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FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

2024 NFL Draft: Top needs for all 32 teams

Wed Apr 17 1:47pm ET
Field Level Media

Knowing the difference between wants and needs can be a life skill. We're about to find out where 32 NFL general managers rate in this category.

The 2024 NFL Draft kicks off April 25 and there are schools of thought in every front office as to whether the best player available -- generally defended as the primary default setting for the draft -- or best fit for a specific, existing need makes more sense.

In reality, a confluence of the two is the sweet spot every franchise targets.

Take the Chicago Bears.

Unless you are driving the Tyson Bagent bandwagon, quarterback stands as the No. 1 need for general manager Ryan Poles. He essentially made the same admission with the delayed consummation of a trade of 2021 first-rounder Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

And even if Poles agrees with Field Level Media consensus rankings that Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best player available in the 2024 draft class, it would be a stone-cold stunner if the Bears went receiver over USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

Chicago has the No. 9 pick to invest on another need -- or BPA -- or Poles could opt to trade down and gather more draft capital. The Bears have only four total draft picks thanks to trades for defensive end Montez Sweat and wide receiver Chase Claypool.

Here are the top needs for all 32 teams listed in the current 2024 draft order.

Chicago Bears

QB, Edge, OT, WR, DT

Set to select the first overall pick for the third time in franchise history, the Bears are still looking for stability at quarterback in what will be their 30th starter since 2000.

Washington Commanders

QB, OT, Edge

Another reset in Washington this offseason brings the search for a new QB to help the franchise reach its first Super Bowl in 32 years.

New England Patriots

QB, WR, CB, OT, DT

Owner Robert Kraft remains blunt about big changes to the offense - starting with a clean slate at quarterback.

Arizona Cardinals

WR, OL, CB, DL, RB

One pick away from the No. 3 slot where they selected Larry Fitzgerald in 2004.

Los Angeles Chargers

CB, RB, OT, WR, DT

Shoring up the defense and pass protection are peak priorities under new coach Jim Harbaugh.

New York Giants

CB, RB, WR, QB, S

With or without Daniel Jones, the Giants have work to do at a number of positions.

Tennessee Titans

Edge, OT, DT, WR, TE

Likely in position to select the best defensive player in the draft or a top-ranked playmaker, but need is great on offensive line, too.

Atlanta Falcons

CB, Edge, DT, OL, S

New coach Raheem Morris covets pass rush and takeaways.

New York Jets

OL, TE, WR, S, CB, QB

Aaron Rodgers returns from Achilles surgery as a pocket passer only preserved by pristine protection from the offensive line.

Minnesota Vikings

QB, OL, Edge, DT-NT, WR

Kirk Cousins hit the exit for Atlanta in free agency and Minnesota armed up with a second first-round pick to help fill the void.

Denver Broncos

QB, WR, CB, DT, Edge

No longer tethered to Russell Wilson -- only by his record dead cap hit -- it's likely a transition season for the Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders

QB, CB, WR, OT, OL

Head coach Antonio Pierce plans to construct a winner in the trenches.

New Orleans Saints

OT, WR, QB, CB, DT

Multiple offensive linemen could be added by the Saints due to injuries and ineffective play last season.

Indianapolis Colts

WR, CB, S, RB, TE

Michael Pittman stayed but offensive firepower must improve for second-year QB Anthony Richardson to reach his potential.

Seattle Seahawks

OL, TE, LB, Edge, DL

No longer Pete Carroll's operation, the Seahawks still have vacancies at key front seven positions and the interior offensive line.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Edge, DT, CB, OT, WR

Josh Allen cashed in after his 17.5-sack season and would thrive with a better supporting cast.

Cincinnati Bengals

DT, OT, TE, WR, CB

An active interior pass rusher might lift the Bengals to the top tier of contenders.

Los Angeles Rams

DT, CB, OT, CB, QB

Aaron Donald's retirement is cause for concern as the Rams make a first-round pick for the first time since 2016 (Jared Goff).

Pittsburgh Steelers

OT, WR, CB, DT, S

Pittsburgh invested its top pick on offense in every draft since 2019.

Miami Dolphins

OL, DT, TE, Edge, LB

Sneaky solid free agency haul left a few remaining voids, including right guard, and left tackle Terron Armstead's durability is a lingering worry.

