The frenzy that was the opening day of the NFL‘s legal tampering period dramatically altered the offseason landscape for all 32 teams. In one way or another, each team was affected by the moves from the opening few hours of the new league year.
Specifically, almost every franchise had their draft needs for the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft altered by their moves or subsequent inability to make a move on March 11. Here’s how.
2024 NFL Draft Team Needs Change After Free Agency Day 1
Widely accepted as free agent frenzy, dozens of players found new homes, agreed to deals, or simply moved on from last year’s team during the opening few hours of the legal tampering period. Noticeably, running backs seemed to find homes early on, and several big-name players came off the board all throughout the day.
With each of these moves, either by acquiring or not acquiring players, each franchise had a hole to fill or a need to be replaced.
Based on each franchise’s largest needs when it pertains to their future 2024 NFL Draft haul, the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator saw a massive overhaul. We’ll go by team here, showcasing how it all shook out.
Note that you can use the button below to jump to the team that you are specifically looking for. It’s important to clarify that these are the team needs as the PFN Mock Draft Simulator sees it.
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals’ top need before Day 1 was at cornerback. However, their agreeing to terms with Sean Murphy-Bunting vaulted their need for a wide receiver to the top of the list. They’re also reportedly set to sign DE L.J. Collier, DT Bilal Nichols, and LB Mack Wilson, addressing other needs.
Cardinals’ Needs Before Day 1: CB, WR, DT, OT, OG
Cardinals’ Needs After Day 1: WR, DT, OT, CB, OG
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta swung for the fences with their quick work to come to an agreement with QB Kirk Cousins, and now the race is on to build around Cousins at age 35. The Falcons will have their pick of a variety of helpful positions to their current roster, but wide receiver was sent directly to the top of their draft needs following the Cousins news.
Falcons’ Needs Before Day 1: QB, WR, EDGE, CB, DT
Falcons’ Needs After Day 1: WR, EDGE, CB, DT, S
MORE: Falcons Draft Targets To Build Around Kirk Cousins
Baltimore Ravens
Noticeably, the Baltimore Ravens are the first team to keep their top two needs intact on this list. However, their re-signing of DT Justin Madubuike removed the need for them to attack defensive tackle in the early stages of the 2024 NFL Draft. Guard, EDGE, and safety now take priority in Baltimore — after skill positions, that is.
Ravens’ Needs Before Day 1: RB, WR, DT, OG, EDGE
Ravens’ Needs After Day 1: RB, WR, OG, EDGE, S
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills didn’t make much of a splash during the first day of the legal tampering period, at least not when it came to their draft needs. In fact, despite some restructuring of Josh Allen’s contract and signing OT Dion Dawkins to a mega-extension, the fact that WR Gabe Davis agreed to a $39M deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars all but affirmed their top need as wide receiver once and for all.
Bills’ Needs Before Day 1: WR, EDGE, S, DT, CB
Bills’ Needs After Day 1: WR, EDGE, S, DT, CB
Carolina Panthers
The biggest trade of the legal tampering window could go down as the deal the Carolina Panthers sent the New York Giants. Carolina traded DE Brian Burns for a handful of picks and a pick swap, nearly pushing an edge defender above the need for wide receivers. And we say wide receivers, plural, here because they need multiple playmakers for Bryce Young.
Panthers’ Needs Before Day 1: WR, EDGE, OT, OG, TE
Panthers’ Needs After Day 1: WR, EDGE, OT, TE, OC
Chicago Bears
Jaylon Johnson and Kevin Byard are in the defensive secondary — that’s the biggest change for the Chicago Bears’ draft needs this time around. With the Byard agreement, safety is removed and defensive tackle slides up the priority list for the Bears come April.
Bears’ Needs Before Day 1: QB, WR, EDGE, OC, S
Bears’ Needs After Day 1: QB, WR, EDGE, OC, DT
MORE: Top 10 QBs in the 2024 NFL Draft
Cincinnati Bengals
In combining WR Tee Higgins’ demand for a trade and the Cincinnati Bengals’ signing of Drew Sample to an extension, the need for a wide receiver vaulted up three positions. It wouldn’t even be surprising to see the Bengals attack wide receiver in Round 1 if the right player were to fall to them in April.
