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What are the top needs for every NFC team that missed the playoffs. Joey Pollizze dives in and analyzes where each NFC team could improve this offseason.
Every team will enter the 2025 offseason with specific needs. Some teams, like the New York Giants, will have more needs, while other teams, like the Philadelphia Eagles, will only need a few upgrades to improve their roster. However, every team that missed the playoff a season ago will mostly fall into that first category.
As a result, we will look at the top needs of every NFC team that missed the playoffs during the 2024-2025 season. Nine NFC teams didn't make the playoffs this past year, and almost all of those teams have a ton of needs entering the offseason.
So, what are the biggest needs for every NFC team that missed the playoffs in 2024? Let's dive in and find out.
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Arizona Cardinals
Needs: EDGE, CB
The Arizona Cardinals were on the cusp of a playoff appearance this past year, but a 1-5 stretch from Week 12 to Week 17 essentially hurt their chances. Therefore, the Cardinals will look to improve their team this upcoming offseason. The biggest areas they'll need to add through free agency and the draft are edge and defensive line.
Arizona could definitely use an elite pass rusher for years to come. As a matter of fact, that might be the team's top need heading into 2025. Zaven Collins was the team leader in sacks this past year with only five, and the Cardinals ranked 28th in pass-rush win rate. So, adding an electric edge rusher could really improve this defense next season.
From Weeks 7-18, the Cardinals defense allowed the fewest overall TDs in the NFL (20) and the fewest passing TDs (10).
In that span Arizona allowed just 19.6 points per game. Only PHI (15.9), BAL (19.3) & DEN (19.5) allowed fewer. pic.twitter.com/PZw0uc9zbB
— Mark Dalton (@CardsMarkD) January 6, 2025
Adding a defensive tackle who could stop the run should also be a main property for the Cardinals' defense this offseason. Their top two tackles from this past season (Roy Lopez and Khyiris Tonga) are both free agents, and this front seven wasn't the best at stopping the run. It ranked 20th in rush yards allowed per game (126.4) and tied for 22nd in yards allowed per carry (4.6).
Atlanta Falcons
Needs: EDGE, CB
It was a disappointing season for a Falcons team that had playoff aspirations. However, Kirk Cousins struggled as the team's quarterback and was eventually benched later in the year. Now, Atlanta will look to surround its young quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., with a championship roster. To do that, it will need to focus on adding an edge rusher and a cornerback this offseason.
There's no doubt the Falcons will be in the market for an edge rusher in the coming months. They finished 31st in sacks this past year while finishing 27th in pass-rush win rate. Their leading sack-getter was Arnold Ebiketie, but he only finished with six sacks on the year. As a result, it wouldn't be shocking if the team selected an edge rusher in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Atlanta could also use another cornerback alongside A.J. Terrell. Last season, Mike Hughes and Dee Alford operated as the team's CB2 and CB3, and neither had a strong campaign. Both ranked outside the top 85 in man success rate and passer rating allowed.
With Hughes set to be an unrestricted free agent and Alford set to be a restricted free agent, look for the Falcons to upgrade their cornerback room this offseason.
Carolina Panthers
Needs: WR, CB, EDGE
There's a lot more optimism around the Carolina Panthers entering the offseason following Bryce Young's strong play to end the year. Carolina went 4-5 in its final nine games, and Young played well during this span. As a result, expect the Panthers to upgrade several positions of need this offseason, including wide receiver, cornerback, and edge.
There is no better way to help your young quarterback develop than by surrounding him with weapons in the passing game. Whether Carolina decides to sign a veteran in free agency or select one early in the draft, adding a wide receiver is almost a must for this team in 2025. Adam Thielen turns 35 years old in August, and Xavier Legette didn't show anything special in his rookie season.
After that, the Panthers will likely focus on improving this defense. They desperately need a strong edge rusher after ranking tied for 30th in sacks (32) and 31st in pass-rush win rate this past season. Carolina could also use another cornerback to pair with Jaycee Horn. This was an area of weakness for the team in 2024, and Mike Jackson will enter free agency in the offseason.
Chicago Bears
Needs: OL, DT
The Chicago Bears did not do a good job of developing Caleb Williams in his first NFL season. Although the Bears went 4-2 in the first six weeks, a 1-10 record over the final 11 games of the season was not a great sign for this organization. But things should be much better for Chicago in 2025 with offensive guru Ben Johnson at the helm.
If Johnson wants to improve this team next season, though, he has to draft/sign multiple offensive linemen this offseason. Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times in 2024, and the Bears definitely need more talent along the offensive line. Chicago could wind up signing guard Trey Smith in free agency and drafting another one with the 10th overall pick.
UPDATE: Via ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Trey Smith is favorited to land on The Chicago Bears.
Smith, 25, is the #2 free agent on ESPN's Top-50 list and projected to ask for $20+mil a year.
