3 days Ago By BR NFL Scouting Department
The playoff bracket is more complete than the 2025 NFL draft order. The final week of the season officially ends the campaign for all but 14 teams, and the needs of every club—from the organization picking No. 1 overall to the top-seeded playoffs teams—are very clear.
Every week of the season, we assess the state of each roster with a particular focus on its weaknesses. By the end of the campaign, we'll have built a big board for every team based on its biggest needs and wants. Everything from immediate holes to fill to the offseason player carousel of free agency and the 2025 NFL draft is taken into account.
The weaknesses here are not just knee-jerk reactions to the weekend's games, but more an overarching assessment with both present and future roster-building in mind. All AFC teams are scouted by Alex Ballentine , and all NFC teams are scouted by Matt Holder . Further analysis of every NFL roster will publish each Monday throughout the regular season.
Already eliminated from the playoffs, the Arizona Cardinals' best highlight on Saturday night was Trey McBride finally scoring his first touchdown of the season. Arizona's nine-point performance wasn't exactly thrilling, but the team didn't have anything on the line as it's just finishing out the season as a formality. Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Play Christian Jones The Cardinals placed starting offensive tackles Paris Johnson Jr.
and Jonah Williams on injured reserve last week, leaving Kelvin Beachum and Jackson Barton as the only veteran tackles on the active roster. While Beachum and Barton have more experience and are the better players right now, both are in their 30s and impending free agents this offseason. So, the team might as well give Jones more reps to help him develop for the betterment of the team long term.
2025 Free Agency: CB D.J. Reed, New York Jets Cornerback will likely be one of the biggest needs for Arizona this offseason and Reed will be one of the best free agents available at the position.
Also, the club is currently projected to have about $95.1 million of cap space available, per Over The Cap , to help make this pairing happen. The 28-year-old has logged 50 career passes defended heading into this weekend, including 41 over the last four seasons.
Also, he's consistently earned coverage grades from Pro Football Focus in the low- to mid-70s. 2025 NFL Draft: OL Wyatt Milum, West Virginia Will Hernandez's contract is about to expire, and Jonah Williams is only on a two-year deal. So, drafting an offensive lineman who has the flexibility to line up at guard or tackle like the West Virginia product does would be a good idea.
"Overall, Milum is an experienced, skilled run blocker with good play strength and powerful hands to displace and sustain blocks," the Mountaineer's scouting report says. "He excels in pass protection on jump sets with a stout anchor to end reps quickly once latched. "His upright playing style, sawed-off build, and mediocre lateral quickness lead to getting caught flat-footed and overextended when being set up by rushers capping his ceiling on true drop-back passes against high-end edge-rushers.
" ( Previous Week's Selections: Shut down Paris Johnson Jr., WR Tyler Boyd, EDGE Mike Green ) The Atlanta Falcons couldn't get the job done in Washington, as they will need some help to make the playoffs and win the NFC South. However, it looks like they have solved their quarterback problem as Michael Penix Jr.
had a solid outing and made some clutch plays down the stretch to take the game to overtime. Whatever happens with Atlanta next week, the organization can take pride in the fact that it may have found its quarterback of the future. Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Try Clark Phillips III at nickelback Dee Alford has been manning the slot this season and, heading into this weekend, had given up the fourth-most receptions (63) among cornerbacks and a 118.
0 passer rating when targeted, per Pro Football Focus . So, it might be worth it to give someone else a shot at that spot. Phillips has primarily played as an outside cornerback this far in his career, but he profiles well as a slot corner.
It could be worth it to see if the second-year pro can take over that role for the postseason and next year. 2025 Free Agency: EDGE Malcolm Koonce, Las Vegas Raiders Edge-rusher has been one of the Falcons' biggest issues this season, and Matthew Judon and Lorenzo Carter are impending free agents. So, the position should be a priority for the front office but it will need to be economical with only about $6.
5 million of cap space available, per Over The Cap . Koonce has missed the entire season with a knee injury, so he might be willing to take a cheap prove-it type of deal. In 2023, the 26-year-old finished the campaign strong with eight sacks in the Raiders' last nine games to be considered an up-and-coming pass-rusher in the league.
2025 NFL Draft: S Andrew Mukuba, Texas Justin Simmons' and Richie Grant's contracts are expiring, and even if Simmons re-signs, Atlanta should look into adding a young safety in the draft. The Texas product has put together a strong season this fall and could be a good Day 2 option. "Mukuba projects as a mid-round pick with the potential to develop into a high-level backup or eventual starter in the NFL," the Longhorn's scouting report says.
"His ability to excel as a deep safety and his knack for creating turnovers make him a valuable asset in zone-heavy schemes. "While his lean frame may limit his effectiveness against larger ball carriers and physical matchups, his range, ball skills, and instincts give him a high ceiling as a playmaker in the secondary." ( Previous Week's Selections: Vertical targets for Kyle Pitts, CB Jourdan Lewis, EDGE Mike Green) The Ravens made an emphatic statement and came one step closer to clinching the AFC North with a 31-2 victory over the Houston Texans on Christmas Day.
The Ravens seem to be fully recovered from their 1-2 stretch at the end of November. Since the bye week, they have won their past three games in convincing fashion. With a game against the Browns next week, the Ravens have to feel good about their chances of claiming the AFC North crown.
Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Extend OL Patrick Mekari Everyone in the league would love to have a Patrick Mekari on their roster. Mekari isn't likely to be a Pro Bowler in his career, but he's a solid utility lineman who has played all over the line. Most recently, he's found a home at left guard where he holds the 65th-highest grade on PFF and the 34th-highest pass-blocking grade.
The Ravens had to work to find three new starters last season. With Mekari's contract set to expire, it would be wise to retain him so there's a decent baseline level of play at left guard next season. 2025 Free Agency: IOL Brandon Scherff, Jacksonville Jaguars Brandon Scherff is going to be 33 next season and is coming off a brutal season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He may only be interested in signing with a contender after spending the 2024 season doing a lot of losing. Meanwhile, the Ravens are still in the fray as a contender with an offense led by an MVP candidate in Lamar Jackson. They've done it all with an offensive line that has had to break in three new starters this season and may be looking to solidify their offensive line with another veteran or two.
Scherff would make a lot of sense as one of those veterans who could start at guard. 2025 NFL Draft: S Malachi Moore, Alabama Safeties play an important role in the Ravens defense, and they are at their best when they can employ three of them. Having two true safeties who can cover allows Kyle Hamilton to roam the field and be the versatile Swiss Army knife he's meant to be.
The Ravens tried to fill one of those spots with Eddie Jackson this season, and it didn't work out. Ultimately, Malachi Moore could be the guy who really replaces Geno Stone who left last offseason. "Malachi Moore projects as a second-round pick with the potential to become an impact player in an NFL secondary.
