There are just three weeks left in the 2020 NFL regular season. It's time to slowly turn some attention toward the 2021 NFL draft -- unless you're a fan of the Jets or Jaguars, in which case the draft already has your full attention.
The ESPN Football Power Index (FPI) currently projects the Jets and Jaguars to pick 1-2 next April, with the Bengals, Cowboys and Chargers not far behind. But even the Chiefs, FPI's favorite to win the Super Bowl, have an eye to the '21 draft class.
It's early, but we're here to help get you prepared for the coming months. We asked our NFL Nation reporters to detail the most important thing fans need to know about each of the 32 teams' draft situations right now.
Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Projected first-round pick: No. 5
How Dak Prescott's contract negotiations play out could affect the direction the Cowboys go in this draft. If they don't reach a long-term deal, the Cowboys seemingly would have to move quarterback near the top of the draft list since the cost of tagging him a third straight year in 2022 would be prohibitive. But whether Prescott gets a deal done or not, the rest of the draft has to focus on defense -- anywhere on defense. The secondary needs a revamping, with three key players set to hit free agency. Bigger defensive tackles seem to be on the list. Linebacker is a need if Jaylon Smith is not going to be around (the team could part ways with him in the offseason). There is a ton of money tied up on offense, with or without Prescott, but the defense needs a lot of help. -- Todd Archer
New York Giants
Projected first-round pick: No. 12
The Giants might be looking to land an edge rusher, even if they address the position in free agency. They passed on Josh Allen two years ago and missed out on Chase Young in 2020. They need to get someone with a high pick this year. It's such an obvious need for this team, despite a solid defense. -- Jordan Raanan
Philadelphia Eagles
Projected first-round pick: No. 10
It's less about addressing a certain position and more about getting it right for the Eagles in this draft. They are projected to be $65 million over the cap in 2021, second only to the Saints. Veteran contracts will be shed this offseason, and general manager Howie Roseman needs to up his batting average in order to prevent a major talent drop-off. The favorable draft position will help. The Eagles have a 72.4% chance of selecting in the top 10 and a 17.2% chance of landing a top-five pick, according to ESPN's Football Power Index. -- Tim McManus
Washington Football Team
Projected first-round pick: No. 18
Washington needs to find offensive help in this draft. It probably will get add some pieces in free agency -- it already has a young group, so it doesn't want to add just youth -- but needs to solidify left tackle, find another good tight end and get more consistency from receivers not named Terry McLaurin. And yes, Washington needs to address quarterback again. Dwayne Haskins Jr. has shown that it's going to take him a while to mature, and the jury is out as to how good he'll be once he does. With eight picks, it will have some ability to package and perhaps be aggressive moving up or adding more picks in the top three rounds. -- John Keim
NFC North
Chicago Bears
Projected first-round pick: No. 14
Take your pick on offense. The Bears badly need help at quarterback and offensive tackle, where Chicago may look to move on from both left tackle Charles Leno Jr. and right tackle Bobby Massie. Quarterback, though, is an obvious area of need because Nick Foles is the only quarterback under contract in 2021. But will the Bears draft high enough to take one of the elite QB prospects? And who is making the pick? Bears general manager Ryan Pace swung and missed with Mitchell Trubisky in 2017, so it's unclear how willing the franchise is to go down that road again if Pace keeps his job. The better value might be tackle in Round 1 and quarterback on Day 2. -- Jeff Dickerson
Detroit Lions
Projected first-round pick: No. 9
There are quite a lot of questions here, and one draft won't give all the answers. The exact needs won't be clear until a new coach and general manager are brought in after the season. But some things are apparent: Detroit needs to start planning for its long-term future at quarterback, its receiver situation is messy with only Quintez Cephus under contract in 2021, and the defense needs playmakers and an influx of speed. One draft isn't going to fix things, but it certainly will be a start. -- Michael Rothstein
Green Bay Packers
Projected first-round pick: No. 31
How about another quarterback? Just kidding. Who would've thought the Packers would not only take a first-round QB in 2020 but also trade up to do it? The point is, general manager Brian Gutekunst has been both unpredictable and daring. In three drafts at the helm, he has made four trades involving first-round picks on draft day, and none has been for a receiver, which has been seen as one of the Packers' biggest needs over the past couple of seasons. -- Rob Demovsky
