2019 NFL Draft Team Needs: Picks 1 to 10

With the NFL combine complete and pro-days in full swing, preparation for the NFL Draft is underway as teams finalize their boards for the big day. With many key free agent signings over the past couple weeks, the landscape of team requirements has changed for what each team will covet in the draft. Let’s start the speculation process for what each team will be looking for.   

NFL Draft Round 1:

Pick 1: Arizona Cardinals (3-13) | Top Needs – OL, TE, WR

As the Cardinals witnessed one of their worst campaigns in franchise history, the consolation prize is having the top selection in this year’s draft.

With new head coach Kliff Kingsberry taking over the reins in hopes to right the ship, rumors have swirled to suggest he isn’t on board with Josh Rosen to lead his club. Like any new coach looking to place his stamp on the organization, Kyler Murray appears to be his preferred choice at the most important position. While the Cardinals still house many issues on this roster, they did make sound moves in free agency to warrant selecting a quarterback for the second straight season.

Adding depth to the offense as a whole will go a long way to archive success in 2019, including more weapons in the pass game. At this point, it appears Murray will be the man to lead Arizona under this new regime.

Pick 2: San Francisco 49ers (4-12) | Top Needs – WR, DB, LB, OL

When the 49ers traded for Jimmy Garoppolo to transform this offense, nobody would’ve predicted that San Francisco would hold another top pick in the NFL draft. Simply due to a season ending injury for Garoppolo, the 49ers find themselves in a great situation to continue the build of an already stout roster.

San Francisco orchestrated perhaps one of the best trades this offseason receiving edge rushing super talent (Dee Ford) from the Chiefs, to bolster an already impressive unit. Shoring up that inadequacy before the draft provides the 49ers ample opportunity to move in literally any direction.

While the 49ers do possess many needs on the defensive side, and most have Nick Bosa being selected at this position, Kyle Shanahan may want to trade down in hopes to garner more draft capital to help the offensive transformation. Giving Garoppolo more talent on the offense would be the path we would recommend, but securing Bosa would create a dominating defensive front which could rival the best in the business.        

Pick 3: New York Jets (4-12) | Top Needs – DL, OL, DB, LB

The New York Jets made waves this offseason already, obtaining some of the best free agent talents money can buy.

Signing star running back LeVeon Bell to help remove pressure from Sam Darnold should see instant returns, while adding slot receiving talent (Jamison Crowder) will also go a very long way to improvement in offensive production. Adding to that, acquiring star line backer CJ Mosely off the open market will fortify the middle of the defense, giving them more options entering the NFL draft.

With how this roster is rounding out, the Jets have glaring needs on the defensive front that should be resolved with the third overall selection. Dependant on what the 49ers choose to do, the Jets could find great fortune with Nick Bosa, Quinnen Williams, and Josh Allen sitting there ripe for the picking. Adding to this defensive front is the highest of priorities to help provide assistance to Leonard Williams.         

Pick 4: Oakland Raiders (4-12) | Top Needs – DL, LB, RB, DB

When Jon Gruden was hired and given a decade long contract to rebuild the Oakland (soon to be Las Vegas) Raiders, we knew his first season would be strictly a review process to what the roster employed. Now having a keen understanding of what the team actually requires, Gruden will have every opportunity to build in his vision.

Making perhaps the biggest move in the offseason, the Raiders pilfered star wide receiver Antonio Brown from the Steelers, while still holding their three first round picks. Obtaining Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams to help Derek Carr in the pass game, we could easily envision the Raiders using majority of their selections to shore up the defensive side of the ball.  

Losing super star Khalil Mack via trade with the Chicago Bears, Oakland will find that replacement with one of the three best defensive linemen in this year’s class. Much like the Jets - Nick Bosa, Quinnen Williams, and Josh Allen should be the players of choice when the Raiders are on the clock.

With that said it’s not inconceivable to witness Oakland change direction and select the best line backer in this draft knowing that position is rather thin. With more draft depth sitting on the defensive line, Devin White or Devin Bush could be the pick here to become their true leader in the middle of this defense.      

Pick 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11) | Top Needs – LB, RB, OL, DB  

Once again the Tampa Bay Buccaneers find themselves picking in the top 10, but have a better vision with a new coaching staff ready to revamp this team.

With Bruce Arians now leading the charge, the offensive production should continue to move in the right direction. While that statement may be somewhat confusing as the Bucs were among the league leaders in passing last season, we are referring more to the development of Jameis Winston. Though the glaring need on this offense remains at the running back position, this class won’t entice the Bucs to draft a runner with the number five overall pick.

