The 2024 NFL Draft is finally here, and we're taking a look at each team in the NFC Conference's needs heading into draft day.
Each team throughout the conference has a chance to make some big time improvements on their roster.
Here is each team's needs throughout the NFC heading into of the 2024 NFL Draft.
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2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC North): Detroit Lions
Team Needs: CB, S, Edge, WR
The Detroit Lions were just one game away from the Super Bowl last season, failing on the road against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.
Over the years the Lions have grown a reputation of typically picking high in the draft in hopes of finding their franchise savior but now will be looking for pieces to help them get over the next hump in the playoffs.
The Lions could likely use this draft to add depth to their defense along with their receiver core.
Detroit addressed their cornerback situation in free agency by re-signing Emmanuel Moseley along with signing Carlton Davis III. But even through these moves, the Lions could still use some depth at the position, especially after cutting Cameron Sutton, who is dealing with legal issues at the moment.
They could also use the 2024 NFL Draft to add significant depth at pass-rush to help out Aidan Hutchinson, who was big time last season for the Detroit Lions.
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2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC North): Green Bay Packers
Team Needs: OT, LB, CB, DT
In their first season of the post-Rodgers era, the Green Bay Packers had an impressive season with Jordan Love under center. The Packers reached the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game last season, but unfortunately fell to the San Francisco 49ers.
The focus of this draft should be finding ways to support their new franchise QB while building their defense further.
The Packers' offensive line remains one of the best in the league but will be affected without David Bakhtiari moving forward. The pro offensive lineman was cut from the roster after dealing with nagging knee injuries.
The Packers would likely look to draft his replacement.
In other areas, the Packers spent a lot of money to get safety Xavier Mckinney in free agency, but they could likely find another defensive back in this year's draft to pair with him moving forward.
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2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC North): Minnesota Vikings
Team Need: QB, Edge, OL, DT
The Minnesota Vikings will likely try to find their new franchise quarterback in the first round this year, considering the quality of QB talent in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Finding the right one would be all important with Justin Jefferson's free agency status coming into play next year.
The Minnesota Vikings could also use this year's draft to sure up their trenches, both on offense and defense.
2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC North): Chicago Bears
Team Needs: QB, WR, OL, Edge, DT
With the Chicago Bears likely taking Caleb Williams with the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the goal would be to complete their roster around the promising quarterback prospect.
Chicago could likely add another receiver this year, adding to their WR core that has improved significantly since trading for Keenan Allen this offseason and D.J. Moore in the previous.
The Bears could also draft some interior offensive linemen to help protect their potential franchise quarterback.
Defensive end is another position they should address even after trading for Montez Sweat last year, as the Chicago Bears still ranked 31st in sacks with only 30 for the 2023 season.
2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC South): Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Team Needs: OL, Edge, CB, LB, S
Last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South Division by a hair, finishing the year with a 9-8 record behind quarterback Baker Mayfield. The Bucs made it to the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game, where they fell to the Detroit Lions.
Tampa Bay re-signed Baker Mayfield, trusting him for the long run. Now they come into this year's NFL draft needing to address major issues on defense, more specifically in their secondary.
With Devin White's and Carlton Davis' departures, the Buccaneers should look to use their picks to address these secondary positions.
An edge rusher also comes to mind when discussing the NFL draft needs for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC South): New Orleans Saints
Team Needs: OT, WR
The New Orleans Saints find themselves in an interesting position ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. The team missed the playoffs finishing at 9-8 and now heads into the draft only having to address a small amount of roster issues, but will eventually pay the price in cap space down the line.
Offensive line help is a significant concern for the Saints as right tackle Ryan Ramczyk missed the season's final four games with a nagging knee issue and Trevor Penning was benched in six games due to poor play.
Continuing on offense, the New Orleans Saints could bring in another wide receiver, being that they released Michael Thomas and will need another wideout alongside Chris Olave to help out Derek Carr.
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2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC South): Atlanta Falcons
Team Needs: Edge, CB, DT, QB
The Atlanta Falcons were one of the busiest teams in the league during free agency,
The Falcons signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year deal worth up to $180 million while also adding receivers Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore to play alongside Drake London.
Atlanta is stacked on offense. After taking Bijan Robinson and Drake London in the past two drafts, they could address their issues on defense this year.
