The Biggest Question Facing Every NFL Team Entering Draft Month

We're now into NFL draft month, leaving teams juggling the scraps period of free agency and the always-shifting dynamics of the selection process that will take place later in April.

Naturally, questions remain following a wild March.

Here is one key question per franchise as the offseason enters its next phase.

AFC East

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Josh Allen

Buffalo Bills: What does Josh Allen need the most? 

It's all about supporting the franchise quarterback in their quest to finally get over the top. The question is, where should they focus at the top of the draft? Do they target an inside linebacker or DB to spruce up the defense? A guard to replace David Edwards? Another receiver for Allen to rely on? There are a lot of potential avenues here, both in the draft and in the lingering waves of free agency. 

Miami Dolphins: Is 'Green Bay South' the solution?

This one's a little broader as the Dolphins are a rebuilding team without a top-10 pick. New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, head coach Jeff Hafley and quarterback Malik Willis all come from the Packers. Will that trio have better fortunes than Chris Grier, Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa? Nailing that No. 11 overall pick would help. 

New England Patriots: Will they still make a splash? 

The Patriots are on track following a Super Bowl season, but there's been speculation that they could try to trade for 28-year-old three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown. Could they reel in a big fish like that in order to build on their extremely promising 2025 campaign? 

New York Jets: Do they draft a quarterback?

It's hard not to smirk at the talk of Geno Smith leading the Jets to the "promised land." We all know he is a bridge for a team that is likely to miss out on Fernando Mendoza second overall but has three of the top 33 selections in the draft. Do they take Ty Simpson or Garrett Nussmeier? Or is it all about the 2027 class for Gang Green?

AFC North

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Shedeur Sanders

Baltimore Ravens: Who'll be the man in the middle? 

The Ravens lost Tyler Linderbaum in free agency, leaving them with a major question at center. Offensive-line continuity is critical for a team trying to bounce back from an off year, and Baltimore's offense can't afford to enter the 2026 campaign with a big gap in the middle. Look for them to use one of their first two selections on a guy who will be expected to start from the get-go. 

Cincinnati Bengals: What more do they need to do on defense?

We know they'll likely sink or swim based on what Joe Burrow can do with his two star receivers in 2026, but the Bengals could still be limited by a defense that surrendered an NFL-high 6.2 yards per play in 2025 before losing accomplished veteran Trey Hendrickson on the open market. They'll almost certainly go with the best defender available with the No. 10 pick, but will that be enough to make headway in a difficult division?

Cleveland Browns: What more will they do to help their quarterback(s) succeed in 2026?

The Browns did spruce up the offensive line by adding a ton of experience in free agency, but they're still left with a glaring hole at left tackle and the receiving corps remains one of the weakest in the league. There's a very good chance they address both needs with their two first-round picks, but drafting ain't easy. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: What's the deal at quarterback? 

This has been the prevailing question for any team employing Aaron Rodgers at this time in recent offseasons. The Steelers need definitive word from the veteran QB on his future before they're on the clock with the 21st overall pick on April 23. That's apparently the expectation, but nothing's guaranteed with the 42-year-old. It could draw Ty Simpson into play. 

AFC South

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Cam Ward

Houston Texans: What more will they do to help get C.J. Stroud back on track? 

This could very well be a make-or-break year for the young quarterback, and adding Braden Smith, David Montgomery and Wyatt Teller to the offense doesn't exactly move the needle. The offensive line remains a valid concern. They have three picks in the top 60 and will surely continue to address that area. 

Indianapolis Colts: Is the defense good enough? 

The Colts reportedly swung at Hendrickson and missed. They've instead added Arden Key and Michael Clemons, which might not make up for the fact that the linebacker corps and safety group are lacking in a major way. This D was a disaster down the stretch in 2025 and will need to be tuned up despite a lack of first-round pick. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: Can the defense retain its bite?

The Jags generated an AFC-best 31 takeaways last season, but Devin Lloyd is gone after intercepting five passes and recovering a fumble. It was a quiet March overall for a team that made major strides on both sides of the ball in 2025, but it's fair to wonder if they need one more weapon in the front seven in order to keep that rolling in 2026. Like the Colts, though, they aren't slated to be on the clock until deep into Round 2. 

Tennessee Titans: Does Cam Ward have enough support?

