2019 NFL Draft Team Needs: Picks 22 to 32

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 22: Baltimore Ravens (10-6) | Top Needs – WR, LB, DL, OL

As the Baltimore Ravens move in a different direction with second year spark plug Lamar Jackson, the primary focus should pertain to a ground & pound offensive approach.

Heading into the 2019 NFL draft, Baltimore currently has some gaping holes on this roster, some of which we haven’t seen in many years. First, the lack of receiving talent housed on this roster should dictate terms for them to secure one of the top talents in this class. Having at least the illusion on offense to have some deep threat capability will go a long way in how successful they are in the run game.

With offensive issues prevalent, the massive loss of CJ Mosley in free agency could persuade the Ravens to snag a line backer, if one becomes available. With that said, the greater need does reside with the lack of pass catchers and should be highlighted in the first round for the Ravens.

Pick 23: Houston Texans (11-5) | Top Needs – OL, DB, TE, RB

As the Texans continue to move forward with many talented pieces on this roster, they continue to underachieve when the postseason is on the forefront.

Defensively the Texans showed great prowess last season, and should again find good fortune with many of the same cast returning to the mix. While we can make an argument to suggest offensive line is the greatest need for this club, we would like to see the Texans solidify the defensive backend in selecting a top performer at corner back in this draft.

Based on their first round placement, Houston could be hard pressed to garner at top flight offensive lineman to help protect Deshaun Watson, but it should be viewed as a top priority also.

Pick 24: Oakland Raiders (4-12) (From Chicago Bears) | Top Needs – DL, LB, TE, RB, DB

Entering the part of the draft that the Oakland Raiders could literally control, sitting at the 24^th overall pick allows the Raiders much wiggle room to navigate with this being their second selection in the first round.

With our first evaluation suggesting the Raiders will select one of the top defensive linemen in this draft at pick four, they should continue to move in building the defensive side with either defensive back or line backer - depending on who sits on the board. Oakland was an absolute disaster on the defensive side last season, and should use majority of this draft class to correct these inadequacies.

With how Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock have added to the offense via free agency, selecting more top end talent on defense is the ultimate priority.  

Pick 25: Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) | Top Needs – LB, DB, OL

The Philadelphia Eagles made waves last night in trading for Chicago Bears cast off Jordan Howard, revamping their running back position and giving them a clear edge, while filling a giant need.

Picking at the backend of this draft with pick 25, the Eagles roster as a whole looks quite sound and would look for more depth pieces. In our eyes, line backer is the greatest need on this club, with defensive back highlighting a very close second.

Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has a clear philosophy which is dictated by the defensive line pressure, but is paramount in how well the secondary covers opposing receivers. With running back no longer a need for this team, we could absolutely witness the Eagles snag a talented cover corner to add to an already stout defense.

Pick 26: Indianapolis Colts (10-6) | Top Needs – DL, DB, WR, OL

When Frank Reich was appointed as the new head coach in charge of rebuilding respect to the organization, all the credit in our opinion has to be placed to general manager Chris Ballard. Ballard has done a splendid job in his short tenure to bring on extremely talented pieces while getting the salary cap back in order.

While offensive line issues have plagued this club for many years, the situation seems to be repaired from stellar drafting. While adding to the line will be important in this class, adding pieces to a defense that overachieved last season will be the priority.

Defensive line assistance in the form of rushing presence will be the guiding principle for the Colts as their sack production did leave a lot to be desired. Adding secondary help will also dictate terms, as rounding out that group will ultimately allow the line to produce far better production. When all is said and done, we can see a defensive littered draft class from the Colts in 2019.    

Pick 27: Oakland Raiders (4-12) (From Dallas Cowboys) | Top Needs – DL, LB, TE, RB, DB

The Raiders will be extremely busy in the first round of this draft baring any movement up or down the board. Seeing their third selection in the first round sitting at the 27^th overall pick, the Raiders should continue to add defense with the possibility of snagging a top flight tight-end.

With Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams adding play-making ability to this offense, rounding out the talent while securing a pass catching tight-end could be on the menu.

Oakland could move in literally any direction with their plethora of picks, but as we see it today, defensive line and defensive back should be their first choices with a tight-end or more defensive line help to follow at pick 27.

Pick 28: Los Angeles Chargers (12-4) | Top Needs – DL, OL, DB

Heading into last season, the Chargers were one of our top choices to come out of the AFC and challenge for Super Bowl supremacy. Moving into 2019, Los Angeles clearly has some tinkering to do.

Losing key pieces in free agency will force a re-stacking of the defensive line as a top priority, which should bode well for this club as the draft is chalk full of talented players at this position. Rounding out the offensive line is another area of great need which will continue to help Philip Rivers from hitting the turf.

It’s not out of the question for the Chargers to find yet another talent at the defensive back position given the lack of consistency and injury history they have had. Defense should be the pick for the Chargers at 28, with the possibility of finding interior offensive line assistance.

Pick 29: Kansas City Chiefs (12-4) | Top Needs – DL, OL, LB, RB,

Turmoil in Kansas City began late last season, and continued to rear its ugly head this offseason, as Tyreek Hill and his off field domestic situation still sits in limbo. If Hill is found guilty of the charges, I’m sure the Chiefs would consider finding his replacement somewhere in this draft.

Putting the Hill situation aside, the Chiefs do have a number of holes on this roster and most remain on the defensive side of the ball. Trading away their top pass rusher (Dee Ford) and allowing long time line backer (Justin Houston) to leave via free agency, the lack of top end talent on this side is staggering.

While Patrick Mahomes showed unbelievable skill this past season, losing their center via free agency could also hit harder than most realize. Having patch made solutions at the running back position is also an area of need which could be corrected at pick 29. Andy Reid and the front office staff surely have their work cut out for them this offseason.

Pick 30: Green Bay Packers (6-9-1) (From New Orleans Saints) | Top Needs – OL, DL, WR, LB

Heading back to last year’s draft, the Green Bay Packers secured this selection in a trade with the New Orleans Saints to provide an advantage of having two picks in this draft.

The Packers are in a re-tinkering phase where both offensive and defensive lines could appropriately use some added depth and talent infusions. While our first evaluation is geared to adding protection to Aaron Rodgers and the offensive line, this pick should see Green Bay secure a top flight run stopping presence.

This roster as a whole isn’t as bad as they performed a season ago, but should be keying on specific holes rather than just securing the best player on the board.     

Pick 31: Los Angeles Rams (13-3) | Top Needs – LB, OL, RB, DL

With the Super Bowl runner up sitting at pick 31 but holding a roster that is rather spectacular, the Rams do have a few holes they should address with this pick.

While we could see coach McVay add his input to enhance the offensive line keeping his high powered offense moving in the right direction, we should see this pick used to help a defense that was rather enigmatic over the course of the season. The Rams hold perhaps the best player in the NFL on defense in Aaron Donald, but have lost run stuffing plug Ndamukong Suh - increasing concern.

While it’s our contention to see the Rams try and find more talent at the line backer position, they absolutely won’t reach here to fill that void. Defensive line assistance seems to be the play here, but could we witness a running back selected to help ease the workload of Todd Gurley? We wouldn’t be surprised.   

Pick 32: New England Patriots (11-5) | Top Needs – WR, TE, DL

With the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots once again finding their way to hold the last pick in the NFL draft, the amount of holes currently on this roster is quite astonishing.

With limited cap space to their name, and waiting for the Rob Gronkowski retirement decision (which came this week), the Patriots were hamstrung in what moves they would be able to make on the open market. Losing practically their entire receiving core this offseason, New England only has Julian Edelman as the primary piece for pass catching talent.

While issues do reside on the defensive side as well, we can’t envision any situation where Bill Belichick doesn’t address the wide receiver or tight-end position at pick 32. It’s not out of the realm of possibilities to see the Patriots trade down to secure more draft capital and restock the cupboards as well.