Despite San Francisco’s postseason challenges, this season’s 49ers invitational was the NFC. The 49ers finished first in their conference and easily defeated their two toughest opponents, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, during the regular season. However, they found it difficult to overcome the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers in the postseason on their way to the Super Bowl.
Being NFC champions twice is a very tough thing to accomplish—the last time it was done was by the Seattle Seahawks in 2013 and 2014. The Minnesota Vikings in 1973 and 1974 were the last conference champions to repeat as the losing NFC team in the Super Bowl. The 49ers will have to overcome that obstacle in 2024.
The Lions and Packers are right behind the 49ers. The Los Angeles Rams will try to influence the race for the conference crown, and the Cowboys and Eagles should also be contenders. Every time, a surprise team or two appears out of nowhere. Which team—the Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Bucs, or another—will it be?
Here are the things that every NFC team has to work on in order to contend for the conference title as free agency and the upcoming season approach.
If the Cardinals want to be competitive in 2024, they will require a lot of defensive support. In terms of points per play allowed (5.7), run yards allowed (143.2), third-down defense (47.3%), and sacks (33), Arizona ranked 29th in the league.
For defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, Arizona might use a reliable pass rusher to support Jonathan Gannon’s scheme (see Haason Reddick with Eagles in 2022). The Cardinals might also benefit from assistance on the inside of the defense and a complete overhaul of the defensive line. Acquiring a defensive lineman and a proven pass rusher is crucial for Arizona’s offseason.
In addition, the Cardinals require their top wide receiver to be Kyler Murray. Marvin Harrison Jr. of Arizona might be selected if the Cardinals have the No. 4 pick, but there are other options available to them in the free agent market. One issue? There isn’t much depth in the wide receiver free agent class.
The Cardinals will need a lot of defensive support if they hope to compete in 2024. Arizona was ranked 29th in the league in terms of points per play allowed (5.7), run yards allowed (143.2), third-down defense (47.3%), and sacks (33).
Arizona might use a dependable pass rusher to bolster Jonathan Gannon’s scheme under defensive coordinator Nick Rallis (see Haason Reddick with Eagles in 2022). Help inside the defense and a full defensive line makeover might also be beneficial to the Cardinals. For Arizona’s offseason, acquiring a defensive lineman and a proven pass rusher is essential.
The Cardinals also need Kyler Murray to be their best wide receiver. If the Cardinals hold the No. 4 choice, Arizona’s Marvin Harrison Jr. might be chosen, but they also have possibilities in the free agent market. One problem? The wide receiver free agent class isn’t very deep.
The most crucial offseason in three decades starts in Detroit. The Lions are Super Bowl contenders in the NFC, but what can Detroit do to get over the hump? The Lions will have to address a secondary in which C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Emmanuel Moseley are free agents. They also lost some safety depth by releasing Tracy Walker. The Lions were 31st in yards per attempt against (7.8) and 27th in pass touchdowns allowed (28). In addition to revamping the secondary, the Lions could use an interior pass rusher to help out Aidan Hutchinson. Guards Jonah Jackson and Graham Glasgow are also free agents. If the Lions fix their secondary issues, they could be the top team in the NFC heading into 2024. Green Bay Packers Needs: S, OG, C, EDGE, RB, QB Projected cap space: $2,857,641 The Packers were the youngest team since the 1970 merger to win a playoff game, so where do they go from here? Green Bay appears set at the skill positions, even though the Packers will likely lose A.J. Dillon in free agency. Jon Runyan Jr. could also be on the move and David Bakhtiari could be a cap casualty, so a slight revamp of the offensive line could be in order. Green Bay will have to address a defense that was 20th in yards per play (5.4) and 25th in third-down situations (41.1%). The safety position could use a revamp with Rudy Ford and Darnell Savage hitting the open market, with a top-heavy free agent class. The defense has to be revamped with new DC Jeff Hafley, but the Packers will have to get creative in improving the unit. Los Angeles Rams Needs: OT, RB, CB, S, EDGE Projected cap space: $27,699,574 Another team that could use a revamp in the secondary, the Rams could afford to part with Ahkello Witherspoon and John Johnson. Los Angeles could address this in the draft with five picks in the first five rounds (including the first round). The Rams will need to find a tight end with Tyler Higbee’s knee injury and add some more depth at tackle. They also have to decide if Carson Wentz is good enough to be the No. 2 quarterback to Matthew Stafford another season and find a No. 2 running back to Kyren Williams. Good signings to add depth at certain positions could transform the Rams from good to great. Minnesota Vikings Needs: QB, EDGE, CB, DT, RB Projected cap space: $24,658,132 The Vikings are going to have to decide whether they want to retain Kirk Cousins or not. Minnesota doesn’t have a quarterback in the pipeline to start if the Vikings decide to move on from Cousins, yet could get creative with the No. 11 pick and attempt to find a franchise quarterback there (or trade up for the quarterback they want). Cousins is who Justin Jefferson appears to want as his quarterback, and keeping Jefferson happy is paramount as extension talks persist. Perhaps Minnesota keeps Cousins for one year and grooms his successor. The Vikings are going to have to move on from Cousins at some point and rebuild. Perhaps that time is now with all the other three NFC North teams on the rise. Minnesota also needs to find a pass rusher in case Danielle Hunter walks. Even if Hunter comes back, the improved defense under Brian Flores will need more pass-rushing help. The Vikings aren’t far off from a playoff team, but is that the end game? New Orleans Saints Needs: OG, TE, EDGE, DT, S Projected cap space: -$83,683,454 First order of business is for the Saints to get under the salary cap, which will be a hard task this offseason. Derek Carr was fine in Year 1 with the Saints, even if the offense didn’t take the leap it envisioned with Carr at the helm. Perhaps Klint Kubiak can get the most out of Carr. The Saints should use Rashid Shaheed in an expanded role, and dive into the tight end market in free agency if they can. Most of the defense is under contract, but Cameron Jordan is turning 35 in July. The Saints could add an extra pass rusher in the draft to work with Jordan and become his heir apparent. The poor cap management hinders the Saints’ ability to get better. There’s talent on the roster, but not much room for improvement.
