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1. Arizona Cardinals
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Offensive Tackle - An annual issue for Arizona, the Cards still don't have a long-term answer at either tackle position. Overrated Leonard Davis is officially gone, and while he wasn't worth the money he got, it still creates a major need.
Linebacker - Orlando Huff is seriously starting in the NFL? Arizona needs a playmaker at linebacker to take some pressure off the secondary.
Cornerback - After Antrel Rolle, the depth chart is just an abyss of marginally-talented young players.
Safety - Robert Griffith is on his last legs, and it's time to find someone to complement Adrian Wilson's physical play.
Offensive Guard - Got Deuce Lutui in last year's draft, but need someone to fill the other spot. Depth at the position is also an issue.
Defensive End - A speed rusher to help in obvious passing situations would be a nice fit. |
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2. Atlanta Falcons
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Safety - Just a disaster this year for the Falcons, with clueless Chris Crocker paired with rapidly-aging Lawyer Milloy. This is a must-address situation for Atlanta, through both free agency and the draft.
Wide Receiver filled (sort of) - signed Joe Horn - Regardless of how much you blame Mike Vick for this offense's struggles, the receivers flat-out drop balls. A lot of them. Atlanta used first round picks on Michael Jenkins and Roddy White, but don't be surprised if they use another high pick on this position in 2007.
Offensive Tackle - Atlanta's pass protection has struggled this year, and finding a quality right tackle should be high on the priority list.
Defensive End - Losing Patrick Kerney opens up the spot opposite oft-injured John Abraham. |
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3. Baltimore Ravens
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Offensive Guard - Baltimore doesn't have a whole lot of needs, but their interior offensive line isn't particularly strong.
Wide Receiver - Derrick Mason isn't getting any younger, and it's questionable whether any of the young guys can be paired long-term with Mark Clayton as the starter.
Quarterback - Boller isn't the long-term answer, and McNair probably has one more year left. Bringing a young guy into the mix now wouldn't be a bad thing.
Running Back - Mike Anderson hasn't worked out, and a speedy third-down back would be a nice complement to Jamal Lewis. |
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4. Buffalo Bills
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Offensive Tackle - Buffalo still hasn't adequately recovered from the Mike Williams debacle, but they might be rolling the dice again in the first round for an offensive tackle. Once free agency hits, both starting spots might need to be filled.
Tight End - Buffalo has gotten virtually zero production from their tight ends, and it's time to bring in someone who can make an impact.
Wide Receiver - Peerless Price is currently
starting; which would be fine - if this was 2002.
Outside Linebacker - Takeo Spikes is aging a bit, but the real concern is the opposite outside linebacker spot (currently manned by Keith Ellison? Apparently?)
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5. Carolina Panthers
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Tight End - Carolina made a major error not grabbing a tight end in last year's draft. Michael Gaines has physical ability but is unlikely to ever develop, and Chris Mangum isn't starter-caliber.
Safety - Shaun Williams and Mike Minter are unspectacular, and the latter is nearing the end of his career.
Right Tackle - It's questionable whether Jeremy Bridges is the long-term solution.
Quarterback - Given the talent around him, Jake Delhomme had a very poor 2006. There's no way around it. It's time to bring in someone to groom as the 'quarterback of the future.' |
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6. Chicago Bears
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Outside Linebacker - Hunter Hillenmeyer is still starting, which confuses me to no end. I guess he's a good fit for the defense, but with studs like Urlacher and Briggs in the linebacking corps, why not make it a trifecta by bringing in someone with more talent?
Quarterback - So far this year, Rex Grossman looks as fragile mentally as he is physically. We'll see how he does in the playoffs, but right now I don't like his chances of being Chicago's long-term solution.
Offensive line - Depth at all positions has become a bit of an issue for Chicago.
Safety - Danieal Manning has worked out great, but depth for the oft-injured Mike Brown would be nice. |
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7. Cincinnati Bengals
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Defensive Tackle - Bringing in Sam Adams was a nice move, but he's obviously not the long-term answer. A big young run stuffer to replace him would be ideal.
Outside Linebacker - With David Pollack's career over and Odell Thurman likely to end up in jail, Cincy needs to start over at the outside linebacker position.
Safety - A little depth at this position wouldn't hurt. Dexter Jackson turned it around after a slow start, but the other safety spot is a little questionable.