Pass rusher is a position of concern for the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta did double their total sacks last season from 21 to 43.
However, they still finished at the bottom of the league in that area.
Another position the Falcons could use some more depth at is cornerback, being that Jeff Okudah left Atlanta via free agency.
Despite signing Kirk Cousins, who is coming off an Achilles injury, the Falcons could use one of their picks to take a young quarterback. It's unlikely, but whoever they take will probably not see the field anytime soon. However, having someone to sit and develop behind Kirk Cousins couldn't hurt for the future.
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2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC South): Carolina Panthers
Team Needs: WR, CB
The Carolina Panthers' goal this offseason is to make life easier for second-year quarterback Bryce Young.
Wide receiver is the first position the Panthers should address in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Panthers have taken a positive step by acquiring Diontae Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this offseason. Their next move should be to continue adding more playmakers to support Bryce Young in a seemingly fruitful receiver draft this year.
Last season the Panthers wide receiver core consisted of Adam Thielen, Jonathan Mingo and Terrace Marshall Jr.; all were at times productive wideouts but weren't the difference-makers that Young needed for his development.
In other areas, the Carolina Panthers could look to upgrade their secondary. The Panthers sent their starting cornerback, Donte Jackson, to Pittsburgh in the trade to acquire Johnson. They re-signed Troy Hill, but still they could use more depth at the position.
2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC East): Dallas Cowboys
Team Needs: OL, DT, RB, WR, LB
The Dallas Cowboys are coming off one of their better seasons, finishing the year 12-5 before being bounced to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card game.
Fast-forward to free agency, where some key names have exited the team, as the Cowboys look to use this year's NFL Draft to address several of those missing pieces. After being flat footed in free agency, Dallas will have to rely on hitting their picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Despite his questionable health in recent years, Tyron Smith's impact in Dallas could not be understated. Smith was huge for the Cowboys offensive line throughout his career, making first-team all-pro twice. His departure leaves a glaring hole in the Cowboys' line, but Dallas could find an answer for this weakness on Day 1; taking another highly rated offensive tackle.
Center is another position on the offensive line in which Dallas took a hit at, as Tyler Biadasz left for the Washington Commanders. The Cowboys found him in the fourth round of the 2020 draft, and he has been productive. However, him leaving via free agency leaves the Cowboys needing to fill yet another hole in their O-line.
Since the Cowboys moved on to Ezekiel Eliott, the team has struggled to find success at the running back position.
Tony Pollard was supposed to be the answer at RB for the Cowboys, but he has since signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency, adding the running back position to the Cowboys many roster needs.
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2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC East): Philadelphia Eagles
Team Needs: CB, TE, EDGE, OL, CB
After a disappointing season, losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card game, the Philadelphia Eagles made some big splash moves with free agency signings of Saquon Barkley, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Bryce Huff; adding to an already stacked roster.
Despite boasting one of the league's deepest and most talented rosters, they can easily use this draft to only get better in their quest to return to the Super Bowl.
One primary need for the Eagles to address in the 2024 NFL Draft is their secondary. Darius Slay missed five games with a knee injury and James Bradberry showed some signs of regression last season; adding another piece to that core couldn't hurt.
Another roster spot the Eagles should address is on the offensive line, with long-time All-Pro center Jason Kelce's retirement, Philly will have big shoes to fill.
The Philadelphia Eagles still have one of the best lines in the league behind Landon Dickerson and Lane Johnson up front, however, you never want to have a crack in the O-line that other teams will look to exploit.
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2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC East): New York Giants
Team Needs: WR, QB, OT, CB, DT
Some may argue that it is time for the New York Giants to go in another direction at quarterback after a down year from Daniel Jones. Despite paying Jones a four-year $160 million contract, the Giants could use one of their first-round picks on a quarterback, as a precaution to if Daniel Jones doesn't pan out as the Giants' franchise guy.
Daniel Jones is coming off a disappointing year before suffering a season-ending ACL tear injury in Week 8. Seeing the talent level of the quarterbacks in this year's NFL Draft, the New York Giants may be tempted to try their luck on a fresh young QB.