Needs: QB, OG, C, CB, DT, EDGE, WR, RB Projected cap space: $19,462,691 The Giants need a lot of work across the board. Daniel Jones still has another year of guaranteed money left on his contract, resulting in a $47.105 million cap hit for next season. New York may be prepared to walk from Saquon Barkley as a result. The top priority for the Giants should be the offensive line, a unit that allowed a league-high 85 sacks (the most by any team since 1986) and a sack allowed per dropback rate of 14.1%. Drastic changes are needed to make that unit competent. New York could also use better veteran pass catchers too, with Darius Slayton the only one worth retaining (Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt have a combined three seasons in the league). For the Giants to contend, they need a competent offensive line. Fix that and go from there. Philadelphia Eagles Needs: RB, EDGE, LB, CB, TE, S Projected cap space: $19,923,513 There are plenty of needs on the Eagles, a team that started 10-1 then proceeded to lose six of seven games and bow out of the wild-card round of the playoffs. Kellen Moore was brought in as the new offensive coordinator to install a new attack while Vic Fangio was brought in to fix up the defense. The Eagles will have to make decisions on James Bradberry and Kevin Byard, part of a pass defense that allowed 35 pass touchdowns (31st in NFL) and a 97.6 rating to opposing quarterbacks (29th in NFL). The secondary and linebacker position will be revamped. Of course the Haason Reddick situation will have to be handled, and the Eagles have to add more depth on the edge regardless. Then there’s the looming Jason Kelce decision at center. D’Andre Swift may not be back either as the Eagles don’t give multiyear contracts to running backs. The Eagles will be changing aplenty this offseason, but they also will be very active. San Francisco 49ers Needs: OT, OG, C, CB, TE, S Projected cap space: -$12,375,835 The 49ers will have to improve the right side of the offensive line this offseason, especially with Brock Purdy still on his rookie deal. The window is open for contention. Trent Williams will also be 36 in July, so San Francisco should have a contingency plan in case his body begins to wear down over the course of a 17-game season. The 49ers will also have to address the Brandon Aiyuk situation and whether they can work out a deal with their best wideout. If they can’t, do the 49ers trade Aiyuk and get draft capital or let the fifth-year option play out? They’ll also have to make a decision on Chase Young and could use more depth at safety. This is still the best roster in the NFC. San Francisco just has to make sure it stays that way. Seattle Seahawks Needs: OG, S, EDGE, LB, DT Projected cap space: -$5,230,353 This is the biggest wild card in the conference with Mike Macdonald as the new head coach and Ryan Grubb as the offensive coordinator. Seattle needs to shore up a defense that has Leonard Williams hitting free agency, as the defensive tackle thrived in his short time with the team. Seattle could improve a secondary that was 23rd in opponent passer rating allowed (92.1). Macdonald likes to get after the quarterback, so good bet the Seahawks add an extra pass rusher with Boye Mafe. They’ll also have to make the call on bringing back Jordyn Brooks and Bobby Wagner. Seattle is a playoff team with some slight improvements. They’re still a competitive group without Pete Carroll coaching. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Needs: OG, C, LB, S, DT, QB Projected cap space: $36,891,102 The Buccaneers offseason hinges on Mike Evans. If Tampa Bay can’t get a deal done with Evans and allow him to test the open market, what does that mean for Baker Mayfield’s future with the team? Would Mayfield return without Evans? Antoine Winfield Jr. is also a free agent, but the Buccaneers could solve the safety problem by either tagging him or signing him to an extension. Lavonte David is also a free agent (he’s 34) and Devin White likely won’t be back, so the Buccaneers may be in for a significant revamp at linebacker. This team could go from contender in the conference to afterthought based on the next few weeks with Evans. He controls all of Tampa Bay’s offseason. Washington Commanders Needs: OG, C, TE, LB, EDGE, QB Projected cap space: $73,649,626 Having the No. 2 overall pick and the most cap space in the NFL is great for Washington. The Commanders need to revamp the entire roster, but can hold off on improving at quarterback until the draft. Offensive line is the upgrade needed, as Washington was 23rd in pressure rate allowed (38.7%) and tied for 30th in sacks allowed (65). Washington needs significant improvements on the interior of the offensive line. The defense was arguably the worst in the NFL. Washington was 32nd in yards allowed (388.9), 31st in yards per play allowed (5.9), 31st in pressure rate (30.0%), 32nd in touchdown passes allowed (39) and 32nd in opponents passer rating allowed (105.7). Safe to say Washington needs help everywhere on defense. Last year was a low point for the Commanders. They need to significantly overhaul the roster.
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