What are our biggest needs in the 2026 Draft

bakes781 · Mar 12, 2026

mayoclinic said:
Question:

What if Mike Washington was BPA on your board at 63 or 95? Would adding a potential Jonathan Taylor-like big RB with 4.3 speed to complement TreVeyon Henderson be a worthwhile use of day 2 draft resources?

IDK the answer, but it's an intriguing thought to me, especially with the investment at LG and FB in FA.

I'm still not sure Henderson was BPA at the time. I am just so against RBs early... it would have to be a HOF type RB.

mayoclinic · Mar 12, 2026

Will Johnson was BPA for me at 38. Mason Taylor probably 2nd on my list. But I was OK with Henderson.

dliverey44 · Mar 12, 2026

Mine was Donovan Ez

Hugepatsfan · Mar 12, 2026

I think they've done a good job of securing reputable starting players for every position:

QB - Maye
RB - Stevenson/Henderson
FB - Gilliam
WR - Doubs/Boutte/Hollins
TE - Henry/Hill
OL - Campbell/AVT/Wilson/Onwenu/Moses
EDGE - Landry/Jones
DT - Williams/Barmore
LB - Spillane/Elliss
CB - Gonzo/Davis/Jones
S - Byard/Woodson

K/P/LS all filled too.

So I mostly don't think they NEED to come away with anything in particular. In terms of where they're weakest, I would say DE, particularly if Landry's knee doesn't look good. On paper right now that's probably the one spot that they at least rotational snaps.

Outside of that, I would say they lack true Nose Tackle play. With Tonga gone I think that could be a sneaky need area. Position is fine overall, but that niche role is kind of lacking.

LB would be another spot where depth is weak right now.

WR has 3 fine players and a solid developmental guy in KWilliams behind them, but it's definitely lacking a top of the depth chart guy.

Outside of that, I think a big theme could be drafting guys a year earlier than they need to play. Onwenu/Henry/Byard/Elliss/Boutte are all FAs after the year. If I had to bet, I'd guess that Landry/Moses/Spillane all get cut before next season just assessing their performance/age/cap hits next year. I wouldn't project it right now, but Stevenson or Davis could be cut candidate snext year too if they had a cheaper option. ready to step into those roles.

Realistically, outside of a QB, a pure slot CB, or a pure 3T defensive tackle, there isn't a single position that I don't see a starter level opening for as soon as next season (2027). Maaaaaaaaybe a pure center only type guy would be duplicative with Wilson too, but he's not firmly established himself anyway. And 3T pass rusher is such a rotational position there's still a huge snap count you can always carve out for that.

So honestly, outside of a QB or a pure slot only CB, I don't think there's a single position I'd be surprised if they drafted. A player at any other position and I realistically see a starting role for them available as soon as next year.

manxman2601 · Mar 18, 2026

The (still) too long list of needs.

However these needs are filled, the list is still too long for my taste.

Needs in 2027

Starting RT
Starting TE 1
LB 1, 2 and 3
EDGE 2/3 at least
Possibly CB 2
Possibly DT 2
Starting RG
Safety 2
X WR

Some of the above can be solved by how we address the below.

Immediate Needs

EDGE 3 at least.
Backup LT
Backup RT
Backup TE
X WR possibly (we can get by as it stands but could upgrade)
RB 3/4
Backup/developmental RG
LB 3
Coverage LB
NT?
Backup CBx2
Nickel Safety possibly (developmental safety otherwise).

I'm uncomfortable with how long this list still is.

Clonamery · Mar 18, 2026

manxman2601 said:
The (still) too long list of needs.

However these needs are filled, the list is still too long for my taste.

Needs in 2027

Starting RT
Starting TE 1
LB 1, 2 and 3
EDGE 2/3 at least
Possibly CB 2
Possibly DT 2
Starting RG
Safety 2
X WR

Some of the above can be solved by how we address the below.

Immediate Needs

EDGE 3 at least.
Backup LT
Backup RT
Backup TE
X WR possibly (we can get by as it stands but could upgrade)
RB 3/4
Backup/developmental RG
LB 3
Coverage LB
NT?
Backup CBx2
Nickel Safety possibly (developmental safety otherwise).

I'm uncomfortable with how long this list still is.

Feels like there's room for at least a couple of Priority UFDA's making this team again. I'm ok with the FA players brought in (thus far) but it sure feels incomplete.

mayoclinic · Mar 18, 2026

Very uncomfortable.

