2026 Team Needs
Identifying the biggest roster holes for every NFL franchise.
How Team Needs Shape the Draft
Every NFL team enters the draft with specific roster gaps to fill. Some need a franchise quarterback. Others require offensive line help. Understanding these needs helps predict where prospects will land.
Team needs shift throughout the offseason. Free agency signings remove positions from the priority list. Unexpected retirements create new holes. Smart front offices keep their draft boards flexible until the final pick.
The best teams balance need and talent. Reaching for a lesser prospect to fill a hole often backfires. Elite franchises take the best player available, then address remaining needs through trades or free agency.
Division-by-Division Breakdown
AFC Trends
The Bills and Dolphins lead this division, but both need secondary help. The Patriots and Jets are rebuilding around offensive questions.
Physical football demands big bodies. The Steelers, Ravens, Browns, and Bengals all need offensive line help or interior defensive presence.
NFC Trends
The Eagles contend while rivals rebuild. Dallas, New York, and Washington all face major roster overhauls.
Detroit and Green Bay built through the draft. Chicago and Minnesota must follow that blueprint to compete.
Quarterback carousel. The Panthers, Saints, and Falcons need new signal-callers, making this a key destination for QB prospects. The Buccaneers focus on defense.
How Free Agency Changes Draft Plans
Free agency opens in March, about six weeks before the draft. Teams can remove needs from their draft board by signing veteran players. A franchise that lands a top receiver in free agency can pivot to defensive help.
Cap space matters. Teams with money to spend have flexibility. Cash-strapped franchises must rely on the draft to fill holes. Young players on rookie contracts cost far less than free agent veterans.
The smartest organizations use both tools together. Draft a young quarterback, then surround him with proven free agents. Or sign a veteran QB and build the supporting cast through the draft.
Cap Updates: Track salary cap numbers and free agency at Over The Cap and Spotrac.
Team Needs FAQs
How do NFL teams determine their draft needs?
Teams evaluate current roster strength, upcoming free agents, salary cap space, and coaching scheme fits. Front offices rank positions by urgency and weigh draft talent against free agency options. Need assessments change weekly based on injuries and trades.
Should teams draft for need or best player available?
Most successful franchises prioritize talent over need in early rounds. Elite players at any position help more than reaching for a mediocre player at a position of need. Need becomes more important in rounds 3-7 when talent differences narrow.
Which NFL teams need a quarterback in 2026?
The Panthers, Raiders, Broncos, Giants, and Saints face the biggest quarterback questions. The Vikings, Falcons, and Seahawks may also consider a QB depending on 2025 season results and veteran availability.
How does free agency affect draft needs?
Free agency opens six weeks before the draft. Teams can fill holes with veterans and shift draft focus to other positions. Cash-strapped teams rely more heavily on the draft, while cap-rich teams have flexibility.
What positions are hardest to fill in the draft?
Quarterback and left tackle remain the hardest positions to find through the draft. Elite prospects at these spots rarely fall past the top 10. Teams often overpay in trades to secure franchise-changing players.
How do trades change team needs?
Mid-season trades reshape draft boards instantly. A team trading away a star receiver suddenly needs one. A team acquiring a veteran cornerback can focus elsewhere. Smart teams track trade markets year-round.
What team has the most draft picks in 2026?
Draft pick totals fluctuate until draft day. Teams stockpile picks through veteran trades. Compensatory picks reward teams that lose free agents. Check updated pick counts closer to April 2026.
Do coaching changes impact draft needs?
New coaches often bring different schemes and priorities. A 4-3 defense coach may not value the same players as a 3-4 coach. Coaching changes in January can completely reshape a team's draft board.