His strengths in deep coverage and man-to-man versatility make him a valuable asset, particularly in schemes emphasizing zone coverage or requiring safeties to cover slot receivers," Cory Giddings wrote of Moore in his scouting report . ( Previous Week's Selections : Continue to lean on Derrick Henry, CB Carlton Davis, OT Marcus Mbow) The Bills clinched the No. 2 seed in the AFC in style on Sunday.
They did everything they were supposed to do in a 40-14 win over the New York Jets. The Jets have been a dysfunctional team for most of the season, so it's not a surprising result, but it is an encouraging sign for a team looking to finally get over the hump in the playoffs. They appear to be set for a deep run in the playoffs.
Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Incorporate Amari Cooper more The Bills made the move to add Amari Cooper ahead of the trade deadline. The idea was that the aggressive move would give Buffalo the firepower it needs to compete for the Lombardi this January. Time is running out to get the veteran receiver involved though.
His usage thus far has been scattered. He saw 14 targets against the Rams in Week 14. Maybe that was a bit much, but he had a combined 15 targets in six other contests heading into last weekend.
2025 Free Agency: S Jordan Fuller, Carolina Panthers The Bills' safety room feels incomplete after losing both Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer last season. Cole Bishop should step into one of the starting roles, but Damar Hamlin is set to become a free agent and the depth of the position is suspect. Jordan Fuller would be an interesting buy-low option on the free-agent market.
The 26-year-old missed some time this season with a hamstring injury and hasn't played well. However, he has some solid seasons on his resume with the Rams, so he's a bounce-back candidate if he signs with a good team. 2025 NFL Draft: CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky The Bills really need to find a long-term answer at cornerback across from Christian Benford.
Rasul Douglas has done well in that role, but he's getting older and has an expiring contract. Kaiir Elam didn't turn out to be the answer so they might want to look back to the SEC for a potential addition and there's a lot to like about Maxwell Hairston. Cory Giddings' summary of Hairston's strengths sounds exactly like what the Bills typically look for in a corner.
"Maxwell Hairston projects as a day two pick with the potential to develop into a high-level contributor in the NFL. His combination of length, press coverage skills, and zone awareness makes him an intriguing option for teams that play a lot of zone or press-man coverage." ( Previous Week's Selections : Work on some answers for Cover 1, WR Josh Palmer, DT Nazir Stackhouse) After pulling off an upset and ending a four-game losing streak, getting dominated 48-14 against Tampa Bay wasn't exactly the follow-up performance the Carolina Panthers were hoping for.
But in the big picture, Carolina doesn't have anything to play for, and Bryce Young still had a solid outing to build some momentum toward next year while helping the organization's draft positioning. Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: See what Akayleb Evans can do Mike Jackson is an impending free agent, and the Panthers are at a stage where they're looking to see who can be part of the team's long-term plans. Heading into this weekend, Evans hadn't seen the field for the club yet, and the organization might as well take advantage of an opportunity to evaluate the 25-year-old in some game action.
2025 Free Agency: WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals With Bryce Young looking like the long-term solution at quarterback, Higgins should be Carolina's biggest priority in free agency. Young needs a No. 1 receiver to throw to, and the soon-to-be 26-year-old is looking for an opportunity to fill that role for a club.
Also, the wideout is young enough to be part of the organization's future, and it should have enough cap space to make this paring happen, beginning this offseason with $32.5 million according to Over The Cap . 2025 NFL Draft: C Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State The Panthers have put together a solid offensive line over the last few years, but center remains a question mark.
So, Dan Morgan will likely be looking into this year's draft class at the position and the Ohio State product should be on Morgan's radar. "McLaughlin won the Rimington Trophy in his lone year with the Buckeyes despite rupturing his Achilles after 10 games," the Buckeye's scouting report says. "McLaughlin has a wide-bodied frame and stout build with good play strength, square power and solid athletic ability.
"...
Overall, McLaughlin is an older prospect coming off a major lower leg injury with solid athletic ability and the mental makeup, build, play strength and technical savvy to compete for the pivot job when healthy and stick as a starter long-term in a multiple run scheme." ( Previous Week's Selections: See what Velus Jones Jr. can do, EDGE Azeez Ojulari, CB Will Johnson) The good news for Chicago Bears fans is there is light at the end of the tunnel.
The fanbase only has to sit through one more game of what's been a miserable season in Chicago and, hopefully, the offense can provide more excitement than its three-point showing last Thursday. Then the offseason of changes can finally begin in the Windy City. Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Start LT Kiran Amegadjie While the Bears are likely trying to give Caleb Williams a veteran left tackle with Braxton Jones out, Larry Borom had given up six sacks heading into this weekend on limited playing time this season, per Pro Football Focus .
Since the fourth-year pro isn't doing a good job of keeping Williams upright anyway, the coaching staff might as well give the rookie some snaps. Amegadjie could gain valuable experience since he was viewed as a project coming out of Yale. 2025 Free Agency: EDGE Chase Young, New Orleans Saints Edge-rusher has been an issue in Chicago all season, and Darrell Taylor is an impending free agent.
Meanwhile, the front office has $82 million to spend in free agency, according to Over The Cap , meaning it could target a big fish on the open market. Young will be one of the top pass-rushers available this spring because of his age and production. While the 25-year-old had just 5.
5 sacks through Week 16 this season, PFF had him with the ninth-most pressures ( 58 ) at his position. This would also bring the top two edge defenders from the 2020 draft class to the Windy City. 2025 NFL Draft: IOL Tate Ratledge, Georgia The interior offensive line is likely going to be a big point of emphasis for Ryan Poles in the draft, especially if Teven Jenkins isn't re-signed.
Expect the Georgia product to be on the general manager's radar since B/R's Brandon Thorn thinks he has starting potential as a rookie. "Ratledge wins as a run blocker using very good play strength and leg drive to work inside the frame of his target on angle-drive and combo blocks, strain to get vertical and effectively seal off alleys behind him," Thorn said in the Bulldog's scouting report. "He can get over-aggressive on contact, drop a shoulder and fail to gain leverage before getting slipped, primarily on vertical double-teams when he has to generate immediate displacement.
Ratledge shows solid quickness and timing as the drive man on doubles to bump, feed and release to line up backers." ( Previous Week's Selections: Play Jonathan Ford more, G Will Hernandez, CB Zy Alexander) The path for the Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs is narrow, but they kept it open with an incredible overtime win over the Denver Broncos. Tee Higgins put up his best game of the season with 11 catches for 131 yards and three touchdowns.
It was a reminder of how much he can help this offense when he's at his best. It only casts more attention on what the Bengals are going to do after he played on the franchise tag this season. The Bengals get the Steelers next week.
