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Deadspin | Top draft needs for all 32 teams Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider speaks to the press at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Wily general managers attempt to sell their plan to select the “best player available” prior to every draft. But front-office personnel of teams drafting at the top are not fortunate enough to ignore roster needs if they’d like to stick around for next year’s draft. With free agency all but in the books and a few straggling items still up for bidding on the trade market, here’s how we view the primary roster needs for all 32 teams before the 2026 NFL Draft begins. Arizona Cardinals Farewell to No. 1 pick Kyler Murray, which means the Cardinals can start at QB1 and work their way down if they want to rebound in the NFC West. Position needs: QB, OT, WR, LB, EDGE Atlanta Falcons Without knowing the ultimate direction of the offense, we can say Kevin Stefanski and his QB1 to be named later would benefit from a polished offensive line and skill-position help. Position needs: WR, OT, CB, LB Baltimore Ravens Not securing three-time Pro Bowl C Tyler Linderbaum might haunt the Ravens if they can’t find suitable starters at center and guard in the draft. Signing Trey Hendrickson can beef up the pass rush, but more premium talent is coveted on the edge. Position needs: IOL, OLB, DL, WR, CB Buffalo Bills Slings and arrows at Keon Coleman were not the ideal motivation for a draft-and-develop philosophy. Spending big at QB and RB tightens margin for error in Buffalo. Position needs: WR, S, EDGE, LB, CB Carolina Panthers Restocking the secondary and maybe even a third wide receiver in three years selected in the top 32 would be wins for the Panthers. Position needs: CB, S, TE, OT, WR Chicago Bears Division and playoff push aside, the Bears didn’t sport a shutdown defense most of the year and survived on scraps and takeaways. Position needs: Edge, DL, C, CB Cincinnati Bengals Swapped the No. 10 pick for DT Dexter Lawrence. With a fortunate break they could still score a pass rusher in a draft with an abundance of options, even if no perfect fit for this defense. Position needs: Edge, CB, OL, TE, LB Cleveland Browns Your vantage point on the latest reset in Cleveland might add or subtract a position on this list. Position needs: OL, WR, QB, CB, LB, EDGE Dallas Cowboys If only the Cowboys could find a versatile pass rusher like Micah Parsons, right? Position needs: Edge, DL, LB, S, CB Denver Broncos No first-round pick, no problem for the Broncos. They’ve unearthed mid-round gems each year under the current regime. Position needs: TE, LB, EDGE, DL Detroit Lions Pairing a speed demon with Aidan Hutchinson is the next-level move for Detroit’s defense. Position needs: Edge, OL, LB, CB Green Bay Packers Protect Jordan Love first, and that might require a premium pick. Then make sure he has ample receiving options at a position where injuries have been a hurdle. And fetch a pass rusher with Micah Parsons coming back from injury and Rashan Gary gone. Position needs: OT, WR, Edge, DL, CB Houston Texans Another 12-win season and a pretty productive offseason to date funnels the Texans into a draft where the focus is on offensive line and defensive line reinforcements. Position needs: OL, DL, LB, DB, Edge Indianapolis Colts One of the sharpest offenses in the NFL the first half of last season crumbled down the stretch. GM Chris Ballard argues Sauce Gardner, acquired for Indy’s first-round pick at the trade deadline, is the Colts’ 2026 first-rounder. His job might depend on mining more gems in the middle of the draft. Position needs: OT, WR, EDGE, LB, S Jacksonville Jaguars There is always a chance the leadership of the Jaguars makes a dramatic play on draft night. If an elite defender is falling Thursday, don’t be surprised to see the Jacksonville draft room pop up on your screen. Position needs: DT, S, Edge, LB, CB Kansas City Chiefs Good news: Two first-round picks (9, 29). Bad news: We count six positions where the starter is uncertain or replacement level and more with contextual question marks. The secondary makeover is incomplete with a legitimate No. 1 corner to replace Trent McDuffie. Position needs: CB, Edge, OL, WR, DL Los Angeles Chargers For all the Chargers have invested in the offensive line — draft capital and real dollars — it’s not there yet. Position needs: OL, WR, Edge, DL, DB Los Angeles Rams Matthew Stafford is closer to AARP than his physical prime, which begs the question: How long can the Rams get away with not having a QB of the future? Position needs: LB, QB, DL, S, Edge Las Vegas Raiders No team drafts first overall without countless roster concerns to help put them at the bottom of the NFL standings. Position needs: QB, OT, DT, WR Miami Dolphins Can’t list everything on the shopping list in South Beach. Jeff Hafley and Jon Eric-Sullivan are in charge, have two first-round picks and more needs than Michael has Jordans. Position needs: WR, CB, S, TE, Edge Minnesota Vikings The QB competition in the Twin Cities takes all the headlines, although attention and some assembly is going to be required for this defense to be up to snuff by September. Position needs: LB, S, RB, DL, TE New England Patriots Watching the Super Bowl, there were a few takeaways postgame well before anyone thought, “the Patriots will be back.” Maybe Mike Vrabel can just add magic and Drake Maye will resume plowing the MVP track. Or maybe New England excelled at covering up fatal flaws which were exposed by the Seahawks. Position needs: OT, LB, Edge, WR, DT New Orleans Saints Retooling on defense is a work in progress and if the Saints want Tyler Shough to take another step in his pro development, weapons are not in great supply at wide receiver or running back. Position needs: Edge, CB, DL, WR, OL New York Giants John Harbaugh should see a lot to like with two top-10 picks. O-line and d-line are the likely highest priorities. Position needs: DT, LB, IOL, WR, CB New York Jets How are we feeling about running it back with Geno Smith, Jets fans? That’s what we thought. Position needs: QB, CB, Edge, WR Philadelphia Eagles Philly always invests in the line, and if there’s a playmaker at safety that makes sense, this could be the year to jump the queue to go get him. Position needs: Edge, S, WR, OL, TE Pittsburgh Steelers Make it six consecutive years an NFL team waits as Aaron Rodgers contemplates whether to return. But he’s 42, so even if we get Vintage Aaron one more season, a Plan B is a must for the Steelers. Position needs: QB, OL, WR, TE, LB Seattle Seahawks Zero doubt GM John Schneider has called every team in the league offering to drop out of the first round to add to the team’s current haul of four total picks. Position needs: CB, EDGE, WR, OL San Francisco 49ers Left tackle Trent Williams maintains dog status when he’s healthy. The offense, not just the line, isn’t the same when he’s unavailable. Position needs: OL, WR, TE, S Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head coach Todd Bowles prefers a more dominant front seven to spearhead the defense. Position needs: Edge, CB, WR, LB Tennessee Titans We aren’t going to list running back because Tony Pollard was better-than-average last season. We would understand the rationale of selecting Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love early, but if the Titans get a crack at a blue-chip pass rusher they can’t look away. Position needs: Edge, WR, LB, OL, TE Washington Commanders Erasing last season is one thing, forgetting the why behind Washington’s decline would be another. Jayden Daniels rarely had enough playmakers on the field and even a spendy offseason on defense this spring hasn’t plugged all of the problematic leaks. Position needs: WR, Edge, OL, DB, RB –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Top #draft #teams

