Pressing needs in AFC

Teams need to address their weaknesses as they head into a busy offseason.

For most NFL teams, the process of figuring out how to get better starts this week.

And every club — even the one that winds up winning the Super Bowl next month — will try to make upgrades during the offseason via free agency, the draft or trades.

“Teams are self-evaluating right now,” said Ted Sundquist, the former general manager of the Broncos, “letting the owner know, ‘This is where we think we’re at. This is the direction that we’re going to go. This is where we think we need to improve in order to get to the playoffs next year.’ You have a firm understanding, having come out of Week 17, where your holes are.”

Some teams need more help than others, of course. And some moves will work out better than others.

Reporters from The Associated Press who cover the NFL look at what each AFC team’s most pressing needs are (NFC teams ran in Sunday’s paper):

AFC EAST

Patriots: DE — New England likely will want young talent to replenish the front seven.

Dolphins: LB — Kiko Alonso was solid when healthy, but Miami could use at least two linebackers after having trouble stopping the run and defending short passes over the middle.

Bills: WR, S, QB — Big holes at receiver, where Buffalo needs someone opposite Sammy Watkins, and safety, where Aaron Williams’ neck injury created problems. QB has been unsettled since Jim Kelly retired two decades ago.

Jets: QB, CB, S— A roster overhaul starts at quarterback, where Ryan Fitzpatrick was a bust, Geno Smith got hurt, Bryce Petty was uninspiring before getting hurt, and Christian Hackenberg is a real project. Also, the secondary could end up with four new starters.

AFC SOUTH

Texans: OT, QB — LT Derek Newton tore both patellar tendons in October and it’s unlikely he’ll be ready for the start of next season, while Duane Brown is an unrestricted free agent after next season. Houston could draft a QB after Brock Osweiler’s poor season.

Titans: CB, WR — Cornerback is a glaring need. Tennessee also could use a speedy wide receiver to stretch the field.

Colts: Pass rusher, CB — Indianapolis needs someone to chase down QBs. Adding a cornerback to start opposite Vontae Davis also would help.

Jaguars: OL — Made strides along their offensive line, going from allowing 71 sacks in 2014, to 51 in 2015, to 34 this season. But if QB Blake Bortles is going to develop further, he needs more protection.

AFC NORTH

Steelers: LB — James Harrison is 38 and isn’t going to play forever. Pittsburgh needs to develop a consistent pass rusher opposite Bud Dupree. Lawrence Timmons is set to become a free agent and former first-round pick Jarvis Jones not in the team’s 2017 plans.

Ravens: CB — A season-ending injury to Jimmy

Smith left the Ravens with journeyman Shareece Wright and rookie Tavon Young at the corners for the final three weeks.

Bengals: OL, DE — Only six teams allowed more sacks. Cincinnati expected firstround pick Cedric Ogbuehi to move into the right tackle spot, but he struggled, had his role reduced, and was benched. The defense is old.

Browns: QB — After skipping the chance to draft a top college quarterback last year, Cleveland must get it right with one of its two top10 picks.

AFC WEST

Chiefs: LB, WR — Finding a middle linebacker is crucial. And Kansas City’s seemingly endless search for offensive help means it’ll eye a wideout to support Jeremy Maclin and Tyreek Hill.

Raiders: LB — Oakland could use a more dominant inside linebacker than Perry Riley Jr. or Malcolm Smith to complement edge rushers Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin.

Broncos: OL — Denver must refurbish its line for the second consecutive offseason. Two free agents, Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson, didn’t fare well. Guards Max Garcia and Ty Sambrailo regressed. Center Matt Paradis was bothered all season by bad hips.

Chargers: Owner — It won’t happen, but fans have been clamoring for it as Dean Spanos appears to be leaning toward moving the team to Los Angeles. The Chargers missed the playoffs for the sixth time in seven seasons — and were the only team to lose to the 1-15 Browns.

DARRON CUMMINGS / AP The Jaguars have slowly been providing protection for quarterback Blake Bortles, who needs even more blockers if he is to develop further.