December football is one of the best things in all of sports because we not only get closer and closer to the postseason, but we start to see some of the craziest games of the season due to attempting to make the playoffs. We had one of those games this past week on the Monday night game in Baltimore vs. Cleveland where the game was settled on the final possession as the Ravens won 47-42. These are the types of games that we hope to see throughout the remainder of the season, and it is very possible we do.
Now that more and more teams are getting eliminated from postseason contention, we can move forward to the draft period and while it is not that time, yet we can look and say what position needs to be upgraded for each team. So, this week we are looking towards the future and are saying where each team will need to upgrade in the 2021 draft.
Without any more talking, let’s get into this.
Rank Kansas City Chiefs (12-1)
1 Prev. (1 ⏤)
Week 14 Result: 33-27 W against Miami
Draft Upgrade: DE/EDGE
Frank Clark may be locked up for the foreseeable future, but outside of him they do not have someone to come off the edge and force pressure. Of course, they have Jones in the middle, but that does nothing to help on the outside. The best teams tend to have more than one above average outside rusher and the Chiefs only have one in Clark and that in return allows opposing QBs to have time in the pocket to throw the ball. If they can get someone to complement Clark on one side it will one, allow Clark more opportunities himself, but also trap the QB in the pocket with both edges coming and up the middle. There may be more pressing issues on this defense, but getting another rusher has to be a must this offseason.
Rank Green Bay Packers (10-3)
2 Prev. (4 ↑2)
Week 14 Result: 31-24 W against Detroit
Draft Upgrade: Wide Receiver
Aaron Rodgers won’t be around too much longer (whether that’s five or so years I don’t know), but now is when you invest capital in a wide receiver. The Packers have still managed to have the number two pass offense this season, but next season things may look different. Part of why they are great in the pass is due to having Aaron Jones in the backfield to take some of the pressure off, well, he may not be on the team next season due to free agency. If he is not on the team then the passing game will become even more prevalent and with Allen Lazard being a free agent, even though exclusive right plus Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling only having one more season on their contract it seems like the logical time to invest in a wide receiver.
Rank Buffalo Bills (10-3)
3 Prev. (5 ↑2)
Week 14 Result: 26-15 W against Pittsburgh
Draft Upgrade: Linebacker
Buffalo is pretty content up the middle for the future with Tremaine Edwards up the middle, but the other linebacking positions could use some help. Last offseason a bulk of the effort went on the offensive end to help Josh Allen and while there is still some work to be done on the offensive line that could be dealt with during free agency. This comes even more in a free agent class that is pretty weak in its linebacking core. Get a sure tackling run stuffer to stick next to Edwards up the middle as well as keeping or even adding a pass rushing backer and your defense should make the step back to where they were in the 2019 season.
Rank Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2)
4 Prev. (2 ↓2)
Week 14 Result: 26-15 L against Buffalo
Draft Upgrade: EDGE Rushers
The Steelers defense is already great, why would they need to upgrade on that end. Well, two reasons that involve one player, Bud Dupree. Dupree is a free agent come next season and before the injury he was looking to sign a hefty contract to go to a team. It is still possible he does, but that contract will not be nearly as big considering the timing of the injury. Could the Steelers bring him back, sure, but they will need to pay a pretty penny. It makes more sense to go after an edge rusher in the draft. This defense works from the front back, if the front seven are working then the rest of the defense will and that is why they need to invest in someone opposite T.J. Watt.
Rank New Orleans Saints (10-3)
5 Prev. (3 ↓2)
Week 14 Result: 24-21 L against Philadelphia
Draft Upgrade: Quarterback
This one is more of a what if question, if Brees decides to call it quits after this season and they decide not to resign Winston then do you really trust Taysom Hill as the future? It’s hard to imagine that if Brees leaves then they would let Winston walk, but it is a scenario that they have to be prepared for and if that is the case then you will need to get a QB who as of now can back up Hill. It would make sense to re-sign Winston in that situation and he could become the starter (he is only 26), but with the way the league is shifting they may stick with Hill. If all of this comes true, then they will need to get a QB similar to the swiss army knife so they will not have to change the game plan in full. This one is more of a what if, but in the offseason, we have to be prepared for anything.