They'll have to win and hope that the Broncos lose to the Chiefs and the Dolphins fall to the Jets in order to snag that seventh seed. Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Offer Joseph Ossai a reasonable extension Joseph Ossai isn't the kind of player the Bengals are going to break the bank for, but he has shown some improvement in his time with Cincinnati and that could be worth something. Ossai took on a bigger role than he's had in the Bengals defense, and he responded with 28 total pressures and a career-high 13.
2 pressure percentage, per Sports Info Solutions . The Bengals still need to find young edge-rushers who can take over for Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson down the line, but Ossai has been good enough to warrant a spot in the rotation. 2025 Free Agency: LB Kyzir White, Arizona Cardinals The Bengals defense needs a major reset after this season.
Lou Anarumo's squad had a few good seasons, but the bottom fell out this year and changes are needed across the board. Linebacker isn't the biggest need, but the Bengals would do well to add some more athleticism alongside Logan Wilson. Kyzir White could be a cheap alternative.
The 6'2", 234-pound backer is a good athlete with speed to run sideline-to-sideline. He'd make for a complementary sidekick to Wilson in the middle of the defense. 2025 NFL Draft: CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame Cam Taylor-Britt and Josh Newton's performances this season have left a lot to be desired at the cornerback position.
Both are young players and could bounce back, but neither has done enough this year to believe the position is in good hands. That's why the Bengals should be considering corners early in the draft. Benjamin Morrison figures to be in that mix.
Here's Cory Giddings on his draft stock: "Benjamin Morrison projects as a late first-round to early second-round pick with the potential to be a first-year starter in the NFL. His combination of smooth athleticism, versatility in coverage, and physicality in the run game makes him a well-rounded prospect capable of fitting into multiple defensive schemes." ( Previous Week's Selection : Keep giving Kris Jenkins Jr.
and McKinnley Jackson more reps, EDGE Dayo Odeyingbo, DT T.J. Sanders) The Cleveland Browns continued to be an exercise in frustration in Week 17.
Myles Garrett was excellent, but the rest of the Browns defense was not. Cleveland's defense made Tyler Huntley look like Lamar Jackson. He finished completing 22-of-26 for 225 yards and a touchdown with another 52 yards on the ground.
Meanwhile, Dorian Thompson-Robinson did not look like an NFL quarterback. He completed just over half of his 47 passing attempts, and the Browns offense registered just three points. In short, the Browns continued a free fall through the standings and will need to make major changes to get things turned around.
Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Get ready to pitch Kirk Cousins The Browns have limited options at quarterback next season. Door A is giving Deshaun Watson another year to prove himself. The injuries, poor play and years wasted so far make that a tough sell.
Door B is pushing forward with a rookie quarterback or giving Dorian Thompson-Robinson a shot at quarterback. Either makes it hard to sell to veterans like Myles Garrett that there's a real push to win now. Signing Kirk Cousins, should he be released by the Falcons, is the third door the Browns might want to open.
If Cousins is cut, it will set up a situation like Russell Wilson had in his free agency. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Falcons are expected to cut him before March 17 when a $10 million bonus would kick in. He can essentially sign for the minimum, and it will only offset his payment coming from the Falcons.
That's an ideal situation for a Browns team that would love to just have competency under center. 2025 Free Agency: DT Javon Kinlaw, New York Jets The Browns defense took a major step back in 2024. While it occasionally flashed the stretches of dominance it had in 2023, they just weren't as good this season.
Part of that comes down to a lack of pass-rush production outside of Myles Garrett. The interior offered very little help. Dalvin Tomlinson is the only defensive tackle who had more than one sack heading into the weekend.
Signing Javon Kinlaw could help. He's suspect as a run defender, but he already has more sacks than any defensive tackles on the Browns roster with 3.5 on the season.
2025 NFL Draft: RB RJ Harvey, UCF For about five years, Nick Chubb was the most exciting element of the Cleveland Browns offense. Unfortunately, injuries have ruined the past two seasons. Now, the Browns will have a tough decision to make as the 29-year-old has an expiring contract.
Either way, the Browns should be looking to draft to add to their backfield. RJ Harvey is not nearly the same bruising back that Chubb was in his prime. But he's a smart runner who is adept at reading his blocks and finding open space.
( Previous Week's Selections : Start putting together a plan for Myles Garrett, LB Tyrel Dodson, WR Tre Harris) Apparently, no CeeDee Lambe means no offense for the Dallas Cowboys, as they only managed to score seven points while getting dominated by one of their biggest rivals. Then again, Dallas has nothing to play for at this point in the season, and the silver lining is Rico Dowdle continues to play well with his fourth 100-yard outing in five weeks. Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Give Justin Rogers playing time Mazi Smith has been a disappointment since being a first-round pick in 2023, and 36-year-old Linval Joseph isn't a long-term solution at nose tackle.
Meanwhile, Rogers hadn't seen the field during the regular season heading into this weekend. At this point, the Cowboys might as well see what the rookie can do and give him some snaps since they have nothing to lose. 2025 Free Agency: DT B.
J. Hill, Cincinnati Bengals If Dallas doesn't re-sign Osa Odighiuzwa in the offseason, the defense's need for a defensive tackle will intensify. Odighiuzwa might be having a down year against the run, but he is a productive pass-rusher.
Pro Football Focus credited him with 55 pressures through Week 16 which is the third-most at the position. While Hill hasn't been nearly as productive this season ( 27 pressures ) he has logged 100 fewer pass-rush snaps than the current Cowboy. Also, the 29-year-old who turns 30 in April has a good track record in the league and is a well-rounded interior defender who can help solve some of the defense's issues against the run as well.
2025 NFL Draft: RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott are scheduled to hit free agency this offseason, making running back one of Jerry Jones and Co.'s top needs during the NFL draft. It wouldn't be surprising to see Jones spend a high pick on a back this April, especially one who can impact both phases of the game like the North Carolina product can.
"Hampton is a talented and versatile offensive player," the Tar Heel's scouting report says. "He makes his impact felt as a receiver and runner. Hampton projects best in gap/power run schemes, which allow him to attack the line of scrimmage with momentum and squared shoulders.
He should excel after contact and score touchdowns in the red zone." ( Previous Week's Selections: Give Israel Mukuamu more playing time, LT Cam Robinson, CB Benjamin Morrison) The Broncos let a prime opportunity to clinch a playoff spot slip through their fingers in an overtime loss to the Bengals. Wins in either of their last two games would have locked up a spot, but this is still a relatively young team under Sean Payton, and they haven't figured out how to close things out yet.
They'll get another opportunity next week. It's still a simple win-and-in scenario against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs should be resting several starters as they already have the No.
1 seed locked up. The Broncos have made a lot of progress this season, and they can't let a late-season swoon overshadow that. Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Get Drew Sanders involved on defense The Broncos are headed to the playoffs and having a few wrinkles in store for the postseason is always a good idea.
