There’s been a lot of time spent this offseason reviewing NFL draft prospects and how they project to the NFL, but there’s another side to that equation. NFL teams will be selecting these players, and identifying what teams need can help project where certain players land. Generally speaking, a lot of teams have a lot of needs and it’s difficult to project specific players to teams, but mixing and matching archetypes and prospects with similar strengths can really narrow the field.
To accomplish this, we’ll run through each team, list skill positions the team is in need of, name a few players who fit those needs, and give a quick breakdown of how that player would fit into the offensive dynamic. This is obviously going to have a subjective dynamic to it, but based on the prior season and investment levels in positions, there’s enough transparency to make educated guesses.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Needs: TE/WR
Potential Options: T.J. Hockenson, Irv Smith, Kelvin Harmon, Emanuel Hall
Review: The Patriots tend to not worry about skill position players, but with the retirement of their longtime star TE Rob Gronkowski, there are serious reasons to consider them taking a tight end early. If that’s the case, Hockenson would make a lot of sense if he’s available at their round one selection. Also, with the issues they’ve had with Josh Gordon, it wouldn’t be surprising if they targeted an outside WRs like Harmon or Hall in the middle rounds.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Needs: QB/WR
Potential Options: Drew Lock, Will Grier, Hakeem Butler, Deebo Samuel, Kelvin Harmon
Review: The Dolphins need a QB, but considering their draft position in the first round, it’s unlikely to happen for them this year. If they do decide to move up or take one at their round one draft slot, it would seem likely Lock or Grier will be there. If not, adding a young WR to the team would be an interesting direction. DeVante Parker has been a disappointment, and beyond Kenny Stills, there isn’t much igniting future optimism.
BUFFALO BILLS
Needs: RB/WR/TE
Potential Options: Damien Harris, Miles Sanders, A.J. Brown, Irv Smith
Review: The Bills have Frank Gore and LeSean McCoy currently slated as their top two RBs. Enough said. Any of the top RBs in this class would be a nice addition, but adding one of the bigger options like Sanders or Harris would match the veterans they currently have. Between the Antonio Brown trade rumors and addressing WR in free agency (signing John Brown and Cole Beasley), it’s clear the Bills want to surround QB Josh Allen will solid weapons. They’re a real contender to draft a WR or TE in round one or draft multiple in the top three to four rounds.
NEW YORK JETS
Needs: WR
Potential Options: N’Keal Harry, A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, Hakeem Butler
Review: The Jets have a nice deep threat in Robby Anderson and an interesting, young receiving TE in Chris Herndon. Beyond that, it’s a barren wasteland. The Jets need a potential high-end WR option to grow with second-year QB Sam Darnold, and lucky enough for them, there’s plenty in the 2019 class.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Needs: WR
Potential Options: N’Keal Harry, Parris Campbell, Andy Isabella, A.J. Brown
Review: The Ravens need a complete overhaul of their receiving game, and they know it. While they did a great job in drafting TEs last year (Mark Andrews and Hayden Hurst), they start the offseason with almost nothing proven for WRs. They drafted WRs Jaleel Scott and Jordan Lasley last offseason, but that will not stop them from taking a WR early in 2019. Based on how they built the offense around QB Lamar Jackson last season, it would make sense for them to draft a WR with talent after the catch. Between Harry, Campbell, Isabella and Brown, they all provide potentially special ability with the ball in their hands.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Needs: RB
Potential Options: Rodney Anderson, Mike Weber, Trayveon Williams, Dexter Williams
Review: The Steelers don’t actually have needs, even after losing WR Antonio Brown and RB Le’Veon Bell. The Steelers seemingly found a featured RB in James Conner, considering how he performed in 2018, but they do need depth behind him. RB Jaylen Samuels is a talented player who can help a team, but he’s simply not built for a featured load if Conner went down with injury. The Steelers are in a perfect situation to swing for the fences on some of the riskier RB prospects, considering they already have a starter.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Needs: NONE
Potential Options:
Review: The Browns have arguably the best skill position situation in the NFL. Their RB and WR situations are incredible, both in high-end talent and depth, and they have former first-round selection David Njoku heading into his third season. It would be for the best if the Browns addressed other positions with their draft picks.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Needs: QB/TE
Potential Options: Will Grier, Zach Gentry, Jace Sternberger
Review: The Bengals don’t have “needs” at the skill position players, but seemingly all of their players come with volatility. Each year, the questions grow louder on if they’ll replace QB Andy Dalton, and while they resigned two TEs already this offseason (Tyler Eifert, C.J. Uzomah), it’s far from a stable area of the depth chart. Don’t expect early round skill position selections from the Bengals, but they’ll be kicking the tires in later rounds.
