What All 32 Teams Should Focus On In The 2026 NFL Draft: Protecting Patrick Mahomes, Helping Cam Ward and More

The NFL Draft, an event where hope is at its highest, gives fans a reason to believe the franchise they root for can accelerate their rebuild or solidify themselves as a contender. Addressing weaknesses by plugging team needs is the best way to alter your trajectory, making it vital that you use your pick wisely.

Like my process of building a mock, I use a wisdom of the crowds approach to create a range for each player, as well as utilize tools like Grinding the Mocks. Below is a breakdown of one thing every team should focus on, digging into how they may approach the draft to fix one of their most important needs. For the rest of our draft coverage, check out our NFL Draft Guide for great insight and information.

One Thing Every Team Should Focus On In Next Week's NFL Draft

- 1.01 Raiders - Do not overthink it

For the Las Vegas Raiders, it’s simple: do not overthink it, select Fernando Mendoza and develop him into your franchise quarterback.

- 1.02 Jets - Patch your front seven

At 1.02, the New York Jets must decide if they want to draft Arvell Reese or David Bailey. While Reese has the advantage on our NFL Draft Big Board, Bailey is more of a prototypical EDGE and is gaining steam as we near the draft.

- 1.03 Cardinals - Take the next best available

Even though EDGE is not a need, the Cardinals may hit the jackpot if Reese falls to them instead of Bailey, allowing them to avoid reaching for an OT by selecting the Ohio State LB.

- 1.04 Titans - Give Cam Ward another weapon

With the Tennessee Titans' offensive line grading out well in Run Block Set Grade, Jeremiyah Love would hit the ground running, taking pressure off of Cam Ward’s shoulders.

- 1.05 Giants - Avoid the shiny toy

If Love falls to them, it’s important the New York Giants avoid wasting a pick on the Notre Dame running back, as they have glaring needs at WR, OT and LB.

- 1.06 Browns - Address their needs at WR or OT

With two picks in the first round, the Cleveland Browns can plug their holes at WR and OT, using their first pick on one position and their second to fix the other.

- 1.07 Commanders - Bolster their defense

After finishing near dead last in defensive DVOA, the Washington Commanders must bolster their defense at 1.07, whether it is via Caleb Downs at S or Rueben Bain at EDGE.

- 1.08 Saints - Target a need instead of adding depth

Even though I had Bain going to the Saints at 1.08 in my latest NFL mock draft, the Saints are far better off targeting a need instead of adding depth.

- 1.09 Chiefs - Protect Patrick Mahomes

With Patrick Mahomes coming off an injury, the Kansas City Chiefs need to protect him at all costs, using their pick on an OT to help ward off pressure.

- 1.10 Bengals - Defense, defense, defense

Whether it is their secondary or front seven, the Cincinnati Bengals are in desperate need of fixing their defense to help complement their high-powered offense.

- 1.11 Dolphins - Select best available

After blowing up their roster in the offseason, the Miami Dolphins must select the best available player, giving them some sort of talent to build around.

- 1.12 Cowboys - A combination of DB and EDGE

Like the Bengals, the Dallas Cowboys also must address their defense, fixing a unit that ranked 32nd in defensive DVOA last year. If they decide to go with a DB at 1.12, then they can target EDGE at 1.20.

- 1.13 Rams - Maximize Stafford’s chances of winning the Super Bowl

With Matthew Stafford in the twilight years of his career, the Los Angeles Rams must surround him with as much talent as possible to maximize their chances of making a run at the Super Bowl.

- 1.14 Ravens - Fix their interior offensive line

At 1.14, the Baltimore Ravens have multiple intriguing options at OL, with any one of them giving them an instant boost in production, fixing a group that graded out poorly in Pass Block Set Grade and in Pressure Rate.

- 1.15 Buccaneers - Try to mask Mike Evans’ loss of production

With Mike Evans taking his talents to the San Francisco 49ers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers must add more firepower to their offense, potentially using their pick on Kenyon Sadiq, who can use his freak athleticism to line up on the outside.

