Draft Needs: Identifying the biggest problem area for every AFC team

theScore goes division by division to identify the most significant remaining hole for every AFC team ahead of the 2019 NFL Draft, which will take place April 25 to 27.

AFC I NFCAFC EastBuffalo Bills

Biggest need: Tight end

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The highly active Bills used free agency to retool their offensive line - a major weakness in 2018 - and inked Cole Beasley and John Brown to lessen the need for pass-catchers. However, Buffalo should continue to boost the talent level around Josh Allen, and it suffers from a greater lack of depth at no position more than tight end. Free-agent signing Tyler Kroft had a seven-touchdown campaign in 2017, but he's not a starting-caliber player, and former undrafted free agent Jason Croom and converted offensive lineman Jake Fisher are the Bills' only other tight ends. Buffalo's big-armed quarterback needs an equally imposing middle-of-the-field threat.

Potential draft targets: T.J. Hockenson (Iowa), Dawson Knox (Ole Miss)

Miami Dolphins

Biggest need: Defensive line

The 2020 draft will be vital for the seemingly tanking Dolphins, as they reportedly hope to land quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. But this year's class can't be overlooked. It will lay the foundation for Miami's new era, and there's nowhere better to begin building a base than the defensive line, an enormous need for Miami after a mass exodus. Robert Quinn, Andre Branch, and Cameron Wake are gone, further weakening a unit that finished 31st in run defense and 29th in sacks last year. Edge rushers and interior linemen are required in equal measure; the Dolphins should use multiple early picks to shore up the unit before the potential arrival of a franchise savior.

Potential draft targets: Brian Burns (Florida State), Christian Wilkins (Clemson)

New England Patriots

Biggest need: Pass-catchers

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Tom Brady might need some time to learn his receivers' names before the start of the season. Even prior to Rob Gronkowski's retirement, New England's pass-catching options looked thin. But with the future Hall of Famer gone, it's particularly dire. Julian Edelman, who turns 33 in May, is the only legitimate starter; Phillip Dorsett exceeded low expectations in 2018, but he's an underwhelming second option, and someone named Jacob Hollister is TE1. After failing to land Jared Cook and Adam Humphries, an overhaul of their pass-catching weapons is priority No. 1 for the Patriots, who should target the best receiver or tight end available.

Potential draft targets: Noah Fant (Iowa), Hakeem Butler (Iowa State)

New York Jets

Biggest need: Pass-rusher

The Jets spent the most cash by a fair margin in free agency, with running back Le'Veon Bell, linebacker C.J. Mosley, and slot wideout Jamison Crowder inking eye-popping deals to fill glaring holes. New York did, however, fail to find an answer for perhaps its biggest need: pass-rusher. It wasn't for a lack of trying, though, as an agreed deal with linebacker Anthony Barr - whom the Jets envisioned playing on the edge - fell apart after he opted to return to the Minnesota Vikings. Still, the lack of a Plan B in free agency was obvious, which perhaps signals that New York is eyeing one of the highly rated pass-rushers at No. 3 overall.

Potential draft targets: Nick Bosa (Ohio State), Josh Allen (Kentucky)

AFC WestDenver Broncos

Biggest need: Quarterback

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Even if you agree with John Elway that Joe Flacco is "just going into his prime" months after his 34th birthday, there's little argument that Denver's general manager needs to find a franchise passer to make up for a series of high-profile blunders. The Broncos are attempting to stay competitive while replacing the key pieces of their 2015 Super Bowl-winning team, and Flacco's presence should allow them to sit even a highly touted rookie quarterback. But, as owners of the 10th overall pick, is Denver willing to risk trading up to snag a top prospect?

Potential draft targets: Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State), Drew Lock (Missouri)

Kansas City Chiefs

Biggest need: Pass-rusher

Kansas City got a major wake-up call in the AFC title game loss to the Patriots. Elite pass-rushers Justin Houston, Dee Ford, and Chris Jones didn't register a single sack on Brady, and nose tackle Derrick Nnadi produced the only hit. The response? Houston and his $21.1-million cap hit was dumped and Ford was traded for a 2020 second-rounder. The additions of Emmanuel Ogbah and Alex Okafor offset the losses, to a degree, but if the Chiefs' plan is to replicate New England's rotation of affordable edge rushers instead of investing heavily, the logical move is to add a rookie or two on controlled deals.

Potential draft targets: Clelin Ferrell (Clemson), Chase Winovich (Michigan)

Los Angeles Chargers

Biggest need: Defensive tackle

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The Chargers' roster is stacked and should put the team right back in the thick of the race for AFC supremacy. But no depth chart is perfect, and Los Angeles needs to beef up the center of its talented defense. Curiously, the Chargers re-signed the older Brandon Mebane while parting ways with Darius Philon and Corey Luiget, leaving just three defensive tackles on the roster. L.A. eschewed the free-agent market (so far), making it vital to add youth and depth in the draft to complement the elite play from pass-rushers Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa.

Potential draft targets: Dexter Lawrence (Clemson), Jerry Tillery (Notre Dame)

Oakland Raiders

Biggest need: Pass-rusher

Trading away Khalil Mack was, of course, always going to hurt the Raiders' pass rush. But it sunk to abysmal levels in 2018, as Oakland produced just 13 sacks as a team - a total that was matched by 11 individual defensive players (Mack was close with 12.5). Last year's third-rounder, Arden Key, is the only pass-rusher of note on the entire roster and he had one sack as a rookie. There might not be a bigger hole in the entire league than the Raiders' pass rush.

