2024 NFL Draft Needs: What Every NFC Team is Looking for on Draft Day

(Photo : Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)) INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 02: Caleb Williams #QB14 of Southern California seems on throughout the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 02, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana

The 2024 NFL Draft is lastly right here, and we’re having a look at every crew within the NFC Conference’s wants heading into draft day.

Each crew all through the convention has an opportunity to make some massive time enhancements on their roster.

Here is every crew’s wants all through the NFC heading into of the 2024 NFL Draft.

2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC North): Detroit Lions

Team Needs: CB, S, Edge, WR

The Detroit Lions had been only one sport away from the Super Bowl final season, failing on the street towards the San Francisco 49ers within the NFC Championship sport.

Over the years the Lions have grown a popularity of sometimes selecting excessive within the draft in hopes of discovering their franchise savior however now might be in search of items to assist them recover from the following hump within the playoffs.

The Lions may possible use this draft so as to add depth to their protection together with their receiver core.

Detroit addressed their cornerback state of affairs in free company by re-signing Emmanuel Moseley together with signing Carlton Davis III. But even by way of these strikes, the Lions may nonetheless use some depth on the place, particularly after chopping Cameron Sutton, who’s coping with authorized points in the mean time.

They may additionally use the 2024 NFL Draft so as to add vital depth at pass-rush to assist out Aidan Hutchinson, who was massive time final season for the Detroit Lions.

2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC North): Green Bay Packers

Team Needs: OT, LB, CB, DT

In their first season of the post-Rodgers period, the Green Bay Packers had a formidable season with Jordan Love underneath middle. The Packers reached the NFC Divisional Round Playoff sport final season, however sadly fell to the San Francisco 49ers.

The focus of this draft needs to be discovering methods to assist their new franchise QB whereas constructing their protection additional.

The Packers’ offensive line stays top-of-the-line within the league however might be affected with out David Bakhtiari transferring ahead. The professional offensive lineman was lower from the roster after coping with nagging knee accidents.

The Packers would possible look to draft his alternative.

In different areas, the Packers spent some huge cash to get security Xavier Mckinney in free company, however they might possible discover one other defensive again on this yr’s draft to pair with him transferring ahead.

2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC North): Minnesota Vikings

Team Need: QB, Edge, OL, DT

The Minnesota Vikings will possible attempt to discover their new franchise quarterback within the first spherical this yr, contemplating the standard of QB expertise within the 2024 NFL Draft.

Finding the appropriate one could be all necessary with Justin Jefferson’s free company standing coming into play subsequent yr.

The Minnesota Vikings may additionally use this yr’s draft to certain up their trenches, each on offense and protection.

2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC North): Chicago Bears

Team Needs: QB, WR, OL, Edge, DT

With the Chicago Bears possible taking Caleb Williams with the primary decide within the 2024 NFL Draft, the aim could be to finish their roster across the promising quarterback prospect.

Chicago may possible add one other receiver this yr, including to their WR core that has improved considerably since buying and selling for Keenan Allen this offseason and D.J. Moore within the earlier.

The Bears may additionally draft some inside offensive linemen to assist shield their potential franchise quarterback.

Defensive finish is one other place they need to handle even after buying and selling for Montez Sweat final yr, because the Chicago Bears nonetheless ranked thirty first in sacks with solely 30 for the 2023 season.

2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC South): Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Team Needs: OL, Edge, CB, LB, S

Last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gained the NFC South Division by a hair, ending the yr with a 9-8 document behind quarterback Baker Mayfield. The Bucs made it to the NFC Divisional Round Playoff sport, the place they fell to the Detroit Lions.

Tampa Bay re-signed Baker Mayfield, trusting him for the long term. Now they arrive into this yr’s NFL draft needing to deal with main points on protection, extra particularly of their secondary.

With Devin White’s and Carlton Davis’ departures, the Buccaneers ought to look to make use of their picks to deal with these secondary positions.

An edge rusher additionally involves thoughts when discussing the NFL draft wants for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC South): New Orleans Saints

Team Needs: OT, WR

The New Orleans Saints discover themselves in an attention-grabbing place forward of the 2024 NFL Draft. The crew missed the playoffs ending at 9-8 and now heads into the draft solely having to deal with a small quantity of roster points, however will ultimately pay the worth in cap house down the road.

Offensive line assistance is a major concern for the Saints as proper deal with Ryan Ramczyk missed the season’s last 4 video games with a nagging knee concern and Trevor Penning was benched in six video games because of poor play.

Continuing on offense, the New Orleans Saints may usher in one other vast receiver, being that they launched Michael Thomas and can want one other wideout alongside Chris Olave to assist out Derek Carr.

