Houston Texans: Boundary cornerback
Overall, it’s hard to hate on the Texans draft. General manager Bill O’Brien addressed needs on the defense with the selections of Jonathan Greenard and Ross Blacklock. Who knows, perhaps Charlie Heck could become an all-time great on the line.
John Reid will play a similar role to Kareem Jackson. The problem is Houston needed to address the outside cornerback position. Someone like Bryce Hall over Isaiah Coulter could have been the right call early. Now, Houston will hope Lonnie Johnson or Bradley Roby won’t be a liability in coverage this season against an improved AFC South.
Indianapolis Colts: Defensive line
The Colts could have a steal with Jacob Eason as their future signal-caller. For now, the additions of Michael Pittman Jr. and Jonathan Taylor could help Philip Rivers rebound after a dreadful final season out west.
Indianapolis still will need help on the defensive line. Sure, perhaps Julian Blackmon will improve the secondary, but perhaps Jordan Elliott could have been an immediate upgrade at the position. DeForest Buckner will be the team’s key starter, but an injury could cause the team to regret this pick long term.
Kansas City Chiefs: Interior offensive line
Kansas City will stay on cloud nine following their Super Bowl victory earlier this year. Meanwhile, the additions of Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Willie Gay Jr. are moves to help keep the franchise afloat for the foreseeable future.
If we’re nit-picking, perhaps the team should have added depth in the trenches. With Stefen Wisniewski now with the Steelers, the team will need to hope their offensive line can hold and perhaps move third-round pick Lucas Niang inside.
There’s little to not like about the Chiefs, but this could be a move that comes back to bite them later.
Los Angeles Chargers: Interior offensive line
The Chargers addressed their biggest problem under center with the addition of Justin Herbert. Will he be the solution? Perhaps, but he fixes a problem at hand. Meanwhile, the additions of Kenneth Murray and Joshua Kelley fix immediate needs at linebacker and secondary runner.
The team improved their offensive line, but either Dan Feeney or Forrest Lamp will need to be the answer at guard. Both have struggled since being drafted, and one will have to be the answer should Herbert expect to succeed in year one.
While Los Angeles improved, one small need could be a big problem down the line.
Los Angeles Rams: Offensive line
Look, the Rams will need a year to build back up, but the 2020 Draft didn’t help. Why was Cam Akers selected before a pass rusher? Did the team forget about adding a starting-caliber linebacker? And why take a tight end that early?
All those things could be forgiven if not for the fact they forgot about their offensive line woes. Jared Goff took a step back last season thanks to inadequate offensive line play, and the team never addressed the problem. Looks like their $130 million quarterback will be running for his life again this season.
Minnesota Vikings: Nothing
What didn’t the Vikings add with their 13 total picks? Everything. They added everything they needed this offseason. Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman should sleep soundly after this overhaul.
New England Patriots: Quarterback
Did you add a successor for Tom Brady? No? Better call Cam Newton or Jameis Winston, Bill.
New Orleans Saints: Wide receiver
Although the team added Emmanuel Sanders this offseason, a third option could have helped. Tre’Quan Smith broke out for a rookie, yet only tallied 18 catches during his sophomore season.
The Saints have few holes with the additions of Zach Baun and Cesar Ruiz. Perhaps Adam Trautman could become the long-term No.3 weapon for Drew Brees’ final curtain call. Still, with a plethora of receivers on the board, perhaps adding at least one could have pushed Smith to improve before the start of the season.
Philadelphia Eagles: Cornerback
The Eagles will have Rasul Douglas, Jalen Mills, Sidney Jones, and Cre’von LeBlanc hit the free-agent market next offseason. Instead of addressing the need at cornerback, Howie Roseman thought it meant quarterback and selected Jalen Hurts.
Hurts is a sound player, but the Eagles have already extended Carson Wentz to a $134 million deal last offseason. What will the former Alabama and Oklahoma signal-caller bring to the table? LSU’s Kristian Fulton was there for the taking, and instead, Roseman ignored a glaring need the entire draft.
Here’s hoping on one of the four will do just enough to keep the Eagles in contention, but also under their salary cap next offseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Nose tackle
The Steelers made a tough call this offseason when they chose to let Javon Hargrave walk. Sure, the need at pass rush will be set now with Bud Dupree, but you’d think the team would add Hargrave’s replacement before the seventh round.
Carlos Davis is a quality addition, but far from a starter in the trenches. Instead of having one of the top defensive stars, such as Texas A&M’s Justin Madubuike, the Steelers added another weapon in Chase Claypool to their receiving corps.
Moves like that in a tough division could be the reason Pittsburgh is sitting at home come January.
San Francisco 49ers: Cornerback depth
The 49ers might not receive a ton of praise this draft season, but the addition of Trent Williams makes them a winner. The seven-time Pro Bowler should replace Joe Staley on the line for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, both Brandon Aiyuk and Javon Kinlaw address the problems DeForest Bucker and Emmanuel Sanders left this offseason.
While Richard Sherman will still have another season out in the bay, the team could still use depth. At 32-years-old, Sherman will be on the back end of his career, despite a quality second year out west. Still, Bryce Hall was available when the team selected Colton McKivitz in the fifth round.
Sometimes, you need to build for the future late. This was one time John Lynch should have looked beyond 2020.
Seattle Seahawks: Interior defensive line
As much as fans might not like the Jordyn Brooks pick, John Schneider can still walk away with an overall quality class. Damien Lewis will add depth to an offensive line, while second-round pick Darrell Taylor could be a perfect pairing with L.J. Collier for the future.
For now, the team still should have addressed the need in the middle. While Jarran Reed will return to the 12th Man, Jadeveon Clowney is still a mystery. After spending a season inside, he’ll have the edge when it comes to contract negotiations.
Seattle is in win-now mode. It’s best to add one of the top defenders as soon as possible before it’s too late.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: None
Much like the Minnesota Vikings, I dare you to find a hole in the Buccaneers draft class. Granted, while they could have addressed needs such as defensive line earlier, the additions of Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tyler Johnson on the second and third day make up for the lack of depth.
Tampa Bay added Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski this offseason. They also addressed their need for a right tackle in Tristan Wirfs. It’s time to take them seriously as a threat in the NFC.
Tennessee Titans: Third receiver
Isaiah Wilson should take over for Jack Conklin, while Kristian Fulton was a steal on the second day. The Titans addressed two major needs for their long term goals early, while also adding depth across the field.
Perhaps another receiver to push Corey Davis could have brought some competition to the offense. The former top-five pick has only tallied 142 catches and six touchdowns heading into a contract year. A.J. Brown has transformed into a star, but the team should have added pressure to both Davis and Adam Humphries.
Overall, it’s hard to ignore the fact that Tennessee needs competition at the receiver role.