Adding more talent to this defense will be on the menu for Tampa Bay in this draft, as supplanting the loss of their line backer (Kwon Alexander) should be of high significance. Securing either Devin White or Devin Bush seems to be most appropriate, while adding offensive line help isn’t out of the question.  

Pick 6: New York Giants (5-11) | Top Needs – QB, OL, DE, WR  

Seeing super stars find new teams this offseason started with Antonio Brown, the Giants chose to also make headlines dealing their star pass catcher Odell Beckham Jr to the Cleveland Browns.

While trading Beckham came as quite a surprise, the Giants obviously are looking to strengthen the team as a whole for the future, while gaining heavy returns for one of their best players. Holding a plethora of holes on this roster, New York could move in multiple directions in this draft.

Obviously when reviewing the roster, the Giants desperately require a succession plan at the quarterback position with the aging Eli Manning looking worse for wear. With Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins being the top passers in this class, we could see the Giants deferring on a signal caller to default to the 2020 draft where talent is much stronger for the position.

The Giants have weaknesses all over the defense which could force their hand to select a defensive lineman, but if they chose to not select a quarterback, finding Beckham’s replacement with someone like DK Metcalf might be how this plays out.       

Pick 7: Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11) | Top Needs – OL, TE,WR,

For a club that is just two years removed from reaching the AFC Championship contest, we believe the Jaguars have found unbelievable prosperity to find themselves picking at number seven.

Jacksonville still houses one of the best defensive groups in the entire NFL, and should be back to dominating fashion this season. The Jaguars went shopping to solidify their greatest need on offense in signing Nick Foles to be the team’s starting pivot.

Outside of adding more dynamic weapons to this already packed defensive core, Jacksonville should be looking to bolster the offensive line and potentially snagging the best tight-end in this class. Iowa standout Noah Fant looks to be a slam dunk at pick seven for Jacksonville to provide a mismatch this offense clearly needs.     

Pick 8: Detroit Lions (6-10) | Top Needs – DL, DB, LB, OL

Last season didn’t go as planned for former New England disciple Matt Patricia, but seeing how he’s added to this roster this offseason, it could go a long way in how they draft in 2019.

Right from jump, losing Ezekiel Ansah to the open market could be considered the greatest need on this club, and we could absolutely envision an edge presence added to the group. With A’Shawn Robinson and Damon Harrison manning the middle of the defensive front, and free agent signee Trey Flowers holding the other edge, finding that appropriate piece to round out the room would look favorable.

In saying that, we could also foresee the Lions selecting Devin Bush to add to a line backer group in need of more thump. Though Jared Davis mans the middle line backer spot, he could be better utilized as the outside backer creating a solid one-two punch for this defense. Defensive back is also a concern in our eyes and the Lions should consider adding a giant talent like Greedy Williams to play opposite of Darius Slay.          

Pick 9: Buffalo Bills (6-10) | Top Needs – LB, DL, TE, OL  

Before free agent frenzy, the Bills greatest weakness was clearly on the offensive line. Understanding this inadequacy, general manager Brandon Beane rectified the group with signing many talented free agents. With trust that Josh Allen is the franchise quarterback for the long term, the offensive line doesn’t appear to be as big of an issue as it once was.

Adding more power to the receiving core was also a huge need for this offense, but that too was corrected with the additions of John Brown and Cole Beasley. With Beane setting up this roster with sound talent, the Bills have the opportunity to again find the best player on their draft board without reaching to fill areas of need.

With Coach Sean McDermott having a defensive pedigree, we could see the Bills use their top selection in the first round to choose more edge rushing talent or to create a dynamic-duo at the line backer position. With last year’s rookie standout Tremaine Edmunds proving why he was so highly touted, adding Devin Bush could create a tandem like no other in the league.

With that said, the defense is the clear strength of this Bills team and we could witness Buffalo add more weapons to the offensive side. If DK Metcalf falls in their lap, it could be difficult to see Beane pass him up.

Pick 10: Denver Broncos (6-10) | Top Needs – OL, LB, TE, DL  

In the John Elway tenure as general manager, his struggles to draft an adequate quarterback to replace the great Peyton Manning has been his greatest weakness. Trying to right that ship one more time, Elway traded for expendable Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.

With the quarterback position placed with a patch made solution once again, the Broncos will have their work cut out for them to correct giant holes on this roster. First, it doesn’t matter who is throwing the ball for Denver if they can’t employ an offensive line to protect the pocket. Though tight-end and line backer also poses as a glaring need for this club, selecting a top notch protector is in our eyes the only way to move here.

Picks 11 to 21 to follow – Stay Tuned…