One major move for each NFC team to make

With the big wave of free agency over, teams are now focusing on the NFL Draft, scheduled April 25-27 in Detroit.

Every team has a need or needs to fill. As determined by Yardbarker NFL writers, here is a major move each team in the NFC should make — either in free agency, via a trade or in the draft — before the offseason concludes.

NFC East 

DALLAS COWBOYS | Sign J.K. Dobbins | Because of injuries, Dobbins has played in just 24 of a possible 67 regular-season games with the Ravens, but that’s still more than 3/4 of the career total for current Cowboys running backs. With a projected $2.1M price tag and a clean bill of health, Dobbins and his  5.8 yards-per-carry career average could be a game-changer for Dallas. 

NEW YORK GIANTS | Trade or release WR Darius Slayton | The team must see what Jalin Hyatt and Wan’Dale Robinson can do and can save $6.4M against the cap without Slayton. He has averaged 664.8 yards and 3.8 touchdowns in five years as a Giant and would be an $8M luxury should the team add a wide receiver (Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. or LSU's Malik Nabers) in the draft. 

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | Take care of WR DeVonta Smith | With a $26M cap hit and an out-clause for 2025, No. 1 wideout A.J. Brown may not be in Philadelphia long-term. At the very least, Smith deserves his $15.5M fifth-year option after putting up a franchise-record 3,178 yards receiving over his first three seasons. 

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | Add an offensive lineman | With Austin Ekeler in the backfield and a rookie quarterback presumably on the way, Washington needs new blood for an offensive line that allowed the second-most sacks (65) in the NFL last season. The draft is always an option here, but a three-time Pro Bowler such as Andrus Peat, a free agent, would be a great fit. — Bruce Ewing

NFC West 

ARIZONA CARDINALS | Trade back from No. 4 | Given how many quarterback-needy teams might be looking to move into the top five in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Cardinals should take advantage. Arizona’s biggest need is at wide receiver, but given how deep the class is, it could probably move back five or 10 spots and still come away with an elite player at the position while also still having the No. 27 pick (via Houston) and collecting a bounty of picks for moving back. 

LOS ANGELES RAMS | Sign CB Stephon Gilmore | The Rams had one of the NFL’s worst secondaries last season and have already tried to address it with the signing of free-agent CB Darious Williams. Gilmore, a free agent who played with Dallas in 2023, would be a significant upgrade over their current in-house options. He has at least two interceptions in each of the past three seasons and six picks for New England in 2019.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | Make a decision on WR Brandon Aiyuk | Whether it's trading him or re-signing him, the 49ers must have clarity on Aiyuk as they approach the draft. Dealing him could add to a deep collection of draft picks and open the door for them to pick from a deep prospect pool in the 2024 WR class. 

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | Sign safety Julian Blackmon | After jettisoning Jamal Adams, largely a failure in Seattle, the Seahawks have a huge need at safety. Blackmon remains unsigned and is coming off an outstanding season with the Indianapolis Colts in which he had four interceptions. He'd provide the type of big-play impact the Seahawks crave on defense. — Adam Gretz

NFC North 

CHICAGO BEARS | Sign DE Jadeveon Clowney | Coming off a 9.5-sack season with the Ravens, Clowney would be an excellent stopgap option to play opposite Montez Sweat even if the Bears select an edge-rusher with the second of their two top-10 picks. Meanwhile, the projected cost would be lower ($7.5 million) than what Chicago paid edge-rusher Yannick Ngakoue ($10.5 million), who had only four sacks in 13 games last season. 

DETROIT LIONS | Add veteran WR depth | The Lions have a solid wideout corps, but after standout Amon-Ra St. Brown, there isn't much depth beyond sure-handed veteran Kalif Raymond and talented but inconsistent Jameson Williams. Selecting a receiver in this year's draft makes sense, but Detroit should also consider re-signing Josh Reynolds or adding another experienced pass-catcher in free agency to beef up the position.

GREEN BAY PACKERS | Sign safety Justin Simmons | Despite signing Xavier McKinney, arguably the best safety available on the open market, the Packers still need a safety following the departures of free agents Jonathan Owens and Darnell Savage. Green Bay should solidify the position further by adding a two-time Pro Bowler in Simmons, who might have more of a short-term impact than a rookie. 

MINNESOTA VIKINGS | Sign CB Xavien Howard | Aside from Byron Murphy and free-agent signee Shaquill Griffin, the Vikings could use an experienced difference-maker such as former All-Pro Howard, who is still playing at a high level at 30. Furthermore, the former Dolphin has already played under DC Brian Flores, whom he recently raved about for his coaching style. — Mike Santa Barbara

NFC South 

ATLANTA FALCONS: Trade second-round pick (No. 43 overall) for Eagles EDGE Haason Reddick | Expected to be traded by the Eagles, Reddick would fill a valuable role for the Falcons. He has 50.5 sacks over the past four seasons and is worth the price of a top-50 pick.

CAROLINA PANTHERS: Sign guard Matt Feiler | After spending the 2023 season in Tampa Bay with new Panthers HC Dave Canales, the former Bucs offensive coordinator, Feiler could follow him to Carolina. The Panthers have shored up their offensive line with the additions of Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, but Feiler could provide valuable depth. 

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Make a deal with the Patriots | The Saints recently scheduled a visit with Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman, but he’d be a reach in the first round at No. 14 and likely off the board by the time New Orleans selects in the second round. So Atlanta should trade a 2024 second-round pick (No. 45 overall) and 2024 fifth-round pick (No. 175 overall) to the Patriots for 2024 second-round pick (No. 34 overall) and a 2024 seventh-round pick (No. 231 overall). By trading up with the Patriots, the Saints could be better positioned to draft a player they covet. 

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Sign guard Andrus Peat | The Bucs hired former Saints assistant offensive line coach Kevin Carberry this offseason as their offensive line coach, so Peat — who played nine seasons in New Orleans — wouldn’t need to learn a different system. Per ESPN, Peat ranked third among offensive tackles in run-block win rate last season, making him an asset for Tampa Bay, which ranked last in rushing the past two seasons. — Eric Smithling