Draft Needs: Every NFC team's biggest area of concern
Here, theScore goes division by division to identify the biggest need for every NFC team ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, which will be "fully virtual" and take place April 23-25.
AFC I NFCNFC EastDallas Cowboys
Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / GettyBiggest need: Cornerback
The Cowboys have a thin secondary after losing Byron Jones to the Miami Dolphins, who made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. His departure leaves Anthony Brown, Chidobe Awuzie, and Jourdan Lewis atop the depth chart in Dallas, and the last two are scheduled to hit free agency in 2021. The Cowboys don't have many glaring holes that apply to both the short and long term, but cornerback is certainly one of them.
Top early round targets: CJ Henderson, Trevon Diggs, Kristian Fulton
New York GiantsBiggest need: Offensive tackle
Two years into his four-year, $62-million contract, Nate Solder has proven to be more of an expensive miscalculation than a solution at left tackle. His mate on the other side of the line, Mike Remmers, was equally inefficient at right tackle last year. Combined, Solder and Remmers allowed more quarterback pressures in 2019 than any other tackle duo in the league, according to PFF. The Giants can either solve the problem at No. 4 overall or address another need in the opening round and pick a tackle early in Day 2.
Top early round targets: Jedrick Wills Jr., Tristan Wirfs, Lucas Niang
Philadelphia EaglesBiggest need: Wide receiver
The Eagles received little production from their wide receivers last season - none of them reached 500 yards. Granted, the receiving corps suffered from injuries, but Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson have had durability issues throughout their careers and they're only getting older. General manager Howie Roseman acknowledged after the season his roster needs an injection of youth, and that line of thinking should apply to the wide receiver position more than any other.
Top early round targets: Denzel Mims, Tee Higgins, Justin Jefferson
Washington RedskinsBiggest need: Cornerback
The Redskins wisely parted ways with the expensive and rapidly regressing Josh Norman. But the decision to trade Quinton Dunbar - the only cornerback who played well in 2019 - for just a fifth-round pick was questionable. While Washington signed Kendall Fuller to start alongside Fabian Moreau, an infusion of youthful upside is needed. The Redskins are all but certain to draft pass-rusher Chase Young with the No. 2 overall pick, but it's possible they look to trade down and target top cornerback prospect Jeff Okudah.
Top early round targets: Jeff Okudah, Damon Arnette, Amik Robertson
NFC NorthChicago Bears
Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport / GettyBiggest need: Wide receiver
The real need here might be quarterback, but the Bears are in no position to draft one. As a result, they'll have to do the next best thing: add weapons. Chicago's recent wide receiver picks - Riley Ridley, Anthony Miller, and even Kevin White in 2015 - haven't paid dividends. With only two selections in the first five rounds (No. 43 and 50 overall), the Bears can't afford to whiff if they are going to bring explosiveness to this struggling offense.
Top early round targets: Brandon Aiyuk, Tyler Johnson, Michael Pittman Jr.
Detroit LionsBiggest need: Cornerback
Matt Patricia's disdain for the blitz means he needs better coverage on the back end. Improvements at cornerback became even more urgent this offseason when the Lions traded Darius Slay and replaced him with an inferior Desmond Trufant. Detroit and Jeff Okudah seem like a perfect marriage, though there's a chance the Lions could wait until the second round if Chase Young slips past the second overall pick.
Top early round targets: Jeff Okudah, Kristian Fulton, Jeff Gladney
Green Bay PackersBiggest need: Wide receiver
The Packers have invested plenty on the defensive side over the last year or so, and now it's time for them to fortify the offense. Other than Davante Adams, Aaron Rodgers hasn't had a pass-catcher he can trust for a number of years. Given the depth of the wide receiver class in this draft, it wouldn't be a surprise if Green Bay bypasses the position in Round 1. But the Packers should come away with another weapon for Rodgers by the end of Day 2, likely one capable of making plays down the field.
Top early round targets: Tee Higgins, Jalen Reagor, KJ Hamler
Minnesota VikingsBiggest need: Wide receiver
The Stefon Diggs trade left a massive hole in the Vikings' lineup and it's unlikely his replacement is already on the roster. Minnesota did sign Tajae Sharpe, but the former Tennessee Titans wideout hasn't had 500 yards since his rookie year in 2016. Even when they had Diggs and Adam Thielen, the Vikings suffered from the absence of a viable third option in the passing game. Minnesota has too much invested in Kirk Cousins at quarterback not to give him sufficient help.
