Free-agency watch: One player each NFC team should target

The official start of free agency — one of the more anticipated dates on the NFL calendar — is March 12 at 4 p.m. ET. Teams, however, can begin negotiating on March 10 with unrestricted free agents.

Ahead of these major dates, Yardbarker NFL writers identify one prime free agent from another team that each NFC team should sign. (2024 regular-season records are in parentheses.)

NFC East

DALLAS COWBOYS (7-10) | Philadelphia RG Mekhi Becton | After four disappointing years with the Jets, Becton came to Philadelphia as a backup tackle before a preseason injury to second-year guard Tyler Steen forced him into a starting role at a new position. At 6-foot-7 and 363 pounds, Becton has the size and athleticism to play anywhere on the line and would be an excellent replacement for seven-time All-Pro guard Zack Martin, who announced his retirement in February.

NEW YORK GIANTS (3-14) | Houston WR Stefon Diggs | Diggs had three 1,000-yard seasons and a career-high 1,535 yards receiving in 2020 when Giants head coach Brian Daboll served as Bills offensive coordinator. After suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2024, Diggs should come at a reasonable price. If the team is truly interested in trading for the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, as multiple sources (including ESPN) have reported, a QB such as Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders could hold appeal for the 31-year-old receiver.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (14-3) | L.A. Chargers LB Khalil Mack |Mack had his worst season as a Charger (six sacks and 39 tackles) in 2024, but if Philadelphia loses Josh Sweat and Milton Williams in free agency, the nine-time Pro Bowler could thrive in a rotation with young edge-rushers Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith Jr. next season. At this point in his career, a short-term, "prove-it" style deal with the reigning Super Bowl champions (or the Lions) could be the 34-year-old's best option.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (12-5) | Philadelphia LB Josh Sweat | Sweat, the Eagles’ fourth-round pick in 2018, led the team with eight sacks in the regular season, 2.5 sacks in Super Bowl LIX and is just entering his prime (he turns 28 on March 29). With seven years of NFC East experience, he’d fit perfectly with Washington should the team lose free-agent edge-rushers Clelin Ferrell and/or Dante Fowler Jr. — Bruce Ewing

NFC West

ARIZONA CARDINALS (8-9) | Philadelphia DT Milton Williams | Defensive line is a significant issue for the Cardinals, both in terms of getting to the QB and stuffing the run. Rising star Williams would be an ideal fit in the middle. He has a connection to head coach Jonathan Gannon, who served as Eagles DC from 2021-22. 

LOS ANGELES RAMS (10-7) | New York CB D.J. Reed | The Rams made huge strides in fixing their front seven last offseason, and now they must turn more attention to the secondary. Cornerback has been an Achilles' heel since they traded Jalen Ramsey to Miami in 2023, and while Reed may not be a prototypical No. 1 corner, he would be a big upgrade over what they have behind Ahkello Witherspoon.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-11) | Philadelphia LB Josh Sweat | The 49ers' once-great defensive line depth has taken major hits in recent years. There is nobody opposite Nick Bosa to take pressure off the star. Sweat has been a high-level starter for the Eagles for the past four seasons and would give the defensive line a needed boost. 

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (10-7) | Baltimore RT Patrick Mekari | Offensive line play has been an issue in Seattle for the better part of the past decade. Mekari isn't an elite tackle, but he has the versatility to play both sides of the line and would be an upgrade at either tackle spot. — Adam Gretz

NFC North

CHICAGO BEARS (5-12) | Indianapolis guard Will Fries | The Bears, who are adding O-linemen Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson in trades, must protect Caleb Williams, who was sacked a league-high 68 times in his rookie season. Fries is coming off a season-ending leg injury, but he ranked fourth in the overall Pro Football Focus grade among 125 qualified guards in the five games he played last season.

DETROIT LIONS (15-2) | L.A. Chargers LB Khalil Mack | The Lions had only 37 sacks last season, 7.5 from Aidan Hutchinson before he suffered a season-ending leg injury in Week 6. Mack would be the perfect pass-rushing weapon to complement Hutchinson, and he may be willing to sign a team-friendly deal to play for a Super Bowl contender for the first time in his Hall of Fame career.

GREEN BAY PACKERS (11-6) | N.Y. Giants LB Azeez Ojulari | The Packers love to build their roster with young talent, and Ojulari fits the mold as a soon-to-be 25-year-old in his first free-agency cycle. Ojulari had six sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 22 pressures in 11 games with the Giants last season. 

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (14-3) | N.Y. Jets CB D.J. Reed | The Vikings need cornerback help after ranking 28th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (242) last season. Reed was overshadowed by fellow CB Sauce Gardner in New York, but he’s an excellent cover corner with great ball skills. — Jack Dougherty

NFC South

ATLANTA FALCONS (8-9) | Philadelphia LB Josh Sweat | The pass rush has been one of the league’s worst under general manager Terry Fontenot. Sweat is coming off a monster Super Bowl LIX performance (2.5 sacks) and could help Atlanta generate pressure more frequently.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (5-12) | Safety Justin Simmons | The Panthers have several defensive holes, including the secondary. Simmons and Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero have a history together from their time with the Broncos, making the veteran safety a potentially seamless fit in Carolina’s defense.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-12) | Cincinnati DT B.J. Hill | The Saints must improve the interior of their defensive line. New Orleans allowed an average of 4.9 yards per rush attempt last season, and Hill is one of the better run-stopping defensive tackles in this year’s free-agency class, credited by Pro Football Focus with 25 stops or plays that constitute a failure for the offense, tied for the 12th most among DTs in 2024. 

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (10-7) | Detroit CB Carlton Davis III | The Bucs traded Davis to the Lions last offseason, and their secondary struggled as a result, ranking 29th in the league in passing yards allowed (243.9). Davis’ familiarity with head coach Todd Bowles’ defensive scheme makes him a logical player for Tampa to pursue. —  Eric Smithling