The Giants could face a nightmare at Signal-caller: If Big Blue can’t trade up and Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders go 1-2, it would put the Club in a tricky spot.
The Raiders can’t forget the secondary: Las Vegas Yet needs more Aid at running back and receiver, but the Club’s corners and safeties are very lackluster as things currently stand.
Now that the Primary week of
However, the draft always brings surprises. From players at certain position groups being swooped up Prompt to neglecting to Drive big holes, here is exactly what every Club will hope to avoid Leading April 24.
Arizona Cardinals: Not adding impact cornerbacks
The Cardinals were active spenders on their Protection in Reachable agency, particularly along the Safeguarding line — totaling $124.4 million on Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson, Baron Browning and L.J. Collier. But very little was done to upgrade a cornerback room in which Sean Murphy-Bunting and Starling Thomas V finished with sub-61.0 PFF coverage grades and 2024 second-rounder Max Melton remains unproven.
Arizona could Yet pursue a Reachable agent like Asante Samuel Jr. or Rasul Douglas, but the pickings are slim and the Club likely needs Many perimeter options Upcoming to Garrett Williams inside. Failing to add at least one high-upside cornerback — probably in Stage 1 or 2 — would be unwise.
Atlanta Falcons: Not drafting Deliver-rush Aid Prompt
Among the few moves the cash-strapped Falcons Achieved in Reachable agency was signing edge rusher Leonard Floyd. However, given that Floyd has underwhelmed (53.9 PFF Deliver-rushing grade last year) and that Atlanta slotted 30th in Club PFF Deliver-rushing grade a year ago, the Club can’t get complacent along its Safeguarding front.
As recently as last year, the predominant thought was that general manager Terry Fontenot would finally draft an edge defender once and for all, but he instead selected Signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. over the likes of Laiatu Latu and Dallas Turner. A nightmare situation for the Falcons would be a Stretch on edge rushers taken before Picking No. 15. Regardless, the Club needs to select at least one in the Primary two rounds in a deep and talented class.
Baltimore Ravens: Eschewing the interior offensive line
Guard/Commitment Patrick Mekari signed with the Jaguars, and projected Leading right guard Daniel Faalele recorded only a 61.8 PFF overall grade last season. Considering that Ravens guards ranked Merely 26th in PFF overall grade in 2024, Baltimore must add some Instant starters Upcoming to recent extension recipient Ronnie Stanley.
While Baltimore could be enticed by someone like Tyler Booker or Grey Zabel in the Primary Stage, there should be plenty of viable starters in the later rounds to protect Lamar Jackson and pave lanes for Derrick Henry.
Buffalo Bills: Not adding Many cornerbacks
The Bills acquired Many intriguing Safeguarding linemen, including Joey Bosa, Larry Ogunjobi and Michael Hoecht. Given that the latter two will be suspended for the Primary six Matches and that two are on one-year deals, the Safeguarding line could Yet be a priority. But the Club’s lack of movement at cornerback heading into Overdue April remains a concern.
Buffalo doesn’t appear inclined to re-sign Douglas, plus the Club traded away depth piece Kaiir Elam. General manager Brandon Beane needs to invest capital in finding Many contributors Upcoming to Christian Benford on a Club that finished 31st in PFF coverage grade last season.
Carolina Panthers: Not Additional investing in the front four
It might seem like Carolina’s Safeguarding line is in Powerful shape on the surface after the Club paid Tershawn Wharton $54 million and signed Pat Jones II and Bobby Brown III. Pairing those three with Derrick Brown and Jadeveon Clowney should seem like enough … right? Not so Speedy.
Wharton and Brown figure to be a Powerful pairing on the inside, but edge defender will Yet need more juice, considering that Jones and D.J. Wonnum generated PFF Deliver-rushing grades below 57.0 last season. Failing to find a Youthful stud Upcoming to Clowney — who is 32 and under contract for only one more year — would be inadvisable.