I really wish we'd added some low-cost depth/value pieces in FA. I understand skipping the feeding frenzy day 1, but there were some young, athletic guys available day 2-3:

EDGE: Re-sign Chaisson, Sam Williams
LB: Leo Chenal Leo Chenal, Leo Chenal
S: Nick Cross
CB: Nahshon Wright, Riq Woolen

The Commanders got Chaisson for $12M, Chenal for 3 years/$24.75M, and Cross for 2 years/$13M. The Jets got Wright for 1cyear, up to $5.5M. All affordable. Imagine how our draft situation would be if we had:

EDGE: Harold Landry, Dre'Mont Jones, K'Lavon Chaisson, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson, Jesse Lukuta

LB: Robert Spillane, Leo Chenal, Christian Ellis, Chad Muma/Marte Mapu/KJ Britt

S: Craig Woodson Kevin Byard, Nick Cross, Dell Pettus/Mike Brown

CB: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Nahshon Wright , Charles Woods, Marcellus Dial/Kobe Minor

What a difference even a few of those would have made.

Clonamery · Mar 18, 2026

mayoclinic said:
Very uncomfortable.

I really wish we'd added some low-cost depth/value pieces in FA. I understand skipping the feeding frenzy day 1, but there were some young, athletic guys available day 2-3:

EDGE: Re-sign Chaisson, Sam Williams
LB: Leo Chenal Leo Chenal, Leo Chenal
S: Nick Cross
CB: Nahshon Wright, Riq Woolen

The Commanders got Chaisson for $12M, Chenal for 3 years/$24.75M, and Cross for 2 years/$13M. The Jets got Wright for 1cyear, up to $5.5M. All affordable. Imagine how our draft situation would be if we had:

EDGE: Harold Landry, Dre'Mont Jones, K'Lavon Chaisson, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson, Jesse Lukuta

LB: Robert Spillane, Leo Chenal, Christian Ellis, Chad Muma/Marte Mapu/KJ Britt

S: Craig Woodson Kevin Byard, Nick Cross, Dell Pettus/Mike Brown

CB: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Nahshon Wright , Charles Woods, Marcellus Dial/Kobe Minor

What a difference even a few of those would have made.

Especially EDGE & LB.

mayoclinic · Mar 18, 2026

Anyone have any thoughts on AJ Epenesa? 27 years old, still available. Stealing from Buffalo always a plus.

Clonamery · Mar 18, 2026

mayoclinic said:
Anyone have any thoughts on AJ Epenesa? 27 years old, still available. Stealing from Buffalo always a plus.

Ok. Depth piece. Middle of the pack.

mayoclinic · Mar 18, 2026

That might not be too bad if the cost is low.

manxman2601 · Mar 18, 2026

This is quite a useful way to think about the needs and theiir priority for some positions.

mayoclinic · Mar 18, 2026

manxman2601 said:
This is quite a useful way to think about the needs and theiir priority for some positions.

From that list:

- Wilson moving to C picks up Bradbury's snaps, AVT picks up Wilson's at LG
- Doubs picks up Diggs' snaps
- Hill + Gilliam pick up Hooper's snaps

- Byard picks up Hawkins snaps
- Jones picks up Chaisson'ssnaps plus, some of Jennings'
- Farmer/Durden will hopefully pick up Tonga's, unless a NT is signed/drafted
- No idea about Gibbens

mgteich · Mar 18, 2026

Hugepatsfan said:
I think they've done a good job of securing reputable starting players for every position:

QB - Maye
RB - Stevenson/Henderson
FB - Gilliam
WR - Doubs/Boutte/Hollins
TE - Henry/Hill
OL - Campbell/AVT/Wilson/Onwenu/Moses
EDGE - Landry/Jones
DT - Williams/Barmore
LB - Spillane/Elliss
CB - Gonzo/Davis/Jones
S - Byard/Woodson

K/P/LS all filled too.

So I mostly don't think they NEED to come away with anything in particular. In terms of where they're weakest, I would say DE, particularly if Landry's knee doesn't look good. On paper right now that's probably the one spot that they at least rotational snaps.

Outside of that, I would say they lack true Nose Tackle play. With Tonga gone I think that could be a sneaky need area. Position is fine overall, but that niche role is kind of lacking.

