Team Needs

Arizona Cardinals

RB — The Cardinals are riding the aging Edgerrin James in the running game through the playoffs.  If they can’t run the ball during the regular season they won’t be in the playoffs next year

DE — It’s all about getting to the quarterback.  The Cardinals aren’t doing it.

DT — As bad as the Cards were at running the ball, they were almost as bad as stopping the run.

TE — Anquan Boldin will probably bolt in the offseason.  Whoever ends up at QB will need another option

OLB — Playmakers are needed on defense, and playmakers who can rush the passer from the outside are needed most.

Atlanta Falcons

DT — The Falcons got their guy when they drafted Matt Ryan, but that left a hole in the middle of the D line.  They have to stop the run.  The Cardinals ran the ball on them!

S — Lawyer Milloy looks old.  Someone has to be put in place to patrol the middle of the field

TE — Matt Ryan made Roddy White an allstar.  Think what he could do if he had a top tier tight end.  He needs more playmakers.

CB — Deangelo Hall left and took the pass defense with him.  The Falcons need an upgrade here.

LB — The linebackers, like much of the defense, is getting old.  It’s time for some young blood.

OT — Protect your investment.  Ryan needs more protection as the Falcons’ O line ages.

Baltimore Ravens

WR — Mark Clayton is getting better with every game, but Derrick Mason is ancient.  Give Joe Flacco some more playmakers.

CB — This is a great defense, but the problem here is that they’ve been great without great corners.  Fabian Washington will need a doppleganger once Samari Rolle calls it quits.

LB — This position hasn’t been the same since Adalius Thomas left.

DE — Read above.

OT — Are there any young players left in the NFL?  Protect Joe Flacco, he could be great for a long time if he stays upright.

Buffalo Bills

DE — Injuries crippled the Bills at this position in 2008.  It’s a main reason they faltered down the stretch.

TE — The Bills have been looking for a playmaker at the tight end position for what seems like decades.  Address the need!

G — Jason Whittle is 33-years old and not that good anyway.  He needs to be replaced

OLB — All three linebackers are free agents.  Chances are at least one will leave.

S — They need depth here.

Carolina Panthers

DT — The Panthers missed out big on premier defensive tackles in 2008.  You can bet they will address this position with their first pick in round 2 in 2009.

TE — Jake Delhomme needs a safety outlet, and a pass-catching tight end could really help.

WR — Someone has to take the double teams away from Steve Smith.  Mushin Muhammad is getting old.

CB — There’s room for improvement here.

QB — Jake Delhomme looked awful in that loss to the Cardinals.  In fact, his overall numbers this season weren’t that great.  Matt Moore is not the answer.  Delhomme needs a successor.

Chicago Bears

WR — The Bears have ignored this position for years.  Now that Bernard Berrian is gone, Devin Hester is the only viable threat.  Drafting Earl Bennett las year was not enough.  These quarterbacks aren’t going to get any better without some playmakers ar WR.

OL — Lovie Smith likes to run the ball and the Bears need some studs after an injury-plagued year from Chris Williams. DL — Lovie Smith believes that he can win the Super Bowl by building his offensive and defensive lines.

LB — Just some depth here.  Urlacher is aging, and Lance Briggs threatens to leave all the time.

QB — Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman.  What else needs to be said?

Cincinnati Bengals

DT — The Bengals need a massive run stuffer to clog the middle.  They haven’t had a premier player here in ages.

DE — They also need to get better productivity from their ends.  No one on this team can rush the passer.

LB — This defense is bad.  Despite drafting Keith Rivers last year, there is a lot of need behind the D line.

G/C — Someone has to keep Carson Palmer upright.  Someone has to open holes for the running backs

RB — Temporary fixes have cost the Bengals plenty of games.  They need someone who can be a star from the RB position.

WR — TJ Housmandzadeh and Chad Johnson, or whatever his name is, could both leave before next season.  Carson Palmer is going to need some new playmakers on the outside.