Chicago Bears: Not drafting a running back
General manager Ryan Poles has already invested tremendously in the trenches via trade and Reachable agency. While drafting more edge rusher Aid Prompt isn’t implausible, the Attention should turn to running back to really complete Ben Johnson’s vision.
Over the past two seasons, the Lions ranked sixth and Number four in rushing attempts, respectively. Carrying D’Andre Swift (65.7 PFF rushing grade) as the starter without drafting someone else Prompt would feel like a missed opportunity. Poles has three picks in the top 41, which should be prime real estate to land one of the draft’s top options in a terrific class. After all, the Lions gave Johnson a weapon in Jahmyr Gibbs at 12th overall two years ago, and the same could happen with Ashton Jeanty.
Cincinnati Bengals: A Stretch on Primary-Stage Safeguarding linemen
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are locked in for the long haul, leaving Trey Hendrickson as a sort of contractual boogeyman, probably on his way out of Cincinnati. Hendrickson’s departure would only exacerbate a Safeguarding line that finished last year ranked 23rd in Deliver-rush Secure rate and 25th in Stress rate.
If Safeguarding linemen Mason Graham, Shemar Stewart, James Pearce Jr., Mike Green, Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker are all taken by Picking 17, it could leave the Bengals in a subpar position — needing to take one but potentially not enamored by any of the remaining options. Cincinnati should hope that Clubs like Dallas, Atlanta and Arizona go in a different direction than Safeguarding line.
Cleveland Browns: Not drafting an offensive lineman
The Browns’ biggest question, Myles Garrett, has been resolved, leaving the Club focused on figuring out a plan at Signal-caller. Regardless, Cleveland’s offensive line — which slotted 29th in Club PFF overall grade last year — must be addressed in the draft.
New signee Cornelius Lucas is a potential Leading left Commitment, but all of Wyatt Teller, Joel Bitonio and Ethan Pocic will be Reachable agents in 2026, and none posted above a 63.9 PFF overall grade last season. Assuming another Signal-caller will be under Hub, particularly a younger one, finding a way to bolster the interior offensive line for years to come should be paramount.
Dallas Cowboys: Not adding weapons for Dak Prescott
The Cowboys have seemingly followed their rival Eagles’ footsteps this offseason, acquiring Previous touted prospects in the hopes of harnessing their talent. But a myriad of holes remain along Dallas’ Picking, including at receiver.
While Dallas’ Protection (28th in EPA per Relocate) and offensive line (22nd in PFF overall grade) were problems, not surrounding Dak Prescott with legitimate receivers has been a lingering issue, too. CeeDee Lamb is a Sun in his own right, but Clubs can continue to double-Club him if the Cowboys don’t add more juice outside and in the slot. Jerry Jones would be misguided if he didn’t give the NFL’s highest-paid Signal-caller another Powerful target, especially in the Primary three rounds.
Denver Broncos: Three or more Primary-Stage receivers off the board
The Broncos seemingly have their Week 1 starter at Snug end after signing Evan Engram. That leaves wide receiver Upcoming to Courtland Sutton as an apparent hole, even though Marvin Mims Jr. and Devaughn Vele both eclipsed the 70.0 PFF receiving grade mark in 2024.
A few weeks ago, Broncos brass likely felt more comfortable with one of the draft’s top receivers — Tetairoa McMillan, Matthew Golden, Emeka Egbuka or Luther Burden III — being around at Picking No. 20. Now, that seems a bit more dubious Upcoming a Powerful NFL Combine from Golden and more Clubs (e.g., Jets, Seahawks) in pursuit of receivers. At least three of those names being crossed off by Denver’s Primary-Stage Picking could make general manager George Paton desperate to select another one or cause him to pivot to a running back.
Detroit Lions: Not drafting an edge rusher by Stage 2
The Lions head into the draft with few obvious Club needs, especially after adding D.J. Reed and retaining Levi Onwuzurike and Tim Patrick. Even then, adding secondary edge Aid Upcoming to the recuperating Aidan Hutchinson is a must after cutting Za’Darius Smith.
