After the 2024 NFL draft, many mysteries remain unanswered even though we now know who won and who lost.
Most teams were able to close significant voids in their rosters, but several still have vacancies that need to be repaired before the 2024 season begins.
The principal issue? Aside from transactions made in the months preceding training camp and the season's opening, the only other chance for those teams with vacancies in their rosters to fill them will come around cut day, when clubs trim their rosters down to 53 players in late August.
Following the 2024 NFL Draft, these are the NFL teams that still have a lot of needs.
Quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders
Uncertainty at the most crucial position in the sport is maybe the most obvious lack that the Raiders are still lacking. The Raiders, who had the 13th overall pick in the first round, were somewhat unfortunate because other teams had already selected players such as Michael Penix Jr. (No. 8), J.J. McCarthy (No. 10), and possibly Bo Nix (No. 12) by the Denver Broncos. Nevertheless, the Raiders had to make due and choose the best player available. Brock Bowers, a tight end, is an offensive weapon who can get on the field quickly and contribute.
NFL DRAFT HUB: Up-to-date mock drafts, news, live selections, grades, and commentary for the NFL Draft.
Naturally, the Raiders had the option to use their draft cash to advance and select a quarterback. However, the Raiders had enough faith in Aidan O'Connell during the previous season to bench Jimmy Garoppolo. Even yet, O'Connell and recent free agent addition Gardner Minshew are hardly game-changers at quarterback, and the team will almost definitely address the issue soon.
Dallas Cowboys: wide receiver
Sometimes the draft just happens as it happens; a team may pursue a guy who is in need of a job, only to have him selected several spots ahead of them. For the Cowboys, who lost running back Tony Pollard to the Tennessee Titans in free agency, that might have been the case (again).
The Dallas Cowboys have not hesitated to use premium draft capital for running backs, an essential position in coach Mike McCarthy's offense. The team is reportedly close to reuniting with Ezekiel Elliott, but he's an aging back in decline who posted career lows in starts (five), attempts (184), and rushing yards. Ten picks before Dallas was set to pick late in the second round (No. 54 overall), the Carolina Panthers selected in-state running back Jonathan Brooks, who played for the Texas Longhorns. Then, in the third round, the Cowboys may have been looking to address their running back need with Florida State's Trey Benson, whom the Arizona Cardinals selected seven choices before Dallas drafted Kansas State guard Cooper Beebe at No. 73.
Dolphins of Miami: defensive tackle
From one perspective, it was understandable why the Dolphins declined to re-sign Christian Wilkins during his free agency; Wilkins had the opportunity to join with the Raiders and would have received a significant salary boost. Nevertheless, Wilkins, whose nine sacks in 2023 and disruptive presence on the inside of the defensive line were crucial to Miami's operation, was not sufficiently replaced by the Dolphins.
To improve the overall health of their defensive line, the Dolphins selected Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson (No. 21 overall). However, without an anchor in the middle, the unit may struggle as Bradley Chubb (torn anterior cruciate ligament) and Jaelen Phillips (torn Achilles) recover from serious injuries. Benito Jones, an unproven third-year professional, is probably going to replace Wilkins, a clear downgrade at the position.
edge rusher Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons finished seventh in the NFL in sacks per pass attempt (7.65%) last season with their top-ranked, but aging, edge rushers, Bud Dupree and Calais Campbell, tied for the team lead in sacks (6.5), and both players' contracts expire at the end of 2023. For this reason, it is even more surprising that the Falcons selected Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall, after they had signed Kirk Cousins to a $100 million guaranteed contract.
In all likelihood, the Falcons could have made a tradeback to secure additional draft money, satisfy genuine requirements, and support the team's win-now strategies. This is made more apparent by the fact that 14 offensive players—a record—were selected in the first round of the draft. The edge rusher Laiatu Latu of UCLA, who went No. 15 to the Indianapolis Colts, and Dallas Turner of Alabama, who went No. 17 to the Minnesota Vikings, were two players the Falcons might have easily resorted to.
The offensive line of the Baltimore Ravens
Some leeway should be given to the Ravens' method because they have built consistently strong offensive lines over the previous few seasons. Nevertheless, three of the five starters on Baltimore's offensive line left over the offseason, as right tackle Morgan Moses was traded to the New York Jets and guards John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler signed free agent contracts elsewhere.
The Ravens used two of their nine picks on offensive linemen, with Washington right tackle Roger Rosengarten (No. 62 overall) likely being thrust into a starting role as a rookie. The Ravens might opt to move Rosengarten inside to one of the guard spots and rely on the larger Daniel Faalele, a 2022 fourth-rounder, to man the right tackle spot. Baltimore’s other offensive line draft selection was a seventh-round flyer on Michigan State center Nick Samac, who may not contribute for seasons, if he does at all. That still leaves massive questions at right tackle and at least one of the guard positions. Considering that left tackle Ronnie Stanley is entering the final season of his contract and has played in just 31 games since 2020, the team’s lack of depth along the entire offensive line is even more concerning
Buffalo Bills: wide receiver
Caleb Williams
Yes, the Bills selected Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman with their first pick (No. 33 overall) after trading out of the first round. However, that won't be sufficient to meet the position's needs in its entirety. Although Stefon Diggs, who was nominated to the Pro Bowl in each of his four seasons in Buffalo and who amassed 5,372 receiving yards and 37 touchdowns in that time, will (unfairly) be replaced by Coleman, who should be starting from the opening kickoff.
Though he should have some success in the red zone, Coleman could be better suited to be the No. 2 option in the NFL in the long run. Despite this, the Bills suffered a greater loss than Diggs since last offseason, former No. 2 receiver Gabe Davis signed a contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.