NFL: Every Team’s Two Biggest Needs They Must Address During The Draft (Part One)

We are almost a month removed from the start of the new NFL league year, and the complexion of almost every team has changed dramatically.

The Bengals locked down Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase. The Bears completely revamped their offensive line. The Rams found Cooper Kupp’s replacement by signing Davante Adams. Even the Seahawks added a new quarterback with Sam Darnold after trading away Geno Smith to the Raiders.

Despite all of the intriguing moves that have been made across the league, some teams will need to finalize and shore up their rosters through the 2025 NFL Draft. So, let’s take a look at the two biggest needs that each team should address in the Draft.

Arizona Cardinals – OL, WR

The Cards fixed their defensive line by re-signing two players and adding three new guys in the trenches. They need to bolster the offensive line now, namely the interior, because Evan Brown, Hjalte Froholdt, and Royce Newman aren’t exactly world-beaters.

I would also like to see them draft another wide receiver to group with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride. They signed Zay Jones, but he’s 30. And Greg Dortch is only under contract for one year. Their offense could really benefit from more wide receiver talent.

Atlanta Falcons – DL, CB

The additions of Leonard Floyd and Kentavius Street should help Atlanta’s 31st-ranked pass rush, but they need to draft a new interior lineman after releasing defensive cornerstone Grady Jarrett. Then again, they could opt for an edge rusher. It really depends on who the best available player is when they’re picking.

Re-signing Mike Hughes was smart, but that didn’t stop the Dirty Birds from losing three other cornerbacks this off-season. I could see them addressing the cornerback position early in the draft since they were 29th in passer rating allowed and 31st in touchdown passes given up.

Baltimore Ravens – DL, DB

The Ravens need to draft a defensive end, a defensive tackle, or maybe even both. Their best pass rusher just turned 34 years old, and one of their best nose tackles (Michael Pierce) retired in March. Adding bodies along the defensive front is a top priority during the draft.

Baltimore is also incredibly thin in the secondary. They only have eight defensive backs on their roster, according to the team website. That’s not enough, considering most squads dress at least ten DBs on gameday. Therefore, I expect them to take a safety or a cornerback in the first four rounds.

Buffalo Bills – CB, DT

They extended cornerback Christian Benford, but they have some questions regarding who will be the team’s number two corner, especially after trading away Kaiir Elam. Though they brought in Dane Jackson, he ranked 214th out of 222 cornerbacks during the regular season, according to Pro Football Focus. They’ll likely need to add another DB or two.

While wide receiver could be another direction they go in, I believe they need to add another body along the defensive interior. Larry Ogunjobi, who signed a one-year deal, is clearly a short-term answer at that spot, and he’s slated to miss the first six games of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. They need to draft a guy who can fill in while Ogunjobi is absent.

Carolina Panthers – DL, DB

I desperately want the Panthers to select offensive weapons with their premium draft picks, but they have way too many needs on the defensive side of the ball. They’ll be getting back Derrick Brown, who basically missed all of last season due to injury, but that shouldn’t deter them from adding an edge rusher. Even if they don’t go in that direction, they could use a new nose tackle to pair with Brown.

Similarly to the Ravens, the Cats only have eight defensive backs currently signed to their roster. Unlike Baltimore, Carolina was dead last in opposing quarterback rating allowed (105.4), so they need to improve the secondary via the draft.

Chicago Bears – EDGE, RB

They don’t NEED to address the offensive line early in the 2025 NFL Draft, but I expect them to do that if Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty isn’t on the board when they’re on the clock with the tenth overall pick.

What they must do is add an edge rusher and a running back. They need a good rotational edge piece who can cycle in, allowing Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo to take some snaps off. They should also add a running back at some point to give some relief to D’Andre Swift. Hell, a rookie running back could even become the eventual starter, enabling Chicago to move on from Swift, who has an out in his contract next off-season.

Cincinnati Bengals – EDGE, LB

Since Trey Hendrickson’s future with Cincy remains unclear, it would be wise for the Bengals to invest premium draft capital in another edge rusher. If they move on from Hendrickson, then they’ll have his replacement. If Hendrickson stays with Cincinnati, then another pass-rusher will be able to take some pressure off of him and allow him to continue to put up gaudy numbers.

While they could benefit from secondary help, I think they’ll focus on finding another inside linebacker in the first few rounds of the draft. They only have six LBs available to fill three starting spots. More importantly, just one player on their roster is a natural middle linebacker.

Cleveland Browns – WR, RB

They still have Deshaun Watson and added Kenny Pickett to the roster, so they don’t necessarily have to use an early-round pick on another quarterback. They do, however, need to find a number two wide receiver and another running back who could maybe supplant Nick Chubb.