Rank Los Angeles Rams (9-4)
6 Prev. (6 ⏤)
Week 14 Result: 24-3 W against New England
Draft Upgrade: Tight End/Wide Receiver
The Rams may not have a great number of top draft picks for the 2021 draft, but they are still set up pretty well on the team, at least for the next season. The defensive end has not been the issue this season, that has been on the offensive end and actually putting the ball in the endzone. Now, they actually are a decent team when entering the red zone with the ball but adding a receiver or tight end who is big and strong enough to be the go-to red zone target and backup option marching down the field is big. On top of that there is virtually no cap space for a big free agent signing so the draft is the way they are going to get someone. If they add a fallback option in the passing game, they could look like their 2018 version offensively.
Rank Tennessee Titans (9-4)
7 Prev. (8 ↑1)
Week 14 Result: 31-10 W against Jacksonville
Draft Upgrade: DE/EDGE
The big acquisition of the offseason for the Titans was Jadeveon Clowney and while he is still a disruptor it is pretty safe to say it was not worth it. Obviously, the injury made it worse than it already was, but he had no sacks on the season and four tackles for losses. The TFL’s do show he was good at disrupting the run but ideally, they would love someone who can defend the pass and the run. Defensively, the Titans are decent at defending the run, but in the pass game they struggle and a large reason for that is due to their lack of pass rush. This season the Titans only have 14 sacks, that’s one per game, so getting someone who can find their way into the backfield to disrupt the pass is a must.
Rank Seattle Seahawks (9-4)
8 Prev. (9 ↑1)
Week 14 Result: 40-3 W against New York Jets
Draft Upgrade: Cornerbacks
Seattle does not have a first round pick this season due to the trade for Jamal Adams, but they need to do everything they can to increase the production of their secondary. Trading for Adams was supposed to help that, but that is not the type of player he is, he tends to play closer to the line sort of like a h type of player he is, he tends to play closer to the line sort of like a hybrid linebacker. With that it takes away a player in the secondary, making things even tougher defending the pass. They rank as the worst pass defense this season and while having Shaquill Griffin has helped a little they need something to help. That could also mean getting a safety or two, but all we know is that the secondary needs some improvement.
Rank Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
9 Prev. (10 ↑1)
Week 14 Result: 47-42 W against Cleveland
Draft Upgrade: EDGE Rushers
Matthew Judon, Yannick Ngakoue, Tyus Bowser, and Pernell McPhee are all free agents this offseason so it is likely that Baltimore will re-sign at least one of these guys, if not two (most likely Ngakoue), but that means they need to stock back up. Overall, the Ravens have 28 sacks which doesn’t seem bad, but they blitz the most out of any team so they should have a good number of sacks. Baltimore has not had someone who can consistently get to the QB since Terrell Suggs, this is when they need to change that and if they do it will help the defense become even better. Wide receiver is another position that needs help, but this is a stacked free agent class so let’s see what they do.
Rank Cleveland Browns (9-4)
10 Prev. (7 ↓3)
Week 14 Result: 47-42 L against Baltimore
Draft Upgrade: Cornerbacks
The Browns defense needs a good number of positions to be upgraded including the linebacking corps, but the secondary seems more important in the immediate. They have a decent number of young players including Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams, but the biggest issue has been depth. The secondary for Cleveland has been beat up this season and this could be the downfall for them. There is finally something to be excited for in Cleveland on the offensive end, but they are only going to go as far as their defense carries them. With what happened this season they have to be prepared for something like this if it ever happens again.
Rank Indianapolis Colts (9-4)
11 Prev. (11 ⏤)
Week 14 Result: 44-27 W against Las Vegas
Draft Upgrade: Wide Receivers
T.Y. Hilton is a free agent this offseason and while it is likely he re-signs with the Colts they would still do better stocking up on receivers. Hilton is their number one, but is he a true number one, probably not although he is a very good option. They do have some good young receivers which include Michael Pittman Jr. but they need someone else to help spread the ball around. Even if Hilton does come back a receiver will still be needed for the future of the team. Who knows whether Philip Rivers will be back next season or even playing, whoever is the starter next season will need a receiver and not knowing who that will be means the draft is the best place to upgrade.
Rank Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5)
12 Prev. (12 ⏤)
Week 14 Result: 26-14 W against Minnesota
Draft Upgrade: Defensive Tackle
Tampa Bay has a very good defense this season and a very good rush defense, but the part that has struggled is the pass defense, so it may seem odd that they need to upgrade a defensive tackle. Then you dig deeper, and Suh is a free agent, so you could have your biggest guy up the middle no longer on the team, you will have to replace him. Of course, Suh could re-sign but adding another layer to the defensive line could make it easier for the defense to remain great. The secondary is another option to be upgraded but no matter what position they go for it needs to be on the defensive end.
