|
There was a whirlwind of activity during NFL free agency last month, as hundreds of players have switched teams since the new league year began on March 13. But as seasoned NFL observers know, team building is far from over. The NFL draft is fast approaching -- it will take place April 25-27 in Detroit and be broadcast on ESPN, ABC and the ESPN app -- and teams can address remaining roster holes there. As front offices firm up their draft boards in preparation, we asked our NFL Nation reporters to identify the three most glaring positional needs for all 32 franchises entering the draft, ordered from biggest to smallest. Then we had NFL draft analysts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid name a prospect who could fill one of those needs outside of Round 1. Let's get started with the Bills, who need an influx of young talent after facing salary cap issues heading into this offseason. Jump to a team:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH  AFC EAST Buffalo BillsTop three needs: WR, S, DE. The Bills addressed most of their needs in some capacity early in free agency, but those moves don't mean the Bills' biggest draft needs have changed much. Adding to the wide receiver room to replace Gabe Davis, who signed with the Jaguars, is key for the offense -- even after signing Curtis Samuel. General manager Brandon Beane described Samuel as a versatile player who can "play outside, inside, backfield." Getting an infusion of young talent at safety and defensive end will be important for the future, as well. -- Alaina Getzenberg Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Austin Booker, DE, Kansas. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder has a devastating first step to his pass-rush moves and could learn from one of the best ever in Von Miller with the Bills. -- Miller
 Miami Dolphins
Top three needs: DT, G, WR. Defensive tackle is arguably the Dolphins' biggest need after the first few weeks of free agency. They signed several players at a bargain after losing Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis, but it remains to be seen whether any of them project into the team's long-term plans. Not far behind is offensive guard, where Miami re-signed Isaiah Wynn but still has a hole on the right side after Robert Hunt's departure. Finally, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle remain one of the best wide receiver tandems in the NFL, but with limited depth, the Dolphins will be in a bind if either misses time. So while receiver may not be the biggest priority in the draft, it should be addressed by the time training camp begins. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Christian Haynes, G, UConn. With only one Day 2 pick, Miami can address the Hunt loss with Haynes, who has allowed five pressures and zero sacks over the past two seasons. And Haynes is capable of playing any interior spot. -- Reid
 New England PatriotsTop three needs: QB, OT, WR. First-year coach Jerod Mayo has been straight-forward in saying, "Obviously, quarterback is the priority." At the same time, Mayo left himself an out with the No. 3 pick, noting that a trade down is possible if a team offers the Patriots an attractive package of multiple first-round picks -- a scenario that would allow the team to also fill other needs like LT and WR. "Those three positions, I would say this draft has quite a few guys that can fill those roles," Mayo said. -- Mike Reiss Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU. With no clear-cut starting left tackle on the depth chart, the Patriots can land the highly aggressive and agile Suamataia, who really stood out in his first season at the position for the Cougars. -- Miller
 New York JetsTop three needs: OT, WR, S. The Jets addressed their short-term tackle needs by acquiring Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, but both are 33 and will be free agents in 2025. Smith also has a history of injuries. So it behooves the Jets to add a tackle, someone who can come in as a backup and eventually take over as a starter. It's a similar situation at wide receiver. Newly signed Mike Williams provides immediate help on a one-year contract but is coming off an ACL injury and will turn 30 during this coming season. The Jets have some young receivers in the pipeline but could use some size to complement Garrett Wilson. Chuck Clark, who missed last season (ACL), is the stop-gap starter at strong safety, but they'd like to supplement the position with a young, rangy player who can grow into a full-time role. -- Rich Cimini Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston. Paul has the upside to eventually become a starter but needs time to become stronger. He