It’s the AFC’s turn! Last week we went through the needs for each NFC team and it’s time to go through the teams in the AFC. Some teams still have big needs on their roster that they couldn’t fill in the first wave of free agency, and will now look to fill these early in the draft. The draft is just 10 days from now, so let’s quickly look through each AFC team’s biggest needs.
AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh Steelers
WR, RG, RT, IDL, CB
The Steelers filled two of their biggest needs during the offseason, acquiring both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson at QB, and then stealing LB Patrick Queen from the division rival, Ravens. Their main priority now needs to be helping Justin Fields succeed this year, and that starts with finding him some weapons. After trading Diontae Johnson, they have a massive hole at WR, as their options outside of George Pickens aren’t very good. Their offensive line also needs some help, as they probably need to improve at both right guard and right tackle. Defensively, they could use some interior defensive lineman, as some of their best players are getting close to retirement, including 35 year old Cameron Heyward. Corner is probably their biggest defensive need, though, as they need to find a second corner to pair with Joey Porter Jr.
Baltimore Ravens
WR, OG, RT, EDGE, LB
The Ravens biggest need is on their offensive line, where they lost three starters. It’s hard to imagine they believe they have a replacement for each of them on their current roster, so look for them to improve both guard positions and RT in the draft. They also need WR, especially if Odell doesn’t resign with them. Zay Flowers proved he can handle a huge workload, but I doubt they are comfortable with Nelson Agholor and Rashod Bateman as their only receivers next to him. On defense, replacing Jadeveon Clowney and Patrick Queen needs to be their top priority, as they were both crucial starters on last season’s best defense in the league.
Cleveland Browns
QB?, LB, DL
The Browns have one of the most complete rosters in football, but have major questions at the most important position. Deshaun Watson has been bad ever since joining the Browns, and has consistently held this team back from contending. They brought in both Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley, so it seems like the Browns agree that they can’t rely on Watson. Outside of the Watson questions, it’s hard to find glaring needs. Defensively, their defensive line is aging, but is a very good group, so just getting younger should be a priority. LB would probably be their biggest need, as free agent additions Devin Bush and Jordan Hicks could both be free agents again next offseason.
Cincinnati Bengals
WR, RB, TE, EDGE
The Bengals roster is in good shape. The main question is at WR, where Tyler Boyd is still a free agent, and Tee Higgins, after being placed on the franchise tag, has requested a trade. If neither one of them is on the team next season, WR is a huge need, and they should target WR early, but if both are back then they could be able to wait until day 2 or 3. The other offensive needs are at RB and TE. After losing Joe Mixon and replacing him with Zack Moss, they could use some more juice to the RB room. At TE, they did sign Mike Gesicki to a one year deal, but they don’t have much outside of him. They filled most of their defensive needs in free agency, but could still use another edge rusher as Trey Hendrickson is 29 years old, and Myles Murphy didn’t show enough in his rookie year to rely on him for sack production.
AFC EAST
New England Patriots
QB, WR, LT, DL
The Patriots offense needs a lot of help. Their biggest need is at QB, as 31 year old Jacoby Brissett, while definitely an improvement to last year’s horror show, is only signed to a one year deal and should be seen as a bridge QB. The expectation is that they will draft a QB with the 3rd overall pick, presumably UNC's Drake Maye. Setting that player up to succeed is vital, so they need to also address both WR and LT in the draft. Up first should be finding a WR1. All of their WR's struggled to get open last season, especially after Kendrick Bourne tore his ACL. They were reportedly interested in Calvin Ridley, before he signed with Tennessee. After missing out on him, they should target whatever WR falls to them at pick 34. New England also lost Trent Brown in free agency and free agent signing Chukwuma Okafor was signed to a one year deal, but should not be seen as a starting level tackle. The defensive roster is much more impressive with their only real need being depth across the defensive line. Matthew Judon is going into his age 32 season, and the other three starters, Christian Barmore, Josh Uche, and Davon Godchaux are all free agents in 2025, so they could look to find eventual replacements in this draft.
Miami Dolphins
OL, DL, WR3
The Dolphins need help on both sides of the trenches after losing many starters in free agency. Their offensive line struggled even before losing Robert Hunt, so this is their biggest need. The interior of the offensive line is in rough shape, needing both a center and now a right guard. It is also hard to have much faith in the health of LT Terron Armstead. The 32 year old only played in ten games last season, and has struggled with injuries throughout his career. The only other potential offensive need is at WR behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. They did have some interest in bringing in Odell Beckham Jr. earlier in the offseason, showing that they want to add another receiver. On Defense, the Dolphins just need help on the DL. Christian Wilkins left a massive hole at DT, so finding a replacement for him needs to be their top defensive priority. They could also look for an edge rusher, as Jaelen Phillips is coming off a torn Achilles, and Bradley Chubb has injury concerns himself.
New York Jets
OL, WR, SAF
The Jets did a good job of filling their needs with short term deals in free agency. They brought in OT’s Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, as well as WR Mike Williams all on one year deals. The problem with these players is age and injury concerns. Both tackles are 33 years old, Tyron Smith hasn’t played a full season since 2015, and Mike Williams is coming off a torn ACL. They need to draft players who can eventually replace these short term options and produce when they inevitably miss a few games this season. Defensively, they could look to add a safety, but their starters, Tony Adams and Chuck Clark are both at least serviceable veterans.
