Tedy Bruschi wonders if there is a rookies capable of filling the hole left by Davante Adams in the Packers offense. There are still many questions about how the draft will be conducted by the 32 teams. And no wonder why. Major needs for other teams were created by this year's wild free agency. When Tom Brady decided to not retire, the offseason strategy for the Buccaneers was altered completely. The Green Bay Packers have two first-round picks after the Davante Adams trade, so will they not draft a receiver in the first round? Will the New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers, or the Carolinas try to draft a quarterback early? What will the New York Jets and New York Giants do with their picks? The teams with no first-round picks will try to upgrade. Our NFL Nation reporters have a pretty good idea of what the 32 teams will do. Below, the analysts asked 32 questions of our reporters, one per team. Two weeks away from Round 1, consider this early look at what each team is thinking. Jump to a team:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH Will the Bills take a running back in the first round because of their need in the backfield? It is not out of the question. Adding Duke Johnson in free agency isn't enough to fill the missing piece for the Bills, who feel like running back is a need. Buffalo can go after the player who adds the most to the roster. A dynamic back is a valuable addition, but history has not been kind to drafting the position in the first round. Brandon Beane was the general manager of the Carolinas. The Dolphins do not pick until the last pick of the third round. What position could they target? The Dolphins went to work this off-season, shoring up the offensive line from a season ago, adding one of the best receivers in the league in Tyreek Hill and adding talent to their running backs room, all while retaining every defensive starter from last. Miami is in a position to take the best player available, but should prioritize inside linebacker and interior offensive line. Now that the team has acquired DeVante Parker, will the wide receiver position still be in play or will another position be targeted at No. 21 overall? If the board falls, the wide receiver is still in play, with the key consideration that Nelson Agholor and the other top returning pass-catchings are free agents after the 2022 season. One thing to consider, however, is that in his prior 22 drafts with the Pats, Bill Belichick has only selected a first-round receiver once. Do you think a wide receiver will be selected at No. 10 overall? It is a possibility if the Jets don't trade for a veteran by the draft. Drake London, Garrett Wilson, and perhaps even Jameson Williams are the top candidates. It is not a sure thing with two picks near the top of the second round. They could find a similar talent in the second round with a deep receiver class. If better players are available, general manager Joe Douglas won't reach for a need at No. 10. Which position will the Ravens fill at No. 14 overall, knowing they still need help in the trenches and at corner? The Ravens have to choose a defensive player. The biggest need for Baltimore is at outside linebacker, because Tyus Bowser tore his Achilles in the season finale and Za'Darius Smith backed out of an agreement in free agency. There is no depth at the corner where there is no one to replace the injured Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey. McShay and Kiper have the same rank.
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AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots
New York Jets
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Since the offensive line of the Bengals was upgraded in free agency, what other position could they target?
It makes sense for the Bengalers to look at the defensive backs in the first round. Cincinnati has two veterans in Eli Apple and Chidobe Awuzie, but could use a young player who can be a starter in the future. Cincinnati has always taken corners at the end of the first round.
With Deshaun Watson now at quarterback, will general manager Andrew Berry look to add a receiver or not?
The wide receiver is a position that will be looked at in the draft. The group still needs work to get more chunk plays in the passing game, despite the trade for Amari Cooper. The Cleveland Browns don't have a first-round pick, but they could pick a starter in the second round or trade up to get a better player.
Is it possible for the Steelers to trade up for a quarterback or will they look to address another position in the first round?
The free-agency moves won't prevent the Steelers from adding to a position in the draft, including a quarterback. It's not likely that the Steelers would move up to grab one. In the common draft era, they have only traded their first-round pick six times. The board has to fall in order for the quarterback to be drafted in the first. Look for the team to draft the best player available, with an emphasis on defensive back, wide receiver, inside linebacker and defensive line.
Miller asked if the Texans would choose the best player available or fill a need.
The best player is the answer. Nick Caserio shouldn't be picky about which positions of need he fills because the Texans have so many holes. Caserio said he didn't want to eliminate a position in the draft, including quarterback. It seems unlikely that the general manager would use one of Houston's top picks on a quarterback, but just about every other position is fair game.
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How do the Colts solve their left tackle problem without a first-round pick?
