Biggest needs of NFL teams with the most salary cap space in 2023 | Celent News, Scores, Highlights, Stats & Rumors

Ravens QB Lamar JacksonAP Photo/Nick Wass

The ideal NFL roster is built through the draft, but every franchise tries to find value in free agency.

With all 32 teams able to target any player, finding cost-effective additions can be tricky. However, some available players are worth the financial risk calculated to meet your specific needs for depth charts.

Organizations can get around the NFL’s salary cap through restructured contracts, trades, or cuts. But as the 2023 offseason approaches, eight teams now have more than $20 million in effective cap space for him, according to Over the Cap.

Here we look at the main needs of each free agency franchise.

Seahawks QB Geno Smith and Giants QB Daniel JonesSteph Chambers/Getty Images

Three franchises have the same question. How much should the current quarterback be paid?

of Baltimore Ravens An extension with Lamar Jackson could not be agreed upon before the 2022 campaign began. He is a special player who deserves to be backed.

The Ravens have $24.1 million in effective cap space, so they’ll need to make some moves to make enough room for Jackson, whether it’s an extension or a franchise/transition tag.

Baltimore’s offseason depends entirely on his situation, and could possibly end with the Ravens trading Jackson. But beyond him, the offense has no threatening wide receivers.

on the other hand, new york giants ($42.8 million) is also short of outstanding top receivers, Seattle Seahawks ($21.6 million) needs to improve its lines of defense. But first, they must settle the respective futures of breakout his quarterbacks Daniel Jones and Geno Smith.

New York’s new coaching staff unleashed Jones’ mobility, but he was still a low-volume, low-upside passer. Smith slipped out of the backup role and posted strong efficiency numbers but struggled against top competitors.

How much is it worth? Should the Giants or Seahawks provide long-term funding for Jones or Smith despite their obvious flaws? Neither team will be in playoff contention if these quarterbacks become free agents. Will it plummet from

How these three teams solve their respective quarterback conundrums determines what other needs can be met in free agency.

Texans WR Brandin CooksCooper Neal/Getty Images

Most of all, the Houston Texans need a quarterback. They have the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, whether it’s Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s CJ Stroud or Kentucky’s Will Levis. more likely to choose a signal-caller with

Houston must first use $27.6 million in available cap space to support future quarterbacks.

Receivers include Brandin Cooks, Nico Collins and John Mecchi III, who missed the 2022 season after being diagnosed with leukemia. If Cooks returns, it could be a viable group, but he has expressed interest in a trade on multiple occasions.

Otherwise, an internal lineman is a major need in the Texans offense. Houston will likely rely on left guard Kenyon Green to get him through a disappointing rookie year, but center and right guard should be open competition.

On defense, Houston only has a few fixed starters. Considering his 13 losses for the team this season, this is not surprising. Nonetheless, edge rushers are a major area to work on, and the Texans desperately need depth on both their internal defensive line and secondary.

Patriots head coach Bill BelichickMichael Owens/Getty Images

When the New England Patriots are actually looking to hire an offensive coordinator (what a wild concept!), they’re definitely focused on improving their receiving corps with an effective cap space of $28.9 million.

Top wideout Jacobi Myers is worth keeping, but he’s heading to free agency. Kendrick Bourne and Devante Parker are both cut candidates, with Parker having no money left guaranteed on his contract.

At this point, Tyquan Thornton is the Patriots’ only contributing receiver, and we can confidently predict he’ll be back next season.

New England should consider adding a new starting offensive tackle if Isiah Wynn leaves in free agency. Unless Pat is used to relying on soon-to-be second-year players Jack Jones and Marcus Jones, cornerback is also a necessary top position.

Bengals QB Joe BurrowRob Kerr/Getty Images

After investing heavily in their offensive line during the 2022 offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals could turn their attention to defense in free agency in 2023 with $33.7 million in effective cap space. .

The Bengals’ reconstructed O-line hasn’t exactly been successful. Cincinnati should consider options to better protect Joe his burrow, especially in tackles, and playmaking tight his end could also help.

But the Bengals, who appear to be building an elite defense, have several key players targeting free agency. Star safety’s Jesse Bates III and Bombell will highlight this group, along with linebacker Jermaine Pratt and starting his corner Eli his Apple.

Knowing that list, Cincinnati may prioritize familiar faces over acquiring free agency from elsewhere. are likely to spend

Falcons QB Desmond RyderRich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Before the Atlanta Falcons make any significant moves this offseason, they need to decide whether to commit to 2022 third-round pick Desmond Ridder as a future quarterback. They have an effective cap space of $51.7 million for him and as expected Marcus could earn another $12 million if he releases Mariota.

The Falcons are probably looking to acquire Lamar Jackson or Derek Carr, sign a strong free agent like Jimmy Garoppolo, or trade up in the draft. Either way, their decisions at quarterback will shape how they attack for the rest of the offseason.

Only the Chicago Bears (20) recorded fewer sacks than the Falcons (21), so those subsequent steps should focus on the defensive line. Edge rushers are a pressing issue, but the interior needs depth.

The Falcons have promising young headlines like wide receiver Drake London and cornerback AJ Terrell, but positions around them are both thin. With free agency left guard Elijah Wilkinson and right tackle Caleb McGarry headed elsewhere, the offensive line could add to the list of offseason priorities.

Bears QB Justin FieldsMichael Reeves/Getty Images

The Chicago Bears finished bottom of the league with a 3-14 record, but there are two main reasons for hope this offseason. Not only is he the #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft in 2023, but he has a league-best $82.6 million effective cap space.

The Bears have the fewest sacks in the league (20), and their offseason priority is defensive line numbers. Their offensive line is thin beyond left tackle Braxton Jones and right guard Teben Jenkins.

Chicago has to pay a lot of attention to beefing up its entrenchments, especially to support Justin Fields and rookie quarterbacks. From there, the goal is to add playmakers.

Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool could be a solid receiving duo, and tight end Cole Kmet is a quality piece. But the Bears don’t have much pass-catching depth beyond that trio.

Chicago can’t fix everything in one offseason, but upgrading their offensive and defensive lines while adding a capable receiver or two would be a good start.

All financial data from Over the Cap.