With the 2021 NFL Draft nearly here, Sportsnet’s expert panel has identified and broken down the biggest positional need for each of the 32 teams, laid out below by division.
The panel includes editors Geoff Lowe (AFC/NFC East) and Craig Battle (AFC/NFC West), and staff writers Mike Johnston (AFC/NFC South) and Emily Sadler (AFC/NFC North).
AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh Steelers
2020 record: 12-4
Top draft position: 24th
Biggest draft need: Offensive line
Big Ben is back, which both delays the need for drafting a new starting QB and significantly ups the urgency on landing an offensive lineman to keep the veteran QB on his feet and extend the team’s window of contention in an increasingly strong AFC North.
Baltimore Ravens
2020 record: 11-5
Top draft position: 27th (also picking 31st)
Biggest draft need: Help for Lamar Jackson
Baltimore fixed its issue at guard by signing Kevin Zeitler this spring, but now the departure of offensive lineman Orlando Brown opens up another need on the line. Bringing in someone who can learn alongside a proven veteran like Zeitler makes sense, as does bringing in an offensive weapon for Lamar Jackson. With two late first-rounders in hand, the Ravens can fill two big needs on Thursday.
Cleveland Browns
2020 record: 11-5
Top draft position: 26th
Biggest draft need: Linebacker
With a deep (and fun!) offence in place, Browns brass have already shown their dedication to defence this off-season with the targeted acquisition of John Johnson III to lead its young secondary. While landing another young pass-rusher to complement Myles Garret and learn behind Jadeveon Clowney would be a great get, a more versatile pick like a linebacker is a more pressing need. A deep offensive class works in Cleveland’s favour there, as they can sit and wait for a top-calibre linebacker to land in their laps at 26.
Cincinnati Bengals
2020 record: 4-11-1
Top draft position: 5th
Biggest draft need: A bodyguard for Burrow
With QBs slated to go at Nos. 1, 2 and 3, the Bengals are in prime position to get themselves one of the best non-QBs on the board. Depending on who Atlanta takes at No. 4, one of elite tight end Kyle Pitts or LSU Tiger wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase will be there for the taking. As tempting as that may be, given the Bengals’ lack of top-tier offensive weapons for Joe Burrow, keeping Burrow healthy and on his feet is the top priority – and that means offensive tackle Penei Sewell.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
2020 record: 13-3
Top draft position: 30th
Biggest draft need: Edge
The Bills roster is one of the more complete in the NFL heading into the draft, so Buffalo can really focus on getting the best player available. But if there’s one weakness on this Bills team, it’s the ability to generate sacks, and GM Brandon Beane could look to address that need at No. 30.
Miami Dolphins
2020 record: 10-6
Top draft position: 6th
Biggest draft need: Pass-catcher
After moving down to No. 12 in the deal with San Francisco, the Dolphins used a first-round pick to trade back up, signalling the team had an idea of a player (or players) it wanted to take at No. 6. Depending on how the top five plays out, Miami could focus on getting Tua Tagovailoa a new weapon in the pass game – something the Dolphins offence lacked down the stretch last season.
New England Patriots
2020 record: 7-9
Top draft position: 15th
Biggest draft need: Quarterback
New England was the busiest team this off-season, but still hasn’t addressed its long-term need at the sport’s most important position. If a QB who Bill Belichick likes falls to No. 15, it’s a no-brainer, but don’t be surprised if the Patriots move around the board in an attempt to get their guy.
New York Jets
2020 record: 2-14
Top draft position: 2nd
Biggest draft need: Offensive line
Quarterback is obviously the Jets’ biggest need at this point, but that will be addressed with Thursday’s first pick. Next, GM Joe Douglas should zero in on protecting his new QB (presumably BYU’s Zach Wilson) when the Jets select again at No. 23.
AFC SOUTH
Tennessee Titans
2020 record: 11-5
Top draft position: 22nd
Biggest draft need: Offensive tackle/cornerback
The Titans lost Corey Davis and Jonnu Smith, so they’d benefit from adding a talented pass catcher. A more pressing need, however, would be replacing Jack Conklin at right tackle or adding a young cornerback.
Indianapolis Colts
2020 record: 11-5
Top draft position: 21st
Biggest draft need: Offensive line
Carson Wentz reuniting with Frank Reich in Indy means the Colts should do all they can to protect the new starter by focusing on the offensive line. Either that or grab a talented pass rusher.
Houston Texans
2020 record: 4-12
Top draft position: 67th
Biggest draft need: Higher draft picks
Well, they aren’t on the clock until No. 67 so acquiring at least one pick in the first two rounds couldn’t hurt. They’ll need to trade to make that happen and unfortunately for fans in Houston there isn’t much available with which to entice other teams. They should look to take the best defensive player available or target a receiver.
Jacksonville Jaguars
2020 record: 1-15
Top draft position: 1st
Biggest draft need: Tight end
We already know they’re getting some potentially outstanding help behind centre with Trevor Lawrence as the top selection. The Jags also have picks 25, 33, 45 and could use a pass-catching tight end. Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth is the top-ranked TE behind Kyle Pitts and is expected to go before the midway point of the second round.
AFC WEST
Kansas City Chiefs
2020 record: 14-2
Top draft position: 31st
Biggest draft need: Edge
With Frank Clark struggling, the Chiefs ranked as a bottom-third pass rush in 2020. That trend continued in the Super Bowl when they sacked Tom Brady just once. On a Super Bowl-contending team with few major needs, an edge rusher who can get after opposing QBs could make a big impact.
Denver Broncos
2020 record: 5-11
Top draft position: 9th
Biggest draft need: Quarterback
Not saying they’ll take a QB, but they need a QB all the same. Drew Lock completed fewer than 60 per cent of his passes last season, and threw nearly a pick for every touchdown. As much as it hurts to say, this team is still looking for its answer at the position, and it must hurt doubly that their AFC West rivals in Los Angeles rolled the dice last season and found theirs.
Los Angeles Chargers
2020 record: 7-9
Top draft position: 13th
Biggest draft need: Offensive tackle
The Chargers made a big splash by signing centre Corey Linsley in free agency, but they’re not done on the offensive line. Bringing in a cornerstone left tackle to grow old with sophomore QB Justin Herbert is still a major priority.
Las Vegas Raiders
2020 record: 8-8
Top draft position: 17th
Biggest draft need: Offensive tackle
Booooooooring. But true. The Raiders had Pro Football Focus’s 24th-ranked offensive line in 2020, and are re-shaping on the fly having already lost two 16-game starters from a season ago. Everyone expects the first pick here to be a starting right tackle.
NFC NORTH
Green Bay Packers
2020 record: 13-3
Top draft position: 29th
Biggest draft need: Offensive line
As fun as it would be to see the Packers scoop up an offensive weapon for Aaron Rodgers, the smarter play would be to bring in help for their veteran QB in another form by drafting an offensive lineman. The departure of longtime centre Corey Linsley is a tough slot to fill, and while left tackle David Bakhtiari’s recovery from a torn ACL is reportedly ahead of schedule, extra insurance would be wise.
Chicago Bears
2020 record: 8-8
Top draft position: 20th
Biggest draft need: A different QB1
Since signing Andy Dalton in free agency, team brass has been trying to sell the idea of this new QB1 to their fanbase… but Bears fans aren’t exactly buying it. As deeps as this deep class of QBs is, picking 20th behind several other quarterback-needy teams doesn’t exactly lend itself to landing your quarterback of the future. A more likely scenario sees the Bears bring in a weapon for Dalton as the GM-coach duo of Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy seek the fastest route to wins (and a little job security).
Minnesota Vikings
2020 record: 7-9
Top draft position: 14th
Biggest draft need: Edge
The Vikings were one of last year’s big winners, headlined by the selection of wide receiver Justin Jefferson 22nd overall. While Jefferson had a historic rookie season, the Vikings struggled on the defensive side of the ball. A pass rusher to play opposite Danielle Hunter would be a great pick, and considering the run on offence projected this Thursday, Minnesota’s in great position to get one of the best edges available at 14.
Detroit Lions
2020 record: 5-11
Top draft position: 7th
Biggest draft need: Jared Goff’s new favourite target
The Lions might just be one of this year’s biggest wild cards. At pick No. 7, they could go in just about any direction: Will they fix what could (and should) be a powerful defence by taking the best defender off the board? Grab a QB from this rich class and have themselves a QB competition? Give Jared Goff a new best friend as he settles into Detroit? With no WR1 (or WR2, really) on the roster, that feels like the place to start in this deep offensive class of talent.
