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NFL Draft 2021: How All 32 Teams Can Land Their Missing Piece

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The off-season is a time of hope for every NFL team, offering the promise that an also-ran can become a contender in a few short months. Look no further than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who went from a 7-9 2019 to a Super Bowl title in February.

Of course, that turnaround may have had a little more to do with Tom Brady than with Tristan Wirfs, the Bucs’ first-round pick last year. But the quickest route to contention typically goes through the NFL draft, and this year’s event, set to begin on April 29, offers no shortage of game-changing talent.

Here’s a look at how all 32 teams can use the draft to improve their lot, with analysis from Forbes.com’s expert SportsMoney contributors.

Forbes Mock Draft: Breaking Down The Quarterback Logjam After Trevor Lawrence

Buffalo Bills

Best-case scenario: The Bills emerge from the draft with an edge rusher, a running back and a cornerback, setting them up to be a powerhouse for years to come as Josh Allen builds on a breakout campaign. Read more on the Bills’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Curtis Rush.

Miami Dolphins

Best-case scenario: The Dolphins start to take advantage of their draft capital with offensive playmakers like Kyle Pitts or DeVonta Smith to put quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in position to succeed in Year 2. Read more on the Dolphins’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Nicholas McGee.

New England Patriots

Best-case scenario: The Patriots, coming off a rare losing season, forget about positional need after a successful haul in free agency and take a best-available approach to restock. (And if a developmental quarterback prospect falls in their lap, so much the better.) Read more on the Patriots’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Oliver Thomas.

New York Jets

Best-case scenario: The Jets, moving on from Sam Darnold, find their next quarterback of the future and add depth on both sides of the ball to a roster that desperately needs it. Read more on the Jets’ draft plans from Forbes contributor J.P. Pelzman.

Baltimore Ravens

Best-case scenario: The Ravens find a pass-rusher to replace Matt Judon and a big-play receiver to aid quarterback Lamar Jackson’s continued development while taking some shots on players with upside who won’t necessarily have to contribute immediately. Read more on the Ravens’ draft plans from Forbes contributor John Perrotto.

Cincinnati Bengals

Best-case scenario: The Bengals get Joe Burrow the protection he needs and more weapons to work with in the passing game and add some athleticism to a defense that registered a league-low 17 sacks in 2020. Read more on the Bengals’ draft plans from Forbes contributor J.P. Pelzman.

Cleveland Browns

Best-case scenario: The Browns patch up a leaky pass defense and, with their offense featuring above-average starters at every position, cement themselves as true contenders. Read more on the Browns’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Jim Ingraham.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Best-case scenario: With Ben Roethlisberger returning for at least one more season, the Steelers recognize that their late-season collapse necessitates an influx of talent and find new starters at running back, at outside linebacker and on the offensive line. Read more on the Steelers’ draft plans from Forbes contributor John Perrotto.

Houston Texans

Best-case scenario: The Texans overcome their lack of first- and second-round picks by focusing on this draft class’ deep position groups at receiver, edge rusher, defensive tackle and linebacker. Read more on the Texans’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Patricia Traina.

Indianapolis Colts

Best-case scenario: The Colts enhance an already-solid defense by drafting an edge rusher and help ease Carson Wentz’s adjustment to a new team by adding a left tackle and a receiver. Read more on the Colts’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Jeff Fedotin.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Best-case scenario: The Jaguars follow their no-brainer pick of Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence by adding defensive talent to a roster that won a mere one game last season. Read more on the Jaguars’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Vincent Frank.

Tennessee Titans

Best-case scenario: The Titans continue to add pieces to an explosive offense and pick up a cornerback as part of a defensive overhaul featuring free-agent acquisitions Bud Dupree and Denico Autry. Read more on the Titans’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Phil Rogers.

Denver Broncos

Best-case scenario: The Broncos move on from Drew Lock and land a franchise quarterback who can allow their talented roster to be competitive and save coach Vic Fangio his job. Read more on the Broncos’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Nicholas McGee.

Kansas City Chiefs

Best-case scenario: The Chiefs take advantage of a draft class with several good offensive tackle and wide receiver prospects, banishing the memory of their Super Bowl shellacking. Read more on the Chiefs’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Jeff Fedotin.