Bengals’ Needs Before Day 1: DT, OT, TE, CB, WR
Bengals’ Needs After Day 1: DT, OT, WR, TE, CB
Cleveland Browns
In a residual change from the Jerry Jeudy acquisition, the Cleveland Browns saw their need for wide receiver slide down the priority list and the trenches are expected to take center stage. Don’t rule out the Browns grabbing a potential quarterback of the future in the draft as well.
Browns’ Needs Before Day 1: DT, WR, OT, QB, LB
Browns’ Needs After Day 1: DT, OT, QB, LB, WR
Dallas Cowboys
While Dallas Cowboys fans have become accustomed to the Cowboys’ being non-players in the legal tampering and free agency signing windows, Day 1 saw the Cowboys in the news nevertheless. Except it was RB Tony Pollard who made a splash, signing with the Tennessee Titans and keeping the Cowboys’ team needs intact.
Cowboys’ Needs Before Day 1: OT, LB, OC, RB, DT
Cowboys’ Needs After Day 1: OT, LB, OC, RB, DT
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos’ team needs stayed the same, but the priorities shifted following the Jerry Jeudy trade. Denver will be best suited to grab a new QB-WR combination early in the 2024 NFL Draft, if they’re not players for any acquisitions at either position in the next few weeks.
Broncos’ Needs Before Day 1: QB, DT, EDGE, CB, WR
Broncos’ Needs After Day 1: QB, DT, WR, EDGE, CB
MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Targets To Replace Russell Wilson in Denver
Detroit Lions
Detroit made a splash trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, grabbing CB Carlton Davis in the process. The Lions didn’t have to give up all that much for Davis, a former second-round pick, sending a pick swap in the later rounds and a third-rounder in exchange for Davis. Cornerback is still a need in Detroit, but it isn’t the top priority anymore.
Lions’ Needs Before Day 1: CB, EDGE, DT, OG, WR
Lions’ Needs After Day 1: DT, CB, EDGE, OG, WR
Green Bay Packers
Perhaps the biggest winners of the day if you go off of simply fulfilling big needs, the Green Bay Packers chipped away at their two largest needs with their marquee signings. Green Bay agreed to terms with S Xavier McKinney and RB Josh Jacobs after losing Darnell Savage, alleviating their top two needs per the PFN Mock Draft Simulator. Safety is still a need, but now as just a complimentary pick in the box on passing downs.
Packers’ Needs Before Day 1: S, RB, OT, CB, OG
Packers’ Needs After Day 1: LB, CB, OG, OT, S
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans made some moves on the defensive line, signing Foley Fatukasi and versatile Denico Autry. They still need some help on the defensive line, but it’s shifting their focus to the outside that should be top priority now. Finding a potential elite pairing next to Will Anderson Jr. could make this Houston front a scary unit in 2024.
Texans’ Needs Before Day 1: DT, WR, CB, OT, EDGE
Texans’ Needs After Day 1: EDGE, DT, WR, CB, OT
Indianapolis Colts
Locking up their interior defensive line, the Indianapolis Colts re-signed Grover Stewart and have the pieces to make their rotation a formidable one in 2024. That means safety and tight ends move up the list of priorities as does finding some depth pieces off the edge in April.
Colts’ Needs Before Day 1: WR, CB, DT, S, EDGE
Colts’ Needs After Day 1: WR, CB, S, EDGE, TE
MORE: Top 10 WRs in the 2024 NFL Draft
Jacksonville Jaguars
It will all likely come down to what happens with Calvin Ridley, but paying WR Gabe Davis near-WR1 money all but means they’ve moved on. Davis’ agreeing to terms also moves cornerback up the Jaguars’ list of needs, but it doesn’t rule them out completely from grabbing at least another playmaker for Trevor Lawrence.
