NFL teams that need to get the draft right

The draft is an exhilarating time where teams get to pick players who will potentially be the face of their franchise for years to come.

However, with all the excitement also comes a lot of pressure to make the correct pick and the one that will give a team the greatest chance at success.

Here are some of the teams that I think need to absolutely nail the draft this year if they want to have a good season.

Arizona Cardinals

While they may have had one of the worst records in the league in back-to-back years, don’t sleep on this Cardinals team.

When Kyler Murray returned from his ACL injury late in the season he looked electric, bringing a spark back to the offense and hopefully something that they can continue to build off of this year.

The Cardinals hold seven picks in the first 105 picks, most notably including the fourth, 27th and 35th overall picks which could be used to greatly boost and rebuild the roster.

They have the best opportunity at pick four to get a generational talent in Marvin Harrison Jr. at the wide receiver position, giving Murray an elite weapon and greatly improving the team's offense.

Dallas Cowboys

This is a win-now team that has been subpar over the last few years, continuing to fail year after year at making a run in the playoffs.

After possibly being the quietest team in all of free agency, it is absolutely crucial that the Cowboys get their draft picks right, with their top three picks at 24, 56 and 87

While the defense has become one of the best in the league, now the concerns should look to the offense after losing guys like Tyron Smith, Tony Pollard and Michael Gallup.

They have a late first and second-round pick and I think it’s critical that they shore up the offensive line and get another playmaker to pair up with CeeDee Lamb and give Dak Prescott another weapon.

Atlanta Falcons

You have to feel bad for Falcons fans at some point because they’ve had the pieces for years, a defense, and some unbelievable playmakers on offense, just waiting for the right quarterback at the helm.

Finally, they got Kirk Cousins, the man who is going to lead the Falcons back to the NFC South title and give them a shot in the playoffs.

Having eight, 43, 74 and 79 as their top picks they have to continue to support Cousins on the offensive side, potentially getting him another weapon, or by bolstering the defense.

This is one of the more loaded rosters in the NFL and I think that they are fully ready to strike and make a run, they just need to have a solid draft.

Minnesota Vikings

There’s no question that Kirk Cousins’ season-ending Achilles injury was a devastating loss for this team last year not only because of the impact he had on the field, but in the locker room as well.

With Cousins going to the Falcons in free agency, it’s now time for the Vikings to turn the page and find their new franchise quarterback.

After making a trade with the Texans, they now hold two first-rounders at 11 and 23, with the potential to move up again if they feel the right guy is there for them.

This is an absolutely loaded roster, especially with guys on the offensive side like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson and Aaron Jones.

While Sam Darnold was signed to a one-year deal during free agency, it’ll be interesting to see who they trust at the helm and potentially as the future face of their franchise.

New England Patriots

It’s a new era in Foxborough, with new head coach Jerod Mayo replacing Bill Belichick and Mac Jones being traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Patriots are not only primed to take their next franchise quarterback with the third overall pick but also have a load of picks in the later rounds and must capitalize to start turning their franchise back in the right direction.

After taking their third overall pick, they can use their 34th, 68th and 103rd to get some new weapons out wide for their franchise guy.

This is a team that immensely struggled in the wide receiver room over the last few years and should have a good chance at getting some elite players in such a deep wide receiver class.

Michael Landis is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email mpl5930@psu.edu.