Everything changes the second that clock hits zero in the final week of the regular season. For about 24 fanbases, the "wait until next year" mantra officially kicks in, and the obsession with the draft begins. But honestly, most of the mock drafts you see in January are just guesswork based on highlights rather than roster math.
I’ve been digging into the cap sheets and the "hidden" holes—the guys who look like starters but are actually on expiring deals or hitting that dreaded age-30 wall.
If you’re looking at nfl draft needs by team, you have to look past the box score. A team might have a "productive" pass rush, but if two of those guys are free agents and the third is a 33rd-overall disappointment from three years ago, that’s a crisis.
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The Quarterback Reset: Raiders, Jets, and Cardinals
It’s the same old story, right? But the 2026 landscape is particularly brutal for some of these bottom-dwellers.
The Las Vegas Raiders own the No. 1 pick for a reason. They’ve been stuck in purgatory. The consensus among scouts right now is that Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is the guy. It feels like a fait accompli. They need a face for the franchise, someone who isn’t just a bridge. But let’s be real: if they don’t fix that offensive line, they’re just throwing a rookie into a meat grinder.
Then you’ve got the New York Jets at No. 2. They tore it down to the studs at the trade deadline. They have four picks in the top 50, which is basically a "get out of jail free" card if they play it right. Dante Moore out of Oregon is the name everyone is whispering about. He’s accurate, he processes fast, but the Jets have a history of ruining these kids. They need to use those extra picks on a tackle like Spencer Fano to keep Moore upright.
And Arizona. Man, the Arizona Cardinals are a mess. Kyler Murray’s future is murkier than ever. If they move on, they’re looking at a total rebuild. They don't just need a QB; they need a running back to replace the aging production they lost this year. They fell to 30th in EPA per rush. That is catastrophic for a team that wants to be physical.
Why Offensive Line Is the "Invisible" Need
You'll hear analysts talk about "sexy" picks like wide receivers, but look at the New York Giants. Outside of Andrew Thomas, that line is a revolving door. Jermaine Eluemunor is hitting free agency, and if they don't find a right tackle, it won't matter who they have at receiver. They basically need to draft three starters up front over the next two years.
The Los Angeles Chargers are in a similar boat. Justin Herbert spent most of the Wild Card loss running for his life. Their interior line is soft. Expect them to target someone like Connor Lew from Auburn. He’s the kind of gritty center who changes the culture of a room.
Defensive Desperation: The Edge Rusher Shortage
If you can’t hit the quarterback, you can’t win in today’s NFL. Simple as that.
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The Carolina Panthers invested a ton in the edge last year and got... nothing. They finished dead last in pressure rate off the edge. That’s embarrassing. They need a game-changer like Rueben Bain Jr. from Miami. He’s a freak of nature who can slide inside or out.
The Dallas Cowboys are facing a silent exodus. Dante Fowler Jr. and Jadeveon Clowney are both headed for the exit. Their pass rush has been thin and inconsistent for months. They need youth. They need speed. Honestly, they might have to go defensive line with their first two picks just to keep pace in the NFC East.
- Baltimore Ravens: They lost Nnamdi Madubuike to a scary neck injury and traded away Odafe Oweh. Their pressure rate is in the basement.
- Chicago Bears: They can't stop the run. They allowed more yards before contact than anyone. They need a "plug" in the middle, a 340-pounder who just eats double teams.
- Philadelphia Eagles: Howie Roseman loves his trenches, but the edge depth is aging out. Don't be surprised if they take a corner early, but a pass rusher is the "sneaky" need.
Skill Position Gaps: The WR1 Hunt
The Buffalo Bills are trying to find a WR1 for Josh Allen... again. Keon Coleman hasn't been the guy. He was a healthy scratch multiple times this season. Khalil Shakir is great, but he’s a complementary piece. Buffalo needs a true "X" receiver who demands a double team. Someone like Carnell Tate from Ohio State fits the mold perfectly.
The Atlanta Falcons are in a weird spot. Drake London is a stud, but behind him? It’s a desert. Darnell Mooney is carrying a massive cap hit for very little production. With Michael Penix Jr. developing, they need to surround him with more than just Kyle Pitts. They need a vertical threat who can take the lid off a defense.
Team-by-Team Snapshot of Critical Needs
- Tennessee Titans: They need to protect Cam Ward. He’s the future, but the defense was a sieve this year. They need a safety and a tackle, probably in that order.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence had a career year, but Travis Etienne is a free agent. If he walks, that offense loses its balance. They also need a corner to help out whatever version of Travis Hunter they decide to play on defense.
- San Francisco 49ers: Their Super Bowl window is propped open by duct tape. They need offensive line depth and a successor at wide receiver if the cap crunch gets too tight.
NFL Draft Needs by Team: The Reality of 2026
The biggest mistake people make is thinking a team will draft for their worst position. Usually, they draft for the position where they’re about to lose a starter they can’t afford to pay.
Look at the Philadelphia Eagles. People see the secondary and scream "cornerback!" But look at the interior offensive line. Landon Dickerson’s health is a real concern, and Tyler Steen hasn't quite locked down his spot. A Day 2 pick on a guard is a boring pick that wins games in November.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers are also at a crossroads. They made the playoffs, but the QB situation is still a giant question mark. Are they sticking with the veteran route, or do they finally take a swing on a guy like Garrett Nussmeier? If they wait until Day 2, they might get stuck in that "good but not great" loop for another three years.
Actionable Insights for the Offseason
If you're tracking these moves, keep an eye on the Salary Cap. Teams like the Chargers and Titans have over $90 million in space. They can fix their "needs" in free agency, which completely flips their draft board.
On the flip side, the Giants and Texans are effectively broke. They must hit on their draft picks because they can't afford to buy veterans.
- Watch the "Legal Tampering" Period: This is where the draft needs actually get defined. If the Jets sign a veteran tackle, you can bet they're going QB at No. 2.
- Monitor Pro Day Medicals: For teams like the Eagles (Dickerson) and Ravens (Madubuike), medical reports on current players will dictate if they "reach" for a replacement early.
- Don't Ignore the Secondary: This is a deep cornerback class. Teams like the Jaguars and Cowboys will likely wait until Round 2 to find a starter, allowing them to go "Best Player Available" in Round 1.
The draft isn't just a three-day event in April; it's a chess match that starts the moment the season ends. Pay attention to who is visiting team facilities and, more importantly, which veterans are getting "thanks for the memories" tweets from the official team accounts. That's where the real needs are revealed.