Philadelphia Eagles

S, CB, TE, OT, Edge

Welcomed back C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency but free safety and pass rushers are key concerns.

Dallas Cowboys

OT, LB, WR, RB, DT

No longer is Tyron Smith old reliable at left tackle. Even if Tyler Smith slides outside, offensive line additions are priority.

Green Bay Packers

OT, DT, CB, S, LB

With the future in Jordan Love's hands, the Packers address front five.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Edge, CB, S, LB, OL

GM Jason Licht back to the well: Bucs drafted defensive linemen in first round in 2018, 2021, 2023.

Buffalo Bills

WR, DT, Edge, RB, CB

Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis are gone, leaving Buffalo with a largely new cast outside.

Detroit Lions

CB, S, Edge, OL, WR

Free agent addition Carlton Davis proclaimed himself the No. 1 corner in Detroit. Still, Lions GM admits team covets cornerbacks.

Baltimore Ravens

OL, WR, Edge, S, DL

Figuring out the left side of the line and a long-term plan at tackle would be wise given investment in Lamar Jackson.

San Francisco 49ers

OL, WR, LB, CB, TE

Defensive line remains a default play for GM John Lynch but the O-line is overdue some attention.

Kansas City Chiefs

OT, CB, RB, WR, TE

More playmakers won't hurt Patrick Mahomes, as long as the Chiefs stabilize blocking, too. Leading receiver Rashee Rice's arrest adds uncertainty despite KC signing WR Hollywood Brown.

Carolina Panthers

WR, CB, Edge, DT, TE

Heavily invested in improving offensive line. Time to find a big-play receiver for Bryce Young.

Houston Texans

CB, LB, OL, DL, TE

Pair of 2023 first-rounders worked out quite nicely (CJ Stroud, Will Anderson Jr.). Shopping to fill niche roles shows just how far the roster has come since 2022.

Cleveland Browns

QB, RB, LB, DT, WR

Deshaun Watson played 12 games in two seasons and is coming off of shoulder surgery, while RB Nick Chubb's status will be up in the air until he proves recovered from knee reconstruction.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Fantasy Position SOS

Player Notes
Nico Collins May 28 10:13pm ET
Nico Collins

Dynasty | The Texans have signed wide receiver Nico Collins to a contract extension. Dynasty Analysis: It's a three-year, $72.75 million extension that includes $52 million guaranteed. If there was any doubt about what Houston thought of Collins, this erases all of that as he gets a pretty tidy sum of money. Houston clearly thinks Collins and CJ Stroud have a special connection and Collins will now look to build on his 80/1,297/8 breakout season. As our WR21, there is still some runway for a value bump and he could actually be a "buy low" candidate should dynasty managers continue to believe his season can't be replicated with a healthy Tank Dell and newly added Stefon Diggs in the fold.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Eric Stokes May 28 8:30pm ET
Eric Stokes

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur thinks cornerback Eric Stokes (hamstring) is in a great place physically and mentally this offseason after he missed most of the last two years with injuries. LaFleur also said he thinks Stokes is "in the best shape" he's ever seen him in. "When you look at him physically, his body looks different. He's hitting some fast speeds out there at practice. I can tell mentally he feels like he's in a great place," LaFleur said. The former first-round pick in 2021 was great as a rookie but suffered foot and knee injuries in Week 9 in 2022 and missed the final eight games. The 25-year-old played in just three games in 2023 due to hamstring issues. It's no surprise the Packers declined their fifth-year option on Stokes, so he's now in a contract year in 2024 as he looks to stay healthy. If healthy, the speedster could start opposite Jaire Alexander.

From RotoBaller

Jarrett Stidham May 28 8:20pm ET
Jarrett Stidham

Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham is embracing the team's three-man QB competition this offseason between himself, former first-round Zach Wilson and this year's first-rounder Bo Nix. "I'm not going to just sit down and let someone else walk on in here -- I'm going to work my butt off to get the job. I'm super excited about it," Stidham said. The 27-year-old signed a two-year, $10 million deal prior to last season and could now be considered a mentor who could be an upset winner of the starting job this summer. Stidham, Wilson and Nix will get an equal split of the work during the offseason program, but we probably won't have a better sense of who is in the lead in the competition until training camp. Stidham has the advantage of knowing the offense from a season ago, but even if he's the starter in Week 1, he'll be on a short leash and will be a low-upside, low-end QB2 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Tony Jefferson May 28 8:20pm ET
Tony Jefferson

