LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 04: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs onto the field prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
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It’s not always about winning now in the NFL (except when it is); sometimes it is about the expectations. Most definitely, most of those expectations are about winning now…getting better or making it out of the eternal playoff loop.
Teams now have the free agency period in their rear-view mirror. Buoyed with the fresh smell of a new coach, new coordinators, or just shaking off the dud of last season, these five teams must crush the upcoming 2026 Draft. A few to meet (unrealistic) expectations and a couple to save their coach's job.
So, “In No Particular Order” (slight plug, also name of my in-season podcast on the GoingFor2 platform 😏), here are the five teams that need to crush the 2026 NFL Draft.
Talk about expectations! The Ravens fired their head coach of 18 seasons, John Harbaugh. Harbaugh’s Ravens had 12 playoff appearances, six AFC North titles, and a victory in Super Bowl XLVII. Enter Jesse Minter.
And for Minter, Gary Davenport from Bleacher Report has said out loud what we are all thinking, “...this is a team that is expected to do more than just make the postseason. The Ravens are expected to make a real run at Super Bowl LXI.”
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The Ravens' season was hampered by injuries to quarterback Lamar Jackson, but it was also the victim of a poor passing game and even worse passing defense. Now Minter must find the pieces in this draft to help the team meet lofty 2026 expectations.
All stats courtesy teamrankings.com
Offense
Defense
Unfortunately, the biggest noise the Ravens made in free agency was losing center Tyler Linderbaum to the Las Vegas Raiders while also voiding the acquisition of the Raiders’ defensive end Maxx Crosby after a deal was announced.
In addition to the loss of Linderbaum, the Ravens lost tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, edge Dre’Mont Jones, fullback Patrick Ricard, safeties Alohi Gilman and Ar’Darius Washington, and, on the offensive line, Daniel Faalele and David Ojabo. Punter Jordan Stout followed Harbaugh to the New York Giants, and running back Keaton Mitchell signed with the other Harbaugh in Los Angeles.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 21: Trey Hendrickson #91 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
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The Ravens did acquire sack master Trey Hendrickson. Guard John Simpson returned, and safety Jaylinn Hawkins signed after recording four interceptions, 1.5 sacks,s and three tackles for loss last season with the New England Patriots. They also resigned cornerback Chidobe Awuzie.
To complete their free agency gains, the Ravens signed blocking tight end Durham Smythe, backup center Danny Pinter, and backup offensive guard/center Javaughn Gwyn.
The Ravens will enter the 2026 draft with 11 total picks, seven of which are in the fifth round or later.
They need to find receiving help and fix a leaky secondary.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: Josh Allen #17 and offensive coordinator Joe Brady of the Buffalo Bills look on during warmups before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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The Bills fired their head coach, Sean McDermott, following their 33-30 loss to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round of the 2025 playoffs. The owner and general manager then proceeded to have a press conference in which the coaching staff was to blame for the loss. They then hired a member of that coaching staff as their new head coach. In a world of dysfunction, the Bills were leading the parade. Now the new head coach and past offensive coordinator Joe Brady needs to find a way to the Super Bowl.
Offense
Defense
The most hyped move the Bills made during the free-agent period was acquiring wide receiver D.J. Moore from the Chicago Bears. They also signed edge Bradley Chubb, safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone, cornerback Dee Alford, guard/centers Austin Corbett and Lloyd Cushenberry, quarterback Kyle Allen, and re-signed punter Mitch Wishnowsky to a one-year deal.
The Bills also incurred a couple of significant losses during free agency, including left guard David Edwards, offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark, fullback Reggie Gilliam, defensive back Cam Lewis, safety Darnell Savage Jr., and maybe A.J. Espenesa, who was supposed to go to Cleveland but reportedly failed his physical.
The Bills have seven selections in the NFL 2026 Draft, including the 26th pick in round one and no picks in the second round. Their immediate needs include linebacker and wide receiver.
The Chiefs find themselves in unfamiliar circumstances. They missed the playoffs in 2025, breaking a ten-year playoff streak. They will enter 2026 with quarterback Patrick Mahomes recovering from a torn ACL suffered in week 15, and according to DraftKings Sportsbook, they are not in the top two of the favorites to win the Super Bowl, currently sitting at 14-1 odds.
Statistically speaking, the Chiefs' defense was above average last season; it’s their offense that let them down.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 14: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs lays on the ground after sustaining an injury during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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Offense
Defense
The Chiefs' free agency period was punctuated by major losses in the secondary and a marquee signing on the offensive side. First, the losses: opening the free agency period, the Chiefs lost cornerback Trent McDuffie, followed by cornerback Jaylen Watson. Safety Bryan Cook was also a casualty of the free agency period. For cap space purposes, they released offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor, defensive end Mike Danna, and linebacker Leo Chenal.