allowed only two sacks over the past two seasons. -- Reid  AFC NORTH Baltimore RavensTop three needs: OL, OLB, CB. The Ravens need to replace three starters on the offensive line. Pro Bowl right guard Kevin Zeitler signed with the Lions, left guard John Simpson went to the Jets and right tackle Morgan Moses got traded to the Jets. This is a massive void because that trio accounted for 2,938 snaps last season. "Fortunately, this is a deep draft class, as well, so we'll have a lot of different options in different rounds [and] players that we like at the offensive line position," Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said. On defense, the top priority is outside linebacker. The Ravens lost Jadeveon Clowney in free agency and have yet to re-sign Kyle Van Noy. That duo combined for 18.5 sacks. -- Jamison Hensley Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon. The Ravens historically love tall corners, and Jackson has a 6-foot-4 frame with excellent length, timing and physicality to bully wide receivers. -- Miller
 Cincinnati BengalsTop three needs: OT, DT, WR. It has been 15 years since the Bengals have been able to draft and develop an offensive tackle to their liking. Andre Smith, the sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft, is the last notable tackle to receive a second contract with the Bengals. With Trent Brown, who turns 31 in April, joining the team on a one-year deal, the Bengals are yet again looking for a long-term option at the position. Interior depth at defensive tackle and a wide receiver who can be a quality starter either on the outside or in the slot will also be major draft needs. -- Ben Baby Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State. With great first-step quickness, he would be an immediate answer at 3-technique. Hall's 2.5-second average time to getting first pressure was the eighth-quickest mark in the FBS last season. -- Reid
 Cleveland BrownsTop three needs: WR, RB, DT. The Browns still need to get younger and more dynamic at the offensive skill positions. Wide receiver Amari Cooper will turn 30 this summer and is entering the final year of his contract. Running back Nick Chubb is coming off a pair of knee surgeries that could prevent him from being ready for the start of the season; his contract also expires after this season. The Browns took a swing on wideout Jerry Jeudy, a 24-year-old former first-round pick. But they probably need to take another pass-catcher in the draft. -- Jake Trotter Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee. My No. 2 back in the draft, Wright has speed around the corner and excellent vision in space. He posted 1,013 yards on the ground with four touchdowns in 2023. -- Miller
 Pittsburgh SteelersTop three needs: C, OT, WR. The Steelers addressed most of their needs in the early waves of free agency with the exception of center and offensive tackle. They released Chukwuma Okorafor and Mason Cole, leaving the team without a swing tackle and starting center. And 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones projects as a left tackle (but played right last season), and four-year starter Dan Moore Jr. has been vocal about preferring the left side. The Steelers could target a right tackle early in the draft, moving Jones to the left side and Moore to a swing spot, but they also need to address center. And after trading Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh needs a steady No. 2 receiver behind George Pickens, and coach Mike Tomlin said Pittsburgh might wait until Day 2 on that. -- Brooke Pryor Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Sedrick Van Pran, C, Georgia. With two picks in the third round, Pittsburgh could target Van Pran as its new starter up the middle. He finished his Georgia career with 45 consecutive starts and could start on Day 1 for the Steelers. -- Reid AFC SOUTH Houston TexansTop three needs: CB, DT, WR. The Texans signed two former top-10 picks from the 2020 draft, Jeff Okudah and CJ Henderson, at cornerback. Both are talented, but neither developed into what their draft billing suggested, so the Texans could use more corner help. At defensive tackle, the Texans lost both starters from last season. Sheldon Rankins signed with the Bengals, and the Maliek Collins trade to the 49ers was originally supposed to involve Arik Armstead, but that aspect of the deal fell apart. They signed Denico Autry, who posted 11.5 sacks in 2023, but have unproven guys behind him. Lastly, the Texans tried to acquire Keenan Allen from the Chargers, which shows that they're looking for more receivers. -- DJ Bien-Aime Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Maason Smith, DT, LSU. Smith is flying up boards thanks to his combine and pro day workouts, and he would be a perfect instant-impact 3-technique for the Texans. -- Miller