The Colts will look in-house first to address the departure of Eric Fisher at left tackle. The first time Matt Ryan will be protected will be by Matt Pryor. The versatile offensive lineman can play tackle and guard.
What should Jacksonville look for at pick 33?
If the team is serious about taking the approach of Trevor Lawrence, then a receiver or an offensive lineman should be the focus. Adding an outside receiver to the team is another investment in Lawrence. It would make sense to use No. 33 to fill a need in the interior line.
The wide receiver is a hot mock draft pick, but is the offensive line more of a first-round target?
The offensive line is more of a target because there are two starting spots up for grabs. One of the vacant starting spots would be ideal for a second-round pick. This year's receiver group is deep enough that theTitans could take a wideout later in the draft. A.J. Brown, Robert Woods and Austin Hooper are likely to get the most targets behind them.
Miller asked what an ideal early draft for the Broncos would look like.
The Broncos have five of the first 116 picks in the draft, even after trading for Russell Wilson. They need help with defensive backs, edge rushers, linebackers, right tackle prospects, and possibly an impact returner. Cornerback is the best way to watch your defensive plan fall apart in the shortest amount of time because you don't have the players to do it.
Miller asked if the general manager and coach would use picks 29 and 30.
It seems like a trade is more likely than not. There are two picks in each of the third, fourth and fifth rounds. Veach likes to deal and they can easily move for a player they like. In the past three years, he has traded the first-round pick of the Chiefs in two of the previous three years.
Stephen A. Smith and Dan Orlovsky have differing levels of interest in the upcoming draft picks.
Miller asked if the Raiders should go all-in on the defensive side of the ball.
We are at the need vs. best player available argument again. The Raiders need to go all-in on the defensive side of the ball in the draft. How many difference-makers can be found at the end of Day 2 and Day 3? Even if it means drafting three straight players at the same position, the Raiders would go with the best player. If all three are defensive players, that works.
It feels like an offensive tackle or bust for the Bolts in the first round, but what other positions are needed in L.A.
After having the 30th-ranked rush defense, the Bolts need help down low and in the trenches. The bill would be paid by a defensive tackle. Would Georgia's Jordan Davis still be in the top 17?
Which positions could the Cowboys target to replenish talent?
The Cowboys will be looking at the offensive line, wide receiver and defensive line regardless of the players they lost. The offensive line is the only spot they have yet to replenish in free agency. Outside free agents James Washington and Dante Fowler Jr. will not prevent the Cowboys from adding a player at their position in the draft.
With three picks in the top 36, what should general manager Joe Schoen do to build this roster?
The offensive line needs to be addressed by the Giants. We have enough needs on the roster to take the best player available. He is serious. He should include a defensive player at the top of his list.
With two first-round picks, will the Eagles consider selecting a receiver for the third year in a row?
They tried to trade for Calvin Ridley before he was suspended, and then went after free-agent receivers, signalling their desire to upgrade the position. The big-money contracts handed out to veteran receivers of late should encourage teams to look for cheaper options in the draft. If the stars align, I think the Eagles will draft a receiver in the first round, but I think defensive line and defensive back are more likely positions they will address early, with receiver in play on Day 2.
What could the Commanders look for in the first round?
The receiver is on the list. There is another target for Carson Wentz. If Kyle Hamilton is available, that makes sense because they love their Buffalo nickel package and want someone to replace Landon Collins in the safety/linebacker hybrid role. Cornerback would make sense, but with fewer three-linebacker sets it is hard to imagine. Ron Rivera has said that it is important to give a quarterback players to throw to, but also to protect him.
Could the Bears double dip at wideout in the second round?
Skyy Moore, George Pickens, and John Metchie III could be in play for the Bears if they choose to take them at Nos. 39 and 48. Ryan Poles likes how deep the middle rounds of the draft appear to be, so it is possible that the Bears walk away from Day 2 with two receivers, one in the second and the other in the third. The Bears have only six picks, so they could look to create more. If Chicago takes a receiver in the second and trades back with its additional second-round pick, it will have more draft capital to use in later rounds.
Will BradHolmes entertain the idea of selecting a quarterback with either the No. 2 or No. 32 overall picks?
