NFL Draft: Team Needs and Picks Review

We are 12 days from Draft Day. Today, I’ll review each team, their needs, how they addressed them in Free Agency and if they still need to draft that need. Plus, I’ll layout every pick each team has in the Draft.

Team Needs in the 2026 Draft

For each division and team, I’ll lay out the number of picks they have in the 2026 draft (and if they were via trade); Needs – Offensive/Defensive (and if they attempted to address them in Free Agency); then a likely path in the draft or how they will approach it.

AFC

AFC East

Patriots

• Picks (11) – 1-31, 2-63, 3-95, 4-125 (CHI/KC), 131, 5-171, 6-191 (KC), 198, 202 (PIT), 212, 7-247 
• Needs
  • Offense – O-Line (Vera-Tucker, NYJ), WR (Doubs, GB)
    • Probably need another WR, as corps is pretty average
    • O-Line depth could be a need
  • Defense – Pass Rush (Jones, BAL), CB (Vildor, TB), Safety (Byard, CHI)
    • All teams need pass rush
    • Secondary was a strength, but Davis is longer in the tooth

Bills

• Picks (7) – 1-26, 3-91, 4-126, 5-165 (CHI), 5-168, 6-182 (CLE/JAC/LVR), 7-220
• Needs
  • Offense – WR (Moore, CHI), O-Line Depth
    • Always can get more impact WRs
    • O-Line is a strength, but depth is lacking
  • Defense – Pass Rush (Chubb, MIA), Good CBs (Alford, ATL), Run Stopper (Gardner-Johnson, CHI)
    • They need a young pass rusher
    • The coverage unit was bad, Alford is fine, but they need more

Dolphins

• Picks (11) – 1-11, 1-30 (DEN), 2-43, 3-75, 87 (PHI), 90 (HOU), 94 (DEN), 4-130 (DEN), 5-151, 7-227, 238 (NYJ)
• Needs (Everything – haha)
  • Offense – QB (Willis, GB), WR (Atwell, LAR, Tolbert, DAL), TE
    • WRs are lackluster – so would expect at least one in 1st and 2nd round
    • TE – Dulcich is fine, but maybe a TE weapon
  • Defense – Pass Rush (Uche, PHI), Corners (Bake, TEN), LBs
    • The D was terrible, and the signings were just meh
    • I expect several D players drafted with 3rd round guys and likely Top 11 pick

Jets

• Picks (9) – 1-2, 16 (IND), 2-33, 44 (DAL), 4-103, 140, 5-179, 7-228 (DAL), 242 (BUF/CLE)
• Needs 
  • Offense – O-Line (Parham, LVR), QB (Smith, LVR)
    • The O besides QB isn’t awful – probably a QB selection – likely not at 2, but maybe at 16 or 33 (if Simpson is there)
    • Need more O-Line (at 16?)
  • Defense – D-Line (Sweat, TEN and Onyemata, ATL), Pass Rush (Ossai, CIN), Corner (Wright, CHI), Safety (Fitzpatrick, MIA)
    • Made some decent signings, but Fitzpatrick is old – Could get a Safety
    • Definitely more Edge players (2 Overall – David Bailey or Reese) and despite signings, D-lineman

AFC North

Steelers

• Picks (12) – 1-21, 2-53, 3-76 (DAL), 85, 99, 4-121, 135, 5-161, 6-216, 7-224 (NE), 230 (IND), 237
• Needs – QB, WR (Pittman, IND), RB (Dowdle, CAR)
  • Offense –
    • Need to draft a QB, even with Rodgers or Cousins (21st – Simpson or 53rd)
    • WR – mocks have WR in 1st round (Concepcion)
  • Defense -Youth on D – CB (Dean, TB), DT, Edge, S (Brisker, CHI and Savage, BUF)
    • Need to draft more Edge rushers – more likely at 21st
    • DT – Heyward is older – could also be 21st pick
    • Ramsey is aging and picked up 2 FAs, but young playmaker would help

