
NFL Free Agency Week 1: Who Still Has Holes Across the Roster
After the first week of the 2026 free agency period, The Athletic’s NFL writers re-rank each team’s remaining needs, stressing that roster-building remains a draft-and-sign process. The common themes are upgrading the trenches (OL/DL), adding credible edge rush and interior defense, and bolstering quarterback depth or top playmakers at receiver, with notable gaps at center for the Ravens, left tackle for the Panthers, inside linebacker for the Cowboys, edge help for the Chiefs and 49ers, and skill-position upgrades for teams like the Jets, Commanders, Titans, and Saints.













