http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000714737/article/2017-nfl-draft-order-and-needs-for-every-team
1. Cleveland Browns
2016 record: 1-15 (.549)
Top needs: QB, C/G, DB
Analysis: The
Browns took a pass on
Carson Wentz so now they are still looking for "that guy." Finding talent at cornerback or safety should help this defense immediately improve. The
Browns should target an interior offensive lineman as well.
2. San Francisco 49ers
2016 record: 2-14 (.504)
Top needs: QB, OLB, OL
Analysis: So how do you shop for a team with needs across the board? Start with finding a QB to build around. The
49ers have to get better at guard and might need to start looking for another right tackle. Improving the pass rush off the edge could be a Round 1 focus.
3. Chicago Bears
2016 record: 3-13 (.521)
Top needs: QB, DB, OL
Analysis: Jay Cutler's dead cap money drops dramatically, which could lead to his departure. The
Bears have spent their last couple of early round picks on their defensive front, but now they need to look to sharpen their secondary. I expect Chicago to bolster its OL depth.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
2016 record: 3-13 (.527)
Top needs: OL, DT, S
Analysis: The Jags needs to improve their talent at both the tackle and guard spots up front. That is a strong necessity. Finding a disruptive, defensive force for the middle of the line should be an early priority, while landing a talented cover safety should also be considered.
5. Tennessee Titans (from Los Angeles Rams)
2016 record: 9-7 (.465)
Top needs: CB, WR, ILB
Analysis: The secondary has to be addressed fairly early in the draft for the
Titans with the WR talent inside the division. Mariota caught fire in 2016, but still needs a trustworthy WR1. The
Titans would greatly benefit from finding an inside linebacker who can cover on third downs.
6. New York Jets
2016 record: 5-11 (.518)
Top needs: QB, OLB, CB
Analysis: Sure, the
Jets might believe
Christian Hackenberg is their QB of the future, but adding competition seems like a smart thing to do. The
Jets are talented up front, but they're still in need of an edge-bending rusher. Cornerback should be a high priority.
7. Los Angeles Chargers
2016 record: 5-11 (.543)
Top needs: OT, WR, QB
Analysis: The
Chargers have serviceable tackles, but they've been going with "serviceable" for too long. It's time to commit. With another injury to
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles could look to add another option at the position.
Philip Rivers is locked in but the team is badly in need of an upgrade behind him on the depth chart.
8. Carolina Panthers
2016 record: 6-10 (.518)
Top needs: OT, DE, RB
Analysis: It seems like Carolina has needed an offensive tackle for at least the last three years and that is the case again. Upgrading the pass rush off the edge could be an early priority.
Jonathan Stewart's cap hit and history of injuries could put RB in play.
9. Cincinnati Bengals
2016 record: 6-9-1 (.521)
Top needs: C, LB, Edge
Analysis: Cincinnati has to find a way to get its running game going, and that might mean looking for help on the interior offensive line. The
Bengals could use some edge speed in order to challenge opposing tackles. Adding more athleticism at LB is a priority for the team.
10. Buffalo Bills
2016 record: 7-9 (.482)
Top needs: OT, WR, DB
Analysis: The
Bills will likely be looking for a bookend right tackle after the season. They could lose WRs in free agency, so that position might need to be addressed. Whether it is another safety or cornerback, the
Bills need one. Obviously, QB will be a need if
Tyrod Taylor doesn't return.
11. New Orleans Saints
2016 record: 7-9 (.523)
Top needs: CB, S, LB
Analysis: In a division full of talented quarterbacks, finding help at both cornerback and safety is a must.
Jairus Byrd has been a disappointment and will likely find competition waiting for him next year at safety. The
Saints need depth at linebacker.
12. Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia Eagles)
2016 record: 1-15 (.549)
Top needs: QB, C/G, DB
Analysis: Cleveland traded the No. 2 pick in the 2016 draft to the
Eagles, who spent the selection on
Carson Wentz. So, the
Browns are still looking for their answer at QB. Strengthening the interior O-line should be on the to-do list. They should be looking to add help in the secondary, too.
13. Arizona Cardinals
2016 record: 7-8-1 (.463)
Top needs: ILB, QB, CB
Analysis: Adding a playmaking inside 'backer should be a priority.
Carson Palmer, 37, saw his play take a downturn in 2016. The
Cardinals have been feast or famine in the secondary, so it's important for them to find a potential starter at CB.
14 (tie). Indianapolis Colts
2016 record: 8-8 (.492)
Top needs: LB, OL, RB
Analysis: The
Colts are getting old on the defensive side of the ball and could use a young, splashy playmaker at outside or inside linebacker. Protecting
Andrew Luck is essential and the offensive line isn't doing that well enough. Finding another quality RB shouldn't be difficult in this draft.
14 (tie). Philadelphia Eagles (from Minnesota Vikings)
2016 record: 7-9 (.559)
Top needs: CB, WR, RB
Analysis: The
Eagles dealt away a first-rounder to acquire the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 draft, and got a first-rounder in the
Sam Bradford deal before the season. Cornerback should be an area in which Philly is looking for an upgrade. The
Eagles have some guys at wide receiver, but they need to find "the guy" for Wentz. Finding a quality RB1 shouldn't be difficult in the 2017 draft given the depth at the position.
16. Baltimore Ravens
2016 record: 8-8 (.498)
Top needs: Edge, S, WR
Analysis: The
Ravens need to find their next great edge rusher at OLB. They lack quality depth at safety right now. The
Ravens are relying on aging receivers and might look to bolster the unit.
17. Washington Redskins
2016 record: 8-7-1 (.516)
Top needs: DL, S, ILB
Analysis: A better defensive line will take some pressure off of
Kirk Cousins (if he returns) and the offense. This appears to be a strong year for ILBs in the draft, which is a primary need here. An athletic, rangy safety improves the back end.
