Draft must-haves (NFC)

By: Josh Frey-Sam

The ability to identify a weakness and address it (properly) is a sign of a strong organization.

Sounds easy, right? Yet, some teams seem to hit the same wall year after year.

No team is without holes. And the draft is the perfect place to patch those up.

Today, we start in the NFC by looking at one position each team must address in next week’s draft.

NFC North

Green Bay Packers - cornerback

The Packers hole isn’t a hole just yet, but it will be if/when Jaire Alexander is traded. Should the former first-round pick be shipped off, cornerback becomes an immediate need in Titletown. Nate Hobbs, Keisan Nixon and Carrington Valentine are a good group, but you need another playmaker.

Minnesota Vikings - interior defensive line

The Vikings did a good job of adding to the middle of their defensive line through free agency by acquiring Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen. Add Harrison Phillips to the mix, however, and this is an aging group that feels fragile. There needs to be some dependable insurance behind those guys.

Chicago Bears - edge

This group is a night and day difference from a couple of seasons ago. Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo are solid options on the edge, but that’s where it stops for this group. The Bears need add another pass-rusher to their rotation.

Detroit Lions - wide receiver

Jameson Williams is a free agent after this season, and Kalif Raymond and Tim Patrick — also free agents after this season — are no better than WR3s at this point in their respective careers. Now is the time to plan for the next player who will lineup alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys - wide receiver

This one’s easy. Jalen Tolbert is a solid WR3 and KaVonte Turpin is a great return specialist, but CeeDee Lamb needs another legitimate option to take some eyes off him.

Washington Commanders - cornerback

I’m iffy about Marshon Lattimore and Jonathan Jones entering the year. It’s fine to look at on paper, but it feels frail. I think they need a young cover guy in the building.

New York Giants - offensive lineman

I don’t care if it’s a right tackle or a guard — the Giants could use an upgrade. Evan Neal might kick inside this season, and Jermaine Eluemanor isn’t the long-term answer at RT.

Philadelphia Eagles - guard

Weird, right? But the Eagles just let Mekhi Becton walk in free agency and traded for Kenyon Green, who will start at RG. Green is a former first-round pick, but he’s struggled in the NFL. I think Philly needs some depth in case things don’t work out. The offensive line is everything to this team.

NFC South

Tampa Buccaneers - edge

If the Bucs want to take the next step, they need their defence to complement thier offence, and that means they need to get after the quarterback. This secondary could use another body, but a good secondary starts with a good pass-rush. I have questions about Hasson Redick and Yaya Diaby.

New Orleans Saints - quarterback

I’ve preached this this the beginning of the draft process. The Saints are an organization that is stuck in an awkward stage with aging players. They need a future to build around, especially with new head coach Kellen Moore.

Atlanta Falcons - edge

If Michael Penix Jr. can take the step we’re expecting, this Falcons team could be close to contending in the NFC. They’ve lacked a pass-rush for years now, however, so they will need to address that before anyone takes them seriously.

Carolina Panthers - defensive lineman

Affect the passer and stop the run. The Panthers were awful in both areas last season, and if they want to begin rising up the standings, they will need someone up front who can impact the game.

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks - offensive lineman

The Sam Darnold experiment has a chance to blow up in Year 1 if the Seahawks don’t upgrade their offensive line. Right tackle and guard — I don’t care which one, just find one. Darnold is a different QB when he’s pressured, and we saw that in the playoffs. The Hawks offensive success depends on improving up front.

Los Angeles Rams - cornerback

The Rams have revamped their defensive front, now they can really strengthen their secondary. The offence will be fine again this year, join the NFC contenders by adding another impact player in the secondary.

Arizona Cardinals - interior defensive lineman

The Cardinals have a lot of work to do on defence, and I think part of that is finding a future in the middle of their front. Right now, they have Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson, a veteran tandem that can still get it done, but likely won’t be there beyond this season.

San Francisco - trenches

I’m being vague on purpose. There was a time not too long ago that the Niners were talked about as the Eagles are. It doesn’t matter if it’s offensive or defensive line, they need to get back to what made them so strong in recent years — investing in the trenches.

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh