As we hurtle toward the 2026 NFL Draft, scouting departments are finalizing selection strategies for this fresh influx of talent. What does each team hope to accomplish over three days, seven rounds and 257 picks?
Gennaro Filice and Nick Shook spotlight one reasonable draft goal for each franchise. Check out Gennaro's NFC suggestions below.
NFC EAST
- Notable additions
- Notable departures
- 2026 draft picks: 8
Cowboys' biggest draft goal: Give new DC Christian Parker a fighting chance
Dallas’ defense has bottomed out over the past two seasons, giving up the most points and yards in the league during that span. Consequently, Mike Zimmer and Matt Eberflus each only lasted a year at defensive coordinator. How do the Cowboys break the cycle of cycling through DCs on an annual basis? By spending the majority of their eight draft picks -- including two first-rounders -- on the defensive side of the ball. Christian Parker came over from the rival Eagles as a hot young name in the coaching world, but the 34-year-old needs an influx of talent on all three levels of the defense.
- Notable additions
- Notable departures
- 2026 draft picks: 7
Giants' biggest draft goal: Reinforce the interiors of both lines
Dexter Lawrence’s trade request threatens to punch a gargantuan hole in the middle of New York’s defensive front. And even if the Giants are able to work things out with the 6-foot-4, 340-pound game-wrecker, “Sexy Dexy” needs more help than incumbent starter Roy Robertson-Harris. On the offensive line, the G-Men are set at the bookends with Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor, but they’re still lacking on the interior, even after new head man John Harbaugh welcomed aboard yet another former Raven in guard Daniel Faalele. Harbaugh has said he wants to use the No. 5 overall selection on a player with gold-jacket potential, so that particular pick presumably won’t be used on an interior lineman in this class. But GM Joe Schoen needs to add more beef inside -- on both sides.
- Notable additions
- Notable departures
- 2026 draft picks: 9
Eagles' biggest draft goal: Water the edge farm
After losing Josh Sweat and Jaelan Phillips over the last two offseasons, Vic Fangio’s defense looks light on the edges. Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt have both flashed ability, but the Eagles’ edge group lacks the kind of bite we’ve come to expect from true contenders. Top prospects like Arvell Reese, David Bailey and Rueben Bain Jr. will be long gone by the time Philadelphia comes on the board, but the 23rd pick could be a sweet spot for a number of intriguing-albeit-imperfect edges like Akheem Mesidor (just turned 25), Cashius Howell (short arms), T.J. Parker (production drop-off in 2025) and Keldric Faulk (undeveloped pass-rushing plan).
- Notable additions
- Notable departures
- 2026 draft picks: 6
Commanders' biggest draft goal: Upgrade Jayden Daniels’ weaponry
Outside of certified WR1 Terry McLaurin, who are the real difference-making weapons on Washington’s offense? RB Rachaad White and TE Chig Okonkwo were solid additions in free agency, but neither keeps opposing defensive coordinators up at night. Coming off an injury-riddled sophomore regression, Jayden Daniels needs more playmakers at his disposal. Unfortunately, the team only has two picks in the first four rounds. Could RB Jeremiyah Love possibly fall to the Commanders at No. 7? Seems unlikely. But Washington could have its pick of the WR litter at that juncture.
NFC NORTH
- Notable additions
- Notable departures
- 2026 draft picks: 7
Bears' biggest draft goal: Safety first
Continuing to foster Caleb Williams’ growth is obviously paramount, so I nearly suggested that the Bears’ biggest draft goal is obtaining Ozzy Trapilo insurance. But even if the left tackle’s serious knee injury bleeds into next season, Chicago did re-sign Braxton Jones, who started 44 games on the blind side over the past four seasons. Meanwhile, the pass rush definitely could use more juice, but the most pressing need on that side of the ball is at safety. The Bears lost their top four players at the position in free agency, and while they signed Coby Bryant to a lucrative deal, the other safety spot remains a huge question mark. And Chicago’s first-round pick, at No. 25 overall, comes right in a range where a coveted safety prospect like Dillon Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren could be available.
