This year’s NFL free agency frenzy was defined by big-ticket players simply returning to their current teams, with only a handful of notable exceptions. Teams were otherwise trying to patch holes using second- and third-tier players, or by using dice rolls on excellent players that have dangerous injury histories, such as Carlton Davis.

No team can fix everything with just free agents, however, especially in the modern free agency landscape. That leaves many teams hoping and praying things fall their way on draft weekend.

Some, however, are in pretty comfortable positions. Be it their spot in the draft, the shape of the class at their position(s) of need or some combination of both, at least a handful of teams should be sleeping easy knowing the stars have aligned this draft season.

We’re going to look at seven teams sitting outside of the top-five picks that are in prime position to solve key roster issues through the draft.

Carolina Panthers: pass rusher

Carolina’s defense needs a total makeover on all three levels. Despite extending Jaycee Horn and paying Tre’von Moehrig in free agency, the secondary needs some pieces; linebacker is still a total mystery; even the now-expensive interior defensive line is more solid than overwhelmingly good.

Edge, though, is where the Panthers should look to upgrade early in this draft. Not only do they need help for 2025, they also have no long-term outlook at the position right now. Jadeveon Clowney, 32, is far and away their best pass rusher at the moment.

Finding an explosive pass rusher at No. 8 won’t be hard. Doubling down on the long-and-strong archetype (like Clowney) is the easiest path forward, and it’s more likely than not that both Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M) and Mykel Williams (Georgia) will be on the board. Though neither player produced that much in college, it’s clear the explanation for why is more about scheme than anything else. Stewart and Williams are both long, strong and explosive, plus both already play the run at a very high level.

The Panthers will have other options, as well. The slimmer, speedier Jalon Walker (Georgia) may be available. Mike Green (Marshall) also fits that billing, though his draft status is complicated by off-field concerns.

Whether they’re looking for speed or power, the Panthers will have choices.

Miami Dolphins: offensive line

The Dolphins needed to add to their offensive line before left tackle Terron Armstead retired. Now, they have no choice but to throw resources at the position group.

There’s no telling what 2024 second-round pick Patrick Paul may be as Armstead’s replacement — or if the Dolphins even want to play him there. Miami also use another guard. It has flirted with replacing Liam Eichenberg for years now, and only brought him back for 2025 on a one-year, $2.23 million deal.

Lucky for general manager Chris Grier, there will be options all across the offensive line at No. 13.

Tackles Will Campbell (LSU) and Armand Membou (Missouri) likely will be off the board, but Josh Simmons (Ohio State) and Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon) should be available, should the Dolphins look for a left tackle. If guard feels like a more pressing issue, they could try Tyler Booker (Alabama), though his mauling play style doesn’t fit Miami’s blazing tempo.

The Dolphins could even go the flexibility route. Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas) is a hulking left tackle by trade but may fit better at guard. Donovan Jackson (Ohio State) primarily played guard in college, but he kicked out to left tackle for a bit when Simmons went down with injury.

Indianapolis Colts: tight end

Good luck finding another team that needs a tight end as much as the Colts.

Despite years and years of mid- and late-round dart throws at the position, the Colts have yet to find an answer. Jack Doyle was the last Colts tight end to crest even 400 yards in a season, and that was back in 2019 — the year Andrew Luck retired in the preseason.

This is the year the Colts stop messing around with Day 3 projects and take a serious swing. It should be anyway. Tyler Warren (Penn State) and Colston Loveland (Michigan) are both considered fantastic prospects, so choosing between the two comes down to style more than anything.

At just over 6-foot-5 and 256 pounds, Warren is a bit thicker and more rugged, especially with the ball in his hands — the sooner he gets rolling, the better. Loveland (nearly 6-foot-6 and a slimmer 248) is more of a traditional ‘Y’ tight end, but he has ample speed for the position and serious route-running chops. In short: Warren is better with the ball; Loveland is better at everything that happens before the ball arrives.

Either prospect would be miles ahead of what the Colts have on the roster right now. Loveland would be the pick at No. 14 if it were up to me, but again, the Colts can’t go wrong here.

