One position each NFC team should target in the 2023 NFL Draft

Earlier, we looked at the AFC teams. Now it's the NFC's turn.

The draft is still two weeks away, but the NFL’s biggest winner in the month of April is already here: the Washington Commanders! Yes, Dan Snyder is finally selling the team to someone who is thankfully NOT Dan Snyder. Good riddance.

Now Washington fans can once again be optimistic about the future. Truthfully, I think every fanbase deserves to feel that way right before the draft. Hope can be so fleeting in the NFL that you may as well enjoy it while it lasts.

One way it can last longer is if teams come away from the draft having addressed their most critical needs. Earlier this week, I highlighted one position each AFC team should zero in on in this year’s draft. The NFC is up next.

Arizona Cardinals

Position: Defensive line

The first question the Cardinals will have to answer on draft night is whether they’ll hold on to the No. 3 pick or trade down. The second question is if they’ll select a defensive end or tackle. If they stay at No. 3, then Alabama edge defender Will Anderson Jr. — perhaps the best overall prospect in the draft — makes the Cards’ decision a no-brainer. If they end up picking several spots later, then maybe it’s Georgia DT Jalen Carter and then they wait until Day 2 for an edge rusher (which is one of the deepest positions in this draft class).

No matter what, Arizona has to beef up its DL. Last season, J.J. Watt was the defense’s biggest disrupter, leading the way with 12.5 sacks and 25 QB hits. He’s happily retired now. Zach Allen was second on the team in both stats with 5.5 sacks and 20 QB hits. He signed with the Broncos in free agency. Veteran Markus Golden (2.5 sacks, 20 QB hits) is also gone after being released a month ago. 

Atlanta Falcons

Position: Edge rusher

The Falcons addressed one of their needs earlier this week when they traded for cornerback Jeff Okudah, who just couldn’t stay healthy in Detroit. Hopefully he can turn things around in Atlanta and start opposite another 2020 first-rounder, A.J. Terrell. 

The Okudah trade was the latest move the Falcons have made to try to strengthen its oft-struggling defense this offseason. Yet even with high-profile additions like Jessie Bates III, Calais Campbell, and David Onyemata, Atlanta should continue to focus on defensive prospects early in the draft. Specifically, the Falcons could use an edge rusher to help boost a pass rush that ranked second-to-last in sacks (21) in 2022, as well as last in QB pressures per dropback (14.6 percent) and sack rate (3.6 percent). 

Will Anderson Jr. will likely be off the board when the Falcons are due up at No. 8, but that should be the right spot for Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson, Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness, or Georgia’s Nolan Smith.

Carolina Panthers

Position: Quarterback

Teams don’t trade up to the No. 1 pick very often, and since the turn of the century, they’ve only ever done so to select a quarterback. That, without a doubt, is the Panthers’ plan. Much more uncertain is which quarterback that will be. C.J. Stroud was the favorite as soon as Carolina moved up to No. 1, but this week, Bryce Young has been making a push. Is the buzz legitimate or is this your classic pre-draft smokescreen? I don’t know!

However, I don’t think the Panthers can go wrong with either guy. And they’ve already done Young/Stroud a solid by bringing in a pretty good free agency class.

Chicago Bears

Position: Offensive tackle

Even though the Bears’ rebuild is right on track, they still could use reinforcements in several areas. As such, they have options with the No. 9 pick. Most likely, though, Chicago will either bolster the offensive or defensive line. 

My advice, if GM Ryan Poles is asking (he is not): GO FOR THE OFFENSIVE TACKLE. The Bears should be in position to take the first OT of the draft, whether it’s Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski or Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. For the sake of Justin Fields — who has been sacked 91 times in his career so far! — just draft one of them, please. 

Besides, with the number of draft picks they have (10) and the strength of the defensive end group this year, the Bears should have plenty of opportunities to address the DL later on.

Dallas Cowboys

Position: Tight end

I don’t know that tight end is the Cowboys’ biggest hole, but they did lose Dalton Schultz, who was second on the team in targets, receptions, and receiving touchdowns in 2022. While Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot are capable weapons for Dak Prescott, neither is quite a TE1. 

This year’s draft is loaded at the position, too. At No. 26, the Cowboys are in a prime spot to select one of the top-rated tight ends, such as Utah’s Dalton Kincaid, Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer, or Georgia’s Darnell Washington. If they wait until Day 2, which might be prudent, then they can still grab a talented prospect a la Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave or SDSU’s Tucker Kraft, who recently visited Dallas.

