The 2027 NFL Draft is still 10 months away, but that doesn't mean we can't start planning!
"Team needs" aren't always defined by the comings and goings from a team's roster. They can be informed by the development of their own players, changing of schemes, and the strengths of the prospects coming out that year.
But if needs were based just on the upcoming free agents, what would that look like? Here's what the needs would be for each AFC East team in the 2027 NFL Draft based on upcoming free agents.
The biggest 2027 NFL Draft needs in the NFC South based on upcoming free agents
For the purposes of this post, upcoming free agents refer to veterans coming off of contracts making about $5 million or more per year, or players from the 2022 or 2023 draft classes coming off of their rookie deals.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills don't have any big-money veteran free agents, but their top three players from the 2023 draft class are all worth considering here.
Dalton Kincaid has his fifth-year option picked up for 2027, but has not gotten a deal done beyond that. O'Cyrus Torrence and Dorian Williams are both without extensions as well, and are in the last year of their deals.
After letting David Edwards walk, I figure Torrence will get a new deal. And with one more year on the deal for Kincaid, plus having Dawson Knox under contract, that leaves linebacker as the biggest need.
Need: Linebacker
Miami Dolphins
Big money free agents are Jordyn Brooks and Austin Jackson. Obviously, there’s a chance this team is in the quarterback market, but let's assume Willis does just enough to stick around.
With Devon Achane's extension, there is no one else from the 2022 or 2023 draft classes to consider.
Miami needs a ton of help at wide receiver, but if we're going strictly off of free agents, let's assume they re-sign Brooks and let Jackson go. Then this new regime can go offensive line early in back-to-back drafts.
Need: Offensive Tackle
New England Patriots
Big-money free agents are Mike Onwenu, Hunter Henry, Kevin Byard, and Christian Ellis.
Christian Gonzalez should get a contract extension from the 2023 class, and with the additions of A.J. Browns and Romeo Doubs this offseason, Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas may not be in New England's long-term plans.
The Patriots just drafted Caleb Lomu in the 2026 draft, but I think that's more of a succession plan at right tackle for Morgan Moses than guard for Onwenu.
With the drafting of Eli Raridon this year, the focus on mid-round safeties in each of the past two drafts, and the lack of history of Mike Vrabel drafting and playing young linebackers, I'm going to go back to the offensive line here.
Need: Offensive Guard
New York Jets
David Onyemata, Kingsley Enagbare, and Harrison Phillips are the big-money free agents for the Jets. And with the extension of Joe Tippman, Will McDonald is the only key player in need of a deal off of his rookie contract.
This team needs a quarterback, but they have three first-round picks in 2027.
With all of those names from the defensive front, an edge rusher or defensive tackle is the way to go with the second of their three picks.
With their third pick, I'm going to consider a cornerback. After looking a little deeper at their contracts, Brandon Stephens is easily released after this year. And at 30 years old in 2027, I can't imagine him taking up $14 million of the cap. And Nashon Wright, a cheaper free agent signing this spring, is also up for free agency. So the year after trading Sauce Gardner, both outside corners could be gone for the Jets after this season.
Need: Quarterback, Defensive Line, Cornerback
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