The NFL’s free agency has concluded its main phase, which means that the 32 franchises are focused on defining their strategies for the 2026 draft. This event will take place from April 23 to 25 in Pittsburgh and will be broadcast on ESPN, ABC, and the ESPN app. Teams will seek to fill the remaining vacancies in their rosters throughout the seven rounds of the draft. But, where does each team need to be reinforced? We’ve consulted our NFL reporters to identify the three most urgent positional needs for each of the 32 franchises heading into the draft, ordered from highest to lowest priority. In addition, NFL draft analysts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid have selected the prospects who could fit these needs and are projected to be selected after the first round. Let’s start with the Bills, who have important areas to cover under the direction of new head coach Joe Brady.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Main needs: Edge (Edge Defender), LB (Linebacker), WR (Wide Receiver) The Bills added experience at the edge position with the signing of Bradley Chubb, 29, but it’s crucial to reinforce the position for the future alongside Greg Rousseau and Michael Hoecht. Although the Bills made a big impact by acquiring receiver DJ Moore, they need to add at least another player to the receiving group. The inside linebacker position also went uncovered this offseason, and general manager Brandon Beane has highlighted the strength of this draft class at that position. – Alaina GetzenbergProspect to address a need outside of Round 1: Jaishawn Barham, Edge, Michigan. Although he is still learning the edge position after moving from linebacker, Barham has the type of explosiveness that the Bills have missed. He is projected as a Round 3 prospect who could move up, depending on how many edge players are selected in Round 1. – MillerMiami Dolphins
Main needs: WR, edge, CB (Cornerback) The trade of Jaylen Waddle put the receiver at the top of Miami’s draft needs list, without an established number 1 option. The signing of Joshua Uche and David Ojabo represents an improvement in the Dolphins’ pressure, but that shouldn’t stop them from spending a first-round pick on the position. Early in the draft, Miami could also consider the cornerback position, which is one of the least tested position groups on their roster despite free agent signings. – Marcel Louis-JacquesProspect to address a need outside of Round 1: Devin Moore, CB, Florida. The Dolphins have seven selections among the top 100 picks, but landing Moore at the end of Round 3 would offer an immediate boost to the secondary. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, he has the size and length to be a factor in the man-to-man press scheme that new coach Jeff Hafley will employ. – MillerNew England PatriotsMain needs: OL (Offensive Line), edge, LB The team’s executives are optimistic about the projected starting offensive line: left tackle Will Campbell, left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, center Jared Wilson, right guard Mike Onwenu, and right tackle Morgan Moses. However, they need to build better depth alongside backup C/G Ben Brown. In addition, Moses is 35 years old and entering his 13th NFL season; coach Mike Vrabel hinted that he will be managed with a reduced workload in training camp/practices. Also, more depth is needed at edge. Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said at the combine that the draft fits well for the team due to the volume of quality prospects at that position. – Mike ReissProspect to fill a need outside of Round 1: Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois. A key area of need for New England is finding speed at edge. At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, Jacas is well-built, but also has the first step that Vrabel’s defense lacks. – MillerNew York JetsMain needs: WR, QB (Quarterback), edge Most of free agency was dedicated to defense. Now, it’s time to get a player to complement receiver Garrett Wilson. Receivers not named Wilson have combined for only two touchdowns in their careers, both by Adonai Mitchell. The low-cost acquisition of Geno Smith provides a patch at quarterback, but the Jets need to add a young arm to the mix. They could add a developmental QB on Day 3, waiting until 2027 to make the big signing, when they have three first-round picks. They signed Joseph Ossai to replace Jermaine Johnson (traded) at edge, but there’s still a clear need for a speed rusher opposite Will McDonald IV. – Rich CiminiProspect to address a need outside of Round 1: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State. If the Jets opt to wait until Day 2 to select a quarterback, Allar’s qualities are intriguing. The 6-foot-5, 228-pound player has the biggest arm in this draft class and extra mobility. An ankle injury frustrated his last college season, but Allar’s potential is high if he is developed. – MillerAFC NORTH
Baltimore RavensMain needs: IOL (Interior Offensive Line), DT (Defensive Tackle), WR The Ravens’ biggest need is clearly to strengthen the interior offensive line for quarterback Lamar Jackson. Baltimore has the big challenge of replacing Tyler Linderbaum. After the signing of backup center Danny Pinter, it would not be surprising if the Ravens selected a center in the first or second round. “I think we have a good history of selecting centers,” said general manager Eric DeCosta at the beginning of free agency. “So, I am confident that we can do it.” At defensive tackle, optimism has been growing that two-time Pro Bowl player Nnamdi Madubuike will return from his neck injury. And last season, receiver Zay Flowers set career highs with 86 receptions and 1,211 receiving yards; the other Ravens receivers combined for 51 receptions for 735 yards. – Jamison HensleyProspect to address a need outside of Round 1: Keylan Rutledge, G (Guard), Georgia Tech. A stout and tough interior blocker, Rutledge fits the profile of Baltimore’s identity. He has the potential to fit at center or guard at the next level. – ReidCincinnati BengalsKey Needs: DT, OT (Offensive Tackle), WRA perfect draft could look like this for Cincinnati: interior defensive lineman (preferably a pass rusher), an offensive tackle who could act as a backup, and a slot wide receiver. Cincinnati will have a good position in each of the first three rounds to add depth in each of those positions. Of course, if a player who could be an immediate starter at slot cornerback or an elite pass rusher is available at number 10, that seems obvious. Otherwise, Cincinnati should take advantage of their bad 2025 record and take players in premium positions. – Ben Baby
