NFL 2022: Every NFC team’s biggest need and free agent fix
8. New Orleans Saints: Free Safety
This was a football team that got off to a solid 5-2 start this past year. Then veteran Jameis Winston went down with a season-ending knee injury and the club embarked on a five-game losing streak.
Despite winning four of their last five games, the Saints missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen replaces Sean Payton as the team’s head coach. And this squad could have some big holes in the secondary.
Sign: S Tyrann Mathieu (Kansas City Chiefs)
7. Philadelphia Eagles: Defensive Line
Nick Sirianni’s first season as the Eagles’ head coach saw the club get off to a rough start but then rebound and wind up in the playoffs. There’s been a lot of discussion about quarterback Jalen Hurts and whether he is the man to get the job done. But he was a big part of the league’s top-ranked running game in 2021.
General manager Howie Roseman could have some work to do when it comes to the defensive line and adding a veteran would help.
Sign: DE Akiem Hicks (Chicago Bears)
6. San Francisco 49ers: Secondary
It’s been an interesting stint for Kyle Shanahan in the Bay Area. Since taking over the team in 2017, the Niners have had three losing campaigns. But the team reached the Super Bowl in 2019 and the NFC title game this past year.
As of this writing, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was still a member of the team with young Trey Lance waiting in the wings. The San Francisco defense was solid but coordinator DeMeco Ryan’s secondary could use a playmaker.
Sign: S Marcus Williams (New Orleans Saints)
5. Arizona Cardinals: Pass Rusher
Free agency isn’t the place to find how a team can avoid another late-season slump. But that’s been the case for Kliff Kingsbury’s club the last two years after solid starts. The Cardinals were the last team to lose a game in 2021.
But a 7-0 start wasn’t good enough to win the NFC West. Arizona was pushed around in the playoffs by the rival Rams. The Cards could lose veteran Chandler Jones to free agency but could offset that departure in a big way.