NFL teams are finalizing their draft boards with the 2026 draft just days away.
The 91st edition of the NFL Draft will be held from April 23-25, with Pittsburgh hosting for the first time since 1948.
USA TODAY Sports examines the biggest position of need for all 32 teams.
The 2026 NFL Draft logo at the Super Bowl LX Experience at the Moscone Center in San Francisco on Feb. 6.
Arizona Cardinals
Biggest position of need: Quarterback
The word out of the NFL owners meetings was that the Cardinals are preparing to start Jacoby Brissett at quarterback. Brissett is a serviceable bridge QB, but he’s not the long-term solution. The Cardinals could draft a QB or wait until next year when the quarterback class is considerably better.
Atlanta Falcons
Biggest need: Tackle
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Falcons agreed to terms with tackle Jawaan Taylor on the same day tackle Kaleb McGary announced his retirement. Taylor is a short-term answer at right tackle. Atlanta also must consider an edge rusher.
Baltimore Ravens
Biggest need: Interior offensive line
The free agent loss of center Tyler Linderbaum has a ripple effect across Baltimore’s offensive line, especially in the interior. The Ravens signed veteran center Danny Pinter and guard John Simpson in free agency.
Buffalo Bills
Biggest need: Nose tackle
New Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard is transitioning the unit to a 3-4 defensive scheme. Ed Oliver is a traditional three-technique defensive tackle, and T.J. Sanders isn’t a traditional nose tackle. That leaves Deone Walker as Buffalo’s nose tackle.
Carolina Panthers
Biggest need: Tight end
The Panthers had the worst pass offense of any team that qualified for the playoffs last season. No Carolina tight end had more than 29 catches.
Chicago Bears
Biggest need: Edge rusher
Safety Coby Bryant was the type of player Chicago’s secondary needed, especially after the departures of DBs Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker and Jonathan Owens, but the Bears’ ability to rush the passer is still a weakness.
Cincinnati Bengals
Biggest need: Edge rusher
The Bengals lost edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to their division rival Ravens this offseason, but Cincinnati added Boye Mafe. The Bengals still have work to do at defensive end.
Cleveland Browns
Biggest need: Wide receiver
The Browns have revamped their offensive line, and they might not be done. Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders appear to be the two front-runners vying for the QB1 job. On the outside, wide receiver is a glaring position of need.
Dallas Cowboys
Biggest need: Inside linebacker
The Cowboys are extremely thin at inside linebacker. Dallas owns three picks in the top 100, including two in the first round. Look for the Cowboys to address the position early in the draft.
Denver Broncos
Biggest need: Tight end
A long-term answer at tight end is a need with Evan Engram entering the final year of his contract. Engram had the third most receptions on the Broncos in 2025.
Detroit Lions
Biggest need: Tackle
The Lions released veteran left tackle Taylor Decker in March, and there are rumblings that tackle Penei Sewell might move over to the left side. Detroit needs a starter at tackle on the opposite side of wherever Sewell lines up.
Green Bay Packers
Biggest need: Cornerback
The Packers lost defensive starters, including edge Rashan Gary and LB Quay Walker. But cornerback is Green Bay’s most pressing need because the team doesn’t have a No. 1 cornerback on its roster.
Houston Texans
Biggest need: Interior offensive line
Solidifying the trenches must remain a priority for the Texans. Houston has guards Ed Ingram and Wyatt Teller along with Jake Andrews in the interior, but they need more depth at the position.
Indianapolis Colts
Biggest need: Edge rusher
Indianapolis lost Kwity Paye, who was the team’s second-best edge rusher, in free agency. Laiatu Latu is the only Colts' edge rusher opposing teams have to gameplan for. Wide receiver is also a notable need.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Biggest need: Linebacker
Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd, who led the team with five interceptions, was USA Today Sports' top free agent before signing a multi-year deal with Carolina. The Jags could find Lloyd’s replacement in this year’s draft.
