Most of free agency is behind us. The next highlight will follow in just under four weeks with the NFL Draft 2026 – and a great opportunity for all teams to further strengthen themselves and prepare for the new season in the best possible way. What construction sites still need to be tackled in the AFC?
NFL: Team needs before the draft – the biggest construction sites in the AFC
The focus in every offseason is always on free agency, but for various reasons very few teams manage to strengthen themselves here so that they can go into the new season without major gaps in their squad. For this and also for the long-term future, the draft comes into play. The best talent from college is distributed among teams, with many looking to find new starters this way while others look at long-term alternatives.
You can watch the NFL Draft 2026 live from April 24th at 1 a.m. on NITRO and RTL+ for free.
Baltimore Ravens
Biggest needs: IOL, DL, TE, WR
The Ravens were busy in free agency, but that didn’t ensure that too many gaps were filled. Center Tyler Linderbaum is gone and needs to be replaced. In addition, a new starting left guard wouldn’t hurt. Defensively, more quality is needed on the defensive line, where it is unclear whether Justin Madubuike will continue. The receiving corps continues to need upgrades and there is still plenty of room for improvement behind tight end Mark Andrews.
Buffalo Bills
Biggest Needs: IOL, EDGE, LB, S
Bradley Chubb is certainly an upgrade over Joey Bosa from last year. But more youth is certainly helpful at the edge position. There were also major losses at linebacker and safety that have to be compensated for first. Offensively, the departure of guard David Edwards leaves a big gap. Likewise, you shouldn’t stop looking for upgrades in the receiving corps with the signing of DJ Moore.
Cincinnati Bengals
Biggest needs: DB, LB
While the Bengals have made improvements at the edge (Boye Mafe) and in the middle (Jonathan Allen) of the defensive line, the linebacker position has been neglected so far. Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter have not been convincing here so far. You also have to watch the secondary. Bryan Cook was a clear upgrade in the middle, but Jordan Battle doesn’t seem to be set in stone as a starter. And as far as cornerbacks go, DJ Turner and Dax Hill are both entering the final year of their contracts. Cincy could start planning for the future here.
Cleveland Browns
Biggest Needs: LT, WR, QB
The offensive line has already been overhauled with three new additions, but there is still room for improvement at left tackle. And given the current makeup of the QB room, quarterback should remain at the top of the list, although expect to see another open competition that is sure to lead to chaos. But no matter who ultimately plays under center, the question remains who the QB should throw to. Other than Jerry Jeudy, there’s just a lack of talent.
Denver Broncos
Biggest needs: TE, DL, CB
Payton’s specialist Adam Trautman was retained, but that doesn’t change the fact that they are undermanned in terms of quality at tight end. The defensive line lost John Franklin-Myers, which is a big loss especially in terms of pass rush, and at cornerback, word has gotten around the league that Riley Moss is probably the biggest weak point in this defense. All of these are starting points in the draft.
Houston Texans
Biggest needs: DL, OL, LB
The offensive line has already been changed several times in free agency, but center and left guard are still likely to be an issue, even if an experienced man, Wyatt Teller, joined. In defense it is important to strengthen the middle against the run. Run stoppers would be a big help at both defensive tackle and linebacker.
Indianapolis Colts
Biggest Needs: EDGE, LB, S, WR
What the Colts front seven lacks most is experience. There isn’t much of that at linebacker in particular after both Zaire Franklin and Germaine Pratt were traded away. In addition, apart from Laiatu Latu, there are no explosive players at the edge position. Safety Nick Cross has to be replaced and apart from Alec Pierce, the receiving corps is also pretty thin. To make matters worse, they traded their first-round pick to the Jets for Sauce Gardner.
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Jacksonville Jaguars
Biggest Needs: LB, DT, IOL
Devin Lloyd is gone and it will be difficult to replace him as he played a really good role, especially in coverage. Apart from that, the big topic is the pass rush, because apart from edge rusher Joshua Hines-Allen, no one has provided constant pressure here recently, including Travon Walker on the other side of the line. And the middle of the D-Line also urgently needs upgrades.