The Lions will probably pick a quarterback, just like with any other position. I don't think they will take that risk right now. Depending on how the season goes, Detroit could see a different guy next year. The Lions need their first-round picks to come in and contribute immediately and won't have time to develop a young quarterback in a class that isn't considered to be great by draft experts.
Jordan predicts that the Lions will rebuild.
With two selections on Day 1, will general manager Brian Gutekunst abandon the philosophy of not drafting wide receivers in the first round in order to replace Davante Adams?
Doesn't the streak have to end this year? If the Packers used first- and second-round picks on the receiver, it wouldn't be a surprise. Since Adams was traded, they haven't added a receiver.
Cornerback is an obvious need for the Vikings, but what other positions could the general manager try to take in the first round?
The Vikings need an offensive guard. The Vikings are concerned about the other side of the ball, even though they have an established starter on one side. None of the three veteran guards they signed can be considered slam-dunk starters.
If the Falcons don't draft a quarterback in the first round, where will they go?
I wouldn't necessarily put the Falcons into a quarterback at the moment. The franchise needs help at every position in the rebuild. If they think a quarterback is the best value, they would go that way. The possibilities are wide receiver, edge rusher, interior defensive line and offensive line. If management is completely convinced that the player could be the Falcons' guy for the next decade, Atlanta goes quarterback. They need more help elsewhere.
Miller asked if the Carolinas were desperate enough to draft a quarterback at No. 6 overall.
Yes, desperate might be a little strong. The pursuit of Deshaun Watson and interest in other quarterbacks made it clear that Sam Darnold isn't the answer. Scott Fitterer said there are a couple of quarterbacks in this year's class that are worthy of a top 10 pick. The panthers were at the pro days of three of them, including Kenny Pickett, who is now with Pittsburgh. Carolina has not used a first-round pick on a quarterback since 2011, and only used one draft pick total on a quarterback since then.
The argument was made by Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. for Kenny Pickett to go to the Carolinas with the sixth pick.
Miller asked if two positions were ideal for the Saints to land in the first round.
Wide receiver and left tackle should be targeted by the Saints. The quarterback position will be in play until the Saints find their next long-term solution. They plan on making a playoff run this year and need to give Jameis Winston reinforcements to help revive their passing offense. They need a replacement at left tackle and another pass-catching threat.
The Bucs drafted for future needs in the early rounds last year. Will we see a similar strategy with Tom Brady coming back?
The re-signing of all 22 starters on offense and defense allowed the team to focus on bolstering special teams. They have a glaring need along their interior defensive line, and they are thin at edge rusher, so I would start there. O.J. Howard left for the Bills and the only sure starter at tight end is Shaq Mason, who hasn't committed to playing in 2022.
It seems like the offensive line is a guaranteed first-round pick, but is there another direction the Cards could go?
Picking an offensive lineman is not a sure thing, considering how many options they lost in free agency. It could be a good choice if the lineman is the best option. A wide receiver is the other move at No. 23. If the Cards want to get back to the playoffs, they need to give Kyler Murray all of the targets. A.J. Green is still a free agent. The three account for a lot of offensive production last year. They will be getting DeANDRE HOPPER back this season, but he needs other people to complement him.
The Rams don't have a selection until late in the 3rd round, what position do they have to hit on?
The Rams have as good a roster as there is in the NFL at the moment and without a selection until the third round, they will have a bit more pressure to hit on a pick. Their primary needs in the draft are an offensive line and a defensive back. The Rams could find themselves with more depth in December, January and February if they can hit on either of those two.
Should the 49ers use their first two picks in Round 3 to build around Trey Lance or plug holes in the secondary?
The Niners still need help in the secondary even after signing Charvarius Ward. Their resources are better spent helping Lance. The 49ers would be wise to use some draft capital on the offensive line for help at guard, a future option at center and possibly another tackle with Mike McGlinchey entering the final year of his contract. Is there one more spot to watch? The draft has plenty of potential and the regime has never been shy about adding.
What positions need the most attention in Seattle with three picks in the top 50?
The most glaring need is an offensive tackle, as both former starters remain unsigned. The Seahawks didn't have to make a pick at either position in free agency, but they could still use a difference maker at either spot. They don't see quarterback as a big of a need because of their high opinion of Drew Lock.
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