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NFL DRAFT
NFL draft

AFC teams' needs in NFL draft: Who's in market for a QB?

Lindsay H. Jones
USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) looks to pass the ball during the first half of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium.

With the NFL draft starting Thursday, teams will have the prime opportunity to build for their long-term futures. But every organization also has immediate holes that could be addressed with early picks.

Here's our look at each AFC team and their most pressing needs in the draft:

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

First-round pick: No. 10

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Draft outlook: The Bills have just six picks. Buffalo has three picks in the fifth-round, but no selections in the fourth or seventh rounds.

Needs: The Bills lost cornerback Stephon Gilmore (to the Patriots) in free agency, so the position could be in play at No. 10 – especially given the strength of this defensive back class. And with the Bills having questions about the long-term viability of 2014 first-round pick Sammy Watkins, who has dealt with a series of foot injuries, the Bills need more help at receiver.

Miami Dolphins

First-round pick: No. 22

Draft outlook: The Dolphins have eight picks. Five of Miami’s picks are in the fifth round or later.

Needs: Linebacker was the Dolphins’ most glaring need heading into the offseason, and it was partially addressed by the addition of veteran Lawrence Timmons. Picking at No. 22 could be the perfect time to add a linebacker. The Dolphins could also take advantage of a deep class of pass rushers to add young players to learn from Cameron Wake.

New England Patriots

First-round pick: None

Draft outlook:Barring a trade, the Patriots won’t pick until late Friday night, when they make their first of two third-round selections. New England has six total picks. Five of New England’s 2017 picks were acquired via trades.

Needs: The Patriots were one of the most active on the free agent and trade markets this offseason. With two significant players, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and cornerback Malcolm Butler, serving as desirable trade bait, draft weekend could be interesting in New England, even without first- and second-round picks. The Patriots don’t have any glaring holes, but they could stand to add pass rushers and to improve depth at offensive tackle.

New York Jets

First-round pick: No. 6

Draft outlook: The Jets have seven picks, including two in the third round. The Jets don’t currently own a fourth-round pick.

Needs: The Jets enter yet another draft with a major question at quarterback. Could the team draft a passer for the fifth consecutive year, and if so, how high would it add one to compete with 2015 draft pick Bryce Petty and 2016’s Christian Hackenberg? The Jets also need to add depth at cornerback, wide receiver and offensive line after moving on from veterans Brandon Marshall, Darrelle Revis and Nick Mangold.

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AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens

First-round pick: No. 16

Draft outlook: The Ravens own seven draft picks, all within the first six rounds.

Needs: The Ravens could be sitting in the prime place to take a wide receiver in the first round, which would fill the team’s most glaring need after the retirement of Steve Smith. Another major area of need is at pass rusher, to find a young player to line up opposite (and eventually replace) Terrell Suggs.

Cincinnati Bengals

First-round pick: No. 9

Draft outlook: The Bengals will be one of the busiest teams in the draft, with 11 picks. Cincinnati has a pair of picks in each of rounds 4-7.

Needs: The roster looks vastly different after the free agency departures of left tackle Andrew Whitworth and guard Keith Zeitler, and the Bengals will have to try to replace both and replenish line depth in the draft. While the Bengals have two elite defensive linemen in tackle Geno Atkins and end Carlos Dunlap, they also need to add another edge rusher to increase the speed on defense.

Cleveland Browns

First-round pick: No. 1 and No. 12

Draft outlook: The Browns own 11 draft picks, with five of those selections coming in the first 65 picks in the draft.

Needs: The Browns have been stockpiling draft picks over the past year, knowing they needed many new players to overhaul the roster. Now is the time to put that plan into action and use this draft to fill many needs – none bigger than quarterback. Outside of offensive line, where the Browns invested heavily during free agency, the Browns don’t have a position on the roster that can’t be improved through the draft.

