Draft Needs: Every AFC team's biggest area of concern
theScore goes division by division to identify the biggest need for every AFC team ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, which will be "fully virtual" and take place April 23-25.
AFC I NFCAFC EastBuffalo Bills
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyBiggest need: Pass-rusher
Pass-rusher isn't necessarily the Bills' weakest position, but it desperately needs an infusion of youth. Defensive end Shaq Lawson and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, who combined for 16 of the team's 44 sacks in 2019, left in free agency. Mario Addison was signed to replace Lawson but is 32 years old, while fellow starter Jerry Hughes is 31. If Buffalo is to take control of the AFC East, it needs to find a young, stud pass-rusher despite not owning a first-round pick.
Top early-round targets: Curtis Weaver, Josh Uche, Jonathan Greenard
Miami DolphinsBiggest need: Quarterback
The Dolphins need a long-term answer under center, and will likely have to be aggressive to capture the quarterback they covet. Sitting at fifth overall and with two extra first-round picks at its disposal, Miami has no shortage of potential paths to take. Tua Tagovailoa will likely require a trade up to capture, but Justin Herbert should be available at No. 5. If both are gone, the Dolphins could go with the best player available and then target Jordan Love later in the first round.
Top early-round targets: Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, Jordan Love
New England PatriotsBiggest need: Quarterback
Well, this is new. After 20 years of stability at quarterback due to the presence of Tom Brady, the Patriots are finally in search of a new franchise player at the game's most important position. New England hasn't drafted a quarterback in the first round since Drew Bledsoe in 1993, but that could change as head coach Bill Belichick looks to extend the dynasty by bringing in competition for Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer from the second tier of passers.
Top early-round targets: Jordan Love, Jalen Hurts, Jacob Eason
New York JetsBiggest need: Wide receiver
The Jets have plenty of bodies at wide receiver but not nearly enough true playmakers. Breshad Perriman was signed as a free agent, but with the loss of Robby Anderson, the unit remains one of the NFL's weakest. New York should take advantage of a stacked class to find multiple new weapons for Sam Darnold as the quarterback enters a pivotal Year 3. At least one of the trio of elite receiver prospects should be available with the Jets' top selection.
Top early-round targets: CeeDee Lamb, Henry Ruggs III, Jerry Jeudy
AFC NorthBaltimore Ravens
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyBiggest need: Inside linebacker
The Ravens allowed Patrick Onwuasor and Josh Bynes to walk in free agency, leaving L.J. Fort as the only starting-caliber inside linebacker on the roster. Though safety Chuck Clark can play down in the box, Baltimore would do well to find an upgrade for the middle. The Ravens might not want to use a first-rounder on an inside linebacker, but with two picks in each of the next three rounds, they should be able to snag whichever Day 2 prospect they want.
Top early-round targets: Kenneth Murray, Malik Harrison, Troy Dye
Cincinnati BengalsBiggest need: Quarterback
Joe Burrow has been widely penciled in at No. 1 ever since the Bengals secured the draft's top pick. It's easy to see why. The former LSU star is deadly accurate, a natural leader, and a spectacular downfield thrower despite average arm strength. Could Cincinnati shock the NFL world by trading down for another quarterback or even taking a different one at No. 1 to succeed Andy Dalton? It's highly unlikely but not impossible. Tagovailoa was a contender to go first overall before a hip injury, while some within the Bengals are apparently enamored with Herbert.
Top early-round targets: Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert
Cleveland BrownsBiggest need: Left tackle
The Browns found a massive upgrade at right tackle on the free-agent market in signing one-time All-Pro Jack Conklin to a big-money deal. But a protector for Baker Mayfield's blind side is still a must. Luckily for Cleveland, the top of the offensive line class is as good as it's been in years. The Browns own the No. 10 pick, and one of the four premium tackles should fall to them. Andrew Thomas could be a particularly good fit thanks to his advanced run-blocking skills.
Top early-round targets: Jedrick Wills Jr., Andrew Thomas, Mekhi Becton
Pittsburgh SteelersBiggest need: Wide receiver
Ben Roethlisberger appears on course to return for the start of the 2020 season. But with the other star quarterbacks from the 2004 draft either retired (Eli Manning) or on a downward trend (Philip Rivers), the Steelers should maximize Roethlisberger's remaining window by bolstering his receiving corps. JuJu Smith-Schuster is still capable of being a No. 1 target, but his struggles during an injury-hit 2019 campaign highlighted the need to lessen the weight on the young wideout's shoulders.