- 1.16 Jets - Turn their sights back toward their offense

After addressing their defense at 1.02, the New York Jets can turn their sights toward their offense at 1.16, taking a WR to pull defensive attention away from Garrett Wilson.

- 1.17 Lions - Give Jared Goff the protection he needs

Even though the Detroit Lions were still able to thrive on offense, it’s apparent that Jared Goff needs all the protection he can get to sustain their high level of play. At 1.17, the Lions have been linked to Kadyn Proctor, giving them an anchor on the outside who can also slide to the interior.

- 1.18 Vikings - Address their secondary

After a slew of changes throughout the offseason, the Minnesota Vikings must address their secondary, giving them much-needed depth at the position to avoid falling apart once wear and tear starts to rear its ugly head.

- 1.19 Panthers - Bolster their trenches

Whether it is by addressing their OL or stopping Kenyon Sadiq’s slide down the draft boards, the Carolina Panthers must bolster their trenches, giving Bryce Young the support he needs to reach his ceiling.

- 1.20 Cowboys - The opposite of 1.12

As previously mentioned, if the Cowboys decide to target a DB at 1.12, then they can use their second pick on an EDGE at 1.20, giving them a boost in production at multiple levels of the field to help accelerate their rebuild.

- 1.21 Steelers - Get Aaron Rodgers to sign for one more year

At 1.21, the Pittsburgh Steelers must decide if Aaron Rodgers is coming back for one more year. If he does, then they can turn their sights toward their wide receiver room. If Rodgers retires, then they must decide if they want to take Ty Simpson or punt on the position until 2027.

- 1.22 Chargers - Avoid reaching on an interior offensive lineman

With no iOL fitting the range at 1.22, the Los Angeles Chargers must avoid reaching on the position, using their pick on a DT instead to help patch their weakness in the trenches.

- 1.23 Eagles - Take best available at OT or EDGE

Depending on how the draft shakes out, the Philadelphia Eagles will look to take the best available at OT or EDGE with plenty of players fitting the range at 1.23.

- 1.24 Browns - The opposite of 1.06

Like the Cowboys, the Browns also have two glaring needs heading into this year’s draft. If they select either a WR or OT at 1.06, then they can use their pick at 1.24 to target the other position.

- 1.25 Bears - Patch their defensive line

With their offense flashing signs of brilliance, the Chicago Bears must address their defensive line to help turn them into a well-rounded unit, reducing the amount of variance in their contests to help make another run in the playoffs.

- 1.26 Bills - Complement their offense with a selection involving their defense

With their offense firing on all cylinders, the Buffalo Bills must address their defense to help capitalize on Josh Allen’s prime.

- 1.27 49ers - Look for Trent Williams' eventual replacement

With few glaring needs, the San Francisco 49ers can look toward the future, selecting Trent Williams' eventual replacement to avoid dealing with harsh regression while he continues to deal with nagging injuries.

- 1.28 Texans - Best available on either side of the line

With their OL and DL in desperate need of help, the Houston Texans must select the best available at 1.28, or consider trading up if both positions go through a run on draft night.

- 1.29 Chiefs - Replace Trent McDuffie

After their secondary was gutted out in the offseason, the Chiefs must find Trent McDuffie’s replacement to avoid playing in highly volatile shootouts on a weekly basis.

- 1.30 Dolphins - Continue to add talent elsewhere

Depending on how the Dolphins use their pick at 1.11, they can address their needs elsewhere, fixing as many holes as they can on both sides of the ball.

- 1.31 Patriots - Address their OL

Even though WR may be a more pressing need, patching their OL may help them maximize their chances of making another run, especially if Will Campbell is unable to round back into form after a horrific performance in the Super Bowl.

- 1.32 Seahawks - Patch their defense

After leaning on their defense in the Super Bowl, the Seattle Seahawks must fix that side of the ball, using the last pick in the first round on either a DB or EDGE.

Players Mentioned in this Article

PatrickMahomesQ
QBKC
PPG
20.4
Proj
291.0
CamWardQ
QBTEN
PPG
10.9
Proj
234.2
MatthewStafford
QBLAR
PPG
20.3
Proj
283.5
MikeEvans
WRSF
PPG
8.7
Proj
186.6