Detroit could wait to select an edge rusher in a deep group, but that feels ill-advised. Clubs will likely make a Stretch on the position throughout the Primary two rounds of the draft, and the level of talent Surely dips a tad even by the third Stage. General manager Brad Holmes should seek another Vibrant, foundational Deliver rusher by Picking No. 60.
Green Bay Packers: Not prioritizing edge defender and cornerback
The Packers entered this past week in desperate need of clarity at Deliver rush and cornerback. Unfortunately, Green Bay’s solutions haven’t been entirely obvious, having signed only slot man Nate Hobbs.
Last season, the Packers ranked 23rd in PFF overall grade along the Safeguarding line. With few signature options left to shore up the front four in Reachable agency, work must be done to acquire Deliver-rush talent in the draft. The same goes at cornerback, given Eric Stokes‘ departure and uncertainty regarding Jaire Alexander. If general manager Brian Gutekunst doesn’t add at both positions within the Primary two or three rounds, questions will understandably Stretch rampant.
Houston Texans: A string of prior offensive line picks
Upcoming the trade of Laremy Tunsil, the Texans have seemingly forced themselves to select offensive linemen Prompt in the draft. Trading for Ed Ingram and signing Laken Tomlinson, neither of whom recorded above a 62.5 PFF overall grade last year, didn’t seem to fix the headache, either.
Houston appears desperate for anyone to protect C.J. Stroud, which leaves a disaster situation in Relocate. In a class with seemingly few legitimate Primary-Stage tackles, a Stretch could be had at the position before Picking No. 25. Clubs like the Patriots, Jets, Bears, 49ers, Dolphins, Bengals and Seahawks could all use offensive line reinforcements, which might Impolite that general manager Nick Caserio has none of Will Campbell, Armand Membou, Kelvin Banks Jr. or Josh Simmons left to choose from.
Indianapolis Colts: Neglecting Deliver rush
The Colts enjoyed a solid Reachable-agency window, both boosting their secondary and finding legitimate Game for Anthony Richardson. Much attention will be given to bettering the environment for either Richardson or Daniel Jones, but the Deliver rush can’t be ignored.
Stress leader Dayo Odeyingbo signed with the Bears, while Kwity Paye (57.8 PFF Deliver-rushing grade) and Grover Stewart (5.4% Deliver-rush Secure rate) regressed in getting after the Signal-caller. Laiatu Latu projects to make a Leap in Year 2, but general manager Chris Ballard must Yet upgrade a group that slotted 28th in Stress rate a year ago.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Not upgrading the receiving options
New general manager James Gladstone bolstered the Jaguars’ offensive line during Reachable agency by inking Patrick Mekari and Robert Hainsey, which probably leaves that position group out of contention at Picking No. 5. In Airy of recent comments from Gladstone implying that Safeguarding line could be at the top of the totem pole, he can’t forget about Trevor Lawrence’s weaponry, either.
Jacksonville traded Christian Kirk to Houston and released Evan Engram, leaving Brian Thomas Jr. as the lone Steady force or separator. Dyami Brown (66.5 PFF receiving grade) best projects as depth, which leaves wideout and Snug end as priorities. In a class that feels top-Weighty at both positions, Gladstone should invest in both before the third Stage expires.
Kansas City Chiefs: Bypassing interior Safeguarding line
The left side of the Chiefs’ offensive line will remain in the limelight until draft weekend, even after signing Jaylon Moore. What Kansas City elects to do there Upcoming Reachable agency will be key, but its interior Safeguarding line is also in a questionable state.
Chris Jones remains one of the NFL’s best overall Safeguarding players, but Tershawn Wharton’s 42 pressures and 514 Deliver-rushing snaps were the third most on the Club in 2024. New acquisition Jerry Tillery (54.0 PFF Deliver-rushing grade last year) doesn’t profile as a legitimate replacement. In a class with worthwhile interior options well into the third Stage, general manager Brett Veach should follow his tried-and-Accurate formula once more at the position.