Denver has been good on defense all season, but Drew Sanders could be a secret weapon in the final few games. He spent most of the season on the PUP list but has the potential to impact games as a blitzing linebacker. Sanders played just one snap prior to Week 17 and registered a sack.
Seeing if he can take on an expanded role in these final few games could be big for him and the Broncos defense moving forward. 2025 Free Agency: LB Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs The Denver Broncos defense has been a pleasant surprise this season. However, there are still a few positions that could stand an upgrade, and linebacker is on the list.
The Chiefs are going to be forced to make some tough decisions with both Nick Bolton and Trey Smith headed to free agency. The Broncos could take advantage by signing one of their division rival's best young talents on defense. Bolton excels in coverage and is a respectable run defender.
His experience on some championship-level teams could help the Broncos take the next step. 2025 NFL Draft: DT Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia The Broncos have featured one of the best defenses in the league this season, but it takes continued investment to sustain that kind of success. One area the Broncos could stand to get better is with their defensive line depth.
D.J. Jones is a 30-year-old free agent and they don't have a lot of young guys on the interior to take his place.
Drafting Nazir Stackhouse would help. The 6'3", 320-pounder is strong at the point of attack and has a quick enough first step that he could become a decent pocket-pushing pass-rusher as he develops. ( Previous Week's Selections : Make Audric Estime the lead back, DT Milton Williams, TE Jake Briningstool) Check back for Lions after Monday Night Football game against 49ers.
The Green Bay Packers certainly know how to come back and make things interesting against Minnesota. However, for the second time this season, Green Bay's comeback attempt fell just short, which cost the team an opportunity to move up in the wild-card standings. With a playoff berth already secured, the Packers are still in good shape when it comes to the big picture, though.
It's just a matter of who they'll draw and getting over the hump when the games count most. Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Add a veteran CB Last week's suggestion was to explore bringing in Xavien Howard, and this week's follows a similar thought process. Granted, it is getting late, but Green Bay's secondary continues to be an issue as Minnesota threw for 377 yards on Sunday.
It'd be worth it to add a veteran cornerback option for the postseason. 2025 Free Agency: CB Asante Samuel Jr., Los Angeles Chargers Green Bay is widely expected to be looking for some cornerback help seeing as Eric Stokes is an impending free agent and hasn't played well.
Also, Jaire Alexander has struggled to stay on the field over the last two years, and the club could save $17.5 million of cap space by making Alexander a post-June 1 cut, per Over The Cap . Meanwhile, Samuel will likely be one of the top corners on the open market.
He'll be just 26 years old in October and has impressive ball skills with 37 passes defended in 50 career games. However, the current Charger has missed the majority of the current campaign with a shoulder injury, so this pairing would depend on how his medicals check out. 2025 NFL Draft: C Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State Josh Myers is an impending free agent, which likely means Brian Gutekunst will be looking for a center in the draft.
The Ohio State product is coming off a torn Achilles, but if healthy, he could be a good target since he currently ranks 77th and is one of the top centers on B/R's big board. "Overall, McLaughlin is an older prospect coming off a major lower leg injury with solid athletic ability and the mental makeup, build, play strength and technical savvy to compete for the pivot job when healthy and stick as a starter long-term in a multiple run scheme," the Alabama transfer's scouting report says. ( Previous Week's Selections: Kick tires on CB Xavien Howard, IOL Evan Brown, OT Ajani Cornelius) The Texans are already locked into the playoff field as the AFC South champions, but they are certainly backing into the big dance.
A 31-2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day exposed some of the Texans' biggest weaknesses. They couldn't stop the run and couldn't run the ball themselves in a game that got out of hand. Back-to-back losses to the Chiefs and Ravens only give the Texans a home game against the Titans to get some momentum back before the postseason.
Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Play Cade Stover more The Texans have been hammered with injuries on both sides of the ball. There isn't much they can do about it on defense, but the offense has a chance to adapt over these final weeks. With multiple receivers on the sideline, the Texans are going to have to look at utilizing more 12 personnel.
That means getting Cade Stover involved in the game plan. The young tight end is a better receiver than he's given credit for and would give them a little more blocking on the field that could help in the run game. 2025 Free Agency: DT Tershawn Wharton, Kansas City Chiefs The Texans have done well to build a young, exciting defense anchored by rising stars in Derek Stingley Jr.
and Will Anderson Jr. They have good players in every position group, but the interior of the defensive line could still use a boost. Tershawn Wharton has quietly become a key cog in the Chiefs defense.
Chris Jones' presence certainly helps, but Wharton has become a disruptor in his own right with 5.5 sacks this season. His ability to get after the quarterback would only intensify a pass rush that includes Anderson and Danielle Hunter.
2025 NFL Draft: EDGE Kyle Kennard, South Carolina It's a tertiary need, but the Texans have to look at adding some young talent to their pass-rushing group. Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. are the obvious main attractions, but the rotational pieces like Jerry Hughes, Denico Autry and Derek Barnett are either on one-year deals, getting older or are not standout players.
Drafting a project like Kyle Kennard could help. He's likely to test well and has the athletic traits to become an NFL pass rusher. His main issues stem from his deficiencies as a run defender so he would have to be a niche rotational player early on.
That's just fine because it's kind of what Houston could use anyway. ( Previous Week's Selections : Promote Scott Quessenberry from Practice Squad, LB Jamien Sherwood, RB RJ Harvey) Sunday was a major blow for anyone feeling optimistic about the Colts. Indy was officially eliminated from playoff contention after losing 45-33 to the New York Giants.
The Giants, who were in the driver's seat to have the No. 1 pick, have been one of the worst teams in the league this season. However, Drew Lock was able to shred the Colts secondary.
He threw four touchdowns as the Giants scored 45 points after failing to break the 30-point barrier at any other point this season. This is a tough loss to swallow, and it's fair to wonder how hot Shane Steichen's seat is. Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Extend Will Fries' contract Will Fries' injury was one of the most disappointing developments for the Colts.
It wasn't ideal for him, either. The 26-year-old guard was in a contract year and could have cashed in if he was able to put together another good season. Even so, he's going to be able to secure a lucrative contract.
He graded out as the fourth-highest-graded guard in the league by PFF and has plenty of prime left to come back from the broken tibia that cost him this season. The Colts would be wise to lock Fries in on a long-term deal before he actually hits free agency. 2025 Free Agency: S Tre'Von Moehrig The Colts secondary has been a point of discussion throughout the season.
They may have developed some answers at the cornerback position, but the jury is definitely still out on the safeties. The franchise doesn't seem committed to Julian Blackmon after giving him a one-year deal last offseason, and Nick Cross hasn't come along as expected. The Colts might want to get a little more aggressive and take a long look at Tre'Von Moehrig.
