7 most improved position groups after NFL draft

Several NFL teams took advantage of the draft to address a glaring weakness on their roster.

These seven franchises immediately improved a specific position group with the selection of one or multiple prospects.

Falcons' O-line

All offseason, the Atlanta Falcons have focused on the offensive line. Despite signing veterans James Carpenter and Jamon Brown in free agency, the Falcons surprised by using the No. 14 overall pick on guard Chris Lindstrom, then traded back into the end of the first round to add tackle Kaleb McGary.

Neither were slam dunks to be first-round selections, but with no major holes on the depth chart, Atlanta chose to reinfuse the O-line with youth and athleticism.

Should Lindstrom and McGary both make the starting lineup, they'll work alongside Carpenter, six-time All-Pro center Alex Mack, and 2018 Pro Bowler Jake Matthews to form an offensive line consisting entirely of first-round picks.

These additions will help protect franchise quarterback Matt Ryan and, along with running back Devonta Freeman's return to health, should boost a unit that failed to average 100 yards per game last season.

Broncos' QBsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

The Denver Broncos had little recourse but to continue trotting out ineffective starter Case Keenum in 2018. The inexperienced Kevin Hogan was the primary backup after the team released Chad Kelly following an October arrest.

At his first offseason opportunity, general manager John Elway traded a 2019 fourth-round pick for former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. The veteran was immediately installed as the starter, but he's not the long-term answer.

Through the draft, Elway completed his overhaul of the quarterback room. He added what some considered two of the top five quarterbacks in the draft, waiting until the second round to select Drew Lock and then signing Brett Rypien as an undrafted free agent.

Lock won't immediately compete for the starting job as Elway has already said the strong-armed youngster will battle for the backup position. Rypien, a four-year starter at Boise State and the nephew of former Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien, adds to the talent in a room that severely lacked it in 2018.

Lions' TEs

Tight ends represented just 13 percent of the Lions' offense in 2018. And if that isn't enough, Detroit had to watch its former first-round pick Eric Ebron explode for 13 touchdowns in a Pro Bowl year with the Indianapolis Colts.

The Lions began retooling the position by signing Jesse James in free agency, then used the eighth pick in the draft on T.J. Hockenson. He flourished in a two-tight end system at Iowa with Noah Fant and could do the same in Detroit, either by sharing the field with James or as the primary tight end.

Detroit added Isaac Nauta in the seventh round for good measure. If he sticks, the trio is sure to dwarf the production from Levine Toilolo, Luke Willson, and Michael Roberts last year.

Cardinals' WRsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

The league's worst passing game was in need of an infusion of talent. The Arizona Cardinals' pass offense averaged 157 yards per game in 2018. Beyond Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk, and running back David Johnson, every other pass-catcher failed to make an impact.

Enter 2019, where Kyler Murray takes over for Josh Rosen under center. Through the draft, the Cards added wideouts Andy Isabella, Hakeem Butler, and KeeSean Johnson, giving their No. 1 pick a quintet capable of running the routes diagrammed in Kliff Kingsbury's Air Raid offense.

The team invested heavily in the position, using premium draft capital to surround Murray with as many options as possible. The top pick acquired from the Rosen trade was used on Isabella and the first pick of the fourth round was used to stop Butler's slide.

Arizona is far from a finished product, but its passing game promises to be fun to watch.

Giants' CBs

The New York Giants' rebuild has begun in earnest and the secondary was a primary focus during the draft.

The Giants were the first to take a corner, spending a late first-round pick on Georgia's Deandre Baker. Then they added Julian Love out of Notre Dame and Washburn prospect Corey Ballentine.

Baker will either work opposite Janoris Jenkins or take over his role if the veteran is deemed expendable. Love and 2018 supplemental pick Sam Beal should also have prominent spots in the defensive backfield.

Ballentine, who was injured in a shooting hours after the draft but is expected to make a full recovery, brings 4.4 speed to the group.

Ravens' WRsFrederick Breedon / Getty Images Sport / Getty

There's still work to be done, but the additions of Marquise "Hollywood" Brown and Miles Boykin are a great place to start.

Entering the draft, the Baltimore Ravens' receiving depth chart was led by Willie Snead, he of 651 yards and one touchdown in 2018. Veteran Michael Crabtree was released and John Brown was allowed to leave via free agency.

In Lamar Jackson's seven starts to end the regular season - six of which were wins, to be fair - the rookie averaged just 159 passing yards per game. He requires more options than Snead if he's to improve as a passer in his sophomore year.

Marquise Brown, the Ravens' first-round pick, figures to occupy the deep-threat role vacated by John Brown. He could emerge as the team's No. 1 receiver - if his size (5-foot-9) isn't an impediment - or lock down the slot-receiver position as Jackson's safety valve. Boykin, meanwhile, ran a 4.42 in the 40. Jackson threatens defenses with his speed in the run game, and Brown and Boykin add that dynamic outside the numbers.

49ers' EDGE

Perhaps the most improved position group this offseason is the San Francisco 49ers' edge-rusher unit.

After trading a 2020 second-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for Dee Ford, the Niners found him a bookend by taking Nick Bosa with the second overall pick of the draft.

San Fran finished eighth-last in sacks last year with 37, and Cassius Marsh led the team with 39 quarterback pressures. Ford alone accounted for 78 pressures in 2018. Add in the No. 1 defensive prospect in football and DeForest Buckner rushing the quarterback from the inside and the Niners should have one of the league's most feared defensive lines.

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