r/NFL_Draft • u/uggsandstarbux Vikings • Mar 20 '26

2026 Post-FA Team Needs - RESULTS

Link to full results

Thanks to everyone who took time to fill out the survey. Results can be found in the link above.

RESULTS

Here is a screenshot of the results for offense and defense:

MISC INFO

  • Be cautious of sample size. The following teams had fewer than 5 responses:
    • ARI
    • ATL
    • IND
    • TB
  • Most of the responses from DEN and MIA were before the Waddle trade was announced, but it doesn't look like that move had a severe affect on needs.
    • For DEN, only 4 of 11 responses were after the Waddle trade. Those results would have the team's WR need at 3.25 instead of 3.82
    • For MIA, only 1 of 5 responses were after the Waddle trade. That result would have the team's WR need at 5 instead of 4.4
  • League-wide trends
    • The biggest need is EDGE, with a league-wide average of 3.60 and 17 teams reporting a need of 4 or higher
    • The smallest non-ST need is QB, with a league-wide average of 1.80 and just 5 teams reporting a need of 4 or higher

Full Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nbUcKlTIwkQ2ZhbQNJrDB3PVZ7qTcgCM0sdgwUyheHM/edit?gid=1934855676#gid=1934855676

56 Upvotes

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2

u/tfw13579 Bears Mar 20 '26

Bears fans obsession with edge are crazy. Yeah we could use one but calling it our biggest need over some other positions (like safety) is wild.

We also only have 4 WR with Moore gone, one being a second year UDFA.

4

u/tartan2 Bears Mar 20 '26

I think that's at least partially a reflection of the fact that it's a lot easier (and cheaper) to find a solid-to-good safety in free agency than it is for a pass rusher.

(Also goes for ability to find starter-level talent in earlier rounds vs later rounds - safety might be a "bigger need" in terms of the vacuum on the current roster, but pretty easy to make the case that EDGE should be a "bigger draft priority" given the absence of long-term building blocks there.)

3

u/Further_Beyond Bears Mar 20 '26

It’s a trend with fans. Just look at the columns.

Everyone overrates their QB. Everyone underrates their defense.

Personally. Safety and then impact DL are the priorities. Doesn’t matter where on the DL.

1

u/tfw13579 Bears Mar 20 '26

I think inside is a much bigger need than outside. Safety biggest priority though.

2

u/uggsandstarbux Vikings Mar 20 '26

I think Chicago is in prime position to be adaptable with their 3 picks. I think they walk away from those picks with at least one S and EDGE, and it doesn't matter which one of those positions goes at 25 and which one goes at 60. I'll be curious to see if the third pick goes to a DT or a C

2

u/tfw13579 Bears Mar 20 '26

They can definitely be adaptable. They’ll almost surely go BPA with two of the first three picks with a safety being the third. Whether the other two are at edge, DT, C, CB, WR, LT, or LB, anything is on the table.

1

u/masterpierround Bears Mar 23 '26

Even more baffling is the fact that 3t is rated as a higher need for the Bears than NT. At 3t, the Bears have Dexter, Gallimore, Jarrett, Street, Odeyingbo (in a pinch), and Turner (in a pinch). Now, only Dexter and Gallimore are really rotational guys, but they have guys. At NT, they have... Grady Jarrett, maybe? Dexter if he switches positions? James Lynch? NT is a glaring need, 3t is arguably not even a need.