He could be the best young safety on the market, and he would help solidify a unit that has to be better in 2025. 2025 NFL Draft: S Xavier Watts, Notre Dame The Colts have made some progress in the secondary over the course of the season, but there are still some things to work on. One of the most important free-agent decisions they will have to make is whether they will re-sign Julian Blackmon.
If they don't, it will leave a big hole at safety that will need to be filled. Xavier Watts could be a good fit. He is an enforcer on the back end who could bring a new level of physicality to the secondary.
B/R scout Cory Giddings sees some Landon Collins in his game with the potential to become a more versatile player. "His toughness and aggressiveness make him an ideal fit for teams looking for a physical safety who can play close to the line of scrimmage. If he can improve his change of direction and awareness in coverage, Watts has the potential to develop into a versatile and reliable safety.
" ( Previous Week's Selections : Scheme some easy completions for Anthony Richardson, TE Juwan Johnson, LB Lander Barton) The Jaguars picked up their fourth win of the season against the Tennessee Titans in Week 17, but it's hard to consider them a winner. The victory cost them some draft positioning in a season that was lost a long time ago. However, it at least served as the stage for another promising performance from Brian Thomas Jr.
, who reeled in seven passes for 91 yards and a touchdown. The Jaguars have a lot of holes to fill, and they could be in store for a coaching search. However, they should at least feel good that Trevor Lawrence has a rising star at receiver going into next season.
Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Feature Travis Etienne...
so they can trade him The Jaguars have a lot of important decisions to make this offseason. The offense clearly needs work, and part of that is going to require they cut some costs and shift roles around. Ideally, the Jaguars will be able to trade Travis Etienne before his rookie contract is up and turn the backfield over to Tank Bigsby.
Finding a trade partner for a running back can be tough. It's no secret that the market has been suppressed. However, Etienne could hold value as a 26-year-old with a respectable $6.
1 million cap hit next season. 2025 Free Agency: DT Milton Williams The Jaguars have to be better on defense if they are going to bounce back in 2025. The defensive line did not live up to expectations.
Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen had decent seasons, but they got next to no help. Jeremiah Ledbetter and Roy Robertson-Harris were the only semi-productive options on the inside and they are both on the wrong side of 30. Milton Williams has been a good rotational piece for a lot of good Eagles defenses.
He'll hit free agency at 25 years old with a career-high five sacks. Taking on a larger role for Jacksonville could lead to even more success for both parties. 2025 NFL Draft: DT Deone Walker , Kentucky The Jaguars have made a concerted effort to build a dominant defensive line in recent seasons.
Some of it has worked. Some of it has not. They are set on the edge with Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen both either in the middle of or just hitting their primes.
However, the interior of the defensive line could use some more young talent. Bringing in Arik Armstead wasn't the slam dunk that it was supposed to be, and the jury is still out on Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson. Deone Walker would be a good addition.
The Jaguars love to collect athletic outliers along the defensive line, and Walker certainly qualifies as a 6'6", 345-pounder who moves like a much smaller lineman. ( Previous Week's Selections : Play Myles Cole more, WR Curtis Samuel, CB Zy Alexander) The Chiefs may have looked vulnerable for a large portion of the 2024 season, but they are starting to heat up at just the right time. The offense and defense shined in a 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day.
Patrick Mahomes had one of his best performances of the season with 320 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions while the defense sacked Russell Wilson five times without Chris Jones. The Chiefs locked up the No. 1 seed and is looking a lot like a championship team again.
Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Rest the starters One of the hardest parts of winning back-to-back championships is fighting attrition. The 49ers are a prime example of how multiple lengthy postseason runs can eventually wear a team down. The Chiefs have already done the hard work of earning the No.
1 seed. This week they should be resting their most prominent and veteran starters. They get the additional rest of the bye week, but it would be best to have players like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones at full strength.
2025 Free Agency: LB E.J. Speed, Indianapolis Colts The Chiefs should be prepared to move on without Nick Bolton next season.
Maybe they are able to re-sign him, but they are already shelling out cash for multiple stars and Trey Smith is a pending free agent. Bolton is a talented linebacker, but this is a team that had to trade away L'Jarius Sneed last offseason. Bolton isn't more valuable than he was.
The Chiefs could draft a linebacker to replace Bolton, but expecting a rookie to start in Year 1 is always a little dangerous. They should be looking at cheap veteran linebackers who could be a fallback plan. E.
J. Speed would be ideal. The 29-year-old has been reliable in the middle of the Colts defense and he may be hungry to play on a contender.
2025 NFL Draft: TE Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green Travis Kelce can't play forever. The 35-year-old's numbers have slowly declined over the last three seasons and he's been in the league for 12 years.
Even if he doesn't hang them up this offseason, the time is coming soon. Drafting Harold Fannin Jr. would give the Chiefs an heir apparent.
Dame Parson compared him to Isaiah Likely and likes his ability to line up all over the formation and create mismatches all over the place. The MAC star would give the Chiefs a solid succession plan for Kelce's eventual retirement. ( Previous Week's Selections : Make sure Chris Jones is healthy for playoffs, CB D.
J. Reed, WR Luther Burden III) A few weeks ago, it was easy to see the Raiders deciding to move on from head coach Antonio Pierce. The last two weeks might have helped move that into more unlikely territory.
The Raiders picked up their second consecutive win with Aidan O'Connell under center in a 25-10 victory over the Saints. There are mitigating factors. The Saints had to start Spencer Rattler and sat Alvin Kamara too.
However, a win is a win, and it's impressive that Pierce has his guys still working to win when they were in a good spot to have a top-two pick just two weeks ago. Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Play Zach Carter more It's no secret the Raiders are going to have to make some adjustments to their interior defensive line group. John Jenkins and Adam Butler are both aging free agents.
A healthy Christian Wilkins will be the star, but they need some complementary players. Zach Carter is a 25-year-old tackle who has shown some promise in limited reps over the last few weeks. They might as well give him an extended run in Week 18.
2025 Free Agency: WR Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders The Raiders have an interesting arsenal of offensive weapons brewing in Vegas. Brock Bowers is putting together one of the best rookie seasons by a tight end ever. Michael Mayer is also a tight end capable of burning defenses, and Jakobi Meyers is not a bad veteran presence to have.
Reinforcements are still needed, though. A No. 1 option to replace Davante Adams would be ideal, but they might have a hard time finding that in free agency.
They could also use another deep threat. That's where Dyami Brown could come into play. The 25-year-old receiver hasn't hit his ceiling in Washington but flashes the ability to make plays downfield along with good YAC skills.
He'd be worth exploring for a young team like the Raiders. 2025 NFL Draft: CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss The Raiders have a lot of work to do at the cornerback position. Decamerion Richardson ended up being a starter down the stretch.
