Shutdown Corner's AFC team-by-team draft needs

Good teams like to draft the best player available, regardless of need. But that doesn't mean needs don't exist.

If you didn't fill all those holes in free agency, your best bet to plug them is probably going to be in the draft. So with that in mind, here are the top positions of need for each AFC team coming into this week's NFL draft (for the NFC team-by-team needs, click here):

Baltimore Ravens 
Top needs: WR, TE, DL, CB

The Ravens are surprisingly thin on targets for Joe Flacco. With Torrey Smith gone, the receiving corps rests on Steve Smith, who will turn 36 in May. Tight end is similarly thin after Owen Daniels left in free agency.

Buffalo Bills 
Top needs: QB, OT, G, DL

The Bills won't have a pick until No. 50 overall, as a result of the Sammy Watkins trade. So they'll either be throwing darts at quarterback, or adding some much-needed depth to the offensive line with that second-round pick.

Cincinnati Bengals
Top needs: OT, DL, S, TE

Tackles Andre Smith and Andrew Whitworth are in contract years, and the Bengals have to start thinking about life without Whitworth, who will turn 34 in December. The entire defensive line could use some depth reinforcements. Safety is an issue because of depth reasons and, as is the case at offensive tackle, both starters are in contract years.

Cleveland Browns
Top needs: WR, TE, QB, OLB

Josh Gordon's suspension and Jordan Cameron's departure means that a shaky receiving corps is really bad now. They'll get some help from Dwayne Bowe, Brian Hartline and Rob Housler, but none of them are foundation players. Quarterback is a tougher call for the Browns. Can they rely on Johnny Manziel? It's too early to give up on him, but it seems the Browns are exploring options.

Denver Broncos 
Top needs: OG, C, TE, QB

The Broncos really need to fix a line that became an issue last year and then lost Orlando Franklin in free agency. And while tight end Owen Daniels was a solid signing, he's a stop-gap player at this point in his career. And yes, the Broncos need to think about life without Peyton Manning, and if Brock Osweiler is the long-term answer.

Houston Texans
Top needs: QB, OLB, WR, ILB

Looking back, it's fairly amazing the Texans – given their quarterback situation – passed on Blake Bortles at No. 1 last year, allowed the Vikings to poach Teddy Bridgewater one pick before they started the second round, then drafted a guard instead of Derek Carr. And it's unlikely they can fix the position in this draft. The uncertainty about Jadeveon Clowney and Brooks Reed's free-agency departure makes outside linebacker a likely pick for round one.

Indianapolis Colts
Top needs: DL, RB, S, OL

The defensive line got some help in free agency but needs more, especially in the middle. Frank Gore is a nice option for now, but adding another back would be smart. Another safety to go with Mike Adams, off a breakout season at age 33, would help too.

Jacksonville Jaguars 
Top needs: RB, DE, FS, WR

The Jaguars feature the "Leo" pass-rushing position in the defense and could draft a star for that spot with the third overall pick. That's why Dante Fowler makes so much sense for them with the third overall pick. Running back is a big need as well, and it will be interesting to see how early the Jaguars draft a tailback.

Kansas City Chiefs 
Top needs: WR, C/G, CB, ILB

The Jeremy Maclin signing was a must, but Kansas City's receivers were historically bad last year and the Chiefs need to keep adding to that spot. Adding to the offensive line would help too, especially since the foundation of the offense is the running game.

Miami Dolphins 
Top needs: G, ILB, CB, RB

The talk of Todd Gurley to the Dolphins is interesting because Lamar Miller is coming off a good season and is young. Still, some more depth at running back would be great. It's not as pressing of a need as some guard help or a stalwart middle linebacker, however.

New England Patriots
Top needs: G, RB, WR, CB

The Patriots are champions for a reason: They don't have a ton of glaring needs. They would probably like some stability at guard. They have a lot of running backs on the roster but nobody who stands out as any more than a part of a committee (which is how the Patriots generally use their backs anyway). A great talent on the outside at receiver would be a boost.

New York Jets 
Top needs: QB, OLB, RB, OL

That top need is why you'd assume the Jets are trying to move up from the sixth pick to No. 2 for Marcus Mariota. But there have been few signs that's actually the case. There will be many pass rushers available at No. 6 and it makes sense for the Jets to take one.

Oakland Raiders  
Top needs: WR, DE, CB, G

If the first three picks go a certain way, it'll be hard for the Raiders to pass on a major defensive talent at No. 4 for a receiver like Amari Cooper, especially because receiver is deep. It'll be a tough call because both are needs. You could make an argument for pass rush or a legitimate No. 1 receiver to develop with Derek Carr being the Raiders' biggest need. 

Pittsburgh Steelers
Top needs: CB, OLB, S, DL

The retirements of Ike Taylor and Jason Worilds (who were probably moving on anyway) presents some holes on the roster. Cornerback seems to be the position that mock drafts have the Steelers taking every year, so we'll see if it plays out that way.

San Diego Chargers 
Top needs: RB, OLB, OL, DT

Even though running back Ryan Mathews wasn't durable, he was talented and now he's gone. The Chargers need to add a back at some point in the draft. it might make more sense for the team to look to add to its pass rush in the first round, however, and grab a running back on day two or three.

Tennessee Titans 
Top needs: WR, OLB, OT, RB

Really, there are holes just about everywhere on the roster. I didn't list quarterback because I think the Titans need another year to at least see what they have with Zach Mettenberger. The Titans don't have much at receiver, and they couldn't go wrong adding another pass rusher either. With all their needs, it would be a surprise if the Titans didn't accumulate some extra picks by trading down from No. 2.

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab