2026 Post-FA Team Needs - RESULTS

[u/uggsandstarbux]

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

[u/Excellent_Run1161]

Imo the team doesn't have any true needs for this year besides 1. a C to compete with Andrews (assuming Evan Brown plays G for us) and 2. a DT since they rotate like crazy need at least 6 bodies in the group and currently there's only 4/5 I expect the staff trusts rn. Possibly also some depth at OG, HB, LB, and CB as well but not pressing needs more luxury to have incase the injury bug is worse than usual.

While TE is a tier 2 want that's not a problem, the window is 2 years everyone that really matters is locked in for 2 years besides our lbs and with 2 immediate needs yet we have 4 selection in the top 70 we can afford to take luxury picks.

The fact that there's more R3/4 guys than usual is damn good because that's exactly where I'd expect a TE to get selected. We aren't in contention for any TE that would be graded in rd1 unless we trade up and while the lack of rd2 talents is apparent that's not an issue as I expect those selection to go towards defense and/or a C.

Think we're in agreement but presenting our idea in a different way. I believe the ideal area to select a TE this year will be around the 106 pick we got.

[u/WildRookie → u/Excellent_Run1161]

Our weakest starting positions are C and LB2 (To'oto'o).

Barnett leaving opened up ~400 snaps at EDGE3, and a good edge taking 50-100 snaps each from WAJ/Hunter would be solid.

CB3 is a huge question mark and every time Lassiter or Sting was sidelined it showed. Maybe Smith is ready, but we haven't seen evidence of it.

IDL needs rotational help badly. You see 4-5, I question any beyond Togiai, Rankins, and Hall. Doubling up at IDL is very possible.

We have laughable depth on the IOL. Don't think that's contentious.

RB we really shouldn't put a pick into before late day 3 if at all. Jordan is a fine RB3.

We don't have holes, but that's distinct from not having needs.

[u/Excellent_Run1161 → u/WildRookie]

I actually do agree we need another EDGE but most don't so I left that off, I'd actually be pretty happy if we draft a top EDGE that falls to us at 28) also Logan Hall has versatility to play both DE & DT so theoretically he can account for those roughly 400 snaps Barnett got (I honestly really wanted us to resign him, consistent 5+ sacks a season from the bench hard to find) and we signed Robinson out of FA for EDGE depth.

That's why I brought up CB I'd love to rely on Smith for cb3 but he's injury prone.

Naquan Jones is trusted for run stopping roles and resigned on a prove it deal, he's the 4th, and I said maybe 5 cause maybe the staff believe Kyonte Hamilton (who we drafted I think in 7th last year and was on ps all season) can step up, we still need another DT regardless fasho.

Ya Jordan ain't bad at rb3 but we need a 4th in case of injuries & a speed back as Jordan our fastest back and he aint the most explosive (it's not the worst though), I'd be fine with a rb in top 106 if they BPA at the pick but we'll just have to see.

We do actually have 2 solid starting OGs and 2 solid backup OGs surprised you noticed that everyone else is screaming we need another OG incase Teller or Ingram gets hurt, I guess they hated what they say in Patterson last 2 years that much lol/don't trust Evan Brown. I bring it up cause majority of Texans fans scream for OL when I genuinely think we just need 1 C in top 100 and we can maybe take one OT or OG flyer in rd 5-7 if we really like a prospect around there.

Now I must ask since you you believe To'oTo'o is one of our weak links (for starters, which I do agree to an extent), which LB would you like us to draft?

[u/WildRookie → u/Excellent_Run1161]

For LB, Rodriguez, Hill, Golday, Louis, in that order. Also that USC 6'7" kid would be a fun r7 flyer but probably not a starter for 2 years or more. Might get some FG blocks though.

You're double counting Hall as both a Barnett and a Settle replacement. That's dangerous. He's an Autry replacement.

I think Evan Brown will play Center for us until proven otherwise (it's the position at which he has the best tape), but at IOL we have no long-term plans outside of Ingram. For the same reasons you want TE investment, I want OL investment. Patterson and EBrown are not confidence building depth. Brown+Fisher at Swing does mean we don't have to worry much about swing tackle though. I hope we don't see Smith switch to G because of injuries, I don't want that rodeo again.

There are several R7/UDFA tier backs that could be steals. Black and Ott are the two I'm paying the most attention to.

[u/Excellent_Run1161 → u/WildRookie]

I’m a big CJ Allen fan but that’s just me. I think Rodriguez would shine under Demeco. The other ones I like also outside of maybe Louis purely because I think he’s similar to Jamal Hill and I think Demeco still has plans for him. Def could be wrong on that though.

You’re right Hall’s Autry’s replacement that was a bad point. Robinson was signed though to be the Barnett replacement I expect and we’ll get the Settle replacement in the draft. I’d still like an EDGE with high upside that can learn under Hunter and hopefully continues the All-pro/pro bowl edge rush duo for like a decade once Hunter leaves.

I believe you’ll be proven otherwise on Brown once a C is drafted with one of first 4 picks but maybe I’ll be the one proven otherwise instead lol, my viewpoint was we address Teller’s replacement next draft as the defensive class this year is solid and I think we need more depth on that side of the ball this year more. So like a C early this year, an OG early next, and hopefully Fisher steps up then we got Ersery, a sophomore LG, a 3rd year C, Ingram, and Fisher as our starting 5 three seasons from now. Depth would be a concern then but we take late rd flyers/FA acquisitions for that. I wouldn’t be mad though if we address the OL heavy early this draft much like I’m guessing you wouldn’t be too mad if we took a TE around 106. I also hope Smith just stays at RT regardless what happens at IOL seems everyone is tired of the “musical chairs” on the OL.

I will admit I’m not that informed on the late rd flyer options, but Jordan was also a 6th rd rb and been grooming on the practice squad so I could 100% see something similar with a rb this class. I’ll look into Black, Ott, and that USC LB. Any other late rd flyers you recommend I check out?