Pittsburgh Steelers

First-round pick: No. 30

Draft outlook: The Steelers have eight draft picks, including two in the third round.

Needs: The Steelers have a young star inside linebacker in Ryan Shazier but have needs to get younger and add more depth around him following the departures of Lawrence Timmons and Jarvis Jones. With the depth of this class of edge rushers, the Steelers could find a Week 1 starter at the end of the first round. The Steelers also have some long-term questions at cornerback that they could address.

Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith has said the the team intends to add another quarterback, which could alter the outlook for Tom Savage as a potential starter.

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans

First-round pick: No. 25

Draft outlook: The Texans have seven picks.

Needs: Whether you believe that they like Tom Savage as their potential starter or not, with only Savage and Brandon Weeden on the roster, the Texans have to add a quarterback. They also need to draft offensive linemen to protect whoever winds up under center. The Texans could also use additional help at cornerback (after losing starter A.J. Bouye) and get inside linebacker.

Indianapolis Colts

First-round pick: No. 15

Draft outlook:New Colts general manager Chris Ballard has seven draft picks. The Colts currently don’t have any picks in the sixth or seventh rounds.

Needs: The Colts have plenty of needs throughout the defense, particularly in the secondary and at pass rusher following the retirement of Robert Mathis. On offense, the most glaring need is at offensive line and running back because of starter Frank Gore's age.

Jacksonville Jaguars

First-round pick: No. 4

Draft outlook: The Jaguars have seven picks, one in each round.

Needs: The Jaguars have invested heavily on defense in recent offseasons, both through free agency and the draft, and now the team’s biggest needs are on offense as they try to help former first-round pick quarterback Blake Bortles. Jacksonville has skill position needs, especially at tight end and running back, as well as offensive tackle.

Tennessee Titans

First-round pick: No. 5 and No. 18

Draft outlook: The Titans own a pair of first-rounders, thanks to the 2016 trade with the Los Angeles Rams to get out of the first overall slot. The Titans own eight total picks, including a valuable pair of third-rounders.

Needs: Cornerback looked like a need for the Titans for much of the spring, especially after the team released veteran Jason McCourty. On offense, the Titans’ top need is wide receiver – and not just for depth. Tennessee lacks a true No. 1 receiver, and finding one is critical to help the development of quarterback Marcus Mariota.

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos

First-round pick: No. 20

Draft outlook: The Broncos own 10 draft picks. Four of Denver's picks will come in the first 101 selections.

Needs: The Broncos need to find a left tackle in this draft, and likely one who will be ready to start in September. Other offensive needs are at tight end and slot receiver. Defensively, the Broncos need to add depth to the front seven, particularly at defensive end and inside linebacker.

Kansas City Chiefs

First-round pick: No. 27

Draft outlook: The Chiefs have 10 picks, including two picks in the third, fifth and sixth rounds.

Needs: The Chiefs have several spots in which they need to get younger on defense, particularly at inside and outside linebacker, with Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali on the tail end of their careers. Kansas City could also draft a quarterback to provide more depth behind Alex Smith — or even challenge him — after backup Nick Foles left in free agency.

Los Angeles Chargers

First-round pick: No. 7

Draft outlook: The Chargers own seven picks, one in each round.

Needs: This draft is a chance for the Chargers to make a splash in their first offseason in Los Angeles, and the team could do so by selecting skill position players early. That would help the Chargers address some real needs – particularly at wide receiver and in the secondary. It will be interesting as well to see if (or when) the Chargers choose to draft a quarterback to sit behind 35-year-old Philip Rivers.

Oakland Raiders

First-round pick: No. 24

Draft outlook: The Raiders enter the draft with eight picks.

Needs: Oakland has multiple needs on defense to fill in order to help that side of the ball catch up with the team’s powerful offense. Cornerback might be one of the biggest needs – along with defensive tackle and middle linebacker – and it would be nice to pair a new player with 2016 first-round pick safety Karl Joseph.

Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones

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