This is the first-round order of the 2017 NFL Draft, with a look at the top positional needs for every team, heading into the offseason. The draft order is determined by record, and using strength of schedule as a tiebreaker (record and strength of schedule are official tiebreakers to determine the draft order).
RANK
21
LIONS
Needs: Pass rusher, CB, LB. Most of the Lions’ top needs rest on the defensive side of the ball. Finding more pass rush from a defensive end or penetrating DT is a priority. The Lions also need a three-down LB who can cover in space. Adding competition at CB could be a Day 2 or 3 priority.
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21
LIONS
Needs: Pass rusher, CB, LB. Most of the Lions’ top needs rest on the defensive side of the ball. Finding more pass rush from a defensive end or penetrating DT is a priority. The Lions also need a three-down LB who can cover in space. Adding competition at CB could be a Day 2 or 3 priority.
RANK
22
DOLPHINS
Needs: G, DE, LB. If Branden Albert and Mario Williams become cap casualties, Laremy Tunsil will move to LT, which opens up a guard spot, and defensive end will be in play via the draft. As Dolphins fans will no doubt tell you, the linebacker position must be addressed.
RANK
22
DOLPHINS
Needs: G, DE, LB. If Branden Albert and Mario Williams become cap casualties, Laremy Tunsil will move to LT, which opens up a guard spot, and defensive end will be in play via the draft. As Dolphins fans will no doubt tell you, the linebacker position must be addressed.
RANK
23
GIANTS
Needs: LB, RB, DT. The play at linebacker wasn’t what the Giants had hoped for. Paul Perkins might be a committee running back, but the Giants could use a hammer at that position. This team has never shied away from taking defensive tackles.
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23
GIANTS
Needs: LB, RB, DT. The play at linebacker wasn’t what the Giants had hoped for. Paul Perkins might be a committee running back, but the Giants could use a hammer at that position. This team has never shied away from taking defensive tackles.
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24
RAIDERS
Needs: MLB, DT, CB. The Raiders had hoped that their offseason changes at cornerback would help shore up that deficiency, but it looks shaky at best. The Raiders have improved their offensive line greatly, and now they need a stout defensive tackle. Middle linebacker is a possibility.
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24
RAIDERS
Needs: MLB, DT, CB. The Raiders had hoped that their offseason changes at cornerback would help shore up that deficiency, but it looks shaky at best. The Raiders have improved their offensive line greatly, and now they need a stout defensive tackle. Middle linebacker is a possibility.
RANK
25
TEXANS
Needs: QB, ILB, OL. Brock Osweiler has not proven that he’s the answer at QB, and owner Bob McNair has said the team needs "much better" from the position. Finding a speedy ILB with cover talent is a need. They have fought through injuries at OL, but more competition is needed up front.
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25
TEXANS
Needs: QB, ILB, OL. Brock Osweiler has not proven that he’s the answer at QB, and owner Bob McNair has said the team needs "much better" from the position. Finding a speedy ILB with cover talent is a need. They have fought through injuries at OL, but more competition is needed up front.
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26
SEAHAWKS
Needs: OT, DT, CB. The first need should be left tackle and the second need should be right tackle. OT is that high of a priority. Adding talent at the hybrid DE/DT spot should be a possibility, as should finding another long-armed, physical playmaker at cornerback.
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26
SEAHAWKS
Needs: OT, DT, CB. The first need should be left tackle and the second need should be right tackle. OT is that high of a priority. Adding talent at the hybrid DE/DT spot should be a possibility, as should finding another long-armed, physical playmaker at cornerback.
RANK
27
CHIEFS
Needs: ILB, DL, CB. The Chiefs will need to find the next Derrick Johnson at an inside linebacker spot at some point, and adding depth at defensive line is a must. They need to find more help for the secondary, too.
RANK
27
CHIEFS
Needs: ILB, DL, CB. The Chiefs will need to find the next Derrick Johnson at an inside linebacker spot at some point, and adding depth at defensive line is a must. They need to find more help for the secondary, too.
RANK
28
COWBOYS
Needs: DE, CB, TE. Dallas gambled twice on character at the DE spot and might have lost both times. It’s time to go get a pass rusher yet again. Dallas could stand to find a starter at cornerback. With Jason Witten in his mid-30s, adding an in-line TE could be a wise move.
RANK
28
COWBOYS
Needs: DE, CB, TE. Dallas gambled twice on character at the DE spot and might have lost both times. It’s time to go get a pass rusher yet again. Dallas could stand to find a starter at cornerback. With Jason Witten in his mid-30s, adding an in-line TE could be a wise move.
RANK
29
PACKERS
Needs: CB, LB, pass rusher. The play of the Packers cornerbacks over the second half of the season put their issues in the spotlight. Finding an active tackle-maker at inside linebacker could be an early priority while a pass rusher will be in play throughout the offseason.
RANK
29
PACKERS
Needs: CB, LB, pass rusher. The play of the Packers cornerbacks over the second half of the season put their issues in the spotlight. Finding an active tackle-maker at inside linebacker could be an early priority while a pass rusher will be in play throughout the offseason.
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30
STEELERS
Needs: LB, TE, RB. The outside linebacker spot has become a must for the Steelers. Pittsburgh needs to find RB depth behind Le’Veon Bell and a playmaking tight end who can stay on the field.
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30
STEELERS
Needs: LB, TE, RB. The outside linebacker spot has become a must for the Steelers. Pittsburgh needs to find RB depth behind Le’Veon Bell and a playmaking tight end who can stay on the field.
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31
FALCONS
Needs: DT, CB, Edge. If Atlanta wants to continue to build on its foundation of talent, it needs to keep finding pass rushers. A dominant defensive lineman would go a long way in shoring up the defense, as would more cover help in the secondary at either corner or safety.
RANK
31
FALCONS
Needs: DT, CB, Edge. If Atlanta wants to continue to build on its foundation of talent, it needs to keep finding pass rushers. A dominant defensive lineman would go a long way in shoring up the defense, as would more cover help in the secondary at either corner or safety.
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32
PATRIOTS
Needs: OT, LB, TE. The Patriots will have to address offensive tackle at some point soon. With the trade of Jamie Collins, finding a playmaking LB could be in play. Rob Gronkowski is big, talented and dangerous, but he’ll also be coming off of yet another surgery. Adding another TE would make sense.
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32
PATRIOTS
Needs: OT, LB, TE. The Patriots will have to address offensive tackle at some point soon. With the trade of Jamie Collins, finding a playmaking LB could be in play. Rob Gronkowski is big, talented and dangerous, but he’ll also be coming off of yet another surgery. Adding another TE would make sense.
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RAMS
Needs: CB, G, WR. The Rams have depth at the cornerback spot, but could use a true lockdown guy. Finding the right pieces along the offensive line to help open holes for Todd Gurley is a must. The search for a true WR1 to go with Jared Goff should be considered as well.
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RAMS
Needs: CB, G, WR. The Rams have depth at the cornerback spot, but could use a true lockdown guy. Finding the right pieces along the offensive line to help open holes for Todd Gurley is a must. The search for a true WR1 to go with Jared Goff should be considered as well.
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VIKINGS
Needs: OT, RB, DT. Addressing offensive tackle could be critical. The level of need at RB is dependent upon Adrian Peterson’s future, and defensive-tackle depth is needed.
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VIKINGS
Needs: OT, RB, DT. Addressing offensive tackle could be critical. The level of need at RB is dependent upon Adrian Peterson’s future, and defensive-tackle depth is needed.
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