Offensive Guard - Cincy is a little thin in the middle of the line.
Tight End - The Bengals' system doesn't really use the tight end, but bringing in somebody with some kind of receiving ability (even as a situational player) couldn't be a bad thing. |
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8. Cleveland Browns
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Quarterback - Charlie Frye was borderline-dreadful this year before he got hurt, and Derek Anderson is not the quarterback of the future for this team. I don't see any starting-caliber quarterbacks on Cleveland's current roster.
Running Back - Reuben Droughns had a great 2005, but 2006 has been rough. He's not the running back of the future for this team.
Defensive Tackle - The Browns made a valiant attempt to compete this year by signing aging veterans who could help right away, but unfortunately it didn't work out. Now they're left with guys like Ted Washington who are probably done after this year, and no real backup plan.
Offensive Guard - John Andruzzi is at the end of his career.
Cornerback - A lot of uncertainty in this team's depth chart at the cornerback position.
Wide Receiver - Joe Jurevicius isn't getting any younger, and a long-term complement to Braylon Edwards is needed.
Offensive Tackle - It's unclear if Kelly Butler is a starter-quality player, and depth is needed nonetheless.
Defensive End - Cleveland has two guys who fit well into a 3-4, but getting someone who could provide any kind of a pass rush would be nice.
Outside Linebacker - Kamerion Wimbley has been good, but on the other side of the field, Willie McGinest is nearing the end of the line. |
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9. Dallas Cowboys
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Free Safety - It's unbelievable that Dallas didn't make a serious attempt to address this position last off-season. They've had a carousel of guys at the spot this year, all of which have been disasters. This has seriously affected Roy Williams' play, as his poor pass coverage skills have been exploited time and time again. Dallas' defense should be a lot better than it is, and the free safety position is the single biggest factor inhibiting it from reaching that potential.
Offensive Guard - Marco Rivera is aging, and Kyle Kosier is questionable as a starter. At least one guard needs to be brought in.
Offensive Tackle - We're still not sure if Marc Colombo is a legitimate starter. It couldn't hurt to bring in a young guy to backup him and fellow tackle Flozell Adams.
Defensive Tackle - Still need a big guy to eventually take over for Jason Ferguson.
Wide Receiver - I'd say the present chance of TO returning to Big D next year is less than 50%. Terry Glenn is aging, and it's unclear if anything of the other receivers on this roster can be starters.
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10. Denver Broncos
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Defensive Tackle - Despite making improvements , the Broncos are still having trouble getting any kind of push from the middle. Gerard Warren and Michael Myers are average players at best.
Defensive End - Elvis Dumervil was a nice surprise, but it's unlikely that he'll be an every-down player. Denver needs to find a defensive end who can consistently apply pressure.
Safety - Dominique Foxworth has had a rocky transition to safety, and John Lynch is slowing down.
Offensive Tackle - Denver's offensive line hasn't been quite as dominant as usual, and some depth at tackle could help. |
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11. Detroit Lions
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Quarterback - Jon Kitna is not a starter-quality quarterback, and the fact that Josh McCown hasn't taken the starting job from a below-average player in his 30's tells you all you need to know about McCown's future in Detroit. Detroit's quarterback situation is horrendous, and right now it's a virtual lock that they'll bring in someone via the draft (probably with the #1 pick).
Middle linebacker - Ernie Sims has quietly been very, very good; but a quality middle linebacker would help solidify this defense.
Cornerback - Dre Bly is near the end of the line, and there's basically no depth on the roster right now.
Offensive Guard - Detroit doesn't have a whole lot going on at offensive guard, in either a short-term or long-term sense.
Defensive End - Could use another pass-rusher opposite of Cory Redding.
Offensive Tackle - Jeff Backus is fine, but the position could use some depth.
Running Back - Kevin Jones is effective when he plays, but unfortunately he's never stayed healthy for an entire football season (dating back to his Virginia Tech days). Detroit drafted Brian Calhoun last year, who promptly got hurt as well. Throwing another young guy into the mix couldn't be a bad thing.
Tight End - Getting any kind of production out of this position would be a plus... |
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12. Green Bay Packers
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Safety - Need to find a suitable partner to Nick Collins.