Cleveland Browns

OLB — Eric Mangini is a 3-4 guy.  Considering the Browns troubles with pressuring the quarterback, a big rush linebacker is needed to make his defense work.

OT/G — If they want to see Brady Quinn live to be 26 they need to build in front of him.  They can’t afford any more injuries to their quarterbacks

RB — Jamal Lewis is slow.  And old.  And slow.  They have to run the ball to open things up for Braylon Edwards.

DE — Mangini needs to start filling the roster with guys who fit his scheme.  A massive DE is needed to stop the run from the outside

WR — Was Braylon Edwards a one-year-wonder?  Regardless, he needs a playmaker opposite him to force defenses out of double teams.

Dallas Cowboys

S — Roy Williams just can’t cover.  None of the Dallas safeties can.  This position is priority one.  Someone that can actually play centerfield and cover receivers is an absolute must.

OL — How many years has this line been “too old?”  Their guards were awful, and Tony Romo was sacked way too often.

DT — Something has to be done about the run defense.

CB — I don’t believe Pacman Jones will ever be great again.  They need young blood, despite drafting Mike Jenkins a year ago.

Denver Broncos

S — John Lynch departed and left a big hole over the top on defense.  The whole defense needs help, but a feared safety would ease the pressure on the corners, most notably Dre Bly.

CB — This defense went into the tank when Champ Bailey went down.  They can’t afford not to add depth here with an eventual successor to Bailey.

RB — Injuries killed the Broncos at this spot.  They have always found great value late in the draft at RB, and this year’s class provides a lot of late round options.  They have to run it to win.

DT — Basically the whole defense sucked.  Teams ran all over their undersized tackles.

DE — Basically the whole defense sucked.  They have to get pressure to keep quarterbacks from picking them apart.

Detroit Lions

QB — When Daunte Culpepper looks like the answer, you know things are bad.  With a new coach, the Lions need to go the way of the Falcons and pick a franchise quarterback as the face of their franchise.

DE — The entire team needs help at nearly every position.  Someone has to start getting to the quarterback.

DT — Again, pick any position, and the Lions could use some help.  They need to replace Shaun Rogers.

LB — A playmaker.  Any playmaker.

DB — They need a cornerback in a bad way.  Their pass defense reeked.

RB — Kevin Smith was decent, but he needs someone to compliment him.

OT — They need to move Jeff Backus back inside to guard where he is a better fit.

Green Bay Packers

DE — Things got pretty bad here for the Packers.  It looked like they weren’t even trying to get sacks.  KGB was cut he was so ineffective.  Somebody has got to help the corners out by getting pressure.

CB — Charles Woodson looks set in his move to safety, so someone is needed to replace him at corner.

DT — Justin Harrell may be a bust.  Even if he’s not, he can’t stay healthy so someone is needed here to provide depth if nothing else.

OT — They need youth.  Anyone that can zone block and be groomed for the future.

Houston Texans

S — This secondary has never had a ball-hawking free safety to help over the top.  They need one or teams will continue to throw at will.

CB — Dunta Robinson may be gone this offseason.  Even if he stays, there is room for improvement.

DE — Someone has to provide help opposite Mario Williams.  He can’t be the sole focus of every opposing O line.

OT — This has been an Achilles heel for this team from day one.  Matt Schaub will never be the guy if he’s never protected.

Indianapolis Colts

DT — It’s time the Colts adressed this position early in the draft.  They have to shore up the middle of their defense.  Even tiny Darren Sproles muscled past their interior.

MLB — Same reasons as before.  The middle of this defense is weak.  Bob Sanders can’t make every tackle.

WR — Marvin Harrison is close to done.  Even with Reggie Wayne and Antonio Gonzalez, they need a third receiver to make their offense go.

CB — Not a glaring need, but they could use a better nickel back, and maybe someone to challenge the starters

RB — Joseph Addai is a good back, but he is injury prone and can fade at times.  He needs a complimentary back to ease his load.

