Each Team's Most Pressing Need going into 2022 Off-Season
The 2021 season is officially over. It is weird to say, but it is. With the Rams defeating the Bengals in Super Bowl 56, every team is now entering the off-season that is sure to be one of great intrigue and lots of player movement. We will discuss the players and draft picks and everything off-season related in the coming days, weeks, and months, but to commence the off-season, we decided to write each team's biggest positional need going into this time.
Arizona Cardinals: Interior Offensive Line
We all saw it in their embarrassing playoff loss to the Rams, their offensive line needs serious work. Murray was sacked just twice in the loss, but he was instantly pressured on almost every play in that game and it resulted in two terrible interceptions along with a total of only 137 passing yards and just 6 rushing yards. That is not how Kyler Murray can play if the Cardinals ever want to win big. Murray is at his best when he has a little time to air it out or make plays with his legs. The interior of the offensive line could use a serious upgrade.
Secondary need: Cornerback
The Niners have built up a very quality roster with not very many holes. That being said, cornerback may have cost them the chance to head to Super Bowl 56. While Jaquiski Tartt is more of a safety than a corner, we all know his dropped INT that would have won them the game. It just shows the consistency the Niners do not have on the back end. Guys like Emmanuel Moseley and K'Waun Williams cannot be your starting tandem with all of the WR talent their is within the NFC West. Expect the Niners to go all in on upgrading this position in the off-season.
Secondary need: Interior Offensive Line
Los Angeles Rams: Linebacker
Being the defending champs, there obviously isn't a ton of pressure to upgrade like some of these other teams, still, the Rams are going to have a busy off-season. With little draft capital and little cap space, the Rams will need to make some key decisions on pending free agents. That being said, regardless of who they bring back and who they don't, LB seems to be their biggest hole. Ernest Jones was a really underrated player for them this season and looks like he could be a key piece in their defense for years to come, but other than that, rolling with guys like Troy Reeder among others won't cut it. It's a strong LB draft class and a deep LB free agent pool, the Rams will have their work cut out for them.
Secondary need: Cornerback
For the Seahawks, I think with a healthy Russell Wilson, they will be a playoff team again in 2022. Adding an elite pass rusher or maybe even two could make this team go from a fringe playoff team to a Super Bowl contender. As bad as their defense was at times last season, it finished as one of the better defenses in the league points allowed-wise (8th least). That was with a virtually non-existent pass rush. There are plenty of star veteran FA rushers hitting the market and it would be quite a loss for this team if they couldn't end up with one.
Secondary need: Offensive Tackle
Denver Broncos: Quarterback
This is an obvious one. The Broncos have a near elite roster but continuously find themselves as the bottom-dwellers of the ultra competitive AFC West. With a great up and coming defense and an offense littered with elite skill position players, they truly are a QB away. Their interest in Aaron Rodgers is the worst kept secret in the world, if they land him, they will be top tier title contenders, if not, they will still need to secure someone competent at QB. This team has it all, and if they get that QB, who knows how far this team goes in January.
Secondary need: Edge Rusher
Kansas City Chiefs: Wide Receiver
This might seem like a funny one for such a loaded offensive team, but finding that consistent WR2 behind Tyreek Hill (and also Travis Kelce) would do wonders for an offense that we saw disappear at times during the season. Mecole Hardman is a speedy, lightning in a bottle type of talent, but no quite a consistent outside threat. If the Chiefs can get a steal in the late first round or ink a sure-handed target in FA, they could be primed to return to the Super Bowl after a one-year hiatus.
Secondary need: Defensive Tackle
Los Angeles Chargers: Defensive Lineman (run-stuffers)
The Chargers awful run defense singlehandedly kept them out of the playoffs. We all know how terrible they were against the run in that win and in game against the Raiders, but teams were able to run wild on the Chargers all season long. It has to stop if this team wants to get into the tournament next season. They were the 3rd worst defense in the league in terms of total rushing yards allowed and also rushing yards allowed per game. Finding a run-stuffing defensive tackle or two this off-season with the boatload of cap this team has is a must, and will go a long long way.