Kansas City Chiefs
Biggest Needs: WR, OL, TE, EDGE, LB, CB
Kenneth Walker solves the running back problem, and nose tackle Khyris Tonga should close a gap in the defensive line. But all the other construction sites from before free agency are still there. The receiving corps needs more quality, especially if Rashee Rice is suspended again. Travis Kelce’s stay doesn’t solve the tight end problem because he doesn’t have much left in the tank, the offensive line won’t miraculously get better just because Jawaan Taylor is gone and at cornerback Trent McDuffie (traded to the Rams) hasn’t been nearly replaced. In addition, there is still no one to support Chris Jones in the pass rush.
Las Vegas Raiders
Biggest Needs: QB, OL, LB, WR
The quarterback comes with the first pick in the draft, but will need even more protection than has been offered so far. Right tackle should at least be upgraded. The receiving corps is very poor. Defensively, the focus should be on stopping the run. In other words: In addition to a strong linebacker, some kind of nose tackle would be a big help.
Los Angeles Chargers
Biggest Needs: OG, EDGE, DL, WR, S
In my opinion, other than signing center Tyler Biadasz, the Chargers didn’t do anything in free agency to actually get better. The status quo was maintained with edge rusher Khalil Mack. But there is still a lack of quality at guard, the defensive line was only strengthened in width, safety Alohi Gilman was not replaced at all and the receiving corps is still very limited.
Miami Dolphins
Biggest Needs: DB, WR, EDGE, DL, LB, TE, OL
The quarterback was initially settled with Malik Willis. But there is basically not a single viable wide receiver left. Tight end? It’s going ok. O-Line? Suspicious at best. At least running back De’Von Achane is still there – strange priorities, but that’s where we are. Defensively, the secondary is still a major construction site with all the well-known departures. And the defensive line including the edge position also urgently needs upgrades. It’s good that you now have seven top 100 picks.
New England Patriots
Biggest needs: OL, EDGE, WR, TE
The O-line should continue to be an issue, especially with the knowledge that Morgan Moses won’t play forever and doubts about Will Campbell are still justified. At least the new swing tackle James Hudson alleviates these problems a little. The edge position didn’t necessarily get an upgrade with Dre’Mont Jones, while the receiving corps including the tight end position still lacks playmakers.
New York Jets
Biggest Needs: WR, QB, EDGE, IOL
The offensive line has already received reinforcements from guard Dylan Parham, but further improvements could be made here. However, the focus should be on finding more playmakers who can support Garrett Wilson in the passing game. At the same time, quarterback must remain an issue because no matter how much Frank Reich can get out of Geno Smith, he is of course not the long-term solution. And then there’s the edge position, which has been left unused since Jermaine Johnson was traded to Tennessee. Here, however, a remedy in the draft is conceivable in the form of someone like Arvell Reese or David Bailey at position 2. And the Jets have four of the first 44 picks!
Pittsburgh Steelers
Biggest needs: QB, OL
A few weeks before the draft, the Steelers once again have no idea who will ultimately play quarterback. Is Aaron Rodgers moving on? Is Kirk Cousins coming? Do you bet on Will Howard? These are not all very promising options, especially in the long term. Accordingly, this is a position that you should at least consider in the draft. The offensive line is the next major issue, as left tackle Broderick Jones in particular hasn’t made the most stable impression so far, which would be a problem for any quarterback.
Tennessee Titans
Biggest Needs: IOL, WR, EDGE
The Giants basically bought out half of New York to upgrade their team to Saleh/Daboll standards. But that still leaves the question open as to whether that’s enough on the interior of the offensive line. Center and right guard still seem quite suspect to me. In addition, one must at least question whether it is enough to install Wan’Dale Robinson as the new slot receiver for a lot of money in order to improve the situation for Cam Ward as much as possible. Defensively, bringing in Jermaine Johnson from Gang Green won’t be enough. There is still a need for action at the other edge position.
