2018 NFL Draft order, needs for every team

Published:
draft-180307-SL

This is the first-round order of the 2018 NFL Draft, with a look at the top positional needs for every team. The draft order is determined by record, and using strength of schedule as a tiebreaker (record and strength of schedule are official tiebreakers to determine the draft order).

Note: Strength of schedule listed in parentheses. The 49ers won a coin flip to break a tie with the Raiders for the ninth pick.

Click through the tabs above to see the rest of the draft order/needs for every team.

 **Needs: QB, CB, OT, S, WR.** 
 [Tyrod Taylor](/player/tyrodtaylor/2495240/profile) is the bridge for the next "face of the franchise" QB in Cleveland. While the 
 [Browns](/teams/clevelandbrowns/profile?team=CLE) have added some pieces to the secondary this offseason, including a trade for 
 [Damarious Randall](/player/damariousrandall/2552389/profile), the influx of talent is likely to continue with more pieces being added at both safety and cornerback. The retirement of 
 [Joe Thomas](http://www.nfl.com/player/joethomas/2507162/profile) leaves the 
 [Browns](/teams/clevelandbrowns/profile?team=CLE) in a tough spot at tackle, despite the addition of 
 [Chris Hubbard](/player/chrishubbard/2541716/profile). Although they acquired 
 [Jarvis Landry](/player/jarvislandry/2543488/profile) this offseason, look for the 
 [Browns](/teams/clevelandbrowns/profile?team=CLE) to add another receiving target. 
 **Needs: QB, OL, RB, EDGE, WR.** While the 
 [Giants](/teams/newyorkgiants/profile?team=NYG) could stick with 
 [Eli Manning](/player/elimanning/2505996/profile) for at least another year, it doesn't change the fact that this team needs to find a successor for him. The signing of 
 [Nate Solder](/player/natesolder/2495232/profile) takes care of the left tackle spot for now, but what about the right side? What about guard? What about center? The trade of 
 [Jason Pierre-Paul](/player/jasonpierre-paul/496843/profile) creates an opening to pick an edge rusher early in the draft. Given the uncertainty about 
 [Odell Beckham](/player/odellbeckham/2543496/profile)'s long-term future with the team, adding another talented receiver to the mix would make sense. 
 **Needs: QB, EDGE, OG, OT, WR.** The re-signing of 
 [Josh McCown](/player/joshmccown/2505076/profile) and signing of 
 [Teddy Bridgewater](/player/teddybridgewater/2543465/profile) might not be enough to chase the 
 [Jets](/teams/newyorkjets/profile?team=NYJ) off of a QB in the draft. It certainly looks that way after 
 [they traded up to the No. 3 overall pick](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000921905/article/jets-acquire-no-3-overall-pick-of-2018-draft-from-colts). Todd Bowles understands that pass rushers make the defense go, and he'll always be looking for more in that area. The 
 [Jets](/teams/newyorkjets/profile?team=NYJ) still are still very average at guard and right tackle. With too many "guys" and not enough "dudes" at the position, the 
 [Jets](/teams/newyorkjets/profile?team=NYJ) should be looking for another receiver. 
 **Needs: QB, CB, OT, S, WR.** This is the pick Cleveland acquired when the 
 [Texans](/teams/houstontexans/profile?team=HOU) traded up to land 
 [Deshaun Watson](/player/deshaunwatson/2558063/profile) in last year's draft. 
 **Needs: CB, EDGE, OL, TE, WR.** With 
 [Aqib Talib](/player/aqibtalib/1302/profile) sent to the 
 [Rams](/teams/losangelesrams/profile?team=LA), the 
 [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) might be forced to expedite the search for a top CB. The 
 [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) traded for 
 [Jared Veldheer](/player/jaredveldheer/497061/profile), but they still need to add competition at tackle and potentially a starter at guard. 
 [Shane Ray](/player/shaneray/2552451/profile) has been too inconsistent and the 
 [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) might look to add competition at the rush linebacker spot. 
 [Virgil Green](/player/virgilgreen/2495288/profile) departs as a free agent, so TE becomes a need. The cap figures for 
 [Demaryius Thomas](/player/demaryiusthomas/497328/profile) and 
 [Emmanuel Sanders](/player/emmanuelsanders/497322/profile) are exceedingly high in 2019, so the 
 [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) might look for a young player to develop at the position. 
 **Needs: EDGE, LB, OL, WR, DT.** The 
 [Colts](/teams/indianapoliscolts/profile?team=IND) are switching to an upfield 4-3 attack on defense. An edge rusher and a three-technique will help with that transition. They simply don't have the talent they need at inside linebacker and will have to try to add talent at the position. The offensive line is clearly not where it needs to be right now. Tackle and guard are considerations. Wide receiver appeared to be a strength a few years ago, but that isn't the case any longer. 
 **Needs: RB, CB, DL, S OL.** 
 [Doug Martin](/player/dougmartin/2532899/profile) has departed, which means finding a new RB is on the to-do list. 
 [Brent Grimes](/player/brentgrimes/2506861/profile) signed a one-year deal to return to Tampa, but adding a young CB who will grow alongside 
 [Vernon Hargreaves](/player/vernonhargreaves/2555299/profile) should be a priority. The Bucs added 
 [Jason Pierre-Paul](/player/jasonpierre-paul/496843/profile) via trade, but they are still looking for depth at both defensive end and defensive tackle. They are likely to pick a safety this year, perhaps early in the draft. Tampa would also like upgrade its offensive line, even after signing center 
 [Ryan Jensen](/player/ryanjensen/2541159/profile). 
 **Needs: CB, OL, EDGE, DL, ILB.** The 
 [Bears](/teams/chicagobears/profile?team=CHI) have their starting CBs in place, but could use more depth and competition at the key position of CB3. Finding a consistent pass rusher with the ability to set the edge and play the run is a need. With 
 [Josh Sitton](/player/joshsitton/4485/profile) departing, guard becomes a need spot, as is depth on the defensive line. If the 
 [Bears](/teams/chicagobears/profile?team=CHI) see an opportunity to become faster and more explosive at inside linebacker, they should take it. 
 **Needs: EDGE, OG, CB, WR, TE.** The 
 [49ers](/teams/sanfrancisco49ers/profile?team=SF) were 26th in the league in sacks last season, so they need to add more pass rush. They addressed their QB need with the 
 [Jimmy Garoppolo](/player/jimmygaroppolo/2543801/profile) trade, but they must find more help along the OL, especially at OG. I still see CB as a need, even after the addition of 
 [Richard Sherman](/player/richardsherman/2495507/profile). It would make sense to look for a wide receiver to grow with Garoppolo, too. Kyle Shanahan can unlock a new level in his offense with another weapon at tight end. 
 **Needs: LB, CB, S, OT, DT.** The 
 [Raiders](/teams/oaklandraiders/profile?team=OAK) don't have any cornerbacks that are taking the ball away, and will likely add more help at CB and safety. The inside linebacker spot also needs to be addressed. LT 
 [Donald Penn](/player/donaldpenn/2506706/profile) turns 35 this year and the 
 [Raiders](/teams/oaklandraiders/profile?team=OAK) should be looking for a long-term solution at left tackle. 
 [David Sharpe](/player/davidsharpe/2558145/profile) is better suited for the right side. The 
 [Raiders](/teams/oaklandraiders/profile?team=OAK) would benefit from adding a disruptive force in the middle of their defensive line.