As I outlined last year, the NFL Draft is a blend of the Talent, which is the Supply side of the sport blended with the Team Needs or the Demand side. Most teams early in the Draft will draft the Best Player Available (BPA) method. However, Team Needs always play in the decision depending on several situations and definitely after the initial round or rounds.

Basics

Here is my post from last year which goes over different schemes and strategies for teams. Each team and coaching staff will really sculpt their roster to fit overall.

Draft 101: Part III – Team Needs and Draft Strategy

Team Rundown for 2019

AFC East

Will the Pats ever replace Brady?
  • Patriots – NE has 12 picks in the Draft with 6 Picks in Rounds 1-3. That’s a lot from all the trades in the past couple years. No one in the NFL changes their roster more than the New England Patriots. However, the Draft is not the key to NE’s success. Key Departures: Rob Gronkowski (TE) and Adrian Clayborn (DE). Additions: Demaryius Thomas (WR), Michael Bennett (DE) and Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE). So, the Patriots will likely draft another WR at some point. They may consider another developmental QB given Brady’s age. Plus, they lack of pass rush without the blitz and departure of Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores could get more Edge Rushers. Really a mystery at Pick #32.
  • Bills – BUF has 10 picks in the Draft, but 7 picks after the first 3 Rounds. Bills are in flux, especially on offense. They need help for their 2nd year QB, Josh Allen. Key Departures: Chris Ivory (RB) and Charles Clay (TE). Additions: They have tried in Free Agency with Frank Gore (RB), Cole Beasley (WR), Andre Roberts (WR) and speedy John Brown (WR). I still expect the Bills to draft a WR and maybe a TE in this draft. Coach Sean McDermott has a good defense, but he will get more impact players, as well. With Pick #9, I think they will go BPA.
  • Jets – NYJ have just 6 picks with their trades in recent years. After Pick #3, they have 2 3rd round picks. The Jets were not good last year, and the lack of receiving targets for 2nd Year QB, Sam Darnold, was troubling. With a new coaching staff, I expect a lot of changes. Key Departures: Isaiah Crowell (RB) and Buster Skrine (CB). Additions: Le’Veon Bell (RB), Kelechi Osemele (OG), Jamison Crowder (WR), CJ Mosley (LB), and Ty Montgomery (RB). With new Coach Adam Gase at the helm, I expect another impact WR and then Edge Rushers to help Leonard Williams. Pick #3 will be an Edge Rusher.
  • Dolphins – MIA has 7 picks. This team is in transition with a new coach in former NE DC Brian Flores. Key Departures: Ryan Tannehill (QB), Danny Amendola (WR), Robert Quinn (DE), Cameron Wake (DE) and Josh Sitton (OG). Additions: Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB). This team needs talent at almost every position. There is talk already of MIA tanking, so at #13 they could draft a QB or just BPA. They may trade down to pick up more picks.

AFC North

  • Ravens – BAL has 8 picks. It appears the Ravens are all in on 2nd Year QB Lamar Jackson, so expect more investment on the offense. Key Departures: Terrell Suggs (DE), Joe Flacco (QB), Michael Crabtree (WR), John Brown (WR), Eric Weddle (S) and Za’Darius Smith (DE). Additions: Earl Thomas (S) and Mark Ingram (RB). At #22, BAL will likely take a WR with the departures and assisting Jackson. With two 3rd Round picks, they may go with more defensive depth like always.
Steelers Have A lot of Holes to Fill
  • Steelers – PIT has 10 picks with an extra 3rd Round Pick. It is a make or break year for Coach Mike Tomlin. Key Departures: Le’Veon Bell (RB), Antonio Brown (WR) and Morgan Burnett (S). Additions: Donte Moncrief (WR). The Steelers losing their 2 highest production offensive players will hope to get their young guys to step up, but the secret is the Defense has been awful. At #20, they will likely go CB and in the next 3 picks in the 2nd and 3rd, they will get another WR plus more impact Defensive Players.
  • Browns – CLE has 8 picks, but no 1st Round pick. It’s a new world in CLE with a new coach, Freddie Kitchens, 2nd year QB and massive additions. Key Departures: Jamie Collins (LB), Jabrill Peppers (S), and Emmanuel Ogbah (DE). Additions: Odell Beckham (WR), Kareem Hunt (RB) – 8 game suspension, Sheldon Richardson (DT) and Olivier Vernon (DE). With not as much high draft picks like past years, the Browns will look to solidify the Offensive Line and holes in the Defense – secondary and linebacker.
  • Bengals – CIN has 11 picks, but 8 picks after the first 3 Rounds (five 6th Round picks). New Coach Zac Taylor is at the helm as an offensive minded coach. Key Departures: Vontaze Burfict (LB). Additions: None of note. This is not a great situation for the Bengals. They essentially have their same roster with only 3 picks in the 1st 3 Rounds. At #11, they could go a lot of ways BPA, but maybe they go with leadership with a LB with the departure of oft troubled, Burfict.