Detroit Lions

Position: Defensive tackle

The Lions have two first-round picks this year — one at No. 6, courtesy of the Rams — and should probably spend both on defensive players, depending on how the draft shakes out. Despite strides made by the pass rush in 2022, Detroit’s defense still ranked near the bottom of the league in most metrics, including No. 32 in total yards. The Lions struggled most against the run — like when they surrendered 320 yards on the ground to the Panthers in late December — and that makes an interior defensive lineman a priority in this draft. 

Georgia’s Jalen Carter is the only defensive tackle who’s expected to be a top-10 selection, but if they miss out on him (or pass on him), then Pitt’s Calijah Kancey and Clemson’s Bryan Bresee could be options when the Lions pick again at No. 18. Either way, they shouldn’t let the first night of the draft conclude without adding a DT.

Green Bay Packers

Position: Pass catcher

I don’t care if it’s a tight end or a wide receiver — the Packers need to get Jordan Love another target as soon as they can. Of Green Bay’s five leading receivers from last season, three are no longer on the roster (Allen Lazard signed with the Jets, Robert Tonyan went to the Bears, and Randall Cobb is a free agent). With the No. 15 pick, the Pack could bring in a sought-after receiver like USC’s Jordan Addison or TCU’s Quentin Johnston (I project Jaxon Smith-Njigba to be gone by that point), or be in position to snag the first tight end (Michael Mayer, perhaps) off the board.

It would also be pretty funny if Green Bay drafted a first-round receiver after trading Aaron Rodgers. Speaking of, the deal with the Jets has yet to be finalized, so the draft compensation is TBD. Assuming the Packers procure at least a second-round pick for Rodgers, they’ll have two early Day 2 selections and might decide to hold off until then to take a pass catcher, whether a WR (Boston College’s Zay Flowers?) or TE (Iowa’s Sam LaPorta?)

Los Angeles Rams

Position: Edge rusher

It’s difficult to single out just one position where the Rams need the most help, since they need help almost everywhere. And, as has been the case for years now, they lack any first-round picks. However, they have 11 total selections, including two on the second night of the draft, which will come in handy for dealing with their many holes.

I’d suggest starting with the pass rush. This offseason, the Rams made Leonard Floyd (team-high 9 sacks) and Bobby Wagner (6 sacks, second-most on the team) cap casualties, and they could still draft a quality edge rusher on Day 2, such as Iowa State’s Will McDonald IV, Kansas State’s Felix Anudike-Uzomah, or Notre Dame’s Isaiah Foskey. With a healthy Aaron Donald lined up alongside a rookie who can start immediately, LA’s defense can rattle quarterbacks on a more consistent basis again.

Minnesota Vikings

Position: Cornerback

It was only a matter of time until the Vikings’ suspect defense caught up to them last season. Unfortunately for them, it happened at the most inopportune time: the first round of the playoffs. In a home loss to the Giants, Minnesota gave up 6.3 yards per play and allowed New York to convert both of its fourth-down tries. Daniel Jones torched the secondary, a particularly weak spot for the Vikings, for 301 yards and two touchdowns (then totaled just 135 passing yards a week later against the Eagles). 

Even after basically swapping veteran Byron Murphy for Patrick Peterson (the latter of whom signed with the Steelers), Minnesota could use more depth at corner, which this draft can provide. If the Vikings decide to tackle the position in the first round, then pick No. 23 is about when Maryland’s Deonte Banks or Mississippi State’s Emmanuel Forbes should be drafted. 

Otherwise, they’ll have to hang on until Round 3, the next time the Vikes are on the clock. At that point, they might be able to get Syracuse’s Garrett Williams or Louisville’s Kei'Trel Clark.

New Orleans Saints

Position: Edge rusher

The Saints bid farewell to three mainstays along the defensive line during free agency (Marcus Davenport, David Onyemata, Shy Tuttle), and perennial Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Jordan turns 34 this summer. Adding another edge rusher is a must, whether it’s late in the first round at pick No. 29 or early in the second round at pick No. 40. 

Edge defenders should be flying off the board, but the Saints can land an impact player at either spot in the draft order. That’s about the range where Clemson’s Myles Murphy or Will McDonald IV will be selected. If New Orleans decides to hold off until the third round or later, or perhaps double down on the position, then they can still find a promising prospect to bring aboard. 

New York Giants

Position: Cornerback

The Giants brought in a couple of new targets for Daniel Jones (Darren Waller, Parris Campbell) in the past month, but that doesn’t necessarily rule them out from taking another weapon with their first-round pick. Still, if I were GM Joe Schoen, I’d prioritize improving the secondary before anything else.

NY’s cornerbacks dealt with numerous injuries last season, which led to an inconsistent pass defense, one that failed to generate many big plays (the unit finished No. 31 in interceptions). A big-play threat like Emmanuel Forbes, who tied an FBS record with six pick-sixes, could be quite literally a game-changer for the Giants … unless the Vikings get their revenge and draft him two picks before the Giants.