LB would be another spot where depth is weak right now.

WR has 3 fine players and a solid developmental guy in KWilliams behind them, but it's definitely lacking a top of the depth chart guy.

Outside of that, I think a big theme could be drafting guys a year earlier than they need to play. Onwenu/Henry/Byard/Elliss/Boutte are all FAs after the year. If I had to bet, I'd guess that Landry/Moses/Spillane all get cut before next season just assessing their performance/age/cap hits next year. I wouldn't project it right now, but Stevenson or Davis could be cut candidate snext year too if they had a cheaper option. ready to step into those roles.

Realistically, outside of a QB, a pure slot CB, or a pure 3T defensive tackle, there isn't a single position that I don't see a starter level opening for as soon as next season (2027). Maaaaaaaaybe a pure center only type guy would be duplicative with Wilson too, but he's not firmly established himself anyway. And 3T pass rusher is such a rotational position there's still a huge snap count you can always carve out for that.

So honestly, outside of a QB or a pure slot only CB, I don't think there's a single position I'd be surprised if they drafted. A player at any other position and I realistically see a starting role for them available as soon as next year.

I would add Darden to Willaims/Barmore. I believe that after Tonga came back Durden was at least ass good.

mgteich · Mar 18, 2026

manxman2601 said:
This is quite a useful way to think about the needs and theiir priority for some positions.

OFFENSE (better, even now)
We were a playoff quality team that scored a lot of points. We had a lot of chunk plays, and competed a high percentage of passes.
It is instructive that we did well in replacing the snaps of Bradbury, Diggs, and Hooper. (and in signing a real FB).
If Maye can be protected, our Offense will be better this year.

Can we draft and sign folks that will make our Offense better? Sure. But we can do what we REALLY need to do to protect the franchise. There is plenty of talent to be better than in 2025 to be a playoff team again.

DEFENSE (add a top3 draft choice at EDGE and a backup FA or 4th round ILB and we'll be improved from our 2025 top 10 Defense.

Obviously, the key is to be more healthy.
We have a huge improvement in Byard over Hawkins; it is hard to exaggerate how much this could help defensive planning.

Jones, Britt, Durden/Farmer and Ponder to take the reps of Chaisson, Gibbens, Tonga and Jennings may be a marginal improvement, or not.

We will add a top EDGE draftee which should be a solid improvement.

mayoclinic · Mar 19, 2026

Revised needs:

1. A violent RT
2. A violent EDGE rusher
3. A violent X WR
4. A violent TE
5. A violent S3
6. A violent LB
7. A violent swing tackle
8. A violent outside CB
9. A violent RB3
10. A violent IOL with starting RG potential
11. A violent quick slot receiver
12. A violent DT

I sense a comment theme, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

Clonamery · Mar 19, 2026

mayoclinic said:
Revised needs:

1. A violent RT
2. A violent EDGE rusher
3. A violent X WR
4. A violent TE
5. A violent S3
6. A violent LB
7. A violent swing tackle
8. A violent outside CB
9. A violent RB3
10. A violent IOL with starting RG potential
11. A violent quick slot receiver
12. A violent DT

I sense a comment theme, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

A?

DoubleDeluxe · Mar 19, 2026

mayoclinic said:
Revised needs:

1. A violent RT
2. A violent EDGE rusher
3. A violent X WR
4. A violent TE
5. A violent S3
6. A violent LB
7. A violent swing tackle
8. A violent outside CB
9. A violent RB3
10. A violent IOL with starting RG potential
11. A violent quick slot receiver
12. A violent DT

I sense a comment theme, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

If we add a high pick RT as expected, wouldn’t swing tackle need move down?
I would expect Moses to start, so our RT pick would probably be the best backup at both sides.
We would still need a 4th OT however.
Or if Moses will start as expected, I would not have RT as the top need.
Just my 2 cents.

mayoclinic · Mar 19, 2026

Swing away. List order was not precise.

Zuma · Mar 19, 2026

Provided the Pats sign AJ Brown and Thayer Munford. Also not eleven picks here because the Pats moved up several times and burned most of the round 6 and 7 picks in the process which I approve of...

1. RT
2. Edge
3. LB
4. TE
5. LB
6. Edge
7. RB
8. CB / S

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What are our biggest needs in the 2026 Draft

What are our biggest needs in the 2026 Draft

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