Deadspin | Top draft needs for all 32 teams
Deadspin | Top draft needs for all 32 teams Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider speaks to the press at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Wily general managers attempt to sell their plan to select the “best player available” prior to every draft. But front-office personnel of teams drafting at the top are not fortunate enough to ignore roster needs if they’d like to stick around for next year’s draft. With free agency all but in the books and a few straggling items still up for bidding on the trade market, here’s how we view the primary roster needs for all 32 teams before the 2026 NFL Draft begins. Arizona Cardinals Farewell to No. 1 pick Kyler Murray, which means the Cardinals can start at QB1 and work their way down if they want to rebound in the NFC West. Position needs: QB, OT, WR, LB, EDGE Atlanta Falcons Without knowing the ultimate direction of the offense, we can say Kevin Stefanski and his QB1 to be named later would benefit from a polished offensive line and skill-position help. Position needs: WR, OT, CB, LB Baltimore Ravens Not securing three-time Pro Bowl C Tyler Linderbaum might haunt the Ravens if they can’t find suitable starters at center and guard in the draft. Signing Trey Hendrickson can beef up the pass rush, but more premium talent is coveted on the edge. Position needs: IOL, OLB, DL, WR, CB Buffalo Bills Slings and arrows at Keon Coleman were not the ideal motivation for a draft-and-develop philosophy. Spending big at QB and RB tightens margin for error in Buffalo. Position needs: WR, S, EDGE, LB, CB Carolina Panthers Restocking the secondary and maybe even a third wide receiver in three years selected in the top 32 would be wins for the Panthers. Position needs: CB, S, TE, OT, WR Chicago Bears Division and playoff push aside, the Bears didn’t sport a shutdown defense most of the year and survived on scraps and takeaways. Position needs: Edge, DL, C, CB Cincinnati Bengals Swapped the No. 10 pick for DT Dexter Lawrence. With a fortunate break they could still score a pass rusher in a draft with an abundance of options, even if no perfect fit for this defense. Position needs: Edge, CB, OL, TE, LB Cleveland Browns Your vantage point on the latest reset in Cleveland might add or subtract a position on this list. Position needs: OL, WR, QB, CB, LB, EDGE Dallas Cowboys If only the Cowboys could find a versatile pass rusher like Micah Parsons, right? Position needs: Edge, DL, LB, S, CB Denver Broncos No first-round pick, no problem for the Broncos. They’ve unearthed mid-round gems each year under the current regime. Position needs: TE, LB, EDGE, DL Detroit Lions Pairing a speed demon with Aidan Hutchinson is the next-level move for Detroit’s defense. Position needs: Edge, OL, LB, CB Green Bay Packers Protect Jordan Love first, and that might require a premium pick. Then make sure he has ample receiving options at a position where injuries have been a hurdle. And fetch a pass rusher with Micah Parsons coming back from injury and Rashan Gary gone. Position needs: OT, WR, Edge, DL, CB Houston Texans Another 12-win season and a pretty productive offseason to date funnels the Texans into a draft where the focus is on offensive line and defensive line reinforcements. Position needs: OL, DL, LB, DB, Edge Indianapolis Colts One of the sharpest offenses in the NFL the first half of last season crumbled down the stretch. GM Chris Ballard argues Sauce Gardner, acquired for Indy’s first-round pick at the trade deadline, is the Colts’ 2026 first-rounder. His job might depend on mining more gems in the middle of the draft. Position needs: OT, WR, EDGE, LB, S Jacksonville Jaguars There is always a chance the leadership of the Jaguars makes a dramatic play on draft night. If an elite defender is falling Thursday, don’t be surprised to see the Jacksonville draft room pop up on your screen. Position needs: DT, S, Edge, LB, CB Kansas City Chiefs Good news: Two first-round picks (9, 29). Bad news: We count six positions where the starter is uncertain or replacement level and more with contextual question marks. The secondary makeover is incomplete with a legitimate No. 1 corner to replace Trent McDuffie. Position needs: CB, Edge, OL, WR, DL Los Angeles Chargers For all the Chargers have invested in the offensive line — draft capital and real dollars — it’s not there yet. Position needs: OL, WR, Edge, DL, DB Los Angeles Rams Matthew Stafford is closer to AARP than his physical prime, which begs the question: How long can the Rams get away with not having a QB of the future? Position needs: LB, QB, DL, S, Edge Las Vegas Raiders No team drafts first overall without countless roster concerns to help put them at the bottom of the NFL standings. Position needs: QB, OT, DT, WR Miami Dolphins Can’t list everything on the shopping list in South Beach. Jeff Hafley and Jon Eric-Sullivan are in charge, have two first-round picks and more needs than Michael has Jordans. Position needs: WR, CB, S, TE, Edge Minnesota Vikings The QB competition in the Twin Cities takes all the headlines, although attention and some assembly is going to be required for this defense to be up to snuff by September. Position needs: LB, S, RB, DL, TE New England Patriots Watching the Super Bowl, there were a few takeaways postgame well before anyone thought, “the Patriots will be back.” Maybe Mike Vrabel can just add magic and Drake Maye will resume plowing the MVP track. Or maybe New England excelled at covering up fatal flaws which were exposed by the Seahawks. Position needs: OT, LB, Edge, WR, DT New Orleans Saints Retooling on defense is a work in progress and if the Saints want Tyler Shough to take another step in his pro development, weapons are not in great supply at wide receiver or running back. Position needs: Edge, CB, DL, WR, OL New York Giants John Harbaugh should see a lot to like with two top-10 picks. O-line and d-line are the likely highest priorities. Position needs: DT, LB, IOL, WR, CB New York Jets How are we feeling about running it back with Geno Smith, Jets fans? That’s what we thought. Position needs: QB, CB, Edge, WR Philadelphia Eagles Philly always invests in the line, and if there’s a playmaker at safety that makes sense, this could be the year to jump the queue to go get him. Position needs: Edge, S, WR, OL, TE Pittsburgh Steelers Make it six consecutive years an NFL team waits as Aaron Rodgers contemplates whether to return. But he’s 42, so even if we get Vintage Aaron one more season, a Plan B is a must for the Steelers. Position needs: QB, OL, WR, TE, LB Seattle Seahawks Zero doubt GM John Schneider has called every team in the league offering to drop out of the first round to add to the team’s current haul of four total picks. Position needs: CB, EDGE, WR, OL San Francisco 49ers Left tackle Trent Williams maintains dog status when he’s healthy. The offense, not just the line, isn’t the same when he’s unavailable. Position needs: OL, WR, TE, S Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head coach Todd Bowles prefers a more dominant front seven to spearhead the defense. Position needs: Edge, CB, WR, LB Tennessee Titans We aren’t going to list running back because Tony Pollard was better-than-average last season. We would understand the rationale of selecting Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love early, but if the Titans get a crack at a blue-chip pass rusher they can’t look away. Position needs: Edge, WR, LB, OL, TE Washington Commanders Erasing last season is one thing, forgetting the why behind Washington’s decline would be another. Jayden Daniels rarely had enough playmakers on the field and even a spendy offseason on defense this spring hasn’t plugged all of the problematic leaks. Position needs: WR, Edge, OL, DB, RB –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Top #draft #teamsSeattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider speaks to the press at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Wily general managers attempt to sell their plan to select the “best player available” prior to every draft. But front-office personnel of teams drafting at the top are not fortunate enough to ignore roster needs if they’d like to stick around for next year’s draft.

