National Football League

2017 NFL Draft: Biggest Needs For Five Worst Teams

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 25, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Jones (98) brings down Cleveland Browns quarterback Cody Kessler (6) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Five teams remain winless in 2016 and thus contenders for the top five picks in the 2017 NFL draft. If that holds true, here is a rundown of their biggest needs.

Cleveland Browns

Quarterback

As if this is any surprise. Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown are both out with significant shoulder injuries. Cody Kessler has a future as a backup. This team needs a massive reboot at the quarterback position. No more half measures or ridiculous risks. It’s time for them to try for another quarterbacks high in the draft to build around.

Pass rusher

Considering the fact that Cleveland has three sacks in three games so far, it’s no surprise this is on the list. Barkevious Mingo was a major league bust and Paul Kruger was never much of anything beyond a decent role player. At present their best options are Corey Lemonier and Carl Nassib. Not exactly blue chip talents. More help is definitely needed.

Offensive line

Joe Thomas isn’t getting any younger and the rest of the names on the offensive line aren’t household ones. Joel Bitonio probably has a promising future at left guard but beyond that there are plenty of unprovens. If the Browns plan to build around a quarterback, then nothing takes greater importance moving forward than his protection.

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) in action against Chicago Bears tackle Charles Leno (72) during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears

Offensive tackle

Rebuilding teams are unpredictable and the Chicago Bears are definitely proving that. Their brief playoff hopes are all but dashed after just three games and a big culprit for that has been their horrible tackle play. Bobby Massie and Charles Leno Jr. have looked completely outmatched on the edges for most of the year so far. Much of the offensive struggles derive from that.

Pass rusher

People are already getting on Leonard Floyd for not being able to invigorate the Bears pass rush, but he’s a rookie. He’s not ready for that kind of responsibility. Very few young pass rushers are. The problems run deeper for the Bears in that department. Not having Pernell McPhee is another big part of it. Suffice to say that defense is a long way from having the necessary teeth.

Quarterback

GM Ryan Pace has yet to spend a single draft pick on a quarterback. After watching Jay Cutler and Brian Hoyer through the first three weeks, that streak is all but certain to end in 2017. This team hasn’t used a 1st round pick on a quarterback since 2003 and a top 5 pick on one since 1982. With fans rapidly losing faith in the future for this team, a new quarterback would bring a fresh start.

Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) is hit San Diego Chargers defensive end Darius Philon (93) during the second half of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego won 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Jacksonville Jaguars

Offensive line

It’s becoming difficult to understand how after several years of high draft choices and plenty of spending money that the Jacksonville Jaguars still have a bad offensive line. At some point coaches does come into it but the reality is the blocking up front remains spotty. Blake Bortles is still getting hit too often and their running games is ranked among the worst in the league.

Pass rusher

Maybe given enough time Dante Fowler will become the player the team hopes he can be but facts are facts. Despite numerous additions the Jaguars pass rush isn’t getting it done. They can’t apply pressure with any regularity and that exposes their young secondary to repeated gashes through the air. How this is possible with a defensive head coach is puzzling.

Running back

Improved blocking up front would help matters but so far T.J. Yeldon has underwhelmed as the starting running back for Jacksonville. Chris Ivory could get his chance soon enough but it’s hard to say either of them will correct the problem. The 2017 class should be loaded at running back. They could just look for an instant fix like Leonard Fournette.

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) is tackled by New Orleans Saints linebacker James Laurinaitis (53) and cornerback P.J. Williams (25) during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Saints

Cornerback

When it’s not poor play it’s injuries that continue to haunt the New Orleans Saints at the cornerback position. P.J. Williams is out again and Delvin Breaux has a broken leg. The team is scraping the bottom of the barrel at that position. Recent attempts to fix it in the draft have failed, but they really don’t have a choice but to keep trying.

Pass rusher

The loss of 1st round pick Sheldon Rankins was a real gut punch for the Saints. They had high hopes he would be a big help to their pass rush, particularly along the interior. His return next year should do that, but it doesn’t solve the ongoing inconsistencies on the edge. Cameron Jordan remains a one-man show in that department as the team still hasn’t replaced Junior Gallette.

Offensive line

Considering the fact their left tackle is hurt and the entire right side of their offensive line is almost in their mid-30s, it’s not a stretch to say New Orleans has big question marks there. Drew Brees has managed well enough so far but the lingering fear is that a breaking point might be just around the corner. With the team being 0-2, that’s easy to understand.

Sep 25, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Chris Kirksey (58) tackles Miami Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake (32) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Dolphins

Running back

The sheer frustration emanating from Adam Gase is palpable. It’s not hard to see he really wants a steady running game to help ease the pressure on Ryan Tannehill. So far he’s gotten little return from Arian Foster, Jay Ajayi and Kenyan Drake. Aside from the occasional nice plays of course. What this team needs is a true workhorse they can run 25-30 times if need be.

Cornerback

It’s never a good sign when a mix of rookie Cody Kessler and converted wide receiver Terrelle Pryor put up 279 passing yards against your secondary. That speaks more than anything to how mediocre the Dolphins are at the cornerback position. Not a single one of them has managed an interception yet in 2016. Few things can describe the situation much better than that.

Offensive line

If they can’t improve the ground game via the running back position, then the only other option is to bolster the offensive line. Laremy Tunsil was a big step in the right direction but that’s no excuse to stop investing top talent at such an important area of the roster. Tannehill is still taking too many hits and sacks on top of the anemic rushing attack.

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