Most pressing need for each AFC team in 2024 NFL Draft

For the 18 NFL teams that didn't make the postseason, it's on to free agency (starts March 13) and the NFL Draft (April 25-27 in Detroit).

Some teams have multiple huge holes to fill in the draft — we're looking at you, New England Patriots and Los Angeles Chargers — while other teams only need retooling.

As compiled by Yardbarker NFL writers, here's the most pressing need for every AFC team in the draft.

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS | Most pressing need: wide receiver | First-round pick: TBD | Despite Buffalo's improbable AFC East title run, the offense relied heavily on its rushing attack out of necessity as the unit still hasn't found a reliable No. 2 pass-catching option. Wide receiver Gabe Davis was more inconsistent than ever, recording four games without a catch, and considering he's set to hit free agency, Buffalo should look for a cheaper replacement.

MIAMI DOLPHINS | Most pressing need: edge-rusher | First-round pick: TBD | The hiring of DC Vic Fangio transformed the pass rush into a top unit, with the defense's 56 sacks ranking third this season. However, after seeing Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and Bradley Chubb (ACL) suffer significant season-ending injuries, Miami must bring in at least one edge-rusher in case neither is available for Week 1. 

NEW YORK JETS | Most pressing need: offensive line | First-round pick: No. 10 | The Jets missed out on current Pittsburgh Steelers OT Broderick Jones in the 2023 draft, and New York must retool the offensive line to keep 40-year-old QB Aaron Rodgers healthy. New York's 64 sacks allowed were tied for the fourth-most in the NFL in 2023, the second time in three seasons the Jets held that ranking. 

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Most pressing need: quarterback | First-round pick: No. 3 | The Patriots must revamp an offense that averaged the fewest points (13.9) and third-fewest yards per game (265.3) this offseason, and starting fresh at quarterback seems like a good place to begin. Fortunately for New England, it could be in a position to land USC's Caleb Williams or North Carolina's Drake Maye. — Colum Dell

AFC West

DENVER BRONCOS | Most pressing need: quarterback | First-round pick: No. 12 | Expect the Broncos (8-9) to move on from Russell Wilson after they benched him in Week 17. Jarrett Stidham — who posted a below-average 31.2 QBR in two games — isn’t the answer, so drafting a QB is the right move. Washington left-hander Michael Penix Jr. may catch their eye at No. 12.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Most pressing need: wide receiver | First-round pick: TBD | Aside from rookie Rashee Rice (79), no Chiefs WR has 28 or more receptions. Finding another pass-catcher who can stretch the field will make life easier for QB Patrick Mahomes, who threw for his fewest TDs (27) since 2019 when he had 26. 

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Most pressing need: quarterback | First-round pick: No. 13  | Rookie Aidan O’Connell was serviceable in 11 games, completing 62.1 percent of his passes for 12 TDs and seven interceptions. Still, he doesn’t look like a legitimate franchise QB the Raiders (8-9) can build around. Could Michigan junior J.J. McCarthy — who still has a year of eligibility — be enticing at No. 13?

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Most pressing need: cornerback | First-round pick: No. 5 | The defense was 30th in the league in passing yards allowed (256.3). Improving the secondary should be their top priority for the Chargers (5-12), and the draft is an excellent place to start. — Clark Dalton

AFC North

 BALTIMORE RAVENS | Most pressing need: wide receiver | First-round pick: TBD | Rookie Zay Flowers is a home-run hitter, leading the team in receptions (77) and yards receiving (858). But the Ravens must continue getting younger at the position with wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. (31) and Nelson Agholor (30) set to become free agents following the season.

 CLEVELAND BROWNS | Most pressing need: linebacker | First-round pick: None | LBs Anthony Walker Jr. and Sione Takitaki are on one-year deals. With several players deserving to get paid on the  defense — which allowed the fewest yards per game (270.2) — building it back up through the draft seems like the only option.

 CINCINNATI BENGALS | Most pressing need: wide receiver | First-round pick: No. 18 | The Bengals are likely to lose WRs Tee Higgins and/or Tyler Boyd this offseason as both are set to become free agents. The team must find a younger, cheaper option to pair with WR Ja’Marr Chase, who will soon receive a massive contract extension.

 PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Most pressing need: quarterback | First-round pick: TBD | The 2023 quarterback carousel has not been a fun ride for the Steelers, to say the least. Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph — who had a hot hand in the final stretch of the regular season —  have had chances to make their case and are clearly not the future of the franchise. It’s time for a fresh start at the position, which is stocked with talent in the draft. Would Oregon's Bo Nix or Washington's Michael Penix Jr. be a fit? — Aaron Becker

AFC South

HOUSTON TEXANS | Most pressing need: defensive tackle | First-round pick: TBD | The Texans tied for the fifth-most rushing touchdowns allowed in 2023 (19). All four of Houston’s top DTs had a missed tackle percentage above 10 percent, so the Texans could benefit from adding more size in the middle of the defensive line. 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Most pressing need: tight end | First-round pick: No. 15 | The Colts had four tight ends with 20 or more targets this season, but Kylen Granson, who ranked 26th among all TEs in yards and 30th in receptions, was the only one with more than 20 receptions or 210 yards. Getting a No. 1 TE to pair with Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs would go a long way in setting quarterback Anthony Richardson up for success.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Most pressing need: cornerback | First-round pick: No. 17 | The defense allowed the second-most receptions (404), sixth-most touchdown passes (27) and seventh-most passing yards per game (239.8) this season. Jacksonville’s cornerbacks combined for seven interceptions — four by Darious Williams, who was the team’s only CB to allow a completion percentage under 60% or have more than five pass breakups.

TENNESSEE TITANS | Most pressing need: offensive line | First-round pick: No. 7 | The Titans allowed 258 pressures, 152 hurries, 64 sacks and 56 QB hits this season, and both Ryan Tannehill and Will Levis got injured as a result of their weak O-line. For Tennessee not to ruin Levis as it did Marcus Mariota, who was pressured on more than 25 percent of his dropbacks in three of his five seasons with the team, it must protect him better. — Michael Gallagher