The 2022 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching. What are the top position needs for every NFL team going into the Draft process?
The 2022 NFL Draft will come and go before anyone even realizes it, and there is undoubtedly plenty of work to be done on all 32 rosters across the NFL landscape.
Some have more work to do than others, but this is considered a deep class and every team should be able to find value, even with seemingly an abnormal number of teams without a first-round pick in 2022.
Even if some teams have more than just one pressing need heading into this year’s draft, what is every team’s most pressing positional need?
Let’s take a look across the entire NFL landscape at all 32 teams’ top needs using the original 2022 NFL Draft order.
Jacksonville Jaguars top 2022 NFL Draft need: Edge Rusher
The Jacksonville Jaguars certainly have no shortage of needs heading into the 2022 NFL Draft, but thankfully for them in a class loaded off the edge, their top top need is an edge rusher.
With the first overall pick, it appears to be down to either Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson or Georgia’s Travon Walker for the Jags, who addressed their offensive line in free agency by franchise tagging Cam Robinson and signing right guard Brandon Scherff.
Although he was drafted by a previous coaching staff, the Jaguars also have 2021 second-round pick Walker Little under contract at offensive tackle.
Detroit Lions top 2022 NFL Draft need: Edge Rusher
The Lions are in a unique spot picking second overall. Do they love Travon Walker as much as the Jaguars reportedly do? Are they taking a QB here?
The Lions don’t really need an offensive tackle with Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell, so would they take Ikem Ekwonu or Evan Neal to play guard here? I don’t think so.
With quarterback and maybe safety or cornerback dark horses here, I think edge rusher is clearly atop the Lions’ list of needs right now for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Houston Texans top 2022 NFL Draft need: Edge Rusher
The Houston Texans are in year two of a complete renovation of their roster, so any number of positions could go in this spot.
We could see Houston go after Sauce Gardner here and address cornerback. Maybe they go with Ikem Ekwonu or Evan Neal and just really solidify that offensive line.
I think their top need is edge rusher and don’t be surprised if they are okay with any of the top three guys — Aidan Hutchinson, Travon Walker, or Kayvon Thibodeaux — with this pick.
New York Jets top 2022 NFL Draft need: Wide Receiver
It should come as no surprise that many of the teams near the top of this list had plenty of needs to choose from. The New York Jets have needs at tackle, cornerback, off the edge, and at wide receiver, but I think receiver is the top “need” heading into this Draft.
That doesn’t mean they will use the fourth overall pick on a receiver, but they can’t come away from this Draft without someone to continue building around at receiver, in my opinion.
Whether they go with someone like Garrett Wilson, Jameson Williams, or Drake London, I think a receiver somewhere in round one is pretty much a necessity for this team.
New York Giants top 2022 NFL Draft need: Offensive Tackle
If the New York Giants could just stay healthy, they might have a pretty decent team to put out there week in and week out.
Unfortunately, this roster has been absolutely ravaged by injuries in recent years and they haven’t been overly competitive as a result.
Of course, the QB position has something to do with that, but I think the Giants are poised to address that in 2023.
The top need, for right now, is the offensive tackle position, and with the fifth overall pick in the Draft, the Giants are poised to be able to address that with either Ikem Ekwonu or Evan Neal.
In a “worst-case” scenario, the Giants could go after an EDGE with this pick should one of the top three guys fall and then take Charles Cross at pick seven.
Carolina Panthers top 2022 NFL Draft need: Quarterback
Although this may not be the Draft class for it, how can the Carolina Panthers leave the 2022 NFL Draft without a quarterback?
Whether they are taking Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis, Matt Corral, or they trade picks for Baker Mayfield or maybe even Jimmy Garoppolo, this team needs an upgrade over Sam Darnold.
The Panthers made some reckless trades last year, trying to go all-in on a season in which they had no business doing so by adding Stephon Gilmore and CJ Henderson. Those trades, in combination with the deal for Sam Darnold, have crippled this team’s draft capital and backed them into a QB corner.