HOUSTON TEXANS
Needs: TE/RB
Potential Options: Irv Smith, Rodney Anderson, David Montgomery, L.J. Scott
Review: Between RB D’onta Foreman, WR Will Fuller and the lackluster beginning to TE Jordan Akins career, the Texans have had bad luck with skill position selections of late. QB DeShaun Watson and WR DeAndre Hopkins cover up a lot of issues, so it’s not noticeable, but the Texans depth on offense is always in limbo. If the Texans don’t envision Akins developing, they could spend an early selection on a TE.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Needs: RB/WR
Potential Options: Miles Sanders, Damien Harris, Josh Jacobs, Andy Isabella, Stanley Morgan
Review: The Colts have played moneyball with a lot of their skill position acquisitions over the last two seasons, and it’s once again unlikely they draft a skill position player in round one. However, once the second and third round hit, there are some really juicy prospects they could bring in to bolster an up-and-coming offensive unit. RB Marlon Mack has been great when healthy over his first two seasons, but it’s tough to tell what the Colts read on him is. If they only view him as a 10-to-15 touch a game guy, they could invest in some of the higher-end 2019 RBs. WR Devin Funchess will likely play a bigger role than most are expecting, but the Colts bringing in a mid-round (round 4 or 5) would make a lot of sense.
TENNESSEE TITANS
Needs: WR/TE
Potential Options: Emanuel Hall, Miles Boykin, Darius Slayton, T.J. Hockenson
Review: Yikes. Well, the Titans have spent a ton of draft equity on skill position players over the last couple of seasons, and it’s very likely they’ll continue to try to develop those assets. With that said, TE Jonnu Smith and WR Taywan Taylor haven’t left a warm and fuzzy feeling that they’re turning into difference-makers. If the Titans do attack skill positions in the draft, look for a TE or outside WR selection.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Needs: WR/TE
Potential Options: N’Keal Harry, A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, Irv Smith
Review: The Jaguars have a bunch of secondary options in the receiving game. While D.J. Chark is a young and hopefully developing player, his role will be as a pure deep threat regardless. Marqise Lee and Dede Westbrook are fine players, but not the type to lead a receiving game. The Jaguars just spent a bunch ($88 million to be exact) on Nick Foles, and are likely to provide him with some weapons to succeed.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Needs: RB/WR
Potential Options: Darrell Henderson, Damien Harris, Josh Jacobs, Miles Sanders, Parris Campbell, Emanuel Hall
Review: Despite what many currently prognosticate, RB Damien Williams isn’t going to cut it as a featured RB. The Chiefs brought in RB Carlos Hyde for depth, but it’s very likely they look for a long term answer at the RB position in the 2019 draft. The second round could be a fertile place for them to make a selection. If they have concerns about WR Tyreek Hill’s future, a deep threat or speed-based weapon could be in order.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Needs: None
Potential Options:
Review: RB Melvin Gordon, WR Keenan Allen, WR Mike Williams and TE Hunter Henry is a top-five set of skill position players in the NFL, and with them all back healthy for the 2019 season, it doesn’t seem logical to invest a significant amount in skill position players. A depth selection at RB is possible, but they seem happy with RBs Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson.
