Draft Needs: Identifying the biggest problem area for every NFC team
theScore goes division by division to identify the most significant remaining hole for every NFC team ahead of the 2019 NFL Draft, which takes place April 25 to 27.
AFC I NFC
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Biggest need: Pass-rusher
Entering the 2018 season, Dallas needed pass-catchers. But with the additions of Amari Cooper and Randall Cobb, the Cowboys won't need to use a committee approach in 2019. They lured Jason Witten out of retirement to solve their problem at tight end for at least one year, and the team signed safety George Iloka to bolster its secondary. The club also extended DeMarcus Lawrence's contract, but with the losses of Randy Gregory (suspended indefinitely) and David Irving, Dallas should look to add another edge rusher. The Cowboys' secondary played well enough last year to allow them to target a young pass-rusher who can draw double teams away from Lawrence.
Potential draft targets: Zach Allen (Boston College), D'Andre Walker (Georgia)
New York Giants
Biggest need: Quarterback
The Giants are dealing with holes at nearly every position, but the most obvious weakness lies at quarterback. New York is likely sticking with Eli Manning for the 2019 season, and if the front office doesn't select his successor in the draft, the Giants will reportedly extend the 38-year-old for another year. The franchise is said to be considering a pass-rusher with the No. 6 pick. The club needs to fill the vacancy left after trading Olivier Vernon, but how long will the Giants keep Manning around? Dave Gettleman insists he has a plan, but that doesn't mean it's a good one.
Potential draft targets: Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State), Kyler Murray (Oklahoma)
Philadelphia Eagles
Biggest need: Linebacker
Philadelphia addressed various holes this offseason while adding DeSean Jackson, Malik Jackson, Andrew Sendejo, and Vinny Curry. The Eagles added depth to an already stellar defense and brought back key contributors Ronald Darby and Brandon Graham. However, they lost linebacker Jordan Hicks, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals. Nigel Bradham could step up to replace him as the field general, but Hicks’ superior tackling will be difficult to replicate. The Eagles should throw a couple of darts at the position, aiming to add some depth in the middle of the defense.
Potential draft targets: Devin Bush (Michigan), Bobby Okereke (Stanford)
Washington Redskins
Biggest need: Wide receiver
The losses of Zach Brown and Preston Smith are significant to the Redskins' linebacker corps, but the team will need to focus on the departure of receiver Jamison Crowder during the draft. Case Keenum needs all the help he can get, as the pivot's current top receiving options are Jordan Reed, Josh Doctson, and Paul Richardson. Collectively, Redskins quarterbacks posted a 61.6 passer rating and were intercepted five times when targeting Doctson in 2018, according to Pro Football Focus, while Richardson averaged only 37.4 yards per game. With Alex Smith's future uncertain, the Redskins need to invest in a pass-catcher who can keep Keenum afloat.
Potential draft targets: D.K. Metcalf (Ole Miss), A.J. Brown (Ole Miss)
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
Biggest need: Offensive line
The Cardinals began free agency with a bang, acquiring a wide scope of talent instead of grabbing big-name, big-contract players, and bolstering their defense with acquisitions such as Jordan Hicks, Terrell Suggs, and Robert Alford. However, the additions of Marcus Gilbert, J.R. Sweezy, and Max Garcia may not be enough to improve an offensive line that Pro Football Focus graded as the league's worst in pass-blocking last season. The Cardinals should also keep their eyes on wideout prospects who can make life easier for whoever they start at quarterback in 2019. Chad Williams and Trent Sherfield failed to make an impact after Christian Kirk broke his foot late in the 2018 season, and Larry Fitzgerald won’t be around to lead the position group forever.
Potential draft targets: Kaleb McGary (Washington), Dalton Risner (Kansas State)
Los Angeles Rams
Biggest need: Interior offensive line
One of the Rams' greatest strengths during their run to the Super Bowl was an offensive line that carved paths for Todd Gurley and C.J. Anderson down the stretch. Los Angeles lost offensive-line staples Rodger Saffold and John Sullivan during free agency, and the Rams didn't make any additions along the line, opening the door for selecting a guard or center in the draft. However, the franchise should also scout possible linebackers who could fill in for the departed Mark Barron. The Rams brought back pass-rusher Dante Fowler and signed Clay Matthews, who is expected to primarily be placed on the edge. Los Angeles should look to add depth and select a prospect who can assist Cory Littleton in the box.
Potential draft targets: Erik McCoy (Texas A&M), Chris Lindstrom (Boston College)
San Francisco 49ers
Biggest need: Wide receiver
John Lynch felt confident enough in the 49ers' receiving corps to not pay the high price for Odell Beckham Jr. or pursue Antonio Brown. After San Francisco declined the player option on Pierre Garcon, Jimmy Garoppolo will have Marquise Goodwin, Dante Pettis, and Jordan Matthews as his receivers. Although head coach Kyle Shanahan can also turn to George Kittle, a deep receiving threat would make an impact in his offense. The team could also use a defensive back to help out aging veteran Richard Sherman. PFF gave the 49ers the worst coverage grade in 2018, and they only grabbed two interceptions.
Potential draft targets: J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (Stanford), Kelvin Harmon (NC State)
Seattle Seahawks
Biggest need: Guard
Duane Brown solidified the outside of the Seahawks' offensive line in 2018 when the team desperately needed a reliable tackle. But the rest of the offensive line, especially the interior, fell flat. Seattle signed guard Mike Iupati and let J.R. Sweezy walk in free agency to address that issue. But Iupati struggled with the Cardinals last season before being placed on the injured reserve with a knee injury. Finding a reliable guard in the draft could make the difference for the tackles and improve the unit as a whole. The Seahawks could also target a corner, especially after losing Justin Coleman, who signed with the Detroit Lions this offseason. Adding some new talent could help Shaquill Griffin ease into his sophomore season. He struggled to take the reins as the No. 1 corner in 2018, allowing a passer rating of 100.4 when opposing quarterbacks targeted him, per PFF.
