The NFL free agency period is a critical time for franchises to address their most pressing needs and improve their rosters. However, despite the flurry of signings and trades, some teams still find themselves with significant gaps to fill. This year’s free agency market was especially challenging, as many top-tier players re-signed with their current teams before the bidding even began, leaving limited options for others. As a result, several NFL teams with roster holes are now facing urgent questions about how to strengthen key positions.
Here are five NFL teams with roster holes that must be addressed following the initial wave of free agency:
The New England Patriots entered free agency with over $125 million in cap space – the most of any NFL team. They made some notable moves, including signing defensive tackle Milton Williams to a four-year, $104 million contract, the richest deal in franchise history.
Despite spending more than $141.4 million in guaranteed money, the Patriots still have glaring needs at wide receiver and left tackle. With the Cincinnati Bengals franchise-tagging Tee Higgins and the Baltimore Ravens extending Ronnie Stanley, New England missed out on the top options before free agency began. Additionally, Chris Godwin chose to remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, narrowing the field even further.
The Patriots could look to the upcoming NFL Draft to find a solution at left tackle, with LSU’s Will Campbell being a potential candidate for their No. 4 overall pick. However, the wide receiver market remains thin, and without an elite pass-catcher, developing young quarterback Drake Maye could be a challenging task. Last season, no Patriots wide receiver averaged more than 43 yards per game, underscoring the urgent need for a reliable playmaker.
While new head coach Mike Vrabel has expressed confidence that there is “a lot of time” to address these deficiencies, Patriots fans are feeling a growing sense of urgency to resolve these critical roster holes.
The Washington Commanders were one of the busiest teams during early free agency, adding or re-signing 25 players. Their most aggressive moves included trading for left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., addressing major areas of concern on offense.
However, a significant hole remains on defense. With Dante Fowler Jr. returning to the Dallas Cowboys after leading Washington with 10.5 sacks last season, the Commanders lack a reliable edge rusher. While the team could explore a trade for Cincinnati Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson, the Commanders have already depleted their draft assets, leaving them with just three picks through the first five rounds.
If a trade does not materialize, Washington could target an edge rusher with the No. 29 overall pick in the draft. Prospects such as Marshall’s Mike Green or Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku would make sense to strengthen the pass rush and fill this critical roster hole.
The Los Angeles Chargers, in their second offseason under head coach Jim Harbaugh, have focused on building a physical identity. Key signings like running back Najee Harris and offensive guard Mekhi Becton indicate a commitment to dominating on the ground.
However, the defensive line remains a major concern. With Poona Ford leaving for the Los Angeles Rams, the Chargers are left with a patchwork defensive front that ranked 27th in rushing defense last season, allowing 4.7 yards per carry. While the team added depth pieces like Da’Shawn Hand and Naquan Jones, there is still a need for a dominant interior presence.
If the Chargers want to address this roster hole through the draft, they could target Michigan’s Kenneth Grant or Oregon’s Derrick Harmon in the first round. Alternatively, Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams and Texas’ Alfred Collins could be potential Day 2 options to bolster their defensive line and improve their run defense.
The return of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to the San Francisco 49ers highlights the team’s commitment to restoring its once-feared defense. However, the current state of the defensive line is a far cry from its dominant form of years past.
The 49ers recently parted ways with defensive end Leonard Floyd and defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins. This leaves Nick Bosa as the sole established presence on the defensive front. The team’s salary-cap constraints further limit their ability to pursue high-profile free agents, meaning they must turn to the draft for reinforcements.
With the No. 11 overall pick, the 49ers could consider selecting Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham or Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart. Given the depth at both positions in this year’s draft, San Francisco has multiple avenues to address this glaring roster hole and fortify its defensive line.
A significant issue for the Packers’ receivers was their struggle against man coverage. While Wicks posted an open score of over 70 in ESPN’s metric, he also dealt with persistent drop issues. Despite having the resources to address this need, Green Bay chose to invest heavily in other areas, such as signing offensive guard Aaron Banks and cornerback Nate Hobbs.
If the Packers are serious about finding a solution, the draft presents the best opportunity. Texas’ Matthew Golden is a first-round prospect who excels at creating separation, while Iowa State’s Jaylin Noel and Mississippi’s Tre Harris offer intriguing mid-round options. Adding a dynamic receiver could transform the Packers’ offense and address this pressing roster hole.
