The NFL roster construction process is never complete. Front offices work around the clock and calendar to put together what they hope will be a winning recipe. But speaking generally, we have hit the quietest portion of the football year, as OTAs and minicamps have wrapped up. The next time teams congregate will be at training camp in late July.
That means the next four or five weeks will serve as a chance for all personnel to catch their breath and gear up for the season ahead. It's also a good time to pursue those final lingering transactions that could mean all the difference, either this season or in future years. It could be a signing to shore up a weaker unit, an extension to retain a star for the long haul or a decision that could decide the direction of the franchise. Let's suggest one last move that each team should consider before the season.
Jump to a team:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
Add depth at linebacker
It was not a surprise that Tremaine Edmunds left in free agency with a robust market available, but right now, the Bills appear to be going with a develop-from-within approach to replace him. While Matt Milano will serve as the central hub of the linebacker group, it's a young and largely untested group beyond him. Buffalo's roster is in an extremely healthy spot and is good enough to win the Super Bowl, but depth at a position they have not been active in addressing this offseason feels like one last to-do item.
Miami Dolphins
Extend defensive tackle Christian Wilkins
The Dolphins are deservedly generating plenty of buzz this offseason, as they once again acquired an All-Pro player via trade in Jalen Ramsey. But there's still in-house business to take care of in extending Wilkins, their 2019 first-round pick who has been the team's most consistent front-seven player in recent seasons. While tackles can be a misleading stat at some positions, Wilkins' 187 tackles over the past two seasons align with his high-activity skill set. He just finds a way to perpetually make plays.
New England Patriots
Sign wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins
The Patriots have already hosted the five-time All Pro on a free agent visit, so we've established that the interest is real. The team also has a need for a top wide receiver. Coach Bill Belichick's affinity for Hopkins is no secret, and Hopkins reached his greatest heights as a player under offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien during their tenure together in Houston. With news that Hopkins and O'Brien have mended their previously frosty relationship, the match is simply too good to ignore. The Patriots have the financial flexibility to make Hopkins a legitimate offer.
New York Jets
New deals for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and quarterback Aaron Rodgers
Both players need new contracts -- but for different reasons. Williams has emerged as one of the best players in the league and is due a massive raise over the money he is due in the final year of his rookie contract. The defensive tackle market has exploded this offseason, so he should land a deal worth at least $22.5 million per year. Rodgers, meanwhile, amended his deal to facilitate the trade to New York and is due $1.165 million this year and nearly $108 million next year. He isn't making that little this year nor that much next year; the two sides will renegotiate revised contract terms in time.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Re-sign outside linebacker Justin Houston
The Ravens need depth at the edge position and there isn't a more obvious solution than re-signing Houston, who just keeps making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. Houston's pass-rush acumen is his most dominant trait, and while the Ravens will always be able to scheme up pressure, Houston, 34, would add some juice on obvious passing situations. He had 9.5 sacks and 32 pressures last season. The team is also hoping for an improved year for Odafe Oweh after he was just OK in 2022.
Cincinnati Bengals
Extend quarterback Joe Burrow
Any time a team has a star quarterback who is due for an extension, it's likely going to be the pick for the "must-finish" move. Burrow is no exception, as the 2020 No. 1 overall pick is in line for a potentially record-setting deal that should be right in the range of -- or just above -- $52 million per year, which is in line with Lamar Jackson's recent deal. Quarterback contracts are about much more than the average annual value, but it's common to see one elite quarterback jump just a tick above the most recent one to sign. Jackson surpassed Jalen Hurts' $51 million per year that was agreed on just weeks before Jackson's deal.
Cleveland Browns
Add depth at defensive tackle
The Browns' roster once again looks to be in good shape heading into training camp, but defensive tackle feels like an area to address. While the team added a star in Dalvin Tomlinson and a massive run-stuffer in Siaki Ika in the third round of the draft, one more contributor to solidify the rotation would go a long way, especially since 2022 fourth-rounder Perrion Winfrey feels like a roster-bubble player right now. There are quality options available, including Shelby Harris and Ndamukong Suh.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Extend linebacker Alex Highsmith
T.J. Watt has established himself as one of the best players in the league, but let's not overlook Highsmith's impact in that linebacker room, too. He wreaks havoc opposite Watt. A career year in 2022 (14.5 sacks) for Highsmith was a great way to lead into his first extension-eligible offseason, and Pittsburgh has a lengthy track record of drafting, developing and extending its own. Pegging the price for Highsmith is a little tricky -- this offseason has been dominated by defensive tackle extensions, not edge rusher extensions -- but I would think something in the $15-16 million per year range is a reasonable target.
AFC South
Houston Texans
Extend offensive tackle Tytus Howard
Houston has been busy this offseason. It checked the most important roster box by drafting quarterback C.J. Stroud at No. 2 overall, but it also made a slew of free agent moves (many of the one-year variety) to plug other gaps for new coach DeMeco Ryans. Howard is the team's most deserving extension candidate as he enters the final year of his rookie deal and has helped to form the strength of the roster in recent seasons: the tackle duo. There are many factors that contribute to success for young quarterbacks, but having a stable offensive line is among the most critical.
Indianapolis Colts
Sign guard Dalton Risner
It wasn't long ago that the Colts' offensive line was not just the best unit on the roster but also one of the best in the NFL. The collective play in 2022 was mediocre, and the depth has thinned out in a hurry. Will Fries projects as the top right guard, with 2020 draft pick Danny Pinter behind him. Risner is the best available guard at the moment and would likely slot into a starting gig after serving as a starter for all 62 games he played with the Broncos over the past four seasons. Whenever you draft a young quarterback, having as many capable players around him is simply good business. Risner would help Anthony Richardson immediately.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Make a Cam Robinson decision
The Jaguars left tackle is facing a suspension for a violation of the league's PED policy, a penalty that will not only include time missed but also void the remaining guaranteed money in his contract. Given the team invested a first-round pick in left tackle Anton Harrison, it seems plausible the Jaguars are prepared to move on from Robinson. Due to the salary cap implications tied to the guarantees being voided, a move prior to an official suspension won't happen. But releasing Robinson after a suspension would create close to $16 million in cap space. If the team feels Robinson is too valuable to move on from, Jacksonville would then have some options at left tackle once he returns from suspension.
Tennessee Titans
Sign wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins
I know we had the same move suggestion for the Patriots, and only one team is going to get it done. But the Titans were the first team to host Hopkins on a visit, and the veteran receiver would fill a glaring need right now. The Titans have one of the league's thinnest wide receiver depth charts, and Hopkins would immediately assert himself as the top pass-catcher in this offense. Tennessee's roster is in an interesting space, where it feels like it is straddling the desire to get younger while also holding onto key veterans like Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill. But a Mike Vrabel-led team will yield a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. D-Hop would help a lot.
AFC West
Denver Broncos
Add a running back
The Broncos were immediately linked to Dalvin Cook following his release from the Vikings, which was not merely a byproduct of Cook being a very accomplished player; the team is also a tad thin at running back, given the lack of clarity on when Javonte Williams will be back from a major knee injury suffered last season. Even if Williams is ready at the outset of the season (no sure thing), the Broncos will likely want to be judicious with his workload. The good news for Denver is there is no shortage of available backs to potentially add right now: Ezekiel Elliott, Kareem Hunt and Leonard Fournette join Cook as top options.
Kansas City Chiefs
Extend defensive tackle Chris Jones
No surprise here, as the Chiefs have talked this offseason about their openness to extend one of the NFL's best defensive players. Jones is entering the final year of a four-year, $80 million deal and is due for a raise -- likely north of $22.5 million per year, which is where other elite defensive tackles have checked in this offseason. An extension for Jones would also create cap space for the Chiefs this year, which they need.