With free agency all but in the books and a few straggling items still up for bidding on the trade market, here’s how we view the primary roster needs for all 32 teams before the 2026 NFL Draft begins.

Arizona Cardinals

Farewell to No. 1 pick Kyler Murray, which means the Cardinals can start at QB1 and work their way down if they want to rebound in the NFC West.

Position needs: QB, OT, WR, LB, EDGE

Atlanta Falcons

Without knowing the ultimate direction of the offense, we can say Kevin Stefanski and his QB1 to be named later would benefit from a polished offensive line and skill-position help.

Position needs: WR, OT, CB, LB

Baltimore Ravens

Not securing three-time Pro Bowl C Tyler Linderbaum might haunt the Ravens if they can’t find suitable starters at center and guard in the draft. Signing Trey Hendrickson can beef up the pass rush, but more premium talent is coveted on the edge.

Position needs: IOL, OLB, DL, WR, CB

Buffalo Bills

Slings and arrows at Keon Coleman were not the ideal motivation for a draft-and-develop philosophy. Spending big at QB and RB tightens margin for error in Buffalo.

Position needs: WR, S, EDGE, LB, CB

Carolina Panthers

Restocking the secondary and maybe even a third wide receiver in three years selected in the top 32 would be wins for the Panthers.

Position needs: CB, S, TE, OT, WR

Chicago Bears

Division and playoff push aside, the Bears didn’t sport a shutdown defense most of the year and survived on scraps and takeaways.

Position needs: Edge, DL, C, CB

Cincinnati Bengals

Swapped the No. 10 pick for DT Dexter Lawrence. With a fortunate break they could still score a pass rusher in a draft with an abundance of options, even if no perfect fit for this defense.

Position needs: Edge, CB, OL, TE, LB

Cleveland Browns

Your vantage point on the latest reset in Cleveland might add or subtract a position on this list.

Position needs: OL, WR, QB, CB, LB, EDGE

Dallas Cowboys

If only the Cowboys could find a versatile pass rusher like Micah Parsons, right?

Position needs: Edge, DL, LB, S, CB

Denver Broncos

No first-round pick, no problem for the Broncos. They’ve unearthed mid-round gems each year under the current regime.

Position needs: TE, LB, EDGE, DL

Detroit Lions

Pairing a speed demon with Aidan Hutchinson is the next-level move for Detroit’s defense.