Former Baltimore Ravens star safety Tony Jefferson is coming out of retirement and plans to play in 2024, according to a source. Jefferson has stayed in shape, has been training on his own, and wants to play again. He intends to start talking to teams in the near future after spending last year with the Baltimore Ravens as a scouting intern. In his last year in the NFL in 2022 with the New York Giants, Jefferson played in only nine games (one start) and had 23 tackles (16 solo). The 32-year-old former undrafted free agent entered the league in 2013 with the Arizona Cardinals and spent four years in the desert before joining the Ravens from 2017-21. Jefferson hasn't played in more than nine games in a single season since 2018 but could provide some nice veteran depth for a team in need of secondary help.

From RotoBaller

Tanoh Kpassagnon May 28 7:53pm ET
Tanoh Kpassagnon

Updating a previous report, New Orleans Saints DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (Achilles) likely will not be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season but has a chance to play at some point during the season, according to head coach Dennis Allen.

From TheHuddle

Arik Armstead May 28 6:53pm ET
Arik Armstead

Jacksonville Jaguars DT Arik Armstead (undisclosed) and DT Roy Robertson-Harris (undisclosed) did not participate in the voluntary workout Tuesday, May 28, because of undisclosed injuries.

From TheHuddle

Ja'Marr Chase May 28 6:13pm ET
Ja'Marr Chase

Dynasty | Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is absent for OTAs. Dynasty Analysis: Chase is waiting for a lucrative long-term deal that will likely make him the highest paid receiver in the league (at least temporarily). The Bengals don't seem to be worried at the moment and dynasty managers shouldn't be, either. Chase is in the top three overall in terms of position players and there's no sense getting too concerned until Chase starts missing real practice time.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Tee Higgins May 28 6:13pm ET
Tee Higgins

Dynasty | Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is sitting out voluntary OTAs. Dynasty Analysis: While the Bengals are saying they aren't concerned publicly, this holdout is a little more significant than that of Ja'Marr Chase. Higgins has been franchise tagged and it seems the team has little interest in negotiating a long-term deal. Higgins was more likely to be traded during the NFL Draft than now, but this is a situation to monitor. At this point, dynasty managers need to just hold on tight and see what happens.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Justin Fields May 28 6:10pm ET
Justin Fields

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields said he won't return kicks this season. "Nah, I think everybody kind of interpreted it wrong," said Fields when asked about the rumor. "It's funny how serious social media takes everything." The signal-caller was traded in March after spending the last three years in Chicago. He finished his most recent season in 2023-24 by throwing for 2,562 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine picks while running for 657 yards and four touchdowns off 124 attempts. Fields hopes to compete with Russell Wilson for the No. 1 spot on the depth chart. However, unless he's starting come Week 1, he won't offer much to fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Darius Slayton May 28 5:50pm ET
Darius Slayton

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton was present for Tuesday's OTAs. The wideout is coming off the best year of his career, catching 50 of his 79 targets for 770 yards and four touchdowns. As a result, he wants a new deal. While there's still time for both sides to work things out, there's also room for the situation to go in the wrong direction, especially as the offseason inches closer to training camp. Nonetheless, the 27-year-old wasn't a reliable fantasy producer throughout the 2023-24 campaign despite his increase in production. That isn't expected to change, considering the Giants added Malik Nabers out of LSU. The team also still has Daniel Jones (knee) under center, who hasn't been the most consistent fantasy signal-caller over the years.

From RotoBaller

Nico Collins May 28 5:30pm ET
Nico Collins

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Texans and wide receiver Nico Collins agreed on a three-year, $72.75 million extension. The wideout, who will make $52 million in guaranteed cash on his new deal, had a breakout season in 2023-24, amassing 80 catches for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns. While Houston added Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon to the equation, two players who will command targets during the 2024-25 campaign, Collins remains a viable fantasy option in any format, considering the Texans could be one of the NFL's highest-scoring offenses.

From RotoBaller

Marquis Haynes May 28 4:43pm ET
Marquis Haynes

Houston Texans DE Marquis Haynes (undisclosed) was waived with an injury settlement on Tuesday, May 28.

