With free agency winding down, NFL teams are focusing on next week's draft to restock their roster for 2018. Some teams, like the Cleveland Browns, should be able to address a host of issues with a boat load of picks. Others, like the New York Giants, need to decide how to best take advantage of rare position at the top of the draft order when quarterbacks figure to fly off the board early in Round 1.
Here's a comprehensive look at the lingering holes on every NFL roster and what they've done, and could still do, to address them.
Jump to: NFC East | North | South | West
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Philadelphia Eagles
Needs: WR, LB, offensive line, RB, CB
Analysis: The Super Bowl champs re-signed linebacker Nigel Bradham but lost tight end Trey Burton and running back LeGarrette Blount in free agency. The Eagles could use some additional help at linebacker and running back, and more probably needs to be done at wide receiver after Torrey Smith was traded but Mike Wallace was signed. It might be time to address the offensive line, with left tackle Jason Peters returning from an injury-shortened season. The Eagles have resisted any urge to trade quarterback Nick Foles after his Super Bowl MVP performance, so there seems to be little urgency to bolster that position at this point behind returning starter Carson Wentz.
Dallas Cowboys
Needs: WR, defensive line, LB
Analysis: The release of Dez Bryant might move wide receiver to the top of the list of the Cowboys' draft needs. They already have added veterans Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson at the position this offseason. But the Cowboys probably would be wise to try to get a wideout who could at least be part of the playing rotation. Bolstering their defensive line also could be a task worth prioritizing.
[From March: A trade-filled mock draft sees the Giants move down and still get a QB]
Washington Redskins
Needs: defensive line, CB, offensive line
Analysis: The secondary could be a priority after the trade of one cornerback, Kendall Fuller, in the Alex Smith deal and the free-agent departure of another, Bashaud Breeland. The arrival of Orlando Scandrick isn't enough to offset that. But no one should be too surprised if the Redskins address their defensive front early in the draft.
New York Giants
Needs: QB, RB, offensive line, pass rusher, CB
Analysis: The Giants face a franchise-defining decision with the No. 2 overall choice in the draft. Do they put the eventual successor to two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Eli Manning in place, or make the team around Manning better for what remains of his time in New York? They might receive a trade offer, of course, that enables them to do both. Taking running back Saquon Barkley would have the potential to make Manning's life considerably easier. The signing of tackle Nate Solder in free agency was a good first step for the offensive line but more must be done. The trade of Jason Pierre-Paul could necessitate adding a pass rusher at some point in the early rounds. Wide receiver would become a major need, of course, if Odell Beckham Jr. is traded but it does not appear at this point that anyone is willing to meet what would be a hefty price tag.
The Vikings added Kirk Cousins, now they have to protect him. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)Minnesota Vikings
Needs: offensive line, CB, RB, WR
Analysis: The Vikings made a huge investment by signing quarterback Kirk Cousins to a guaranteed three-year, $84 million deal in free agency, and now it's about making the offense better around him and giving him the best chance to succeed. That means upgrading the offensive line for sure and perhaps adding to the depth of the playmakers around him at receiver and running back. The headliners at those spots are very good but the Vikings could use some additional complementary players. The idea of signing Cousins was to make this a Super Bowl team, and a Super Bowl team needs plenty of contributors at those positions.
Detroit Lions
Needs: TE, pass rusher, RB
Analysis: Matt Patricia inherits a more promising team than most new NFL head coaches, given that the Lions fired predecessor Jim Caldwell after a 9-7 season. But there's plenty of roster-construction work still to be done. The release of tight end Eric Ebron, a former first-round pick, creates a need for a talented young player at the position. The Detroit defense could use another pass rusher, in particular, although Patricia sometimes had to find ways in New England to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks without elite pass rushers.
Green Bay Packers
Needs: WR, CB
Analysis: The Packers, as promised, were more active in free agency under their new general manager, Brian Gutekunst. The bar was low, of course, after they generally showed disdain for free agents under former GM Ted Thompson. But the arrivals of tight end Jimmy Graham, defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson and cornerback Tramon Williams could be significant. There's more to be done, however. The release of Jordy Nelson could necessitate getting a wide receiver, and the trade of Damarious Randall means help in the secondary could be a priority.