Ravens

• Picks (11) – 1-14, 2-45, 3-80, 4-115, 5-154, 162 (LAC), 173, 174, 6-211 (DEN/NYJ/MIN/PHI), 7-250, 253
• Needs
  • Offense – O-Line, WR, TE (Smythe, CHI), RB
    • If BPA, then O-Line at 14
    • The WR corps is not great outside of Flowers and lost veteran in Hopkins
    • Henry is great, but older
  • Defense – Edge (Trey Hendrickson, CIN), CB and LB
    • Can always have more pass rushers
    • Depth behind Roquan at LB
    • CB – have drafted a lot, but still giving up big games

Bengals

• Picks (8) – 1-10, 2-41, 3-72, 4-110, 6-189, 199, 7-221, 226
• Needs 
  • Offense – O-Line, TE
    • Made 0 FA moves – so need to get some picks at Line and TE
  • Defense – DT (Allen, MIN), Edge (Mafe, SEA), CB, LB
    • CBs were bad – slated to take one at 10
    • Still think they need more edge rushers
    • LBs couldn’t stop the run

Browns

• Picks (9) – 1-6, 24 (JAC), 2-39, 3-70, 4-107, 5-146, 149 (CIN), 6-206 (from CHI), 7-248 (SEA)
• Needs 
  • Offense – QB, O-Line (Johnson, LAC; Jenkins, GB and Howard, HOU), WR
    • What are Browns going to do at QB?
    • WR slated for 6th Pick
      • Outside playmaker to go along with Fannin and Judkins would help
    • Tried to address line with FAs, but cold get a young lineman at 24
  • Defense – CBs, LB (Williams, NYJ)
    • The D is good, but one weakness is cover CB outside of Ward

AFC South

Jaguars

• Picks (11) –  2-56, 3-81 (DET), 88, 100 (DET), 4-124, 5-164, 166 (SF/PHI), 6-203 (PHI/HOU/PHI), 7-233 (DET), 240, 245 (LAR/HOU)
• Needs –
  • Offense – RB (Rodrgiuez, WAS), WR, O-Line Depth
    • Thomas stayed, but he is still disgruntled, may draft heir apparent
    • Returning almost entire offense except for Etienne
  • Defense – Edge (Extended Walker), Playmaker at S or CB
    • Returning almost everyone on D
    • Great against the run, but not a great pass rush – could go edge or best available in back end

Texans

• Picks (8) – 1-28, 2-38 (WAS), 59, 3-69 (NYG), 4-106 (WAS), 5-141 (CLE), 167, 7-243 (SF)
• Needs
  • Offense – O-Line (OG Teller, CLE; OT Smith, IND), RB (Montgomery, DET)
    • Addressed 2 slots in FA, but probably wll draft more
    • Marks was good last year, Montgomery helps, but maybe another RB
  • Defense – S (Blankenship, PHI), Depth (Hall, TB, Robinson, CHI)
    • The Best D can always use even better guys to stay on top

Colts

• Picks (7) – 2-47, 3-78, 4-113, 5-156, 6-214 (PIT), 7-249, 254
• Needs 
  • Offense – QB (Extended Jones), WR (Westbrook-Ikhine, MIA, but lost Pittman), O-Line Depth (To replace Smith)
    • Playing with Jones at QB
    • Impact player, as line has been a strength, but need depth on O-Line
  • Defense – Edge (Key, TEN), LB (Davis-Gaither, AZ), CB Depth (Taylor-Britt, CIN), S (Owens, CHI; Thomas, DAL)
    • D couldn’t hold up in 2025
    • Need impact Edge and depth – Gardner out hurt immediately

