The draft needs for all 32 NFL teams

With Kyler Murray likely to miss a chunk of 2023 and the possibility of a DeAndre Hopkins trade, Arizona could be planning well beyond next season. The team will likely need to rebuild most of its offensive line between free agents and possible cuts, and the retirement of J.J. Watt and pending free agency for Zach Allen puts the defensive line in a similar state. The secondary is also set to lose some depth and potentially starting corner Byron Murphy to free agency.

The needs are many for the rebuilding Falcons. It’s unlikely the team has settled on Desmond Ridder as their long-term quarterback, and even if they do like him, Atlanta owes their quarterbacks better weapons and protection. More young pass-rushing talent would be welcome despite trading Arnold Ebiketie last season, and the secondary needs some high-end help for A.J. Terrell and Richie Grant.

Assuming the Ravens keep Lamar Jackson, they still need to find him some receivers after trading Marquise Brown last offseason. Young Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay have shown flashes, but the pair isn’t nearly enough. The defensive line could lose free agents Justin Houston and Jason Pierre-Paul, at the very least. The cornerbacks are in a similar position, with Marcus Peters and Kyle Fuller entering free agency.

Buffalo’s front office will be tested now that they have to leave cap space for Josh Allen, and there are a lot of needs after the team fell short of their ultimate goal in 2022. James Cook could be the only running back holdover, with Devin Singletary a free agent and Nyheim Hines a likely cap casualty. The offensive line depth needs addressing, and the wideout position is similar after the team struggled to find help beyond Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Safety could be the team’s biggest need with Jordan Poyer’s free agency and health questions for Micah Hyde and Damar Hamlin. The lack of pass rush was exposed after Von Miller’s midseason injury.

If new head coach Frank Reich feels the Panthers roster is ready to compete, he’ll likely find a better quarterback option than Sam Darnold. The team also needs more running back depth with D’Onta Foreman headed to the open market, and the offensive line should continue the rebuild that started last year. The defense is in a mostly strong state with a blend of young talent and veterans, though linebacker depth is a concern entering the offseason.

Fortunately, the Bears have a bevy of draft capital and cap space because they have numerous problems to address. Getting Justin Fields more help in his third season is at the top of the list. Chicago already started by acquiring Chase Claypool at the trade deadline but could still upgrade at both offensive tackle spots. The losses of Akiem Hicks, Khalil Mack, and Roquan Smith over the last year have left the front seven in shambles, and the team is set to lose depth in those areas due to expiring contracts.

Cincinnati fell just short in the AFC Championship, and their lack of offensive line depth was exposed after losing three starters. With Joe Mixon a possible cap casualty and Samaje Perine, a free agent, the team could take a running back early. The defense has to do something about free agents Germaine Pratt, Tre Flowers, Eli Apple, Jessie Bates, and Von Bell, so Cincy is likely to go heavy at linebacker and the secondary in the draft.

The Browns’ offense has become synonymous with the running game, but they’ll need to reload at running back if Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson are allowed to walk in free agency. The defensive line could lose Jadeveon Clowney, Taven Bryan, and Chase Winovich. It’s a similar story for the linebackers, where middle linebacker Anthony Walker and several depth pieces are free agents.

While there aren’t many dire areas of need in Dallas, the Cowboys will need to add a lot of depth. Tony Pollard’s free agency is the biggest issue hanging over the team this offseason, though the wide receiver and offensive line depth clearly need addressing. The defense could lose valuable players at all three levels, with linebacker the most pressing area as starters Leighton Vander Esch and Anthony Barr possibly testing the open market.

Denver could be busy this offseason if new head coach Sean Payton has his say, though the team is handicapped by lack of draft picks and cap space. The team’s protection of Russell Wilson was inconsistent last year, and two starters (Dalton Risner and Billy Turner) could depart. The defensive line could be revamped with multiple free agents, while Alex Singleton and Kareem Jackson could leave voids on the second and third levels.