Minnesota Vikings
Projected first-round pick: No. 15
Stop me if you've heard this before: The Vikings need help at cornerback. Sure, Jeff Gladney and Cameron Dantzler will likely fare better in Year 2, but Minnesota has little depth and needs to shore up at least one more starting spot given how former first-round pick Mike Hughes' career has panned out. The Vikings also must add a 3-technique on the defensive line and another edge rusher. With 11 draft picks, including a first-rounder and two third-rounders, addressing a handful of defensive needs on the first two days of the draft should be the priority. -- Courtney Cronin
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
Projected first-round pick: No. 6
With a potential top-five pick and questions about the direction the Falcons want to go at quarterback with a new coach and general manager coming in 2021, it's possible the team will want to take a look at drafting Matt Ryan's replacement, regardless of whether he plays next season in Atlanta or not. But another major need comes on a defensive line that, outside of Grady Jarrett, has struggled for several seasons. Look for the Falcons to seek an edge rusher early in the draft. -- Courtney Cronin
Carolina Panthers
Projected first-round pick: No. 7
Teddy Bridgewater has been a good replacement for Cam Newton, and coach Matt Rhule said he's "absolutely" sure Bridgewater can lead the team into the future. But the 2014 first-round pick has yet to lead the Panthers to a game-winning drive on seven tries. Bridgewater is under contract through 2022, but he's only owed $5 million guaranteed in his final season, so the Panthers could soon look for a replacement. If the pick isn't a quarterback, it'll likely be a left tackle to replace Russell Okung or a top-tier corner to solidify a secondary that is a mess this season. -- David Newton
New Orleans Saints
Projected first-round pick: No. 29
Quarterback has to be a huge priority for the Saints whether or not Drew Brees decides to retire. They don't have to force it, since they should be picking late in the first round and have capable starting options in Taysom Hill and possibly Jameis Winston (who will be a free agent). But as coach Sean Payton has said multiple times in recent years, the Saints are now in the "quarterback business," which means they will stockpile multiple candidates to become Brees' successor. -- Mike Triplett
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projected first-round pick: No. 26
Protecting Tom Brady will continue to be a priority, and left tackle Donovan Smith has had another up-and-down season. It's too early to tell what his fate will be next season, but the league's salary-cap situation and the fact that he has been outplayed by rookie right tackle Tristan Wirfs open the door for conversations about his future, especially given that he'll have no more guaranteed money left on his contract. Smith is making $14.5 million this season and is set to make $14.25 million next year. -- Jenna Laine
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
Projected first-round pick: No. 20
Even though the Cardinals have drafted five receivers in the last four years, they are still looking for a reliable complement to DeAndre Hopkins for the foreseeable future. After watching how the offense struggled without Larry Fitzgerald for two games, the need for a WR2 was amplified, especially if they want to take advantage of Kyler Murray's rookie contract. With five picks in 2021, the Cardinals will surely be looking at receiver. -- Josh Weinfuss
Los Angeles Rams
Projected first-round pick: None
For a fifth consecutive year, the Rams do not have a first-round pick. They sent their 2021 first-round selection to the Jaguars in exchange for cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who signed a five-year, $105 million extension before the season opener and is having a Pro Bowl-caliber year. The last player the Rams selected in the first round was quarterback Jared Goff, whom they traded up to No. 1 overall for in the 2016 draft. Without a first-round pick, the Rams must continue to make savvy decisions with their mid-to-late-round selections to maintain a competitive roster. -- Lindsey Thiry
San Francisco 49ers
Projected first-round pick: No. 13
The question that's going to persist with the 49ers this offseason centers on what happens at quarterback. Coach Kyle Shanahan said he expects Jimmy Garoppolo to be the starter in 2021 but added that no decisions have been made on anyone's future yet. Whether Garoppolo remains the starter next season will depend on what the Niners' options are at the position. They've likely already won too many games to have a shot to draft one of the top three or four quarterbacks, and though a trade up is always possible, the 49ers don't have a third-round pick and will have many needs elsewhere on the roster. That means San Francisco could be one of the most intriguing teams in the league going into the draft. -- Nick Wagoner