Even with Jerry Jeudy having a Pro Bowl-worthy season, the Browns were 20th in team receiving yards. After letting Elijah Moore walk, Cleveland must add another wideout in the draft.

I also don’t think they can rely on Nick Chubb anymore. Before he tore his ACL, Chubb reached four straight Pro Bowls and made 75 starts. Over the last two seasons, he has only made ten starts. A new running back is essential in The Land.

Dallas Cowboys – WR, CB

After signing two running backs in free agency, they could stay put with that group as it’s currently constructed, but I don’t think they’ll end up doing that.

In the meantime, they should add another wideout and a cornerback. Their number-one wide receiver is obviously CeeDee Lamb, but the ‘Boys have questions after him. I think KaVontae Turpin is a good slot option, but they need a respectable number-two receiving threat.

Cornerback should also be a position they address early on. Trevon Diggs’ status for the start of the season is uncertain, and they appear to have only one true nickel corner on their roster, so they’ll likely address the secondary in the second or third round.

Denver Broncos – RB, WR

The Broncos let Javontae Williams go in free agency, meaning they have zero running backs on their roster who have rushed for more than 500 yards in a single NFL season. I don’t think Denver will take a running back in the first round, but I could see them taking one in the second.

Another wide receiver threat to take the focus off of Courtland Sutton is vital. They’re set at slot receiver with Marvin Mims Jr., but a respectable number-two receiving option will do wonders for the progression of second-year quarterback Bo Nix.

Detroit Lions – EDGE, OL

Aidan Hutchinson’s return will undoubtedly improve the Lions’ pass rush, but they need another edge rusher along the defensive front. They let Za’Darius Smith walk in free agency, and Marcus Davenport is only under contract for one year. Another young buck along the line will help the Lions’ defense tremendously.

After starting guard Kevin Zeitler opted to sign with the Titans, Detroit will probably be looking for his replacement or, at the very least, some depth so that they can move guys around and test them at the right guard spot. Whether they pick a natural offensive guard or a tackle and move him inside has yet to be determined, but you can bet they’ll draft a lineman.

Green Bay Packers – CB, WR

It sounds like there’s a possibility that starting cornerback Jaire Alexander will stay with the team for this coming season. However, he has a history of injury issues and rubbed some people within the organization the wrong way when there were rumors that he didn’t play through injuries. This leads me to believe that the Packers will add another cornerback early in the draft.

Green Bay has a lot of questions at the wideout position without a defined number-one receiver. After failing to sign a number-one wide receiver in free agency, I think they will add one early in the draft. This is especially true when you realize that eight of the Packers’ ten rostered wideouts will be free agents next off-season.

Houston Texans – OL, WR

Three of the Texans’ five starting linemen from last season are playing elsewhere, including starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who was traded to the Commanders. They need help on the inside and outside of the offensive line, but I think they should draft a tackle first.

I like the additions of Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios, but they can still use more wide receiver help. Tank Dell will likely miss the entirety of the 205-26 season, and Nico Collins needs somebody who can come in and take the focus off of him.

Indianapolis Colts – IOL, TE

Though the Colts were one of the best pass-protecting teams in the league last season, they lost their starting center and right guard to free agency. They’ll need to address the interior offensive line in the first or second round because quarterback Anthony Richardson has trouble staying healthy.

They also need a tight end. Their two best tight ends left in free agency. Most importantly, a reliable tight end could really help Anthony Richardson’s development, which is vital for Indy’s success for years to come.

Jacksonville Jaguars – CB, DT

The Jaguars only have seven cornerbacks currently on their roster and have nobody reliable to play on the other side of Tyson Campbell. Considering they had the worst passing defense in the NFL, I think they’ll need to draft a cornerback with their first or second pick.

Since the Jags run a 4-3 defense, they’re forced to start two defensive tackles on every play. With that in mind, I think they need to find another person to pair with Arik Armstead. Unfortunately for Jacksonville, their other starting defensive tackle (DaVon Hamilton) has failed to record a sack in the last two seasons.

Kansas City Chiefs – OL, TE

After losing Joe Thuney through a trade, the Chiefs’ offensive line hasn’t improved much from last season. That could be disastrous, considering how KC’s offensive line was exposed in the Super Bowl. I expect them to select one or two offensive linemen in the draft.

I’m going to keep saying this: Kansas City needs to find Travis Kelce’s replacement! I can almost guarantee that Kelce will retire after this season or the following off-season. It’s better to find his successor now and let him learn from one of the best tight ends in NFL history.