It’s not a coincidence that the teams holding the top three picks in the 2025 NFL draft are in need of a franchise quarterback. Not having that position filled has given the GMs of the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants plenty of work to do this offseason.
As for another down side, many draft experts have labeled this draft class to be a down year for quarterback prospects, making it more critical for the Titans, Browns and Giants to be right about their free-agent signings and draft picks.
But there are two teams with franchise quarterbacks that also have plenty of work to do to field winning rosters. One has an unbalanced roster and the other just said goodbye to several key starters.
Let’s take a look at the five teams that have the most work to do on their roster after free agency and heading into the draft.
5. San Francisco 49ers
Adding the 49ers to this list wouldn’t have even crossed my mind six months ago. And maybe they shouldn’t be on here even after the mass exodus of players, because they still have plenty of talent offensively, but it’s difficult to ignore the concerns on the offensive line, and Nick Bosa and Fred Warner appear lonely on the defensive side.
The 49ers were right to give themselves extra work this offseason because it was time for them to look in the mirror and admit that their Super Bowl window had closed. They needed to retool the roster to get younger and repair the salary cap, especially with the looming contract dilemma with Brock Purdy. But with Purdy, Bosa, Warner and a talented group of skill players, the 49ers are one impactful draft class away from returning to the postseason after only winning six games in 2024.
San Francisco needs to find a productive No. 2 edge rusher in addition to Bosa, and it wouldn’t hurt to add help for Warner after Dre Greenlaw left to join the Denver Broncos. But perhaps their biggest holes are on the interior offensive line—guard Aaron Banks left to join the Green Bay Packers. This team won’t get far if they can’t protect Purdy and provide lanes for Christian McCaffrey.
