1 of 32 Despite a group’s efforts to allocate its space and meet multiple needs, we can still identify shallow areas in the depth charts. Throughout the league, veterans playing, inexperienced backups and players on one-year deals are currently projected as key players without much competition for the lead role. Teams can strengthen these positions with top picks in the draft. We highlighted the three biggest needs for all 32 teams and outlined a first-round draft perspective that could have an impact on one of these positions.

Edge-rusher Wide receiver Defensive linear

The Arizona Cardinals need to strengthen their seven. They lost the top Chandler Jones along with defensive winger Jordan Phillips to the free agent and defensive tackle Corey Peters remains available in the open market. JJ Watt is not reliable for a full season. He has lost 18 games since 2019. Last season, the Cardinals tried to stop the streak, abandoning 4.6 yards per attempt in a hurry, ranking 26th in the league. With this disadvantage, they have to replace the home defenders who have been lost in recent weeks. Devon Kennard and Dennis Gardeck could be sidelined, but the front office will need to look for an upgrade to fill an All-Pro player gap in Jones. In addition to the pressing needs on the defensive front, Arizona will have to take another side out to compensate for the departure of Christian Kirk. The club has re-signed AJ Green, but is embarking on a campaign at the age of 34. Fourth Kyler Murray would appreciate another young attacking playmaker against DeAndre Hopkins, while Rondale Moore holds the slot position. Possible Fit Early-Round: Houston DL Logan Hall 2 of 32

Carterback Wide receiver Edge-rusher

The Atlanta Falcons move into the era after Matt Ryan after being traded to the Indianapolis Colts and signing Marcus Mariota, who has made 30 regular-season passes since 2020. The Falcons can use their choice in the first round to a general to learn the ropes, while Mariota plays the role of the bridge. However, the veteran answering machine needs more weapons besides Kyle Pitts. The league suspended Calvin Ridley for at least the 2022 season for NFL betting and Russell Gage signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leaving Cordarrelle Patterson in first place among the club’s wide outs. With him taking part in the ground attack last season (153 races for 618 yards and six touchdowns), Atlanta will need more of backup career fans Auden Tate and Olamide Zaccheaus to strengthen their position. Even before the Falcons released Dante Fowler Jr., who scored just 4.5 bags and 17 pressures last season, they should have targeted edge-rushers in the draft. Atlanta finished with the fewest sacks (18) and the lowest pressure (16.7 percent) in 2021. Early-Round Fit Capability: Liberty QB Malik Willis 3 of 32

Cornerback Edge-rusher Centre

In recent years, the Baltimore Ravens have had great depth in the corner, but that is not the case at the moment, and they left most of the passing yards last season. Baltimore lost Anthony Averet, Tavon Young and even Chris Westry to free agents. The team has not re-signed Jimmy Smith and Marcus Peters will try to bounce back from a torn ACL. Although Marlon Humphrey can play on the edge and in the slot, the Ravens need to add a cover to complete the top three places in the depth chart. Baltimore can also boost its air defenses with an edge-rusher after Tyus Bowser tore his Achilles in January. Although head coach John Harbaugh predicts that the outside defender will return for training, the front desk will have to add another player to the rotation anyway. Unless the Ravens have re-signed Justin Houston or Pernell McPhee, they are not far behind Bowser and Odafe Oweh. In attack, Patrick Mekari could replace Bradley Bozeman in the center, but he could fall into a backup role with the ability to play multiple positions. Last year, the flexible lineman took most of his snapshots at the right tackle. Possible Early-Round application: Iowa IOL Tyler Linderbaum 4 of 32 The Buffalo Bills have been upgraded to the right guard, releasing Daryl Williams and signing Rodger Saffold, who is coming from a Pro Bowl season. Early in the upcoming draft, the club will have to target an inside offensive line to push Ike Boettger to the left. In 2021, Boettger shared the left-footed snapshot with Jon Feliciano, who signed with the New York Giants in free agency, and Ryan Bates, an experienced backup in all five positions across the offensive line. A good Day 2 prospect could win a battle for the lead role. Buffalo has bigger problems on the secondary. Cornerback Levi Wallace left for the Pittsburgh Steelers, which leaves a gap in the starting line-up against Tre’Davious White, who is recovering from a torn ACL.
In addition, Jordan Poyer’s new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, approached the team for an extension in the hope that safety could play his career in Buffalo (h / t Athletic Tim Graham). With only $ 2.2 million at the top, the Bills could draw up insurance if they are unsure of the direction of expansion talks with Rosenhaus. Possible application at the beginning of the round: Washington CB Trent McDuffie 5 of 32