 Indianapolis ColtsTop three needs: CB, S, WR. The Colts finished last season with one of the youngest secondaries in the league, and it showed. In the final four weeks, the Colts' defense ranked 30th in opposing QB completion percentage (68.9%). Coverage busts at safety also contributed to the team's season-ending loss to the Texans, which eliminated Indianapolis from the playoffs. The status of free agent safety Julian Blackmon is also a factor here, as he was a key starter for four seasons but has not yet been re-signed. At receiver, the Colts have a solid foundation with Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and Alec Pierce. Ashton Dulin also returns from injury. But a young game-breaker could push this group into a higher tier. -- Stephen Holder Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State. The versatility of Hicks would allow the back end in Indianapolis to be completely interchangeable. He's a consistent wrap-up and finish tackler, and he is savvy in coverage. -- Reid
 Jacksonville JaguarsTop three needs: CB, WR, DL. Tyson Campbell, who is in the final year of his rookie contract (and needs to prove he deserves an extension after a down year), and veteran journeyman Ronald Darby are the top two corners, and Doug Pederson said that recently signed safety Darnell Savage will be the nickel. That's not enough in the QB-loaded AFC. Adding Gabe Davis somewhat helps offset the loss of Calvin Ridley at wide receiver, but there isn't a young receiver on the roster who can grow with Trevor Lawrence and become a No. 1. Signing DT Arik Armstead was a big boost to the interior of the defensive line, but the Jaguars need another tackle and an edge rusher to play behind Josh Allen and Travon Walker, too. -- Michael DiRocco Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Max Melton, CB, Rutgers. He is one of my sleeper corners in this class thanks to his 4.39 speed at 5-foot-11 and 187 pounds. He was a four-year starter at Rutgers and excels in press coverage. -- Miller
 Tennessee TitansTop three needs: OT, DL, LB. Adding free agent center Lloyd Cushenberry is a great start, but the Titans don't have a proven option at left tackle, and right tackle remains a question mark. Although it's not completely on the offensive line, Titans quarterbacks were sacked 64 times last season, tied for fourth most in the league. The Titans also need help in the trenches on defense after losing Denico Autry to the Texans. Finding the next player who will make offenses pay for double-teaming Jeffery Simmons is critical. The Texans also poached inside linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, forcing Tennessee to find a new player who will relay defensive plays from the sideline. -- Turron Davenport Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Adisa Isaac, DE, Penn State. He is a disruptive pass-rusher who had a 16.8% defensive pressure rate last season (seventh best in the FBS), and he'd help with the edge rush on the defensive line. -- Reid AFC WEST Denver BroncosTop three needs: QB, CB, EDGE. No surprise, the Broncos need a quarterback. They have the No. 12 pick in the first round and no second-round pick, so they will need some good fortune and the board to fall their way. If they don't come away with a rookie passer who can push Jarrett Stidham for the starting job, they will be back in the thin veteran marketplace after sitting out the opening wave of free agency there. The Broncos also need help at cornerback and could use additional pop in the pass rush. -- Jeff Legwold Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina. Looking at options outside the first round, Rattler in Round 3 is the best fit for the Broncos. A strong-armed and mobile quarterback who can carve up defenses when protected, Rattler is a playmaker with the tools to develop into a starter. -- Miller
 Kansas City ChiefsTop three needs: WR, OT, RB. Last season's starting left tackle, Donovan Smith, is a free agent. The Chiefs have Wanya Morris, a third-round pick last season, as the obvious in-house candidate to replace him, but is Morris ready? And do the Chiefs trust him with such a role? Elsewhere on offense, the Chiefs have holes to fill at wide receiver even after signing Marquise Brown. And Isiah Pacheco returns at running back, but both of last year's backups -- Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon -- are free agents. -- Adam Teicher Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Javon Baker, WR, UCF. Baker is an electric pass-catcher who has experience in the slot and on the perimeter. He averaged 21.9 yards per catch last season (second-most in the FBS). -- Reid
