For NFL general managers, accruing talent through the draft is inherently a long game. Decision-makers across the league warn about straying from the path of prioritizing value and instead seeking to patch up immediate areas of concern.

"If we went into the draft and filled every hole, we probably didn't have a good draft," Philadelphia Eagles executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman said after wrapping up his latest rookie class.

Still, holding firm and not forcing a pick at a particular position of need is easier said than done. With this year's draft complete, however, several general managers managed to do just that – and still must deal with the ensuing fallout.

With the prime offseason window for adding premium talent now closed, front offices and coaching staffs must get creative in the search for solutions between now and the start of the season. At the center of any pursuit of quick fixes is sure to be the free agency market, which could ramp back up with signings now longer counting against teams' compensatory pick formulas.

With plenty to be resolved in the coming months, here are seven teams that still have massive holes in the 2026 NFL Draft:

The NFL Draft regularly produces its most memorable moments off the stage, when selections end with a handshake or embrace from the commissioner.See the moments when draft night emotions peak as Roger Goodell greets players hearing their names called.Above, Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey embraces NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the New York Jets as the number two pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.

1 / 6Roger Goodell shares hugs with players on the NFL draft stageThe NFL Draft regularly produces its most memorable moments off the stage, when selections end with a handshake or embrace from the commissioner.See the moments when draft night emotions peak as Roger Goodell greets players hearing their names called.Above, Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey embraces NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the New York Jets as the number two pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.

The NFL Draft regularly produces its most memorable moments off the stage, when selections end with a handshake or embrace from the commissioner.See the moments when draft night emotions peak as Roger Goodell greets players hearing their names called.Above, Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey embraces NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the New York Jets as the number two pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.

Even in a draft class defined by bold early gambles at running back and quarterback, Arizona didn't ignore its glaring weaknesses up front. The Cardinals pounced on Chase Bisontis in the second round to help lead the charge for a renewed run game.

While four spots along the front now can be considered resolved, the remaining spot could end up stirring plenty of discontent. Elijah Wilkinson has experience holding down a role after starting 17 games at right tackle with the Atlanta Falcons last season, but he didn't inspire much confidence. In a division rich with talented linemen, the Cardinals might have trouble closing the gap on any of their competitors without a serious upgrade.

In all likelihood, however, that move is probably on hold until 2027, when Arizona is set to have a massive war chest for its forays into free agency.

After losing three-time Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, the Ravens seemed like a sure bet to bring aboard a mid-round rookie to take over at center. But 11 picks passed by without a single one addressing the pivot.

For Eric DeCosta, the alignment between need and value simply never coalesced. The Ravens general manager said he was drawn to second-rounders Logan Jones and Jake Slaughter, but both were claimed earlier than he anticipated. From there, the Ravens didn't see anyone available at the position on Day 3 who would be "an impact player for us this year," DeCosta said.

That abstention leaves Baltimore unsettled on the interior line, an area the team tried to solidify by taking offensive guard Olaivavega Ioane in the first round. Corey Bullock, Jovaughn Gwyn and Danny Pinter are now left to battle for the vacant first-string position. Even if a late add is necessary, DeCosta conveyed confidence that the matter would eventually be sorted out.

"I do think we'll have a plan at the position. I feel confident in saying that," DeCosta said in a news conference after the draft. "I think we have a couple guys here that will compete for that position. But as the Hall of Fame general manager (Ozzie Newsome) once said, 'You don't play games until September.' And I think we'll have a great offensive line at that point."

This might not constitute a true void comparable to the other selections on this list. Between Austin Booker and Dayo Odeyingbo, the Bears at least have reason to believe that the in-house options could prove capable of fixing the pressing problems with the pass rush.

But a leap forward isn't guaranteed from either Booker, a 2024 fifth-round pick who has yet to become a consistent force, or Odeyingbo, who didn't fare particularly well in his first season in Chicago before suffering a torn Achilles in Week 9. With Ryan Poles using all of his first three selections this year on offense, it leaves a heavy burden on Montez Sweat to prop up a group that last season ranked 27th in pressure rate, according to Next Gen Stats.

Chicago doesn't appear particularly likely to swing a substantive move to rejuvenate its pass rush anytime soon, as the franchise resisted pushing its chips in for a Maxx Crosby trade or other marquee acquisition at defensive end. That stance could always shift, though, if a compelling figure becomes available at a palatable price point.

John Spytek had plenty of ground to cover in his second draft. With only so many early picks at his disposal after taking quarterback Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall, the Raiders general manager was bound to leave at least one or two areas relatively unsupported.

Boosting the outlook at defensive tackle and wide receiver ended up taking a backseat to the effort to replenish the secondary. Yet whereas the pass-catching crew still has several recent mid-round selections the new coaching staff can try to bring along, there's not a figure up front who looks in line for a breakthrough in new coordinator Rob Leonard's scheme.