2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC South): Atlanta Falcons

Team Needs: Edge, CB, DT, QB

The Atlanta Falcons had been one of many busiest groups within the league throughout free company,

The Falcons signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year deal price as much as $180 million whereas additionally including receivers Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore to play alongside Drake London.

Atlanta is stacked on offense. After taking Bijan Robinson and Drake London previously two drafts, they might handle their points on protection this yr.

Pass rusher is a place of concern for the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta did double their complete sacks final season from 21 to 43.

However, they nonetheless completed on the backside of the league in that space.

Another place the Falcons may use some extra depth at is cornerback, being that Jeff Okudah left Atlanta through free company.

Despite signing Kirk Cousins, who’s coming off an Achilles damage, the Falcons may use one in all their picks to take a younger quarterback. It’s unlikely, however whoever they take will most likely not see the sphere anytime quickly. However, having somebody to sit down and develop behind Kirk Cousins could not harm for the long run.

2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC South): Carolina Panthers

Team Needs: WR, CB

The Carolina Panthers’ aim this offseason is to make life simpler for second-year quarterback Bryce Young.

Wide receiver is the primary place the Panthers ought to handle within the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Panthers have taken a optimistic step by buying Diontae Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this offseason. Their subsequent transfer needs to be to proceed including extra playmakers to assist Bryce Young in a seemingly fruitful receiver draft this yr.

Last season the Panthers vast receiver core consisted of Adam Thielen, Jonathan Mingo and Terrace Marshall Jr.; all had been at occasions productive wideouts however weren’t the difference-makers that Young wanted for his growth.

In different areas, the Carolina Panthers may look to improve their secondary. The Panthers despatched their beginning cornerback, Donte Jackson, to Pittsburgh within the commerce to amass Johnson. They re-signed Troy Hill, however nonetheless they might use extra depth on the place.

2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC East): Dallas Cowboys

Team Needs: OL, DT, RB, WR, LB

The Dallas Cowboys are coming off one in all their higher seasons, ending the yr 12-5 earlier than being bounced to the Green Bay Packers within the NFC Wild Card sport.

Fast-forward to free company, the place some key names have exited the crew, because the Cowboys look to make use of this yr’s NFL Draft to deal with a number of of these lacking items. After being flat footed in free company, Dallas should depend on hitting their picks within the 2024 NFL Draft.

Despite his questionable well being lately, Tyron Smith’s impression in Dallas couldn’t be understated. Smith was enormous for the Cowboys offensive line all through his profession, making first-team all-pro twice. His departure leaves a obtrusive gap within the Cowboys’ line, however Dallas may discover a solution for this weak point on Day 1; taking one other extremely rated offensive deal with.

Center is one other place on the offensive line through which Dallas took a success at, as Tyler Biadasz left for the Washington Commanders. The Cowboys discovered him within the fourth spherical of the 2020 draft, and he has been productive. However, him leaving through free company leaves the Cowboys needing to fill one more gap of their O-line.

Since the Cowboys moved on to Ezekiel Eliott, the crew has struggled to search out success on the working again place.

Tony Pollard was imagined to be the reply at RB for the Cowboys, however he has since signed with the Tennessee Titans in free company, including the working again place to the Cowboys many roster wants.

2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC East): Philadelphia Eagles

Team Needs: CB, TE, EDGE, OL, CB

After a disappointing season, shedding to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers within the NFC Wild Card sport, the Philadelphia Eagles made some massive splash strikes with free company signings of Saquon Barkley, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Bryce Huff; including to an already stacked roster.

Despite boasting one of many league’s deepest and most proficient rosters, they’ll simply use this draft to solely get higher of their quest to return to the Super Bowl.

One main want for the Eagles to deal with within the 2024 NFL Draft is their secondary. Darius Slay missed 5 video games with a knee damage and James Bradberry confirmed some indicators of regression final season; including one other piece to that core could not harm.

Another roster spot the Eagles ought to handle is on the offensive line, with long-time All-Pro middle Jason Kelce’s retirement, Philly may have massive footwear to fill.

The Philadelphia Eagles nonetheless have top-of-the-line traces within the league behind Landon Dickerson and Lane Johnson up entrance, nevertheless, you by no means wish to have a crack within the O-line that different groups will look to take advantage of.

2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC East): New York Giants

Team Needs: WR, QB, OT, CB, DT

Some could argue that it’s time for the New York Giants to go in one other course at quarterback after a down yr from Daniel Jones. Despite paying Jones a four-year $160 million contract, the Giants may use one in all their first-round picks on a quarterback, as a precaution to if Daniel Jones does not pan out because the Giants’ franchise man.

Daniel Jones is coming off a disappointing yr earlier than struggling a season-ending ACL tear damage in Week 8. Seeing the expertise degree of the quarterbacks on this yr’s NFL Draft, the New York Giants could also be tempted to strive their luck on a recent younger QB.

Whatever the Giants do, take a quarterback or hold rolling out Daniel Jones, they should discover him a No.1 possibility. The Giants vast receiver core is mediocre, not having a difference-maker on the place since Odell Beckham Jr.

They have some expertise on the place in Darius Slayton and Jalin Hyatt, however they might profit tremendously from a star on the place.

Other holes that want plugging embody assist at working again, with Saquon Barkley’s departure, and within the secondary, with defensive again Xavier Mckinney additionally leaving in free company. The Giants may exit and discover each their replacements within the 2024 NFL Draft.

2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC East): Washington Commanders

Team Needs: QB, WR, OT, CB, EDGE

The Washington Commanders tied with the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots for the second-worst document within the league, ending at 4-13, because the crew noticed an enormous teaching change going from Ron Riveria to Dan Quinn.

The Commanders may see extra adjustments by way of this yr’s NFL draft.

After buying and selling quarterback Sam Howell to the Seattle Seahawks, the Commanders will undoubtedly go all in on the place within the first spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Caleb Williams is the consensus No.1 general decide and appears Chicago-bound. However, Washington does have open choices between Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy, or Drake Maye.

After signing Tyler Biadasz, the Commanders may proceed to rebuild their line to guard their potential future franchise QB. Taking a left deal with within the second or third spherical will not be out of the query for Washington.

Another must fill may very well be an edge rusher. Since buying and selling Montez Sweat and Chase Young, the Commanders, have struggled in getting strain on opposing groups’ quarterbacks. In an offense-heavy draft this yr, the Washington Commanders might be able to get a later spherical steal on the place.

2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC West): San Francisco 49ers

Team Needs: CB, OL, WR, TE

The San Francisco 49ers got here simply wanting their aim in successful the Super Bowl final February.

Now, they are going to be seeking to fill a number of roster gaps in an effort to return to the massive sport.

One space the crew may look to enhance on is the offensive line.

With Trent Williams turning 36 when the season begins, and coming off not his finest yr, the 49ers could search for upgrades in that space come draft time.

One of their strengths final season was their vast receiver core. However, with Brandon Aiyuk looking for a contract extension and Jauan Jennings scheduled to hit free company subsequent yr, we are able to image a world the place they take a flier on a wideout.

The San Francisco 49ers may take an opportunity on a younger CB within the later rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.

2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC West): Los Angeles Rams

Team Needs: Edge, CB

After an injury-riddled season from their key contributors, the Los Angeles Rams nonetheless had been capable of return to the postseason.

Heading into the draft, the Rams may handle an enormous gap on their line of defense as Hall of Fame sure DT Aaron Donald retired early this offseason.

Seemingly, nobody may genuinely replicate Donald’s productiveness instantly for the Rams. His 10 seasons of destruction made the Rams protection lethal all through his profession. However, they might start with this yr’s draft by making an attempt to fill his footwear on the line of defense.

The Los Angeles Rams will possible go all in on protection together with filling out different gaps at cornerback and offensive line, being that depth at each positions by no means hurts.

2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC West): Seattle Seahawks

Team Needs: Edge, DT, LB, OL

It’s a brand new period in Seattle!

With Mike MacDonald taking on for Pete Carroll as head coach, the Seahawks are anticipated to look totally different transferring ahead, and the 2024 NFL Draft may very well be the start line.

The Seattle Seahawks will look to make enhancements on protection.

They can come away from this draft bolstering their line of defense, even after they re-signed Leonard Williams. The Seahawks are set to be good defensively underneath MacDonald, and drafting gamers that match his scheme could be excellent.

In different areas, the Seahawks may possible improve their entrance seven. They made some key quick time period signings in selecting up linebackers Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker, who signed one-year contracts. Both aren’t long-term options, which may see the crew trying elsewhere within the draft at that place.

Finally, the Seattle Seahawks ought to handle their offensive line. Much of their line consists of youthful gamers, they usually may look to get one other piece to assist pull the unit collectively.

2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC West): Arizona Cardinals

Teams Needs: WR, CB, EDGE, OL, RB

After enjoying a lot of the final season with out their star QB Kyler Murray, the Arizona Cardinals are selecting excessive within the draft after one more disappointing season.

The vast receiver place is the primary want for the Cardinals to deal with.

During the offseason, Marquise Brown left through free company and Rondale Moore was traded to the Falcons, leaving Murray with out many choices for the 2024 season.

The Arizona Cardinals protection additionally struggled for a lot of the 2023 season, solely registering 33 sacks in 17 video games; they might make a splash by taking a defensive lineman within the second spherical.

Other areas that would use enhancements are the offensive line and presumably some depth on the defensive again positions.