With NFL free agency cooled down and the 2026 NFL Draft approaching in the coming weeks, here are the biggest draft needs for every AFC team.
Biggest 2026 NFL Draft Needs for Every AFC Team
New England Patriots
Biggest draft need: Wide Receivers
The Patriots need to add to their receiver core if they want to avoid a Super Bowl slump. They signed Romeo Doubs this offseason and let go of Stefon Diggs, who was a solid contributor in helping them reach the Super Bowl in 2025. New England is expected to be the favorite to land Eagles receiver A.J. Brown; however, the Patriots should look in the draft to add playmakers that can come in and help Drake Maye.
Buffalo Bills
Biggest draft need: Wide Receiver
The Bills have tried to upgrade their receiver room this offseason by trading for D.J Moore, but outside of Khalil Shakir, the Bills are still lacking a formidable receiver room. They spent a second-round pick on Keon Coleman in 2024, but so far, that pick has not worked out. The Bills could see what playmakers are available in the back end of the first round and take one to help Josh Allen.
Miami Dolphins
Biggest draft need: Defensive backs
The Dolphins have two first-round picks after trading Jaylen Waddle, and though they are in a current rebuild and could use help everywhere on the roster, one of their biggest needs is cornerback. The lack of cornerback and safety talent was evident for Miami in 2025. They could look to add the top cornerback in the draft in Mansoor Delane or add the top safety in Caleb Downs with their own first-round pick and address another position later in the draft with Denver’s first-round pick.
New York Jets
Biggest Draft need: Offensive playmakers
The Jets have two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft, including the number two overall pick. NYJ probably won’t address the offense with their top pick; however, they need to continue adding offensive talent throughout the draft. The Jets have Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, and Mason Taylor, but could continue to use an infusion of talent at the wide receiver position.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Biggest Draft need: Quarterback
The Steelers are currently playing limbo with the possibility of bringing Aaron Rodgers back for another season. Regardless of whether Rodgers returns for a final season, the Steelers need to scout the 2026 draft class of quarterbacks heavily. They won’t be in a position to draft Fernando Mendoza, but Pittsburgh could take a chance on somebody like Ty Simpson out of Alabama.
Baltimore Ravens
Biggest Draft need: Pass rushers
The biggest weakness of the Ravens last season was their lack of pass rush. They tried trading for Maxx Crosby until that fell through; however, they were able to sign Trey Hendrickson. Despite the Hendrickson signing, the Ravens should continue to bolster their pass rush.
Cincinnati Bengals
Biggest draft need: defensive backfield help
The Bengals’ defense was one of the worst in the NFL last season. So much so that the Bengals could draft a defensive player with every single one of their draft picks and no one would argue with that strategy.
Cleveland Browns
Biggest draft need: Offensive line
The Browns have two first-round picks in this year’s draft, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if they used both to address the offensive line. Every starter from last year’s offensive line will not return, and the Browns could use a youth movement there for Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Biggest draft need: linebacker
The Jags let All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd walk in free agency this offseason, leaving a hole at linebacker. They don’t have a first-round pick this year, but they have 11 total draft picks they could use to address the position.
Houston Texans
Biggest draft need: Offensive line
The Texans will continue to address an offensive line issue that has persisted for a couple of seasons now. C.J. Stroud is going into his fourth season, and it will be important to solidify the offensive line in front of him so they can get the best out of him.
Indianapolis Colts
Biggest draft need: Pass rush
The Colts are without a first-round pick due to the Sauce Gardner trade last season, but they should use the draft capital they do have to address their pass rush. They have Laiatu Latu but lack a solid top-end edge rusher on the opposite side.
Tennessee Titans
Biggest Draft needs: Offensive weapons
Top pick from 2025 Cam Ward is going into his sophomore season, and the Titans should do all they can to surround him with talent. Wide receivers and tight ends should be the priorities for Tennessee.
Denver Broncos
Biggest draft need: Tight end
The Broncos are lacking a game-changing tight end in their offense.
Los Angeles Chargers
Biggest draft need: Offensive line
Justin Herbert was at the top of the league for hits on a quarterback.
Kansas City Chiefs
Biggest draft need: Pass rush
The Chiefs haven’t quite been getting the production they wanted from their pass rush outside of Chris Jones, so adding to that through the draft will be helpful.
Las Vegas Raiders
Biggest draft need: Quarterback
Fernando Mendoza, welcome to Las Vegas.
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