From TheHuddle

Tony Jefferson May 28 3:03pm ET
Tony Jefferson

Retired S Tony Jefferson (Giants) intends to come out of retirement and resume his playing career in 2024, according to a source. Jefferson spent last season as a scouting intern for the Baltimore Ravens.

From TheHuddle

Tanoh Kpassagnon May 28 2:43pm ET
Tanoh Kpassagnon

New Orleans Saints DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (Achilles) suffered a torn Achilles during the offseason and will miss the entire 2024 season, according to head coach Dennis Allen.

From TheHuddle

Amare Barno May 28 2:20pm ET
Amare Barno

Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Amare Barno (knee) finished last year on Injured Reserve and missed the final two games of the regular season, but he's progressing nicely and was limited in organized team activities last week, according to head coach Dave Canales. "The reports we're getting are great, so he's trending in the right direction. I don't have a specific date, but he is out there working and he's got his cleats on doing stuff, so I'm looking forward to getting him back up to speed so we can get him back in a practice at some point," Canales said. Barno saw an 11% increase in defensive snaps in 2023 and even made his first career start, finishing with 21 tackles and one tackle for loss in 15 games played. The 25-year-old is likely to serve as depth at the linebacker position again this year for Carolina.

From RotoBaller

Drake Maye May 28 2:20pm ET
Drake Maye

The New England Patriots have agreed to terms with quarterback Drake Maye on his rookie deal on Tuesday, according to a source. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft is now under contract and ready to compete with veteran signal-caller Jacoby Brissett in training camp and the preseason for the starting job under center in New England. The 21-year-old former Tar Heel has plenty of high-end, long-term upside in fantasy at the QB position, but he wasn't quite seen as NFL-ready as much as Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, who went one and two, respectively, in the draft to the Bears and Commanders. Maye had only 26 starts in college and could benefit from sitting and learning for a year, and he doesn't turn 22 until August. Especially given the lack of standout weapons on the Patriots offense, Maye is much more of a dynasty asset than a redraft one in 2024 fantasy circles.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Marr Chase May 28 2:10pm ET
Ja'Marr Chase

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase wasn't present for voluntary organized team activities on Tuesday. Chase is heading into the fourth year of his rookie deal after the team picked up his fifth-year option for the 2025 season back in April. The 24-year-old is slated to make $5 million in 2024 and remains one of the best all-around receivers in the game. His absence during voluntary offseason workouts shouldn't raise too many eyebrows, although it would be nice to see him working with quarterback Joe Burrow after Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury in 2023. Chase is unlikely to stage a long holdout into mandatory minicamp next month and training camp this summer, and he and the Bengals should eventually work out something long term that should make him one of, if not the highest, paid receiver in the NFL.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins May 28 2:10pm ET
Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase are both not present for voluntary organized team activities on Tuesday as they seek new deals this offseason. Higgins has yet to sign his franchise tender for this year, so until he does, he will not be allowed to participate in offseason workouts with the team. The 25-year-old requested a trade from the Bengals when the team put the franchise tag on him just before the start of free agency in March, but he remains in Cincinnati for now as he angles for a new long-term deal. It's an offseason storyline to follow for fantasy managers after Higgins had an extremely disappointing 2023 campaign. It didn't help that quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury, but Higgins was also injured himself and finished with a career-low 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games.

From RotoBaller

Courtland Sutton May 28 11:33am ET
Courtland Sutton

Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton is seeking a contract worth about $15-$16 million annually, according to ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler.

Fantasy Spin: Sutton had a 90-772-10 season last year and came in as the WR35 in PPR leagues. He'll be the top option to throw to in Denver, but there isn't a lot of upside there as a low-end WR3.

From TheHuddle

Vita Vea May 28 9:01am ET
Vita Vea

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea has lost weight this offseason while training with longtime NFL defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh. The 2018 first-round pick reportedly weighed a lot more than the 347 pounds he was listed out last season, and the team believes it hampered his play in 2023. Buccaneers defense line coach Kacy Rodgers said Vea "looks a lot different," and the team wants him to go from being "good" to "dominant." Over his first six NFL seasons, Vea has racked up 180 tackles (111 solo), 23.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, six pass deflections, and 23.5 run stuffs. He is a one-time Pro Bowler (2021).