Potential draft targets: Chris Lindstrom (Boston College), Cody Ford (Oklahoma)
NFC North
Chicago Bears
Biggest need: Running back
Jordan Howard's long-rumored departure from the Bears culminated in the running back being traded to the Eagles. Chicago will need more depth at the position, as Tarik Cohen hasn't proven himself as an every-down back. The Bears did sign Mike Davis, but neither Davis nor Cohen can match Howard's blocking skills. The market may be littered with free-agent running backs, but this year’s draft is full of talented Day 2 runners. The Bears are a rare team without glaring holes this offseason. Their defensive line could use more depth, as Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks led Chicago's pass rush in 2018 while combining for 81 pressures.
Potential draft targets: Damien Harris (Alabama), Miles Sanders (Penn State)
Detroit Lions
Biggest need: Pass-rusher
The Lions compensated for losing pass-rusher Ezekiel Ansah and corner Nevin Lawson by acquiring Trey Flowers and Justin Coleman. Detroit now needs depth in those two key defensive areas. If they place Coleman in the slot, the Lions will still need to upgrade at cornerback opposite Darius Slay, especially after their defense tied for the second-fewest interceptions last season with seven. However, the team's greatest need is probably a pass-rusher to complement Flowers, as PFF graded the Lions' pass rush the league's third-worst in 2018, and Detroit was middle-of-the-pack in sacks with 43.
Potential draft targets: Montez Sweat (Mississippi State), Brian Burns (Florida State)
Green Bay Packers
Biggest need: Defensive back
Green Bay made a splash this offseason, grabbing Preston Smith, Adrian Amos, and Za'Darius Smith. Boosting the defense is clearly a key goal, as the Packers also used their first two picks last year on corners. The offense became younger with Randall Cobb gone. In Equanimeous St. Brown, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Geronimo Allison, the team has three receivers 25 years old or younger. Adding another young receiver to the mix may be tempting, but the Packers should search for either a safety to work with Amos or a corner. They hit on Jaire Alexander in last year's draft, but Josh Jackson and Josh Jones - who will likely play safety alongside Amos - struggled last season.
Potential draft targets: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (Florida), Juan Thornhill (Virginia)
Minnesota Vikings
Biggest need: Offensive line
Improving the offensive line was a priority for the Vikings before free agency, and that goal remains a month later. They brought in Josh Kline after letting Mike Remmers walk, but Minnesota shouldn't stop there. The Vikings signed Dakota Dozier and Brett Jones to add depth, but neither will fix an offensive line that allowed the second-most pressures last season, per PFF. Minnesota doesn't have much cap space to work with, so it could take some fliers on young guards and tackles in the middle rounds.
Potential draft targets: Jonah Williams (Alabama), Andre Dillard (Washington State)
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
Biggest need: Pass-rusher
The Falcons may have Deion Jones and Ricardo Allen coming back from injury in 2019, but their defense will look very different after losing Brian Poole and Robert Alford. Although Desmond Trufant is returning, Atlanta could look to bolster its secondary through the draft. The unit allowed 259.6 passing yards per game in 2018 (27th). However, the secondary isn't the Falcons' only hole. Premium pass-rushers will still be available when Atlanta is on the clock at No. 14. The team ranked 22nd in sacks while getting subpar play from Vic Beasley Jr. and Takkarist McKinley last season.
Potential draft targets: Rashan Gary (Michigan), Jaylon Ferguson (Louisiana Tech)
Carolina Panthers
Biggest need: Secondary
James Bradberry and Donte Jackson are the Panthers' top cornerbacks, and they'll play alongside safety Eric Reid. With the departures of Captain Munnerlyn and Mike Adams, the Panthers should look for a young defensive back in the draft. Carolina's secondary was mediocre in 2018, allowing the 15th most yards per game through the air while nabbing only 13 interceptions (15th). Also, the Panthers lost Julius Peppers to retirement and signed Bruce Irvin to replace him. Irvin may have accumulated a similar number of pressures as Peppers last year, but he's not the right impact guy to complement Mario Addison on the edge.
Potential draft targets: Greedy Williams (LSU), Deionte Thompson (Alabama)
New Orleans Saints
Biggest need: Wide receiver
The Saints evened out every loss during free agency, grabbing Latavius Murray, Nick Easton, and Jared Cook to replace Mark Ingram, Ben Watson, and Max Unger. New Orleans is stacked everywhere, although the team could use a better wideout alongside Michael Thomas. Adding Cook, who will likely work the middle of the field, definitely helps the offense, but plugging a young addition into the receiving corps could draw eyes away from the Saints' star receiver.
Potential draft targets: Terry McLaurin (Ohio State), Kelvin Harmon (NC State)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Biggest need: Cornerback
The Buccaneers' defense was abysmal last season, allowing the sixth-most yards (6,134) and surrendering the second-most points (464). With Brent Grimes a free agent, the Bucs will need a young talent to work with Carlton Davis. They didn't strengthen their secondary during free agency, instead opting to acquire linebackers Shaquil Barrett and Deone Bucannon. Tampa Bay should target a corner to help its depleted secondary.
Potential draft targets: Byron Murphy (Washington), Deandre Baker (Georgia)