Titans

• Picks (9) – 1-4, 2-35, 3-66, 4-101, 5-142, 144 (LAR), 6-184, 194 (NYJ), 7-225 (DAL)
• Needs 
  • Offense – WR (Robinson, NYG), O-Line (Schlottman, NYG; Volson, CIN)
    • Love at RB with Ward at 4 is mocked
    • Not in love with signings on Line, need to protect Ward
    • Do you trust Ridley?  Maybe another WR or off line TE
  • Defense – Edge (Johnson, NYJ), D-Line (Franklin-Myers, DEN), CB (Taylor, NO; Flott, NYG)
    • Tried to address holes in FA, but need impact players with Simmons – would love to see Styles at 4 instead

AFC West

Broncos

• Picks (7) –  2-62, 4-108 (NO), 111 (MIA), 5-170, 7-246, 256, 257
• Needs –
  • Offense – WR (Waddle, MIA), Maybe O-Line depth
    • No 1st round picks – so BA at 62nd O Line or DBs
  • Defense – S and CB depth

Chargers

• Picks (5) –  1-22, 2-55, 3-86, 4-123, 6-204
• Needs
  • Offense – O-Line (Biadasz, WAS and Strange, MIA), WR
    • Slater has no backup on Ourlads – with him out the Line was awful – need depth
      • Some mocks have OG Vega Ioane (Penn State)
    • Johnston had a decent year, but came up flat in the playoffs – someone needs to step up besides McConkey – 22 – WR Mocked
  • Defense – Edge DT (Tomlinson, AZ), Impact player – CB/S
    • 22nd – Walter football mock has S Thieneman (Oregon)
    • Pass rushers are aging, so 1st or 2nd round pick could be Edge rusher, too

Chiefs

• Picks (9) – 1-9, 29 (Rams), 2-40, 3-74, 4-109, 5-148, 169 (Rams), 176, 6-210
• Needs 
  • Offense – RB (Walker, SEA), TE, O-line
    • Kelce is old, they need another player – likely at 9 or 29 – TE Sadiq
    • Mocks have OTs Fano or Mauigoa in some at 9
  • Defense – DT (Tonga, NE), Edge, CB (Kohou, MIA and Elam, TEN), S (Gilman, BAL)
    • Mocks also have DE Bain at 9 or if DE Bailey somehow falls out of the Top 3

Raiders

• Picks (10) – 1-1, 2-36, 3-67, 4-102, -117 (JAC/MIN), 134, 5-175, 6-185, 208 (BUF/NYJ), 7-219
• Needs 
  • Offense – QB (Cousins, ATL), WR (Nailor, MIN and Young, SEA), O-Line (Lindenbaum, BAL and Burford, SF)
    • QB Mendoza at 1 is a given
    • More O-Line makes sense, too
  • Defense – Edge (Paye, IND; Crosby stayed), LB (Walker, GB, Dean, PHI), CB (Johnson, BUF), S depth
    • The D wasn’t terrible, but depth in the secondary looks lean

NFC

NFC East

Eagles

• Picks (8) – 1-23, 2-54, 3-68 (NYJ), 98, 4-114 (ATL), 137, 5-178, 6-197 (ATL)
• Needs
  • Offense – O-Line, QB?, WR (Brown, KC and Wicks, GB)
    • Johnson is getting older and needs a replacement
    • WR corps outside of Top 2 is not great, but Wicks and Brown will help – still depends on whether AJ Brown stays on the team or not if they draft the position
  • Defense – CB depth (Woolen-SEA)
    • D is solid, but another CB and pass rusher is likely

Cowboys

• Picks (8) – 1-12, 20 (GB), 3-92 (SF), 4-112, 5-152, 177, 180, 7-218 (TEN) 
• Needs
  • Offense – RB
    • The O is not the problem, but Williams played well – need a better 2nd punch
  • Defense – Pass Rush (Ogbonnia-LAC and Gary-GB via trade), Corner (Durant-LAR), Safety (Thompson – AZ)
    • Some ok signing and like the Gary trade
    • Still need to have more impact players on D – likely at 12 and 20 – corner and pass rusher