Position needs: Edge, OL, LB, CB

Green Bay Packers

Protect Jordan Love first, and that might require a premium pick. Then make sure he has ample receiving options at a position where injuries have been a hurdle. And fetch a pass rusher with Micah Parsons coming back from injury and Rashan Gary gone.

Position needs: OT, WR, Edge, DL, CB

Houston Texans

Another 12-win season and a pretty productive offseason to date funnels the Texans into a draft where the focus is on offensive line and defensive line reinforcements.

Position needs: OL, DL, LB, DB, Edge

Indianapolis Colts

One of the sharpest offenses in the NFL the first half of last season crumbled down the stretch. GM Chris Ballard argues Sauce Gardner, acquired for Indy’s first-round pick at the trade deadline, is the Colts’ 2026 first-rounder. His job might depend on mining more gems in the middle of the draft.

Position needs: OT, WR, EDGE, LB, S

Jacksonville Jaguars

There is always a chance the leadership of the Jaguars makes a dramatic play on draft night. If an elite defender is falling Thursday, don’t be surprised to see the Jacksonville draft room pop up on your screen.

Position needs: DT, S, Edge, LB, CB

Kansas City Chiefs

Good news: Two first-round picks (9, 29). Bad news: We count six positions where the starter is uncertain or replacement level and more with contextual question marks. The secondary makeover is incomplete with a legitimate No. 1 corner to replace Trent McDuffie.


Position needs: CB, Edge, OL, WR, DL

Los Angeles Chargers

For all the Chargers have invested in the offensive line — draft capital and real dollars — it’s not there yet.

Position needs: OL, WR, Edge, DL, DB

Los Angeles Rams

Matthew Stafford is closer to AARP than his physical prime, which begs the question: How long can the Rams get away with not having a QB of the future?

Position needs: LB, QB, DL, S, Edge

Las Vegas Raiders

No team drafts first overall without countless roster concerns to help put them at the bottom of the NFL standings.

Position needs: QB, OT, DT, WR

Miami Dolphins

Can’t list everything on the shopping list in South Beach. Jeff Hafley and Jon Eric-Sullivan are in charge, have two first-round picks and more needs than Michael has Jordans.

Position needs: WR, CB, S, TE, Edge

Minnesota Vikings

The QB competition in the Twin Cities takes all the headlines, although attention and some assembly is going to be required for this defense to be up to snuff by September.

Position needs: LB, S, RB, DL, TE

New England Patriots

Watching the Super Bowl, there were a few takeaways postgame well before anyone thought, “the Patriots will be back.” Maybe Mike Vrabel can just add magic and Drake Maye will resume plowing the MVP track. Or maybe New England excelled at covering up fatal flaws which were exposed by the Seahawks.

Position needs: OT, LB, Edge, WR, DT

New Orleans Saints

Retooling on defense is a work in progress and if the Saints want Tyler Shough to take another step in his pro development, weapons are not in great supply at wide receiver or running back.

Position needs: Edge, CB, DL, WR, OL

New York Giants

John Harbaugh should see a lot to like with two top-10 picks. O-line and d-line are the likely highest priorities.

Position needs: DT, LB, IOL, WR, CB

New York Jets

How are we feeling about running it back with Geno Smith, Jets fans? That’s what we thought.

Position needs: QB, CB, Edge, WR

Philadelphia Eagles

Philly always invests in the line, and if there’s a playmaker at safety that makes sense, this could be the year to jump the queue to go get him.

Position needs: Edge, S, WR, OL, TE

Pittsburgh Steelers

Make it six consecutive years an NFL team waits as Aaron Rodgers contemplates whether to return. But he’s 42, so even if we get Vintage Aaron one more season, a Plan B is a must for the Steelers.

Position needs: QB, OL, WR, TE, LB

Seattle Seahawks

Zero doubt GM John Schneider has called every team in the league offering to drop out of the first round to add to the team’s current haul of four total picks.

Position needs: CB, EDGE, WR, OL

San Francisco 49ers

Left tackle Trent Williams maintains dog status when he’s healthy. The offense, not just the line, isn’t the same when he’s unavailable.

Position needs: OL, WR, TE, S

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Head coach Todd Bowles prefers a more dominant front seven to spearhead the defense.

Position needs: Edge, CB, WR, LB

Tennessee Titans

We aren’t going to list running back because Tony Pollard was better-than-average last season. We would understand the rationale of selecting Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love early, but if the Titans get a crack at a blue-chip pass rusher they can’t look away.

Position needs: Edge, WR, LB, OL, TE

Washington Commanders

Erasing last season is one thing, forgetting the why behind Washington’s decline would be another. Jayden Daniels rarely had enough playmakers on the field and even a spendy offseason on defense this spring hasn’t plugged all of the problematic leaks.

Position needs: WR, Edge, OL, DB, RB

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Top #draft #teams

Sports news

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider speaks to the press at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Wily general managers attempt to sell their plan to select the “best player available” prior to every draft. But front-office personnel of teams drafting at the top are not fortunate enough to ignore roster needs if they’d like to stick around for next year’s draft.

With free agency all but in the books and a few straggling items still up for bidding on the trade market, here’s how we view the primary roster needs for all 32 teams before the 2026 NFL Draft begins.

Arizona Cardinals

Farewell to No. 1 pick Kyler Murray, which means the Cardinals can start at QB1 and work their way down if they want to rebound in the NFC West.

Position needs: QB, OT, WR, LB, EDGE

Atlanta Falcons

Without knowing the ultimate direction of the offense, we can say Kevin Stefanski and his QB1 to be named later would benefit from a polished offensive line and skill-position help.