Chicago Bears top 2022 NFL Draft need: Offensive Line
It feels like the Chicago Bears have had a tremendously bad 2022 offseason.
They didn’t bring in any of the big fish on the offensive line in free agency. They didn’t even re-sign their own James Daniels, a player who may have disappointed after a strong rookie season but whose deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers was certainly not prohibitive.
They traded Khalil Mack away. Akiem Hicks walked in free agency, as did Allen Robinson.
On top of it all, the Bears don’t have a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
They do have multiple picks in round two, and their top needs right now are on the offensive line. They’ve got to find a way to properly protect young QB Justin Fields.
Atlanta Falcons top 2022 NFL Draft need: Wide Receiver
There may not be a more cringe-worthy position group in the entire NFL than the Atlanta Falcons wide receiver group.
The team traded Julio Jones last offseason, and Calvin Ridley was suspended for the whole 2022 season for betting on games in 2021.
Russell Gage left for the Buccaneers in free agency, leaving Marcus Mariota with Olamide Zaccheaus as his default WR1.
General manager Terry Fontenot might need to take three receivers in this draft.
Denver Broncos top 2022 NFL Draft need: Tight End
Thankfully for all of Broncos Country, general manager George Paton took a page out of Les Snead’s book and said “F Them Picks”, trading his top two selections this year and next year along with a trio of players for quarterback Russell Wilson.
After last year’s Von Miller trade, the Broncos still have the 64th overall pick in this year’s draft and one of their top remaining needs is at the tight end position.
The Broncos have Albert Okwuegbunam who is expected to take a step forward but don’t be shocked if they target a tight end like Trey McBride out of Colorado State with their top overall selection.
Seattle Seahawks top 2022 NFL Draft need: Offensive Tackle
The Seattle Seahawks don’t have their own first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft because of the Jamal Adams trade, but thanks to the trade involving Russell Wilson, they now own the 9th overall pick in round one as well as picks 40 and 41 in round two.
The Seahawks could go one of a number of directions with their top pick but offensive tackle seems to be most pressing right now with Duane Brown still a free agent.
Luckily for the Seahawks, someone like Charles Cross or perhaps even Evan Neal should still be there.
If the top tackles are gone, the Seahawks could shift their attention to cornerback or edge.
Washington Commanders top 2022 NFL Draft need: Wide Receiver
The Washington Commanders invested (too much) in Carson Wentz this offseason, and now they have to support that investment by getting their new QB some legitimate weapons at receiver.
Terry McLaurin is an absolute stud and a building block for this Washington team, but the Commanders need more help at receiver.
Sitting at pick number 11 overall, it’s not impossible that all of the top receivers in this class could still be on the board. Even if one or two are gone, the Commanders should still be able to upgrade this part of their roster.
Behind receiver, the Commanders could be the team that cashes in on the fall of Kyle Hamilton if he drops out of the top 10 picks.
Minnesota Vikings top 2022 NFL Draft need: Cornerback
Over the last decade, it feels like no other NFL team has had more swings at the cornerback position than the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Unfortunately for them, there have also been plenty of misses.
The recent off-field situation resulting in first-round pick Jeff Gladney being released has really set the Vikings back. The team brought Patrick Peterson back into the fold, but he’s no longer a long-term fixture for any team.
The Vikings need to target cornerbacks early in this year’s NFL Draft to upgrade their secondary.
Cleveland Browns top 2022 NFL Draft need: Edge Rusher
The Cleveland Browns have taken some pretty drastic and risky steps to improve their roster in the 2022 offseason.
The trade for Deshaun Watson and subsequent contract extension the Browns gave him could go down as one of the worst decisions in NFL history.
Even if Watson plays great, the Browns need additional help off the edge at some point in the 2022 NFL Draft. They don’t pick until number 44 overall, but they are still in good shape there to take advantage of a very deep class of players at the EDGE position.
