With the large wave of free company over, groups at the moment are specializing in the NFL Draft, scheduled April 25-27 in Detroit.
Each crew has a necessity or must fill. As decided by Yardbarker NFL writers, here’s a main transfer every crew within the NFC ought to make — both in free company, by way of a commerce or within the draft — earlier than the offseason concludes.
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS | Signal J.Ok. Dobbins | Due to accidents, Dobbins has performed in simply 24 of a attainable 67 regular-season video games with the Ravens, however that’s nonetheless greater than 3/4 of the profession complete for present Cowboys working backs. With a projected $2.1M price tag and a clear invoice of well being, Dobbins and his 5.8 yards-per-carry profession common could possibly be a game-changer for Dallas.
NEW YORK GIANTS | Commerce or launch WR Darius Slayton | The crew should see what Jalin Hyatt and Wan’Dale Robinson can do and might save $6.4M against the cap with out Slayton. He has averaged 664.8 yards and three.8 touchdowns in 5 years as a Big and can be an $8M luxurious ought to the crew add a large receiver (Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. or LSU’s Malik Nabers) within the draft.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | Care for WR DeVonta Smith | With a $26M cap hit and an out-clause for 2025, No. 1 wideout A.J. Brown is probably not in Philadelphia long-term. On the very least, Smith deserves his $15.5M fifth-year option after placing up a franchise-record 3,178 yards receiving over his first three seasons.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | Add an offensive lineman | With Austin Ekeler within the backfield and a rookie quarterback presumably on the best way, Washington wants new blood for an offensive line that allowed the second-most sacks (65) within the NFL final season. The draft is at all times an choice right here, however a three-time Professional Bowler equivalent to Andrus Peat, a free agent, can be an excellent match. — Bruce Ewing
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS | Commerce again from No. 4 | Given what number of quarterback-needy groups is likely to be seeking to transfer into the highest 5 within the 2024 NFL Draft, the Cardinals ought to take benefit. Arizona’s largest want is at large receiver, however given how deep the category is, it may in all probability transfer again 5 or 10 spots and nonetheless come away with an elite participant on the place whereas additionally nonetheless having the No. 27 decide (by way of Houston) and accumulating a bounty of picks for transferring again.
LOS ANGELES RAMS | Signal CB Stephon Gilmore | The Rams had one of many NFL’s worst secondaries final season and have already tried to deal with it with the signing of free-agent CB Darious Williams. Gilmore, a free agent who performed with Dallas in 2023, can be a big improve over their present in-house choices. He has at the least two interceptions in every of the previous three seasons and 6 picks for New England in 2019.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | Decide on WR Brandon Aiyuk | Whether or not it is buying and selling him or re-signing him, the 49ers should have readability on Aiyuk as they method the draft. Dealing him may add to a deep assortment of draft picks and open the door for them to select from a deep prospect pool within the 2024 WR class.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | Signal security Julian Blackmon | After jettisoning Jamal Adams, largely a failure in Seattle, the Seahawks have an enormous want at security. Blackmon stays unsigned and is coming off an excellent season with the Indianapolis Colts by which he had 4 interceptions. He’d present the kind of big-play influence the Seahawks crave on protection. — Adam Gretz
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS | Signal DE Jadeveon Clowney | Coming off a 9.5-sack season with the Ravens, Clowney can be a wonderful stopgap choice to play reverse Montez Sweat even when the Bears choose an edge-rusher with the second of their two top-10 picks. In the meantime, the projected price can be decrease ($7.5 million) than what Chicago paid edge-rusher Yannick Ngakoue ($10.5 million), who had solely 4 sacks in 13 video games final season.
DETROIT LIONS | Add veteran WR depth | The Lions have a stable wideout corps, however after standout Amon-Ra St. Brown, there is not a lot depth past sure-handed veteran Kalif Raymond and proficient however inconsistent Jameson Williams. Choosing a receiver on this 12 months’s draft is sensible, however Detroit also needs to take into account re-signing Josh Reynolds or including one other skilled pass-catcher in free company to beef up the place.
GREEN BAY PACKERS | Signal security Justin Simmons | Regardless of signing Xavier McKinney, arguably the perfect security out there on the open market, the Packers nonetheless want a security following the departures of free brokers Jonathan Owens and Darnell Savage. Inexperienced Bay ought to solidify the place additional by including a two-time Professional Bowler in Simmons, who may need extra of a short-term influence than a rookie.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS | Signal CB Xavien Howard | Other than Byron Murphy and free-agent signee Shaquill Griffin, the Vikings may use an skilled difference-maker equivalent to former All-Professional Howard, who continues to be enjoying at a excessive stage at 30. Moreover, the previous Dolphin has already played under DC Brian Flores, whom he not too long ago raved about for his teaching model. — Mike Santa Barbara
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS: Commerce second-round decide (No. 43 general) for Eagles EDGE Haason Reddick | Expected to be traded by the Eagles, Reddick would fill a helpful function for the Falcons. He has 50.5 sacks over the previous 4 seasons and is well worth the worth of a top-50 decide.
CAROLINA PANTHERS: Signal guard Matt Feiler | After spending the 2023 season in Tampa Bay with new Panthers HC Dave Canales, the previous Bucs offensive coordinator, Feiler may observe him to Carolina. The Panthers have shored up their offensive line with the additions of Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, however Feiler may present helpful depth.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Make a take care of the Patriots | The Saints recently scheduled a visit with Florida State large receiver Keon Coleman, however he’d be a attain within the first spherical at No. 14 and certain off the board by the point New Orleans selects within the second spherical. So Atlanta ought to commerce a 2024 second-round decide (No. 45 general) and 2024 fifth-round decide (No. 175 general) to the Patriots for 2024 second-round decide (No. 34 general) and a 2024 seventh-round decide (No. 231 general). By buying and selling up with the Patriots, the Saints could possibly be higher positioned to draft a participant they covet.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Signal guard Andrus Peat | The Bucs employed former Saints assistant offensive line coach Kevin Carberry this offseason as their offensive line coach, so Peat — who performed 9 seasons in New Orleans — wouldn’t must be taught a special system. Per ESPN, Peat ranked third amongst offensive tackles in run-block win fee final season, making him an asset for Tampa Bay, which ranked final in speeding the previous two seasons. — Eric Smithling