Position needs: WR, OT, CB, LB

Baltimore Ravens

Not securing three-time Pro Bowl C Tyler Linderbaum might haunt the Ravens if they can’t find suitable starters at center and guard in the draft. Signing Trey Hendrickson can beef up the pass rush, but more premium talent is coveted on the edge.

Position needs: IOL, OLB, DL, WR, CB

Buffalo Bills

Slings and arrows at Keon Coleman were not the ideal motivation for a draft-and-develop philosophy. Spending big at QB and RB tightens margin for error in Buffalo.

Position needs: WR, S, EDGE, LB, CB

Carolina Panthers

Restocking the secondary and maybe even a third wide receiver in three years selected in the top 32 would be wins for the Panthers.

Position needs: CB, S, TE, OT, WR

Chicago Bears

Division and playoff push aside, the Bears didn’t sport a shutdown defense most of the year and survived on scraps and takeaways.

Position needs: Edge, DL, C, CB

Cincinnati Bengals

Swapped the No. 10 pick for DT Dexter Lawrence. With a fortunate break they could still score a pass rusher in a draft with an abundance of options, even if no perfect fit for this defense.

Position needs: Edge, CB, OL, TE, LB

Cleveland Browns

Your vantage point on the latest reset in Cleveland might add or subtract a position on this list.

Position needs: OL, WR, QB, CB, LB, EDGE

Dallas Cowboys

If only the Cowboys could find a versatile pass rusher like Micah Parsons, right?

Position needs: Edge, DL, LB, S, CB

Denver Broncos

No first-round pick, no problem for the Broncos. They’ve unearthed mid-round gems each year under the current regime.

Position needs: TE, LB, EDGE, DL

Detroit Lions

Pairing a speed demon with Aidan Hutchinson is the next-level move for Detroit’s defense.

Position needs: Edge, OL, LB, CB

Green Bay Packers

Protect Jordan Love first, and that might require a premium pick. Then make sure he has ample receiving options at a position where injuries have been a hurdle. And fetch a pass rusher with Micah Parsons coming back from injury and Rashan Gary gone.

Position needs: OT, WR, Edge, DL, CB

Houston Texans

Another 12-win season and a pretty productive offseason to date funnels the Texans into a draft where the focus is on offensive line and defensive line reinforcements.

Position needs: OL, DL, LB, DB, Edge

Indianapolis Colts

One of the sharpest offenses in the NFL the first half of last season crumbled down the stretch. GM Chris Ballard argues Sauce Gardner, acquired for Indy’s first-round pick at the trade deadline, is the Colts’ 2026 first-rounder. His job might depend on mining more gems in the middle of the draft.

Position needs: OT, WR, EDGE, LB, S

Jacksonville Jaguars

There is always a chance the leadership of the Jaguars makes a dramatic play on draft night. If an elite defender is falling Thursday, don’t be surprised to see the Jacksonville draft room pop up on your screen.

Position needs: DT, S, Edge, LB, CB

Kansas City Chiefs

Good news: Two first-round picks (9, 29). Bad news: We count six positions where the starter is uncertain or replacement level and more with contextual question marks. The secondary makeover is incomplete with a legitimate No. 1 corner to replace Trent McDuffie.

Position needs: CB, Edge, OL, WR, DL

Los Angeles Chargers

For all the Chargers have invested in the offensive line — draft capital and real dollars — it’s not there yet.

Position needs: OL, WR, Edge, DL, DB

Los Angeles Rams

Matthew Stafford is closer to AARP than his physical prime, which begs the question: How long can the Rams get away with not having a QB of the future?

Position needs: LB, QB, DL, S, Edge

Las Vegas Raiders

No team drafts first overall without countless roster concerns to help put them at the bottom of the NFL standings.

Position needs: QB, OT, DT, WR

Miami Dolphins

Can’t list everything on the shopping list in South Beach. Jeff Hafley and Jon Eric-Sullivan are in charge, have two first-round picks and more needs than Michael has Jordans.

Position needs: WR, CB, S, TE, Edge

Minnesota Vikings

The QB competition in the Twin Cities takes all the headlines, although attention and some assembly is going to be required for this defense to be up to snuff by September.

Position needs: LB, S, RB, DL, TE

New England Patriots

Watching the Super Bowl, there were a few takeaways postgame well before anyone thought, “the Patriots will be back.” Maybe Mike Vrabel can just add magic and Drake Maye will resume plowing the MVP track. Or maybe New England excelled at covering up fatal flaws which were exposed by the Seahawks.

Position needs: OT, LB, Edge, WR, DT

New Orleans Saints

Retooling on defense is a work in progress and if the Saints want Tyler Shough to take another step in his pro development, weapons are not in great supply at wide receiver or running back.

Position needs: Edge, CB, DL, WR, OL

New York Giants

John Harbaugh should see a lot to like with two top-10 picks. O-line and d-line are the likely highest priorities.

Position needs: DT, LB, IOL, WR, CB

New York Jets

How are we feeling about running it back with Geno Smith, Jets fans? That’s what we thought.

Position needs: QB, CB, Edge, WR

Philadelphia Eagles

Philly always invests in the line, and if there’s a playmaker at safety that makes sense, this could be the year to jump the queue to go get him.

Position needs: Edge, S, WR, OL, TE

Pittsburgh Steelers

Make it six consecutive years an NFL team waits as Aaron Rodgers contemplates whether to return. But he’s 42, so even if we get Vintage Aaron one more season, a Plan B is a must for the Steelers.

Position needs: QB, OL, WR, TE, LB

Seattle Seahawks

Zero doubt GM John Schneider has called every team in the league offering to drop out of the first round to add to the team’s current haul of four total picks.