Seattle Seahawks
Projected first-round pick: None
The Seahawks hardly have any draft capital after giving up their first- and third-round picks in the Jamal Adams trade. They also gave up a sixth-rounder (Stephen Sullivan) and seventh-rounder (Carlos Dunlap) in other trades and aren't projected to receive any compensatory selections. General manager John Schneider and his scouts will have their work cut out for them with such a depleted crop of picks. -- Brady Henderson
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Projected first-round pick: No. 28
For the second straight year, Bills fans do not have to obsess over in-season mock drafts because their team will be picking toward the end of the first round. Buffalo is a contender, and thus, it has few glaring holes. But cornerback appears to be a bigger need than any other position. Levi Wallace is a solid starter, but the Bills' willingness to bring in Josh Norman this past offseason suggests they may not see him as a long-term option. Either way, this figures to be a far less stressful draft for the team. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques
Miami Dolphins
Projected first-round picks: Nos. 8, 19
The Dolphins own the Texans' first-round pick for the second consecutive year, and this time, they have their second-round pick, too, all courtesy of the Laremy Tunsil blockbuster trade last summer. That means the Dolphins will have four picks in the top two rounds to take this young team to the next level. After spending a year drafting in the trenches, the Dolphins' focus in 2021 will likely go toward finding playmakers for Tua Tagovailoa at wide receiver and running back while also looking for versatile impact defenders, particularly in the front seven. -- Cameron Wolfe
New England Patriots
Projected first-round pick: No. 16
The Patriots are projected to receive a third-round (for Tom Brady) and two fourth-round (for Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins) compensatory draft picks, which adds to the capital they already have (first, second, fourth, fifth, two sixths, seventh). That's a nice haul of assets in a draft that might have more depth than usual at the team's top position of need: quarterback. Even if Cam Newton returns in 2021, the Patriots figure to be heavily invested in finding a quarterback of the future. -- Mike Reiss
New York Jets
Projected first-round picks: Nos. 1, 24
The Jets could wind up with the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 1997. If they do, and if Trevor Lawrence is entered in the draft, they almost certainly will pick the Clemson quarterback, which would mean the end of Sam Darnold's run at starter. In essence, they would be starting over, but there's enough draft capital to jump-start the process. They have five picks in the first three rounds, including two choices in the first, as Seattle's pick comes to New York from the Jamal Adams trade. -- Rich Cimini
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Projected first-round pick: No. 23
The Ravens have five picks in this draft, which would be their fewest in 22 years. Worse, Baltimore also only has one pick in the first three rounds after trading a third-rounder to the Vikings for pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue. The Ravens are projected to get a compensatory pick (possibly in the fifth or sixth round) for losing defensive tackle Michael Pierce, and they can trade back to acquire more picks, which are a valued commodity with general manager Eric DeCosta. The team has averaged nine picks over the past 10 drafts, and the top priorities for 2021 are pass-rusher, wide receiver and interior offensive line. -- Jamison Hensley
Cincinnati Bengals
Projected first-round pick: No. 3
The Bengals' top two needs seem clear. With a potential top-three pick, the Bengals should absolutely pick the best offensive tackle in the class. Oregon's Penei Sewell is already on the fan base's wish list. The second round could be a good spot for a defensive end, especially if Carl Lawson leaves in free agency. Cincinnati needs another high-impact edge rusher to create pressure. -- Ben Baby
Cleveland Browns
Projected first-round pick: No. 21
The Browns won't have a high first-round pick for a change. Nor do they possess a desperate and glaring need, like last year at offensive tackle. Instead, Cleveland can simply target the top player available on its board -- albeit preferably on the defensive side of the ball. -- Jake Trotter
Pittsburgh Steelers
Projected first-round pick: No. 30