There’s still time for Cleveland to bring back Jadeveon Clowney but even if they don’t, there should be a starting-caliber player sitting there at 44.
Baltimore Ravens top 2022 NFL Draft need: Defensive Front Seven
Even after bringing back Michael Pierce and Calais Campbell, the Baltimore Ravens still need to add depth to their defensive front seven.
The Ravens flirted with the idea of adding Bobby Wagner and may have even made him a substantial offer to pair up with Patrick Queen at the inside linebacker position.
Derek Wolfe may return in 2022, or he may retire.
After taking Odafe Oweh in round one of the 2021 NFL Draft, EDGE help is still needed.
Luckily for the Ravens, this team has a plethora of picks and options to upgrade on the defensive front seven however and whenever they see fit to do so.
Miami Dolphins top 2022 NFL Draft need: Inside Linebacker
If I can be so corny, the Miami Dolphins have made some major splashes in the 2022 offseason so far.
Getting Terron Armstead at the left tackle position was massive on its own, but the Dolphins made an even bigger move to go and trade for Kansas City Chiefs star wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
After landing Hill in a trade and signing Armstead along with a host of other players, it’s hard to pinpoint the Dolphins’ top need heading into the 2022 NFL Draft.
The team looks pretty good on both sides of the ball, but perhaps some additional help at inside linebacker will be near the top of their list for the Draft.
Indianapolis Colts top 2022 NFL Draft need: Offensive Line
For a team that is seemingly confident in its “contender” status, the Colts have been pretty lackadaisical about upgrading the roster in 2022.
I can’t be too harsh because the Colts made a move to get Matt Ryan from the Falcons, but who is going to be this team’s left tackle?
With so much cap space, why let Mark Glowinski out the door in free agency?
The Colts have made some underrated moves defensively like adding safety Rodney McLeod and cornerback Brandon Facyson, but the offensive line needs to be upgraded in the 2022 NFL Draft given the fact that the free agent crop of linemen has been mostly picked over at this point.
Los Angeles Chargers top 2022 NFL Draft need: Right Tackle
The Los Angeles Chargers have done a tremendous job at upgrading the roster ahead of the 2022 season, but one area that still needs to be addressed is the right tackle position.
I’m not sure if the Chargers will ever be able to get all of the green stains out of the uniform Herbert wore in the Chargers’ season finale against the Raiders last year, and if you needed any further proof of their desperate need at the tackle position, look no further than that game.
Maxx Crosby was terrorizing Herbert for all four quarters.
Just imagine what this guy could do with a clean pocket…
Rashawn Slater was a great pick for the Chargers last year, now they need to draft a bookend.
New Orleans Saints top 2022 NFL Draft need: Left Tackle
The Saints need to replace the departed Terron Armstead, who left for the Miami Dolphins in free agency.
Although New Orleans was able to maneuver $100 million in cap space to get in a favorable cap position, they weren’t able to bring back Armstead, who has been a fixture on their offensive line for years.
It’s debatable to put offensive tackle on this list ahead of quarterback or wide receiver for the Saints, but with the decision to re-sign Jameis Winston to a two-year deal, protecting him is going to be hugely important.
Philadelphia Eagles top 2022 NFL Draft need: Wide Receiver
Even though the Philadelphia Eagles have used first-round picks on the wide receiver position in consecutive years, it’s likely still going to be near the top of their list again in the 2022 offseason.
DeVonta Smith was outstanding as a rookie but 2020 first-round pick Jalen Reagor doesn’t appear to have done anything to inspire confidence in his development over two years.
Because of that, and because the Eagles have two first-round picks this year, receiver needs to be on the radar.
The Eagles will be lucky to see a couple of top-tier prospects still on the board with their first pick given how many teams ahead of them in the Draft order need receivers, but someone like Drake London, Jameson Williams, Garrett Wilson, or Chris Olave should certainly be available.