Rank Miami Dolphins (8-5)
13 Prev. (13 ⏤)
Week 14 Result: 33-27 L against Kansas City
Draft Upgrade: Offensive Line
The Dolphins could easily be set up for years to come with their draft last year and their draft this year. They have two first round draft picks this season, but one of the biggest needs will be protecting the future QB in Tua. They have already invested heavy on the offensive line in last year’s draft, but with a quarterback you believe to be the future it cannot hurt to have more offensive linemen to be available should anything happen. Wide receiver is another position that needs an upgrade, and it could happen in the draft, but there is also a good chance it happens during free agency, one of their early draft picks will need to go towards the line.
Rank Arizona Cardinals (7-6)
14 Prev. (14 ⏤)
Week 14 Result: 26-7 W against New York Giants
Draft Upgrade: Cornerback
Patrick Peterson was great for so long and while he is still good, he is not the same player that he once was, oh and he is a free agent. While it would clearly be a good fit it is a bit hard to imagine they re-sign him, so they will be counting on their young corners as well as drafting new ones. The thing is though they don’t have many top-notch young corners, so if you are drafting for the future then this is an important position. The defense has shown it’s issues this season in the pass and getting a corner or two in the draft could be the key to the defense. The offense may need some help, but they are built much better than the defense as of now.
Rank Washington Football Team (6-7)
15 Prev. (20 ↑5)
Week 14 Result: 23-15 W against San Francisco
Draft Upgrade: Wide Receivers
Who is going to be the starter in Washington next season, that is the big question and even though that is important it may not be first round important. No matter who ends up at QB (Alex Smith) they will need players to throw to outside of Terry McLaurin. McLaurin has over 1,000 yards and their next best receiver has 345, if they can find someone to help take some of the pressure off of McLaurin then the offense should be much better. Washington’s defense is built for the future, but the offense is not, one way to help build the offense is to get another wide receiver so the pass game can complement the run game no matter who is under center. Giving any QB weapons should help them get better but give him multiple and Washington could run the division soon.
Rank Las Vegas Raiders (7-6)
16 Prev. (17 ↑1)
Week 14 Result: 44-27 L against Indianapolis
Draft Upgrade: Linebacker
Las Vegas is not good at defending the run or the pass this season, so while they still have a good number of these players under contract for the future a change needs to be made. Getting a sure tackling linebacker will not automatically fix all of their problems, but it could easily help. Vegas has an offense to get to the playoffs, but their defense is nowhere near playoff ready, so this may not be the season, but if they upgrade both on the inside and the outside, they have a shot to become a playoff team by having both a good offense and a good defense.
Rank San Francisco 49ers (5-8)
17 Prev. (16 ↓1)
Week 14 Result: 23-15 L against Washington
Draft Upgrade: Offensive Line
The 49ers have dealt with injuries all season long and surprisingly one of the positions that they have not dealt with a ton of injuries has been the offensive line. While they haven’t dealt with as many injuries on the offensive line, they have not been great this season. This may have more to do with the switch of quarterbacks as opposed to the offensive line, but there can never be to many offensive linemen to help protect the QB and running game. The offense starts up front and this season the 49ers do not have the best offensive rankings in the pass or run and it is not all on the line but getting potential starters for depth will be important.
Rank Minnesota Vikings (6-7)
18 Prev. (18 ⏤)
Week 14 Result: 26-14 W against Tampa Bay
Draft Upgrade: Safety
Anthony Harris is a free agent after the season and Harrison Smith has one year left on his contract, so the starting safety is getting thin, plus that is a position where depth was already not the best. Depending on what happens in the offseason with these players it would make sense to get a lockdown player in the secondary for this defense. Minnesota’s defense has not been great all season long, they have struggled in both the pass and the run but for the most part the safety’s have played well. It would make sense if they went and re-signed Harris, but if not, then the safety position has to be priority number one.
Rank New England Patriots (6-7)
19 Prev. (15 ↓4)
Week 14 Result: 24-3 L against Los Angeles Rams
Draft Upgrade: Wide Receiver
This one is not even a question. What is the reason that Brady left this offseason, lack of weapons, now they need to go out and get weapons? Obviously, there are big questions with what is going with the quarterback situation, but no matter what happens there they need some weapons on the outside. Edelman has been injured for a large part of this season, but if he is your number one option then the team needs more help. No quarterback is going to thrive in New England without any weapons so going out and finding receivers, whether that is in free agency or the draft (or both) will be key for improving next season.
