Examining biggest draft needs for all 32 NFL teams

The 2025 NFL draft is fast approaching as the major waves of free agency have passed.

Sam Darnold moved to the Pacific Northwest, Davante Adams is happy to be back in California, Jevon Holland took his talents to the Big Apple and Milton Williams got a big pay day in New England.

Regardless of what continues to take place in free agency, most of the focus has turn toward the NFL draft that occurs April 24 and concludes April 26.

All 32 teams have roster holes as the calendar gets closer to the draft. USA TODAY Sports explores roster needs for each team follow a fast and furious first phase of free agency.

Arizona Cardinals

Team needs: DL, WR, CB

The addition of Josh Sweat helps fill a need in Arizona. Several holes remain on both sides of the ball. The Cardinals haven’t finished a season above .500 since 2021.   

Team needs: Edge, DL, IOL

Is it Groundhog Day? Here’s to another year that the Falcons need to bolster their pass rush unit. Atlanta had an NFC-low 31 sacks in 2024.

Baltimore Ravens

Team needs: Edge, IOL, CB

Veteran Kyle Van Noy, who turns 34 this month, was the team’s best edge rusher last season. The Ravens lack a standout edge rusher. Baltimore had the second-worst pass defense in the NFL last year.

Buffalo Bills

Team needs: CB, DB, IOL

Buffalo replaced Von Miller with a younger although oft-injured Joey Bosa in free agency. A 24^th ranked pass defense can use more assistance. Opponents caught 72% of their targets versus Buffalo, an AFC East-high, per Pro Football Focus.

Carolina Panthers

Team needs: WR, Edge, OL

Bryce Young showed positive signs of development in Year 2. The Panthers must continue to build an offense around the QB. Carolina had the fourth worst offense in the NFL this past season.

Chicago Bears

Team needs: Edge, OT, WE

The Bears fortified the interior of their O-line in free agency by adding three new starters. The worst total offense in the NFL last season still needs more aid on that side of the ball.

Team needs: CB, DL, IOL

The Bengals are allocating roughly $125 million per year for Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. As a result, Bengals must draft well, mainly on defense, while the trio takes up a large percentage of the team’s salary cap.

Cleveland Browns

Team needs: QB, WR, Edge

The Browns are in prime position to draft a QB with the second overall pick. Russell Wilson recently visited the team. Cleveland averaged the fewest number of points in the NFL last season.

Dallas Cowboys

Team needs: OL, RB, LB

The additions of Dante Fowler Jr. in free agency and Kaiir Elam via trade will help, but they don’t move the needle. Dallas will likely draft at least one offensive linemen after Zack Martin’s retirement.

Denver Broncos

Team needs: RB, WR, DL

Evan Engram fills a huge void at tight end. Ex-49ers Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga will bolster Denver’s top 10 defense. The Broncos let their leading rusher Javonte Williams walk in free agency.

Detroit Lions

Team needs: Edge, LB, DT

Injuries depleted the Lions defense last year. They could draft more depth on that side of the football. Detroit signed D.J. Reed to replace Carlton Davis at cornerback.

Green Bay Packers

Team needs: CB, OL, WR

Jaire Alexander is on the trading block a person close to the situation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. Green Bay could find Alexander’s replacement in the draft. The Packers did add slot CB Nate Hobbs in free agency.

Houston Texans

Team needs: OT, OG, DT

The Texans parted ways with their best offensive lineman in Laremy Tunsil and shipped Kenyon Green. They did add veteran tackle Cam Robinson in free agency but is he enough? Houston must protect C.J. Stroud, who was sacked an AFC-most 52 times, better.

Indianapolis Colts

Team needs: TE, WR, LB

The Colts’ top tight end had a paltry 14 receptions last season. Whether Indy starts Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones, they need more production out of the tight end position and more consistency from their QB.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Team needs: CB, TE, OL

The Jaguars had the worst total defense in the AFC last year and they cut their top tight end in Evan Engram. Jourdan Lewis and Eric Murray were added in the secondary, but Jacksonville still needs more help on D.