Atlanta Falcons: pass rusher

Like their division rivals in Carolina, the Falcons need a pass rusher. They always do. Nobody under the age of 30 can vividly remember the last time the Falcons had a legitimately good pass rush.

Atlanta’s options may be slightly less abundant, seeing as they are picking further down the board (No. 15). Still, it’s totally possible one of Stewart or Williams could be on the board. Stewart’s explosive potential probably makes him more appealing to new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, but either player would be good value in the mid-teens.

A lot of the other likely options at 15 — Green, James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee), Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College) — may be a hair small for a four-down front like Ulbrich’s. The high-octane pass-rushing ceiling those prospects offer might be enough to sway Atlanta anyway.

If the Falcons want to wait a bit, they’ll have some good options in the second round. Landon Jackson (Arkansas) is an explosive 6-foot-6, 264-pounder. Nic Scourton (Texas A&M) was expected to be a first-round pick a year ago when he was at Purdue, before he transferred and added 20 pounds. Both players have the build and flashes of pass-rushing upside to warrant an investment.

Cincinnati Bengals: any defender

It is not an exaggeration to say the Bengals need a new starter at nearly every position on defense.

Trey Hendrickson needs a running mate on the edge, as does Logan Wilson at linebacker. Both safeties are replacement-level starters. A healthy Dax Hill should be a fine answer at nickel, but the outside cornerback spot needs some help. Maybe the interior defensive line is safe in this exercise, but only because the Bengals spent two Day 2 picks there last year — not because it’s a proven unit.

Cincinnati should have some great first-round options at No. 17 in this defense-heavy draft. Ezeiruaku could make sense as a stable pairing opposite Hendrickson. Safety Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina) would be a huge boost of athleticism to the secondary, while fellow safety Malaki Starks (Georgia) could add a little more stability and flexibility.

Cornerback may be a trickier proposition, unless Will Johnson (Michigan) falls or the Bengals are comfortable with Shavon Revel Jr.’s (East Carolina) medicals. There should be some intriguing prospects on Day 2, though, including Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State) and Trey Amos (Ole Miss), long cornerbacks who fit the Bengals’ type.

Linebacker is potentially solvable on Day 2, as well. Carson Schwesinger (UCLA) brings all the speed necessary to play will ‘backer next to Wilson, while Jeffrey Bassa (Oregon) offers a little less agility but plenty of smarts and physicality for a 6-foot-1, 228-pounder.

Nobody would bat an eye if the Bengals drafted defenders with their first three picks.

Seattle Seahawks: interior offensive line

Alright, John Schneider, the entire offseason plan has bubbled towards this moment — the opportunity to fix the middle of the offensive line with draft picks, rather than spending cash in free agency. Let’s see it.

Should Schneider choose to address his interior offensive line at No. 18, he should have a slew of options. Jackson is a solid prospect with some tackle flexibility; Booker is a young, incredibly smart Mack truck of a man. There’s also Grey Zabel (North Dakota State), a small-school left tackle who projects better as either a guard or a center in the league — both of which could make sense for Seattle.

And the Seahawks have an extra pick in each of the second and third rounds of this year’s draft, thanks to the DK Metcalf and Geno Smith trades, respectively. That’s the perfect range for guards such as Marcus Mbow (Purdue) or Tate Ratledge (Georgia).

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: pass rusher

Yes, I realize this is the third NFC South team in this exercise. I also realize this is the third team with pass rusher listed as the position to address. It’s not my fault nobody in the division can rush the passer. Plus, there’s a case to be made that edge is the deepest position group in this draft class, next to offensive line and running back.

Whereas outside linebacker types such as Ezeiruaku and Pearce may not make sense for Carolina or Atlanta, they fit Todd Bowles’ defense. Bowles has an obsession with moving his pass rushers all over the formation and creating mayhem. Sometimes, he’ll even drop them into coverage. That’s where quicker, faster defenders can shine. Pearce is more of a designated pass rusher than an every-down player, in my eyes, but the Bucs might be fine with that given how desperately they need juice off the edge.

Should the Bucs choose to wait a bit and address a different spot at No. 19, don’t be surprised if one of the lighter edge players, such as Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss) or Bradyn Swinson (LSU), pique their interest on Day 2.