Las Vegas Raiders
Sign cornerback Marcus Peters
When you look at the Raiders' cornerback depth chart, it suggests that they subscribe to the theory that it's easier to cover up a thin secondary with an excellent pass rush than the inverse. I agree but also think they need more playmaking at cornerback -- and Peters is an ideal candidate. He has already visited the team, and while not the same player he was just a few years back, he's still an opportunistic ball hawk who can bring an infectious confidence to any team. He broke up six passes last season with Baltimore after missing 2021 with a torn ACL.
Los Angeles Chargers
Extend quarterback Justin Herbert
Reapply much of the aforementioned Burrow/Bengals logic to Herbert and the Chargers. Herbert's résumé through three seasons is fantastic, and both he and the team have not hid from the fact that an extension is the goal this offseason. Again, the numbers will be the most compelling part of this extension, and you can safely assume the average annual value will begin with a five ... as in $50 million-plus.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Sign kicker Robbie Gould
This one feels about as straightforward as it gets: The Cowboys have a major need for an established presence at kicker and Gould is the best available right now. While Brett Maher (currently unsigned) had a regular season full of critical long-distance kicks, he became the only kicker in NFL playoff history to miss four extra points in one game. Gould, on top of being the eighth-most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history, has never missed a postseason kick (extra point or field goal).
New York Giants
Extend running back Saquon Barkley
All of the usual caveats about the value of extending running backs near the top of the market apply, as it remains the position where teams can easily find capable players. However, Barkley was the offensive catalyst during New York's resurgent 2022 season. Both sides have acknowledged a desire for an extension. Barkley wants and deserves to be paid among the top backs, but there has been reporting that he doesn't necessarily need to be the highest-paid back in the NFL. That could indicate a sweet spot around the $14-15 million per year range.
Philadelphia Eagles
Sign defensive end Yannick Ngakoue
I know the Eagles have a premiere pass rush and used their second first-round pick on Nolan Smith to further that, but let's get greedy as it pertains to a top Super Bowl contender. Waves of depth are essential for a pass rush in the NFL, and Ngakoue is a sack specialist who can provide Philly what it felt Robert Quinn would bring when it acquired him last offseason. Ngakoue won't exactly come cheap, but do you think I'm worried about the Eagles finding a way to make a move work under the salary cap? He had 9.5 sacks and 29 pressures last season with the Colts.
Washington Commanders
Pad the linebacker depth
The Washington front is so good that any linebacker looking for work should have the Commanders on the radar. This team could also use depth beyond projected starters Jamin Davis and Cody Barton, the latter of whom was signed as a free agent this offseason. There are a handful of notable unsigned inside backers, including Jon Bostic (who started five games for Washington last season), Kwon Alexander, Deion Jones and Zach Cunningham.
NFC North
Chicago Bears
Acquire an edge rusher
The Bears have not shied from stating the desire to beef up their edge room -- they are light on established pass-rushers. The free agent market features more players who would be designated pass-rushers in the Bears' scheme (think Yannick Ngakoue) than every-down candidates, which leads me to wonder whether the Bears would be better served to find a trade for an edge player. Pretty much any name at the position that has come up as a potential trade/cut candidate has been linked to the Bears.
Detroit Lions
Extend guard Jonah Jackson
An unmistakable part of the Lions' offensive identity is their nasty offensive line, with Jackson as a key cog in that operation. He is extension-eligible for the first time in his career this offseason and would seem a prime candidate for Detroit to reinvest in. One reality for the Lions is that they don't have many glaring roster holes, and many of their best players are either already extended long term or not yet extension-eligible (Amon-Ra St. Brown, for example). That's a sign of just how far this team has come and offers plenty of hope for the 2023 season.
Green Bay Packers
Sign a veteran pass-catcher
The Jordan Love and youth movements are on in Green Bay in the post-Rodgers era, with the team investing five draft picks on wide receivers and tight ends in April. I'm already getting excited about this offense's potential. I understand that very few veteran pass-catchers available right now have a chance to be a major impact player on the field, but I do think there is a spot for a player who brings leadership qualities to make his mark. As an example, while the team might want as many snaps for the youngsters who can play in the slot as possible, I do think Jarvis Landry's presence would bring instant lessons in preparation that would pay off.