Potential draft targets: Rashan Gary (Michigan), Josh Allen (Kentucky)

AFC NorthBaltimore Ravens

Biggest need: Wide receiver

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Of Baltimore's three leading pass-catchers from a season ago, only Willie Snead remains. The veteran is far from a No. 1 option, and it gets uglier further down the depth chart; Chris Moore caught just 17 passes in 2018, while then-rookies Jaleel Scott and Jordan Lasley failed to register a single grab. John Harbaugh is right that Baltimore could struggle to attract certain wideouts in free agency until Jackson proves himself as a passer, so the natural move is to draft its own and mold them to fit into the team's unique offensive identity.

Potential draft targets: Marquise Brown (Oklahoma), Parris Campbell (Ohio State)

Cleveland Browns

Biggest need: Linebacker

For years, the Browns' biggest need was, well, everything. But, finally, a franchise quarterback has been found and a busy offseason improved an already impressive roster. Suddenly, Cleveland finds itself in the contender tier. The big hole at safety was plugged by Eric Murray and Morgan Burnett - though a long-term option would be welcome - making linebacker arguably the defense's weakest position after a disappointing 2018 from the unit. Following Jamie Collins' release, Christian Kirksey, Joe Schobert, and Genard Avery are slated to start. The trio, though not without their strengths, lack the athleticism to consistently cover pass-catching tight ends and backs.

Potential draft targets: Mack Wilson (Alabama), Vosean Joseph (Florida)

Cincinnati Bengals

Biggest need: Offensive line

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The Bengals need major reinforcements at linebacker and on the offensive line, but since the latter - a top unit only a few years ago - could be the key to success in 2019 and beyond, it gets the nod here. Cordy Glenn has the left tackle spot locked down but will turn 30 in September and has a lengthy injury history. Guard Clint Boling is excellent but is also nearing 30. Beyond those two, there's essentially no top talent and little depth; the lack of options at tackle was especially highlighted when Glenn missed three games in 2018. While the re-signing of Bobby Hart was met with incredulity, the fact that his contract is essentially a one-year deal shows Cincinnati knows it needs to find a new right tackle.

Potential draft targets: Jawaan Taylor (Florida), Dalton Risner (Kansas State)

Pittsburgh Steelers

Biggest need: Linebacker

The Steelers learned to live without Bell last season and will have to do the same without Antonio Brown in 2019 after his dramatic exit. While Pittsburgh's ability to find receiving and backfield talent mitigates those concerns, the same magic hasn't been able to fill the large void left by Ryan Shazier. The Steelers' defense hasn't been the same since the linebacker's spinal injury in 2017, as it has greatly missed the two-time Pro Bowler's rare athleticism and range. Pittsburgh underestimated the loss of Shazier last season and can't afford to repeat that error.

Potential draft targets: Devin Bush (Michigan), Blake Cashman (Minnesota)

AFC SouthHouston Texans

Biggest need: Offensive line

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Entering free agency, the Texans clearly needed an infusion of talent in front of Deshaun Watson, who was sacked a league-high 62 times in 2018. Nearly a month later, however, and the same need tops Houston's priority list. The Texans made just one addition despite ample cap space, and it was an underwhelming one at that. Matt Kalil, who missed 2018 with a knee injury, will likely slide into the left tackle spot, but his presence shouldn't stop Houston from taking multiple offensive linemen in the draft. The former fourth overall pick is, at best, a stop-gap option after signing a one-year deal.

Potential draft targets: Andre Dillard (Washington State), Garrett Bradbury (NC State)

Indianapolis Colts

Biggest need: Wide receiver

In just one year, the Colts' roster has gone from one of the AFC's worst to one of its best thanks to the efforts of general manager Chris Ballard, who's plugged many of Indy's gaping holes. Despite benefiting from the most cap space, Ballard stuck to his frugal philosophy. One of the few signings he did make was receiver Devin Funchess, who gives Andrew Luck a legitimate threat besides T.Y. Hilton. A long-term answer is needed, though, as Hilton turns 30 in November, Funchess signed only for 2019, and Deon Cain, Indy's most promising young wideout, tore his ACL in August after earning rave reviews in his rookie training camp. Another big-time weapon for Luck might push the Colts over the top.

Potential draft targets: N'Keal Harry (Arizona State), Deebo Samuel (South Carolina)

Jacksonville Jaguars

Biggest need: Tight end

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Jacksonville guaranteed $50 million to Nick Foles, essentially locking him into the starting job for two seasons as it eyes another postseason run. But the quarterback isn't the final piece to the championship puzzle. While Foles has proven himself capable over the last two years, he benefitted from an elite supporting cast, and the biggest talent discrepancy between Philly and Jacksonville is at tight end. Foles is going from Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert (plus Trey Burton in 2017) to Geoff Swaim and James O'Shaughnessy, who combined for 50 catches and one touchdown in 2018. If the Jaguars want Super Bowl MVP Foles, a security blanket is a must.

Potential draft targets: T.J. Hockenson (Iowa), Irv Smith Jr. (Alabama)

Tennessee Titans

Biggest need: Pass-rusher

Harold Landry was one of the biggest Day 2 steals last year, and Tennessee's likely hoping for the kind of second-year leap that would greatly minimize its need at pass-rusher. The Titans signaled their belief in the second-rounder by signing 37-year-old Cameron Wake instead of a free agent in his prime. But you can't have too many pass-rushers, and though Wake signed a three-year deal, banking on more than one season from him isn't smart. A running mate for Landry could take the defense to the next level. The top edge players will likely be gone by pick No. 19, though, so Tennessee could again look for value in the subsequent rounds.

Potential draft targets: Jachai Polite (Florida), Clelin Ferrell (Clemson)

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