After sitting out the first round a year ago by virtue of the trade that brought safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to Pittsburgh, the Steelers are back. They got off to an 11-0 start, but as the season has worn on, glaring roster holes have emerged. The depth at inside linebacker was thin going into the season, and the position has been hit hard with injury. Though Devin Bush should return from his ACL injury in time for next year, the Steelers still need help. They could also use some at running back. James Conner is playing in the final season of his rookie contract, and it doesn't appear he'll return next year. No one on the roster has played well enough for the Steelers to feel confident in their group for 2021. -- Brooke Pryor
AFC South
Houston Texans
Projected first-round pick: None
The Texans are in an unappealing position for a team with only four wins. They don't have a first- or second-round pick in 2021, and there are several holes on the roster. Whomever Houston hires as its next general manager has a lot of work to do to rebuild several positions. There are a few players the team could trade away to add draft capital -- perhaps defensive end J.J. Watt -- but if not, the Texans have to hope they strike gold in the later rounds. -- Sarah Barshop
Indianapolis Colts
Projected first-round pick: No. 22
The Colts have to find their replacement for Anthony Castonzo at left tackle. The 32-year-old flirted with retirement last offseason before deciding to return for 2020, but how long the veteran will continue to play is uncertain -- he plans to make it a year-to-year decision. Even if he decides to return for another season, the process of finding the next player responsible for protecting the edge needs to begin. -- Mike Wells
Jacksonville Jaguars
Projected first-round picks: Nos. 2, 27
With four picks in the first two rounds, there's potential to add four front-line starters to a team that does have several foundational players (James Robinson, DJ Chark Jr., Laviska Shenault, Josh Allen, Myles Jack and CJ Henderson). But the new general manager has to nail the quarterback decision. With owner Shad Khan experiencing some pushback in his bid to put together a development project around the stadium -- as well as the impending ask for major stadium renovations within the next three to five years -- the Jaguars have to start winning games to get those things accomplished. Miss on the quarterback, and it'll be another lost decade. -- Mike DiRocco
Tennessee Titans
Projected first-round pick: No. 25
The Titans must focus on outside linebacker. Harold Landry III is the only established outside linebacker on the roster, even though Derick Roberson has also carved out a role with the defense. Tennessee needs to add an impact player who can sack the quarterback, especially after a season that will likely result in an NFL-low sack total (currently last with 14). The Titans will have a pick in the bottom part of the first round, which should still be in the range for good pass-rush prospects. -- Turron Davenport
AFC West
Denver Broncos
Projected first-round pick: No. 11
Many of the Broncos' April questions will be formed by what they do in March. Having already re-signed left tackle Garett Bolles to a four-year extension, they face decisions on safety Justin Simmons, pass-rusher Von Miller (team option) and quarterback Drew Lock. But overall, the team needs more youth at cornerback, along the defensive line and at right tackle. If the Broncos like what they see from Lock down the stretch, a young offensive skill position base would give them some flexibility to direct attention to other parts of the roster. -- Jeff Legwold
Kansas City Chiefs
Projected first-round pick: No. 32
The Chiefs could use help at defensive end, where Tanoh Kpassagnon and Alex Okafor have expiring contracts, and along the offensive line, where they have picked just one player earlier than the sixth round in the past four years. Mainly, the Chiefs need good, young and inexpensive players regardless of position to fill in around the many highly priced contracts they added in recent years. -- Adam Teicher
Las Vegas Raiders
Projected first-round pick: No. 17
The Raiders are now in full rebuild mode on defense. Or is that again? Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther was fired Sunday, but are the Raiders' issues related to scheme or a lack of talent? In any event, the Raiders need to reinvest in their defense on all three levels -- even after drafting the likes of Clelin Ferrell, Maxx Crosby, Johnathan Abram, Trayvon Mullen, Isaiah Johnson, Damon Arnette and Amik Robertson over the past two years. Strange but true. -- Paul Gutierrez
Los Angeles Chargers
Projected first-round pick: No. 4
The Chargers have to find protection along the offensive line. Will top tackle Penei Sewell be available when the Chargers are on the clock? He has already protected Justin Herbert during the quarterback's Oregon days, and he'd be a strong add. But the Chargers have multiple players at important positions on expiring contracts, so the draft will be crucial for the team as it builds around Herbert. -- Shelley Smith