Jacksonville Jaguars

OT — David Garrard struggled because he was knocked down more than any quarterback in the league.  Khalif Barnes was one of the worst tackles around, giving up 7.5 sacks.  The receivers will never have time to get open downfield if Garrard is running for his life.

WR — The Jaguars are hurting here.  No one was even close to being a true deep threat, and Matt Jones can’t stay out trouble.

MLB — Mike Peterson and Jack Del Rio just plain don’t like eachother.  He won’t be around long, and they need a replacement

DB — This defense wasn’t the same in 2009.  Someone is needed to pair with safety Reggie Nelson, and someone needs to cover the receivers.

Kansas City

DE — The Chiefs were the worst team in the league at sacking the opposing quarterback.  Losing Jared Allen hurt in a big way.  This defense won’t be worth a darn no matter who the new coach is until the figure out how to rush the passer.

QB — Tyler Thigpen wasn’t too bad.  But do the Chiefs really believe he is the guy that can get them back to the playoffs?  They need to figure this out.  Sometimes a new coach means bad news for an iffy quarterback.

OT — It won’t matter who plays quarterback if no one blocks for him.  This O line has been awful recently.

OLB — Someone has to make plays on the outside to go along with MLB Derrick Johnson.

Miami Dolphins

LB — Bill Parcells likes to build his defenses around big, tough, athletic outside linebackers,  Joey Porter is great on one side.  Now it’s time to give the other side some teeth.

CB — Miami finished just 18th against the pass this year.  They need better corners, not just stand-ins.

WR — Ted Ginn and Davone Bess had nice seasons, but the Dolphins need a big target that can out-muscle defenders. DE — They need help in the passing game, and Parcells knows that starts in front of the secondary

S — Both safety spots need an upgrade.  Jason Allen is pretty much just a special teamer at this point.

Minnesota Vikings

QB — They cannot afford to enter training camp with another year of Tavares Jackson vs. Gus Frerotte.  As good as the ground game is, it won’t mean squat without a better quarterback.

OT — This is just as dire as the need for a quarterback.  Somebody has to be brought in to secure the right tackle spot.

CB — Cedric Griffin had a wildly inconsistent season.  They need stability at the corner spot to complete their defense. S — Darrin Sharper is starting to really show his age.  They can’t afford to lose him to injury again without better depth.  Look what happened when he went down against the Eagles.

DT — You saw what happened when Pat Williams went down.  They need youth here to groom for the future.

New England Patriots

OLB — Someone needs to be brought in to pair with stud rookie Jerod Mayo.  The Patriots have to continue to address their aging linebacker corps.

CB — Losing Asante Samuel hurt them here.  They can’t afford to enter the season without a guy to stick opposite Ellis Hobbs.

RB — Laurence Maroney is always hurt.  Kevin Faulk has never been an every down guy, and Sammy Morris is just not good enough.  They need a durable back to rely on incase Maroney goes down again.

S — The secondary has to find someone to play with Brandon Meriweather.

MLB — Just as pressing as the need for outside linebacker help.  This unit has to get younger.

New Orleans Saints

MLB — Jonathan Vilma will likely be gone through free agency.  This position needs to be adressed early, and with a strong crop of inside linebackers, the Saints should find incredible value at this position.

CB — Different year, same story.  The Saints seem content to address this weakness through free agency, but eventually they have to realize that isn’t working.  Jason David is maybe the worst CB in the league.

S — Roman Harper was promising, but injuries have held him back.  They can’t win if opponents can throw all over them.

OL — Got to protect Drew Brees.  Got to open some holes for the running backs.

New York Giants

DE — Losing Osi Umenyiora to injury and Michael Strahan to retirement forced the G Men to move Mathias Kiwanuka to end from LB.  They need someone who can be counted on so that Kiwanuka can move back to linebacker.  The Giants defense is all about pressuring the quarterback.

LB — They could use some help here as well.  Even with Kiwanuka back to the position, there is plenty of room for improvement.