Jaguars’ Needs Before Day 1: DT, WR, CB, OG, OC
Jaguars’ Needs After Day 1: DT, CB, WR, OG, OT
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs weren’t really players during Day 1 of the legal tampering period, and nor should the two-time defending Super Bowl Champs have been. After re-signing DT Chris Jones, their biggest move is already behind them and they can keep working on scouting the 2024 NFL Draft class for some potential steals to bolster their roster.
Chiefs’ Needs Before Day 1: WR, OT, LB, DT, CB
Chiefs’ Needs After Day 1: WR, OT, LB, DT, CB
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders will be tied to the Justin Fields trade saga until they aren’t, and that’s despite agreeing to sign Gardner Minshew. However, their biggest move on Day 1 came with Josh Jacobs officially out of the picture as it moved running back up the priority list.
Raiders’ Needs Before Day 1: QB, OT, DT, CB, RB
Raiders’ Needs After Day 1: QB, OT, RB, CB, DT
Los Angeles Chargers
While the Mock Draft Simulator can’t assess for a team shopping their players to become cap-friendly, it can make moves based on signings and trades — neither of which the Los Angeles Chargers did in terms of needle-moving player acquisitions during Day 1. As such, their team needs have stayed the same.
Chargers’ Needs Before Day 1: CB, OC, OT, DT, TE
Chargers’ Needs After Day 1: CB, OC, OT, DT, TE
Los Angeles Rams
When it came to their team needs from a draft perspective, the Los Angeles Rams did little on Day 1. In fact, they didn’t do anything to alter their needs as their reported signings aren’t set to come close to what we’ve pegged as their highest priorities.
Rams’ Needs Before Day 1: CB, EDGE, OT, LB, S
Rams’ Needs After Day 1: CB, EGE, OT, LB, S
Miami Dolphins
In what almost felt like a fire sale on former Miami Dolphins during Day 1, the roster in Miami is in need of a lot. Because of the fact they didn’t address any of the positions that took the highest priority, their needs stayed roughly the same. Daviyon Nixon’s signing allowed wide receiver to come a spot higher, but it’s all offensive line at the top for Miami.
Dolphins’ Needs Before Day 1: OC, OG, OT, WR, DT
Dolphins’ Needs After Day 1: OC, OG, OT, DT, WR
MORE: Top iOL in the 2024 NFL Draft
Minnesota Vikings
The day was set to center around Kirk Cousins, and after it was evident they were unable to re-sign their QB, the top need for the Minnesota Vikings was validated. However, Minnesota worked to sign DE Jonathan Greenard and addressed their back seven with multiple signings, so EDGE was completely removed in favor of cornerback.
Vikings’ Needs Before Day 1: QB, EDGE, OG, DT, RB
Vikings’ Needs After Day 1: QB, DT, OG, RB, CB
New England Patriots
Despite a handful of moves, the New England Patriots didn’t quite make a splash on Day 1. Sure, Chukwuma Okorafor and Tyrone Wheatley Jr. help fulfill some depth issues at tackle, it doesn’t take away their need for top talent at the position. The Patriots trading away Mac Jones, however, all but guaranteed them taking a quarterback at the top of Round 1 in April.
Patriots’ Needs Before Day 1: QB, WR, OT, CB, TE
Patriots’ Needs After Day 1: QB, WR, OT, CB, TE
MORE: Jayden Daniels Shuts Down Rumors That He Doesn’t Want to be Drafted by the Patriots
New Orleans Saints
Quite literally making no noise during Day 1, the New Orleans Saints’ team needs from a draft perspective sat unchanged. They’ll likely not be this quiet if anything does change with Michael Thomas, and you better believe if Thomas is moved, wide receiver will vault up their list of needs.