Position needs: CB, EDGE, WR, OL

San Francisco 49ers

Left tackle Trent Williams maintains dog status when he’s healthy. The offense, not just the line, isn’t the same when he’s unavailable.

Position needs: OL, WR, TE, S

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Head coach Todd Bowles prefers a more dominant front seven to spearhead the defense.

Position needs: Edge, CB, WR, LB

Tennessee Titans

We aren’t going to list running back because Tony Pollard was better-than-average last season. We would understand the rationale of selecting Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love early, but if the Titans get a crack at a blue-chip pass rusher they can’t look away.

Position needs: Edge, WR, LB, OL, TE

Washington Commanders

Erasing last season is one thing, forgetting the why behind Washington’s decline would be another. Jayden Daniels rarely had enough playmakers on the field and even a spendy offseason on defense this spring hasn’t plugged all of the problematic leaks.

Position needs: WR, Edge, OL, DB, RB

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Saint Mary’s star F Paulius Murauskas follows coach to Arizona State <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28541741.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28541741.jpg" alt="NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament First Round-Texas A&M at Saint Marys" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Mar 19, 2026; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Saint Mary’s (CA) Gaels forward Paulius Murauskas (23) dribbles the ball during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Former Saint Mary’s star forward Paulius Murauskas said Wednesday that he’s transferring to Arizona State to once again play for coach Randy Bennett.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Murauskas blossomed in two seasons under Bennett and was one of the best players in the West Coast Conference this past season when he averaged 18.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 33 games (32 starts). The Gaels made the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight season.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Bennett departed Saint Mary’s after the season to take over the Sun Devils. </p> </section><br/><section id="section-4"> <p>“I followed my heart and chose the place where I trust the people and feel valued not just as a player, but as a person,” Murauskas said in an Instagram post. “I want to finish my college journey with the people who made the last two years so amazing and helped me become who I am now as a person and a player.”</p> </section> <section id="section-5"> <p>Murauskas averaged 15.1 points and 7.6 rebounds in 68 games (67 starts) in his two seasons at Moraga, Calif. The lone time he didn’t start came in last month’s first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Texas A&M when he was battling an illness and came in off the bench and played 23 minutes.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>“Money is important, but the people in your life matter more,” Murauskas said. “Let’s finish where everything started.”</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>The 6-foot-8 Murauskas, from Lithuania, began his college career at Arizona and saw limited action during the 2023-24 season before moving on to Saint Mary’s.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Saint #Marys #star #Paulius #Murauskas #coach #Arizona #State

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This is one of the riskiest trades I’ve seen in a long time. Frustrations had seemed to be building around Anthony Edwards, and he was potentially looking for a way out of Minnesota. Unwilling to lose their franchise star, the Timberwolves chased in on their biggest trade trip in Reid, and gave Edwards his backcourt partner in his career.

Edwards and Ball have been two of the best players in the 2020 class and will lead a Minnesota team that could have the best offense in the league. Of course, Ball can be a tricky guy to play with. He’s an incredibly ball-dominant guard who struggles on the defensive end, and his shot selection can get him into trouble.

The Wolves will need him to buy into their team defense, which they’ve become accustomed to during the Edwards and Rudy Gobert eras, to maintain continuity on that side of the ball.

On the other hand, I think this is exactly what Minnesota needed offensively, as long as Ball can stay in control. Too often during the playoffs, we saw Anthony Edwards run point for the Timberwolves, and the offense looked clunky. Having a great playmaker to run their offense who isn’t 38-year-old Mike Conley should become so valuable when their offense runs dry in the playoffs.

However, with Reid now gone, Gobert will be the main option at center, which has caused its own issues in the playoffs. Minnesota will need to add a floor spacing option at center to run when teams are completely ignoring Gobert on defense.

Then, for Charlotte, this trade seems like a bit of a shock. I really liked Ryan Kalkbrenner in his rookie season as the Hornets center, but Reid is an immediate upgrade. The Hornets needed help in the front court, but I’m shocked to see that come at the expense of Ball. Charlotte was one of the best offenses in basketball down the stretch in 2026, so moving on from your franchise point guard is quite the surprise.

They acquired some solid draft capital in this move as well, something that could pay dividends if Ball doesn’t work out in Minnesota. The Hornets have multiple options at guard, but will need to find a true point guard to run their offense if they want to take the next step and become a playoff team next season.

This feels like a wildly high-ceiling, low-floor trade for both teams. The upside is there, especially for Minnesota, but if things go south, the Wolves will regret giving up a ton of capital just to see Edwards leave in free agency.

Hopefully, the eccentric personalities of Ball and Edwards work well with one another, because there might just be a new contender in the West. Minnesota’s odds to win the Western Conference have jumped from 3% to 18% on betting markets, so it might be time to bet them before their odds spike even more.