Las Vegas Raiders

Best-case scenario: After striking out more often than not in recent drafts, the Raiders exploit Micah Parsons’ inexplicable fall down draft boards. Read more on the Raiders’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Vincent Frank.

Los Angeles Chargers

Best-case scenario: The Chargers nab a tackle to protect the blindside of last year’s bull’s-eye of a draft pick, Justin Herbert, or trust that their free-agent acquisitions will do the trick and turn their attention to cornerback. Read more on the Chargers’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Jay Paris.

Dallas Cowboys

Best-case scenario: The Cowboys stop looking for receiver help for a change and focus on the defensive secondary, perhaps with Patrick Surtain II or Jaycee Horn in the first round. Read more on the Cowboys’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Emily Iannaconi.

New York Giants

Best-case scenario: The Giants see Florida tight end Kyle Pitts somehow fall to them at No. 11—or trade down in the first round for the first time under general manager Dave Gettleman. Read more on the Giants’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Patricia Traina.

Philadelphia Eagles

Best-case scenario: The Eagles draft Carson Wentz’s long-term replacement at quarterback and otherwise make progress on fixing an offense that has weaknesses all over. Read more on the Eagles’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Howard Megdal.

Washington Football Team

Best-case scenario: With a potentially elite defense, the Washington Football Team complements its free-agent haul with an offensive tackle like Christian Darrisaw or Teven Jenkins. Read more on the Washington Football Team’s draft plans from Forbes contributor Emily Iannaconi.

Chicago Bears

Best-case scenario: The Bears end the Andy Dalton era before it starts by trading up for a franchise quarterback or give Dalton the help he needs to flourish as a stop-gap. Read more on the Bears’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Phil Rogers.

Detroit Lions

Best-case scenario: The Lions trade back to add draft picks and pick up more opportunities to fill their numerous holes, landing an elite replacement for wide receiver Kenny Golladay along the way. Read more on the Lions’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Rob Reischel.

Green Bay Packers

Best-case scenario: The Packers rebound from a second straight loss in the NFC championship game by addressing their short-handed offensive line, even if they have to trade up to do so. Read more on the Packers’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Rob Reischel.

Minnesota Vikings

Best-case scenario: The Vikings plug holes on both the offensive and defensive line and, after upgrading the defense in free agency, overtake the Packers in the NFC North. Read more on the Vikings’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Steve Silverman.

Atlanta Falcons

Best-case scenario: The Falcons resist the temptation to replace Matt Ryan with Trey Lance and put some more talent around him, whether it’s Penei Sewell, Kyle Pitts or, after a trade down from No. 4, Christian Darrisaw. Read more on the Falcons’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Ray Glier.

Carolina Panthers

Best-case scenario: With general manager Scott Fitterer in his first draft with final say for the Panthers, Carolina begins to build around Sam Darnold with an offensive tackle like Rashawn Slater. Read more on the Panthers’ draft plans from Forbes contributor J.P. Pelzman.

New Orleans Saints

Best-case scenario: The Saints trade back and mine a deep cornerback group to remain a player in the NFC even after Drew Brees’ retirement. Read more on the Saints’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Rob Reischel.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Best-case scenario: With both their offense and defense essentially intact from their Super Bowl-winning season, the Buccaneers start building for the future with a No. 2 cornerback and depth for an aging defensive line. Read more on the Buccaneers’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Patricia Traina.

Arizona Cardinals

Best-case scenario: The Cardinals snag Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley to replace All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson and start thinking about a successor to franchise icon Larry Fitzgerald, who may or may not be back in 2021. Read more on the Cardinals’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Jay Paris.

Los Angeles Rams

Best-case scenario: The Rams shrug off their lack of a first-round pick—which is becoming a tradition with this team—and hunt for talent to put in front of new quarterback Matthew Stafford, most urgently at center. Read more on the Rams’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Jay Paris.

San Francisco 49ers

Best-case scenario: The 49ers get the most out of their trade up to No. 3 by drafting Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields and finding a trade partner for Jimmy Garoppolo. Read more on the 49ers’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Vincent Frank.

Seattle Seahawks

Best-case scenario: The Seahawks focus on quality over quantity with their three 2021 picks, adding depth with undrafted players after trades for Jamal Adams, Carlos Dunlap and Gabe Jackson left them with fewer cards to play. Read more on the Seahawks’ draft plans from Forbes contributor Phil Rogers.

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