Kansas City Chiefs

Team needs: OL, Edge, S

It remains to be seen whether the Chiefs solved their left tackle woes with the addition of Jaylon Moore. On defense, the loss of Justin Reid is a big blow to Kansas City’s secondary.

Las Vegas Raiders

Team needs: RB, LB CB

Geno Smith fills the Raiders’ QB need (for now). The Raiders had the NFL’s worst rushing attack in 2024. They also lost leading tackler Robert Spillane in free agency.

Los Angeles Chargers

Team needs: WR, TE, DL

Mekhi Becton and Mike Williams fill needs on offense. The Chargers should continue to add pass catchers through the draft. Justin Herbert averaged a career-low 227 passing yards per game in 2024.

Los Angeles Rams

Team needs: LB, CB, OL

Davante Adams was a splash free agency signing. Look for the Rams to address their defense and O-line through the draft. The Rams had the worst run defense in the NFC West last season.

Miami Dolphins

Team needs: OL, S, DT

Offensive line has been a unit of weakness since Tua Tagovailoa arrived in Miami. The Dolphins have seen defensive standouts Christian Wilkins and Jevon Holland bolt in free agency in successive seasons.

Minnesota Vikings

Team needs: CB, LB, S

The Vikings are attempting to form a new version of the “Purple People Eaters” after the additions of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in free agency. Will Fries received a massive deal as he and Ryan Kelly bolster an offensive line tasked to protect presumptive starter J.J. McCarthy.

New England Patriots

Team needs: WR, Edge, OL

The Patriots splurged in free agency, spending the most of any team to date. Patriots VP of player personnel Eliot Wolf is building a team in Mike Vrabel’s image, but there’s still plenty of work to do.

New Orleans Saints

Team needs: WR, CB, DL

If new head coach Kellen Moore and the Saints are going to move forward with Derek Carr, they have to put him in a better position to succeed. New Orleans ranked in the bottom half of the league in total offense and points per game.

New York Giants

Team needs: QB, IOL, CB

General manager Joe Schoen said the Giants have to address the quarterback position somewhere. What better time than the upcoming draft. The Giants have flirted with some veteran QBs, but they need to bring a young signal caller in.

New York Jets

Team needs: TE, WR, LB

General manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn are in the process of remolding the Jets. Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams are gone. Justin Fields takes over at QB with a chance to revitalize his career. Every QB needs good surrounding parts to be successful.

Philadelphia Eagles

Team needs: Edge, IOL, S

The reigning Super Bowl champs lost a lot of talent in free agency, including Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, Darius Slay and Mekhi Becton. The good news is they still probably have the best collection of skill players on offense.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Team needs: QB, DL, IOL

The Steelers are still awaiting Aaron Rodgers’ decision. They need to think about a QB of the future regardless of Rodgers’ choice. Whoever is throwing the football will have a dynamic receiving corps featuring DK Metcalf and George Pickens.

Team needs: CB, Edge, IOL

The 49ers had a mass exodus of talent in the midst of an offseason where Brock Purdy is expected to sign an extension. Is the team’s Super Bowl window close? It’s too premature to conclude the 49ers aren’t contenders anymore.

Seattle Seahawks

Team needs: LB, IOL, OT

Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp represent Seattle’s new-look offense. Seattle had the NFC’s worst rushing attack last season largely because of a poor offensive line.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Team needs: IOL, CB, LB

Chris Godwin re-signing was big and Haason Reddick could provide a necessary pass rush spark. The Bucs starting interior line allowed 79 pressures last season, per Pro Football Focus.

Tennessee Titans

Team needs: QB, WR, Edge

The Titans’ inactivity in the quarterback market gives us some insight into their draft plans. The Titans GM Mike Borgonzi said the team has fielded calls for the No. 1 pick. But it would behoove the Titans to stay at the top of the draft and select their franchise quarterback.

Washington Commanders

Team needs: Edge, CB, DT

Washington lost its top pass rusher in Dante Fowler Jr. Furthermore, Marshon Lattimore didn’t live up to expectations with the Commanders. Lattimore allowed a career-worst 105.4 passer rating when targeted in the regular season and it dropped to a 131.2 in the postseason.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

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