#LaMelo #Ball #Timberwolves #Change #Western #Conference #Race #Deadspin.com">LaMelo Ball to Timberwolves Could Change the Western Conference Race | Deadspin.com This is one of the riskiest trades I’ve seen in a long time. Frustrations had seemed to be building around Anthony Edwards, and he was potentially looking for a way out of Minnesota. Unwilling to lose their franchise star, the Timberwolves chased in on their biggest trade trip in Reid, and gave Edwards his backcourt partner in his career.Edwards and Ball have been two of the best players in the 2020 class and will lead a Minnesota team that could have the best offense in the league. Of course, Ball can be a tricky guy to play with. He’s an incredibly ball-dominant guard who struggles on the defensive end, and his shot selection can get him into trouble.The Wolves will need him to buy into their team defense, which they’ve become accustomed to during the Edwards and Rudy Gobert eras, to maintain continuity on that side of the ball.On the other hand, I think this is exactly what Minnesota needed offensively, as long as Ball can stay in control. Too often during the playoffs, we saw Anthony Edwards run point for the Timberwolves, and the offense looked clunky. Having a great playmaker to run their offense who isn’t 38-year-old Mike Conley should become so valuable when their offense runs dry in the playoffs.However, with Reid now gone, Gobert will be the main option at center, which has caused its own issues in the playoffs. Minnesota will need to add a floor spacing option at center to run when teams are completely ignoring Gobert on defense.Then, for Charlotte, this trade seems like a bit of a shock. I really liked Ryan Kalkbrenner in his rookie season as the Hornets center, but Reid is an immediate upgrade. The Hornets needed help in the front court, but I’m shocked to see that come at the expense of Ball. Charlotte was one of the best offenses in basketball down the stretch in 2026, so moving on from your franchise point guard is quite the surprise.They acquired some solid draft capital in this move as well, something that could pay dividends if Ball doesn’t work out in Minnesota. The Hornets have multiple options at guard, but will need to find a true point guard to run their offense if they want to take the next step and become a playoff team next season.This feels like a wildly high-ceiling, low-floor trade for both teams. The upside is there, especially for Minnesota, but if things go south, the Wolves will regret giving up a ton of capital just to see Edwards leave in free agency.Hopefully, the eccentric personalities of Ball and Edwards work well with one another, because there might just be a new contender in the West. Minnesota’s odds to win the Western Conference have jumped from 3% to 18% on betting markets, so it might be time to bet them before their odds spike even more. #LaMelo #Ball #Timberwolves #Change #Western #Conference #Race #Deadspin.com

around Anthony Edwards, and he was potentially looking for a way out of Minnesota. Unwilling to lose their franchise star, the Timberwolves chased in on their biggest trade trip in Reid, and gave Edwards his backcourt partner in his career.

Edwards and Ball have been two of the best players in the 2020 class and will lead a Minnesota team that could have the best offense in the league. Of course, Ball can be a tricky guy to play with. He’s an incredibly ball-dominant guard who struggles on the defensive end, and his shot selection can get him into trouble.

The Wolves will need him to buy into their team defense, which they’ve become accustomed to during the Edwards and Rudy Gobert eras, to maintain continuity on that side of the ball.

On the other hand, I think this is exactly what Minnesota needed offensively, as long as Ball can stay in control. Too often during the playoffs, we saw Anthony Edwards run point for the Timberwolves, and the offense looked clunky. Having a great playmaker to run their offense who isn’t 38-year-old Mike Conley should become so valuable when their offense runs dry in the playoffs.

However, with Reid now gone, Gobert will be the main option at center, which has caused its own issues in the playoffs. Minnesota will need to add a floor spacing option at center to run when teams are completely ignoring Gobert on defense.

Then, for Charlotte, this trade seems like a bit of a shock. I really liked Ryan Kalkbrenner in his rookie season as the Hornets center, but Reid is an immediate upgrade. The Hornets needed help in the front court, but I’m shocked to see that come at the expense of Ball. Charlotte was one of the best offenses in basketball down the stretch in 2026, so moving on from your franchise point guard is quite the surprise.

They acquired some solid draft capital in this move as well, something that could pay dividends if Ball doesn’t work out in Minnesota. The Hornets have multiple options at guard, but will need to find a true point guard to run their offense if they want to take the next step and become a playoff team next season.

This feels like a wildly high-ceiling, low-floor trade for both teams. The upside is there, especially for Minnesota, but if things go south, the Wolves will regret giving up a ton of capital just to see Edwards leave in free agency.

Hopefully, the eccentric personalities of Ball and Edwards work well with one another, because there might just be a new contender in the West. Minnesota’s odds to win the Western Conference have jumped from 3% to 18% on betting markets, so it might be time to bet them before their odds spike even more.

#LaMelo #Ball #Timberwolves #Change #Western #Conference #Race #Deadspin.com">LaMelo Ball to Timberwolves Could Change the Western Conference Race | Deadspin.com

This is one of the riskiest trades I’ve seen in a long time. Frustrations had seemed to be building around Anthony Edwards, and he was potentially looking for a way out of Minnesota. Unwilling to lose their franchise star, the Timberwolves chased in on their biggest trade trip in Reid, and gave Edwards his backcourt partner in his career.

Edwards and Ball have been two of the best players in the 2020 class and will lead a Minnesota team that could have the best offense in the league. Of course, Ball can be a tricky guy to play with. He’s an incredibly ball-dominant guard who struggles on the defensive end, and his shot selection can get him into trouble.

The Wolves will need him to buy into their team defense, which they’ve become accustomed to during the Edwards and Rudy Gobert eras, to maintain continuity on that side of the ball.

On the other hand, I think this is exactly what Minnesota needed offensively, as long as Ball can stay in control. Too often during the playoffs, we saw Anthony Edwards run point for the Timberwolves, and the offense looked clunky. Having a great playmaker to run their offense who isn’t 38-year-old Mike Conley should become so valuable when their offense runs dry in the playoffs.

However, with Reid now gone, Gobert will be the main option at center, which has caused its own issues in the playoffs. Minnesota will need to add a floor spacing option at center to run when teams are completely ignoring Gobert on defense.

Then, for Charlotte, this trade seems like a bit of a shock. I really liked Ryan Kalkbrenner in his rookie season as the Hornets center, but Reid is an immediate upgrade. The Hornets needed help in the front court, but I’m shocked to see that come at the expense of Ball. Charlotte was one of the best offenses in basketball down the stretch in 2026, so moving on from your franchise point guard is quite the surprise.