The answer is almost certainly no, especially considering the shape of the interior offensive line. But Nashville wasn't built in a day, and that No. 4 overall pick should come in handy one way or another. If they go defense there, a team that currently leads the NFL in salary-cap space might want to invest more heavily in offensive cogs in the next waves of free agency.

AFC West

AP Photo/Bart Young

Bo Nix

Denver Broncos: Can Bo Nix take the next step?

The team's April question will be the same as its September question. That's how it plays out when you have had a quiet March, added another quality receiver for Nix in Jaylen Waddle, and are otherwise just focused on improving what you've already got. With no picks in the top 60 and the roster pretty much settled for 2026, it's a chill period in Denver. They need Nix to keep building in Year 3. 

Kansas City Chiefs: What will the defensive line look like moving forward?

Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid get most of the credit, but when the Chiefs are at their best, it's often because the defensive front is shining. But George Karlaftis is coming off somewhat of a down year while Chris Jones is beyond his prime. There's a good chance they use that No. 9 overall pick on an edge defender. And if not, we'll see how they navigate the rest of the offseason in that area. 

Las Vegas Raiders: What to do in Round 2?

This was originally about what the Raiders would do to support Fernando Mendoza on the quarterback depth chart, as it appears to be a foregone conclusion they'll take the Indiana star with the top pick. Now, with Kirk Cousins on board and the key cogs in place on both sides of the ball, the question is how they'll fill things out with early selections in Rounds 2 and 3 as well as three picks in Round 4. Watch for the focus to be on the secondary as well as the interior defensive line.

Los Angeles Chargers: Is the offensive line good enough now? 

Injuries at both tackle spots were a big reason why the line was problematic for the Chargers last season. Getting healthy seasons from Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt will be huge, if possible. But now they're turning things over at guard and center, with Tyler Biadasz taking over in the middle and Cole Strange and Trevor Penning slated to move into the starting guard spots. Will the shuffle help? Should they add reinforcements in the early rounds? The future could depend greatly on how they handle this moving forward. 

NFC East

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Jayden Daniels

Dallas Cowboys: How does the defense go from liability to asset? 

That unit surrendered a league-worst 30.1 points per game in 2025 before adding Rashan Gary, Jalen Thompson and Cobie Durant last month. But they tried and failed to upgrade a weak linebacker unit, and they traded away Osa Odighizuwa. It's hard to imagine they're satisfied, but the good news is they have significant draft capital with two first-round picks. Expect all of that to go into the defense.

New York Giants: How close are they to being a real contender?

There's a lot of optimism surrounding a team that looks to have found centerpieces at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and on the edge and is now led by a Super Bowl champion head coach. But the Giants need to actually make that leap, and a lot will depend on how they round out the roster (particularly in the trenches) with the fifth pick in both Rounds 1 and 2. 

Philadelphia Eagles: Where will the final piece on defense come from?

Because a piece is certainly missing after the team lost Jaelan Phillips, Nakobe Dean and Reed Blankenship last month. And it's likely on the edge, where a lot is currently on the shoulders of Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith Jr. Philly's defense had a bottom-10 hurry rate in 2025, so I'd expect Howie Roseman to keep exploring veteran options while strongly considering a pro-ready front-seven defender with the No. 23 pick. 

Washington Commanders: What will it take for Jayden Daniels to bounce back?

We all know the Commanders' fate rides on a rebound from their franchise quarterback in 2026, and it's on the team to bolster the chances of that happening with that No. 7 overall selection on April 23. I can't imagine they're settled in the receiving corps, where they need another prime target to pair with veteran Terry McLaurin. If they don't go that route on draft night, adding a vet like Brandon Aiyuk or Jauan Jennings makes sense.

NFC North

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

Jordan Morgan

Chicago Bears: Who else on the edge?

Dayo Odeyingbo was a disappointment even before tearing his Achilles midway through the 2025 season, and the Bears are now left with a big question mark opposite Montez Sweat at one of the most critical positions in the sport. They were apparently in on Crosby last month but are still left searching here in April. They could use the No. 25 pick on a pass-rusher, but a veteran like Joey Bosa or A.J. Epenesa makes sense too. 

Detroit Lions: Who else on the edge?