WR — When Burress shot himself, the Giants passing offense took the hit.  If they don’t bring him back, they need a big, rangy target to help Eli Manning out of pressure situations.

OT — They need someone to play LT so that David Diehl can move to the right side.

RB — Derrick Ward is as good as gone in free agency.  They need someone to take his place so that this whole “Earth, Wind, and Fire” rotation doesn’t lose any steam.

New York Jets

MLB — Their defense got ripped as the season went on.  They need someone to pair with ILB David Harris to give them one of the best young ILB duos in the league.

CB — The Jets pass defense was awful when it counted late in the year.  Quarterbacks averaged almost 250 yards during the losing stretch.  Someone has to shut down the side of the field opposite Darrelle Revis.

RB — Thomas Jones had a great year, but he is getting old.  They need a running back for the future.

QB — How much longer will Favre be around.  Even if he comes back next year, how effective will he be?  They need to find an eventual starter who isn’t named Kellen Clemens

WR — Jericho Cotchery and Lavernues Coles are decent but certainly not elite.  They need a big target, like they always have, to garner some attention from defenses.

Oakland Raiders

OT — They must get over the Robert Gallery disaster.  Jamarcus Russell made major strides in 2008.  They have to keep him healthy.  This offensive line is awful, and Russell won’t be around for long if no one is drafted to protect him.

DEFENSE — The defense isn’t awful, but there is not one position that can’t be upgraded relatively easily.  Starting with a corner to play opposite Nnamdi Asomugha.

WR — Javon Walker is not the answer.  He’s never going to be completely healthy, and no one is afraid of him.  They need to give Russell some weapons at this position.  Pairing a good receiver with Darren McFadden and Russell would be a great young nucleus.

Philadelphia Eagles

OL — The Eagles will probably lose Tra Thomas this year.  They need to replace him before the O line becomes an issue.  Someone on the interior is needed to give them some semblance of an available power running game.

RB — Brian Westbrook is an excellent playmaker, but he will never be a between the tackles grinder.  They need a big back who can move the chains up the middle so they wont be stopped on 4th and 1…again.

TE — LJ Smith is awful.  Donovan McNabb doesn’t look like he will ever get a tall, playmaking receiver, but the TE is a big part of this offense.  There are plenty of great ones to choose from this year.

S — Someone has to eventually replace Brian Dawkins.

Pittsburgh Steelers

OL — They should go offensive line with their first four picks.  It’s that bad.  Alan Faneca left a huge hole when he jetted, and Ben Roethlisberger can’t afford any more injuries.  Imagine how good he could be if he wasn’t banged up all the time.

DE — The Steelers don’t have any truly pressing needs anywhere else, but a backup DE who could bolster the rotation would be nice.

S — Again, not really a pressing need, but safeties are great on special teams, and the depth would be nice

Saint Louis Rams

OT — Someone to replace Orlando Pace.  Someone to replace Orlando Pace.  Someone to replace Orlan…

S — Not a good sign when Todd Johnson is one of your starting safeties.  They need a ball hawk.  TE — Randy McMichael hasn’t exactly worked out at the position.  It’s been awhile since the Rams had a playmaker here.

WR — Torry Holt is nearing the end of a great career.  Donnie Avery showed good promise, but they need someone else to keep defenses from focusing all of their attention on him when Holt calls it quits

DEF — Basically anybody who is a good value pick that plays on this side of the ball.  Maybe even someone who can teach them to play defense.

San Diego Chargers

LB — There’s a chance that Shawn Merriman might not be back in 2009.  Even if he sticks around, there’s a chance he might never regain his pre-injury form.  Jyles Tucker’s injury further exposed the need for depth here.

DT — They need an understudy for Jamal Williams.  He could also use a breather every now and then so getting a big NT is a priority.

RB — Ladainian Tomlinson is starting to see the injuries pile up.  Even if he returns healthy, it’s apparent that he will need someone to spell him from time to time.  Darren Sproles is likely leaving which leaves the Chargers with a running back needs.

