and free agency has died down for now. Most of the top available players are off the board. There are plenty of proven, talented veterans still waiting to find their new homes, but it's gotten to the point where teams are much closer to fully formed.

No team fills all of its needs in free agency. In fact, no team fills all of its needs through free agency and the draft combined. Football is a game of imperfections and finding ways to both hide weaknesses and accentuate strengths. The 1972 Dolphins still stand alone in the garden of perfection.

But teams will keep chasing improvements, big or small. It's a true 24/7/365 team-building process. Here's what each team must address in the coming weeks and months.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills: Left guard

- Free agent fit: James Daniels

- Draft fit: Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

The Bills lost stalwart left guard David Edwards in free agency and don't have a ready-made solution. Even with the DJ Moore trade, the Bills want to be a run-heavy operation, and Daniels had an excellent 2024 with the Steelers before an injury wiped out his 2025 campaign. Perhaps more importantly, he would come cheap, a must for a team right up against the cap.

Miami Dolphins: Pass catcher

- Free agent fit: Jauan Jennings

- Draft fit: Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

The Dolphins need a lot of improvement. They are in the very, very early stages of a rebuild. But it would be difficult -- and borderline irresponsible -- to run Malik Willis out on the field with Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell and Malik Washington as his top wide receivers and Greg Dulcich is his top tight end. In the wake of the Jaylen Waddle trade, Miami has two first-round picks (No. 11 and No. 30), and it'd be a surprise to not see a pass catcher taken with one of those selections.

New England Patriots: EDGE

- Free agent fit: Jadeveon Clowney

- Draft fit: Akheem Mesidor, Miami

The Patriots' big spending in 2024 and 2025 -- coupled with the emergence of Drake Maye's and his young supporting cast -- means the New England roster is in pretty good shape. Wide receiver could also be an option here. If the Patriots really want to add some pass-rushing firepower, though, they could find many options. Clowney continues to play both the run and the pass at a high level; Mesidor, meanwhile, starred at Miami and, soon to be 25, projects as an immediate contributor for this win-now team.

New York Jets: Wide receiver

- Free agent fit: Jauan Jennings

- Draft fit: Makai Lemon, USC

The Jets generally patched up their entire roster with dependable veterans. A dominant edge defender is probably the true answer to their greatest "need," but in terms of raising the floor, adding a reliable running mate to Garrett Wilson is a must. Jennings is as tough as they come and would fit well with Geno Smith. Lemon, on the other hand, could add some much-needed shiftiness from the slot.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens: Center

- Free agent fit: Lloyd Cushenberry

- Draft fit: Connor Lew, Auburn

The Ravens' adventurous offseason included trading two first-round picks for Maxx Crosby, nixing the trade over a failed physical and then signing Trey Hendrickson. They also lost a ton of their own free agents, most notably Tyler Linderbaum. Cushenberry struggled in Tennessee the past few years, but then again, so did almost every Titans player. Lew is the top center in CBS Sports' NFL Draft Prospect Rankings.

Cincinnati Bengals: Linebacker

- Free agent fit: Bobby Okereke

- Draft fit: Sonny Styles, Ohio State

The Bengals added Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen up front and Bryan Cook at safety. Here, they add in between those two levels of the defense with some much-needed linebacker help. Styles tested out of this world at the NFL combine, and if he falls to Cincinnati at No. 10, the Bengals should sprint to the phone lines to make this selection.

Cleveland Browns: Left tackle

- Free agent fit: Taylor Decker

- Draft fit: Spencer Fano, Utah

Offensive line and wide receiver are the two most glaring needs here, but ultimately, protecting the blindside of whomever gets the call at quarterback is crucial. Dawand Jones struggled to get on the field and struggled when on the field, too. Fano could be the answer at left tackle or at a guard spot. The Browns need help all over, even after adding Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins and Tytus Howard this offseason.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Quarterback

- Free agent fit: Aaron Rodgers

- Draft fit: Ty Simpson, Alabama

A Rodgers reunion seems like writing on the wall, but until it happens, the Steelers must be diligent in exploring all options. It's unclear where Simpson could go as the clear QB2 in this class,