Few teams were playing better than Detroit at the end of the regular season, and the offense looks in very good shape if they can replace Jamaal Williams and Justin Jackson to help D’Andre Swift. The defense, on the other hand, is a work in progress after ranking dead last in yards allowed. The team has some young keepers like Aidan Hutchinson, James Houston, and Jeff Okudah, but the personnel on that side of the ball needs another jolt.

The Packers’ offseason could go a variety of ways depending on Aaron Rodgers’ decision. In any event, there are some clear areas to address in the draft. Even with promising rookie efforts from Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, the team needs more receiving help. The defensive line could lose ends Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed, while the secondary is also set to lose Adrian Amos and several depth pieces.

New head coach DeMeco Ryans has a big task on his hands, and finding the long-term signal caller will be the most important task. The interior of the offensive line could use some patchwork, while the needs are more dire in pass rush and the second level on defense.

Will the Colts finally bite the bullet and draft their future signal caller? That seems likely after last year’s debacle at quarterback, but the offensive line also needs some revamping at left tackle and right guard. The potential loss of Parris Campbell makes wideout a need once again. The defensive line has depth issues regardless of whether they can re-sign Yannick Ngakoue, and veteran safety Rodney McLeod is a potential free-agent loss.

Jacksonville is set for a quieter offseason picking in the second half of the draft and with more limited cap space. Tight end Evan Engram appears to be the most significant free agent, though Marvin Jones would also be tough to replace. The offensive line needs additional depth, at the very least, and the same can be said for the defensive line.

Wide receiver is a potential need in KC for the second consecutive year with free agents JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman. Isiah Pacheco is the only running back signed beyond 2022. GM Brett Veach faces some tough choices with veteran defensive ends Frank Clark and Carlos Dunlap, and the team will want to get more developmental edge rushers regardless. The potential loss of starting safety Juan Thornhill creates another need.

Josh McDaniels once shocked the world by drafting Tim Tebow in the first round while in Denver, so nothing should surprise us heading into the 2023 draft. The team has far more needs than they did in his first offseason, with Derek Carr gone, a struggling offensive line with multiple free agents, little wideout depth, and a rough defense that ranked near the bottom of the league last season. The defense could lose nearly half its personnel in free agency, though coordinator Patrick Graham might prefer to start from scratch anyway.

If the big staff changes are any indication, head coach Brandon Staley’s back is against the wall heading into 2023. The Chargers don’t have a huge list of needs entering the offseason, though cap-saving moves could grow the needs. Right tackle is one clear area, and wideout depth was an issue last season. Morgan Fox and Drue Tranquill are free agents on defense, as is some of the depth behind them in the front seven.

The years of passing the buck in LA finally came back to bite the Rams last season. Their draft capital remains limited, though it’s more significant than last year. The struggles on the offensive line and at wideout were apparent last season after several key losses, making Matthew Stafford’s life more difficult. The defensive line could lose A’Shawn Robinson and Greg Gaines in free agency. At the same time, the secondary is set for a complete revamp between free agents and the possibility of a Jalen Ramsey trade.

A promising season ended in disappointing fashion due to injuries, but Miami could be on the cusp of something special with some better luck. Nearly the entire running back room is headed to free agency. The linebacker depth will take a similar hit if free agents aren’t retained, while the age of cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Byron Jones could necessitate a youth movement at cornerback.

Minnesota’s offseason emphasis became clear when they made a change at defensive coordinator, bringing in Brian Flores. There might not be a bigger need in the NFL than Minnesota’s cornerbacks, with multiple free agents and recent draft failures. The defensive line will also look to improve. The recent decline of Adam Thielen has been apparent, with the team need to add more wideout depth in Kevin O’Connell’s offense.

After an oddly quiet offseason in 2022, the Patriots have some urgent needs. Wide receiver was already a need before Jakobi Meyers entered free agency this offseason, and the offensive line might look to address both tackle spots. The defense is less of a concern, though there are potentially multiple holes to fill in the secondary with Jonathan Jones, Devin McCourty, and Jabrill Peppers among the free agents.