 Las Vegas RaidersTop three needs: QB, OT, CB. Even with Aidan O'Connell returning and the Raiders signing Gardner Minshew, new coach Antonio Pierce has not been shy in his desire for a young franchise QB. But with the Raiders slated to pick at No. 13, they would have to pull off a hefty trade to get into position to draft, say, LSU's Jayden Daniels, who has been heavily linked to Pierce thanks to their time together at Arizona State. Las Vegas also lost starting right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor in free agency and still has a hole at right guard with last year's starter, Greg Van Roten, unsigned. And while Jack Jones was a revelation at one corner position last season after being picked up off waivers, selecting a lockdown defender on the other side would be key. -- Paul Gutierrez Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington. A two-year starter at right tackle for the Huskies, Rosengarten could be an immediate starter at right tackle after not allowing a single sack in his past 1,158 passing downs. -- Miller
 Los Angeles ChargersTop three needs: WR, CB, DT. After trading Keenan Allen and releasing Mike Williams, the Chargers have one of the worst receiving corps in the NFL on paper. Their current top receivers are Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis, all unproven young players who were inconsistent last season. The Chargers' pass defense also struggled last season. They allowed 249.8 yards passing per game, which ranked 29th in the NFL and was their worst ranking since 2013. As for the Chargers' interior line, they released captain Sebastian Joseph-Day last season and lost Austin Johnson in free agency, so they will need to add depth at this spot. -- Kris Rhim Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson. Orhorhoro is scheme-versatile and has NFL-ready hand strength and power against the run. He dazzled at the combine, finishing in the top five at his position in the 40-yard dash (4.89 seconds), vertical jump (32 inches), broad jump (9-foot-8) and bench press (29 reps). -- Reid NFC EAST Dallas CowboysTop three needs: OL, RB, LB. The Cowboys lost left tackle Tyron Smith and center Tyler Biadasz in free agency and could use ready-made starters at either position. Same goes at running back with Tony Pollard leaving for Tennessee, meaning the Cowboys' leading returning rusher is Rico Dowdle, who had 361 yards in 2023. Linebacker was the final need listed over defensive tackle, even though the Cowboys added Eric Kendricks in free agency. DeMarvion Overshown is coming off a torn ACL, and while there are positive reports of his recovery, he has yet to play a down in an NFL game. The Cowboys can look to remaining free agency to find a defensive tackle rather than spending a premium pick on that spot for a second straight year. -- Todd Archer Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas. The Cowboys' lack of a starting-caliber running back on the roster means whomever they draft has to be ready to carry the load. Brooks can do that, despite coming off a November ACL injury. Brooks has power and vision, and he is the best pass-protecting back in the class. He posted 1,139 yards last season. -- Miller
 New York GiantsTop three needs: WR, QB, CB. The offensive line not making this list speaks to how many holes the Giants still have on their roster. But they still desperately need a future franchise quarterback (due to Daniel Jones' injury history) and a No. 1 wide receiver. A veteran starting cornerback is likely necessary as well, with Adoree' Jackson unsigned. It's clear the Giants are looking at quarterbacks with the No. 6 pick in the draft. Owner John Mara said he would "certainly support" taking a quarterback if the team fell in love with one throughout the process. If not, it sets up well for the Giants to land a true No. 1 wide receiver. -- Jordan Raanan Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky. Corley could immediately become a dynamic threat for New York. He finished last season with 984 receiving yards, and 692 of those came after the catch. -- Reid
 Philadelphia EaglesTop three needs: CB, OT, LB. The Eagles have to decide whether to bring back veteran corner James Bradberry, who had a rough 2023. Either way, they need a youth infusion. Darius Slay is 33, Bradberry is 30, and the secondary moved a beat too slow last season. The Eagles need offensive line depth and have to start putting a succession plan in place for stalwart right tackle Lane Johnson. Ideally, they'd find someone who can compete for the vacant right guard spot for this season and kick outside once Johnson retires -- OT feels like a decent bet for Philly's first-round pick. Linebacker was a mess last season, and while the additions of Devin White and Oren Burks provide some hope, they need to continue to invest in the position -- something they've been reluctant to do recently. -- Tim McManus Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Michael Barrett, LB, Michigan. Barrett would infuse some run-and-chase ability into the unit with his range and agility. The 6-foot, 239-pound senior had three sacks, three forced fumbles and 39 tackles last season. -- Miller