DENVER BRONCOS
Needs: QB/WR
Potential Options: Drew Lock, Will Grier, A.J. Brown, Hakeem Butler
Review: The Broncos are a mess on offense beyond RB, and they know it. They traded for QB Joe Flacco to put a bandaid on an issue, but they know that isn’t the long term answer. The Broncos are in the market for difference makers at QB and WR, despite multiple attempts at addressing both issues. WR Demaryius Thomas is gone, WR Emmanuel Sanders is coming off a torn Achilles, and behind WR Courtland Sutton, there isn’t much to get excited about.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
Needs: RB/TE
Potential Options: Darrell Henderson, Damien Harris, Josh Jacobs, T.J. Hockenson
Review: The Raiders need everything beyond a featured WR (Antonio Brown is pretty good). A second or third round selection on RB or TE makes sense, as they try to rebuild their offense.
DALLAS COWBOYS
Needs: TE
Potential Options: Zach Gentry, Jace Sternberger, Caleb Wilson, Kaden Smith
Review: The Cowboys don’t need much on offense now that they added WR Amari Cooper. Their big missing piece over the last couple of seasons has been the lack of a top-end receiving weapon, and now they have one. Having Cooper makes the life of a WR like Michael Gallup much easier. It’s unlikely they select a skill position player early (rounds one through three), but with TE Jason Witten coming back for a season, there’s a good opportunity to draft a TE in the middle rounds and try to develop him.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Needs: RB
Potential Options: Miles Sanders, Myles Gaskin, Rodney Anderson, David Montgomery
Review: The Eagles are in a great situation offensively, other than RB. They’ve been trying to patch together the position with late round picks, trades and free agents. Things really became an issue in 2018, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they spent a top round selection on an RB (Miles Sanders went to college right down the road, I’m just saying).
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Needs: QB/WR/TE
Potential Options: Jarrett Stidham, Kyle Shurmur, Deebo Samuel, Andy Isabella, Stanley Morgan
Review: The Redskins are a mess, and QB Alex Smith being out for all of 2019 doesn’t make things better. A developmental QB should be one of the first priorities, along with a slot WR who can replace WR Jamison Crowder. While WR Josh Doctson hasn’t come to fruition as a top-end prospect, they’re still likely to be counting on him to be a prominent player moving forward.
NEW YORK GIANTS
Needs: QB
Potential Options: Daniel Jones, Will Grier
Review: The Giants, despite the incredible negativity from the media, are in a great position from a skill position perspective. Replacing QB Eli Manning is the issue at hand, which is clear (even to the Giants). They’ve been linked to both Jones and Grier with one of their (later) first round picks, and with it seeming unlikely they’ll be able to get QBs Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins at their first pick (6th), this appears to be the avenue they’re headed down.
CHICAGO BEARS
Needs: TE/RB
Potential Options: Irv Smith, Jace Sternberger, Dexter Williams, L.J. Scott, Benny Snell
Review: The Bears don’t really have needs, but they do have a few concerns surrounding TE and RB. Since being drafted two years ago, TE Adam Shaheen hasn’t given the Bears a good return on investment, and there’s a real chance he doesn’t end up developing. Trey Burton has value, but he is what he is. If the Bears don’t think they can develop the players on the roster, they could make a big move in earlier rounds. Also, based on reports they’re unhappy with RB Jordan Howard, they could look to sign late-round depth at the position.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Needs: RB
Potential Options: Dexter Williams, Justice Hill, Trayveon Williams, Rodney Anderson
Review: The Vikings need depth at the RB position behind RB Dalvin Cook. With RB LaTavius Murray heading to New Orleans, and Cook having trouble staying healthy through two seasons, a legitimate backup who can handle a workload, if needed, is likely something the Vikings are pondering. It might not happen until the later rounds, but they will address the position.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Needs: RB/WR/TE
Potential Options: Miles Sanders, Damien Williams, N’Keal Harry, Emanuel Hall, Irv Smith, T.J. Hockenson
Review: The world is the Packers oyster, as far as addressing skill positions is concerned. They need help at all the skill positions but would be best served to find a second WR to balance the coverage for WR Davante Adams. They addressed RB in recent years with Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones, but neither fit a full-time RB archetype. QB Aaron Rodgers is aging and needs weapons. Time is ticking.