That's good for a Day 3 rookie, but it's not necessarily a good thing, as he was just one of the only options they had left. Nate Hobbs is the best of the group, but he's a slot defender who is set to become a free agent. This year, the Raiders should probably address the position before Day 3.
Trey Amos could be a good fit in the second round. "Trey Amos is a physical and fluid cornerback prospect with the size, strength, and athleticism to compete at the next level. Known for his strong press technique and ability to match up against bigger receivers, Amos has the skill set to develop into a versatile corner capable of playing both man and zone coverage schemes," Cory Giddings wrote on Amos's skillset.
( Previous Week's Selections : Play Ameer Abdullah less, DT Sebastian Joseph-Day, RB Ollie Gordon II) The Chargers proved they were ready to win a game with stakes on the line on Saturday. A 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots clinched a playoff spot heading into the final week of the season. The best news was the return of J.
K. Dobbins to the lineup. He looked ready to go and contributed 76 yards and a touchdown.
No one is going to throw a parade for beating this year's Patriots. There are much tougher tests coming in the postseason. It's still a huge accomplishment to get the Chargers to the dance in Harbaugh's first season, and they did it in style.
Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Extend Khalil Mack's contract The Chargers face an interesting decision on Khalil Mack this offseason. On one hand, he's a 33-year-old free agent with dwindling sack production. On the other, they are already on the hook for a $8.
9 million void cap charge next season. Extending his contract could include finding a way to spread that money out over a few more void years and getting the edge-defender back for at least one more run. Despite the lowered sack production, Mack has still been a force on the edge.
He ranked fourth in overall PFF grade and third in run defense. Re-signing him to a one- or two-year deal could give the Chargers added cap flexibility and another year to come up with a long-term plan for Mack's position. 2025 Free Agency: S Camryn Bynum, Minnesota Vikings Derwin James is at his best when he's free to line up in multiple positions.
Alohi Gilman has struggled to find success with new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter coming in. The solution might be finding another safety on the free-agent market. Camryn Bynum is a hard-nosed safety who should fit into the ethos of Harbaugh and Minter.
His ability to fill running lanes while also being a playmaker against the pass would make him ideal to pair with James and Elijah Molden in the secondary. 2025 NFL Draft: RB Phil Mafah, Clemson The Chargers' rushing attack was surprisingly ineffective for a team coached by Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman. Both coaches are known for establishing a downhill rushing attack, and the ground game cratered once J.
K. Dobbins got hurt. Depending on Dobbins' health is not a wise gamble, so the Chargers are going to have to continue searching for the right back to make the offense work.
Phil Mafah is not at the top of the draft board, but he could be an interesting fit for the Chargers. At 6'1", 230 pounds he's a bigger back and has been Clemson's between-the-tackles runner throughout his career. ( Previous Week's Selections : Channel their second-half defense, CB Paulson Adebo, S Malachi Moore) The Los Angeles Rams haven't made it look easy over the last three weeks, scoring less than 20 points in each game.
However, Los Angeles keeps finding ways to get the job done and officially clinched the NFC West over the weekend. For the second year in a row, Los Angeles has managed to overcome a slow start and earn a postseason berth. Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: None The Rams are playing well right now and recently got Tyler Higbee back, who is easing his way into the rotation.
So, there's no need to make any changes heading into the playoffs. 2025 Free Agency: CB Jonathan Jones, New England Patriots Cornerback has been an issue for Los Angeles all season, to the point where the front office re-signed Ahkello Witherspoon in mid-September. While Witherspoon has been a solid player, he's only on a one-year contract and the defense could use an upgrade over Cobie Durant at the starting spot opposite Darious Williams.
Jones turns 32 in September, so he wouldn't be a long-term solution. However, he could provide the Rams with another starting corner option and it helps that the nine-year pro has experience covering the slot as well as the boundary to bring some versatility to the table. 2025 NFL Draft: OT Armand Membou, Missouri It will be interesting to see what Les Snead opts to do with Alaric Jackson this offseason.
Jackson has been a good left tackle but is an impending free agent and the team already has an expensive offensive line. One option would be to draft the Missouri product, who currently ranks as a top two offensive tackle on B/R's big board, and flip him to the blind side. "Overall, Membou is a young prospect who is a loose, explosive mover with a dense, powerful build, good length, and a rugged demeanor that allows him to match up on an island in pass protection and deliver body blows as a finisher," the Tiger's scouting report says.
"There are rough edges with his aiming points and hands that lead to penetration and falling off of blocks that will need to get cleaned up. Still, his physical tools, pass protection skills and demeanor signal a year one starter with the runway to become an impact player at tackle or guard." ( Previous Week's Selections: At a vet CB, DT Poona Ford, TE Gunnar Helm ) Faced with a do-or-die game without Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins showed some grit to give themselves a shot at the playoffs in the final week of the regular season.
Tyler Huntley stepped up in a big way to shred the Cleveland Browns defense. He completed 22-of-26 pass attempts with a touchdown and no interceptions. The defense was even more impressive.
It held the Browns to just 3.6 yards per pass attempt and three points. Miami just needs to beat the New York Jets and hope the Broncos fall to the Chiefs to get the final wild-card spot in the AFC.
Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Increase Malik Washington's role The Dolphins could take a serious look at parting ways with Tyreek Hill in the offseason. The 30-year-old played through ankle and wrist injuries this season, but he's been much less productive and his contract only gets more expensive over the next few seasons. There are not a lot of paths for them to get rid of Hill next season.
The best they could do is trade him after June 1 and they would still only clear $12.8 million. But it's still a good idea to see what they have outside of Hill and giving Malik Washington more targets would be a good way to see that in the final regular-season game.
2025 Free Agency: IOL Ben Bredeson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Dolphins really missed Robert Hunt this year. The former Dolphin left for the Carolina Panthers in free agency and the Dolphins went with Liam Eichenberg at right guard. The former Notre Dame star is ranked 107th of the 128 guards that PFF has graded this season.
After a failed run at center and this year's play at guard, it's clear Miami has to go another direction in 2025. The draft is obiously a preferred option, but they'll also need a veteran to compete for the spot. Bredeson isn't a huge improvement over Eichenberg, but he is an improvement and he's played every snap for the Bucs this season.
He'd be worth a modest contract. 2025 NFL Draft: DT T.J.
Sanders, South Carolina The Dolphins have some talent on the interior of the defensive line, but it's fair to wonder how much longer they will have an impact. Zach Sieler is playing good football, but he's 29 years old and only has two seasons of production like this year. Calais Campbell is 38 years old and has to retire eventually.
The Dolphins can plan for his departure and make up for losing Christian Wilkins last offseason by drafting T.J. Sanders.