Pittsburgh Steelers top 2022 NFL Draft need: Quarterback
After signing Mitchell Trubisky to a contract in free agency while either passing on or not being willing to pay the price to get players like Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson, the Pittsburgh Steelers should be in the market for a 2022 NFL Draft prospect at the QB position.
They have certainly done extensive homework on the class, arguably more than any other team in the league at this point.
Pittsburgh is saying goodbye to Ben Roethlisberger this year and as he transitions out, the future can transition in.
I think they are candidates to go after any one of the top prospects at the position in this class, perhaps with players like Malik Willis, Desmond Ridder, and Sam Howell being their most likely targets.
New England Patriots top 2022 NFL Draft need: Cornerback
After their massive spending spree in the 2021 offseason, the New England Patriots have had to sit back and bargain hunt in the 2022 offseason.
Whether they simply couldn’t afford it or they were being frugal, one of the worst mistakes any team made this offseason was when the Patriots just let JC Jackson walk in free agency.
They let Joe Thuney walk last offseason as well, and you can’t help but wonder what in the world they are doing.
JC Jackson was a huge reason for this defense’s success, but obviously, Bill Belichick is banking on that unit being a better sum of its parts in 2022.
Cornerback should be near the top of the list of priorities in the 2022 NFL Draft for this team.
Las Vegas Raiders top 2022 NFL Draft need: Linebacker
The Raiders don’t have a pick in the first two rounds because of the Davante Adams trade, but they’ll probably happily sit back and enjoy a celebratory cigar given the way this offseason has gone for them.
As is typical of teams without picks in the first couple of rounds, the Raiders went out and spent big money in free agency, landing Adams and signing him to a new deal while also giving new deals to both Maxx Crosby and Derek Carr.
The Raiders also signed Chandler Jones to wreak havoc off the edge in tandem with Crosby.
They could certainly add some help at linebacker in the 2022 NFL Draft as well as on the offensive line.
Arizona Cardinals top 2022 NFL Draft need: Edge Rusher
The Arizona Cardinals didn’t have an overly active free agency period.
They re-signed some players like running back James Conner, but they let Chandler Jones test the market and ultimately watched him walk to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The departure of Jones off the edge is massive for the Cardinals, make no mistake about it. Even though half of his sack production came in one game last season, Jones is still an elite rusher in the NFL and the Cardinals have to have some urgency in replacing him.
Hopefully, a player like George Karlaftis could still be there for them with their first-round pick.
Dallas Cowboys top 2022 NFL Draft need: Wide Receiver
After the debacle with Randy Gregory in free agency, I had to think for a bit on what position the Dallas Cowboys should prioritize in the 2022 NFL Draft.
I came to the conclusion that the loss of Amari Cooper could be a bigger deal to Dallas than we’re making it.
Not only did the Cowboys lose Cooper, but they also lost Cedrick Wilson.
Even though I like the signing of James Washington, I think the Cowboys’ first-round pick could absolutely be a wide receiver and they have certainly been sniffing around some of the top names in the class.
Don’t be surprised if Dallas goes WR in round one.
Buffalo Bills top 2022 NFL Draft need: Cornerback
Even if the value doesn’t match up early in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills need to add depth and talent to the secondary.
The offense is absolutely loaded at this point, as is the defensive front seven.
It’s difficult to pinpoint a weakness on this Bills roster but the defensive backfield was torched in the playoffs against Kansas City and they need reinforcements.
A player like Daxton Hill who has safety/corner versatility in round one would be outstanding for this team, or the best cornerback available late in round one.
Tennessee Titans top 2022 NFL Draft need: Interior Offensive Line
The Tennessee Titans have a clear identity offensively: They are going to run the ball down your throat.
If that is to continue in 2022, they are going to need some reinforcements on the offensive line. Tennessee had to part ways this offseason with starting guard Rodger Saffold, and even after re-signing center Ben Jones, needs on the interior offensive line persist.