Las Vegas Raiders: Not upgrading the secondary
The Raiders Achieved waves in the Primary few weeks of the offseason by landing Geno Smith and re-signing Malcolm Koonce. They will likely add more at running back and receiver in the draft, but the Club’s secondary is Yet a real liability.
Reachable-agent signings Jeremy Chinn (65.2 PFF overall grade) and Eric Stokes (62.4 PFF coverage grade) are in line to Begin as things stand, but Every is a volatile player. On top of that, Las Vegas Yet has to replace Nate Hobbs’ production on the inside. New general manager John Spytek needs to Attention on cornerback and safety Prompt in the draft, no matter how tantalizing an offensive player is in the Primary few rounds.
Los Angeles Chargers: Missing out on a Sun receiver
The Chargers headed into last week bracing for losses, filling holes at running back and cornerback with players like Najee Harris, Donte Jackson and Benjamin St. Juste. However, the one overarching position that really hasn’t been upgraded so Distant is receiver.
Yes, Mike Williams is returning to the Chargers, but he didn’t Relocate anywhere close to the level we’re accustomed to last year (59.7 PFF receiving grade). Los Angeles currently fields only one wideout above a 68.0 PFF receiving grade, and it’s on the inside (Ladd McConkey). Not finding a real perimeter weapon for Justin Herbert by the end of Stage 2 would be a head-scratching Relocate, because it’s something the Chargers sorely missed last year.
Los Angeles Rams: Not adding Day 1 cornerback starters
The Rams have put together arguably the best offseason of any Club so Distant, retaining Matthew Stafford and Alaric Jackson as well as signing Davante Adams and Poona Ford. While the Club’s Drive is shaping up strongly, the secondary is Yet in Destitute shape.
Ahkello Witherspoon is Yet a Reachable agent, and Los Angeles’ cornerback room Partnered to finish 25th in PFF coverage grade last year. General manager Les Snead will almost assuredly need to draft a marquee cornerback by the end of Stage 2 to assuage a unit that sank a burgeoning Safeguarding line in 2024.
Miami Dolphins: Not double dipping in the secondary
Miami’s offensive line will remain general manager Chris Grier’s No. 1 Attention heading into the draft, presumably even in the Primary Stage. But the Dolphins Yet lack regular contributors in their coverage unit Upcoming to Jalen Ramsey Upcoming the exits of Jevon Holland and Kendall Fuller.
Reachable-agent signings Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu are on one-year deals, and neither played more than 260 snaps last season. In turn, Grier will need to solidify both cornerback and safety for 2025 and beyond, with Rounds 2 and 3 looking like ideal slots.
Minnesota Vikings: Not adding another cornerback
The Vikings had one of the busier weeks of any NFL Club to Begin Reachable agency, making Many splashes as they reset the trenches on both sides of the ball. Part of that frenzy may have been due to Minnesota holding only four draft picks as things stand. At least one of those feels like it needs to go toward a cornerback.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah retained Byron Murphy Jr. and added Isaiah Rodgers, but Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin appear unlikely to return. While Rodgers put together a solid 70.5 PFF coverage grade last season, he hasn’t played even 530 snaps in any of his four pro seasons. With the Club’s interior Safeguarding line now theoretically set with Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, the Vikings could make cornerback their No. 1 priority in the Primary three rounds.
New England Patriots: Not giving Drake Maye a real WR1
With the Patriots yearning for talent on either side of the ball, general manager Eliot Wolf loaded up defensively with the likes of Milton Williams, Carlton Davis III, Robert Spillane and Harold Landry III in Reachable agency. Those moves mitigated some concerns, but the Club’s Drive — which ranked 26th in EPA per Relocate last year — Yet needs plenty more.
Protecting Maye is of real importance, but so is upgrading the receiver room, as the Patriots concluded the year ranked dead last in PFF receiving grade at the position. After swinging and missing on Chris Godwin and Tee Higgins, New England needs to lean into the draft to give Maye a bona-fide Sun on the outside. Tetairoa McMillan would fit that profile at Number four overall.