Now for the splash, their offense acquired Super Bowl MVP, running back Kenneth Walker, and added Emari Demercado. The secondary acquired safety Alohi Gilman, and cornerbacks Kaiir Elam and Koder Kohou, while adding defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga. They also resigned tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Tyqan Thornton.
The Chiefs find themselves with nine picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including two picks in the first round. They will pick ninth and 29th. And while they made up some ground in free agency, they still need offensive help in the form of a receiver and on the defensive side, help on the edge.
The Raiders are in that tweener spot. Realistically, the expectations should be low for a team that finished 3-14 last season. But actually, the acquisition of Klint Kubiak for their head coach, the absolute juggernaut of free agent signings, and the 10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft have expectations floating just below a Super Bowl berth. The Raiders are the most popular bet to make the playoffs, per BETMGM.
HENDERSON, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 10: (L-R) Former Las Vegas Raiders players Marcus Allen, Mike Haynes, and Howie Long, Klint Kubiak, former Raiders player Jim Plunkett, Raiders general manager John Spytek, and former Raiders players Charles Woodson and Rich Gannon pose for photos during a news conference introducing Kubiak as the head coach of the Raiders at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Health Performance Center on February 10, 2026 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Offense
Defense
The Raiders absolutely dominated free agency. Their acquisitions included resetting the center market with Tyler Linderbaum, adding wide receivers Jalen Nailor and Dareke Young, fullback Connor Heyward, guard Spencer Burford, and quarterback Kirk Cousins.
On the defensive side, they loaded up with linebackers, Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker, and Segun Olubi, defensive end Kwity Payne, and kicker Matt Gay.
Their losses included quarterbacks Geno Smith and Kenny Pickett, guard Dylan Parham, cornerback Darnay Holmes, safety Lonnie Johnson, offensive tackle Stone Forsythe, and Alex Cappa along the offensive line.
The Raiders have 10 total selections in the draft, including the number one pick, where they are expected to pick IU quarterback Fernando Mendoza. And even with the free agent haul, they are still in need of wide receiver help and help along the offensive line.
The Jets have seemingly mortgaged the present for the future. But does that mean this season comes with zero expectations? Last season, the Jets finished 3-14, and their new defensive head coach had a defense that recorded zero interceptions. Let that sink in. So, what are the expectations for the 2026 season? The Jets sit precariously between looking towards the future and collecting a respectable win/loss record this season. Winning the 2026 NFL Draft is a good place to start.
Offense
Defense
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 21: Head coach Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets challenges a play against the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter of a game at Caesars Superdome on December 21, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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The Jets went all out on the defensive side in free agency. However, the longest contract is only for three years, as the majority of their free agents are on one-year deals. The Jets acquired edge Josephy Ossai, defensive end Kingsley Enagbare, safety Mikah Fitzpatrick, quarterback Geno Smith, guard Dylan Parham, and kicker Cody York. They also resigned offensive tackle Max Mitchell, linebacker Mykal Walke,r and safety Andre Cisco. Gone are Alijah Vera Tucker along the offensive line, guard John Simpson, and kicker Nick Folk. Defensive end Jermaine Johnson was traded to the Tennessee Titans for defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat.
The free agent acquisitions speak to the Jets' need to make the 2026 season respectable. Their nine picks in the 2026 Draft, including two picks in the first round (second and 16th), speak to the necessity of building a strong foundation for the future. The Jets need a quarterback, a wide receiver, and a formidable edge rusher.
NEW YORK - APRIL 29: The stage is shown with the NFL Logo at the 2006 NFL Draft on April 29, 2006 at Radio City Music Hall in New York, New York. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
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Some teams consistently appear to crush the draft; the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, and the San Francisco Niners come to mind. Then there are the teams that seem to struggle when giving choices in the draft, the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, and the Las Vegas Raiders are just a few. The Browns will enter the draft with very few expectations. The Raiders and Jets have set higher expectations at the forefront with the offseason pickups and draft capital this year and in 2027.
And while the need to crush the draft is immediate for the Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, Raiders, and Jets, it remains to be seen who will fold and who will soar under the pressure.
The NFL 2026 Draft begins April 23 at 6:00 pm mountain time. There will be tons of draft coverage, so pick your poison. But may I suggest you tune in to the GoingFor2 platform? Including a mock draft on Sunday, April 19, and see how we think the 2026 NFL Draft will fall.
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