Carterback Aggressive tackle Internal offensive linear

The Carolina Panthers lost their lead for layoffs in 2021 with edge-rusher Haason Reddick in the free agent, but Yetur Gross-Matos, a 2020 runner-up with six career layoffs, could fill that gap in an expanded role. Carolina will have to use its resources to improve an attack that scored the fourth fewest points and scored the third fewest yards in 2021. The Panthers have a dilemma with Sam Darnold coming out of a downgraded campaign, shooting for nine touchdowns and 13 cuts with a 59.9% completion rate. It can only start a year in Carolina. According to Albert Breer of The MMQB, the team has scheduled visits with the top signal callers in the 2022 category. If the Panthers pick a quarterback in the first round, they will have to add competition for the attacking team with their Day 3 options. Or maybe Carolina will get Day 2 options in a move behind No. 6. of the general position. Last year, Brady Christensen played many positions on the offensive line. He is not yet quite ready in the left tackle. Bradley Bozeman and Pat Elflein have experience in the center and guard, but the latter has struggled mainly in both positions. Possible application at the beginning of the round: Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett 6 of 32

Wide receiver Aggressive tackle Cornerback

The new Chicago Bears regime has not done enough to support General Justin Fields. In addition to an opening in the tackle, it needs a wide receiver that can complement the Darnell Mooney. Through 12 games (10 starts), Fields got the 10th most dismissals (36) in the entire league last season. Even if he gets rid of the ball a little faster, passers-by may be able to hit him due to the Bears inexperience in tackling. Larry Borom, who is in the fifth round of 2021, opened with the first unit in eight games last year. He stands out as the current starter opposite Teven Jenkins, who has played 161 career highlights. The stadiums and receiver Allen Robinson did not have a very good relationship last season, so the latter’s move to the Los Angeles Rams is not a huge loss, but the front office must find a perimeter playmaker to strengthen the 30th ranking air attack from the 2021 campaign. Last off-season, the Bears released Kyle Fuller, who pushed Kindle Vildor to the lead role. However, it did not perform at the initial caliber level, allowing a completion rate of 69.5%, six touchdowns and a score of 136.1 passers in coverage. The new Tavon Young cover will most likely be played on the slot machine, leaving a question mark on the margins. Possible Fit Early-Round: Georgia WR George Pickens 7 of 32

Cornerback Tight end Security

The Cincinnati Bengals have met their greatest need for a free agency, so they should aim for prospects who may challenge some of the shallow spot veterans in the depth chart. The Bengalis re-signed cornerback Eli Apple, who had a decent season, allowing a completion rate of 60.3 per cent and a score of 86.6 passing. He has a one-year contract and the team released Trae Waynes who was often injured. Cincinnati can design a corner, capable of taking the starting position at some point in the upcoming campaign. Cincinnati also signed Hayden Hirst on a one-year deal after CJ Uzomah signed with the New York Jets as a free agent. Hurst can produce in a selected position and did so with the Atlanta Falcons during the 2020 campaign, recording 56 receptions for 571 yards and six touchdowns. However, he is now in his third team and is starting his fifth season. In addition, Drew Sample, a second round of 2019, has only caught 56 ​​passes for 460 yards and a touchdown in his career. In the draft, Cincinnati can find a playmaker who catches a pass that will man the position long after the 2022 season. The Bengalis have not yet signed a long-term franchise with Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell has just one year left on his contract. The team needs a little depth behind it. Possible application at the beginning of the round: Florida CB Kaiir Elam 8 of 32