 Washington CommandersTop three needs: QB, OT, CB. With the No. 2 pick in the draft, Washington has a chance to find its franchise quarterback -- whether it's Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye -- especially after trading Sam Howell, last year's starter. Since Kirk Cousins left after the 2017 season, Washington is 30th in Total QBR. Meanwhile, the Commanders have no starting left tackle after releasing Charles Leno Jr., so they will have to draft one. Luckily, it's a good draft at the position. Finally, new coach Dan Quinn wants to employ a blitzing, aggressive defense that features man coverage, but Washington lacks a true No. 1 corner. Last year's first-round pick, Emmanuel Forbes, struggled and a new staff can't assume he'll improve. -- John Keim Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Christian Jones, OT, Texas. With 61 career games played (48 starts), Jones is an experienced prospect with great strength and technique. With three third-round picks, Jones makes a lot of sense for Washington. -- Reid NFC NORTH Chicago BearsTop three needs: WR, EDGE, OT. After the Bears take a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick, finding players who can "affect" or "help" that quarterback is the top priority for coach Matt Eberflus. At the combine, Eberflus noted how the wide receiver room lacked depth, which could lead Chicago to draft a WR3 to join DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. Another priority is finding a pass-rusher opposite Montez Sweat. In a draft with a lot of top offensive talent, Chicago could have its pick of defensive players at No. 9. But offensive tackle could also be an option at No. 9 if there's a run of quarterbacks and receivers at the top of the draft, and that'd be a welcome addition to the interior O-linemen the Bears signed in free agency. -- Courtney Cronin Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Chris Braswell, DE, Alabama. Let's imagine that the Bears solve issues at quarterback and wide receiver in Round 1. If GM Ryan Poles can add the powerful pass-rushing of Braswell to play opposite Sweat, the Bears could contend in 2024. Braswell had eight sacks, 42 pressures and three forced fumbles last season. -- Miller
 Detroit LionsTop three needs: CB, EDGE, WR. The Lions addressed their defensive needs through a number of free agent additions but can continue to upgrade the secondary after allowing 34 completions of 20-plus air yards last season, which was tied for second most in the NFL. Also, the Lions released veteran cornerback Cameron Sutton and lost DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson through free agency, so adding another corner would be smart. Detroit could also use another pass-rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson after registering just 41 sacks last season, which was tied for ninth fewest in the NFL, and could bring in another young receiver after losing WR Josh Reynolds. -- Eric Woodyard Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan. Kneeland's versatility would allow him to move all across the defensive front, and he has the strong hands to collapse the pocket and finish plays as a pass-rusher, as well as the edge against the run. -- Reid
 Green Bay PackersTop three needs: OT, LB, S. Five-time All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari is done in Green Bay, and while Rasheed Walker showed signs that he can fill the spot, the Packers aren't going to sit back and hope a 2022 seventh-round pick is the long-term answer. GM Brian Gutekunst wants competition there. The switch to a 4-3 base defensive scheme under new coordinator Jeff Hafley will necessitate more inside linebackers, too. Not only did the Packers fail to add anyone new there, they cut one of them: the high-salaried De'Vondre Campbell. While cornerback could also be a need, the bigger hole in the defensive backfield remains at safety even though they signed Xavier McKinney in free agency. They need a second starter there. -- Rob Demovsky Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota. The Packers' need an over-the-top safety with range and ball skills. Nubin has both, which is how he collected a school-record 13 interceptions in his 55 games. -- Miller