Kansas City Chiefs
Biggest need: Cornerback
The Chiefs decided to trade their best cornerback, Trent McDuffie, to the Rams. Then they lost their other starting cornerback, Jaylen Watson, to the Rams in free agency. Needless to say, cornerback is a massive need in Kansas City.
Las Vegas Raiders
Biggest need: Quarterback
The Raiders’ No. 1 selection of Fernando Mendoza is pretty much signed, sealed and delivered. Mendoza is an accurate passer and displayed leadership skills in college that will make the Raiders comfortable in their investment.
Los Angeles Chargers
Biggest need: Interior offensive line
The Chargers had the worst offensive line in football last year by multiple metrics. As a result, LA’s set to have three new starters along the interior of its O-line.
Los Angeles Rams
Biggest need: Tackle
Warren McClendon Jr. appears poised to replace right tackle Rob Havenstein, who retired in February. But the Rams need more depth at both tackle spots.
Miami Dolphins
Biggest need: Wide receiver
Wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are both gone. New quarterback Malik Willis has Malik Washington as WR1 right now. Look for the Dolphins to target a wide receiver early in this year’s draft.
Minnesota Vikings
Biggest need: Center
Kyler Murray’s addition fills Minnesota’s quarterback need. The player who will snap the football to the Vikings' starting QB is undecided. Center Ryan Kelly announced his retirement this offseason.
New England Patriots
Biggest need: Edge
The Patriots let K'Lavon Chaisson walk after he produced a team-best 74 pressures in 2025. New England added Dre'Mont Jones to play alongside Harold Landry III, but Mike Vrabel’s defense needs more disruptive edge rushers.
An advertisement for the 2026 NFL Draft is displayed on a video board outside Acrisure Stadium, March 25, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
New Orleans Saints
Biggest need: Wide receiver
Wide receiver Chris Olave is annually on the trading block and is entering the final year of his contract. With Olave’s long-term future in doubt, it’ll behoove the Saints to get a young pass catcher that they can develop.
New York Giants
Biggest need: Cornerback
The Giants’ biggest position of need will change if the team acquiesces to defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence’s trade request. In the secondary, Greg Newsome II and Paulson Adebo are the team’s top two corners.
New York Jets
Biggest need: Quarterback
The Jets brought back Geno Smith, but the 35-year-old is a bridge quarterback at this juncture of his career. Still, he’s an upgrade from what the Jets endured last year. The Jets could join a list of multiple teams that could wait on a QB until next year’s draft.
Philadelphia Eagles
Biggest need: Edge rusher
The Eagles lost Jaelan Phillips to the Panthers in free agency. Nolan Smith Jr., Jalyx Hunt and Arnold Ebiketie are currently Philly’s top edge players. The Eagles currently have eight picks in this year’s draft, including four in the top 100.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Biggest need: Quarterback
All signs indicate 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers will return to Pittsburgh for his 22nd NFL season. However, Pittsburgh might not fill its quarterback need until next year’s draft.
San Francisco 49ers
Biggest need: Interior offensive line
The 49ers need more depth and competition across their entire offensive line. San Francisco lost starting guard Spencer Burford in free agency, and standout left tackle Trent Williams will be 38 years old at the start of the season.
Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III left Seattle for the Kansas City Chiefs, leaving a void in the Seahawks' backfield.
Seattle Seahawks
Biggest need: Running back
The Seahawks wouldn’t be the reigning champions without Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker. Walker is now in Kansas City, and Zach Charbonnet is recovering from a torn ACL.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Biggest need: Edge rusher
The Bucs will look different this season without all-time leading receiver Mike Evans and recently retired linebacker Lavonte David. The Bucs haven’t had a solid pair of edge rushers since Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul.
Tennessee Titans
Biggest need: Wide receiver
Improving the talent around 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward is imperative for the quarterback’s development. Tennessee had the 30th-ranked passing attack last year.
Washington Commanders
Biggest need: Cornerback
The Marshon Lattimore experiment didn’t work well. The Commanders ranked 28th in pass defense, and opposing quarterbacks enjoyed a 104 passer rating against them last season.
