Position group each AFC team must hit on in NFL Draft

For some teams, the answer seems obvious, but it's not for others.

Here's a rundown:

AFC East  

BUFFALO BILLS | Wide receiver | As GM Brandon Beane explained recently in a pre-draft news conference, the Bills don't need a true No. 1 receiver to compensate for the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, especially considering the Bills thrived as a run-first offense in 2023. However, Buffalo must add a dynamic weapon for Josh Allen, so Texas' Xavier Worthy and his ability to create yards after the catch could make the explosive wideout an ideal addition.

MIAMI DOLPHINS | Guard | QB Tua Tagovailoa was finally able to stay healthy last season. RG Robert Hunt (one sack and five pressures allowed) played a key role in that, but he signed with Carolina this offseason. So Miami must find a suitable replacement to protect Tagovailoa's blindside during his pivotal contract year, perhaps through the selection of versatile Duke OL Graham Barton.

NEW YORK JETS | Offensive tackle | The Jets don't need a tackle in the first round, but they should consider spending two mid- and late-round picks to bolster their depth at the position. Aside from the fact that 33-year-old bookend tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses are unrestricted free agents next offseason, both have injury histories that raise concerns about whether they'll miss time in 2024.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Quarterback | Barring an unexpected development, signs point to New England selecting a quarterback in the first round. De facto GM Eliot Wolf most likely will decide between UNC's Drake Maye and Michigan's J.J. McCarthy. The chances of the third quarterback in the draft becoming a star are slim, but Texans QB C.J. Stroud's stellar debut season proves that having an elite signal-caller on a rookie deal can quickly improve a franchise's outlook. — Colum Dell

AFC West 

DENVER BRONCOS | Quarterback | Since Hall of Famer Peyton Manning retired in 2016, 13 QBs have started for the Broncos, which is one reason they’ve missed the playoffs for eight straight seasons. Denver general manager George Paton recently indicated the Broncos don't want to reach for a QB, but it’s clear a quality starter at the position is far and away their biggest need. Denver should consider targeting Michael Penix Jr. (Washington) or Bo Nix (Oregon) with the 12th overall pick.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Offensive tackle | General manager Brett Veach recently suggested the draft class lacks offensive tackle depth, an indication the Chiefs will take one with the 32nd overall pick, perhaps Tyler Guyton (Oklahoma) or Amarius Mims (Georgia). QB Patrick Mahomes needs better pass protection after Kansas City allowed the fourth-most pressures (164) in the league last season.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Quarterback | QBs Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew II will compete for the starting job, but the Raiders should add another passer with more upside. Whether Las Vegas trades up from No. 13 or stands pat, the draft class has several talented QBs (LSU’s Jayden Daniels, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Michigan’s McCarthy) who could flourish in Vegas.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Wide receiver | The Chargers need a No. 1 WR after trading six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears this offseason. If Los Angeles holds on to fifth overall pick, it could take Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. or LSU’s Malik Nabers; either could become one of QB Justin Herbert’s favorite targets. — Clark Dalton

AFC North

BALTIMORE RAVENS | Cornerback | General manager Eric DeCosta said the Ravens “would love to add a talented corner at some point in the draft,” and rightfully so. Baltimore witnessed several key players in its secondary go down with injury last season. Plus, three-time Pro Bowl CB Marlon Humphrey will turn 28 in July.

 CINCINNATI BENGALS | Tight end | The Bengals have put a Band-Aid on tight end for the second straight season with veteran Mike Gesicki. There isn’t a ton of tight-end talent in this year’s draft, but adding a reliable target such as Georgia’s Brock Bowers or Texas’ Ja’Tavion Sanders would pay massive dividends for QB Joe Burrow, who is returning from his season-ending wrist injury.

 CLEVELAND BROWNS | Linebacker | The Browns have rebuilt their inside linebacker room this offseason with veterans Jordan Hicks and Devin Bush, the No. 10 overall pick in 2019. Neither is the future of the position, however, as Hicks will turn 32 in June and Bush is coming off the worst season of his NFL career (37 tackles) for Seattle.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Center | Although the Steelers have entertained the idea of bumping guard Nate Herbig inside, they do not have a center on their roster after releasing 2023 starter Mason Cole earlier this offseason. Pittsburgh must find a way to land one of the few plug-and-play starters in Duke’s Graham Barton, Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson or West Virginia’s Zach Frazier. — Aaron Becker

AFC South

HOUSTON TEXANS | Cornerback | With the rest of the teams in the division building up their quarterback and wide receiver positions, the Texans will need defensive firepower to combat them. Houston signed five cornerbacks in free agency, but none are starting-caliber players, so the team needs a difference-maker opposite Derek Stingley Jr.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Safety | Aside from re-signing Julian Blackmon, the Colts have done nothing else to bolster their safety group. Indy can’t head to camp with underwhelming Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas II as their No. 2 and 3 safeties and adding someone such as Washington State’s Jaden Hicks or Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin would be a significant upgrade. 

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Cornerback | Jacksonville lost Darious Williams to free agency and the rest of its CB group is a hodgepodge of inexperienced youth and journeymen. The 2024 cornerback class is top-heavy, and there’s no reason the Jags shouldn’t come away with a plug-and-play starter in Round 1. 

TENNESSEE TITANS | Offensive tackle | Offensive line play doesn’t get much worse than what the Titans got from their group last season. Tennessee gave Will Levis new weapons (RB Tony Pollard, WR Calvin Ridley), but the team must keep its 24-year-old starting QB upright (and off the injury report) so he can use those weapons. — Michael Gallagher