Secondary need: Cornerback
With the unfortunate release of Henry Ruggs at the mid-season, the Raiders lacked a true speedster to complement the elite route-runner that was Hunter Renfrow towards the end of 2021. Renfrow and Waller make up quite the receiving tandem for Vegas, but they clearly need one more big play threat that can open up this offense even more. With a nice mid-first round pick in a wildly deep WR class, the Raiders should look to draft one of the top wideouts who can instantly add a new gear to this ascending offense. They are also dark-horse contenders in the Davante Adams FA sweepstakes if Green Bay is unable to retain him.
Secondary need: Linebacker
New York Giants: Offensive Line
The Giants are one of the worst teams in the NFL, so evidently, they have a bevy of needs. I would say their biggest is the offensive line. It was one of the worst groups in the league last season and made it impossible to get Saquon Barkley and the run game going along with giving Daniel Jones any time to throw the ball. New HC Brian Daboll is going to want to put his young offensive players in position to succeed, and with two top ten picks, he is in position to get a pair of the best OL in the class. Hopefully they hit on those picks for the sake of this cursed franchise.
Secondary need: Linebacker
Dallas Cowboys: Defensive Back
While this team is pretty stacked, they usually find a way to choke in the playoffs. A big reason for that could be the inconsistent secondary filled with up-and-down performing defensive backs. Even a guy who had over 10 picks in Trevon Diggs wasn't reliable. Whether it's safety or corner, the Cowboys need to focus their efforts on bringing in some real talent at either or both of those spots. A dominating safety in the middle of the field could be huge for this team, as could a shutdown corner to pair with ball hawk Diggs.
Secondary need: Linebacker
It still feels weird typing Washington Commanders, but I will get used to it. Something that Washington fans have become far too used to is below average QB play. This is the off-season where it feels like that has to change. Ron Rivera has built a deep squad on both offense and defense, that similarly to Denver, feels like they are a QB away from becoming a true contender. Names like Aaron Rodgers, Jameis Winston, Deshaun Watson, Jimmy Garopollo, even Russell Wilson are going to circle around this team all off-season, the bottom line is that this team WILL add a QB. Whether that's via trade, draft, or FA, is what we are left wondering, but it is inevitable.
Secondary need: Wide Receiver
Philadelphia Eagles: Edge Rusher
The Eagles have a bunch of glaring holes on the roster, but they are in luck, holding three top 20 first round picks in the upcoming draft. I would say their biggest of many needs is edge rusher. We saw them get picked apart by the Buccaneers, and a big reason for that was they sent pretty much no pressure the whole game due to the lackluster rushing unit they have. They need to improve in that facet of the game dramatically if they want to be true contenders. Luckily for them, they have those first round picks in a deep edge class.
Secondary need: Cornerback
New England Patriots: Wide Receiver
The Patriots offense had a promising first year with Mac Jones, but they were constantly held back by the lack of playmakers they had on the perimeter. A young QB is not going to be able to hold his own in big games when his WR1 is a combination of Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, and Jakobi Meyers. With some cap space but also draft picks, the Pats should be able to acquire a big-time WR1 threat for Mac Jones to work with.
Secondary need: Cornerback
Aside from young guard Robert Hunt, the rest of the Dolphins' offensive line was horrendously bad in 2021. New offensive minded head coach Mike McDaniel is going to have big plans for this offense revolving around QB Tua Tagovailoa and WR Jaylen Waddle, but drastically upgrading the OL is what will make or break those plans. This group needs to be gutted and overhauled, and the new coaching regime will likely get right to work on that front.
Secondary need: Running Back
New York Jets: Cornerback
The Jets have a ton of needs heading into the off-season, but I feel corner is their biggest. They have no true CB1 on the roster right now and that is a big problem, considering the pass-heavy way the NFL is trending. The Jets can't expect to improve at all going into next season if they don't overhaul their CB room. With two top 10 draft picks, they are in good position to get a premier young CB from the draft, but with cap space as well, they could attempt to lure in a big fish from an outside team.
Secondary need: Offensive Line
Buffalo Bills: Edge Rusher
While the Bills had the best defense in the NFL during the regular season, its weaknesses were greatly exposed during the heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs. The reason they couldn't close out Mahomes and co. was due to their non-existent pass rush. They simply just need better talent there. 2021 first-rounder Greg Rousseau showed flashes, but they are going to need more consistency than that. Expect edge to be this team's biggest desire going into the off-season.