Top early round targets: Tee Higgins, Justin Jefferson, Van Jefferson
NFC South
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAtlanta FalconsBiggest need: Cornerback
The Falcons were roasted in coverage last season, and while a poor pass rush was also at fault, most of the blame can be attributed to the play at cornerback. Atlanta released longtime standout Desmond Trufant after the veteran regressed over the last two seasons, leaving the inconsistent duo of Isaiah Oliver and Blidi Wreh-Wilson as the starters and intriguing sophomore Kendall Sheffield in the slot for 2020. The Falcons should hope CJ Henderson, the No. 2 cornerback in the draft, falls to them at No. 16 overall.
Top early round targets: CJ Henderson, Kristian Fulton, Trevon Diggs
Carolina PanthersBiggest need: Defensive tackle
The Panthers have many needs, but they might as well start in the trenches where games are typically won and lost. The exit of Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe means Carolina is particularly thin up front. Even with those two, the Panthers were gashed frequently in the running game a year ago. Carolina has a young pass-rusher to build for the future with Brian Burns, but needs more meat in the middle of the defensive line.
Top early round targets: Derrick Brown, Javon Kinlaw, Justin Madubuike
New Orleans SaintsBiggest need: Linebacker
A.J. Klein bolted in free agency, leaving Demario Davis as the only reliable veteran returning to the middle of the Saints' defense. New Orleans has been trying to upgrade at linebacker for years, evidenced by its acquisition of Kiko Alonso last preseason and selection of high-upside prospect Alex Anzalone in 2017. Both are set to come back, but Alonso is recovering from the third ACL tear of his career, while Anzalone hasn't been able to shake off the injury issues that plagued him in college. Davis, Alonso, and Anzalone are all entering contract years.
Top early round targets: Patrick Queen, Zack Baun, Kenneth Murray
Tampa Bay BuccaneersBiggest need: Offensive tackle
While Tom Brady might be the best quarterback at mitigating pressure with his IQ and pocket presence, he'll be 43 by the time the season starts. The Bucs have a solid offensive line with an especially strong interior, but they can't risk losing any time during this two-year window. Free-agent signing Joe Haeg is better suited to serve as a swing tackle rather than a starter, while the team could also upgrade from decent left tackle Donovan Smith.
Top early round targets: Andrew Thomas, Josh Jones, Austin Jackson
NFC WestArizona Cardinals
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyBiggest need: Offensive line
Kyler Murray was sacked 48 times last season, tied for third-most in the league. While Murray should get better at avoiding pressure in his sophomore season, the Cardinals should still do all they can to improve the protection of their diminutive quarterback after only re-signing left tackle D.J. Humphries in free agency. At No. 8 overall, Arizona should be able to land one of the draft's premier offensive tackles.
Top early round targets: Tristan Wirfs, Mekhi Becton, Andrew Thomas
Los Angeles RamsBiggest need: Offensive line
The Rams' offensive line fell apart in 2019. After being one of the league's best pass-protection units the year before, it was ranked 31st in the metric by PFF last season. Left tackle Andrew Whitworth was re-signed, though the Rams didn't have many other options. The 38-year-old suddenly became a penalty machine in 2019, and a long-term option needs to be found immediately.
Top early round targets: Nick Harris, Isaiah Wilson, Jonah Jackson
San Francisco 49ersBiggest need: Wide receiver
After watching Emmanuel Sanders leave in free agency, the 49ers need to again address the wide receiver position if they're to make it back to the Super Bowl. Sophomore Deebo Samuel had an impressive rookie season, racking up 802 yards, but his play did significantly improve after the midseason acquisition of Sanders. San Francisco owns the No. 13 and No. 31 pick after sending DeForest Buckner to the Colts, so it has more than enough ammo.
Top early round targets: Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, Denzel Mims
Seattle SeahawksBiggest need: Pass rush
Even if the Seahawks are able to re-sign Jadeveon Clowney, their pass rush is among the weakest in the league. The team ranked 31st in sacks last season and doesn't seem optimistic about its chances of bringing back the former Pro Bowl pass-rusher. The Seahawks can't expect to compete for a Super Bowl with Bruce Irvin, 2019 first-rounder L.J. Collier (a non-factor as a rookie), Benson Mayowa, and Rasheem Green at defensive end.
Top early round targets: Zabari Zuniga, Josh Uche, Yetur Gross-Matos
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