At 6'4", 290 pounds, he has good length for a defensive tackle with the basic elements to become a good pass-rusher. He won't be ready to make a huge impact right away, but there's a lot to like about Sanders. ( Previous Week's Selections : Extend Jevon Holland, S Andre Cisco, LB JIhaad Campbell) The Minnesota Vikings are living proof that preseason expectations don't mean much.
Most oddsmakers set their win total at 6.5 coming into the year, and Minnesota secured its 14th victory and an opportunity to play for the No. 1 seed next week.
The club has been arguably the best storyline of the 2024 campaign, and the book isn't finished yet. Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: None The Vikings designated Ivan Pace Jr. to return on Tuesday and are relatively healthy for this time of year.
The team has also been playing well, so there's no need to shake things up ahead of the playoffs. 2025 Free Agency: S Tre'von Moehrig, Las Vegas Raiders Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum are impending free agents, meaning Minnesota will likely be looking to add at least one safety this offseason. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores values versatile defensive backs as he's a creative play-caller who likes to rotate safeties and bring pressure from all levels of the defense.
Moehrig could be a good fit with Flores since the fourth-year pro built a strong track record as a free safety during his first three years in the league and has been playing in the box more this fall. That's unlocked the TCU product as he's logged career highs in passes defended (10), total tackles (92) and tackles for loss (5) while ranking third among safeties with 12 pressures, per Pro Football Focus . 2025 NFL Draft: IOL Jalen Rivers, Miami Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will likely be looking for guard help in the draft as Dalton Risner and Dan Feeney are about to hit free agency and Ed Ingram is only signed through 2025.
So, the Hurricane could be on the general manager's radar as a potential mid-round pick. "Overall, Rivers is a hulking, imposing presence with good play strength, solid athletic ability and refined use of hands to weaponize his considerable wingspan," the Miami product's scouting report says. "If his injury history checks out he will be able to compete for a starting role right away at guard in a downhill run scheme with the ability to play tackle in a pinch.
" ( Previous Week's selections: DL Milton Williams, S Billy Bowman) The best thing you can say about the Patriots' season right now is that it's almost over. The Pats have one more game against a playoff-bound Bills squad (more on that in a second), but that just feels like a formality at this point. There were a few positives.
Cole Strange started at center for the first time. Alex Austin continued to look like he could be a player moving forward and Antonio Gibson looked good running the football. There's a lot of work to be done to build around Drake Maye, and the team can start doing that as soon as the season is over.
Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Lose to the Bills It's never fun losing to a division rival, but the Patriots really don't gain much from beating the Bills in the final week of the season. The truth of the matter is that the Patriots desperately need more blue-chip prospects to support the rebuild around Drake Maye. The Patriots need a blindside protector for Maye.
They could also use more talent in the receiver room and more young building blocks for the defense. Winning in Week 18 is going to make it hard to find all of those things in the draft. The Bills could be resting starters, but this isn't the time to try and make a statement.
2025 Free Agency: WR Marquise Brown, Kansas City Chiefs Putting a better supporting cast around Drake Maye is a non-negotiable this offseason. The Patriots can't just hope that the young receivers on the roster are going to take the next step. They need to add at least one veteran playmaker with proven production, even if they miss out on Tee Higgins.
Marquise Brown is one of the few options who isn't over 30. He isn't a No. 1 option, but he's a solid No.
2 who can stretch defenses vertically. He's just now getting back in action after a shoulder injury cost him most of the season, so he might be forced to sign a team-friendly deal this offseason. 2025 NFL Draft: WR Isaiah Bond, Texas The Patriots have to give Drake Maye more talent to work with.
The receiving corps is incredibly young, but it still feels like it has room for one more dynamic rookie. Both Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker are possession types who can go up and catch contested balls. The one thing they don't necessarily have among their young receivers is a straight-up burner.
That's Isaiah Bond's specialty. It was reported during the season that scouts believe Bond might be faster than former Texas teammate Xavier Worthy. Bond was a big-play machine at Texas and averaged 17 yards per touch with six touchdowns on the season.
Maye has the arm to take advantage of his speed. ( Previous Week's Selections : Finish the tank job, DT Bobby Brown III, EDGE Mike Green) There isn't much to say about the New Orleans Saints at this point in the season. Sunday's two-possession loss to Las Vegas at home might be a new low point for New Orleans, as the club is just going through the motions and finishing out the campaign as a formality.
Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Embrace the tank The Saints are eliminated from the playoffs and about to enter an offseason with a lot of question marks. Staring at a likely rebuild, the roster needs to add as much young talent as possible, and winning a meaningless game to finish the season isn't worth moving up in the draft order. 2025 Free Agency: LB Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs Demario Davis turns 36 years old this summer and will be entering the last year of his contract.
According to Over The Cap , New Orleans can get out of his contract and save $4 million of cap space with a post-June 1 cut, so Davis might be on his way out and the defense could afford to add a young linebacker. Bolton turns 25 in March and will be one of the top backers in free agency with 450 total tackles and 32 TFL in his career heading into this weekend. It will take some financial maneuvering for the club to bring the four-year pro in, but that's been Mickey Loomis' specialty over the last few years.
2025 NFL Draft: EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State Chase Young and Payton Turner are on expiring contracts, while Cam Jordan could be a cap casualty, saving the Saints $11 million with a post-June 1 cut, per OTC . In other words, Loomis could be looking for an edge-rusher early in the draft, and the Penn State product might be the best one in this year's draft class. "Carter is an elite athlete, which gives him a high ceiling as a pass-rusher at the next level," the Nittany Lion's scouting report says.
"His get-off is very impressive as he explodes off the line of scrimmage and can win with speed around the edge when times up the snap. Also, he's shown a decent dip-rip move and the potential to develop a stick move as an inside counter with his movement skills." ( Previous Week's selections: Give Jaylan Ford snaps, WR Elijah Moore, QB Cade Klubnik) The New York Giants had their best performance of the season in a 45-33 win over Indianapolis, but at what cost? New York could have controlled its own destiny for the No.
1 overall pick and ensured it would have its top choice of a quarterback. However, now the club sits fourth overall and behind Tennessee and Cleveland. Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Embrace the tank The Giants got an early Christmas gift last week with the Raiders defeating the Jaguars.
However, as mentioned above, this week's win ruined that to a certain extent. Granted, the organization is still in a decent spot when it comes to drafting a quarterback with a loss next week. At this stage, winning a meaningless game when the team has a massive question mark at the most important position on the field would be a disservice to the franchise's future.
2025 Free Agency: WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans Malik Nabers has shown signs of being a No. 1 receiver in the NFL this season, but New York is scheduled to lose Darius Slayton in the offseason. That will leave the offense with a need for a second option out wide, and the front office will want to give its new quarterback plenty of weapons to throw to.