AFC South

  • Texans – HOU has 7 picks with 4 picks in first 3 Rounds (two 2nd Round picks back to back). The Texans made a great run last year, but were exposed in the playoffs. They need a push to get to elite status. Key Departures: Demaryius Thomas (WR) and Kevin Johnson (CB). Additions: Matt Kalil (OT). The Texans offensive line is atrocious allowing a league leading 62 sacks of QB Deshaun Watson. I expect them to draft several OL guys, and probably someone to replace Thomas and Johnson. At #23 it will be BPA of O line or CB.
  • Colts – IND has 9 picks with two 2nd Round picks for 4 in the first 3. The Colts were playing great last year into the playoffs. Key Departures: None. Additions: Devin Funchess (WR) and Justin Houston (DE). The Colts like their roster, so now it is just getting more talent in the Draft. At #26, they will go BPA, but I would guess they go defense and maybe another WR to help Hilton and now Funchess in 2nd Round.
  • Titans – TEN has just 6 picks this year. The Titans just missed the playoffs in their loaded division. Key Departures: Blaine Gabbert (QB). Additions: Cameron Wake (DE) and Ryan Tannehill (QB). The Titans need to maximize the 6 picks at #19, I would not be surprised if they get a pass catcher – Delanie Walker (TE) is still injured and they need weapons.
  • Jags – JAC has 7 picks with an additional 3rd round selection. With a key QB change, maybe the Jags will bounce back. Key Departures: Blake Bortles (QB), Austin Sefarian-Jenkins (TE), Malik Jackson (DT) and Carlos Hyde (RB). Additions: Nick Foles (QB), Thomas Rawls (RB), Chris Conley (WR) and Geoff Swaim (TE). At #7, the Jags have been slated to take an Offensive Lineman, but in general, the Offense needs to improve, so playmakers and more O line.
Can the Jags Find Guys to Go With Foles?

AFC West

  • Chiefs – KC has 8 picks with an additional 2nd Round pick. The NFL’s best offense are a Super Bowl contender this year. Key Departures: Dee Ford (DE), Justin Houston (DE) and Eric Berry (S). Additions: Tyrann Mathieu (S), Emmanuel Ogbah (DE), Alex Okafor (DE) and Carlos Hyde (RB). KC will have to be crafty given their draft position, but they need secondary help and despite the moves, pass rush is always key to their defense (new DC in Steve Spagnuolo). At #29, they will go BPA for CB or Edge rusher.
  • Chargers – LAC has 7 picks one in each round. Following up a great season, their best competition is the Chiefs. Key Departures: Corey Liuget (DT) Tyrell Williams (WR) and Jason Verrett (CB). Additions: Tyrod Taylor (QB). The Chargers have a championship roster, but Rivers is not getting any younger at QB. Plus, do they need depth at RB and pass rusher? At #28, they could pick a QB or given the depth of the DT class someone to replace Liuget.
  • Broncos – DEN has 8 picks, but only 3 in the first 3 rounds. New coach is Vic Fangio who is a defensive guy. Key Departures: Case Keenum (QB) and Brandon Marshall (LB). Additions: Joe Flacco (QB) and Bryce Callahan (CB). Denver needs some juice, so they could go QB at #10 or take BPA with a TE or even a LB to replace Marshall. GM John Elway has to have a good draft.
  • Raiders – OAK has 8 picks, but 3 in the 1st Round via the Mack and Cooper trade. Coach Gruden is turning this roster. Key Departures: Kelechi Osemele (OG), Jordy Nelson (WR). Additions: Antonio Brown (WR), Tyrell Williams (WR), JJ Nelson (WR), Vontaze Burfict (LB), Isaiah Crowell (RB), LaMarcus Joyner (S) and Brandon Marshall (LB). The Raiders have a rare chance to have a great Draft with picks at #4, #24, and #27 they may go QB, but they need pass rushers and CBs on this team.
Does Gruden Have A Plan with All Those Picks?

