The greatest weakness for every NFL team heading into the draft

Every team has areas they need to address in the NFL draft, but some needs are bigger than others. Here’s a look at every team’s greatest weakness heading into the 2023 draft.

 

Arizona Cardinals: OL

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New GM Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon have a rebuild on their hands. The team will likely be without Kyler Murray for a large part of 2023 after knee surgery. They would feel uncomfortable at this time even if he was healthy as the team contends with three free agent starting offensive linemen and multiple backups on the open market. After the offensive line, the defensive line is also a concern after J.J. Watt’s retirement and Zach Allen’s free agency.

 

Atlanta Falcons: QB

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Atlanta’s biggest need is debatable, depending on 2022 third-round pick Desmond Ridder’s prospects. He’s the likely starting quarterback if the team doesn’t make any moves and had an uneven performance when he played late in the year. The team also needs to address all three levels of the defense.

 

Baltimore Ravens: WR

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It’s not a foregone conclusion that Baltimore will retain disgruntled franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson. Regardless, the team desperately needs more weapons at wideout after trading Marquise Brown last year and struggling to find healthy receivers last season. The team has used a first-round pick at the position multiple times in recent seasons, including in 2021 with Rashod Bateman.

 

Buffalo Bills: S

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Buffalo’s struggles in the secondary were apparent last season, with Micah Hyde missing most of the year, Jordan Poyer fighting through injury, and Damar Hamlin suffering a frightening cardiac arrest late in the year. Poyer is a free agent, and Hamlin’s football future is unknown. Addressing safety has been inevitable for the Bills with Poyer and Hyde on the wrong side of 30, but it’s never been more important.

 

Carolina Panthers: QB

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Carolina’s efforts to find a quarterback under former head coach Matt Rhule never panned out, including Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield. New head coach Frank Reich had similar issues at the position while leading Indianapolis, so it seems inevitable the Panthers will definitively address the position with a proven veteran or early-round pick.

 

Chicago Bears: DL

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It’s hard to know where to start for this Bears squad, which shed multiple franchise players and earned the first overall draft choice. The good news is not only their wealth of draft capital but also their immense cap space. Finding a top pass rusher to replace last offseason’s departures of Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks should be at the top of the position with Chicago’s early-round pick, though there aren’t many areas of the team that aren’t needs.

 

Cincinnati Bengals: DB

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The draft becomes much more important for Cincinnati now that Joe Burrow is due a big contract. The defense could need a rebuild on the backend, as Eli Apple, Tre Flowers, Jessie Bates, and Vonn Bell are all free agents. The team prepared in last year’s draft by taking defensive backs Dax Hill and Cam Taylor-Britt in the first two rounds, but they could go back to the well.

 

Cleveland Browns: DL

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It’s tough to find issue with a defensive line that features Myles Garrett, but the Browns are set to potentially lose Jadeveon Clowney, Taven Bryan, and Chase Winovich in free agency. The Browns were the 11th-worst team in the league in sack rate last season, and could certainly use some developmental prospects.

 

Dallas Cowboys: WR

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After trading Amari Cooper last offseason, the lack of wideout depth in Dallas was exposed. Michael Gallup never looked right following his return from knee surgery, while Noah Brown and James Washington were disappointments. The potential losses of offensive weapons Tony Pollard and Dalton Schultz make finding a No. 2 wideout even direr. The Cowboys saw CeeDee Lamb fall into their laps in the 2020 draft, and would certainly welcome another playmaker in this year’s draft.

 

Denver Broncos: OL

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New head coach Sean Payton knows the key to a turnaround will be Russell Wilson, and making him more comfortable in the pocket is a starting point. The Broncos had the third-worst sack rate in the NFL last season, and starters Dalton Risner and Billy Turner are free agents. Denver needs more stable play up front, and might be able to at least find a starting guard in the middle rounds.

 

Detroit Lions: DB

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Detroit’s defense made slight improvement in 2022 from the bottom of the league, but their issues are still glaring. They had the third-worst passing defense in the league, struggling to find any consistency in the secondary despite an improved pass rush. Both cornerback and safety will be in play for the Lions this offseason.

 

Green Bay Packers: WR

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The Packers found a keeper in the second round of last year’s draft with Christian Watson, and fourth-rounder Romeo Doubs also showed flashes in his rookie season. Regardless of who starts under center next season, the Packers still need to add more depth and talent to the wide receiver room, with veterans Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb possibly leaving via free agency.

 

Houston Texans: QB

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There was a clear conclusion to Houston’s experimentation with Davis Mills, as the team was forced to turn to other players in another disastrous season. New head coach DeMeco Ryans comes from the defensive side of the ball, but it would be a shock if he didn’t use the team’s top first-round pick on a quarterback of the future.

 

Indianapolis Colts: QB

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Indy’s post-Andrew Luck quarterback nightmares finally came to a head last season. At new head coach Shane Steichen’s press conference, owner Jim Irsay suggested the team would add a young quarterback, so it would be an upset if the Colts don’t address the position early in the draft. 

 

Jacksonville Jaguars: DL

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Jacksonville’s roster is in good shape heading into 2023, but pass rush depth should be a priority. The team could lose Corey Peters, Adam Gotsis, and Dawuane Smoot in free agency, and Josh Allen could use some help on the defensive line interior.

 

Kansas City Chiefs: OT

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The Super Bowl Champs have a wealth of draft capital despite picking last in the first round. Offensive tackle is potentially a glaring area of need as starting tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Andrew Wylie enter free agency. The pair’s play protecting Patrick Mahomes was key in the team’s Super Bowl run, a clear difference from the play at the position two years prior vs. Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl.