Secondary need: Wide Receiver
I sigh a little writing this one. The Packers have been in dire need of WR help for years, but they simply never address it for whatever reason. The drum beat for WR talent gets even louder this off-season, as Aaron Rodgers may be gone if things don't go perfectly for them. Usually the need is to pair an elite WR with Davante Adams, but with him hitting FA as well, they could lose him too. Green Bay is in a tough position here, but if they can somehow retain Aaron Rodgers and Adams, then addressing the WR2 and even 3 spots becomes a must.
Secondary need: Offensive Line
Detroit Lions: Secondary
The Lions were the second-worst team in the NFL in 2021, mostly due to their horrendously bad secondary. They were bottom 10 in passing yards allowed and per game. This was mostly because of the inexperienced talents they had starting throughout the secondary. Now with cap space and high draft picks, Dan Campbell and co. are going to need to overhaul this defensive back room and figure out the winning formula.
Secondary need: Edge Rusher
Chicago Bears: Offensive Line
The Bears have a lot of needs on the offensive side of the football to build around promising young QB Justin Fields. Cody Whitehair and Teven Jenkins figure to be locks to be quality fixtures amongst the Chicago offensive line again in 2022, but aside from that, every other spot can be up for grabs. We saw times where the Bears offensive line was so bad that Fields was even in tears. If they can improve the group, it could do wonders for Fields' development into a franchise QB.
Secondary need: Wide Receiver
Minnesota Vikings: Cornerback
Finding the right CB duo has been the issue for Minnesota since Xavier Rhodes left town, and it remains to this day. With new HC Kevin O'Connell at the helm, this team may just employ a more aggressive approach to finding talent at CB. They own a top 15 draft pick which seems like a prime spot to snag the CB1 of the future, but even if they do that, they will need more than just that one selection to sturdy up the perimeter of this defense.
Secondary need: Interior Offensive Line
IN ALL CAPS. We all know why the Bengals weren't able to finish out that amazing cinderella run to a Super Bowl title. The offensive line they have been dealing with is one of, if not, the, worst in the NFL. Joe Burrow is a man amongst boys, but it was clear that not even he could overcome that line against the fiercest of D-lines in the big game. With some of the most cap space in the league along with draft picks, the Bengals should have no trouble beefing up the line. The rest of the league should be terrified for what this team might be able to do when this line inevitably gets upgraded this off-season.
Secondary need: MORE offensive line
Baltimore Ravens: Defensive Line
The Ravens will look to be right back in the thick of AFC playoff contention next season following this past season that was lost to injury. While they will get their star offensive players back along with their corners, the defensive line is looking a little barren. Calais Campbell may not be back as he will hit the open market. Odafe Oweh showed potential at times during the season, but he's not enough for this D-line to produce. The Ravens will likely focus on finding multiple upgrades along the line to get back to their dominance of a few seasons back. The 14th pick in the draft will serve as quite a nice piece for doing so here.
Secondary need: Wide Receiver
Cleveland Browns: Wide Receiver
With OBJ long gone and Jarvis Landry seemingly aging, the Browns desperately need upgrades at WR. It seems as if this team is going to give QB Baker Mayfield one last shot to prove himself at QB, and to do that, he's going to need a real WR core. The Browns have a top 20 draft pick that will be able to bring them a stud WR prospect if that's what they elect to do. They also have the cap space to be able to lure in a Davante Adams, Chris Godwin, or Mike Williams in FA. I'm intrigued to see who they get a WR, because it feels inevitable that they make some kind of a big-time add at the position.
Secondary need: Defensive Line
Pittsburgh Steelers: Quarterback
With Big Ben officially gone, the Steelers are in search of their future franchise QB for the first time in decades. It is truly the end of an era in Pittsburgh, but with competitive winner of a coach that is Mike Tomlin, they will pivot quickly and try and find a guy that can produce right away (whether it's an FA like Jameis Winston, or a pro ready rookie). The Steelers offensive line is awful, but QB is an even larger need because playing a guy like Mason Rudolph behind that kind of line is what sets you up to pick first the following year.