They acquired some solid draft capital in this move as well, something that could pay dividends if Ball doesn’t work out in Minnesota. The Hornets have multiple options at guard, but will need to find a true point guard to run their offense if they want to take the next step and become a playoff team next season.

This feels like a wildly high-ceiling, low-floor trade for both teams. The upside is there, especially for Minnesota, but if things go south, the Wolves will regret giving up a ton of capital just to see Edwards leave in free agency.

Hopefully, the eccentric personalities of Ball and Edwards work well with one another, because there might just be a new contender in the West. Minnesota’s odds to win the Western Conference have jumped from 3% to 18% on betting markets, so it might be time to bet them before their odds spike even more.

#LaMelo #Ball #Timberwolves #Change #Western #Conference #Race #Deadspin.com

The United States Men’s National Team got off to a rousing start at the 2026 World Cup, with a 4-1 win over Paraguay. The USMNT was dynamic, creative, and showed to the entire soccer world that they could be a force to be reckoned with at this tournament.

Now, on the verge of their second match of group play, they have a chance to accomplish another item on this year’s to-do list.

Here are the clinching scenarios for Group D ahead of the final matches in group play.

What are the Group D standings?

Here are the current Group D standings, ahead of the final two matches set for June 25.

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

United States20061+56
Australia1012203
Paraguay10124-23
Türkiye00203-30

What are the next Group D matches?

There are four matches left in Group D, starting with two on Friday, June 19.

United States 2, Australia 0
Paraguay 1, Türkiye 0

Türkiye vs. United States
Paraguay vs. Australia

What are the scenarios for Group D?

Here are the scenarios ahead of the final day of matches, set for June 25. These scenarios involve automatic qualification for the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group. Teams can still advance as a third-place team, and for more on those standings we have you covered here. In addition, teams that are “eliminated” are guaranteed to finish fourth in their group.

The United States has already clinched the top spot in Group D, and will play a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I, or J. For more on who the United States will play, we are tracking that here.

Australia will clinch a spot in the Round of 32 as the second-place team in Group D with a win or draw against Paraguay

Paraguay will advance as the second-place team in Group D with a win against Australia.

Türkiye has already been eliminated.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year.

If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

#World #Cup #advanced #Group">World Cup 2026: How the US advanced out of Group D The United States Men’s National Team got off to a rousing start at the 2026 World Cup, with a 4-1 win over Paraguay. The USMNT was dynamic, creative, and showed to the entire soccer world that they could be a force to be reckoned with at this tournament.Now, on the verge of their second match of group play, they have a chance to accomplish another item on this year’s to-do list.Here are the clinching scenarios for Group D ahead of the final matches in group play.What are the Group D standings?Here are the current Group D standings, ahead of the final two matches set for June 25.TeamWDLGFGAGDPointsUnited States20061+56Australia1012203Paraguay10124-23Türkiye00203-30What are the next Group D matches?There are four matches left in Group D, starting with two on Friday, June 19.United States 2, Australia 0Paraguay 1, Türkiye 0Türkiye vs. United StatesParaguay vs. AustraliaWhat are the scenarios for Group D?Here are the scenarios ahead of the final day of matches, set for June 25. These scenarios involve automatic qualification for the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group. Teams can still advance as a third-place team, and for more on those standings we have you covered here. In addition, teams that are “eliminated” are guaranteed to finish fourth in their group.The United States has already clinched the top spot in Group D, and will play a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I, or J. For more on who the United States will play, we are tracking that here.Australia will clinch a spot in the Round of 32 as the second-place team in Group D with a win or draw against ParaguayParaguay will advance as the second-place team in Group D with a win against Australia.Türkiye has already been eliminated.Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year.If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams. #World #Cup #advanced #Group

standings we have you covered here. In addition, teams that are “eliminated” are guaranteed to finish fourth in their group.

The United States has already clinched the top spot in Group D, and will play a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I, or J. For more on who the United States will play, we are tracking that here.

Australia will clinch a spot in the Round of 32 as the second-place team in Group D with a win or draw against Paraguay

Paraguay will advance as the second-place team in Group D with a win against Australia.

Türkiye has already been eliminated.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year.

If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

#World #Cup #advanced #Group">World Cup 2026: How the US advanced out of Group D

The United States Men’s National Team got off to a rousing start at the 2026 World Cup, with a 4-1 win over Paraguay. The USMNT was dynamic, creative, and showed to the entire soccer world that they could be a force to be reckoned with at this tournament.

Now, on the verge of their second match of group play, they have a chance to accomplish another item on this year’s to-do list.

Here are the clinching scenarios for Group D ahead of the final matches in group play.

What are the Group D standings?

Here are the current Group D standings, ahead of the final two matches set for June 25.

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

United States20061+56
Australia1012203
Paraguay10124-23
Türkiye00203-30

What are the next Group D matches?

There are four matches left in Group D, starting with two on Friday, June 19.

United States 2, Australia 0
Paraguay 1, Türkiye 0

Türkiye vs. United States
Paraguay vs. Australia

What are the scenarios for Group D?

Here are the scenarios ahead of the final day of matches, set for June 25. These scenarios involve automatic qualification for the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group. Teams can still advance as a third-place team, and for more on those standings we have you covered here. In addition, teams that are “eliminated” are guaranteed to finish fourth in their group.

The United States has already clinched the top spot in Group D, and will play a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I, or J. For more on who the United States will play, we are tracking that here.

Australia will clinch a spot in the Round of 32 as the second-place team in Group D with a win or draw against Paraguay

Paraguay will advance as the second-place team in Group D with a win against Australia.

Türkiye has already been eliminated.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year.

If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

#World #Cup #advanced #Group

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