NFC East

  • Cowboys – DAL has 6 picks with no 1st Round pick and only one pick in the 2nd and 3rd. Key Departures: Cole Beasley (WR), Terrance Williams (WR), Randy Gregory (DE) – Suspended still on team, David Irving (DT) – Suspended, . Additions: Robert Quinn (DE), Randall Cobb (WR). DAL defense was outstanding, so they need more playmakers with Cooper and Zeke. I think they go WR in the 2nd.
  • Eagles – PHI has 7 picks with two 2nd round picks (no 3rd round) and two 4th rounders. Key Departures: Nick Foles (QB), Jordan Hicks (LB), Tim Jernigan (DT, Michael Bennett (DE), Golden Tate (WR) and Haloti Ngata (DT). Additions: Desean Jackson (WR), Malik Jackson (DT), Andrew Sendejo (S) and Jordan Howard (RB). I still think the Eagles secondary needs help. At #25, the Eagles may take a WR or BPA for their defense.
  • Redskins – WAS has 9 picks with an additional 3rd Round pick. Another QB change here, so who knows where they go. Key Departures: Jamison Crowder (WR). Additions: Case Keenum (QB), Landon Collins (S), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB). WAS is a team that could be good or really bad. They were ravaged by injuries in 2018, so depth is key. WR seems logical, as they do not have a stud and lost Crowder in the slot – so at #15. They need depth.
  • Giants – NYG has an incredible 12 picks in this Draft after trading Beckham, Harrison and others with two 1st Round picks. Key Departures: Odell Beckham (WR), Landon Collins (S), Olivier Vernon and (DE). Additions: Jabrill Peppers (S), Kevin Zeitler (OG) and Golden Tate (WR). The Giants are in full rebuild mode, and they passed on QB in 2018 to take Barkley, not this year. At #6 or #17, they will take a QB to take over for Eli Manning, but they also need to hit on later round picks to replenish this terrible roster.
Giants, It’s Time to Replace This Guy

NFC North

  • Bears – CHI has only 5 picks in the 2019 Draft with no picks in the 1st or 2nd Round due to Trubisky and Mack trades. So, they need to make the most of the picks they have and play at same or better level than last year. Key Departures: Jordan Howard (RB), Bryce Callahan (CB), and Adrian Amos (S). Additions: Buster Skrine (CB), HaHa Clinton-Dix (S), and Cordarrelle Patterson (WR). The Bears will likely replace Howard in this Draft despite some minor RB signings, but first pick is at 87th Overall.
  • Vikings – MIN has 8 picks. A new OC in MIN could mean some changes – Kevin Stefanski. Key Departures: Andrew Sendejo (S) . Additions: Latavius Murray (RB). The Vikings have their squad set, but they need to bolster the O line, if you ask me. The Defense is solid and their WR and RB corps are solid. Let’s see if they can find a playmaker or immediate contributor at #18.
  • Packers – GB has 10 picks in this Draft and they need it – two 1st Round picks. A big change at Coach in Matt LaFleur should mark a new direction for the franchise. Key Departures: Clay Matthews (LB), Randall Cobb (WR), Nick Perry (LB) and HaHa Clinton-Dix (mid-season trade in 2018). Additions: Za’Darious Smith (DE) and Adrian Amos (S). I expect some big picks here at #12 and #30 – Packers need a better Offensive Line and better pass rushers, especially with Matthews departure.
  • Lions – DET has 9 picks in 2019. In the 2nd year under Coach Matt Patricia, the Lions need a talent upgrade. Key Departures: Glover Quin (S), Nevin Lawson (CB) and TJ Lang (OG). Additions: Jesse James (TE), Trey Flowers (DE), Danny Amendola (WR) and CJ Anderson (RB). Detroit needs a good pick at #8. I think they go defense – Edge player there. They need a better defense.
Can the Pack Get Back on Top of the North via This Draft?