Secondary need: Offensive Line
Tom Brady retiring gives Tampa Bay one of the hardest holes to fill in NFL history. They go from one of the best teams in football led by one of the best QBs in football to a major wildcard of a squad. If they can replace Brady with another proven veteran, they could be right back to contending in 2022, if not, they will be back to their days before Brady. The way Tampa goes after losing Brady so abruptly is going to be fascinating. It's already been reported that they will search far and wide for his replacement, as they should.
Secondary need: Defensive Line
Carolina Panthers: Quarterback
A third straight team in dire need of a QB. The Panthers are in a very similar spot to the Steelers. They know their offensive line is downright terrible, but QB has to come first, because finding the franchise QB is always the bottom line, offensive lineman come and go each year. The Panthers may be in the best spot to land a top potential rookie QB as they hold the 6th pick and seem to be the highest drafting team of the ones who are in the QB market. Look for them to be interested in guys like Kenny Pickett or Malik Willis or even entertain moving the pick in a package for a big time vet.
Secondary need: Offensive Tackle
New Orleans Saints: Wide Receiver
I could make the argument that the Saints are the 4th straight team on here with QB as their biggest need, but if we are being honest, WR is somehow an even bigger need than that. Who knows when we will see Michael Thomas back for the Saints, or even if we ever will, for that matter. The Saints simply can't roll out Marquez Callaway and Lil'Jordan Humphrey as their receiving core any longer or things will get even worse. QB is a big need, but whoever they get at that position will be in no position to succeed if that's who they are throwing to.
Secondary need: Quarterback
Atlanta Falcons: Edge Rusher
The Falcons defense as a whole is very lackluster, but especially on the edge rushing front. The Falcons generated the least pressure of any team in the league last season. With their defense being on the field a lot, it was quite the struggle with the minuscule amount of pressure they were able to send. The team will be looking to upgrade their defense however they can, but edge rusher has to be the main focus.
Secondary need: Secondary
The Jags are in prime position to fill many of their big needs this off-season, holding the top pick in the upcoming NFL draft along with boasting immense cap space (top 5 in the NFL in available funds). The team is all-in on building around franchise QB Trevor Lawrence, and with a reliable coach in Doug Pederson at the helm, they should be able to attract great talent. Protecting Lawrence has to be their top priority. They know he can't get by playing like Joe Burrow in Cinncy and so I think starting with that top pick, upgrading Tackle will be their biggest priority.
Secondary need: Wide Receiver
Tennessee Titans: Tight End
The Titans have a pretty complete roster, and should be poised to contend for another 1 seed in 2022, but a big need of theirs is getting a primary third target, which should come in the form of a consistent, big-play Tight End. Since losing Jonnu Smith in FA last season, the Titans have rotated in and out a number of unreliable tight ends. With AJ Brown and Julio Jones seemingly always injured, a big bodied tight end to take the pressure off of Ryan Tannehill would be huge for this team. They may be in position to snag the top tight end in the class with their mid-first rounder. Tre McBride might be that guy, but they could also look in FA.
Secondary need: Cornerback
Indianapolis Colts: Cornerback
The Colts have built up a really good defensive roster over the past few seasons, and while it was the offense that held them back in the end, corner feels like the biggest need. Kenny Moore has established himself as one of the best slot corners in the league, but aside from him, they don't have much else there. Xavier Rhodes is simply too old to remain a starting corner and Rock Ya-Sin has been wildly inconsistent. Whether it's with a draft pick or spending in FA, but Colts need a CB or TWO to get better than they were last season on the back end.
Secondary need: Wide Receiver
Houston Texans: Offensive Line
Oh man. The Texans need pretty much everything except for QB. That being said, whether it ends up being Mills or Watson for the future, they are going to need to protect them. Laremy Tunsil is a great OT but could be some kind of a cap casualty this off-season, but with a high draft pick, they could be in position to get one of the premier blindside protectors in the draft. However they can upgrade this roster will be necessary, but OT feels like their most pressing need.
Secondary need: Defensive difference-maker
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