The Saints have not found their long-term quarterback since Drew Brees’ retirement, though they traded away what would have been an early first-round pick to Philadelphia. Wideout is a need once again, with veterans Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry becoming free agents. The defensive line could lose Marcus Davenport and three interior linemen, while the secondary is also set to lose the bulk of its depth.

New York has big free-agent decisions, led by Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. Running back depth will be a need even if Barkley is retained. The injury-plagued wideout room could lose at least three notable players in free agent, led by Sterling Shepard. A revamp of the linebacking corps is overdue, while safety Julian Love could depart as a free agent.

Assuming the Jets make good on their promise to add a veteran quarterback, the next priority will be adding to the offensive line. Center Connor McGovern is a free agent, and much of the remaining depth will hit the open market. The defensive line has similar concerns with Sheldon Rankins and Solomon Thomas lacking contracts, and the linebackers could lose two starters in Quincy Williams and Kwon Alexander.

With Jalen Hurts still on his rookie contract, Philly was all-in last season. They have many concerns to face this offseason, with impact players like Miles Sanders, Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson among their key free agents. It will be difficult to retain everyone if the team plans to pay Hurts, but the Eagles have an enviable amount of draft capital, including two first-round picks.

Pittsburgh would certainly like to add more weapons to help young Kenny Pickett, but the focus of their offseason will be more on the defensive side of the ball. The team faces major free agent decisions with Larry Ogunjobi, Robert Spillane, Devin Bush, Terrell Edmunds, and Cameron Sutton as they try to rebuild the defense back into an elite form. The team still has an elite core of players on that side of the ball, led by T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, Alex Highsmith, and Minkah Fitzpatrick, but the supporting cast has been lacking.

San Francisco’s ability to draft and develop players during the Kyle Shanahan-John Lynch area has been elite, but they face another big offseason. The offensive line could take a hit as Mike McGlinchey, Jake Brendel, and Daniel Brunskill potentially cash in elsewhere. The defensive line has just as many concerns, led by Samson Ebukam and Charles Omenihu. The hits could keep on coming in the secondary, with Jimmie Ward, Emmanuel Moseley, and Tashaun Gipson slated for free agency.

Seattle faced most of their toughest decisions last offseason, so they enter 2023 in a great position. The elephant in the room is Geno Smith’s status. The Seahawks have the draft capital from the Russell Wilson trade to select an elite quarterback prospect, which could be in their future regardless of retaining Smith. The team desperately needs to add wideout depth beyond DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. The defense could lose prominent free agents in the front seven, including Poona Ford, L.J. Collier, Bruce Irvin, and Cody Barton.

After Tom Brady’s retirement and wholesale assistant coaching changes, Tampa Bay’s direction in 2023 is unclear. It’s clear they will need to address quarterback somehow, and the defense is riddled with major free agents. After a disappointing year, the Bucs could opt to move on from the likes of Akiem Hicks, William Gholston, Lavonte David, Jamel Dean, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Mike Edwards, and Logan Ryan, as painful as those moves would be for fans.

New GM Ran Carthon has much to clean up from the former regime. His decision on Ryan Tannehill is the most significant, but the rest of the offense will also need addressing with the potential losses of Nate Davis and Taylor Lewan. The wideouts were disappointing last year, and the team can’t hope Treylon Burks suddenly becomes A.J. Brown in his sophomore season. Most of the defensive starters can be retained, though David Long is a free agent and Bud Dupree is a cut candidate. The cornerback play has been inconsistent despite the Titans spending so many high picks at the position recently.

Washington could be closer to being a contender than some think, but the poor quarterback play has held them back. The team liked what they saw from fifth-round rookie quarterback Sam Howell, but there are better options if the team wants to win now. The offensive line has been a work in progress and could lose guard Trai Turner. Washington would also do well to get some development prospects who could emerge at left tackle. The linebackers are set to lose Cole Holcomb and many depth pieces that can be easily replaced in the draft.