- Notable additions
- Notable departures
- 2026 draft picks: 9
Lions' biggest draft goal: Fortify the edges on both sides of the ball
Detroit entered free agency with two glaring needs: an offensive tackle opposite Penei Sewell and a defensive end across from Aidan Hutchinson. On the open market, the Lions patched up those spots by signing a pair of veteran Band-Aids (OT Larry Borom and DE D.J. Wonnum) to one-year deals. Detroit needs more permanent solutions. It’s a fool’s errand to predict what GM Brad Holmes will target in the draft, but Lions fans are essentially begging him to address those two positions with the team’s only two top-100 picks: Nos. 17 and 50 overall.
- Notable additions
- Notable departures
- 2026 draft picks: 7
Packers' biggest draft goal: Strengthen the depth in pass rush/coverage
Green Bay sent its 2026 first-rounder to Dallas in the Micah Parsons trade -- a move that worked out fantastically for the Packers until the perennial Pro Bowler tore his ACL in December. And Parsons isn’t the only pass rusher working back from a season-ending leg injury; DT Devonte Wyatt’s in the same boat. So, GM Brian Gutekunst would be wise to target more QB hunters over draft weekend. And everyone knows the defense sorely needs more help in coverage. Without a first-round pick, though, it’s difficult to land Day 1 starters at pass rusher or cornerback, so this is likely a depth mission.
- Notable additions
- Notable departures
- 2026 draft picks: 9
Vikings' biggest draft goal: Try again at defensive tackle
Last offseason, Minnesota revamped its defensive interior by handing out lucrative, multi-year deals to Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. But the remodel didn’t take, as neither D-lineman remains on the roster. On the plus side, the Vikings did get a breakout season from Jalen Redmond, but the DT who went undrafted in 2023 needs some help from this draft class. With four picks in the top 100, interim GM Rob Brzezinski should prioritize adding more beef up front to Brian Flores’ attacking defense.
NFC SOUTH
- Notable additions
- Notable departures
- 2026 draft picks: 5
Falcons' biggest draft goal: Get whoever’s playing quarterback another receiver
Whether it’s Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa, whoever starts next season under center for the Falcons needs a reliable receiver beyond Drake London. Bargain signings Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus don’t fit the bill. Unfortunately, Atlanta owns just five picks, with the first one coming at No. 48 overall. On the plus side, this WR class is more defined by its depth than its top-end talent, so the lack of a first-round pick doesn’t necessarily preclude the Falcons from landing an instant-impact player at the position. Germie Bernard, Zachariah Branch, Antonio Williams and Malachi Fields are all intriguing pass catchers who should be available on Day 2.
- Notable additions
- Notable departures
- 2026 draft picks: 7
Panthers' biggest draft goal: Keep helping Bryce Young
Nineteen months ago, first-year head coach Dave Canales benched Bryce Young. In the moment, it felt like the former No. 1 overall pick’s starting days in Carolina could be over. Then Andy Dalton sprained his thumb in a car accident, thrusting Young back into the lineup. The youngster played significantly better in the second half of that 2024 campaign, and the Panthers rewarded him with the first-round selection of Tetairoa McMillan. With a true WR1 at his disposal, Young took another big step forward, allowing Carolina to win its first division title in a decade. Now the quarterback is heading into the fourth year of his rookie contract, a crucial season that could determine whether the Panthers hand him a nine-figure extension. Give the 24-year-old every chance to succeed by drafting a true batterymate at center and another playmaker at one of the skill positions.
