The complete NFL playoff picture is still to be determined, but this season already has gone in the books as a full-fledged disappointment for a handful of clubs that failed to build on their 2024 performances.

With two weeks left in the regular season, three of last year’s playoff teams (the Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders and Kansas City Chiefs) already have been eliminated from postseason contention; two others (the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens) are down to their last gasps.

All of those clubs will be picking higher in the 2026 NFL Draft than anyone originally expected. Let’s take a peek at what each team needs to get things back on track next season.

Detroit Lions (8-7)

Aside from his debut year of 2021, this has been the most frustrating season of Dan Campbell’s tenure in Detroit. The Lions were dealt a blow just prior to training camp when star center Frank Ragnow announced his retirement, and, though Ragnow unsuccessfully attempted a mid-year comeback, the Lions never recovered. Detroit has not been able to run the ball on its terms the way it did during its back-to-back NFC North title run, and only Justin Herbert (121) has been hit more times this season than Jared Goff (103) among NFL QBs.

The Lions have to find a new center, either via the draft or free agency. Veteran left Taylor Decker has also played hurt for most of the season. It’s unclear how many more years he has remaining, so his position should be another priority.

Campbell’s team might also need to reinvest in the tight end position, as its depth behind an injured Sam LaPorta has been severely tested. Defensively, the Lions likely need to add at safety, as Brian Branch will miss most of next year rehabbing an Achilles injury while Kerby Joseph has missed almost all of this season with a nagging knee problem. And the Lions still have to find more edge help opposite Aidan Hutchinson.

More than anything, though, Detroit needs more impact picks. The Lions currently don’t have a third-rounder, and they’re headed toward the murky middle of Rounds 1 and 2.

Minnesota Vikings (7-8)

It’s been a weird year for the Vikings, though I’m not sure we can totally call that a surprise.

QB J.J. McCarthy, in particular, has been all over the place. He’s struggled to stay healthy, and he’s been erratic. He’s also had big-time flash moments, such as pulling off a road win in Detroit and posting an uber-efficient day in another road win, over the Cowboys. Obviously, the biggest priority for Minnesota is getting McCarthy to turn a corner.

Draft-wise, though, the defense is a more immediate need. Minnesota needs more help in the secondary, possibly at both corner and safety. The Vikings could also use more youth at linebacker. This defense has not tackled well this season and, almost across the board, needs more energy.

In terms of capital, the Vikings are in good shape — they’ll likely have a pick in the top half of Round 1 and four selections inside the top 100. If McCarthy can get his technique together and become a consistent presence, Minnesota will be in position to make a big jump next year.

Baltimore Ravens (7-8)

The Ravens are always one of the best drafting outfits in the league, and this is one of those years in which they’re going to need to make the most of it. Baltimore has 10 picks to work with, likely including four in the top 115 — a good thing, because the Ravens have to get younger in a number of areas.

Baltimore’s pass rush is in dire need of help, as undersized rookie Mike Green (31 pressures, four sacks) has probably been the team’s best pass rusher this year, alongside defensive tackle Travis Jones. After moving Odafe Oweh to the Chargers earlier this season, the Ravens are in need of a pretty sizable retool up front defensively.

This front office almost always takes the best player available, which usually works out. But if Baltimore has positional focus at the top of mind this draft, it’ll probably be in the trenches. The Ravens need more help at guard, as well.

Kansas City Chiefs (6-9)

Like the Lions, the Chiefs have a lot of work to do at the line of scrimmage. Prior to going down for the year with a knee injury, Patrick Mahomes was playing through the second-highest pressure rate of his career (38.1 percent). Moreover, Mahomes was hit 102 times this season (third most in the NFL, just behind Goff); had he continued to play, he would’ve easily eclipsed his career-high number of 108, set last year.

So, to recap, the Chiefs’ franchise player has been hit a combined 210 times over the last two years — and he’s not getting any younger.

Kansas City has to get more out of Josh Simmons next season, to begin with. But the Chiefs still need at least another tackle opposite Simmons and probably need more help at guard, as well, because depth remains a concern. Kansas City also has to improve at tight end, whether Travis Kelce is back for the 2026 season or not. Finding replacements for older players is a bit of a theme here, because Kansas City could be in the market for help at running back and along its defensive front.

The Chiefs could use a bit more draft capital, but they’re in pretty good shape with three picks inside the top 75. This will be new for Kansas City, though, which is usually picking late in the first round. This year, it could be looking at a top-12 pick — a huge opportunity for a talented, but flawed, squad.

Washington Commanders (4-11)

The Commanders don’t have enough draft capital right now. They’re without a second- or fourth-round pick and have just two slots in the top 140. So, though it may be tempting for the Commanders to invest what could be a top-10 pick in a pass rusher or wide receiver, the best move might be trying to trade out.

Defensively, the Commanders have to get younger and more explosive, in a few spots. Edge is the obvious area, as Von Miller isn’t going to be able to play until he’s 50. They also have to get better at corner, as the Commanders have been one of the worst coverage units in the NFL pretty much all season. Getting younger at linebacker will be on the list, too.

Offensively, the Commanders have to find more help at receiver for QB Jayden Daniels — an upgrade which really has to happen right now, so trading back could be tricky if Washington is in love with a player such as Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson in the top 10. It’ll be an interesting spring for the Commanders, who could be on the phone quite a bit.