Before the 2016 NFL draft gets started Thursday, here's a look at the needs for all the NFC teams.
Arizona Cardinals
First-round pick: 29
Draft outlook: They gave up their second rounder in the Chandler Jones deal but did pick up a compensatory fifth rounder.
Needs: The pass rush should enjoy a jolt after GM Steve Keim acquired Jones from the New England Patriots for G Jonathan Cooper and the Round 2 selection, but the D-line still needs help. Safety could be an issue with Rashad Johnson going to the Tennessee Titans and Tyrann Mathieu still recovering from knee surgery.
Atlanta Falcons
First-round pick: 17
Draft outlook: They have a pick in each of the first four rounds, but forfeited their fifth rounder for illegally pumping crowd noise into the Georgia Dome. Atlanta won't pick in Round 6, either.
Needs: Their moves were of the under-the-radar variety, but C Alex Mack, WR Mohamed Sanu, DE Derrick Shelby and LBs Courtney Upshaw and Sean Weatherspoon should all be welcome additions. Continuing to upgrade the defense’s athleticism should remain a priority.
Carolina Panthers
First-round pick: 30
Draft outlook: The NFC champs have one pick toward the end of the every round except for the sixth.
Needs: GM Dave Gettleman pulled a stunner last week by rescinding all-pro CB Josh Norman’s franchise tag. Carolina may use the $14 million it recouped to extend the contracts of DTs Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short. Despite Norman’s departure, Gettleman doesn’t seem to regard corner as a pressing need and may be looking for running back depth and O-line help early in the draft before he reloads the secondary.
Chicago Bears
First-round pick: 11
Draft outlook: They have at least one pick in every round, plus an extra selection in Rounds 4 and 6.
Needs: The addition of T Bobby Massie should bolster the offensive line, but Chicago could use more help at left tackle, on the defensive front and for the pass rush. The team is currently gambling that second-year RB Jeremy Langford can replace Matt Forte, who’s now a Jet.
Dallas Cowboys
First-round pick: 4
Draft outlook: Dallas has a pick in each of the first four rounds, plus one compensatory pick in the fourth and three in the sixth.
Needs: Dallas’ pass rush remains one of its biggest problems given the suspensions of DEs Demarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory. A backup to QB Tony Romo should also be a priority, and a young running back also makes sense.
Detroit Lions
First-round pick: 16
Draft outlook: They have at least one pick in each round, with an additional one in the fifth and two extras in the sixth due to trades and free agent compensation.
Needs: Objective No. 1 was trying to find a replacement for retired Calvin Johnson, so new GM Bob Quinn signed former Bengals WR Marvin Jones to a five-year, $40 million deal. They might still try to add another receiver, but the offensive and defensive lines are bigger concerns, even with the return of DT Haloti Ngata. Letting Joique Bell go likely means a big role for second-year RB Ameer Abdullah, but depth could be an issue.
Green Bay Packers
First-round pick: 27
Draft outlook: They have two compensatory picks in the fourth, giving them three for the round, and one selection in every other round.
Needs: Not surprisingly, GM Ted Thompson has been quiet during free agency, with TE Jared Cook the only notable addition. NT B.J. Raji has opted not to play this year, and WR James Jones remains unsigned. Thompson is likely looking for help on the defensive line, at linebacker, and maybe even at wideout.
Los Angeles Rams
First-round pick: 1
Draft outlook: Acquiring the top pick from the Tennessee Titans was costly, leaving the Rams only two picks in Round 4 and two in Round 6.
Needs: They're expected to take Cal's Jared Goff at No. 1, addressing the quarterback deficiencies that have hindered this team back for years. The club’s defensive backbone may need an adjustment after losing CB Janoris Jenkins and S Rodney McLeod subsequent to the decision to let team leaders Chris Long and James Laurinaitis go in a cost cutting move that also claimed Cook.
Minnesota Vikings
First-round pick: 23
Draft outlook: Minnesota has one pick in each of the first six rounds and two in the seventh round.
Needs: The Vikings focused on re-signing most of their depth this offseason but could certainly be on the lookout for a No. 1 wideout after deciding to part with Mike Wallace. Coach Mike Zimmer is always looking for defensive linemen.
New Orleans Saints
First-round pick: 12
Draft outlook: New Orleans has a pick in each round except the sixth.
Needs: The Saints parted with longtime offensive stalwarts Jahri Evans and Marques Colston due to cap reasons, potentially opening jobs at guard and receiver. A defense that allowed the most points in the league last year still needs help despite adding DT Nick Fairley and LB James Laurinaitis.
New York Giants
First-round pick: 10
Draft outlook: They'll pick in every round but the seventh.
Needs: They spent more than $200 million to address the league's worst defense, but the Giants still need help at offensive line and need to add another receiver to complement Odell Beckham Jr, even with Victor Cruz coming back at a reduced salary.
Philadelphia Eagles
First-round pick: 2
Draft outlook: The Eagles got the second overall pick in their trade with the Cleveland Browns, but five of their remaining six choices come after the fourth round.
Needs: They have identified what they think is their biggest need: Franchise quarterback. North Dakota State's Carson Wentz is expected to get that title. Secondary help is a yearly need with this team, it seems, and reinforcements could be needed in the backfield, too.
San Francisco 49ers
First-round pick: 7
Draft outlook: They're tied for the league lead with 12 picks, but nine of them occur after the third round, including three in Round 5 and four in Round 6.
Needs: The story here revolves around the quarterback with Colin Kaepernick's status still apparently unresolved. Areas of immediate need include wideout and the offensive line after G Alex Boone went to Minnesota and WR Anquan Boldin was not retained.
Seattle Seahawks
First-round pick: 26
Draft outlook: They own nine picks, one in each round with extras in the third and seventh.
Needs: The offensive line could again be a trouble spot after the loss of starting LT Russell Okung and G J.R. Sweezy. Longtime run-stuffing DT Brandon Mebane signed with the San Diego Chargers. And is it time to identify a young backup to QB Russell Wilson?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
First-round pick: 9
Draft outlook: The Bucs have one pick in each of the first five rounds, plus two in the sixth.
Needs: They need to find some playmakers to inject talent in a depleted secondary that tied for 21st last season with only 11 interceptions. Adding a pass rusher would also provide a boost.
Washington Redskins
First-round pick: 21
Draft outlook: Washington has two picks in the seventh round and one in each of the other six.
Needs: With QB Kirk Cousins receiving the franchise tag, they took care of their biggest issue. Otherwise, free agency has been all about re-signing reserves. Departed NT Terrance Knighton could be replaced in the draft, which could also be used to address the secondary — though that got a big boost with the signing of Norman.