CB — Is it just me or did it look like Antonio Cromartie took a major step back this year?  I know he was hurting for some help from the pass rush, but the Chargers need to continue to add depth at corner.

WR — Vincent Jackson had a big year.  He really stepped up his game.  But Chris Chambers is getting older and Craig Davis hasn’t done anything of note, so it may be time for the Chargers to add a developmental guy to groom.  Especially if Antonio Gates can’t stay healthy.

San Francisco 49ers

OLB — Manny Lawson is a big time bust.  Patrick Willis is a great ILB, but he needs help on the outside.  Mike Singletary knows the importance of having great linebackers.  This is a big time need.

QB — Alex Smith doesn’t appear to be a factor anymore.  Shaun Hill is decent, but he’s not the answer either.  The 49ers would be wise to nab a top signal caller from a pro style offense to give their own offense some legitimacy.

S — Mark Roman was just plain awful this year.  Replace him.

CB — Nate Clements cost a lot of money for the Niners not to give him some help on the other side.  Walt Harris needs a replacement for the very near future.

Seattle Seahawks

WR — Picking up Deion Branch a few years ago has not turned out like the Seahawks hoped.  Matt Hasselbeck still has some gas in the tank, but he needs a playmaker for once in his career.  There are a few receivers in this class with the size and playmaking ability Seattle needs.

QB — Time to start thinking about life without Hasselbeck though.  They need to nab someone to be groomed as the eventual successor.  I’m not convinced Seneca Wallace is their guy

OT — Walter Jones is getting old.  Got to find a new anchor for this O line.

RB — Things haven’t been the same since Shaun Alexander became human.  They have a bunch of guys who are decent backups, but they could use a star.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

RB — The Bucs can’t afford to roll the dice on Cadillac Williams’ health anymore.  When he’s healthy he’s a beast, but that is becoming less and less often.  Their offense clunks when they can’t run it.  They need to draft someone to share time with Williams so that he can stay in uniform for more than a week, and probably someone to eventually carry to brunt of the load.

DT — This defense seemed to quit after Monte Kiffin left.  They need help up the middle, which means drafting a young defensive tackle who is quick enough to get to the quarterback and strong enough to hold up against the run.

WR — Michael Clayton had one good year, and played a little better at the end of the season, but he’ll never be great.  Joey Galloway is 100 years old and won’t be around for long.  They need a new toy for their quarterback.

LB — Defense is suddenly a need for a team that has built a reputation on stopping opposing offenses.  They have to take the best playmakers available.

Tennessee Titans

CB — They need someone to step up and take Pacman Jones’ place.  Even it’s it just a nickle back, a player who can contribute in the pass defense is a must.

WR — Justin Gage played much better as the season went on, but I don’t think he’ll ever be an elite player.  And Chris Johnson helped out of the backfield, but something has to be done about the passing game.  They need a receiver that can keep defenses from loading the box to stop the run.

DL — How much longer can the Titans go on with no contigency plan for Albert Haynesworth’s injuries and/or suspensions.  They need to pick up a DT who can fill in at least decently when the massive Haynesworth is on the sidelines.

OL — It was pretty obvious against the Ravens that the Titans will need a center to take Kevin Mawae’s place when he retires.

LB — Keith Bulluck is 32 and might not be kept around after this year.  They need a replacement.

Washington Redskins

OT — Jason Campbell saw his rating plummet as the season progressed partly because of terrible offensive line play.  The Skins need an OT who can keep the pressure off of Campbell so that he can complete more throws downfield.

DT — They need help on the defensive line.  They need a true playmaker instead of a bunch of somewhat solid guys.

DE — Jason Taylor is not the long term answer.  They need to get better at rushing the passer.

LB — This is a big need as well.  They are hurting for a third linebacker to pair with Rocky McIntosh and HB Blades.  London Fletcher is really old.