There are three ways a team can improve in the off-season: a trade, through free agency or during the draft.
The trade and free agent markets are wide open. We are less than a month from the draft.
The NFL landscape is shifting as I type, with major moves over the past two weeks especially. It’s time to update needs for all 32 teams:
1. Cincinnati Bengals
Biggest needs: QB, OL, LB, S, TE
Note: The Andy Dalton era in Cincinnati is over. It’s essentially a given at this point “Tiger King” Joe Burrow will be selected first overall by the Bengals. Upgrading a poor offensive line with “Joe Exotic” under center has to be the next priority. I should probably stay away from Netflix and read more books if we’re going to shelter in place for an extended period of time.
2. Washington Redskins
Biggest needs: OL, CB, LB, WR, TE
Note: All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams has vowed to never play for Washington again and depth is needed on the interior. After trading Quinton Dunbar to Seattle, the Redskins need an outside cover-man to pair with Fabian Moreau (Kendall Fuller is better suited covering the slot). Free agent addition Ronald Darby will get first shot, but a rookie would be a decent hedge. New head coach Ron Rivera will want to infuse some youth into his linebacker corps (Thomas Davis can’t play forever).
3. Detroit Lions
Biggest needs: CB, Edge, OL, WR, RB
Note: Desmond Trufant is a talented cornerback, but still a downgrade compared to Darius Slay. Someone is needed to pair with Trufant. Detroit’s top three wide receivers (Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola) are set to become free agents next year.
4. N.Y. Giants
Biggest needs: OL, CB, Edge, WR, K
Note: Investments need to be made in Daniel Jones by improving his protection (left tackle Nate Solder has been a disappointment) and dipping into the deep wide receiver talent pool this draft class provides. They overpaid for James Bradberry, and they still need a corner to man the slot.
5. Miami Dolphins
Biggest needs: QB, OL, S, Edge, WR
Note: As entertaining as watching Ryan Fitzpatrick play quarterback is, a long-term solution is obviously needed and the Dolphins have the draft capital to make it happen. The offensive line featured turnstiles who acted as tackles last season. Replacements for Minkah Fitzpatrick and Reshad Jones are needed to fortify the back-end of this defense.
6. L.A. Chargers
Biggest needs: QB, OL, RB, LB, WR
Note: The Chargers are in need of a franchise signal-caller for the first time since 2003. They also need a replacement for Sam Tevi at right tackle and depth for the interior. An influx of speed at wide receiver wouldn’t hurt either.
7. Carolina Panthers
Biggest needs: DL, CB, LB, OL, S
Note: There are voids all over the defensive depth chart, especially in the middle after Luke Kuechly’s retirement. There’s depth issues on the offensive line after trading their best lineman (Trai Turner) to the Chargers.
8. Arizona Cardinals
Biggest needs: OL, Edge, CB, LB, DL
Note: The Cardinals could use an upgrade at right tackle and center. Patrick Peterson’s contract is up after next season and Byron Murphy struggled as a rookie, so cornerback depth is needed. Providing Chandler Jones with a running mate would help diversify the pass rush.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
Biggest needs: CB, Edge, DL, OL, RB
Note: A replacement for Jalen Ramsey is needed (Tre Herndon isn’t it). A talented offensive line has under-performed. Some competition could push the right buttons. The Jaguars franchised sack artist Yannick Ngakoue, but he’s maintained he wants out of Jacksonville. A trade is in the cards. Two first-round picks should help revitalize a once elite defense.
10. Cleveland Browns
Biggest needs: OL, LB, DL, Edge, WR
Note: A left tackle is still needed to pair with Jack Conklin on the right side. Cleveland lost Joe Schobert and released Christian Kirksey so drafting a linebacker would make sense. The Browns feature a talented defensive line, but could use depth to keep stars like Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon fresh.
11. N.Y. Jets
Biggest needs: OL, WR, Edge, CB, RB
Note: More talent is needed. Simple as that. Sam Darnold needs better protection and more weapons. The defensive backfield needs depth and the Jets still need to develop a pass rush.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
Biggest needs: WR, CB, LB, OG, S
Note: Despite signing Nelson Agholor, a No. 1 wide receiver is still absent from this depth chart. The defensive backfield remains a riddle coach Jon Gruden and GM Mike Mayock has yet to solve. The interior of one of the best offensive lines in the NFL requires depth because Father Time beckons.
13. Indianapolis Colts
Biggest needs: WR, Edge, CB, QB, K
Note: The Colts need a receiver to pair with T.Y. Hilton. Edge rusher supreme Justin Houston will be 32 years old and an unrestricted free agent after next season. Philip Rivers only plans on playing a maximum of two more seasons so a long-term solution may be targeted on day two of the draft.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Biggest needs: OL, DB, DL, RB, QB
Note: Protection for Tom Brady is paramount. A pass-catching running back would make the G.O.A.T. feel right at home as well. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is a dynamic safety away from fielding an elite defense.
15. Denver Broncos
Biggest needs: WR, CB, OL, LB, DL
Note: The Broncos need a speedy receiver to pair with Courtland Sutton. Cornerback AJ Bouye is a step-down from Chris Harris and corner was a position of weakness last season.
16. Atlanta Falcons
Biggest needs: DB, Edge, LB, OG, RB
Note: The secondary has to be a priority. It was injury-riddled last season and awful to boot. Todd Gurley isn’t a long-term solution at running back.
17. Dallas Cowboys
Biggest needs: CB, Edge, OL, WR, LB
Note: Replacements for All-Pros Byron Jones, Robert Quinn and Travis Frederick are in order.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Biggest needs: OL, DL, QB, Edge, DB
Note: It’s time to refresh one of NFL’s most stable offensive lines. There’s a hole in the middle of the defensive line after losing Javon Hargrave to Philadelphia. It’s clear there’s not a replacement for Ben Roethlisberger on this roster.
19. Chicago Bears
Biggest needs: DB, OL, LB, WR, TE
Note: The secondary needs to replace Prince Amukamara and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. A once dominant offensive line lost some steam last season and has to deal with Kyle Long’s retirement. Jimmy Graham isn’t a long-term solution at tight end.
20. L.A. Rams
Biggest needs: OL, Edge, LB, DB, RB
Note: The offensive line needs completely overhauled. Edge rusher Leonard Floyd is a long-shot to replace Dante Fowler’s 11.5 sacks from last season. A linebacker who can cover should be a priority after losing Cory Littleton to Las Vegas.
21. Philadelphia Eagles
Biggest needs: WR, LB, S, OL, RB
Note: The Eagles haven’t addressed wide receiver in free agency, which probably means they double-dip in the draft.
22. Buffalo Bills
Biggest needs: Edge, OL, CB, RB, WR
Note: The Bills need some youth in their pass rush (Mario Addison and Jerry Hughes are both approaching their mid-thirties). A pass-catching running back to compliment Devin Singletary would be a nice touch.
23. New England Patriots
Biggest needs: QB, LB, Edge, DL, TE
Note: I’m a big fan of Jarrett Stidham, but there’s no reason to simply anoint him. The linebacker corps needs replenished after the losses of Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy. The tight end position has provided almost zero production since Rob Gronkowski retired.
24. New Orleans Saints
Biggest needs: CB, LB, WR, OL, QB
Note: Is Taysom Hill the heir-apparent to Drew Brees? This Super Bowl contender would be wise to build depth in its secondary and offensive line.
25. Minnesota Vikings
Biggest needs: CB, WR, Edge, OG, S
Note: The defense sprung a leak at cornerback last season and now most of them are gone. There’s no one on the roster to replace Stefon Diggs.
26. Houston Texans
Biggest needs: WR, CB, DL, Edge, OL
Note: Bill O’Brien traded DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona for some magic beans and Willy Wonka’s golden ticket.
27. Seattle Seahawks
Biggest needs: Edge, OL, DL, CB, WR
Note: The defensive line needs upgraded, whether it’s someone to replace Jadeveon Clowney or take advantage of his presence. Quinton Dunbar is a nice addition, but the Seahawks still need a cornerback to man the slot. The offensive line is in a perpetual state of needing upgraded.
28. Baltimore Ravens
Biggest needs: WR, LB, Edge, OG, S
Note: The Ravens likely need multiple receivers in this draft and a replacement for future Hall of Fame guard Marshal Yanda. Loading up on pass rushers wouldn’t hurt either.
29. Tennessee Titans
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, DL, OL, RB
Note: Edge rusher Vic Beasley only signed for one season and the Titans traded All-Pro defensive tackle Jurrell Casey for essentially nothing. The front-seven needs to be revitalized.
30. Green Bay Packers
Biggest needs: WR, DL, LB, OL, TE
Note: Aaron Rodgers needs another playmaker at wide receiver (tight end too). The Packers were helpless against Raheem Mostert and the 49ers ground attack. The addition of some sure tacklers upfront and at linebacker would be prudent.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Biggest needs: WR, CB, OL, DL, LB
Note: A dynamic wide receiver to pair with Deebo Samuels has to be a priority. Upgrading the interior offensive line is a must if Jimmy Garoppolo is going to take the next step. Giving Richard Sherman someone to tutor would be wise.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Biggest needs: CB, LB, RB, Edge, OL
Note: Patrick Mahomes will cover up most of the offensive issues. The champs just need to build up the linebacker corps and secondary depth.