NFC EAST
Washington Football Team
2020 record: 7-9
Top draft position: 19th
Biggest draft need: Offensive tackle
Finding a quarterback of the future would be the priority if Washington were in a higher first-round position, but WFT sounds like it will embrace the full Ryan Fitzpatrick experience in 2021 and so the team will need someone to protect his blindside and finally replace Trent Williams.
New York Giants
2020 record: 6-10
Top draft position: 11th
Biggest draft need: Edge
The Giants have been busy this off-season and addressed many of their biggest areas of need in free agency. Like almost every team in the NFL, offensive line could be seen as somewhere GM Dave Gettleman should address this week, but using the 11th pick to get the best pass-rusher available is likely the smartest move.
Dallas Cowboys
2020 record: 6-10
Top draft position: 10th
Biggest draft need: Cornerback
Rumours have swirled around Jerry Jones’ love for tight end prospect Kyle Pitts, so if Pitts somehow falls to 10 (he won’t), the Cowboys will forget need and draft the Florida product. Otherwise, Dallas needs a major upgrade at cornerback and should be able to get the best prospect on the board at No. 10.
Philadelphia Eagles
2020 record: 4-11-1
Top draft position: 12th
Biggest draft need: Wide receiver
If Jalen Hurts is going to have any shot at succeeding as starter in Philly, he needs more weapons. Wide receiver has been a desperate Eagles need for years now, and passing on Justin Jefferson in last year’s draft only further emphasizes the need to address the position now. If that’s not an option when their name is called at No. 12, cornerback is another area of need.
NFC SOUTH
New Orleans Saints
2020 record: 12-4
Top draft position: 28th
Biggest draft need: Cornerback
The Saints should probably focus on the defensive backfield and take one of the talented corners available, but some additional help in the passing game for Jameis Winston is also an area to address.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2020 record: 11-5
Top draft position: 32nd
Biggest draft need: Offensive line/defensive Line
With Tom Brady and basically all of his offensive weapons returning next season, the front office can focus on adding depth and youth to the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The defending champs are built for another deep run but they also have to look ahead and fortify the positions that have expiring contracts in the next year or two.
Carolina Panthers
2020 record: 5-11
Top draft position: 8th
Biggest draft need: Defence/Offensive line
Don’t be surprised if Carolina is the first team to select a defensive player with the No. 8 pick. Either Patrick Surtain II or Micah Parsons would be options in this spot. The team also needs to improve the offensive line so Sam Darnold doesn’t start seeing ghosts in Charlotte.
Atlanta Falcons
2020 record: 4-12
Top draft position: 4th
Biggest draft need: Offensive playmaker/defence
The Falcons need some clear direction and what they do with the No. 4 pick will go a long way towards determining that. Adding a talent like tight end Kyle Pitts to an offence that already has Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones would see Atlanta’s strong aerial attack taken to a new level. If not Pitts then trade down and focus on defence before also taking a running back in the later rounds.
NFC WEST
Seattle Seahawks
2020 record: 12-4
Top draft position: 56th
Biggest draft need: Cornerback
Corner wasn’t a strong position for the team in 2020, and that was before they lost Shaquill Griffin and Quinton Dunbar. They cupboard isn’t bare, but it would look a lot better with a new Day 1 starter picked up with their first pick on Day 2 of the draft.
Arizona Cardinals
2020 record: 8-8
Top draft position: 16th
Biggest draft need: Defensive back
Arizona lost three major contributors in the secondary in free agency, including Patrick Peterson. Adding Malcolm Butler was a good start, but there’s a lot of work left to do here, and chances are it starts at pick No. 16.
Los Angeles Rams
2020 record: 10-6
Top draft position: 57th
Biggest draft need: Offensive line
Andrew Whitworth is a medical miracle who needed less than two months to return to the field after an MCL tear. But he’s going to be 40 before the season ends, and the team also lost starting centre Austin Blythe in free agency. Bolstering a strong unit now and into the future will be top of mind for the Rams on Day 2 of the draft.
San Francisco 49ers
2020 record: 6-10
Top draft position: 3rd
Biggest draft need: Quarterback
Let’s be honest: Jimmy Garoppolo is hardly a “can’t-start” type player. He’s 22-8 with a 98.1 QB rating as a starter in San Francisco. But he’s edging very close to a “can’t-stay-healthy” type player. He started all 16 games in 2019, but in his other three seasons in red and gold combined he’s managed to do so in just 14. And, anyway, the 49ers traded up to get their quarterback of the future, so they need to make good on that and take a quarterback of the future. Simple.