Commanders

• Picks (6) – 1-7, 3-71, 5-147, 6-187, 6-209,  7-223
• Needs
  • Offense – RB (White, TB), TE (Okonkwo, TEN), O-Line Depth
    • The O was not the issue besides health at RB
    • Protection of Daniels is still premium
  • Defense – All – Pass Rush (Oweh, LAC and Chaisson, NE), Corners (Robertson, DET), LBs (Chenal, KC), Safety
    • The D was terrible, and so all would be upgrades
    • Safety slated for 7th pick, but still could get impact rusher or CB
    • No 2nd Round Pick, so may try to move up with that 2nd 6th round pick and 3rd if they see someone they like

Giants

• Picks (7) 1-5, 2-37, 4-105, 5-145, 6-186, 192 (MIA), 193 (DAL)
• Needs
  • Offense – O-Line, WR (Mooney, ATL), RB, TE (Likely, BAL)
    • Skattebo – not sure on timeline for return – likely run more with Harbaugh
    • O-Line to protect Dart better in 2026 (6th pick possible)
  • Defense – Secondary – Corners (Newsome, JAC), S
    • Pass rush is good
    • Impact Player at 6 – Styles – Ray Lewis
    • Harbaugh teams always draft D

NFC North

Bears

• Picks (6) – 1-25, 2-57, 60 (BUF), 3-89, 4-129 (LAR), 7-239 (PHI/CLE), 241
• Needs
  • Offense – WR (Raymond, DET), O-Line/C (Bradbury, NE)
    • Another high quality WR would help
    • Maybe a depth pick at C or G with retirement
  • Defense – Edge, S (Lewis, BUF and Bryant, SEA), CB depth, LB (Bush, CLE)
    • Will need a good pass rusher
    • Starting CBs are good, but can use depth
    • Addressed S in FA, but can add in the draft

Packers

• Picks (7) – 2-52, 3-84, 4-120, 5-153 (PHI), 160, 6-201, 7-236, 255
• Needs
  • Offense – O-Line, RB, WR
    • O is pretty solid, but departures on the Line should be addressed
    • Is Brooks and Lloyd enough to back up Jacobs at RB?
    • WR Room is getting lean (Wicks and Doubs departures), so look for an addition if they don’t trade for Harrison
  • Defense – DT (Hargrave, MIN), Edge, LB (Franklin, IND)
    • Run D was poor – Hargrave and Franklin should help, but another LB would be good
    • Lost Gary and Parsons off ACL – need more Edge players

Vikings

• Picks (9) – 1-18, 2-49, 3-82, 97, 5-163 (PHI), 6-196 (IND), 7-234, 235 (CAR), 244 (HOU)
• Needs
  • Offense – QB (Kyler Murray, MIN), RB, O-Line, WR
    • Interior and Right side of line is aging
    • WR – Addison off the field woes may warrant a pick
    • RB room needs something
  • Defense – CB (Pierre, PIT), Edge
    • Defense was just ok – more impact edge rusher is likely
    • Depth in the secondary – S slated for 18th pick

Lions

• Picks (9) – 1-17, 2-50, 4-118, 128 (HOU), 5-157, 181, 6-205 (JAC), 213 (SEA/JAC), 7-222 (CLE)
• Needs
  • Offense – O-Line (Mays, CAR and Borom, MIA), RB (Pacheco, KC), QB
    • RB – Is Pacheco good enough to be #2?
    • Bridgewater is the backup here – maybe get a younger one
  • Defense – Edge (Wonnum, CAR), CB, LB
    • D outside of Hutchinson did not create enough pressure – need impact players – edge rusher slated for 17th pick
    • CB – Can upgrade here in draft
    • LB corps is meh

NFC South

Panthers

• Picks (7) – 1-19, 2-51, 3-83, 4-119, 5-158 (MIN), 159, 6-200
• Needs
  • Offense – O-Line (C Fortner, NO and Ekwonu returning from Injury), TE
    • Their line departures could be an issue, but the skilled players outside of the TE are really solid – likely OT at 19
  • Defense – D-Line, Edge (Phillips, PHI), LB (Lloyd, JAC)
    • D had issues stopping the run – Lloyd may help at LB
    • Edge could be another target even with Phillips signing