If so, South Carolina’s Cam Smith is a great cover corner. Recently, Mel Kiper mocked Michigan’s D.J. Turner to the Giants at No. 25, though it’d be a minor upset if he went in the first round. It’s possible that he’ll be waiting for New York in the second round.

Philadelphia Eagles

Position: Safety

The Eagles don’t have many glaring weaknesses and have the luxury of possessing two first-round picks this year. Chances are they’ll go the “best available player” route for pick No. 10. 

The best player available that high in the draft will not be a safety, which is the closest Philly has to a question mark on the roster. C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who hauled in a league-high six interceptions last season, opted to sign with the Lions in free agency. The other starting safety, Marcus Epps, is now with the Raiders. Although the Eagles did sign Terrell Edmunds, they still need more safety help — and this draft class is not strong at that position. 

Alabama’s Brian Branch will probably be the only safety drafted in the first round, and he might not be there when the Eagles pick again at No. 30. In that case, they could snare Texas A&M’s Antonio Johnson, perhaps the next-best safety prospect, the following day. GM Howie Roseman could also choose to wait until Day 3 and try to find a depth piece like Penn State’s Ji’Ayir Brown or Ohio State’s Ronnie Hickman.

San Francisco 49ers

Position: Offensive tackle

Like the Rams, the 49ers have 11 picks this year and none in the first round. Unlike the Rams, the 49ers don’t have any second-rounders either — nor do they have a ton of holes they need to address.

So San Francisco’s plan should mostly be about adding depth where it most needs to, like offensive tackle. Mike McGlinchey went to the Broncos in free agency, leaving the Niners without a proven right tackle. Yet without any picks until late in the third round — when they have three of the final four Day 2 picks — SF should be open to drafting any tackle, regardless of which side he played during college. Alabama’s Tyler Steen, Oklahoma’s Wanya Morris, and BYU’s Blake Freeland are all possibilities. 

Seattle Seahawks 

Position: Edge rusher

The Seahawks finished the 2022 season with 45 sacks, tied for seventh-most in the NFL. But they didn’t have an edge rusher who could instill fear into opposing quarterbacks. Or as Pete Carroll put it, they have to “become more dynamic up front.” Seattle can amend that early on Day 1 of the draft, thanks to owning the Broncos’ No. 5 overall pick (the highest ever in the Carroll era).

Will Anderson Jr. will only be there if another team trades up to No. 3 and there’s a run on quarterbacks with the top four picks (which is possible). If he’s still on the board when the Seahawks are up, they shouldn’t think twice about selecting him. Otherwise, they could opt for Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson … or just go with DT Jalen Carter and grab an edge with the No. 20 pick, like Myles Murphy or Nolan Smith. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Position: Offensive tackle

Following Tom Brady’s retirement, the Buccaneers are rolling into 2023 with Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask at quarterback. Mayfield has been sacked on 7 percent of his dropbacks throughout his career; last season, that number jumped to 9.7 percent, third-highest in the league behind Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. Trask, however, has never been sacked in the NFL — mostly because he’s only appeared in one game and attempted nine passes. 

Tampa released longtime left tackle Donovan Smith before the start of free agency and has yet to find a replacement. Right tackle Tristan Wirfs could slide over if the Bucs need him to, and whoever falls to them at No. 19 could determine if Wirfs will do that. Tennessee’s Darnell Wright, a popular pick for the Bucs in mock drafts, is a right tackle. Oklahoma’s Anton Harrison and Georgia’s Broderick Jones, two other options, are left tackles.

Washington Commanders

Position: Cornerback

I think the Commanders’ draft strategy will be largely dependent on what happens in the first 15 picks, which is probably why their mock drafts are all over the place. If a cornerback with the bona fides of Illinois' Devon Witherspoon remains undrafted, the Commanders should snap him up without hesitation:

https://twitter.com/minakimes/status/1630344808656166912?s=20

But if he’s gone by pick No. 16, and Washington isn’t sold on using that high of a pick on any remaining CBs, then maybe the team will give new OC Eric Bieniemy a shiny new playmaker, or quarterback Sam Howell some extra protection. You’d hear no complaints from me, unless the Commanders completely ignored the cornerback position.

Kendall Fuller is heading into the final year of his contract, and Benjamin St-Juste has dealt with various injuries in his first two seasons in the NFL. Therefore, if Washington doesn’t select a corner in Round 1, it definitely should target the position on Day 2, when Georgia’s Keele Ringo or Utah’s Clark Phillips III are expected to be taken.