3 teams with important first-round picks

Outside of the first two picks (the Texans and Panthers), let’s see what other teams have a lot riding on this year’s draft.

Patriots (Pick #14)

The Patriots desperately need a top two wide receiver in this draft to fall to their pick at 14. In their division, the Patriots severely lack talent on offense to compete and close the gap with the Dolphins, Bills, and Jets. That being said, there is still zero chance Bill Belichick trades up to draft a skill position, but in order to ensure young QB Mac Jones improves upon his first and second seasons in the league, adding more talent to their pass catching group with a first round pick is paramount for the New England Patriots and Mac Jones’ success in Foxboro.

Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images

Colts (Pick #4)

The Colts are in a tricky spot this draft because the two teams before them are 100% taking quarterbacks and they need to decide if Will Levis or Anthony Richardson are their franchise guys or if they would rather wait another year to take a QB. Whether this year’s draft or next, the Colts need to draft a QB and can’t keep playing the free agency market to put a temporary band aid over the QB position with the likes of short term QB stints like Matt Ryan, Phillip Rivers, and Carson Wentz. Indianapolis need a QB that was agreed upon by both their general manager and head coach in the draft.

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Cardinals (Pick #3)

The Cardinals, like the Colts, are also in a tricky spot in which they might trade down because they already have a franchise QB in Kyler Murray. But if they don’t, the Cardinals have missed on quite a few of their defensive draft selections in recent memory and really need a sure fire stud on defense going forward to help keep points off the board for Murray. With J.J. Watt retiring and being stuck in a competitive NFC West division for years to come, landing a top tier defensive player like Jalen Carter or Will Anderson Jr. is a must for this group in the desert.

Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images

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