 

Las Vegas Raiders: QB

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With the release of long-time starter Derek Carr, the Raiders are on the prowl for a quarterback. The new signal caller will be entering a favorable situation with great weapons like Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow, and Darren Waller, plus an offensive-minded head coach in Josh McDaniels with a history of developing quarterbacks in New England.

 

Los Angeles Chargers: WR

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The Chargers need more weapons for Justin Herbert and new coordinator Kellen Moore to work with, especially with the possibility that Keenan Allen and Gerald Everett will be offseason cap casualties. The team’s depth was tested last season between injuries to Mike Williams and Allen, with the conclusion that the Chargers need more help.

 

Los Angeles Rams: DB

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After years of spending and trading draft picks, the Rams are in an uncomfortable place. The team has several major holes to fill, yet they don’t have many resources. The defensive backfield could be the highest priority, as starters Troy Hill, Taylor Rapp, and Nick Scott are free agents, and star corner Jalen Ramsey could be on the trade block.

 

Miami Dolphins: RB

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Miami won’t be able to spend like last offseason, and they were stripped of their first-round pick by the NFL. For the most part, the “starting lineup” looks intact, but running back is one area of concern with free agents Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, and Myles Gaskin. The relatively low cost of running backs and the friendliness of Mike McDaniel’s offense makes this issue fixable without the draft, but a young back should still be high on the team’s list.

 

Minnesota Vikings: CB

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Kevin O’Connell fired his defensive coordinator after only one season, clearly indicating Minnesota’s offseason priorities. The Vikings need to add secondary help for new coordinator Brian Flores, as safeties Harrison Smith and Lewis Cine also adjust to a new defense. Minnesota is likely to remake their cornerbacks in both free agency and the draft, as incumbents Patrick Peterson, Duke Shelley, and Chandon Sullivan are all free agents.

 

New England Patriots: DB

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After a quiet 2022 offseason, the Pats must make a splash to compete again in a strong AFC East division. Bill Belichick usually has no issue rebuilding his defense. He will have to work some magic again as defensive backs Jonathan Jones, Devin McCourty, Jabrill Peppers, and Joejuan Williams are free agents. The team also needs to address wideout, though some veteran help would probably be most valuable in that area as Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe continue to develop.

 

New Orleans Saints: QB

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Replacing a legend is never easy, and the Saints have had a particularly tough time replacing Drew Brees over the last two seasons. It’s clear that Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston aren’t the answer, and the team has already hosted Derek Carr for a visit. Without an early pick, finding the quarterback of the future will be difficult, but a developmental prospect would be smart to keep hope alive in New Orleans.

 

New York Giants: WR

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The popular assumption is that the Giants will bring back free agent Daniel Jones, and the team would do well to give him more help. Somehow the team made it work last year, ravaged by injuries at the position, and 2022 pick Wan’Dale Robinson shows potential. Still, a legitimate top wideout would do some good for the offense, and the chase for that player hasn’t been fruitful between Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney.

 

New York Jets: OL

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The Jets have prioritized adding a veteran quarterback to play in front of Zach Wilson, but they need more offensive line help. Even with the likely return of Mekhi Becton from injury, New York faces depth issues with the potential losses of George Fant, Connor McGovern, and others. 

 

Philadelphia Eagles: OL

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Philly has some dire needs as they approach free agency, with possible significant losses on the offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, and secondary. Their level of need on the offensive line could be determined by center Jason Kelce’s retirement decision, but the team could also need to replace free agent guard Isaac Seumalo and aging right tackle Lane Johnson. Even with the strong development of Jalen Hurts and great offensive weapons, one of the keys to Philly’s offensive success has been their dominant offensive line.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers: DL

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Pittsburgh is young at key positions on offense, but the defense is a different story. The team could lose defensive linemen Larry Ogunjobi, Chris Wormley, and Tyson Alualu in free agency, while team leader Cameron Heyward enters his age-34 season. 

 

San Francisco 49ers: DB

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San Francisco spent big on cornerback Charvarius Ward last offseason, and safety Talanoa Hufanga has quickly developed into an elite player. However, the team has big concerns beyond that pair, as they’re faced with the possible losses of Jimmie Ward, Emmanuel Moseley, Tashaun Gipson, and Tarvarius Moore in free agency. 

 

Seattle Seahawks: LB

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Former first-round pick Jordyn Brooks did a fine job after the loss of Bobby Wagner last season, but the team still has some linebackers concerns as Cody Barton and Bruce Irvin enter free agency. The hope is that young Boye Mafe takes a step forward next season to help mitigate the losses, but the team is likely to add at the position.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DB

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The Bucs had a disappointing 2022 season in spite of winning the NFC South, as the roster got old quickly beyond quarterback Tom Brady. The core of talent remains intact for another run if the team finds a veteran quarterback, but they also need help in the secondary. Tampa Bay is riddled with free agents in the secondary, including Jamel Dean, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Logan Ryan, Mike Edwards, and Keanu Neal.

 

Tennessee Titans: OL

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Just a few years ago, Tennessee’s offensive line was one of their biggest strengths. The area has quickly become a liability, as left tackle Taylor Lewan struggled to stay on the field before his release and right tackle has been a revolving door. The team seems likely to move on from Lewan one way or another this offseason, and right guard Nate Davis is a free agent.

 

Washington Commanders: OL

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As the Commanders are seemingly set to run with 2022 fifth-rounder Sam Howell at quarterback, the offensive line becomes a higher priority. Washington ranked eighth worst in sack percentage last season, and could lose free agent right guard Trai Turner along with depth. The addition of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is a coup, and further line help would put him and Howell in a better position to succeed.

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