USA TODAY International Edition
TEAM BY TEAM NEEDS
AFC EAST
BUFFALO BILLS
First- round pick: No. 10 Draft outlook: The Bills have seven picks, including three fifthrounders, but no selections in the fourth or seventh round.
Needs: The Bills lost cornerback Stephon Gilmore in free agency, so cornerback could be the right choice at No. 10, especially given the strength of this defensive back class. With questions about the long- term viability of 2014 first- round pick Sammy Watkins ( foot injuries), the Bills need more help at receiver. MIAMI DOLPHINS
First- round pick: No. 22 Draft outlook: The Dolphins have eight picks. Five of their picks are in the fifth round or later.
Needs: Linebacker was the Dolphins’ most glaring need heading into the offseason, and it was partially addressed with the addition of veteran Lawrence Timmons. Picking at No. 22 could be the perfect time to add a linebacker. The Dolphins also could take advantage of a deep class of pass rushers to add young players to learn from Cameron Wake. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS First- round pick: None Draft outlook: Barring a trade, the Patriots won’t pick until late Friday night, when they make the first of two third- round selections. New England has six total picks, four of which were acquired in trades. Needs: The Patriots were quite active on the free agent and trade markets this offseason. With quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and cornerback Malcolm Butler serving as desirable trade bait, draft weekend could be interesting in New England, even without firstand second- round picks. The Patriots don’t have any glaring holes, but they could stand to add pass rushers and to improve their offensive tackle depth. NEW YORK JETS First- round pick: No. 6 Draft outlook: The Jets have seven picks, including two in the third round. They don’t own a fourth- round pick.
Needs: The Jets enter another draft with a major question at quarterback. Could the team draft a passer for the third consecutive year, and, if so, how high would the Jets add a quarterback to compete with 2015 pick Bryce Petty and 2016 pick Christian Hackenberg? The Jets also need to add depth at wide receiver, cornerback and offensive line after moving on from veterans Brandon Marshall, Darrelle Revis and Nick Mangold.
AFC NORTH
BALTIMORE RAVENS First- round pick: No. 16 Draft outlook: The Ravens own seven picks, all within the first six rounds.
Needs: The Ravens could be sitting in the prime place to take a wide receiver in the first round, which would fill the team’s most glaring need after the retirement of Steve Smith Sr. Another major area of need is a pass rusher, to find a young player to line up opposite ( and eventually replace) Terrell Suggs. CINCINNATI BENGALS
First- round pick: No. 9 Draft outlook: The Bengals will be one of the busiest teams in the draft with 11 picks. Cincinnati has a pair of picks in each of Rounds 4- 7.
Needs: The roster looks vastly different after the free agency departures of left tackle Andrew Whitworth and guard Keith Zeitler, and the Bengals will have to try to replace both and replenish line depth in the draft. While the Bengals have two elite defensive linemen in tackle Geno Atkins and end Carlos Dunlap, they need to add another edge rusher to increase the speed on defense. CLEVELAND BROWNS First- round picks: No. 1 and No. 12
Draft outlook: The Browns own 11 picks, with five coming within the first 65 picks.
Needs: The Browns have been stockpiling picks over the last year, knowing they need many new players to overhaul the roster. Now is the time to put that plan into action and use this draft to fill many needs — none bigger than quarterback. Outside of the offensive line, where they invested heavily during free agency, the Browns don’t have a position on the roster that can’t be improved through the draft. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
First- round pick: No. 30 Draft outlook: The Steelers have eight picks, including two in the third round.
Needs: The Steelers have a young star in inside linebacker Ryan Shazier but need to get younger and deeper around him after Lawrence Timmons and Jarvis Jones departed. With the depth of this class of edge rushers, the Steelers could find a Week 1 starter at the end of the first round. The Steelers also have long- term questions at cornerback.
AFC SOUTH
HOUSTON TEXANS First- round pick: No. 25 Draft outlook: The Texans have seven picks.
Needs: With only Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden on the roster, the Texans have to add a quarterback, then they’ll need to draft offensive linemen to protect whoever winds up under center. Right
tackle is a particularly big need. The Texans also could use help at cornerback ( after losing starter A. J. Bouye) and inside linebacker. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
First- round pick: No. 15 Draft outlook: New GM Chris Ballard has seven picks but none in the sixth or seventh rounds.
Needs: The Colts have plenty of needs on defense, particularly at cornerback and safety, and need a pass rusher after the retirement of Robert Mathis. On offense, the most glaring need is at running back because of Frank Gore’s age and the desire to lessen the burden on franchise quarterback Andrew Luck. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS First- round pick: No. 4 Draft outlook: The Jaguars have seven picks, one in each round.
Needs: The Jaguars invested heavily on defense in recent offseasons, through free agency and the draft, so the team’s biggest needs are on offense as it tries to help 2014 first- round quarterback Blake Bortles. Jacksonville has skill- position needs, especially at tight end and running back, as well as offensive tackle. TENNESSEE TITANS First- round picks: No. 5 and No. 18
Draft outlook: The Titans own a pair of first- rounders due to the 2016 trade with the Los Angeles Rams to give up the first overall pick. The Titans own eight total picks, including two valuable third- rounders.
Needs: Cornerback looked like a need for the Titans for much of the offseason, especially after the team released veteran Jason McCourty. On offense, the Titans’ top need is at wide receiver — and not just depth. Tennessee lacks a true No. 1 receiver, and finding one is critical to help the development of quarterback Marcus Mariota.
AFC WEST
DENVER BRONCOS First- round pick: No. 20 Draft outlook: The Broncos own 10 picks, and four come with- in the first 101 selections.
Needs: The Broncos need to find a left tackle in this draft, and likely one who will be ready to start in September. Other offensive needs are at tight end and slot receiver. Defensively, the Broncos need to add depth to the front seven, particularly at defensive end and inside linebacker. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS First- round pick: No. 27 Draft outlook: The Chiefs have 10 picks, including two apiece in the third, fifth and sixth rounds.
Needs: The Chiefs have several spots at which they need to get younger on defense, particularly inside and outside linebacker, with Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali heading into the final years of their careers. After losing nose tackle Dontari Poe in free agency, the Chiefs could add depth there. Kansas City also could draft a quarterback to provide more depth behind Alex Smith after backup Nick Foles left in free agency. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS First- round pick: No. 7 Draft outlook: The Chargers own seven picks, one in each round. Needs: This draft is a chance for the Chargers to make a splash in their first offseason in Los Angeles, and they could do so by selecting skill- position players early. That would help the Chargers address real needs — particularly at wide receiver and in the secondary. OAKLAND RAIDERS First- round pick: No. 24 Draft outlook: The Raiders have eight picks.
Needs: Oakland addressed its biggest offensive hole on the eve of the draft with the signing of veteran running back Marshawn Lynch, so it would make sense if the Raiders focused on defense in the draft as general manager Reggie McKenzie tries to upgrade that side of the ball. Cornerback and middle linebacker are particularly big needs that could be targeted in the first round.