- Notable additions
- Notable departures
- 2026 draft picks: 8
Saints' biggest draft goal: Give Chris Olave a running mate
In last year's draft, New Orleans might have unearthed the rarest of commodities beyond Round 1: a franchise quarterback. But if the Saints want second-round pick Tyler Shough to further that notion in his second season, they need to give him more potency on the perimeter. Chris Olave is fresh off a career year that re-established his WR1 bona fides, but the rest of the receiver room is completely unproven, with Rashid Shaheed shipped to Seattle at last year’s trade deadline. Holding three top-75 picks, the Saints have ample ammunition to upgrade the position and help Shough cement his QB1 status.
- Notable additions
- Notable departures
- 2026 draft picks: 7
Buccaneers' biggest draft goal: Snag a sack artist
Tampa Bay hasn’t had a single player record double-digit sacks in any of the past four seasons. In fact, no Buccaneer has even reached eight sacks during that span. Todd Bowles has a reputation for scheming up sacks via exotic blitzes, but considering the team just posted its lowest sack total (37) since 2017, it’s high time to find a true QB hunter. Jason Licht knows it: "We need to get more pressure on the quarterback," Tampa's general manager said at the NFL Scouting Combine. No wonder everyone is mocking Akheem Mesidor to the Bucs at No. 15.
NFC WEST
- Notable additions
- Notable departures
- 2026 draft picks: 7
Cardinals' biggest draft goal: Add an edge terror
It’s basically a foregone conclusion that the Raiders will select quarterback Francisco Mendoza first overall, meaning draft intrigue essentially begins at No. 2, where the Jets are widely expected to take one of the top three edge rushers: David Bailey, Arvell Reese or perhaps Rueben Bain Jr. If the Cardinals stick and pick at No. 3, that feels too rich to address the team’s needs at quarterback and offensive tackle, but Arizona will have at least two enticing options available on the edge. And for a defense that just finished bottom five in sacks for the second time in three seasons, that seems like the best use of this premium pick.
- Notable additions
- Notable departures
- 2026 draft picks: 7
Rams' biggest draft goal: Plan ahead at wide receiver
Davante Adams is heading into a contract season at age 33, while Puka Nacua recently entered rehab with one year remaining on his rookie deal. Even if you operate under the assumption that the Rams ultimately will extend Nacua, this receiver room could use another playmaker for 2026 and beyond. Los Angeles can target one of this draft's top wideouts at No. 13 overall or address the position on Day 2. Given the depth of this WR class, the Rams should have alluring options available at Nos. 61 and 93. L.A., of course, snagged Nacua down at No. 177 three years ago, but it's hard to get rich if you're only mining for hidden gems.
- Notable additions
- Notable departures
- 2026 draft picks: 6
49ers' biggest draft goal: Find Trent Williams’ successor
At publishing, the 49ers remain in a contract standoff with Trent Williams. Three months from now, the 12-time Pro Bowler turns 38 years old. You see where I’m going here: San Francisco needs to find the heir apparent at left tackle. The Niners gave Brock Purdy a $265 million extension last offseason. Now it’s time to shore up the franchise QB’s blind side for the foreseeable future. At No. 27 overall, San Francisco’s first-round pick sits in the range where a developmental tackle like Caleb Lomu or Max Iheanachor could be available. The Niners continue to exude confidence that they’ll eventually find common ground with Williams, so draft the project, have him learn from an all-time great and set up a nice transition at a critical position.
- Notable additions
- Notable departures
- 2026 draft picks: 4
Seahawks' biggest draft goal: Replace RG Anthony Bradford
The reigning Super Bowl champions unsurprisingly boast one of the best all-around rosters in the league. It’s hard to identify many holes. However, the Seahawks did have one big problem area throughout last season’s road to the Lombardi Trophy: right guard. Patriots DT Milton Williams put Anthony Bradford in a clown suit on the Super Bowl stage -- and that wasn’t an isolated occurrence for the beleaguered blocker. Seattle fixed LG last year with the savvy selection of Grey Zabel; John Schneider would be well-served tending to the other guard spot in this draft. The 'Hawks currently own a league-low four picks, but three come in the first three rounds.
