Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season is underway, and more than half of the league’s teams still maintain solid playoff hopes. According to Alofoke Deportes’ Football Power Index (FPI), seventeen of them have at least a 40% chance of reaching the postseason. The other 15 franchises, including six with two or fewer wins, could already be focusing their efforts on free agency and the draft, where they will address roster deficiencies and make improvements in the offseason. But, where do the weaknesses reside? Our NFL reporters and analysts have been called upon to analyze the biggest offseason needs for all 32 teams, starting with NFL analyst Aaron Schatz, who selected two positions that need improvement for each roster. Then, our NFL Nation reporters named the pending free agents to watch, and draft experts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid found prospects who could fit with each organization. Let’s start with the Cardinals and follow alphabetical order.Arizona Cardinals (3-7) Chance of reaching the playoffs: <1% Projected position in the first round of the draft: No. 10Greatest positional needs: Safety and offensive line. Jalen Thompson will be a free agent, so how much do the Cardinals believe in Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, selected in the fourth round? And the right side of the offensive line could use help, as right tackle Jonah Williams and right guard Will Hernandez will both be free agents. — SchatzPending free agent to watch: Williams. The right tackle has played in 15 of 27 games in his two years with the Cardinals so far, and will miss the rest of the 2025 season due to shoulder surgery. Given his injury history, Arizona is likely to get rid of him. — Josh WeinfussA draft prospect who could help: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah. The Cardinals don’t have a long-term plan at the right tackle position. Fano could come in and become a ready-to-play starter for Arizona’s offense. — ReidAtlanta Falcons (3-7)
Playoff chances: 1%
Projected draft position in the first round: NoneGreatest positional needs: Tight end and defensive line. It’s time for the Falcons to decide what to do with Kyle Pitts Sr. long-term, as his rookie contract comes to an end. Meanwhile, the Falcons are second in DVOA against the pass, but 27th against the run; they are 31st in stopping running backs for a loss or no gain. — SchatzPending free agent to watch: Pitts. He hasn’t lived up to the potential that many thought he had coming out of college, nor has he duplicated his rookie season of 1,000 yards. But he has been solid in 2025, with the sixth-most receptions (47) and the tenth-most receiving yards (434) among tight ends. Will that be enough to justify a franchise tag or an extension? Probably not, as the team has many other needs. Pitts said at training camp that he planned to wait until after the season to sort out his future. — Marc RaimondiA draft prospect who could help: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson. The Falcons invested heavily in Edge in the 2025 draft, selecting Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in the first round, but the center of the defense needs an anchor who can also impact the pocket. Woods is the preeminent defensive tackle in the 2026 class and has three-down capability from a 3-technique alignment. — Miller
Baltimore Ravens (5-5)Playoff chances: 63%
Projected position in the first round of the draft: No. 20Major positional needs: Safety and pass rusher. Alohi Gilman and Ar’Darius Washington (who was originally supposed to be in that position before an injury in the offseason) are free agents in 2026. And although Mike Green was a good addition to the defensive line, the Ravens need more youth there, especially with Kyle Van Noy and David Ojabo reaching free agency. — SchatzPending free agent to watch: Tyler Linderbaum, C. General manager Eric DeCosta said it’s the team’s intention to sign Linderbaum to a long-term contract since he declined his fifth-year option in April. With disappointing play at both guard positions, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens would be in a tough spot if they don’t bring Linderbaum back. They’d likely need to make him the highest-paid center in the league, meaning surpassing Creed Humphrey’s $18 million per season with the Chiefs. — Jamison HensleyA draft prospect who could help: Quincy Rhodes Jr., Edge, Arkansas. At 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, Rhodes fits what the Ravens want at the edge, as he is strong against the run and continues to ascend as a pass rusher. Rhodes has excelled this season, with eight sacks after having only one in his first two college seasons. — ReidBuffalo Bills (7-4)Playoff chances: 81%