Cornerback - Woodson and Harris had a nice 2006, but both are aging and the team has nobody behind them.
Running Back - Ahman Green has enjoyed a bit of a resurgence, but he's on his last legs and Green Bay has no young quality backs behind him.
Outside Linebacker - A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett make up 2/3 of a great linebacking corps; now it's just a matter of finding the third guy.
Defensive End - Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila's big contract has killed the Packers. If he was the player they thought he was, him and Kampman would make up a formidable pass rushing duo. As it stands, the team needs a pass rusher to replace him.
Tight End - Bubba Franks is done, and a pass-catching option would help take some pressure off the team's young receivers.
Wide Receiver - Added a lot of young guys last year, but still could use some depth.
Quarterback - It's only my opinion, but the Packers can either realize that Aaron Rodgers is a bum now and find a real replacement for Brett Favre, or endure another couple awful years when Rodgers takes over. It's their call.
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13. Houston Texans
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Safety - C.C. Brown and Glenn Earl. No, those are not the employees who last served you at Burger King - they're the Texans' current starting safeties! Yikes! Major upgrades needed at both spots.
Running Back - With Reggie Bush on the board, he's the obvious...wait, that was last year. Domanick Davis probably won't be back, and the fact that Ron Dayne has gotten significant playing time is a testament to just how dire this situation is.
Outside Linebacker - DeMeco Ryans has been phenomenal, but playing alongside him is Shantee Orr (?). Yeah, I'd call that a 'need' position.
Cornerback - The Philip Buchanon/Dunta Robinson duo really looked good on paper at the time! At least one starter plus plenty of depth is needed here.
Offensive Guard - Need to bring in some more talent at this position, or at least someone to compete with their current guys.
Defensive Tackle - A run-stopper in the middle would be ideal. Or a pass rusher. You know, anybody with talent.
Offensive Tackle - Houston did an admirable job finding tackles last off-season, but could still use depth.
Wide Receiver - Eric Moulds is getting up there in age, and a long-term complement to Andre Johnson is yet to be identified.
Quarterback - With Vince Young on the board...wait, never mind. David Carr has been decidedly average despite an improved offensive line and receiving corps, and it's time to at least bring a young guy in to put some pressure on him. |
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14. Indianapolis Colts
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Defensive Tackle - Indy's struggles against the run are well-documented, and much of it is the fault of a light and soft defensive line. Anthony McFarland just hasn't worked out, and a big run stuffer is desperately needed.
Linebacker - Gilbert Gardener is currently starting, which is never a good sign. Depth is needed in the middle as well, to avoid having to play Rob Morris ever again.
Offensive Line - Peyton's offensive line has been uncharacteristically shaky this year. A starting guard might be necessary, and lots of depth is needed.
Safety - Bob Sanders is a stud, but the other safety spot is still up-in-the-air.
Wide Receiver - Brandon Stokley has ran into serious injury issues, and this offense needs a third option at receiver to run at full force. |
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15. Jacksonville Jaguars
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Outside Linebacker - I've been calling for Jacksonville to add a playmaking linebacker for years, but they just refuse to do it. With the two great defensive tackles, this team would greatly benefit from a playmaker at the linebacker spot.
Defensive End - Bobby McCray has performed well, but a pass rusher on the other side would be a nice addition.
Safety - Donovan Darius is getting up there in age and will be coming off a serious ankle injury. Deon Grant is nothing special. A playmaker at the safety spot would be a nice addition.
Offensive Guard - Some young depth wouldn't be bad. |
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16. Kansas City Chiefs
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Offensive Tackle - K.C. has coped with the loss of Willie Roaf, but could really use at least one starting offensive tackle.
Wide Receiver - With Tony Gonzalez aging, the Chiefs aren't going to be able to survive much longer without a legitimate receiver. Eddie Kennison is near the end of his career as well.
Defensive Tackle - Ryan Sims can officially be labeled a bust, and it's time for the Chiefs to once again look for someone to provide a push from the middle.
Cornerback - Neither Ty Law or Patrick Surtain (both 30+) are long-term answers.
Safety - Sammy Knight is solid and backed up by 2006 draftee Bernard Pollard, but a young free safety could be brought in to compete with Greg Wesley.
Offensive Guard/Center - Could use some depth in the interior line. |
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