Ranking deepest, thinnest positions in NFL free agency, draft - ESPN

February, March and April bring unbridled hope to every NFL fan base. We all fall in love with the same seven free agents and the same 15 draft sleepers. But team needs don't always line up with the players available in free agency, the trade market and the draft class. Each offseason is better for some needs than others.

Last year's quarterback class, for instance, ended up being a good one — not just through free agency (Sam Darnold just won the Super Bowl) but also through the draft (Cam Ward, Tyler Shough and Jaxson Dart all look like hits). This year's quarterback class? Not so much.

With the combine fast approaching, we'll hear about which draft prospects are rising and which free agents will actually become available. As such, I took a look at this NFL offseason's group of available players through the lens of positional need. It's an obviously poor year to need a quarterback, but what about wide receiver? Tight end? Defensive tackle? Guard?

Here are my rankings for the strongest and weakest positions for this offseason, weighing both free agency and the draft.

Jump to:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | IOL
Edge | DT | LB | CB | S

Good year to need ... any sort of edge rusher at all
Bad year to need ... a truly elite dude (unless you'd like to send two first-rounders for Maxx Crosby)

If your favorite team's general manager can't find a good fit at edge rusher this offseason, tell him to take a hike. Putting aside the Crosby trade rumors for now, here's a list of expected free agent edge rushers: Trey Hendrickson (Bengals), Odafe Oweh (Chargers), Jaelan Phillips (Eagles), Khalil Mack (Chargers), K'Lavon Chaisson (Patriots), Boye Mafe (Seahawks), Joey Bosa (Bills) and Jadeveon Clowney (Cowboys).

The main thing that impresses