ClutchPoints
Whether an NFL team is looking to sell or buy at the NFL trade deadline, everybody has needs and weaknesses. A team’s positional needs can stem from injuries, a lack of depth, or from the absence of star talent on the roster. Needs can also be both short-term and/or long-term.
Whatever the case is, every team has a chance to fill their biggest needs at the trade deadline, but at what positions will each program look to add talent to?
Needs: Edge, DT, WR
The Baltimore Ravens’ biggest weakness hasn’t necessarily been a single position group, but it has been the injury bug. Their roster has been depleted by injuries and it has caused them to be one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL this year. Clearly, the team can’t succeed when Lamar Jackson is sidelined.
The Ravens aren’t in a position to contend this year like was expected coming into the season, but there are some long-term needs that they need to address. Edge rusher is the biggest need. The team hasn’t been able to generate much pass rush at all, and they recently traded arguably their best pass rusher, Odafe Oweh. The team has also long searched for a true number one receiving option. Jackson can spread the ball around to different options, but the team would benefit from a clear-cut top receiver.
Needs: WR, LB, S
On the offensive end, Josh Allen has carried a heavy burden for the Buffalo Bills for years. There are plenty of complementary receivers for the reigning MVP to throw to, but there aren’t star playmakers in Buffalo’s receiving corps. Allen can’t do it on his own forever, so the Bills need to add receiving help. They traded for Amari Cooper at last year’s deadline, but that transaction didn’t amount to much.
The defense can also use some help. A linebacker to help in run support and a safety to fill the void left by Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp’s injuries would help. The team is so desperate for a safety that they’ve resorted to bringing Jordan Poyer back into the fold. Poyer had a good career with the Bills, but he is well past his prime.
Needs: Edge, IOL, CB
The Cincinnati Bengals’ positional needs were clear coming into the season, and nothing has changed leading into the trade deadline. Offensive line woes resulted in Joe Burrow suffering an injury that is holding him out for the majority of the season. The defense has also prevented the team from being competitive.
There are holes all over the defense, but the most glaring weakness is at edge. That is even more so true because Trey Hendrickson is one of the biggest names on the trading block this year. Hendrickson, who led the NFL in sacks last season, pursued a trade in the offseason. While a deal never came to fruition, he could very well be moved mid-season. Hendrickson is the only player...
