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Shutdown Corner's NFC 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 NFC team coming into this week's NFL draft (for the AFC team-by-team needs, click here):

Arizona Cardinals
Top needs: RB, ILB, DL, CB

There’s a reason the Cardinals are always mentioned as a potential landing spot for Adrian Peterson, but cheaper running back options exist in the draft. Would they go for one at No. 24? If not, the best guess is they’ll add to the front seven.

Arizona Cardinals 2014 Rushing Carry Distribution | PointAfter

Atlanta Falcons 
Top needs: DE, OLB, TE, RB

The Falcons need pass rushers for new coach Dan Quinn’s scheme, even after adding some pass-rush pieces in free agency. And Atlanta could use another playmaker or two to take some heat off Julio Jones.

Carolina Panthers 
Top needs: OL, S, CB, WR

The offensive line needs help. So does the secondary. But the line stands out as the top priority, particularly at tackle. It wouldn’t be a surprise if multiple picks were used on linemen. Protecting Cam Newton is a must.

Chicago Bears 
Top needs: CB, S, WR, OL

The Bears’ defense was a nightmare last year, and they need to keep adding talent. That’s especially important in the secondary because NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers looms on the schedule twice a year. They’ll also need someone to take some pressure off No. 1 receiver Alshon Jeffery.

Dallas Cowboys 
Top needs: RB, OLB, DL, CB

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (AP)
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (AP)

A team that built its success around DeMarco Murray (and then lost him in free agency) has to get its starting running back this week, right? It seems to be a foregone conclusion, whether that back comes by trade (yeah, you know who we're talking about) or the draft. Linebacker is a priority too after losing Justin Durant and Bruce Carter in free agency.

Detroit Lions 
Top needs: OL, DT, CB, RB

The Lions really need some help at guard, but offensive tackle isn’t too strong either. And any team that loses Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley over the course of an offseason should be in the market for some defensive tackle help.

Green Bay Packers 
Top needs: CB, ILB, NT, OLB

Packers general manager Ted Thompson could go in a few different directions but it would be quite surprising if this isn't a defense-heavy draft for the team. They still are waiting for a couple of former first-round picks (OLB Nick Perry and DE Datone Jones) to emerge, which means there are several defensive spots that could use some work, especially since they lost some corners this offseason and Thompson all but refuses to bolster his team in free agency.

Minnesota Vikings 
Top needs: OT, CB, WR, RB (?)

It's never a bad idea to protect your young quarterback, and questions keep building if Matt Kalil is the answer at left tackle. A cornerback opposite Xavier Rhodes would help too. I think Minnesota could use some receiving help, unless you still think Cordarrelle Patterson can blossom into a star. And there's the Adrian Peterson situation, which could change their plans.

New Orleans Saints 
Top needs: OLB, ILB, CB, WR

There's a huge priority on pass rush; the Saints need help there. They could also use someone at inside linebacker to replace Curtis Lofton, who was cut. The Saints had a need at corner last year, took Stanley Jean-Baptiste in the second round, and he contributed little as a rookie. So it's still a need. Some help in the passing game wouldn't be bad after trading tight end Jimmy Graham. 

New York Giants 
Top needs: OL, S, TE, DL

It was tough to choose between the offensive line and safety as the top need because the Giants have almost nobody to line up at free safety at the moment. But the Giants definitely need a boost on the offensive line too, at either tackle or guard.

Philadelphia Eagles
Top needs: WR, OLB, S, QB

Eagles coach Chip Kelly (Getty Images)
Eagles coach Chip Kelly (Getty Images)

It's probably worth mentioning up front that nobody has any idea what Chip Kelly will do in this draft. Receiver certainly looks thin, which is what happens when you lose DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin in consecutive years. Pass rush is a concern. And the main reason I can't discount the Marcus Mariota-Eagles rumors is because Sam Bradford has been unhealthy and unproductive in four NFL seasons.

St, Louis Rams 
Top needs: C, G, QB, WR

After missing out on free agent Stefen Wisniewski, the Rams need to find a center somewhere. The rest of the line could use some help as well. Meanwhile, Nick Foles might not be the long-term answer at quarterback, because even if he plays great this season, he's in a contract year.

San Francisco 49ers 
Top needs: CB, DL, WR, ILB

It wasn't long ago that the 49ers had maybe the deepest roster in the NFL. That changed fast. Now there are some holes after losing cornerbacks Perrish Cox and Chris Culliver, receivers Michael Crabtree and Stevie Johnson, defensive linemen Justin Smith and Ray McDonald, linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland, guard Mike Iupati and running back Frank Gore to free agency, off-field issues or retirement. 

Seattle Seahawks 
Top needs: C, G, WR, DL

Trading a first-round pick and center Max Unger for Jimmy Graham made sense, but it made the interior of the offensive line that much weaker. The Seahawks saw signs of progress from 2014 rookie receiver Paul Richardson late, then he tore his ACL. Even with Graham, another outside threat would help the passing game a lot.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
Top needs: QB, OT, DE, S

That first need will be taken care of quickly on Thursday night. Offensive tackle is a big position of need after 2014 free-agent addition Anthony Collins was a bust. The same goes for defensive end after Michael Johnson was cut after one year.

Washington Redskins
Top needs: OLB, S, CB, QB

The Redskins need to keep improving the pass rush, and should be able to address that with their No. 5 overall pick. Safety has been an issue for a while. As for quarterback, regardless of whether the Redskins picked up Robert Griffin III's fifth-year option, they have to at least consider available draft options at that spot. 

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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!

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