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The 2024 NFL Draft is less than five weeks away. That means it’s time to pick up the pace on mock drafts.
Free agency allowed NFL teams to fill the holes on their roster. However, every team that filled a need in free agency likely created a new one for another.
Let’s dive into the top draft needs for every AFC team.
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AFC East
Buffalo Bills
After losing Gabe Davis to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Bills signed Curtis Samuel in free agency. While that will help offset the loss of Davis, Buffalo still needs an outside receiver. Many mock drafts still have the team selecting a wide receiver like Adonai Mitchell or Keon Coleman with their first-round pick. However, the Bills also need help with their defensive line. They lost Leonard Floyd and his 10.5 sacks from last year to the San Francisco 49ers.
Miami Dolphins
Many expected the Dolphins to lose several players in free agency. At the top of the list was Robert Hunt. The veteran signed a massive deal with the Carolina Panthers, making offensive lineman Miami’s top draft need. Meanwhile, the Dolphins did well replacing Xavien Howard in the secondary, signing Kendall Fuller. However, they should draft another cornerback during the middle rounds.
Panthers agree to five-year, $100M deal with OL Robert Hunt. (via @rapsheet + @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/WacoMbwTRx
— NFL (@NFL) March 11, 2024
New England Patriots
The Patriots added Jacoby Brissett in free agency after trading Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars. While Brissett isn’t the long-term answer at quarterback, the veteran gives the team options with the No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft. They could trade the selection if they don’t like the quarterbacks on the board, pushing the need to draft one to 2025. However, that seems unlikely. New England must add at least one wide receiver early in the draft after missing out on Calvin Ridley in free agency.
New York Jets
New York significantly improved its offensive line in free agency, signing Tyron Smith and John Simpson. They also traded for Morgan Moses, adding three new starters to an offensive line that was awful last season. The Jets made other meaningful moves, including signing Mike Williams to a one-year deal. After filling its top-two needs on offense in free agency, the team can go with the top player on the board regardless of position at 10th overall.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Shortly after placing the franchise tag on defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, the Ravens signed the breakout star to a long-term deal. The team also upgraded at running back, replacing Gus Edwards with Derrick Henry. However, Baltimore lost two starters on the offensive line -- John Simpson and Morgan Moses. Therefore, don’t be surprised if the team uses its first-round pick on an offensive lineman.
Cincinnati Bengals
Unfortunately, the 2023 season was a nightmare one for the Bengals. Joe Burrow struggled to stay healthy, missing half the year. The team signed Trent Brown to a one-year deal after losing Jonah Williams to the Arizona Cardinals. However, that shouldn’t keep them from drafting an offensive tackle in the first round. Meanwhile, trading up for a wide receiver is an option, especially with Tee Higgins’ trade request.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns don’t have a first-round pick for the third consecutive draft because of the Deshaun Watson trade. While that deal hasn’t worked out the way the team had hoped, they don’t have any massive needs on paper. Ideally, Cleveland adds an offensive lineman and a linebacker during the middle rounds, as the team lacks depth at both spots.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh completely remade its quarterback room on the cheap. Russell Wilson signed for the veteran minimum after getting released by the Denver Broncos. Shortly after the Steelers traded away former first-round pick Kenny Pickett, they acquired Justin Fields for a 2025 Day 3 pick. After adding two big-name quarterbacks, the team should spend their first-round pick improving the offense for the second consecutive year.
Speaking of Justin Fields and the #Steelers trade, coach Mike Tomlin reached out to Russell Wilson last night when the trade was going down to let him know he was the starter. @TomPelissero said it last night, and Tomlin views that as the plan. Fields will compete, regardless.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2024
AFC South
Houston Texans
While many expected the Texans to make a significant run at Saquon Barkley, the team acquired Joe Mixon for a seventh-round pick. Instead, Houston made its blockbuster move on defense, signing Danielle Hunter to pair with Will Anderson Jr. They recently traded their first-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for two second-round selections. The Texans don’t have a clear-cut need on paper.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have been quiet in free agency, signing only two players from other teams. However, one of those guys is Joe Flacco. The veteran quarterback replaces Gardner Minshew as Anthony Richardson’s backup. Indianapolis did re-sign its top free agents, agreeing to long-term deals with Michael Pittman Jr. and Kenny Moore II. Yet, they should add a wide receiver and cornerback early in the NFL Draft.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville made a switch at wide receiver, losing Ridley to the Tennessee Titans after signing Davis from the Buffalo Bills. Only time will tell if the team regrets that decision. However, the offensive and defensive lines aren’t big needs after the team signed Mitch Morse and Arik Armstead in free agency. Expect the Jaguars to draft either a wide receiver or cornerback with their first pick.
Tennessee Titans
Many were surprised when the Titans signed Ridley. The veteran wide receiver was expected to re-sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars or join the New England Patriots. Instead, he got a four-year deal worth $92 million from Tennessee. After adding the veteran wide receiver, the Titans can take an offensive tackle with their first-round selection.
Titans are signing WR Calvin Ridley to a 4-year, $92M deal with $50M guaranteed, per @RapSheet pic.twitter.com/2HE9BX9MCC
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 13, 2024
AFC West
Denver Broncos
After releasing Wilson, the Broncos have Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci as the only quarterbacks on the roster. Yet, it’s no guarantee that Sean Payton will select a quarterback with the team’s first-round pick. Denver was quiet during free agency but added a few players on defense. Adding a cornerback opposite Patrick Surtain II could be the team’s top priority outside the quarterback position.
Kansas City Chiefs
Despite having a down year, the Chiefs won the Super Bowl for the second consecutive season. Yet, Kansas City still has needs on its roster. They re-signed Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi but could use some depth behind them. Meanwhile, L'Jarius Sneed got traded to the Tennessee Titans, making cornerback a potential first-round need along with an offensive tackle.
Las Vegas Raiders
While many thought the Raiders could sign Wilson in free agency, they added Gardner Minshew to pair with Aidan O'Connell. That duo should keep Las Vegas from making a blockbuster trade during the NFL Draft for a quarterback. Yet, it won't stop them from drafting one if he falls in their lap. After adding Christian Wilkins in free agency, cornerback is the team's top need on defense.
Los Angeles Chargers
Many have questioned the Chargers’ decision-making this offseason. The team traded Keenan Allen away for a fourth-round pick after releasing Mike Williams for salary-cap reasons. Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer are currently Justin Herbert’s top weapons in the passing game. Los Angeles let Austin Ekeler and Gerald Everett leave in free agency, replacing them with Gus Edwards and Will Dissly.
Trade summary:
Bears get - Keenan Allen
Chargers get - 4th-round pick— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) March 15, 2024
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