We are still ten months from NFL free agency and eleven months until the 2027 NFL Draft, but it's never too early to start planning ahead!
So many things over the course of the next 10-11 months go into which players teams will draft in April, but if we were to look at just the team's upcoming free agents, what would their biggest needs be?
We are going division by division, examining each team's biggest needs in the 2027 NFL Draft, primarily through a free agency lens.
Big decisions upcoming for the NFC North teams
Chicago Bears
D’Andre Swift and Braxton Jones are the big-money free agents for the Chicago Bears in 2027.
Darnell Wright, Gervon Dexter, and Tyrique Stevenson are the extension-eligible candidates from the 2023 draft class. And Wright should be a no-brainer for them to bring back.
With Dexter being a free agent, and the need already along the defensive line, I'm leaning towards the defensive front as the biggest need.
Need: Defensive Tackle/EDGE
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions don't have many veteran free agents in 2027. Larry Borom and Brock Wright are the closest candidates. Useful players, but no one to base a first-round pick on replacing.
The key will be the remaining members of the 2023 class. After extending Jack Campbell, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, and Brian Branch are all waiting their turn.
Gibbs is a lock to be re-signed. You could say tight end with LaPorta needing an extension and Wright being a free agent, but I lean more towards a defensive back.
Branch is coming off a torn Achilles tendon. And the Lions have paid big money to his running-mate Kerby Joseph, who has his own health concerns. So I'd be a little wary about giving Branch a big extension
When you add the context of Terrion Arnold being extension-eligible next year, and DJ Reed's final year of his deal being in 2027, adding some talent in the defensive backfield is the way to go.
Need: Defensive Back
Green Bay Packers
The Packers have a lot of decisions to make next year. Christian Watson, Keisean Nixon, Isaiah McDuffie, and Devonte Wyatt are all on the final year of their deals.
Lukas Van Ness and Tucker Kraft are extension eligible, though Van Ness has had his fifth-year option picked up for 2027. Plus, I expect Kraft to get an extension.
With Rashan Gary being traded this offseason and Van Ness being up in the air, I'm leaning towards edge rusher to give Micah Parsons a running mate.
Need: EDGE
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are maybe at the biggest crossroads of the whole division in 2026-2027. For the next year or two they'll be paying for the "sins" of their previous GM.
Big money free agents in 2027 are Kyler Murray, Andrew Van Ginkle, Brian O’Neill, TJ Hockenson, Blake Cashman, Aaron Jones, Isaiah Rodgers, and Jordan Mason.
Jordan Addison is also extension-eligible, and that’s complicated.
If Caleb Tiernan can become a Brian O’Neill succession plan, Dallas Turner and Jake Golday can be the edges in 2027, and Kyler is worth re-signing, plus maybe a cheap deal for Cashman, we’re looking at a pass-catcher.
Need: Wide Receiver, Tight End
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