Westbrook-Ikhine could be a good complement to Nabers as a big-bodied red-zone target who excels in contested targets. The 6'2" and 211-pound wideout entered the weekend tied for fifth with nine touchdowns this season, and he has experience working with a young quarterback, which is an added bonus. 2025 NFL Draft: CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky The Giants spent a mid-round pick on Kentucky's Andru Phillips last draft, and he is currently doing a good job of manning the slot for them.
However, the defense could use someone on the outside. So, why not take a look at Phillips' old running mate and dip back into the Wildcat talent pool again? "Hairston projects as a Day 2 pick with the potential to develop into a high-level contributor in the NFL," the corner's scouting report says. "His combination of length, press coverage skills, and zone awareness makes him an intriguing option for teams that play a lot of zone or press-man coverage.
"However, his inconsistent footwork and tackling ability will need refinement at the next level. With proper development, Hairston could become a solid starting cornerback in the NFL." ( Previous Week's Selections: Play Jaylin Hyatt more, G James Daniels, QB Cade Klubnik) The best takeaway for the Jets on Sunday was that fans only have to endure one more game.
There's not a lot of nice things to say after a 40-14 loss to a division rival. The Bills are obviously at a different stage of team building than the Jets, and it has become clear that significant changes are needed for Gang Green. The biggest question will obviously be what direction the club goes with Aaron Rodgers.
The Jets went with Tyrod Taylor when the club was down 40-0. Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Extend DT Javon Kinlaw Javon Kinlaw is not a perfect player. He leaves a lot to be desired as an interior run defender.
However, he has made some strides as a pass-rusher during his time in New York. Injuries impacted his early career and kept him from living up to his potential as a former first-round pick. However, finding interior pass-rushers on the free agent market isn't easy.
Kinlaw should be kept around as a player who could be a passing-down specialist as the Jets continue to build the defensive front. 2025 Free Agency: S Andre Cisco, Jacksonville Jaguars Safety has been a mainstay on the list of Jets needs throughout the season. It was a weak position on paper and the group hasn't done a lot to change their ranking.
Tony Adams has played well enough to be considered a starting option next season. But the Jets will need to find at least one new starter. Andre Cisco is one of the few young players with starting experience that could be available.
The 24-year-old has 46 starts to his name and eight career interceptions. Given his age, there's still some more developmental potential if he's put in the right situation. 2025 NFL Draft: WR Xavier Restrepo, Miami Assuming the Jets are going to hang on to Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson, the receiver room is going to get expensive quickly.
That could force the Jets to look to the draft to find a contributor for a bargain price. Xavier Restrepo should be available on Day 2 and would make a lot of sense with the current construction of the receiver room. He is an excellent route runner primarily operating out of the slot.
His ability to find open space and sure hands would make him a logical counterpoint to Malachi Corley who is still learning the ins and outs of the position. ( Previous Week's Selections : Nothing, EDGE Patrick Jones II, DT LT Overton) Not even being down to its third-string quarterback could slow the Philadelphia Eagles down, as Tanner McKee tossed the first two touchdown passes of his career in a 41-7 drubbing of the Cowboys. The win also secures the NFC East for Philadelphia as all eyes are on the playoffs moving forward.
Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: None Jalen Hurts and Dallas Goedert should be ready to go for the playoffs, and Bryce Huff has been designated to return from injured reserve. So, the Eagles are getting healthy and don't need to shake things up heading into the postseason. 2025 Free Agency: DL Tershawn Wharton, Kansas City Chiefs With Milton Williams' contract about to expire, Philadelphia might be looking for some interior pass-rush help during free agency.
While Wharton may not be the most recognizable name on the open market, he's having an impressive campaign in 2024. Heading into this weekend, the 26-year-old who turns 27 in June had 5.5 sacks and 29 pressures per Pro Football Focus .
The 2020 undrafted free agent could continue to wreak havoc with Jalen Carter on the interior defensive line. 2025 NFL Draft: WR Matthew Golden, Texas It's been well-documented that the Eagles could use a third wide receiver to play with A.J.
Brown and DeVonta Smith. So, it wouldn't be surprising if the Texas product is on Howie Roseman's radar, especially with his versatility. "Golden makes plays from multiple wide receiver positions, X, slot, and Z," the Longhorn's scouting report says.
"He separates from coverage well with his innate ability to decelerate and accelerate in and out of his breaks. "He sells go-routes on the vertical plane well to push the cornerback upfield creating space for him to break downhill and back towards the quarterback. He modulates speeds, too.
Golden is a crisp route runner who separators well at the top of his route. "He is a quick mover with sharp plants to pivot in the right direction. Golden can suddenly change directions and lose his man coverage defender.
He works the inside leverage well before cutting between the hashes into the middle of the field." ( Previous Week's Selections: Sign OL La'el Collins, WR Keenan Allen, OT Marcus Mbow) The Steelers have had three consecutive opportunities to prove that they are a scary playoff team. They're officially 0-for-3.
They came up well short in a 29-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes had one of the best days of his career, and the offense couldn't get anything going against a Kansas City defense that didn't even have Chris Jones. It's getting harder to believe the Steelers are a team that can win a playoff game this year.
Biggest Weaknesses: Move to Make Now: Get the defense on the same page The whole idea of the Steelers being dangerous in the playoffs hinges on them having an elite defense. That wasn't the case on Wednesday. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense haven't played up to expectations for most of the season, and they looked unstoppable.
Both Patrick Queen and Cam Heyward had pointed comments about the lack of communication and players doing their job. That's not something you really want to hear heading into the final week of the season. There isn't much time to figure things out and be ready for a playoff game in just two weeks.
2025 Free Agency: WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans The Steelers' quest to find another receiver has drawn some big names. The Steelers have found themselves in the middle of the rumor mill for the likes of Brandon Aiyuk, Christian Kirk and Davante Adams. None of those deals have come to fruition, and it could be a more understated answer that actually happens.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine isn't on a lot of radars, but the 27-year-old has quietly put together some good performances in Tennessee. The 6'2", 211-pound receiver has good size and uses it well to track deep balls and come down with contested catches. He has eight touchdown receptions this season and could help the Steelers improve their red-zone offense.
2025 NFL Draft: EDGE Mykel Williams , Georgia Edge-rusher is not an obvious need for the Steelers. T.J.
Watt is obviously one of the best in the league and Alex Highsmith is more than capable as a sidekick. However, teams can never have enough edge-rushers, and Williams is a player who is going to take a few years to find his ceiling anyway. The 6'5", 265-pound defensive end has lined up as a 4i and standup 'backer at Georgia.
It's not out of the question that the Steelers could eventually use packages where he is on the field with Watt and Highsmith. ( Previous Week's Selections : Get healthy, S Julian Blackmon, S Sebastian Castro) Chec.
