As it stands a month out from the 2022 NFL draft, a record eight teams will not make a selection in the first round, all having traded away their top selections.
Given how many big names were traded recently for draft choices, this could be the wave of the future. The NFL mostly is a “win-now” proposition, and teams that believe they’re close to Super Bowl contention seem more willing to part with precious picks than ever before.
It’s not necessarily a sign that teams parting with stars are giving up on the immediate future, either. The Kansas City Chiefs shipped off wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins for five picks, including the Dolphins’ first-rounder this year. But they also signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency, at least partially compensating for the lost production at the position. Kansas City also has six of the top 103 picks, which certainly gives it a chance to address wide receiver more if it deems necessary.
How could each of the eight teams without a first-round pick still make improvements in this draft? We asked the NFL Nation reporter for each team to outline draft needs, then went to ESPN analyst Jordan Reid for his thoughts on a prospect who might be available when those teams make their first selections (teams are listed in order of their first pick).
Jump to:
CHI | CLE | DEN | IND
LV | LAR | MIA | SF
Full draft order
Where’s their first-round pick? Traded to NYG for pick that brought Justin Fields in 2021
Top picks: Nos. 39, 48 and 71
Biggest needs: Chicago added Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown to its receiving corps in free agency, but that’s not enough to fill out a room headlined by Darnell Mooney. The second round has produced star receivers in previous years (A.J. Brown, DK Metcalf, Deebo Samuel and Tee Higgins to name a few), so this is the perfect spot for the Bears to add another option for quarterback Justin Fields with their top pick.
They could potentially address receiver again with their other second-round pick, though general manager Ryan Poles might want to replenish depth at corner or on the offensive line with the selection the team gained when it traded Khalil Mack to the Chargers. — Courtney Cronin
Best prospect fit at No. 39: George Pickens, WR, Georgia. Outside of Mooney, the Bears don’t have any dependable targets. Pickens, who at 21 is one of the youngest prospects in this draft class, has lots of ability as a route runner and hands catcher. He has the 6-foot-3 frame, route maturity and catch radius needed to step in and become an instant contributor for Chicago. — Reid
Where’s their first-round pick? Traded to PHI for Carson Wentz
Top picks: Nos. 42, 73 and 83
Biggest needs: The Colts have their quarterback in Matt Ryan, but they’re still missing receivers for him to throw to outside of Michael Pittman Jr. Expect receiver to be a position they address in the draft, especially with T.Y. Hilton unsigned, Zach Pascal leaving in free agency and Parris Campbell yet to prove he can stay healthy (he has missed 34 games in three seasons).
Ryan should be an upgrade over Carson Wentz, but it’ll be difficult for him to be effective without dependable receivers. — Mike Wells
Best prospect fit at No. 42: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State. Watson has checked every box during the pre-draft process and has risen up boards after his performance at the Senior Bowl and combine, where he ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4, 208 pounds. He could be a building block next to Pittman for Indianapolis. The former FCS standout meets many of the thresholds general manager Chris Ballard requires and could help Ryan in Year 1. — Reid
Where’s their first-round pick? Traded to HOU for Deshaun Watson
Top picks: Nos. 44, 78 and 99
Biggest needs: Despite the quarterback switch from Baker Mayfield to Deshaun Watson, the Browns’ other needs are relatively the same as they were before free agency. They still need to upgrade their wide receiver corps, despite the addition of Amari Cooper in the trade with the Cowboys. They also need to add young talent to the defensive line to supplement All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett.
Cleveland’s roster doesn’t have many holes. If it can address these two spots, it might not have any. — Jake Trotter
Best prospect fit at No. 44: Perrion Winfrey, IDL, Oklahoma. The Browns, starved for help in the middle of their defense with a need for a penetrating 3-technique tackle, are an ideal pairing for Winfrey. After an inconsistent 2021 season, he was tremendous at the Senior Bowl, showing a stellar first-step burst and giving interior offensive linemen a tough time. He is one of the best tackles in this class. — Reid
2:16
Booger McFarland discusses how Deshaun Watson fits with the Cleveland Browns after being traded.