Saints’ Needs Before Day 1: OT, OG, DT, EDGE, QB
Saints’ Needs After Day 1: OT, OG, DT, EDGE, QB
New York Giants
One of the biggest shake-ups to the 2024 NFL Draft came when the New York Giants acquired DE Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers. However, it wasn’t Burns’ acquisition that created the biggest ripple effect in the Giants’ team needs, it was the signing of G Jon Runyan that ultimately may dictate where the Giants are locked into drafting with the sixth pick.
Giants’ Needs Before Day 1: WR, OT, OG, QB, EDGE
Giants’ Needs After Day 1: WR, OT, QB, EDGE, S
New York Jets
In a quiet day for the New York Jets, they reportedly set to re-sign K Greg Zuerlein as their only move of Day 1. That, of course, wouldn’t move their team needs as they have much bigger fish to fry.
Jets’ Needs Before Day 1: OT, WR, S, DT, QB
Jets’ Needs After Day 1: OT, WR, S, DT, QB
Philadelphia Eagles
It should be noted that it’s rare for a team to actually need a running back. Acquiring a player like Saquon Barkley, however, will move the needle one way or another. Barkley heads to Philadelphia and allows the Eagles the ability to focus on other important positions throughout the 2024 NFL Draft.
Eagles’ Needs Before Day 1: CB, S, LB, WR, RB
Eagles’ Needs After Day 1: CB, S, LB, WR, EDGE
MORE: Top 10 CBs in the 2024 NFL Draft
Pittsburgh Steelers
The acquisition of Russell Wilson moves the needle for the Pittsburgh Steelers but only for this draft class. Pittsburgh didn’t make any other moves of note — besides agreeing to sign P Cameron Johnson — and as such, their needs stay the same, except for adding wide receiver in favor of quarterback.
Steelers’ Needs Before Day 1: CB, OT, OC, S, QB
Steelers’ Needs After Day 1: CB, OT, OC, S, WR
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers didn’t go quietly during Day 1 of the legal tampering period, moving to agree to terms with DE Leonard Floyd. That dropped their need of an edge defender from their secondary need in the draft and allows them to make up for the loss of Arik Armstead as a high-priority move now.
49ers’ Needs Before Day 1: OT, EDGE, CB, OG, DT
49ers’ Needs After Day 1: OT, DT, CB, OG, EDGE
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks weren’t major players during the opening day of the legal tampering period. Though they’ve retained Bobby Wagner for now, they’ll likely be set to lose their all-time great at the position and will need to replace him at linebacker quickly. However, that need isn’t nearly as glaring as their needs on the interior of the offensive line still are.
Seahawks’ Needs Before Day 1: OG, OC, LB, DT, CB
Seahawks’ Needs After Day 1: OG, OC, LB, DT, CB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reached an agreement and secured their relationship for at least the next three years, removing QB from the list of needs for Tampa. Yet, it was dealing CB Carlton Davis that was the biggest move for the Bucs as it vaulted cornerback up the board — behind adding an edge defender, that is.
Buccaneers’ Needs Before Day 1: OC, EDGE, OG, S, QB
Buccaneers’ Needs After Day 1: EDGE, CB, OC, OG, S
MORE: Top 10 EDGE Defenders in the 2024 NFL Draft
Tennessee Titans
Agreeing to terms with RB Tony Pollard, the Tennessee Titans have paired together a dynamic running back duo in light of having one of the best ever in Derrick Henry the past handful of seasons. Running back is off the board for Tennessee, but the additions elsewhere didn’t quite alter their draft needs nor move the needle in their favor.
Titans’ Needs Before Day 1: OT, WR, RB, CB, DT
Titans’ Needs After Day 1: OT, WR, CB, DT, LB
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders brought in Zach Ertz, Tyler Biadasz, Frankie Luvu, Doranze Armstrong, and Austin Ekeler in a handful of moves that certainly helps understand the direction the franchise is moving. However, only Luvu really tipped the scales at addressing team-specific needs in April, and their list of needs stays roughly the same.
Commanders’ Needs Before Day 1: QB, EDGE, OT, LB, CB
Commanders’ Needs After Day 1: QB, OT, EDGE, CB, S
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