With the NFL Draft taking place in Cleveland, Ohio, later this week; all 32 NFL teams will be looking to add some serious talent to their rosters. With free agency in the rearview mirror, the NFL Draft offers the last significant opportunity to fill holes on teams. With that in mind, here is a look at a major draft need for each of the league’s 32 teams.
AFC
Offensive Tackle
A receiver to upgrade the 32nd-ranked passing attack would be a luxury, but the priority – given the physical way the Ravens like to play and following the recent trade of Orlando Brown – has to be to find a new right tackle.
Edge Rusher
Buffalo need more pass rush. Their leaders in sacks last season were Mario Addison with five and Jerry Hughes with four and a half.
Offensive Tackle
An receiver may be tempting, but there was a reason Joe Burrow got hurt and is recovering from a torn ACL. His line is terrible. Protect the franchise!
Linebacker
The Browns may want more depth and playmakers at cornerback but what their growing defense really lacks is a dominant, every-down linebacker.
Quarterback
Drew Lock ranked 37th in completion percentage among quarterbacks who threw at least 150 passes last season. Denver are very unsure he is their future.
Quarterback
The Texans’ needs are multiple but none greater than signal-caller. Deshaun Watson has a raft of legal issues and even if he clears them, he doesn’t want to play in Houston.
Offensive Tackle
Following the retirement of reliable left tackle Anthony Castonzo, the Colts won’t want to kick off the Carson Wentz era with a hole in good line.
Quarterback
The Jags have not had a franchise QB since Mark Brunell in the late 1990s and have recently swung and missed on the likes of Blaine Gabbert and Blake Bortles.
Cornerback
This would have been offensive line in February, but KC have addressed those needs beautifully. Corner is the obvious choice but another receiver would not be a total shock.
Offensive Line
The line got totally ripped apart during the offseason and it’s not just a one-position need. The Silver and Black need to bolster all along their front.
Cornerback
Casey Hayward is the team’s best corner and he is coming off a down year and entering his 10th season. Some young blood in the secondary would be welcomed.
Wide Receiver
The Dolphins could also use an every-down running back and another tight end. They basically need as many playmaking weapons around Tua Tagovailoa as possible.
Quarterback
The Patriots can add all sorts of offseason talent – as they have in record numbers – but it won’t matter much until they find the long-term replacement for you know who!
Quarterback
There are other areas of need, but the Jets have made their bed by trading Sam Darnold to Carolina. They now need his replacement and a true franchise star.
Running Back
Few teams get away from the run as quickly as the Steelers, but I think a strong running game could fit their mentality well. The league’s worst rushing attack needs help.
Tennessee Titans Edge Rusher
The Titans managed just 19 sacks in 16 regular season games and no defender had more than Harold Landry’s five and a half. That’s a worry in today’s NFL.
NFC
Wide Receiver
Many draft pundits are suggesting cornerback for the Cards, but I think they need a dynamic playmaker opposite DeAndre Hopkins and I’m not sure that’s AJ Green.
Edge Rusher
Atlanta’s pass rush production from the defensive end spot was non-existent in 2020. If they can find a productive edge rusher, that 29th-ranked defense will improve.
Quarterback
This choice may raise eyebrows, but owner David Tepper has insisted priorities one, two and three in Charlotte are to find the franchise QB. They could take one to compete with Darnold.
Quarterback
The Bears moved on from Mitchell Trubisky and made a brave offseason play for Russell Wilson. They have been left with Andy Dalton, so this is a position of need.
Cornerback
Outside of Trevon Diggs, there is not much to get excited about at corner on the NFL’s 28th-ranked scoring defense. The Cowboys miss Byron Jones and need to find a stud.
Wide Receiver
Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones have been replaced by Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams. That’s a downgrade for new quarterback Jared Goff.
Linebacker
What they don’t need is another first-round QB! Corner could be an option but I would love to see a Devin White or Patrick Queen-type linebacker added to this D.
Offensive Tackle
With no first-round pick (again), the Rams will need to be patient and hope they can find the eventual replacement for Andrew Whitworth at tackle.
Edge Rusher
Upgrading a Vikings defense that allowed 475 points in 2020 (3rd-most in team history) is a must. Rushing the passer is so important in Mike Zimmer’s scheme.
Wide Receiver
Depth at receiver beyond Michael Thomas has been an issue for a few years and it reared its ugly head when number 13 suffered a wasted 2020 season.
Edge Rusher
The days when the likes of Lawrence Taylor, Carl Banks, Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora terrorised quarterbacks off the edge seem light years ago.
Wide Receiver
The line gave up 65 sacks a year ago but that can be remedied with good health. The lack of viable options in the passing game is scary for Jalen Hurts.
Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo should finally have gotten the message by now. San Francisco kicked the tyres on Tom Brady last year and have aggressively moved into position for a QB in 2021.
Offensive Line
Russell Wilson – the most sacked QB since he entered the NFL in 2012 – is not happy and has come close to wanting out. Cheer him up with a solid addition to the line.
Defensive Back
The Bucs are complete so can take the best available player. There are very few weaknesses but you can never have enough defensive backs in the NFL.
I love me some Fitzmagic, as is well documented. But a long-term answer at the game’s most vital position is necessary on an offense with growing talent.