What Do the Best NFL Teams Need in the Draft?

It has been an almost equally unpredictable year in the pro league, of course, with pre-season favorites failing to make it to the playoffs, and just about every team seemingly able to beat any other. The NFL online betting sites have been doing a roaring trade as fans across the nation make their predictions and then immediately rethink their choices.

Whatever happens next in the NFL, there is one way that college football will play a very big role in the future of the professional game. The annual draft always attracts a lot of attention, and most of that will be centered on whether the Las Vegas Raiders will take championship-winning Hoosier QB Fernando Mendoza with the first pick overall. They certainly need someone like him to become relevant again.

There is not quite as much attention on what the better teams in the NFL will be looking for, however. In this article, we are going to do exactly that and explore the priorities of some of the teams that fell just short of making it to the Super Bowl.

Chicago Bears

Out of the four teams to end their season in the divisional round, the Chicago Bears were probably the least likely to feature in the first place. As the NFC North has strengthened in the last few years, Chicago had largely been left behind. But Caleb Williams came good this year, leading his team to a divisional title and the second-best record in the conference.

An 11-6 record gave the Bears home advantage that proved too much for the Packers. But they couldn’t repeat the trick in the snow against the Rams – even with that incredible late TD pass from Williams. Questions about his future will disappear now, but there is a need to bolster the Bears defense.

Whether it is adding some talent to the defensive line or, possibly more importantly, adding an edge rusher to help improve one of the lowest-ranked teams in the league for pass rushing, it is this side of the ball where the Bears need help.

Buffalo Bills

You have to feel for the Bills. Everyone thought that once the Chiefs fell away, the AFC would be theirs. Buffalo was one of the biggest examples of how crazy the 2025 NFL regular season was, not being able to even win a division it had dominated since Tom Brady decided that he would rather play in Florida.

Even after being beaten to the AFC East title by a resurgent New England, the fact that Buffalo still had Josh Allen meant that most people still thought everything would be fine. Beating the Jags in Jacksonville seemed to prove that notion, but the Broncos – with the help of a controversial officiating call – ended the season in brutal fashion once again.

Allen actually made a number of un-Allen-like turnovers against Denver, but there is no way he will be going anywhere. The coach has already been shown the door, but the new man in charge might be hoping that there will be a top WR available once the 26th pick comes around. There is a need to boost the defense too, but Josh Allen is too good a QB not be given someone to throw to.

San Francisco 49ers

With all the injuries suffered by the San Francisco 49ers this season, it is tempting to suggest that they should be looking for a good doctor or physician, rather than concentrating on the draft. The 49ers did incredibly well even to make it to the playoffs, let alone the divisional round, where they ultimately fell to a rampant Seattle.

One of the reasons that the Niners have had to deal with so many injuries is that San Francisco has a roster that is getting on in years. These are very good – and experienced – athletes, but it is only natural that there will be more absences next year. That is why some forward planning might be in order.

Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle both missed game time this year, but it is Trent Williams who could probably do with some new backup. There will be a number of good OTs available by the time the 27th pick comes around, so the 49ers should do everything they can to give their star vets a break.

Houston Texans

It is fair to say that C.J. Stroud was at fault for the Texans, as they were dumped out of the playoffs by the Pats. He never looked comfortable with the ball in the pocket and missed a whole bunch of throws while forcing others. He may have been the team’s savior when he came in as a rookie in 2023, but he has been unable to recapture that form since, even with Houston making it to the divisional round in both years.

There is no way the Texans move on from Stroud, though, and with Tank Dell apparently ready to go for 2026 after missing the whole of this season, there is every possibility that the passing game improves. Houston could do with a running back, but there are precious few of those available in this year’s class.

It is much more likely that the Texans look to strengthen the O-line. This might seem like a repeat move after the upheaval of Houston’s roster in that department last year. But there is still a lot that can be improved, and with so many linemen in the draft, Houston should have a good selection to pick from, even with the 28th pick.