NFC South

  • Saints – NO has 6 picks with no 1st Round selection. The Saints were one play away from the Super Bowl with a solid roster, but some changes. Key Departures: Mark Ingram (RB), Kurt Coleman (S), and Max Unger (C). Additions: Latavius Murray (RB), Malcolm Brown (DT), Nick Easton (C), and Jared Cook (TE). The Saints don’t select until Pick #62, so they will fill in with depth mostly on defense I would suspect.
  • Falcons – ATL has 9 picks, but still only 3 picks in the first 3 rounds. Atlanta was ravaged by injuries early on last year, which killed their season. Key Departures: Robert Alford (CB), Brooks Reed (DE), and Tevin Coleman (RB). Additions: Jamon Brown (OG) and Adrian Clayborn (DE). The Falcons need depth in their secondary and Edge rushers to help that defense. At #14, I think they will take one of those positions.
  • Panthers – CAR has 7 picks with an additional 3rd Round pick. I think it may be a make or break year for Coach Ron Rivera. Key Departures: Devin Funchess (WR), Julius Peppers (DE), Captain Munnerlyn (CB), and Matt Kahlil (OT). Additions: Matt Pradis (C), Daryl Williams (RT), Bruce Irvin (DE), and Chris Hogan (WR). The Panthers cratered down the stretch, and I think O line is definitely in play along with youth on Defense. At #16, they should take an OT, Edge or CB best of those positions.
  • Bucs – TB has 7 picks this year. Another new face at coach with Bruce Arians who retired, but came back to coach Jameis Winston. Key Departures: Desean Jackson (WR), Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB), Vinny Curry (DE), Mitch Unrein (DE) and Kwon Alexander (LB). Additions: Breshad Perriman (WR), Shaquil Barrett (LB), and Blaine Gabbert (QB). Arians will look to put his down field attack in play, so WR is possible, but the defense was terrible last year. At #5, you can be certain they will take the best defensive player on the board and picking at the top of each round they can have quality WRs or defensive positions fall to them.
Can Arians Lift Bucs from the Cellar on Draft Day?

NFC West

  • Rams – LAR have 7 picks with two 3rd Round picks instead of a 2nd and 3rd. The Super Bowl runner ups had a huge off season in 2018, so this year was tame in comparison. Key Departures: John Sullivan (C) and Mark Barron (LB). Additions: Eric Weddle (S), Clay Matthews (LB) and Blake Bortles (QB). The Rams are at the bottom of each round, so they will have to snipe clever picks in this draft. At #31, they will likely try to replace Sullivan or bolster that O line.
  • Seahawks – SEA has the fewest picks in 4 in 2019 than any other team. So, the already young Seahawks will need to improve internally around their newly minted QB Russell Wilson. Key Departures: Thomas Rawls (RB). Additions: Mychal Kendricks (LB) and KJ Wright (LB), DJ Fluker (OG). The Seahawks have the #21 Pick which I think they will go pass rusher there.
  • 49ers – SF has 6 picks in the 2019 Draft. After the Garrapolo injury SF floundered under the heightened expectations. Key Departures: Garry Gilliam (OT), Pierre Garcon (WR), Earl Mitchell (DT) and Cassius Marsh (LB). Additions: Dee Ford (DE), Kwon Alexander (LB), Jimmie Ward (S), Tevin Coleman (RB), and Jason Verrett (CB). SF will likely take Joey Bosa the top Edge player in the Draft, then continue to pick up impact players – they need WRs.
  • Cardinals – AZ has 10 picks including the #1 Overall pick. With new Coach Kliff Kingsbury, the odds on favorite is Kyler Murray, but that is one year removed from 1st Rounder Josh Rosen. Key Departures: JJ Nelson (WR), Antoine Bethea (S) and Jermaine Gresham (TE). Additions: Robert Alford (CB), Charles Clay (TE), Marcus Gilbert (OT), Terrell Suggs (DE) and Jordan Hicks (LB). The Cardinals pick 1st in all of the first 6 Rounds with additional late round picks (1 more in the 6th and 3 in the 7th). So, they should be able to reload this depleted roster.
Is Murray Really the Right Pick for AZ?

So, that is all 32 teams. The Draft is so necessary to keep all the teams and sports on top. Next week I’ll get into Mock Drafts and Later Round guys to watch for.

Wegs

About the author

I'm a 49 year old, twice divorced guy with a 20 year old. The blog has morphed a bit lately. Not just sports or dating, social commentary and now some stories from my past experience.