18. Tennessee Titans
2016 record: 9-7 (.465)
Top needs: CB, WR, ILB
Analysis: They need to bolster their secondary, and still could still use a true WR1. Adding a young talent at ILB who can cover on third downs should be a priority, too.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2016 record: 9-7 (.492)
Top needs: DL, S, WR
Analysis: Tampa Bay will need to find a high-impact player along the defensive line who can create mayhem on a regular basis. Safety is a need and could get early round consideration. While
Mike Evans is a stud, Tampa Bay has to find another threat for
Jameis Winston.
20. Denver Broncos
2016 record: 9-7 (.549)
Top needs: OT, G, TE
Analysis: Russell Okung doesn't look like a long-term option at left tackle, and the guard play hasn't been much better. Both spots need to be addressed. Denver's zone-rushing scheme is much more effective with a tight end who is an able blocker and this draft will offer those players.
21. Detroit Lions
2016 record: 9-7 (.475)
Top needs: Pass rusher, CB, LB
Analysis: Most of the
Lions' top needs rest on the defensive side of the ball. Finding more pass rush from a defensive end or penetrating DT is a priority. The
Lions also need a three-down LB who can cover in space. Adding competition at CB could be a Day 2 or 3 priority.
22. Miami Dolphins
2016 record: 10-6 (.455)
Top needs: G, DE, LB
Analysis: If
Branden Albert and
Mario Williams become cap casualties,
Laremy Tunsil will move to LT, which opens up a guard spot, and defensive end will be in play via the draft. As
Dolphins fans will no doubt tell you, the linebacker position must be addressed.
23. New York Giants
2016 record: 11-5 (.486)
Top needs: LB, RB, DT
Analysis: The play at linebacker wasn't what the
Giants had hoped for.
Paul Perkins might be a committee running back, but the
Giants could use a hammer at that position. This team has never shied away from taking defensive tackles.
24. Oakland Raiders
2016 record: 12-4 (.504)
Top needs: MLB, DT, CB
Analysis: The
Raiders had hoped that their offseason changes at cornerback would help shore up that deficiency, but it looks shaky at best. The
Raiders have improved their offensive line greatly, and now they need a stout defensive tackle. Middle linebacker is a possibility.
25. Houston Texans
2016 record: 9-7 (.502)
Top needs: QB, ILB, OL
Analysis: Brock Osweiler has not proven that he's the answer at QB, and owner Bob McNair has said the team
needs "much better" from the position. Finding a speedy ILB with cover talent is a need. They have fought through injuries at OL, but more competition is needed up front.
26. Seattle Seahawks
2016 record: 10-5-1 (.441)
Top needs: OT, DT, CB
Analysis: The first need should be left tackle and the second need should be right tackle. OT is that high of a priority. Adding talent at the hybrid DE/DT spot should be a possibility, as should finding another long-armed, physical playmaker at cornerback.
27. Kansas City Chiefs
2016 record: 12-4 (.508)
Top needs: ILB, DL, CB
Analysis: The
Chiefs will need to find the next
Derrick Johnson at an inside linebacker spot at some point, and adding depth at defensive line is a must. They need to find more help for the secondary, too.
28. Dallas Cowboys
2016 record: 13-3 (.471)
Top needs: DE, CB, TE
Analysis: Dallas gambled twice on character at the DE spot and might have lost both times. It's time to go get a pass rusher yet again. Dallas could stand to find a starter at cornerback. With
Jason Witten in his mid-30s, adding an in-line TE could be a wise move.
29. Green Bay Packers
2016 record: 10-6 (.508)
Top needs: CB, LB, pass rusher
Analysis: The play of the
Packers cornerbacks over the second half of the season put their issues in the spotlight. Finding an active tackle-maker at inside linebacker could be an early priority while a pass rusher will be in play throughout the offseason.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers
2016 record: 11-5 (.494)
Top needs: LB, TE, RB
Analysis: The outside linebacker spot has become a must for the
Steelers. Pittsburgh needs to find RB depth behind
Le'Veon Bell and a playmaking tight end who can stay on the field.
31. Atlanta Falcons
2016 record: 11-5 (.480)
Top needs: DT, CB, Edge
Analysis: If Atlanta wants to continue to build on its foundation of talent, it needs to keep finding pass rushers. A dominant defensive lineman would go a long way in shoring up the defense, as would more cover help in the secondary at either corner or safety.
32. New England Patriots
2016 record: 14-2 (.439)
Top needs: OT, LB, TE
Analysis: The
Patriots will have to address offensive tackle at some point soon. With the trade of
Jamie Collins, finding a playmaking LB could be in play.
Rob Gronkowski is big, talented and dangerous, but he'll also be coming off of yet another surgery. Adding another TE would make sense.
Teams without a first-round pick
Los Angeles Rams
2016 record: 4-12 (.504)
Top needs: CB, G, WR
Analysis: The Rams have depth at the cornerback spot, but could use a true lockdown guy. Finding the right pieces along the offensive line to help open holes for Todd Gurley is a must. The search for a true WR1 to go with Jared Goff should be considered as well.
Note: The Rams traded their 2017 first-round pick to the Titans before the 2016 draft.
Will be picking 5th in the second round and will be in Group 1.
Minnesota Vikings
2016 record: 8-8 (.492)
Top needs: OT, RB, DT
Analysis: Addressing offensive tackle could be critical. The level of need at RB is dependent upon Adrian Peterson's future, and defensive-tackle depth is needed.
Note: The Vikings traded their 2017 first-round pick to the Eagles in a deal to acquire Sam Bradford.
Will be picking 14th in the second round and will be in Group 2.