Yup, same issue. And this is one the Lions have faced for several years running. Aidan Hutchinson needs a partner, especially following Al-Quadin Muhammad's departure. They added both Payton Turner and D.J. Wonnum on prove-it deals, so at the very least this question applies to a battle between those veterans. But we suspect the Lions will go this route with one of their top two draft picks as well. 

Green Bay Packers: Are Lukas Van Ness and Jordan Morgan ready for bigger roles?

There isn't much of a choice in the matter, as the Packers moved on from veterans at both defensive end and offensive tackle. The young former first-round picks will have to step up, especially because Green Bay is low on cap space and lacking a first-round selection in this draft. Green Bay will also have to determine this month whether to pick up Van Ness' fifth-year option for 2027. 

Minnesota Vikings: What else does Kyler Murray need to succeed? 

It really comes down to that now for a team that looks steady almost everywhere except quarterback. With Ryan Kelly retiring, the obvious focal point is probably center. They seem to believe Blake Brandel could be the answer in-house, but it wouldn't be surprising if the Vikes brought in some competition there as well as at wide receiver. 

NFC South

AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman

Tyler Shough

Atlanta Falcons: What else do Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. need to succeed? 

The Falcons desperately need one of those guys to become the man in 2026. It helps that they'll have plenty of talent at RB1, WR1 and TE1, but what about beyond that? Darnell Mooney and Tyler Allgeier are gone, and they lack both cap space and a first-round pick. It'll be interesting to see who they add (if anyone) at the skill positions in the coming weeks/months. 

Carolina Panthers: How will they handle continued shuffling with the offensive line?

This is a fragile situation. As mentioned, offensive line continuity is critical when you're trying to develop a young quarterback and take an emerging offense to the next level. But Cade Mays is gone, leaving questions at center. Yosh Nijman retired suddenly, and Ikem Ekwonu is recovering from a torn patellar tendon. Meanwhile, they brought in Rasheed Walker and Luke Fortner. Are they done? Probably not. Will they get it right? Jury's out. 

New Orleans Saints: Will they get Tyler Shough another weapon?

The Saints traded Rashid Shaheed midway through the 2025 campaign and didn't hit the receiver market in March. They did add running back Travis Etienne Jr., who should lend a hand. But the reality is there is a large chasm separating Chris Olave and the rest of the receiving corps. They need another big target for their young signal-caller, and they could be eyeing Carnell Tate with that No. 8 pick. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sacrifice the future or sacrifice the now?

With Lavonte David, Mike Evans and Jamel Dean all gone, a Bucs team that went 8-9 last year and didn't make any splashes in free agency needs to decide if it is playing the long game or taking one more swing for the fences. This is still a veteran team with limited cap space and only moderate draft capital. You get the feeling that without something dramatic this month, they'll wind up in football purgatory for 2026. 

NFC West

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Mac Jones

Arizona Cardinals: How should they handle the offensive tackle situation?

The Cardinals are widely expected to consider an offensive tackle such as Francis Mauigoa or Monroe Freeling with their No. 3 overall pick, but they also have to make a call on left tackle Paris Johnson Jr.'s fifth-year option for 2027 this month. How they navigate that will be critical, especially as right tackle is arguably a hole with several unappealing in-house options. 

Los Angeles Rams: Do they draft a potential Matthew Stafford successor?

Stafford is coming off an MVP campaign, but he turned 38 in February. With Stetson Bennett IV the only other quarterback on the roster, might a team with few holes or weak spots use one of its Day 2 selections on a QB to groom for the future? Alternatively, the Rams could go back to Jimmy Garoppolo. Without a fourth- or fifth-rounder, they might shy away for now. 

San Francisco 49ers: Will they trade Mac Jones?

The team has insisted pretty emphatically that it will not trade its intriguing backup quarterback after a strong season spelling starter Brock Purdy, but everyone has a price. If somebody becomes desperate for a signal-caller later this offseason, they could make the 49ers an offer they can't refuse. A draft-night deal can't be ruled out, either, for a team that has just two picks in the top 125.

Seattle Seahawks: How should they address the running game?

Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III escaped as a free agent, and the interior offensive line was a weak link to begin with. That could be accentuated with less explosive talent in the backfield. Seattle might look to replace Walker and/or right guard Anthony Bradford early in the draft.