Buffalo Bills
WR, SAF, CB, IOL
The Bills lost both Stefon Diggs and Gave Davis this offseason, leaving Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir as their starters. They need to add at least one more receiver in order to get the most out of Josh Allen. The Bills might also need help on the interior offensive line, as center Connor McGovern is a free agent after this season and they could improve on David Edward at left guard. The Bills secondary could also use some help after losing Tre’Davious White, Jordan Poyer, and possibly Micah Hyde, who is still a free agent. They could be fine with Christian Benford, Taylor Rapp and Mike Edwards as their starters in each of those positions, but that would certainly be a step back from what they’ve had in years past.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
IDL, LB, CB
The Texans roster is so good. It’s hard to find a need on offense, especially after trading for star WR Stefon Diggs. They could add some younger pieces on the offensive line, but I see those as more of luxury picks rather than needs. On defense they’re also in pretty good shape, although they might need another corner, as their options on the outside, opposite Stingley, are both reclamation projects in Jeff Okudah and CJ Henderson. Their other needs are at DL, where they have aging veterans, including 33 year old free agent addition Denico Autry. They could probably also add another LB as they lack the difference maker that we’ve seen take DeMeco Ryans’ defense to a new level in SF. Christian Harris, Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oto’o all have limited ceilings, but are all at least serviceable.
Jacksonville Jaguars
WR, OL, CB, LB
The Jaguars need a Calvin Ridley replacement, as Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, and Zay Jones are all complementary pieces. Losing Ridley shifts all of these players up on the depth chart, something I would not be comfortable with, as none of these players should be a WR1. Offensive line is a need as well, as LT Cam Robinson is heading into his last year of his deal, RG Brandon Scherff and C Mitch Morse are both 32 years old, and they should improve at LG. Defensively, they probably need another LB and a better corner to start opposite the emerging star Tyson Campbell.
Indianapolis Colts
WR, TE, CB, SAF
The Colts need to add more skill position players for Anthony Richardson to work with. Michael Pittman Jr, Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce form a solid trio, but they could use some more juice. Their tight ends aren’t anything special, so they should be hoping Brock Bowers falls to them at pick 15. On defense, they need a corner pretty badly, as Kenny Moore is their slot, and on the outside they’re relying on young and unproven players in Julius Brents and Jaylon Jones. They could also use another safety next to Julian Blackman.
Tennessee Titans
OT, EDGE, LB, SAF
The Titans offensive line was the worst in the league last season and was their biggest need entering the offseason. They did sign center Lloyd Cushenberry in free agency, but they still need to find both of their offensive tackles. There’s seemingly no world in which the Titans don’t pick tackle with the seventh pick, presumably Notre Dame’s Joe Alt. The rest of their offense was really helped in free agency, bringing in both Calvin Ridley and Tony Pollard. They filled their biggest defensive need with the trade for star CB L’Jarius Sneed. Now their biggest needs are improving at edge rusher, linebacker, and safety. They do have solid players at each of those positions, but could definitely use some more talent, especially if they think they can compete as much as their aggressive offseason would have you believe.
AFC WEST
Kansas City Chiefs
WR, LT, RT, CB
The Chiefs wide receiver play was horrible last year. Their only good receiver last season was Rashee Rice, but he now faces eight charges due to street racing and causing a multi-car accident. Their other young options like Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore proved to be unreliable last year. The Chiefs did bring in deep threat Hollywood Brown, but now that they might need to replace Rice, they should be targeting a WR early in the draft. The other offensive needs are at both tackle positions, as last year’s LT Donavan Smith is still a free agent, and RT Jawaan Taylor was the most penalized tackle in the league last year and struggled mightily. On defense, they really just need to replace L’Jarius Sneed at cornerback, but the rest of the roster is in a very good position.
Los Angeles Chargers
WR, OL, IDL, LB, CB
This Chargers roster is in tough shape. Their biggest need is at receiver after they lost both Mike Williams and Keenan Allen this offseason. They cannot start next season with Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston as their starting receivers. Their offensive line has also seen better days as they might need replacements at center, right guard, and right tackle. They might be okay with Jamaree Salyer at right guard, but if Corey Linsley retires, they'll definitely need at least two starting OL. Defensively, they aren’t in much better shape. The IDL is aging and already isn’t a very talented group. At LB, Denzel Perryman is 31 years old and their options outside of him are less than ideal. They also desperately need a corner as Asante Samuel Jr. seems to be their only quality option. The Chargers probably need to trade down from the 5th overall pick, so they can fill more of their needs.
Las Vegas Raiders
QB, WR, OL, CB
The Raiders should be looking for a new QB. Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell might be average options, but I would assume they want to improve on them and find a real franchise QB. They also might need a WR3 behind Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers. Vegas’ offensive line is in a tough place, as they could probably upgrade both guard positions and RT. On defense, they are much better off, especially after signing DT Christian Wilkins. Their biggest need now that DT is set, is finding an outside cornerback opposite Jack Jones.
Denver Broncos
QB, TE, C, DL, CB
The Broncos biggest need is easily QB, as the QBs currently on the roster are Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci. It will be a huge surprise if they don’t draft one in the first few rounds, as JJ McCarthy and Bo Nix could both be good fits in the first round. Their other offensive needs are at tight end and center as Adam Trautman and Greg Dulcich are far from difference makers at TE, and they lost their starting C, Lloyd Cushenberry in free agency. On the defensive side, their pass rush needs more juice, so they could look to draft an Edge rusher early. They also need a player to start opposite star CB Patrick Surtain II, as Damarri Mathis wasn’t consistent enough to be seen as a reliable option right now.
Photos by Perry Knotts (Getty Images), Winslow Townson (AP Photo), Utatsi, and Michael Owens (Getty Images)
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