DETROIT LIONS
Needs: WR
Potential Options: Andy Isabella, Deebo Samuel, Hunter Renfrow, Felton Davis
Review: Golden Tate is gone, and someone needs to fill that role. Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones can handle deep targets, but a young slot receiver can do a lot of damage with QB Matthew Stafford.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Needs: None
Potential Options:
Review: Alvin Kamara. Michael Thomas. Tre’Quan Smith. Jared Cook. Ted Ginn. That’s one of the best supporting casts of QB Drew Brees’ career.
ATLANTA FALCONS
Needs: RB
Potential Options: Darrell Henderson, Josh Jacobs, Myles Gaskin, Trayveon Williams
Review: Tevin Coleman is off to San Francisco, and suddenly, the Falcons have a need at RB for the first time in almost three seasons. RB Devonta Freeman projects to carry a featured load based on the current depth chart, but he’s suffered through two straight injury-filled seasons. They did select Ito Smith in the fourth round of the 2018 draft, but he was largely ineffective in his snaps in his rookie season. They could be enticed to select a partner for Freeman in the top three rounds.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Needs: RB
Potential Options: Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris, Rodney Anderson, David Montgomery, Alex Barnes
Review: The Panthers don’t actually have a need at RB (Christian McCaffrey), but they are in the market for a sledgehammer, two down type RB. Not only would this type of player help keep McCaffrey healthy, but it would help alleviate the rushing load QB Cam Newton has to endure.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Needs: RB
Potential Options: Miles Sanders, Mike Weber, Rodney Anderson
Review: The Buccaneers seemingly struck out with RB Ronald Jones in 2018. A second-round pick, Jones is already on thin ice after only one season. Jones dealt with injuries, bad play and overall, an embarrassing season. In an attempt to create more balance offensively, there could be a chance the Buccaneers once again draft a high-equity RB.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Needs: None
Potential Options:
Review: The Rams are a highly explosive offense with every starting spot filled. They could bring in some later round RBs, but based on them bringing back RB Malcolm Brown, they appear to be happy with their depth chart.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Needs: WR/TE
Potential Options: N’Keal Harry, A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, Noah Fant
Review: The Seahawks were the most run-heavy team in the NFL in 2018, and that trend is likely to continue into the next couple of seasons. Despite that, with WR Doug Baldwin looking at the wrong side of 30 and building up the count on surgeries, a new featured weapon needs to be installed. WR Tyler Lockett is a great chess piece, but it’s unclear if he can be a featured weapon.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Needs: WR
Potential Options: N’Keal Harry, A.J. Brown, Hakeem Butler, Kelvin Harmon
Review: Between TE George Kittle and WR Dante Pettis, the 49ers have a great start to their young offense. Add in an effective running back by committee, and they’re almost ready to thrive. The only missing factor would be a true featured WR, and the 2019 class can fill that requirement. Between Harry, Brown or Metcalf, the 49ers could finish off the final piece of what could be a top-end offense.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Needs: QB
Potential Options: Kyler Murray
Review: The Cardinals are still in rebuild mode, but in terms of skill position players, they’re actually looking pretty strong. Between WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk and RB David Johnson, a young QB should be able to acclimate himself in a solid fashion. The only question now will be which prospect that will be. They already selected QB Josh Rosen in the top ten of the 2018 draft, but it sounds like they’re seriously reconsidering that now. If that’s the case, they’ll almost assuredly draft Murray with the first pick.