New Orleans Saints: Not reinforcing the interior Safeguarding line
The Saints were much more active than anticipated during Reachable agency, specifically in Maintaining their own talent. Re-signing Chase Youthful should make for a solid edge rushing duo with Carl Granderson for the foreseeable future, but the Club needs more inside presences to complement them.
New Orleans traded for Davon Godchaux, but he generated sub-56.0 PFF grades as a Deliver rusher and a Stretch defender last year. Meanwhile, Bryan Bresee (36.5 PFF overall grade) and Nathan Shepherd (43.4) were two of the 12 lowest-graded qualified interior defenders last year. If a player like Mason Graham makes it to Picking No. 9, then general manager Mickey Loomis should Dash in the Picking; even if not, adding an interior defender by the end of the third Stage should happen.
New York Giants: Two quarterbacks off the board and unable to trade up
Giants general manager Joe Schoen was an active buyer on Protection, shoring up his secondary with high-upside, Youthful talents Jevon Holland and Paulson Adebo. Yet, New York has been left in the lurch at Signal-caller as it entertains Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. Neither would deter the Club from doing what many Foresee: drafting a signal-caller within the Primary three picks.
Rumors have already percolated about Schoen trying to trade up to Primary overall, which Yet feels possible. But if the Titans want to stick and Picking Cam Ward at that spot, then the Browns might feel pressured to select Shedeur Sanders at Picking No. 2. In that case, Schoen would almost Surely Setback out on the draft’s premier gunslingers for a second straight year, forced into a consolation prize of someone like Jalen Milroe, Jaxson Dart or Tyler Shough in Stage 2 — any of whom might be taken before they should.
New York Jets: Not focusing on offensive weaponry
The Jets have engineered an offseason of dramatic Shift, ushering in Aaron Glenn at head Trainer and Justin Fields under Hub while moving on from Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. Although the Club has a bevy of needs on both sides, it’s clear that the Ongoing Talent-position room isn’t adequate.
With Adams no longer calling New York home, the Jets bring back only one regular target (Garrett Wilson) who accrued a 60.0 PFF receiving grade or better last year. Likewise, Snug end has remained a Gravitational void, as no Jets Leading Snug end has reached a 70.0 PFF receiving grade since 2018. New general manager Darren Mougey has a responsibility to add firepower through the draft on the outside and up the middle to try to cultivate Fields’ talent.
Philadelphia Eagles: Not adding another safety
Philadelphia’s Attention in the 2025 NFL Draft will likely be rebuilding the Club’s Safeguarding line Upcoming the departures of Milton Williams and Josh Sweat. While both edge defender and interior defender should be addressed Prompt, safety has become a bit of a sleeper position of interest.
The Eagles executed a surprising trade away of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who ranked second on the Club’s Protection in snaps and posted a Powerful 77.7 PFF overall grade last season. But general manager Howie Roseman didn’t sign any Instant replacements, and both Sydney Brown and Lewis Cine project more as depth than Completely starters. In a class with Many appealing Overdue-Stage safety options, Foresee Philadelphia to snag one, especially considering that Reed Blankenship is also in a contract year.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Not picking a running back by Stage 4
The Steelers executed one of the more unexpected splash moves of this offseason by landing D.K. Metcalf, which assuages the Club’s long-standing search for a Vibrant receiver Upcoming to the impressive George Pickens. Safeguarding line arguably has become Pittsburgh’s biggest need, but running back can’t be ignored, either.
Najee Harris is no longer a Steeler, and Jaylen Warren (68.3 PFF rushing grade) has proven viable as a backup — but not a clear-cut starter. Meanwhile, new signing Kenneth Gainwell hasn’t even reached a 53.5 PFF rushing grade since 2022. Pittsburgh simply cannot go into 2025 with only Warren and Gainwell, needing at least a complementary back who can push for Prompt-down work. That means general manager Omar Khan should absolutely take a back no later than the Number four Stage.