Bucs

• Picks (7) –  1-15, 2-46, 3-77, 4-116, 5-155, 6-195, 7-229
• Needs
  • Offense – WR (Sills, ATL), O-Line Youth
    • Depth on the Line outside of Round 1
  • Defense – Aging D – Edge (Robinson, CAR; Muhammad, DET), LB (Anzalone, DET), CB
    • Slated for a CB at 15 – Dean gone and need to be a physical CB
    • In general, impact players on D, as they picked up vets in FA

Falcons

• Picks (5) –  2-48, 3-79, 4-122 (PHI), 6-215 (PHI), 7-231
• Needs
  • Offense – QB (Tua, MIA), RB (Robinson, SF), OT (Mathews is 12 year vet)
    • Riding with the lefties at QB
    • Have great first line skilled guys, but not a ton of depth
    • Young OT makes sense
  • Defense – LB (Harris, HOU), Added depth in FA
    • With few picks may need to get someone to fall for impact

Saints

• Picks (8) –  1-8, 2-42, 3-73, 4-132 (SEA), 136, 5-150, 172 (SEA), 6-190
• Needs
  • Offense – WR (I don’t know these guys), RB (Etienne, JAC), O-Line (Edwards, BUF)
    • Besides Olave, who do they have at WR? – WR at 8
    • Interior O-Lineman – McCoy is getting older
  • Defense – Edge (No Names outside of Young), Impact players
    • Have to say – Kool-Aid McKinstry at CB made me laugh
    • They played well down the stretch, but this team is a no name D

NFC West

Seahawks

• Picks (4) – 1-32, 2-64, 3-96, 6-188 (CLE)
• Needs
  • Offense – RB (Wilson, GB) TE
    • Losing Walker hurt, so Charbonnet not being ready for the season could mean an RB at 32 like Price (ND)
  • Defense – CB Depth (Igbinoghene, WAS), S Depth (Thomas, IND)
    • Best Available – mocks have CB (Hood or Cisse) or S (McNeil-Warren)

Rams

• Picks (7) –  1-13 (ATL), 2-61, 3-93, 6-207 (HOU/TEN), 7-232 (BAL), 251, 252
• Needs
  • Offense – QB depth, WR (with Nacua issues)
    • Mocks have shown WR Makai Lemon (USC) at 13
    • 61 could be QB Simpson, if he drops or another QB
  • Defense – CB (Watson, KC and McDuffie, KC) and Impact Players
    • Addressed immediate need at CB with KCs CBs
    • Could address more D later in the draft

49ers

• Picks (6) –  1-27, 2-58, 4-127, 133, 138, 139
• Needs
  • Offense – WR (Evans, TB and Kirk, HOU), O-Line
    • TE Sadiq if he falls, WR Concepcion (A&M) possible at 27
    • OT Iheanachor (ASU) – also possible
  • Defense – DT (Odighizuma, DAL), LB Depth (Greenlaw, DEN – back), CB Depth (Jones, MIA and Hobbs, GB)
    • D addressed mostly in FA and if the return of Bosa and Warner happens

Cardinals

• Picks (7) –  1-3, 2-34, 65, 4-104, 5-143, 6-183, 7-217
• Needs
  • Offense – QB (Minshew, KC), WR (Bourne, SF and Duvernay, CHI), O-Line (Seumalo, PIT; Wilkinson, ATL; Pryor, PHI; Udoh, TEN), RB (Allgeier, ATL)
    • If they trade Harrison, then WR is definitely another target
    • QB Simpson at 34 is also possible
  • Defense – DT (Lopez, DET and Billings, CHI), Edge, Impact players
    • Edges (Reese or Bailey) will be there at 3
    • Need better players, so probably better to pass on Simpson

That’s a lot to digest, but you have 8 days before the Draft to do it. Next week, we will look at Mock Drafts to try to hit as many correct as possible.

Wegs