Luckily for them, they are picking in a range when a number of the top interior linemen in this class are still expected to be on the board. Players like Kenyon Green, Zion Johnson, and Tyler Linderbaum should all still be available.
If not interior offensive line, the Titans could snatch up one of the versatile linebackers in this year’s class.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers top 2022 NFL Draft need: Left Guard
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in a similar boat as the Tennessee Titans, but for different reasons.
Both teams were able to re-sign their starting centers in the 2022 offseason but both said goodbye to some guards.
The Buccaneers surprisingly lost starter Ali Marpet to retirement this offseason while Alex Cappa bolted for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Even though they were able to replace Cappa with Shaq Mason, the Bucs need a starting left guard. Could they try Tyler Linderbaum at the guard position if he falls to their first-round pick? They had great success last time they took an Iowa lineman in the first round.
Green Bay Packers top 2022 NFL Draft need: Wide Receiver
What in the world is Brian Gutekunst doing?
I think we have asked that question for three straight offseasons now, haven’t we?
In 2020, it was the decision to trade up and draft Jordan Love.
In 2021, it was the whole debacle with Aaron Rodgers.
In 2022, Gutekunst and the Packers decided to trade Davante Adams.
It’s time to take a wide receiver in the first round of the Draft, but will any of the top guys be left by the time the Packers are on the clock? More likely than not, someone will be.
I don’t know if the Packers will do this, but maybe their top two picks should be receivers, just to make sure Rodgers has plenty of weapons.
San Francisco 49ers top 2022 NFL Draft need: Defensive Backs
After losing guard Laken Tomlinson to the Jets, I could see interior offensive line being a priority for the 49ers but they drafted Aaron Banks out of Notre Dame in round two last year, preparing for that eventuality.
The defensive backfield has gotten an infusion of new talent with Charvarius Ward coming in from Kansas City as well as George Odum from the Colts, but this 49ers team needs to continue adding defensive backs with the picks they still have available after trading up for Trey Lance last year.
Kansas City Chiefs top 2022 NFL Draft need: Cornerback
After losing Charvarius Ward to the 49ers in free agency as well as Mike Hughes to the Detroit Lions, the Kansas City Chiefs’ cornerback position is in pretty bad shape.
Luckily for them, they have an infusion of new draft selections to work with after the Tyreek Hill trade.
There may be an early run on the cornerback position in this draft, so maybe we will see the Chiefs parlay some of their new picks to move up for a starter at the cornerback position.
Either that, or they’ll stack their roster with value players in the first couple of rounds. The Chiefs have some flexibility in this draft but the cornerback crop is not considered especially deep.
Cincinnati Bengals top 2022 NFL Draft need: Cornerback
Operation “Protect Joey Franchise” got underway immediately as the NFL’s legal negotiating window opened up, and the Bengals signed three new starters of the offensive line for the 2022 season.
Alex Cappa, La’El Collins, and Ted Karras are now tasked with keeping Burrow upright along with Jonah Williams and possibly 2021 second-round pick Jackson Carman at left guard.
The Bengals could certainly roll with another lineman in round one of the 2022 NFL Draft, but they have effectively eliminated the urgent need there.
Cornerback may be more pressing with the group the Bengals have at the outside positions right now.
Los Angeles Rams top 2022 NFL Draft need: Edge Rusher
The Los Angeles Rams are riding high after winning the Super Bowl, but the aftermath of winning the Super Bowl, unfortunately, involves losing players to other teams.
One of the key losses for the Rams in the 2022 offseason was Von Miller, who signed a six-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.
Ultimately, that loss was absolutely massive and is being overlooked because the Rams have made splashy moves like signing Allen Robinson and Bobby Wagner.
Neither is going to give this team what it needs off the edge.
The Rams won’t pick until round three, and there they will need to seriously consider taking the best available edge rusher to contribute in 2022.