play1:14Michael Pittman is ‘stinking fired up’ to be a Pittsburgh SteelerMichael Pittman joins “The Pat McAfee Show” and reflects on his time in Indianapolis as he looks forward to playing with the Steelers.
play1:37Should Cowboys, Eagles try to trade for Maxx Crosby?The “Get Up” crew breaks down whether teams like the Cowboys or Eagles should attempt to trade for Maxx Crosby.
play1:57Lavonte David: ‘I’ve done enough for the game’Lavonte David joins “The Pat McAfee Show” to detail his decision to retire and says he has “done enough for the game.”
NFL NationCloseNFL NationNFL Nation is made up of 32 team-specific reporters who cover the NFL year-round across ESPN.com, ESPN television shows, ESPN Radio, ESPN+ and social media platforms. It was established ahead of the 2013 season., Matt MillerCloseMatt MillerNFL draft analystMatt Miller is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation’s top pro prospects. A Missouri native, Matt joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter, NFL Live and ESPN Radio. Prior to joining ESPN, Matt spent 11 years as a senior draft analyst at Bleacher Report.Follow on X, Jordan ReidCloseJordan ReidNFL draft analystJordan Reid is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation’s top pro prospects. Jordan joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter and ESPN Radio. He played quarterback at North Carolina Central University and then went on to coach there from 2014-18.Follow on XMultiple AuthorsMar 26, 2026, 06:25 AM ET
Why Mel Kiper Jr. sees a big gap between Mendoza and Simpson (0:55)Mel Kiper Jr. explains why he disagrees with the notion that Ty Simpson is closing the gap on Fernando Mendoza ahead of this year’s NFL draft. (0:55)
Michael Pittman is ‘stinking fired up’ to be a Pittsburgh SteelerMichael Pittman joins “The Pat McAfee Show” and reflects on his time in Indianapolis as he looks forward to playing with the Steelers.
Michael Pittman joins “The Pat McAfee Show” and reflects on his time in Indianapolis as he looks forward to playing with the Steelers.
Should Cowboys, Eagles try to trade for Maxx Crosby?The “Get Up” crew breaks down whether teams like the Cowboys or Eagles should attempt to trade for Maxx Crosby.
The “Get Up” crew breaks down whether teams like the Cowboys or Eagles should attempt to trade for Maxx Crosby.
Lavonte David: ‘I’ve done enough for the game’Lavonte David joins “The Pat McAfee Show” to detail his decision to retire and says he has “done enough for the game.”
Lavonte David joins “The Pat McAfee Show” to detail his decision to retire and says he has “done enough for the game.”
The main part of NFL free agency is over, so all 32 teams are now entirely focused on building out their draft boards. The 2026 NFL draft will take place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, and will be broadcast on ESPN, ABC and the ESPN App. Teams will address remaining roster holes there across seven rounds.
Where is each roster looking to improve? We asked our NFL Nation reporters to identify the three most glaring positional needs for all 32 franchises entering the draft, ordered from largest to smallest. Then we had NFL draft analysts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid name prospects projected to be picked after Round 1 who could fill one of those needs.
Let’s get started with the Bills, who have some big holes to fill under first-time head coach Joe Brady.
Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Jaishawn Barham, Edge, Michigan. He is still learning the edge position after moving from linebacker, but Barham has the type of burst that the Bills have been missing. He’s a projected Round 3 prospect who could move up, depending on how many edge rushers go off the board in Round 1. — Miller
Top three needs: WR, edge, CB. Trading Jaylen Waddle vaulted wide receiver to the top of Miami’s list of draft needs, with no No. 1 option in place. Signing Joshua Uche and David Ojabo is an improvement on the Dolphins’ pass rush, but that shouldn’t stop them from spending a first-round pick on the position. Early in the draft, Miami could also look at cornerback, which is one of the most unproven position groups on its roster despite free agent signings. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Devin Moore, CB, Florida. The Dolphins are loaded with seven selections in the top 100 picks, but landing Moore late in Round 3 would offer an immediate boost to the secondary. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, he has the size and length to be a factor in the press-man scheme new coach Jeff Hafley will employ. — Miller
Likewise, more depth on the edge is a need. Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said at the combine that the draft matches up nicely for the team because of the volume of quality prospects at that position. — Mike Reiss
Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois. A key area of need for New England is finding speed off the edge. At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, Jacas is well-built but also has the first-step twitch that’s missing in Vrabel’s defense. — Miller
They signed Joseph Ossai to replace Jermaine Johnson (traded) on the edge, but there’s still a glaring need for a speed rusher opposite of Will McDonald IV. — Rich Cimini
Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State. If the Jets opt to wait until Day 2 to select a quarterback, the traits of Allar are intriguing. The 6-foot-5, 228-pounder has the biggest arm in this draft class and plus mobility. An ankle injury derailed his final college season, but Allar’s potential is high if he’s developed. — Miller
Top three needs: IOL, DT, WR. The Ravens’ biggest need is clearly fortifying the interior offensive line for quarterback Lamar Jackson. Baltimore has the major challenge of replacing Tyler Linderbaum. After the signing of longtime backup center Danny Pinter, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Ravens selected a center in the first or second round. “I think we have a pretty good history of drafting centers,” general manager Eric DeCosta said early in free agency. “So, I’m confident we can do that.”