Chicago Bears
Needs: offensive line, defensive line, LB
Analysis: The Bears are committed to Mitchell Trubisky at quarterback and added some playmakers in free agency, including wide receiver Allen Robinson and tight end Trey Burton, to help him. Concentrating on the offensive and defensive lines in this draft might be wise. The departure of guard Josh Sitton in free agency means the interior of the offensive line might need help, and adding a pass rusher on defense certainly wouldn't hurt.
New Orleans Saints
Needs: TE, LB, QB, pass rusher
Analysis: The Saints tried but failed to get Jimmy Graham back to New Orleans in free agency. They signed Benjamin Watson as a free agent but that doesn't preclude adding a tight end in the draft. Drew Brees stayed with the Saints in free agency, as everyone expected. But it's about time to add a young quarterback as a potential down-the-road successor. This team should remain a viable NFC contender after returning to that status last season, thanks in part to an improved running game and defense. This is about tweaking, not overhauling. No one should expect a repeat of last year's memorably superb draft class in which the Saints landed four major contributors in cornerback Marshon Lattimore, offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk, safety Marcus Williams and tailback Alvin Kamara.
[Ranking the top 10 quarterbacks]
Carolina Panthers
Needs: WR, TE, CB
Analysis: Trading for Torrey Smith and signing Jarius Wright in free agency weren't enough to upgrade the wide receiver corps significantly. Brining in Norv Turner as the offensive coordinator was a good move to aid Cam Newton's development as a pocket passer. But giving him better receivers would be an even better move. Bolstering the depth at tight end would be wise with Greg Olsen being pursued by the TV networks for broadcasting jobs. Further help at cornerback is needed after the free agent signing of Bashaud Breeland was voided when he failed his physical.
Atlanta Falcons
Needs: defensive line, WR
Analysis: The most attention probably will be given to the defensive front after the free agent exits of Dontari Poe and Adrian Clayborn. Getting a wide receiver to complement Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu also remains a need. Neither of these issues was addressed in a meaningful way in free agency.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Needs: offensive line, RB, defensive line, CB
Analysis: The trade for Jason Pierre-Paul gives the Buccaneers the pass rusher they needed. That, coupled with the signing of Vinny Curry, means the defensive line probably does not need to be the top priority in the draft. But it shouldn't be ignored, either. The re-signing of cornerback Brent Grimes also was significant. The Buccaneers really should focus on getting a runner to replace Doug Martin and upgrading the offensive line. But there's plenty to be done after such a disappointing season.
The Rams have a great pass-rush up the middle, but could use an edge rusher to complement Aaron Donald. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)Los Angeles Rams
Needs: pass rusher, LB, offensive line
Analysis: The Rams clearly are not focused on building slowly through the draft at this point after making a series of big-splash moves this offseason. They signed defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and traded for cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib and wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Whether such an approach will work is another matter. They're left without a pick in the first or second rounds. The presence Suh and Aaron Donald, the reigning NFL defensive player of the year, gives opposing blockers plenty about which to fret. But the Rams might need another pass rusher off the edge after trading Robert Quinn. The trade of Alec Ogletree means that additional help at linebacker could be useful, and adding an offensive lineman or two to develop over time would make sense.
Seattle Seahawks
Needs: CB, safety, WR, TE, offensive line, defensive line
Analysis: The Seahawks as everyone has come to know them have ceased to exist with the exits of cornerback Richard Sherman, defensive end Michael Bennett and others. The secondary is in the process of being remade. Bennett and Sheldon Richardson must be replaced on the defensive line. The free agent departures of wide receiver Paul Richardson and tight end Jimmy Graham create some openings among quarterback Russell Wilson's group of pass-catchers, and Wilson's offensive line almost always needs bolstering. This is a team in transition that could have a difficult time remaining a contender.
Arizona Cardinals
Needs: QB, WR, offensive line, safety
Analysis: Does bringing in Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon fix the quarterback situation? The Cardinals
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