 Minnesota VikingsTop three needs: QB, CB, DT. The Vikings' offseason intent is clear -- they want a long-term replacement for former starter Kirk Cousins. This has been a three-year project for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O'Connell, loosely targeted at the 2024 class. Newly acquired Sam Darnold is best viewed as a bridge despite his youth and potential upside. Meanwhile, O'Connell has said he hopes to see more man coverage in Brian Flores' scheme after primarily using zone in 2023. That'll require some reinforcements in addition to the acquisition of free agent cornerback Shaquill Griffin. Finally, the team is hoping to reduce the heavy snap counts for defensive linemen Harrison Phillips and Jonathan Bullard after each notched career-high playing time totals. -- Kevin Seifert Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: DeWayne Carter, DT, Duke. Carter is an explosive interior defender who has the upside to develop into a starter down the road. He had 47 tackles and 10 run stops last season. -- Reid NFC SOUTH Atlanta FalconsTop three needs: WR, EDGE, CB. While Atlanta added a lot to its offense -- including quarterback Kirk Cousins and three new receivers -- it hasn't added a clear playmaker opposite No. 1 receiver Drake London. There could be an opportunity to do so with the No. 8 pick or in the second round. The Falcons haven't done much defensively other than re-signing defensive lineman Kentavius Street, so their perpetual search for pass-rushers continues, along with figuring out the cornerback spot opposite A.J. Terrell. Don't discount the interior of the defensive line, either, where 30-year-old Grady Jarrett is coming off an ACL tear, David Onyemata is 31 and Ta'Quon Graham is in the final year of his rookie contract. -- Michael Rothstein Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame. If the Falcons solve the edge rusher hole in Round 1, finding quality cornerbacks on Day 3 will be a value play. Hart is a fourth-rounder on my board, but the three-year starter didn't allow a touchdown in coverage in 2023 and had three forced fumbles as a tackler. -- Miller
 Carolina PanthersTop three needs: OLB, WR, C. The Panthers signed free agent OLB Jadeveon Clowney, but he is 31 and not an every-down player or long-term solution to replace Pro Bowler Brian Burns, who was traded to the Giants. Neither are D.J. Wonnum and K'Lavon Chaisson, who were signed in free agency but are still in prove-it mode. Carolina added former Steelers WR Diontae Johnson in a trade, but after him and Adam Thielen, there's not much. So with a deep class of WRs, using one of two second-round picks on a pass-catcher feels like a must. And Austin Corbett, who spent most of his NFL career at guard, is penciled in as the starting center, so the Panthers need to find a young player to develop behind him. -- David Newton Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia. Frazier allowed only three sacks in 1,277 pass-blocking snaps over the past three seasons, and he could be a long-term answer in Carolina. -- Reid
 New Orleans SaintsTop three needs: OT, DE, WR. Saints coach Dennis Allen expressed a troubling outlook on the state of RT Ryan Ramczyk's knee at the NFL's annual league meeting, 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning is a question mark at LT after being benched last season and fill-in LT Andrus Peat wasn't re-signed. All of that should make selecting an OT a top priority for the Saints this year. It's a big drop-off to their next needs in terms of importance after the Saints signed DE Chase Young to a one-year deal in free agency. -- Katherine Terrell Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Mohamed Kamara, DE, Colorado State. An early Day 3 prospect, Kamara would work immediately as a situational pass-rusher giving the Saints much-needed burst off the edge of the defensive line. He had 13 sacks in 2023 after posting 16 in the two seasons prior combined. -- Miller