At defensive tackle, there has been growing optimism that two-time Pro Bowl player Nnamdi Madubuike will return from his neck injury. And last season, wide receiver Zay Flowers set career highs with 86 receptions and 1,211 receiving yards; the Ravens’ other receivers combined for 51 receptions for 735 yards. — Jamison Hensley
Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech. A rugged and tough interior blocker, Rutledge fits the profile of Baltimore’s identity. He has the potential to slot in at center or guard at the next level. — Reid
Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia. Miller is a potential laden and disruptive defender who slots best as a 3-technique. His skill set could thrive in a scheme that allows it’s interior players to get up field and create chaos at the first level. — Reid
Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State. Outside of wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and tight end Harold Fannin Jr., the Browns lack perimeter threats. Hurst could unlock the team’s downfield passing game, as he averaged 15.5 yards per reception over the past two seasons. — Reid
The Steelers also lost starting guard Isaac Seumalo, though Spencer Anderson is developing into a solid player. And while adding Jaquan Brisker bolstered the depth of their safety group, they still need help for DeShon Elliott — and Jalen Ramsey if he continues to play safety. Last year’s signings of Juan Thornhill and Chuck Clark largely didn’t pan out. — Brooke Pryor
Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama. He isn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves and do the dirty work, epitomizing the qualities that Pittsburgh has prioritized in previous years at receiver. Bernard can align at multiple spots in formations to use his strong hands and display how he’s an asset as a run blocker. — Reid
Michael Pittman is ‘stinking fired up’ to be a Pittsburgh Steeler
Top three needs: IOL, DT, CB. The focus for Houston in this draft is finding budding talented players who could become starters at the interior offensive line and defensive tackle. Right now, Houston has a guard duo of Wyatt Teller and Ed Ingram, along with Jake Andrews at center. Ingram just signed a three-year deal, but Houston needs a long-term answer on the left side.
Top three needs: edge, LB, WR. The Colts made revamping their front seven with “younger and faster” personnel a key part of their offseason plan. They’ve begun that process, but with departures that include linebacker Zaire Franklin and defensive end Kwity Paye, they haven’t adequately replaced the production they lost.
The Colts’ underwhelming record of drafting edge rushers is inescapable, especially in a year when they lack a first-round pick. Their history of discovering linebacker gems is much more encouraging, and they’ll need a couple of hits given the serious lack of depth there. At receiver, the trade of Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steelers has eroded depth at a key position. — Stephen Holder
Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri. He has risen up boards since declaring for the draft has given more time to review his tape. Trotter is a big-time hitter between the tackles and has great closing speed when working downhill. He could be a dream fit in coordinator Lou Anarumo’s scheme. — Miller
Top three needs: DT, edge, LB. The Jaguars led the NFL in rush defense in 2025 but struggled rushing the passer (ranked 27th with 32 total sacks). Other than Arik Armstead (5.5 sacks), there was minimal pressure from the interior. That put the burden on edge rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, who combined for 11.5 sacks. Armstead is 32 with a $19.4 million cap figure, so there’s a chance the team moves on from him as a post-June 1 release.
The biggest offensive need is adding another running back alongside Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Bhayshul Tuten. Travis Etienne Jr. signed with the Saints in free agency. — Michael DiRocco