Projected position in the first round of the draft: No. 25Major positional needs: Pass rusher and wide receiver. Joey Bosa is on a one-year contract, and AJ Epenesa will also see his contract voided. On offense, general manager Brandon Beane is tired of hearing suggestions that the Bills need a No. 1 receiver, and he will be until the Bills win the Super Bowl or get that game-changer. — SchatzPending free agent to watch: Connor McGovern, C. The Bills have had the same starting offensive line for the past two seasons, but both McGovern and left guard David Edwards are set to hit free agency. McGovern transitioned to center when the team moved on from Mitch Morse. There’s no doubt the Bills would like to keep the line intact, but finances could force a change if they give extensions elsewhere this offseason. — Alaina GetzenbergA draft prospect who could help: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State. The Bills have had difficulty adding a true X receiver in the past for quarterback Josh Allen. Tate has the physical tools at 6 feet 3 inches and 195 pounds to challenge defensive backs and is a technician as a route runner. — MillerCarolina Panthers (6-5) Chance of reaching the playoffs: 22% Projected position in the first round of the draft: No. 14Major positional needs: Interior offensive line and wide receiver. Center Cade Mays will be a free agent, as will reserve linemen Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen. Although Jalen Coker was a great find as an undrafted player, Xavier Legette isn’t living up to his first-round status. Tetairoa McMillan needs help alongside him. — SchatzPending free agent to watch: Rico Dowdle, RB. The Panthers signed him to a one-year contract to back up Chuba Hubbard, who earned a four-year, $33.2 million contract towards the end of last season. But Dowdle has emerged as the lead running back and a valuable asset. Keeping him will be difficult with Hubbard’s contract, so Carolina will have to get creative to prevent Dowdle from hitting free agency. — David NewtonA draft prospect who could help: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State. With Bryce Young showing signs of franchise quarterback play, supporting him is crucial. Tyson has the vertical skills to perfectly complement McMillan and would be an ideal WR2 who can stretch the field and win 50-50 balls. — MillerChicago Bears (7-3)Playoff chances: 58%
Projected position in the first round of the draft: No. 17Major positional needs: Safety and defensive tackle. Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard III, and backup Jonathan Owens will hit free agency. On the line, Grady Jarrett will be 33 next season, while backups Andrew Billings and Chris Williams are free agents. — SchatzPending free agent to watch: Byard. The 32-year-old player leads the NFL with five interceptions and hasn’t missed a game since signing a two-year, $15 million contract before last season. This is the first year Byard has had multiple interceptions since he had four in 2022 with Tennessee. The Bears formed the right safety pairing with Byard and Brisker, and resolving this position will be the first item on general manager Ryan Poles’ to-do list in March. — Courtney CroninA draft prospect who could help: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State. McDonald is an anchor in the middle who can provide a pass rush from the nose tackle to complement his run defense. He could give the Bears a youthful option alongside Jarrett and Gervon Dexter Sr. — Reid
Playoff chances: 7%
Projected draft position in the first round: No. 13, 24Major positional needs: Pass rusher and safety. Didn’t the Cowboys have a very good pass rusher? What was that guy’s name, anyway? Also, Dante Fowler Jr., Jadeveon Clowney, and Sam Williams will be free agents. Safety has been a problem for the Cowboys all season, and Donovan Wilson is a free agent and will be 31 next season. — SchatzPending free agent to watch: George Pickens, WR. He’s done everything and more since being traded to the Cowboys. He has produced on the field, especially during CeeDee Lamb’s absence. He has had a good relationship with quarterback Dak Prescott. Lamb already makes $34 million per year, and while signing Pickens to a deal in that neighborhood isn’t impossible, it could limit options elsewhere. The Cowboys haven’t been afraid to use the franchise tag, which they could do with Pickens. — Todd ArcherA draft prospect that could help: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech. Bailey is the most productive and disruptive pass rusher in the 2026 draft, as his 12.5 sacks lead the FBS. He is relentless and generates the kind of pressure that has been missing in Dallas since the Cowboys traded Micah Parsons. — ReidDenver Broncos (9-2)Playoff chances: 97%
Projected position in the first round of the draft: No. 30Greatest positional needs: Linebacker and tight end. Alex Singleton has played nearly 100% of Denver’s defensive snaps, but will be 33 and a free agent. Justin Strnad will also reach free agency. On offense, Evan Engram will be 32 in 2026, while Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins will be free agents. — SchatzPending free agent to watch: Singleton. Despite undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumor earlier this month, he is scheduled to return in Week 13. Singleton is on pace for his third 100-tackle season in the last four years, but he is also one of seven starters who are unrestricted free agents. In short, the Broncos have many choices to make and limited space under the salary cap given recent deals with Nik Bonitto, Courtland Sutton, and Zach Allen. — Jeff Legwold