Where’s their first-round pick? Traded to MIA to move up for Trey Lance in 2021
Top picks: Nos. 61, 93 and 105
Biggest needs: With guard Laken Tomlinson and defensive tackle D.J. Jones departing in free agency, the 49ers have three picks on Day 2 to help restock both lines. Their top needs remain on the interior of the offensive line, where a guard capable of playing center would be an ideal fit, and on the defensive line, where another edge rusher to complement Nick Bosa is needed.
From there, San Francisco should have the freedom to go any direction it wants for best prospect available, though more help in the secondary, a pass-catcher or even another offensive lineman would be welcome. — Nick Wagoner
Best prospect fit at No. 61: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn. Here’s an intriguing corner who could help a team with a few different needs. McCreary has the versatility to play in the slot or on the perimeter, and he could be a nice Day 2 addition to a defense that also added Charvarius Ward in free agency. — Reid
Where’s their first-round pick? Traded to SEA for Russell Wilson
Top picks: Nos. 64, 75 and 96
Biggest needs: The Broncos have four defensive backs who started at least one game last season who are unrestricted free agents — cornerbacks Bryce Callahan, Kyle Fuller and Nate Hairston, and safety Kareem Jackson. That’s a lot of snaps that haven’t all been replaced. The Broncos did sign K’Waun Williams, who figures to step in as the nickel cornerback, and they believe second-year safety Caden Sterns is ready for more work. But the depth chart is pretty thin in the secondary and while the Broncos will continue to look at available free agents, the secondary will need some attention in the draft as well. — Jeff Legwold
Best prospect fit at No. 64: Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State. Denver could take advantage of a deep cornerback class with the final selection of Round 2. The 6-foot-2 Emerson has long arms and fits the mold of what general manager George Paton has looked for in corners in his previous stops. Emerson has starter upside as the second corner on the depth chart playing on the other side of Pat Surtain II. — Reid
Where’s their first-round pick? Traded to GB for Davante Adams
Top picks: Nos. 86, 126 and 164
Biggest needs: Are the Raiders really willing to run it back with an offensive line that allowed Derek Carr to be sacked 40 times last season? As new coach Josh McDaniels said, the job now is to coach the guys currently on the roster and make them better. Las Vegas re-signed Jermaine Eluemunor and Brandon Parker, but the Raiders need reinforcements, and those should still be available in the middle rounds. — Paul Gutierrez
Best prospect fit at No. 86: Ed Ingram, IOL, LSU. Ingram is a physical blocker who has versatility to play either guard spot. He has strong hands and is aggressive as a run blocker, and he’s also a heady pass protector who is great at reading and attacking defensive structures. Ingram projects as a late Day 2 selection who could get snaps as a rookie and eventually turn into a dependable starter. — Reid
Where’s their first-round pick? Traded to KC for Tyreek Hill
Top picks: Nos. 102, 121 or 125, 158
Biggest needs: It seems like take an easy way out of this question, but Miami is in position to take the best prospect available. The Dolphins addressed holes at wide receiver, running back and offensive line through free agency, and they could stand to take a developmental interior offensive lineman — specifically one with experience playing center. They could also opt for depth at linebacker or safety.
General manager Chris Grier has done well this offseason and enters the draft without any pressing needs. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Best prospect fit at No. 102: Cameron Jurgens, IOL, Nebraska. There aren’t too many better player-to-team fits than Jurgens in a wide or outside zone scheme. He is one of the most physically gifted center prospects we’ve seen in years, as his combination of power and footwork would be a perfect fit in coach Mike McDaniel’s scheme, which relies on winning with angles. — Reid
Where’s their first-round pick? Traded to DET for Matthew Stafford in 2021
Top picks: Nos. 104, 142 and 175
Biggest needs: With Andrew Whitworth retiring and Austin Corbett leaving via free agency, Los Angeles could start looking for offensive line depth late in the third round. What it will find is for another conversation, but it might forever be looking for another Whitworth.
With one pick in each of the third, fourth and fifth rounds — before three in the sixth and two in the seventh — the Rams will have ample opportunities to try to build an offensive line for the future. — Josh Weinfuss
Best prospect fit at No. 104: Cole Strange, IOL, Chattanooga. In need of a new guard to replace Corbett, Cole is a candidate to cross-train as both a center and guard. Because of his strength and speed as a blocker, his skill set is best suited in a scheme that uses zone-blocking principles. The Rams will likely have to look elsewhere to replace Whitworth at left tackle. — Reid