 Tampa Bay BuccaneersTop three needs: OLB, C, G. In a cap-saving move, the Bucs cut ties with Pro Bowl outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett and didn't address that position in free agency. Yaya Diaby did lead the Bucs with 7.5 sacks his rookie season, and the team is excited about the growth of Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez, but the Bucs don't have a game-wrecker at the position. Anthony Nelson is more of a rotational player and coach Todd Bowles feels Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is more of a "Joker" type player who can move around. So look for them to take an outside linebacker in the draft. Tampa Bay also needs to get better at interior run blocking, with holes at both center and left guard. -- Jenna Laine Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Gabriel Murphy, EDGE, UCLA. At 6-foot-2 and 247 pounds, Murphy is a bit undersized but has the explosiveness that the Bucs tend to target. He recorded a 13.7% defensive pressure rate last season, 25th best in the FBS. -- Reid NFC WEST Arizona CardinalsTop three needs: WR, CB, EDGE. The Cardinals don't have a WR1 on their roster. Giving quarterback Kyler Murray that type of dynamic playmaker could be a game-changer for Arizona's offense and help take it to the next level after Murray played only eight games in the new system last season. Even though Arizona signed cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting during free agency, it still needs another corner who can play immediately or almost immediately. Murphy-Bunting can be a CB1 if needed, but adding another top-tier corner will help ease the strain on the secondary. And with the Cardinals recording just 33 sacks in 2023, their fewest in more than a decade, the need for an edge rusher has never been greater. -- Josh Weinfuss Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Malik Washington, WR, Virginia. The Cardinals could and should add multiple receivers in this draft. In Round 4, if Washington is available, he's the best fit opposite a Round 1 target. Washington caught 110 passes for 1,426 yards and nine scores last season while becoming one of the most dangerous after-the-catch players in the nation. -- Miller
 Los Angeles RamsTop three needs: DT, CB, EDGE. Aaron Donald's retirement last month changed the urgency for the Rams, who need to find another star pass-rusher. Los Angeles has young talent in nose tackle Kobie Turner and linebacker Byron Young, but Donald's absence leaves a big hole on defense. The Rams may not directly replace him at defensive tackle but could create an impact up front by drafting pass-rushing help. All of the Rams' biggest needs are on defense, which has lost star players (Donald, cornerback Jalen Ramsey, linebacker Bobby Wagner) the past two offseasons. The Rams added cornerback Darious Williams, cornerback Tre'Davious White and safety Kamren Curl in free agency but still could add to their secondary in the draft or later in free agency. -- Sarah Barshop Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State. Tampa is a big and physical outside corner who fits into the Rams' scheme well because of his versatility in both man and zone coverage. -- Reid
 San Francisco 49ersTop three needs: OT, WR, CB. The right side of the Niners' offensive line struggled in the Super Bowl, and issues upfront have been a recurring theme in some of the team's biggest games. Ideally, the 49ers can find an immediate upgrade at right tackle with long-term potential to eventually replace Trent Williams on the left side. Receiver isn't as urgent, but Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk are scheduled to be free agents after the 2024 season, which means a starting-caliber wideout with return ability would make sense. At corner, the Niners could use a starting nickel, but with Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir set to be free agents in 2025, it would be a good time to plan for the future while also adding competition and depth. -- Nick Wagoner Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Washington. The 6-foot-2 Polk had 69 catches for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns last season, and he is a dynamic player both attacking the ball in the air and making plays after the catch. -- Miller
 Seattle SeahawksTop three needs: G, LB, TE. The Seahawks will likely sign a veteran guard soon, but that still leaves an opening at the other starting spot. Given how often general manager John Schneider talks about the lack of quality offensive linemen in the NFL, picking in the middle of the first round might offer one of his best chances to find one. Seattle signed Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson to replace Jordyn Brooks and Bobby Wagner at inside linebacker, but both got one-year deals, and there's not much experienced depth behind them. At tight end, Noah Fant (two years) and veteran Pharaoh Brown (one) are on short-term deals, so the Seahawks could use a rookie with four years of club control to fill the No. 2 or 3 role. -- Brady Henderson Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State. Beebe would fill in right away at left guard where he has had a wealth of experience. New coach Mike Macdonald will likely want to shape this defense around what he ran in Baltimore, and Beebe would help Seattle's strength up the middle. -- Reid
|