Top early-round targets: Jalen Reagor, Tee Higgins, Chase Claypool
AFC SouthHouston Texans
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyBiggest need: Pass-rusher
The wheelin' and dealin' Texans addressed their need at wide receiver by trading for Brandin Cooks. While the logic of the deal is questionable and long-term options at the position are still needed, Houston is now able to focus on bolstering its pass rush with its top picks. J.J. Watt is coming off yet another injury and just turned 31 years old, while Whitney Mercilus will never be a double-digit sack artist. The Texans should use their remaining second-round pick on a defensive end to act as a pass-rushing specialist on third downs.
Top early-round targets: Josh Uche, Terrell Lewis, Bradlee Anae
Indianapolis ColtsBiggest need: Wide receiver
Even with Philip Rivers signed to start for 2020, the Colts need to find Andrew Luck's true successor. But Indy appears to be all-in on winning now, and that won't happen unless Rivers gets more weapons. T.Y. Hilton is 30 and has struggled to stay healthy of late, while Parris Campbell is coming off a poor rookie year that was plagued by injuries. The Colts don't own a first-round pick, but they do have two seconds - Nos. 34 and 44 - with which to snag one of the second-tier wideouts from a talent-rich class.
Top early-round targets: Denzel Mims, Michael Pittman Jr., Van Jefferson
Jacksonville JaguarsBiggest need: Cornerback
The Jaguars' recent fire sale has opened up holes all over the roster. But cornerback is probably the defense's least talented position after Jacksonville traded away Pro Bowlers Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. D.J. Hayden will man the slot, but the Jaguars need to find at least two outside starting options after the Darqueze Dennard deal fell through. Jacksonville might not believe a cornerback not named Jeff Okudah is worthy of the No. 9 pick, so it could be more likely to target additions to the secondary on Day 2.
Top early-round targets: CJ Henderson, A.J. Terrell, Noah Igbinoghene
Tennessee TitansBiggest need: Pass-rusher
The Titans' most pressing need is the same one it entered free agency with. Tennessee did address the pass rush by signing Vic Beasley, but 2016's league sack leader is much more of a reclamation project than a slam dunk fix. While Harold Landry had nine sacks in his sophomore year, the Titans would be wise not to put too much responsibility on him to carry the pass rush. The AFC South club also traded away Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, who produced between five and seven sacks in each of the last six seasons.
Top early-round targets: Yetur Gross-Matos, A.J. Epenesa, Terrell Lewis
AFC WestDenver Broncos
Joe Amon/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images / Denver Post / GettyBiggest need: Wide receiver
The Broncos failed to address their weakness at wide receiver through free agency, but many teams adopted the same strategy knowing how talented this year's draft class is. A dream scenario for Denver would be to pair speedster Henry Ruggs III with their big-bodied standout, Courtland Sutton. But even if the hyped former Alabama star doesn't fall, the Broncos should still have a choice of several intriguing options to help Drew Lock in Year 2.
Top early-round targets: Henry Ruggs III, Denzel Mims, Justin Jefferson
Kansas City ChiefsBiggest need: Cornerback
The Chiefs recently re-signed Bashaud Breeland, but the veteran cornerback only inked a one-year deal. The Super Bowl champions need long-term options so that Patrick Mahomes and the explosive passing attack have a solid counter-punch in shootouts. Kansas City should be able to find a cornerback capable of starting from Day 1 at the very end of the first round.
Top early-round targets: Jaylon Johnson, Trevon Diggs, Kristian Fulton
Las Vegas RaidersBiggest need: Wide receiver
Like many other AFC teams, the Raiders will enter the draft looking to add to their group of pass-catchers. The Antonio Brown experiment was a disaster, Tyrell Williams struggled with injuries after signing a big-money deal, and free-agent signing Nelson Agholor was brought in as depth and not to start. Sophomore Hunter Renfrow has the slot position locked down, so Las Vegas now has to find another youngster to build its passing attack around - likely with the No. 12 pick.
Top early-round targets: CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III
Los Angeles ChargersBiggest need: Quarterback
The Philip Rivers era is over, and unless the Chargers want to keep playing in front of disappointingly small crowds in their new shared stadium in Los Angeles, Tyrod Taylor can't be the starter for 2020. Owning the sixth overall pick, the Chargers will likely need an aggressive move to secure Tagovailoa, and Herbert isn't guaranteed to fall, either. L.A. could also fill its other major need at left tackle with the No. 6 selection and then trade up to nab Love later in the first round.
Top early-round targets: Tua Tagovaolia, Justin Herbert, Jordan Love
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