Whatever the Giants do, take a quarterback or keep rolling out Daniel Jones, they need to find him a No.1 option. The Giants wide receiver core is mediocre, not having a difference-maker at the position since Odell Beckham Jr.
They have some talent at the position in Darius Slayton and Jalin Hyatt, but they could benefit greatly from a star at the position.
Other holes that need plugging include help at running back, with Saquon Barkley's departure, and in the secondary, with defensive back Xavier Mckinney also leaving in free agency. The Giants could go out and find both their replacements in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC East): Washington Commanders
Team Needs: QB, WR, OT, CB, EDGE
The Washington Commanders tied with the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots for the second-worst record in the league, finishing at 4-13, as the team saw a massive coaching change going from Ron Riveria to Dan Quinn.
The Commanders could see more changes through this year's NFL draft.
After trading quarterback Sam Howell to the Seattle Seahawks, the Commanders will undoubtedly go all in on the position in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Caleb Williams is the consensus No.1 overall pick and seems Chicago-bound. However, Washington does have open options between Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy, or Drake Maye.
After signing Tyler Biadasz, the Commanders could continue to rebuild their line to protect their potential future franchise QB. Taking a left tackle in the second or third round is not out of the question for Washington.
Another need to fill could be an edge rusher. Since trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young, the Commanders, have struggled in getting pressure on opposing teams' quarterbacks. In an offense-heavy draft this year, the Washington Commanders may be able to get a later round steal at the position.
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2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC West): San Francisco 49ers
Team Needs: CB, OL, WR, TE
The San Francisco 49ers came just short of their goal in winning the Super Bowl last February.
Now, they will be looking to fill several roster gaps in an effort to return to the big game.
One area the team could look to improve on is the offensive line.
With Trent Williams turning 36 when the season starts, and coming off not his best year, the 49ers may look for upgrades in that area come draft time.
One of their strengths last season was their wide receiver core. However, with Brandon Aiyuk seeking a contract extension and Jauan Jennings scheduled to hit free agency next year, we can picture a world where they take a flier on a wideout.
The San Francisco 49ers could take a chance on a young CB in the later rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.
2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC West): Los Angeles Rams
Team Needs: Edge, CB
After an injury-riddled season from their key contributors, the Los Angeles Rams still were able to return to the postseason.
Heading into the draft, the Rams could address a massive hole on their defensive line as Hall of Fame bound DT Aaron Donald retired early this offseason.
Seemingly, no one could genuinely replicate Donald's productivity immediately for the Rams. His 10 seasons of destruction made the Rams defense deadly throughout his career. However, they could begin with this year's draft by attempting to fill his shoes on the defensive line.
The Los Angeles Rams will likely go all in on defense along with filling out other gaps at cornerback and offensive line, being that depth at both positions never hurts.
2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC West): Seattle Seahawks
Team Needs: Edge, DT, LB, OL
It's a new era in Seattle!
With Mike MacDonald taking over for Pete Carroll as head coach, the Seahawks are expected to look different moving forward, and the 2024 NFL Draft could be the starting point.
The Seattle Seahawks will look to make improvements on defense.
They can come away from this draft bolstering their defensive line, even after they re-signed Leonard Williams. The Seahawks are set to be good defensively under MacDonald, and drafting players that fit his scheme would be ideal.
In other areas, the Seahawks could likely upgrade their front seven. They made some key short term signings in picking up linebackers Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker, who signed one-year contracts. Both aren't long-term solutions, which could see the team looking elsewhere in the draft at that position.
Finally, the Seattle Seahawks should address their offensive line. Much of their line consists of younger players, and they could look to get another piece to help pull the unit together.
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2024 NFL Draft Needs (NFC West): Arizona Cardinals
Teams Needs: WR, CB, EDGE, OL, RB
After playing most of the last season without their star QB Kyler Murray, the Arizona Cardinals are picking high in the draft after yet another disappointing season.
The wide receiver position is the number one need for the Cardinals to address.
During the offseason, Marquise Brown left via free agency and Rondale Moore was traded to the Falcons, leaving Murray without many options for the 2024 season.
The Arizona Cardinals defense also struggled for most of the 2023 season, only registering 33 sacks in 17 games; they could make a splash by taking a defensive lineman in the second round.
Other areas that could use improvements are the offensive line and possibly some depth at the defensive back positions.
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