What are your thoughts on Trey Smith to the Bears? pic.twitter.com/D14vJpvqb6
— Just Another Year Chicago: Bears (@JAYChi_Bears) January 29, 2025
Outside of the offensive line, the Bears should be in the market for a defensive tackle who can stop the run. Chicago ranked 27th in rush yards allowed per game (136.3) and tied for 27th in yards per carry allowed (4.8). With a solid secondary already in place, look for Johnson and company to focus on the defensive line this offseason.
Dallas Cowboys
Needs: DT, RB, WR
There has already been a massive overhaul for this Cowboys team this offseason. They will have a new head coach (Brian Schottenheimer), a new defensive coordinator (Matt Eberflus), a new offensive coordinator (Klayton Adams), and a new special teams coach (Nick Sorensen) in 2025. So, it will interesting to see how Dallas attacks its needs at defensive tackle, running back, and wide receiver.
The Cowboys ranked tied for 27th in yards per carry allowed (4.8) and 29th in rush yards allowed per game (137.1) this past season. Not only did the team struggle in that department, but defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa is also set to become a free agent. Therefore, look for Dallas to upgrade that group through the draft and free agency.
On the offensive side, Dallas definitely needs to add more playmakers around Dak Prescott. CeeDee Lamb is the clear alpha in this offense, but the team doesn't have another wideout to compliment him.
The Cowboys should also be in the market for a running back this offseason. With Rico Dowdle set to become a free agent, it's a strong possibility that Ashton Jeanty could be drafted 12th overall by America's Team.
New Orleans Saints
Needs: DE, CB, OL
The New Orleans Saints don't have a lot going for them heading into 2025. They have the lowest cap space entering the offseason and don't have many young stars. The Saints also have plenty of needs that they will need to address in free agency and the draft. That should start with upgrading their cornerback and defensive end groups.
Marshon Lattimore was traded at the deadline, and Paulson Adebo is set to become a free agent. As a result, the Saints will likely go after that position heavily in the draft. This defense also needs a pass rusher who can get to the quarterback at a high level. New Orleans didn't generate much pressure against quarterbacks in 2024 and only totaled 39 sacks through 17 games.
The offensive line is an area that the Saints could look to upgrade as well this offseason. Although this unit only allowed 37 sacks a season ago, it did rank 29th in pass-block win rate and 19th in run-block win rate. On top of that, left guard Lucas Patrick is set to become a free agent. So, this is a need for the team entering 2025.
New York Giants
Needs: QB, OL, CB, WR
After winning only three games this past year, the New York Giants will look to improve their roster this offseason. Those three wins were the fewest for the organization in a season since they went 3-12-1 in 1983. With the third pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, though, the Giants should be in a prime spot to upgrade one of their biggest needs.
New York is the favorite to land one of the top quarterbacks in this draft class in Shedeur Sanders. Sanders would immediately boost the Giants' quarterback room and potentially give them their franchise signal-caller. But getting a quarterback early in the draft won't solve all of the team's problems.
Shedeur Sanders says he knows he’s going to be playing the #Cowboys “very soon”
The #Titans and the #Browns both do NOT play Dallas this year…. #Giants?
pic.twitter.com/kRw9hDmYG7— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) January 31, 2025
The Giants should be looking for another wide receiver to compliment Malik Nabers in the passing game. They should be in the market for multiple offensive linemen after New York quarterbacks were sacked 48 times a season ago, and getting a lockdown corner on the outside is almost a must.
San Francisco 49ers
Needs: OL, DT, CB
The San Francisco 49ers are one of the few teams on this list that don't really have a big need. It was a down year for the 49ers in 2024, but a lot of that blame could go on the team's inability to stay healthy throughout the season. Still, they'll need to add several players on the offensive and defensive line this offseason to reinsert themselves as Super Bowl contenders.
The offensive line is probably the 49ers' biggest need entering the 2025 campaign. As a result, there's a good chance the team will attack this need with the 11th overall pick. Trent Williams will turn 37 years old in July, left guard Aaron Banks is set to become a free agent, and San Francisco could use more depth at the position next year.
The 49ers will also need to beef up their defensive line and cornerback room in the coming months. Javon Hargrave is a free agent this offseason, and this defensive line ranked 24th in run-stop win rate this past year. At cornerback, Charvarius Ward, Isaac Yiadom, Rock Ya-Sin, and Nick McCloud will all be free agents. That means this position group could look way different in 2025.
Seattle Seahawks
Needs: OL, DT
The Seattle Seahawks were the only team in 2024 to win 10 games and not make the playoffs. After going 4-5 in the first nine weeks, Seattle winded up winning six of its last eight games. However, that wasn't enough, and the Seahawks will turn to the offseason trying to upgrade their team at several positions.
The biggest need this team will need to address entering 2025 is the offensive line. This unit allowed 54 sacks last season and ranked 28th in run-block win rate. Kenneth Walker III also averaged a career-low 3.75 yards per carry. That makes this Seattle's top need this offseason.
The defensive tackle position will also be an area the team will need to upgrade through free agency and the draft. Jarran Reed and Johnathan Hankins are both free agents, and this defense allowed 4.6 yards per carry to opposing rushers this past season. If the Seahawks can retain both Reed and Hankins, then this position isn't as big of a need. For now, though, it is.
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