NFL Draft: Biggest Needs for Each AFC Team

Story posted April 27, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by James Morrison

With the NFL Draft just around the corner, here are the biggest needs for each AFC team. 

AFC East

Buffalo Bills
Picks: 25, 57, 89, 130, 168, 185, 203, 231
Their biggest need is in the secondary as they lost Levi Wallace to the Steelers and are currently starting Dane Jackson at cornerback.

Miami Dolphins
Picks: 103, 125, 224, 247
The biggest need for the Dolphins is middle linebacker, where Elandon Roberts is slated to start and the depth does not look good behind him.

New England Patriots
Picks: 21, 54, 85, 127, 158, 183, 200, 210, 245
The Patriots need a top cornerback from this year’s draft after losing out on J.C. Jackson in free agency.

New York Jets
Picks: 4, 10, 35, 38, 69, 111, 117, 146, 163
This team has needs up and down the lineup, but on offense they will need an offensive tackle to replace George Fant, or any type of defensive player to plug the many holes of the defense.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens
Picks: 14, 45, 76, 100, 110, 119, 128, 139, 141, 196
On offense, the team could use another receiver, even after spending two first round picks since 2019 on them. Defensively, they could really use a middle linebacker with Josh Bynes being one of their top options.

Cincinnati Bengals
Picks: 31, 63, 95, 136, 174, 209, 226, 252
On offense, the defending AFC champions beefed up their offensive line while in the draft they should look to add a cornerback who can take over for Eli Apple.

Cleveland Browns
Picks: 44, 78, 99, 118, 202, 223, 246
The defensive line and wide receivers are two huge holes on the roster for Cleveland.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Picks: 20, 52, 84, 138, 208, 241
The Steelers need a quarterback, but cornerback is also a need for them as they are slated to start Levi Wallace and Cam Sutton this year.

AFC South

Houston Texans
Picks: 3, 13, 37, 68, 80, 107, 108, 170, 205, 207
This entire team is basically a team need, but the first priority should be surrounding quarterback Davis Mills with talent on the line and receiver positions.

Indianapolis Colts
Picks: 42, 73, 122, 159, 179, 216, 239
The Colts top two needs are receivers and a guard to block alongside Quentin Nelson.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Picks: 1, 33, 65, 70, 106, 157, 180, 188, 197, 198, 222, 235
A huge need for the Jaguars is the defensive line as they have no standout players.

Tennessee Titans
Picks: 26, 90, 131, 143, 169, 204, 219
Left guard is a major hole for the Titans who are currently projected to start undrafted free agent Aaron Brewer there.

AFC West

Denver Broncos
Picks: 64, 75, 96, 115, 116, 152, 206, 232, 234
With the trade of Noah Fant, the Broncos are starting Albert Okwuegbunam at tight end and they do not have much depth behind that.

Kansas City Chiefs
Picks: 29, 30, 50, 62, 94, 103, 121, 135, 233, 243, 251, 259
Even after trading Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins, Kansas City’s top need is at cornerback where they are currently slated to start Rashad Fenton and Deandre Baker.

Las Vegas Raiders
Pick: 86, 126, 164, 165, 227
Both of the guard positions on this team are incredibly weak in Denzelle Good and Jermaine Eluemunor with John Simpson in the mix.

Los Angeles Chargers
Picks: 17, 79, 123, 160, 195, 214, 236, 254, 255, 260
The Chargers need an offensive tackle to play opposite of Rashawn Slater, as Trey Pipkins and Storm Norton are not the answer on the right side.

James Morrison is a sophomore majoring in Broadcast Journalism. To contact him, email jpm6920@psu.edu.