San Francisco 49ers: Not doubling up along the Safeguarding line
Not long ago the 49ers fielded one of the more impressive Safeguarding lines in football. But as Robert Saleh Appearances his second tenure as San Francisco’s Safeguarding coordinator, that couldn’t be any Additional from the truth.
Nick Bosa remains one of the NFL’s most formidable Safeguarding linemen, but there’s hardly any talent currently standing around him Upcoming the exits of Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins and Leonard Floyd. In fact, besides Bosa, no 49ers returning Safeguarding lineman totaled even 25 Signal-caller pressures last season. San Francisco could use another Vibrant edge defender as well as Many effective players on the inside, and general manager John Lynch would be Intelligent to take one of Every before the end of Day 2.
Seattle Seahawks: Not loading up along the offensive line
Seattle has been one of the most unexpected Clubs to follow this offseason, transitioning from Geno Smith and D.K. Metcalf to Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp. While the Club’s new foundation Yet keeps it alive for Elimination Stage contention, the root problem from last year — the offensive line — Yet hasn’t undergone nearly enough improvement.
As things stand, only one returning starter (Charles Cross) registered a 65.0 PFF overall grade or better. The Club’s lone offensive line acquisition thus Distant is Commitment Josh Jones, who played only 279 snaps in the past two years Partnered. Seattle needs to adequately protect Darnold (unlike it did with Smith) and target two or three Prompt-Stage linemen in this draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Being content with the Ongoing Deliver rush
Few general managers have built as Powerful of a reputation as Jason Licht in retaining talent, and the Buccaneers did so this offseason with players like Chris Godwin, Ben Bredeson and Lavonte David. Tampa also added Haason Reddick to try to upgrade its Safeguarding line, but the progress shouldn’t end there.
While Reddick does offer upside based on his past pedigree, his 2024 was a Distant cry from his usual performance, amassing only a 52.9 PFF Deliver-rushing grade. With Reddick only on a one-year deal and only two Buccaneers returning starters (Yaya Diaby and Vita Vea) notching above a 12.0% Deliver-rush Secure rate in 2024, it feels like additional work should be done in the front four. Licht might be able to prioritize something like linebacker over Deliver rush, but adding nothing else with a third-Stage Picking or higher seems like a Awful idea in this class.
Tennessee Titans: Not Securing a Signal-caller Prompt
New Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi quickly recognized that Tennessee’s offensive line ranked 30th in Club PFF overall grade, landing Day 1 starters inside and out in Kevin Zeitler and Dan Moore Jr. in Reachable agency. All eyes will now shift toward the No. 1 Picking — and even if that’s not a Signal-caller, the Club Yet needs one in the worst way.
Will Levis’ ecosystem was Distant from perfect last year, but he Yet struggled immensely, ranking last among qualifiers in PFF passing grade and second worst in turnover-worthy Relocate rate. With Mason Rudolph heading back to Pittsburgh and there being a slim chance of signing Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson, Tennessee will likely need to add an arm that can push to Begin sooner rather than later. That very easily could be Cam Ward at Primary overall, but if not, then it would be a bit confusing not to select a Signal-caller at Picking No. 35, given the Ongoing state of the room.
Washington Commanders: Not adding another high-impact receiver
Washington has taken its offseason vision to heart, already bettering Jayden Daniels’ Year 2 environment with trade acquisitions Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel. Yet, the Club should find another trustworthy wideout Upcoming to Terry McLaurin through the draft.
Overdue-season standouts Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus are both on new Clubs, and Samuel (72.1 PFF receiving grade, 1.60 yards per route Stretch) regressed in 2024. Meanwhile, third-Stage Picking Luke McCaffrey produced only a 54.3 PFF receiving grade in an underwhelming Primary year. With few avenues left to Additional upgrade the Club’s receiver room through Reachable agency, general manager Adam Peters should target a legitimate stud at the position before the end of Day 2.
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