Rank New York Giants (5-8)
20 Prev. (19 ↓1)
Week 14 Result: 26-7 L against Arizona
Draft Upgrade: Offensive Line
New York has shown a ton of potential this season for the upcoming seasons, but potential can only do so much if you never do anything with it. The best way to live up to the potential is get big bodies to block for the future. New York has given up 41 sacks this season and their offense as a whole is not where it needs to be if they are going a playoff team. The offense needs more than just offensive line help, honestly it will not shock me if they go all in offensively in the draft, but offense and defense starts up front on the line. Getting linemen to block for a returning Barkley and your hopeful franchise quarterback in Daniel Jones will be vital for the future of the franchise.
Rank Detroit Lions (5-8)
21 Prev. (22 ↑1)
Week 14 Result: 31-24 L against Green Bay
Draft Upgrade: Wide Receiver
What have the Lions not had since Calvin Johnson retired, a wide receiver who is a clear number one to help Stafford. Kenny Golladay has been good, but he is not comparable to Johnson. Now, it is not fair to compare him to Johnson, but he is also a free agent after this season and re-signing him will be a question. They probably will attempt to get him back, but he may leave to explore his options, but no matter what happens they are going to get a receiver in the draft. This receiver may be the number one next season, or he may be the number two, but they will find a receiver who can help Stafford for his remaining time in Detroit.
Rank Chicago Bears (6-7)
22 Prev. (24 ↑2)
Week 14 Result: 36-7 W against Houston
Draft Upgrade: Running Back
The Bears need all the offensive help they can get this offseason ranging from offensive line to wide receivers and potentially quarterback, but the biggest need to fill in the draft will be the running back. Currently, the Bears have one true running back and that is David Montgomery, he is not a bad option, but he cannot be the only one on the roster. Adding another running back will help open up this offense and could potentially help the current QBs on this roster and the draft is the perfect place to get a cheap running back for great value. Again, this offense needs help almost everywhere, but running back needs to be addressed in the draft.
Rank Philadelphia Eagles (4-8-1)
23 Prev. (27 ↑4)
Week 14 Result: 24-21 W against New Orleans
Draft Upgrade: Offensive Line
The Eagles have had a great deal of injuries this season which translated into the offensive line which in turn has led to the most sacks allowed this season. When healthy Philly does have a good line, but they are getting older and coming off injuries so restocking that line is huge. Getting some more receivers will also be a move they need to do, but if you don’t have time to get rid of the ball then it will do no good. Receivers can be taken care of in free agency, offensive linemen not as much so getting a strong candidate or two in the draft will help take care of Hurts or Wentz, no matter who is the QB moving forward.
Rank Denver Broncos (5-8)
24 Prev. (26 ↑2)
Week 14 Result: 32-27 W against Carolina
Draft Upgrade: Running Backs
Denver has some questions to make this offseason with their linebackers, Johnson in the middle is a free agent, Miller is closing in on free agency and coming off of an injury, so what do they do? This is the perfect time to draft a linebacker high in the draft if it’s someone you know can lock down the middle of that D. If your guy is gone than go for a different position, but if you get a player to lock down the middle get him in immediately. There are other things important in the draft including a quarterback? Either way though, if a possible top five middle linebacker is available then make sure he gets taken, otherwise there are possibilities including safety, offensive line, and quarterback.
Rank Los Angeles Chargers (4-9)
25 Prev. (29 ↑4)
Week 14 Result: 20-17 W against Atlanta
Draft Upgrade: Linebacker
LA went into the draft last season and picked up Kenneth Murray with their first-round draft pick last season, this season they could very well do something similar by picking up a linebacker. It may not be necessary to draft one in the first-round, especially if they get a top-five pick, but they will need to get one, hopefully one who is good at rushing and defending the run. Murray looks to already be a good pick and getting Derwin James back in the secondary will help next season but getting a linebacker who can line up opposite of Bosa could help make this front seven intimidating. This is a young team with talent, they just need a couple more pieces to put everything together and that will help carry them to the postseason.
Rank Carolina Panthers (4-9)
26 Prev. (25 ↓1)
Week 14 Result: 32-27 L against Denver
Draft Upgrade: Tight End
Carolina had the advantage for the large part of the decade of having a sure-handed tight end in Greg Olsen, this past offseason he went to Seattle and the Panthers no longer had the reliable tight end. This season Carolina has one tight end with over 100 yards receiving this season and that makes things a lot tougher when you need a first down through the air. Carolina has two very good wide receivers, but not giving the offense a third sure-handed option in a tight end makes things tougher in a situation when you need a first down. Thomas has been their main tight end and he is still young, but if they get the chance to get that receiving tight end, they need to get him to help the offense out in the future.
