NFL: Team Needs – the biggest construction sites of all 32 franchises

The quarterbacks are the focus of this year’s draft, also because many teams are looking for a new QB – among them possibly the Patriots and Giants, who are looking for their heirs for Tom Brady or Eli Manning. But there is still a lot of room for improvement in the 32 teams. SPOX takes a quick look at every franchise and looks at the biggest Needs before the draft (all three draft days live and in the original commentary on DAZN).

Largest Needs: TE, LB, OL

First round pick: 16

His largest construction site by far was addressed to Baltimore in the Free Agency: John Brown and Michael Crabtree may not be superstar solutions, but they are an upgrade to what quarterback Joe Flacco had available last season. The Ravens are also said to be one of the hottest candidates for Dez Bryant’s services. A passport catcher in another position, however, remains an issue, a receiving tight end is urgently needed. Also: linebacker depth and reinforcements for the offensive line, where center Ryan Jensen and tackle Austin Howard were sold.

Biggest Needs: OL, DE

Pick in the first round: 21

Largely uneventful Free Agency in Cincy that Tyler Eifert was held was the biggest deal besides Preston Brown’s engagement – apart from the trade for Cordy Glenn, of course, which should at least stabilize the left tackle spot. Right tackle and the interior line, especially but not only the centre position, remain construction sites that have to be tackled. And otherwise? The pass rush on the 4-3 front urgently needs more depth, behind Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson there is a huge gap.

Largest Needs: CB, QB, LB

Picks in round one: 1 and 4

The Browns are – and this is actually a strange statement for a 0-16 team – entering the draft with significantly fewer acute construction sites than one would expect. The trade for Jarvis Landry completes an extremely exciting WR corps around Landry, Gordon, Coleman and Higgins, with David Njoku they are also well positioned on the TE post and in the backfield Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson represent a good duo. Ogbah and Garrett form a promising DE duo, the Trade for Randall finally brings Jabrill Peppers into the pits and gives Cleveland a young, talented safety duo. Cornerback remains a big problem area, the offensive line has to be found first: After the resignation of Joe Thomas, the newly signed Chris Hubbard is to cast the right tackle spot, Shon Coleman goes to the left side. But of course the focus is once again on the quarterback, where the Browns have found a very good interim solution with Tyrod Taylor – nevertheless it would be negligent not to use the first pick for the hoped-for franchise quarterback of the future.

Largest Needs: LB, QB

Pick in the first round: 28

Linebacker was the big issue even before the Free Agency due to the injury to Ryan Shazier – and Jon Bostic’s commitment only partially changes that. Pittsburgh is a hot candidate for one of the athletic Sideline-to-Sideline-Linebackers of this class in the first round of the Drafts. Apart from that it is still a very complete team, ex-Packers-Safety Morgan Burnett gives Pittsburgh defensively even more flexibility and since Martavis Bryant is at least still in Pittsburgh today and Le’Veon Bell has received the franchise day, the Steelers are also well positioned on the skill positions. This opens the way for long-term post-Roethlisberger planning – the Steelers could get another quarterback in the middle rounds.

Biggest Needs: OL, Edge, LB

Pick in the first round: 8

Like Baltimore, Chicago had a crystal-clear wide receiver needle before the Free Agency, which was approached on a large scale. Allen Robinson gives the Bears and quarterback Mitch Trubisky a clear number 1, Taylor Gabriel a Speedster and Trey Burton is a real match-up tight end. Plus Tarik Cohen as a weapon from the backfield and Jordan Howard as a starting running back and even if you don’t plan on Kevin White – and rationally you probably shouldn’t – you have a respectable arsenal. The offensive line, on the other hand, especially on Guard, but also in terms of tackle depth, still needs reinforcements. Defensively, Inside Linebacker is at the top of the priority list. The fact that Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara were held ensures that Cornerback is at least not an acute problem zone.

Largest Needs: TE, DT, RB, DE

Pick in the first round: 20

Eric Ebron’s departure brings the tight-end position to the fore with Willson and Toilolo, while LeGarrette Blount’s commitment should by no means prevent the Lions from securing a potential 3-Down-Back early on. Detroit never managed more than 3.8 yards per run as a team in the last four years, the last individual 100-yard rusher being Reggie Bush in November 2013. In the secondary, Nevin Lawson and Tavon Wilson were held and DeShawn Shead were signed, the front still needs upgrades: This applies to the pass rush against Ziggy Ansah, which could also be gone after the upcoming franchise day season, as well as for the defensive line. The new head coach Matt Patricia could attach particular importance to the defensive tackles in view of his character from New England.

Largest Needs: CB, WR, LB, Edge

First round pick: 14

Unusually active off-season in Green Bay, the Packers have signed two big names – Jimmy Graham and Mo Wilkerson – and exchanged both coordinators and some position coaches. The defense should become more aggressive under Mike Pettine, for that reliable cover-corner are elementary important. Green Bay are likely to focus on this early in the draft, although returning Tramon Williams had some good games in Arizona in the pre-season. Otherwise, the thin linebacker corps remains an issue, just like Edge-Rush, and the packers are now barely deep at the safety position either. Meanwhile, after the departure of Jordy Nelson and Jeff Janis and with a view to Randall Cobb’s expiring contract, the offense would look good on another wide receiver.

Largest Needs: OG, WR

Pick in the first round: 30

With Kirk Cousins, the Vikings have won the main free agency prize, underlining once again that the title window is now wide open – just like with the one-year contract for Sheldon Richardson. To further maximize this window and at the same time protect the investment in cousins in the best possible way, the Vikes in the draft must address the interior offensive line, especially the guard spot. With Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, Minnesota has a top receiver duo, but behind them there is still plenty of room for improvement – and in today’s NFL, as we know, the third receiver is practically a starter.

Page 1: The AFC North and the NFC North

Page 2: The AFC East and the NFC East

Page 3: The AFC South and the NFC South

Page 4: AFC West and NFC West