AFC combine preview: Position group to watch for each team

The annual NFL Scouting Combine has begun in Indianapolis. Live drills start Thursday with defensive linemen and linebackers, followed by drills Friday for defensive backs and tight ends, Saturday for quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs and Sunday for offensive linemen.

As determined by Yardbarker NFL writers, here are the position groups each team in the AFC should be focused on most.

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS | Wide receiver | In light of Stefon Diggs approaching his twilight years, coupled with the possibility Gabe Davis heads elsewhere in free agency, Buffalo must find another reliable receiver for QB Josh Allen. In 2023, Allen averaged his fewest passing yards per game since 2019 (253.3), so targeting a vertical threat such as Oregon's Troy Franklin or Texas' Adonai Mitchell to help the quarterback improve on that mark would be wise.  

MIAMI DOLPHINS | Cornerback | Considering former All-Pro Xavien Howard will be released at the start of the new league year and 2023 second-rounder Cam Smith is unproven, Miami may want to explore drafting another talent to play opposite Jalen Ramsey. Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry and Iowa's Cooper DeJean will surely be names connected to the Dolphins at the combine, though the latter isn't participating in drills.  

NEW YORK JETS | Offensive line | New York's revolving door of an offensive line badly needs to be overhauled, as 13 different combinations of players saw action for the unit in 2023. Bringing in a new pair of starting tackles is a top priority for the Jets, who should pay close attention to Penn State's Olu Fashanu and Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga during Sunday's O-line drills. 

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Quarterback | It's obvious that neither Mac Jones nor Bailey Zappe are the long-term solution at quarterback, despite being under contract for next season. The Patriots need someone capable of producing a positive touchdown-to-interception ratio. Signing a veteran during free agency — which begins March 13 — cannot be ruled out, but New England will surely have its sights set on North Carolina's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels. — Colum Dell

AFC West 

DENVER BRONCOS | Quarterback | The Broncos will probably release QB Russell Wilson in March, and backup Jarrett Stidham — who posted a below-average 31.1 QBR in three games — isn’t a viable starter. The Broncos have the 12th overall pick in the draft and should keep an eye on Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy and Oregon’s Bo Nix when QBs work out Saturday.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Wide receiver | The Chiefs led the league in drops (44) last season, so adding quality at the position is a must. Florida State’s Keon Coleman, Oregon’s Troy Franklin and Texas’ Adonai Mitchell will partake in drills on Saturday. Each could flourish under Kansas City head coach Andy Reid. 

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Quarterback | Aidan O’Connell lacks the playmaking ability franchise QBs need, as he posted a below-average 40.5 QBR and was sacked 24 times in 11 games during his rookie season. The Raiders — who have the 13th overall pick — should look into LSU’s Jayden Daniels and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and determine if they must move up in the draft to get one of them or another of the standout QBs.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Edge-rusher | Spotrac estimates the Chargers are $20.83M over the cap, meaning they might have to trade a star such as linebacker Khalil Mack to clear room. L.A. could use the fifth overall pick to select Florida State’s Jared Verse or Alabama’s Dallas Turner — each will work out Thursday — to replace the eight-time Pro Bowler. — Clark Dalton

AFC North 

BALTIMORE RAVENS | Edge-rusher | Veterans Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy are pending free agents and Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo are unproven, combining for just six sacks in 2023. The Ravens could look to add to the d-linemen room with UCLA’s Laiatu Latu or Penn State’s Chop Robinson. Both will work out Thursday.

CINCINNATI BENGALS | Offensive tackle | Jonah Williams is likely headed elsewhere in free agency after the team moved him to the right side following the signing of left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. last offseason. That means the Bengals could address the position early with Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga or Alabama’s JC Latham, both of whom will take part in drills Sunday.

CLEVELAND BROWNS | Wide receiver | The Browns didn’t have a wide receiver besides Amari Cooper (1,250) eclipse 650 yards receiving in 2023. But without their first-round pick for the third straight year, the Browns should keep their eyes on day two prospects such as Texas receiver Xavier Worthy and North Carolina's Devontez Walker. They will work out Saturday.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Offensive line | The Steelers must address center and offensive tackle after Mason Cole and Dan Moore Jr. combined to allow 10 sacks in 2023. Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson and Georgia’s Amarius Mims — both of whom have been linked to Pittsburgh — can cement their first-round grades Sunday. — Aaron Becker

AFC South

HOUSTON TEXANS | Running back | Houston has had just two 1,000-yard rushers in the past 10 years, and it’s time for that to change. C.J. Stroud accounted for nearly 70 percent of the Texans’ total offense himself, and having a bell-cow back to hand off to 20 times per game will only extend his career.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS  | Secondary | Indianapolis' top cornerback Kenny Moore, top safety Justin Blackmon and three other defensive backs will hit free agency in March. In a division with Stroud, Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence and Tennessee's Will Levis at QB, the Colts must have a deep stable of defensive backs.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Edge-rusher | Josh Allen and Travon Walker combined for 27.5 of Jacksonville’s 40 sacks, and the team needs more pass-rush production from other players. There are seven or eight edge-rushers who could go in the first round. The Jags should be attentive during defensive linemen drills Thursday. 

TENNESSEE TITANS | Offensive line | For Levis to have any chance of playing well in his second season, the Titans must invest heavily in better blocking. Tennessee allowed the fourth-most sacks in 2023 (64) along with 263 pressures, 154 hurries and 58 QB hits. Expect the Titans to be zeroed in on Sunday's offensive line drills. — Michael Gallagher