Rank Atlanta Falcons (4-9)
27 Prev. (23 ↓4)
Week 14 Result: 20-17 L against Los Angeles Chargers
Draft Upgrade: EDGE Rushers
Atlanta has struggled in the pass defense all season long, so getting the EDGE rusher may not be the best replacement, but it may be the most important position to upgrade. Atlanta is similar to Baltimore in the aspect that they blitz a good amount and that is part of the reason why their sack number aren’t terrible, but the defensive ends and outside linebackers have a combined 11.5 sacks, there are some players with that many sacks. Getting a player who can consistently get to the opposing QB to force pressure will make things easier for the entire defense and if they get that guy with that offense they can be back in the playoffs.
Rank Dallas Cowboys (4-9)
28 Prev. (28 ⏤)
Week 14 Result: 30-7 W against Cincinnati
Draft Upgrade: Defensive Tackle
Every single part of Dallas’s defense in reality needs an upgrade, but the worst part of their game this season has been the run defense, so the logical upgrade would be on the defensive line. A good defensive lineman can beat solo blocks and get in the backfield to stop a run or draw double team blocks to help the linebackers out. The great defensive lineman will almost always draw double team blocks and sometimes beat them, but always take the linemen out of the play. This is exactly what Dallas needs to help out the run defense and if they get that guy it will make the LBs look better and the run defense will be better—anything will be better than the 32nd ranked run D from this season.
Rank Houston Texans (4-9)
29 Prev. (21 ↓8)
Week 14 Result: 36-7 L against Chicago
Draft Upgrade: Wide Receiver
The Texans need more help than just receiver on the offensive end but getting rid of Hopkins over the offseason and on top of that Fuller is a free agent this offseason so things could be getting even worse. This makes it a priority to go out and get a receiver this offseason and the draft to help out Watson, the man they signed to a long-term contract. The Receiver will not be the end all position which makes them a playoff team once again, but for a quarterback locked up long term he will need some weapons to throw to. Now, they could also go offensive line to protect Watson, but they have a ton of positions to upgrade over the next few seasons.
Rank Cincinnati Bengals (2-10-1)
30 Prev. (30 ⏤)
Week 14 Result: 30-7 L against Dallas
Draft Upgrade: Offensive Line
Cincinnati is a young team who may not have their franchise QB back at all next season, but the plan is to get him back at some point and the best gift they could give him is a stout offensive line. The Bengals have given up sacks this season at a rate which has only been beaten by the Eagles, but it is not good. Next season will still be a rebuilding season for them, so finding out who is going to be the guys on the line will be huge and if they find those guys then three to four seasons down the road, they could be a threat once again. The line is still young and could get younger, but after the unlucky injury they need to tighten things up on that line to think of the future.
Rank Jacksonville Jaguars (1-12)
31 Prev. (31 ⏤)
Week 14 Result: 31-10 L against Tennessee
Draft Upgrade: Wide Receiver
Trevor Lawrence is most likely going to be gone by the time the second pick gets on the board, so the best way to get him would be getting the number one pick, but even if they do not, they need an upgrade at that position. Minshew is still locked up for the upcoming seasons, but with the road that has been taken this season what are the odds they stick with him. Even if they don’t stick with him, they are going to need to do something about the weapons they have. The team can attempt to do anything they want at the QB position, but if you don’t have weapons than the QB will most likely not turn out to be as good as they could be. What they do with their first-round pick is up in the air, but they need weapons to help the quarterback no matter who it will be.
Rank New York Jets (0-13)
32 Prev. (32 ⏤)
Week 14 Result: 40-3 L against Seattle
Draft Upgrade: Tight End/Wide Receiver
Trevor Lawrence will most likely be the number one pick this season (assuming he declares), but QB is actually not the most important position the need. When you have a chance to get a franchise QB you take him, but the Jets do not have the weapons that he needs to help him become successful. If you are going to get a QB then you also need good blockers, good receivers, and a good backfield to help the QB become everything they can be. Lawrence will not have the weapons that he has at Clemson currently, so if they do go out and pick him then they will also need to get some weapons to help him out and if not, this season it will need to happen soon.