Here are the top draft needs for all 18 teams that missed the NFL Playoffs this year.
Getty Image / Abdul Carter
While fourteen teams made the NFL Playoffs, with five of those already eliminated after two days of playoff action, eighteen teams did not.
Here are needs for all of these teams to address in the upcoming NFL Draft. This list of needs isn’t exhaustive, as only three needs per team will be picked.
1. Tennessee Titans: QB, WR, EDGE
The Tennessee Titans actually led the league in opponent yards per game. Despite their poor record, there is a foundation in place. But, quarterback is a big need, as is someone for that quarterback to throw to. And, a truly dominant pass-rusher would go a long way, too. This pick will almost certainly be a quarterback, but if it’s not quarterback, it could be Penn State’s Abdul Carter.
2. Cleveland Browns: QB, DT, OT
The Browns, like many teams picking at the top of the draft, have plenty of needs. The Deshaun Watson disaster has created a need at quarterback, and defensive tackle and offensive tackle could be addressed, as well. Ultimately, given the fact that it’s a top-two pick, it’s likely to be either Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. But, if they don’t go quarterback or trade down, Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham or one of the top offensive tackles could be the selection.
3. New York Giants: QB, CB, OL
The Giants definitely need a franchise quarterback. But, at the third pick, the top two quarterbacks could be off the board. That could be blessing in disguise, as two-way superstar Travis Hunter could be there as a really good fit for New York. If there was an elite offensive lineman in this class, that would be a fit, as well.
4. New England Patriots: WR, OT, EDGE
The Patriots have their franchise quarterback in Drake Maye. Now, they need to get pieces around him. A wide receiver like Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan could be the pick here if they decide to go that route. If not, Penn State’s Abdul Carter could be a superstar pass-rusher for them. And, if they trade down, an offensive tackle makes sense.
5. Jackonsville Jaguars: CB, DT, OT
The Jaguars both need to get more physical up front and need to improve on the back-end of the defense. Thankfully, they’re going to have really good options to do any of those things at this pick. If they decide to go cornerback, they could take Michigan standout Will Johnson. If his college teammate Mason Graham is on the board, that could help beef up the interior of the defense. Who knows, maybe they will fall in love with an offensive tackle.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: QB, WR, CB
The Raiders probably played themselves out of the first-round quarterback discussion unless they trade up. That leaves them looking to improve the team elsewhere. Tetairoa McMillan, Will Johnson, and maybe even Travis Hunter if he were to drop could be the pick for the Raiders.
7. New York Jets: DT, EDGE, OT
The New York Jets have to improve up front on both sides of the ball. Mason Graham will probably off the board by this point, so defensive tackle is unlikely. At edge, with Abdul Carter also likely off the board, maybe Georgia’s Mikel Williams could be the pick. Or, they could get a bookend tackle to pair with Olu Fashanu in Ohio State’s Josh Simmons or Texas Longhorn Kelvin Banks.
8. Carolina Panthers: EDGE, WR, CB
The Panthers should be focusing on getting Bryce Young a dynamic pass-catcher to help their quarterback along. Tetairoa McMillan could still be on the board here, and he would be great value at this point. If it’s not a wide receiver, look for Mikel Williams and Tennessee defensive end James Pearce to get a look here as a true sack artist for a team that definitely needs one.
9. New Orleans Saints: EDGE, CB, S
Let’s face it, the New Orleans Saints have plenty of needs. Simply put, they need to get more athletic and more explosive all over the field. A dynamite pass-rusher like Mikel Williams or James Pearce could be a good pick. The secondary also needs help, and someone like Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison, East Carolina’s Shavon Revel, or Georgia’s Malaki Starks could help in the secondary.
10. Chicago Bears: OL, EDGE, DT
The Bears could use an upgrade at nearly any spot up front on both lines. If they go offensive line, Josh Simmons, Kelvin Banks, or maybe even LSU’s Will Campbell could be the pick. If it’s on the defensive line, look for James Pearce, Mikel Williams, and Williams’ Georgia teammate Jalon Walker as options.
11. San Francisco 49ers: OT, CB, EDGE
The 49ers are aging at some key positions, especially offensive tackle, which will need a Trent Williams replacement soon. That’s where I think they’re likely to go with this pick if one of Kelvin Banks, Josh Simmons, or even Will Campbell are available. If not, maybe they go with Malaki Starks or Benjamin Morrison, or choose one of the top edge-rushers that are still left.
12. Dallas Cowboys: WR, OT, RB
The Dallas Cowboys desperately need another pass-catcher to help out the offense opposite CeeDee Lamb. Maybe Missouri’s Luther Burden, Ole Miss’s Tre Harris, or Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka could be options here. If not wide receiver, offensive tackle could use an upgrade. And, they have a need at running back, a need that Boise State superstar Ashton Jeanty could fill nicely.
13. Miami Dolphins: OT, S, LB
The Dolphins aren’t that far away from being a pretty good team, but they need to get some pieces out of the 2025 NFL Draft. Right tackle could use an upgrade, and LSU’s Will Campbell or Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr. could fit. If they decide to upgrade the secondary, Georgia’s Malaki Starks would be a really good fit. While it’s probably too early to take a box linebacker, that’s a spot they should be looking to upgrade as well. I really like Alabama linebacker Jihaad Cambpell.
14. Indianapolis Colts: TE, CB, EDGE
The Indianapolis Colts are another team that aren’t that far away from being good. The biggest thing holding them back is the quarterback position, but they’re not going to address that early on in this draft. This is the first team that really should be taking a look at Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. If not him, cornerback Shavon Revel would make sense here, as would one of the top pass-rushers if they fall.
15. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE, LB, WR
The Falcons need to get better on defense, as a ton has been invested into the offense. If one of the top edge players like Jalon Walker, Mikel Williams, or James Pearce, that should be the pick. If not, the second tier of edge-rushers, like Texas A&M’s Nick Scourton, comes into play. Finally, they could use another wide receiver, if they decide to use the pick on offense. Luther Burden would be a great fit.
16. Arizona Cardinals: EDGE, CB, DT
The Cardinals need to upgrade their defense, and that should be the focus. Nic Scourton would be a great fit at edge, and maybe Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen could be an option in the middle. If they decide to upgrade the secondary, Shavon Revel, Benjamin Morrison, or Jahdae Barron could be options.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: EDGE, WR, DT
The needs of the Bengals depends on whether or not they re-sign Tee Higgins. If they do, they can focus on the defensive side of the ball, especially up front. Nic Scourton, Walter Nolen, or even Shemar Turner could be options. If they don’t re-sign Tee Higgins, they’ll have to use one of the first few picks at wide receiver. Tre Harris would be a great fit alongside Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.
18. Seattle Seahawks: OT, IOL, LB
This pick is almost certainly going to be used on the offensive line, as they need to fill some gaping holes up front. Whether it’s a tackle like Will Campbell, or Texas Longhorn Cam Williams, or an interior offensive lineman such as Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson or Alabama’s Tyler Booker, they need help up front. If they make a mistake and look elsewhere, linebacker is an option.