Minnesota Vikings
Extend wide receiver Justin Jefferson
I thought about writing a bunch of words about this move, and then I decided to just watch Jefferson's highlights on YouTube. He has arguably been the leagues' most prolific receiver through every season of his career. Pay him! And probably more than any other receiver ever.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
Add another wide receiver
If you've been reading this piece from top to bottom, you've seen this suggestion pop up already in a few places. But it's especially true in Atlanta where the team's depth chart beyond Drake London is currently led by Mack Hollins and Scotty Miller. While the Falcons ran the ball on the highest percentage of plays in the league last year (51.1% of offensive plays) and have two possible stars in London and tight end Kyle Pitts, they simply must address the receiver spot with either someone already available or someone who could become available.
Carolina Panthers
Add depth at cornerback
Star cornerback Jaycee Horn missed the closing portion of OTAs and the team's minicamp, which served as a reminder of just how thin the cornerback room is behind him. Donte Jackson is returning from a torn Achilles suffered in November, while CJ Henderson had his fifth-year option declined this offseason after a rocky first three years in the league. As is the case with most positions right now, there aren't a ton of obvious starting-level players available, but Carolina needs to pad the depth here.
New Orleans Saints
Extend defensive end Cameron Jordan
It's rare to make the case for extending a 34-year-old defensive end, but not much about Jordan's longevity is ordinary. He has aged exceptionally well. He remains dependable and productive while serving as one of the heartbeats of the franchise. And while I'll never worry about the Saints as it pertains to the salary cap, an extension for Jordan would also mitigate the cap implications for next year, as he is currently scheduled to count $23.37 million against the cap in dead money.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Come to a Devin White resolution
White made headlines this offseason with a trade request, but the Buccaneers have made it clear he's a valuable part of their defensive core. He is currently slated to play on his fifth-year option of his rookie deal, putting him on track for free agency next offseason. His play had an up-and-down nature to it in 2022, and some teams around the NFL don't place premium value on the off-ball linebacker spot. It feels like several outcomes are plausible -- an extension, White playing out this year on his current deal or a trade -- but finding a resolution is helpful for all parties.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
Sign another center
It would appear the front-runner for the starting gig at center is Hjalte Froholdt, a journeyman who started six games for the Browns last season. His familiarity with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing (hired from Cleveland) helps, but this still feels like a potential upgrade spot. (Rookie Jon Gaines II could become the long-term starter in time, as well.) While the timeline for Kyler Murray's return is uncertain, having a reliable rock in the middle of the offensive line can be a big boost for pre-snap communication and post-snap execution.
Los Angeles Rams
Sign more edge players
The Rams' defensive depth chart is nearly unrecognizable as compared to a few years ago -- aside from Aaron Donald, of course -- but the spot that stands out to me most is the edge group. Third-round rookie Byron Young projects to make an immediate impact, particularly as the team is bereft of experience at that spot. While the Rams' defense doesn't figure to be near the level it has been in recent seasons, if I were an unsigned pass-rusher looking to boost my value next offseason, I'd call L.A. Playing with Donald equates to favorable matchups on nearly every snap, and that could result in a bunch of sacks.
San Francisco 49ers
Extend defensive end Nick Bosa
This one didn't require too much contemplation, as Bosa -- the best defensive player on a team full of incredible defenders -- is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is unquestionably due a new deal. The complex part is figuring out the exact numbers, but it'd be no surprise if it ends up among the richest ever signed by a defensive player.
Seattle Seahawks
Extend linebacker Uchenna Nwosu
Nwosu was fantastic for the Seahawks in his first season there in 2022, posting career-highs across the board, including 9.5 sacks. With a comparable season this year, Nwosu would be positioned as one of the top free agent pass-rushers next March, making an extension a logical proposition. While Seattle has built up a deep list of rushers that includes the addition of second-rounder Derick Hall this year, Nwosu is the most complete of the group and is just 26 years old. A side benefit of an extension would be a likely reduced cap charge for 2023, which is helpful for a team that could use a little wiggle room.