Prospect to fill a need outside of Round 1: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia. Miller is a potentially disruptive defender who fits best as a 3-technique. His skillset could thrive in a scheme that allows its interior players to get upfield and create chaos at the first level. – ReidCleveland Browns
Main needs: OT, WR, QB The Browns spent the first wave of free agency improving their offensive line, but they still have an obvious hole at left tackle; Dawand Jones is coming off his third consecutive season-ending leg injury and feels more comfortable at right tackle. Cleveland also needs a playmaker to lift the league’s least productive receiving corps in 2025. And although the Browns haven’t added another quarterback and will miss Fernando Mendoza, this new staff could be forced to draft at that position. – Daniel OyefusiProspect to address a need outside of Round 1: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State. Outside of receiver Jerry Jeudy and tight end Harold Fannin Jr., the Browns lack perimeter threats. Hurst could unlock the team’s deep passing game, as he averaged 15.5 yards per reception in the last two seasons. – ReidPittsburgh SteelersMain needs: WR, IOL, S (Safety) Yes, the Steelers are doing their homework on quarterback prospects, but that’s not necessarily one of the top three needs in this weak class. Instead, they need to prioritize adding another receiver after the transfer of Michael Pittman Jr. and the loss of Calvin Austin III. New coach Mike McCarthy’s scheme demands more use of receivers than Arthur Smith’s system, which focuses on the tight end. The Steelers also lost starting guard Isaac Seumalo, although Spencer Anderson is developing into a solid player. And although the addition of Jaquan Brisker bolstered the depth of their safety group, they still need help for DeShon Elliott, and Jalen Ramsey if he continues playing safety. Last year’s signings of Juan Thornhill and Chuck Clark largely didn’t pan out. – Brooke PryorProspect to address a need outside of Round 1: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama. He’s not afraid to roll up his sleeves and do the dirty work, which personifies the qualities Pittsburgh has prioritized in previous years at receiver. Bernard can line up at multiple spots in formations to use his strong hands and show how he’s an asset as a run blocker. – ReidAFC SOUTH
Houston TexansMain needs: IOL, DT, CB
Houston’s focus in this draft is to find players with nascent talent who could become starters on the interior offensive line and at defensive tackle. Right now, Houston has a guard pairing of Wyatt Teller and Ed Ingram, along with Jake Andrews at center. Ingram just signed a three-year contract, but Houston needs a long-term answer on the left side. Since coach DeMeco Ryans arrived in 2023, the Texans have rotated between starting defensive tackles. It’s time for a long-term answer to pair with Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. on the edge. With the cornerback, it’s more about depth, in case Jalen Pitre, Derek Stingley Jr., or Kamari Lassiter suffer an injury. – DJ Bien-AimeProspect to cover a need outside of Round 1: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State. With two second-round picks and one in the third, the Texans can be serious about attacking this deep cornerback class. At 6 feet and 193 pounds, Johnson ran a 4.40 at the combine and has the length to be a nuisance for NFL receivers. – MillerIndianapolis Colts
Main needs: edge, LB, WR The Colts made renovating their front seven with “younger and faster” personnel a key part of their offseason plan. They have begun that process, but with departures including linebacker Zaire Franklin and defensive end Kwity Paye, they haven’t adequately replaced the production they lost. The Colts’ disappointing history of drafting edge rushers is unavoidable, especially in a year when they lack a first-round pick. Their history of discovering linebacker gems is much more encouraging, and they will need a couple of hits given the severe lack of depth there. At receiver, the trade of Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steelers has eroded depth at a key position. – Stephen HolderProspect to fill a need outside of Round 1: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri. He has risen up the boards since declaring for the draft and has given more time to review his tape. Trotter is a big hitter between the tackles and has great closing speed when working downhill. He could be a dream fit in coordinator Lou Anarumo’s scheme. – MillerJacksonville Jaguars
Main needs: DT, edge, LB The Jaguars led the NFL in run defense in 2025 but struggled to pressure the passer (ranked 27th with 32 total sacks). Aside from Arik Armstead (5.5 sacks), there was minimal pressure from the interior. That put the onus on edge rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, who combined for 11.5 sacks. Armstead is 32 and carries a $19.4 million cap figure, so there’s a chance the team could move on from him as a post-June 1 cut. The biggest offensive need is to add another running back alongside Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Bhayshul Tuten. Travis Etienne Jr. signed with the Saints in free agency. – Michael DiRoccoProspect to cover a need outside of Round 1: Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri. With three selections in the third round, the Jaguars will have ample opportunity to cover their need at defensive tackle. At 6 feet 4 inches and 313 pounds, McClellan has fantastic quickness off the snap and can use his massive and strong hands to control offensive linemen. – MillerTennessee TitansMain needs: edge, WR, C (Center) The Titans still need to incorporate an impactful edge rusher with Jeffery Simmons and John Franklin-Myers despite trading Jermaine Johnson. New coach Robert Saleh said he sees Oluwafemi Oladejo
